Free Something Like Redemption (Something Like Normal #2) by Monica James Page A

accepting the change, and I notice she makes an effort to touch him when placing the money into his outstretched palm.
    I walk around them angrily and begin placing our shopping bags into the cart noisily.
    “Well, a tribute band is playing tonight at Captain Frank’s. You should come,” she purrs, making sure to emphasis the word ‘come.’
    The shopping bag I’m holding goes crashing into the cart forcefully, as I slam it down with a lot more force than I intended.
    Quinn reaches for me and takes a hold of my hand, which is turning white from holding onto the end of shopping cart heatedly.
    “Whatcha think, Red?” he asks, pulling me into his side and kissing my cheek softly.
    The checkout chick frowns as she enviously watches Quinn nuzzle my cheek with his nose. I try not to gloat, but find it near impossible not to, as I have this amazing man. I make it clear he only has eyes for me.
    “Could be… fun,” I reply on a breath, as his closeness is making me feel weak at the knees.
    “Might see you there then,” he replies, his lips still fanning over my cheek, the hoop in his lip adding to the velvety sensation.
    But then he’s gone, casually placing the rest of our things into the shopping cart, oblivious to the fact he just sent my pulse racing a million miles per hour.
    Shaking my head and struggling to clear it, I notice a few girls eyeballing me, but I ignore them as I catch up to Quinn and we make our way to the truck silently. As we begin placing our bags into the back, I look down at the bumper, cringing.
    “We gotta ditch these plates,” I say with repulsion when my eyes pass over the disgusting words.
    Quinn nods, and a dimpled smirk suddenly makes a sinful appearance. “You’re right. They are definitely too distinguishable. And besides, I’m an ass man.”
    I know he’s joking, but I still can’t help my blush, which is ridiculous. Quinn has seen me naked, well, my bottom half, but it was dim, and it was sadly only once.
    Quinn has given me two amazing orgasms, but I’m greedy and I want more. But how do I tell him that? I can’t, as he’ll think I’m some sex fiend, or slut, which I’m neither. It’s just with Quinn, I’m consumed by him, and what he does to my body is something I’ve never experienced before. And now, I’m addicted.
    “I wish I was in your head right now.”
    I spin around quickly, totally unaware I’m standing vacantly, one lone shopping bag hanging limply by my side.
    “Huh?” I ask, staring at Quinn’s mouth, which is tugging on his hoop, which doesn’t help my train of thought.
    “Never mind,” he says, chuckling, reaching for the shopping bag I’m still holding and placing it alongside the others.
    “Do you want to find a place to crash?” he asks, jumping into the truck while I follow.
    “Sure. Let’s find someplace where we can park the car so it’s out of sight.”
    “Good thinking, Red. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’d done this before,” he says, reversing the truck.
    I give him a small smile because sadly, it’s true.
     
    ***
     
    After finding a motel with a parking lot round back, Quinn checks us in, while I wait outside, not able to set a foot inside. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to enter a motel office ever again without becoming a drooling basket case.
    There are just too many memories, and with those memories comes my rolling wave of regret, something that will eat at me for eternity.
    “All set,” Quinn says, snapping me out of my slump. He jingles the keys in my face.
    I nod, trying to fake a smile, but Quinn sees right through my bullshit.
    “You okay?” he softly asks, wrapping an arm around my waist and drawing me into his side.
    “Yeah, I will be,” I reply honestly, giving him a small smile. “I just miss him, ya know?”
    Quinn nods, kissing my temple softly. “I do too,” he sighs, and we’re still for a few moments, both lost in Hank memories.
    “C’mon,” he says, latching onto my hand.