More Than This (5 page)
Authors: Shannyn Schroeder
Her nervous laughter was a relief. She nudged him with her elbow. “Thanks, but I think
we’ve already covered that. I’m not looking to be this week’s flavor. Going out with
you would be a colossal mistake.”
we’ve already covered that. I’m not looking to be this week’s flavor. Going out with
you would be a colossal mistake.”
The thought of tasting her made him hard. He walked her to the door. He hadn’t thought
in terms of a relationship in a long time, but hearing her call the possibility a
mistake irritated him. How could she know what he wanted if he wasn’t even sure? “You’re
probably right. It couldn’t hurt to ask.”
in terms of a relationship in a long time, but hearing her call the possibility a
mistake irritated him. How could she know what he wanted if he wasn’t even sure? “You’re
probably right. It couldn’t hurt to ask.”
After she exited through the back, Ryan walked to the bar and told both the bartender
and waitress to cut off Quinn’s date. He knew the man would look for more liquor once
Ryan told him Quinn had left.
and waitress to cut off Quinn’s date. He knew the man would look for more liquor once
Ryan told him Quinn had left.
Ryan walked to the table and looked into the blood-red eyes of the date. Gritting
his teeth, he managed, “Excuse me, sir.”
his teeth, he managed, “Excuse me, sir.”
“What’ya want?”
Ryan inhaled and reminded himself he didn’t need another bar fight. Irritation battled
courtesy. “I wanted to let you know your date left.”
courtesy. “I wanted to let you know your date left.”
The man heaved a deep sigh. “Bitch.”
Ryan stiffened and his hands flinched, but he remained silent.
“They’re all bitches, ain’t they? Can’t even get a decent night out, much less get
one to spread her legs.”
one to spread her legs.”
Ryan couldn’t believe Quinn thought this had even the remote possibility of being
a good date. No one was that good an actor, not even online. Ryan leaned down, closer
to the drunk. “Be careful how you speak about people. That woman happens to be a friend
of mine. Maybe if you weren’t a drunk, slurring and slobbering all over yourself,
she wouldn’t have felt the need to duck out of here.”
a good date. No one was that good an actor, not even online. Ryan leaned down, closer
to the drunk. “Be careful how you speak about people. That woman happens to be a friend
of mine. Maybe if you weren’t a drunk, slurring and slobbering all over yourself,
she wouldn’t have felt the need to duck out of here.”
The drunk scrambled to his feet but plopped back on his ass.
Ryan straightened again. “I’ll call you a cab. You’re not fit to drive.” He waited
until the man’s gaze met his. “Don’t bother contacting Quinn again. She’s not interested.”
until the man’s gaze met his. “Don’t bother contacting Quinn again. She’s not interested.”
The following week dragged. Students were restless with spring fever, and Quinn found
she had as much trouble focusing as the kids. She felt burned out and couldn’t wait
for summer, but her list nagged her every day. She had gotten nothing done and hadn’t
even put forth much effort.
she had as much trouble focusing as the kids. She felt burned out and couldn’t wait
for summer, but her list nagged her every day. She had gotten nothing done and hadn’t
even put forth much effort.
Except for the stupid dating sites.
That made tonight a two- or three-drink night, so she dropped her car off at home
and had her colleague and friend Brian drive her to the bar.
and had her colleague and friend Brian drive her to the bar.
It was still too early for the regular after-work crowds to be in a bar. Quinn found
herself fussing with her hair as she scanned the room looking for Ryan. She didn’t
know what had gotten into her. She barely knew him.
But she did know the man could kiss
.
herself fussing with her hair as she scanned the room looking for Ryan. She didn’t
know what had gotten into her. She barely knew him.
But she did know the man could kiss
.
Brian nudged her over to the bar to order. “Hey, Jenna. I’ll have a beer. And Quinn
will have—what froufrou concoction will it be today?”
will have—what froufrou concoction will it be today?”
Quinn rolled her eyes at him and focused her attention on the bartender. “Let’s make
it a Long Island iced tea.”
it a Long Island iced tea.”
Brian reached down from his six-foot-three frame to touch her shoulder. “Do you know
what’s in that?”
what’s in that?”
“Yes, I’m not driving. I’ll be fine.”
Jenna nodded and began to mix and pour. As if she could read Quinn’s mind, she said,
“He’s not in right now.”
“He’s not in right now.”
“Huh?”
“Ryan. He’s not here.” She pushed a tall glass in front of Quinn.
“I wasn’t looking for him.”
“Sorry. You looked like you were.” She swiped the bills Brian laid on the bar and
turned to the next teacher.
turned to the next teacher.
How sad that Jenna lumped her into the group of women Ryan talked to any given night.
Every time she saw him, he was engaged in conversation with a different woman. Did
they all stand at the bar searching for him?
Every time she saw him, he was engaged in conversation with a different woman. Did
they all stand at the bar searching for him?
Quinn sat at the table, staring at her pocket calendar while she sipped on her drink.
Only two weeks left of school. If she was going to play hooky, she’d have to do it
soon. But she had to prep the kids for finals.
Why did Indy even put this on here? I get plenty of time off.
Only two weeks left of school. If she was going to play hooky, she’d have to do it
soon. But she had to prep the kids for finals.
Why did Indy even put this on here? I get plenty of time off.
Brian slid into the seat across from her. “What’s going on? I hear Shari Ackerman’s
going to teach summer school in your spot.”
going to teach summer school in your spot.”
Quinn shook her head. “Do you think she can handle it?”
“What’s to handle? It’s three hours a day with a captive audience.”
“I’ve taught that class for the last seven years. Those are not the bright, engaged
students she’s used to teaching.” Quinn swallowed the bitterness of being passed over
for the position Shari got. Quinn really wanted to teach the Honors classes.
students she’s used to teaching.” Quinn swallowed the bitterness of being passed over
for the position Shari got. Quinn really wanted to teach the Honors classes.
“Everyone’s got to start somewhere. Me, I’m going to start at the bar and work my
way toward a game of darts.”
way toward a game of darts.”
Brian walked off and before she had the chance to refocus on her calendar, Ryan took
Brian’s seat. “Good evening, Ms. Adams. Enjoying your night here at O’Leary’s?”
Brian’s seat. “Good evening, Ms. Adams. Enjoying your night here at O’Leary’s?”
“Jenna said you weren’t here.” She sat back and crossed her arms against her chest.
“You came in looking for me?” He leaned forward at the table.
“No.” Her eyes widened. “She
assumed
I was looking for you and offered the information.” She reached out and turned her
glass in circles, avoiding his eyes.
assumed
I was looking for you and offered the information.” She reached out and turned her
glass in circles, avoiding his eyes.
“What’s up? Haven’t seen you in a while.”
“It’s only been a week.”
“I’ve gotten used to you stopping by more often.”
“I’ve been working. The end of the year is a busy time.” This was the third time she’d
seen him since the kiss, and he’d said nothing.
seen him since the kiss, and he’d said nothing.
“What’s this?” He tapped her calendar.
I guess we’re still ignoring the kiss.
“I’m trying to choose the best day to play hooky.”
“I’m trying to choose the best day to play hooky.”
Ryan’s laughter rose above the noise of the milling crowd. “You need more help than
I thought. Sweetheart, a hooky day isn’t something you plan. You just do it. You don’t
think about work. The day is supposed to be fun.”
I thought. Sweetheart, a hooky day isn’t something you plan. You just do it. You don’t
think about work. The day is supposed to be fun.”
Quinn groaned and thumped her head on the table. “I can’t do that.”
“Didn’t you ever cut class?”
Quinn raised her head. “No. Perfect attendance all four years. Eight if you count
college.”
college.”
His crinkly-eyed smile returned. “Oddly, I’m not surprised by that fact. If you’re
not comfortable with it, why are you doing it?”
not comfortable with it, why are you doing it?”
“Remember the list Indy and Kate created for me last week?”
You know, the night you kissed me senseless one minute and moved on to a bimbo the
next?
You know, the night you kissed me senseless one minute and moved on to a bimbo the
next?
He nodded and she continued, “The first item on the list is to play hooky.”
“Playing hooky should not be stressful. Everyone does it. Lighten up. Pick a day and
have fun. Your students will survive without you. Most of them have played hooky and
can appreciate it.”
have fun. Your students will survive without you. Most of them have played hooky and
can appreciate it.”
She slammed her calendar shut. “Okay. Monday it is, then.”
He shook his head again. “Not quite spur of the moment.”
“Hey, I’m a work in progress.”
Ryan hung up his phone. It had been his third call from his mother. She wanted to
verify he was coming to family dinner. Colin’s home—time for a big celebration. It
didn’t matter that Colin hadn’t accomplished anything over the last three years. Coming
home was achievement enough. He rolled his shoulders to ease the tension.
verify he was coming to family dinner. Colin’s home—time for a big celebration. It
didn’t matter that Colin hadn’t accomplished anything over the last three years. Coming
home was achievement enough. He rolled his shoulders to ease the tension.
He left his office and stood in the hallway facing a decent-sized crowd, early for
a Friday night. He took two steps into the bar and saw Quinn still sitting at the
same table. He’d figured she would’ve left by now. She never had more than one drink
with the other teachers. She only stayed late when she had a date. A tall blond man
bent over and kissed her head. Ryan’s stomach clenched with the realization that she
wasn’t pulling away.
a Friday night. He took two steps into the bar and saw Quinn still sitting at the
same table. He’d figured she would’ve left by now. She never had more than one drink
with the other teachers. She only stayed late when she had a date. A tall blond man
bent over and kissed her head. Ryan’s stomach clenched with the realization that she
wasn’t pulling away.
Had she actually found a decent date?
He relaxed moments later when he took the time to recognize the man—he posed no threat.
Ryan watched Quinn after the man left. She drummed her fingers on the table and sipped
more alcohol. She pulled her phone from her pocket and opened and closed it. A frown
creased her face. No one joined her. She spoke to no one.
more alcohol. She pulled her phone from her pocket and opened and closed it. A frown
creased her face. No one joined her. She spoke to no one.
He took it as an invitation and sat across from her again. “The guy who left. You
do know he’s gay, right?”
do know he’s gay, right?”
“Huh? You mean Brian?” A giggle escaped. “Yes, he’s a friend from work.”
“Just making sure your gaydar isn’t as broken as your asshole radar.”
She straightened in her chair. “I think it’s time for me to go.”
Ryan reached out to grab her hand. “Don’t take offense. I’m being a good wingman.
It would ruin my reputation if I let you date a gay guy.”
It would ruin my reputation if I let you date a gay guy.”
Quinn leaned back in her chair. Her head tilted to one side. He saw the unfocused
glaze in her eyes.
She’s drunk.
“How’s the dating going?”
glaze in her eyes.
She’s drunk.
“How’s the dating going?”
A crooked smile etched her face. “Dating sucks. All the Internet sites that promise
you’ll find someone special run at the sight of me. I give up.”
you’ll find someone special run at the sight of me. I give up.”
“What are you talking about?”
She shook her head with a sigh. “I haven’t been having any luck with the dating site
I signed up for. You’ve seen them. I don’t think I’m asking for too much. A guy with
a job, at least average intelligence, and he has to be able to kiss. I can overlook
a lot of things if a guy can lean in with a kiss to make me forget where I am. I don’t
have it in me to work with a guy on his kissing.”
I signed up for. You’ve seen them. I don’t think I’m asking for too much. A guy with
a job, at least average intelligence, and he has to be able to kiss. I can overlook
a lot of things if a guy can lean in with a kiss to make me forget where I am. I don’t
have it in me to work with a guy on his kissing.”
Ryan snickered. “The guys you go out with can’t kiss?”
“One guy was like a lizard. He kept jabbing his tongue in and out.” She flicked her
tongue out repeatedly.
tongue out repeatedly.
Instead of laughing at how ridiculous she looked, Ryan had the urge to pull her close
and give her a non-lizard kiss. Her tongue flicking made him imagine where else she
might use it. He stared at her mouth, not hearing what she said.
and give her a non-lizard kiss. Her tongue flicking made him imagine where else she
might use it. He stared at her mouth, not hearing what she said.
He blinked and refocused. “What’d you say?”
She barreled on, unfazed. “So I tried to sign up with a different site. They wouldn’t
even have me. I tortured myself honestly answering their tedious questionnaire, only
to have them tell me I’m unmatchable.” She paused and gulped the last of her drink.
“What the hell does that mean anyway? Am I unlovable because they can’t figure out
with whom to pair me?”
even have me. I tortured myself honestly answering their tedious questionnaire, only
to have them tell me I’m unmatchable.” She paused and gulped the last of her drink.
“What the hell does that mean anyway? Am I unlovable because they can’t figure out
with whom to pair me?”
“I told you you’re looking in the wrong places. Real men don’t troll the Internet
to find dates. We’re visual creatures. We like to see the product upfront.”
to find dates. We’re visual creatures. We like to see the product upfront.”
“Thanks for the information. I’ll take it under advisement. Brian told me I’d find
someone when I least expect it. With any luck, when he shows up, he’ll know how to
kiss. Until then, maybe I need a break from dating.” She tugged her jacket off the
back of the chair.
someone when I least expect it. With any luck, when he shows up, he’ll know how to
kiss. Until then, maybe I need a break from dating.” She tugged her jacket off the
back of the chair.
He quickly stood and blocked her from getting up. “You’re not driving, are you?”
“No, Officer Friendly. I’m not stupid. I came with Brian. I’ll call a cab, since it’s
obvious my sister isn’t coming.” She pushed her chair from the table.
obvious my sister isn’t coming.” She pushed her chair from the table.
Ryan held out a hand to help her up. “How much did you drink?”
Her hand was cool and smooth in his and he didn’t want to let go.
“Three of those. I think it was only three.” She jammed one arm into her jacket and
fumbled to find the other side.
fumbled to find the other side.
He reached around and helped get her other arm through. “I’ll give you a ride home.”
Tugging on the collar of her jacket to close it put him too close to her body. His
thoughts wandered to being alone with her. He pulled back to keep a clear head.
thoughts wandered to being alone with her. He pulled back to keep a clear head.
“No, thanks. I hardly know you. And I’m pretty buzzed. What if you turn out to be
a creep?”
a creep?”
“I would never take advantage of a woman who has had too much to drink.
Ever.
” His sharp tone had her head snapping up from fumbling with the buttons on her jacket.
He smoothed his tone. “You know me well enough. Better than these guys you’ve been
meeting.”
Ever.
” His sharp tone had her head snapping up from fumbling with the buttons on her jacket.
He smoothed his tone. “You know me well enough. Better than these guys you’ve been
meeting.”
He tugged her sleeve. “Come on. It’ll give us a chance to get to know each other.
I’m a better wingman for friends than acquaintances.”
I’m a better wingman for friends than acquaintances.”
She flipped open her phone and dialed. After a moment, she spoke quietly. “Hey, call
me in twenty to make sure I got home okay. Yeah. Bye.”
me in twenty to make sure I got home okay. Yeah. Bye.”
When she closed the phone, Ryan handed her a glass of water. “Drink this before we
go. It’ll help.”
go. It’ll help.”
Quinn gulped it quickly. “Leave it to the barman to know all the tricks.”
He grabbed her elbow and guided her through the maze of patrons. Right now, he had
a golden opportunity to be alone with Quinn.
a golden opportunity to be alone with Quinn.
Ryan shepherded her to his SUV in the parking lot. It was a vehicle he used for bar
business more than anything. If she puked, he’d rather it happened in the SUV than
his personal car. Although she walked with her head held high, Quinn wobbled. He continued
his hold on her arm to make sure she didn’t fall.
business more than anything. If she puked, he’d rather it happened in the SUV than
his personal car. Although she walked with her head held high, Quinn wobbled. He continued
his hold on her arm to make sure she didn’t fall.
“Where do you live?” he asked.
“You know those industrial buildings on Laramie they turned into lofts a few years
ago? I live on the fifth floor.”
ago? I live on the fifth floor.”
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