Page 16

PATIENCE

“ S tubborn man,” Patience grumbled as she made her way to the front door and flipped the deadbolt. As she peeked through the sidelight, Quinn got to his truck, never once looking back.

“Damn. Good thing he’s hot as hell.” She’d almost expected him to wait to hear her lock the door. The snow was still falling hard enough that it was already difficult to see his footprints.

She’d known he wouldn’t be a cuddler, but it would have been nice if he hadn’t run out the door like he was on fire. He hadn’t been happy finding out that she was a virgin, but he’d handled it better than she expected.

Patience never understood why it was a such a big deal.

The hymen was simply a little piece of skin.

She’d been getting a birth control shot since she turned eighteen as a just in case.

Waiting for marriage was never in her plans, just waiting for the right man.

He’d protected her without asking if he needed to, anyway.

Quinn had definitely been the perfect choice, and she’d never really be sorry she’d deceived him.

If it hadn’t been for the blood, he wouldn’t have known, most likely.

She’d hoped her toy use would have taken care of it years ago.

Oh well. It wouldn’t ever be an issue again.

She was relieved. At least, he’d known what he was doing, not like some boy in high school or even half the guys she met in med school.

With his big dick energy, she’d expected him to be large.

He’d surpassed her fantasies. Long, thick, with that thick vein running down the side.

When he’d first stepped out of his briefs, she’d almost come looking at him.

Patience snorted, thinking about Quinn in a contest with the aliens in the romances she read. He’d win hands down, except for the extra appendage category. Shaking her head, she reminded herself she had stuff to do before she passed out.

Her stomach growled to remind her it was empty.

The shower would have to wait until after she ate, since she couldn’t remember the last time she had.

With a sigh, she headed for the kitchen and poured a bowl of cereal.

As she ate, she pulled out her phone and scrolled through the messages she’d ignored for hours but couldn’t bring herself to reply to any since it was so early.

No wonder she was exhausted. As she munched her donut-shaped oats, she realized she’d been up for over twenty-four hours.

Later was going to suck donkey balls if she didn’t get some sleep, but that would have to wait until after a shower.

A soak in the bathtub to soothe her sore muscles seemed perfect, but she’d probably fall asleep and drown. Nope, shower for sure.

She rinsed out her empty bowl and put it in the dishwasher and wondered if she’d see Quinn during her shift at the Ready Room later. Or not, since Pam probably wouldn’t open the bar if the white stuff continued to fall like it had been.

He couldn’t avoid her forever unless all the guys hung out somewhere else.

Besides, he still had to give her the information on his mechanic.

Ugh. “How could I forget my car was still stuck at the Ready Room?” Damn.

It looked like Quinn would have to suck it, because she needed to visit Felicity later.

Patience had promised her. There were many things she refused to do, and breaking a promise was at the top of the list.

Would he want to give her a lift later? He’d charged out of there like his hair was on fire.

Even if she was a little worried that Quinn would try to keep her at arm’s length.

She’d text him later, after she took a shower and got some sleep.

If not, she could always use the Uber app, unless the weather grounded them.

The car and hospital were a worry for future Patience.

For now, she couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she climbed the stairs to her bedroom and plugged her phone in to charge on her nightstand.

Nothing could dim her joy—not after delivering her first baby and in the middle of a snowstorm.

Add on finally losing her virginity to the sexiest man she’d ever known.

It was a freaking amazing day. Her insides were bubbling up with happiness, and she had no one to share it with.

Dammit. Waiting for her bestie to get home would be almost impossible.

She’d had to stop from texting when Quinn had left.

Instead, she’d probably spill her guts as soon as Livie walked in the door.

Unfortunately, with this blizzard, there was no telling when Theo and Livie would get back to town.

No way would it be later that afternoon as they’d planned, not with the continuing stormy weather.

Patience opened the glass door to the shower and turned on the water. A childhood of cold showers, wherever her parents were posted, made her appreciate hot showers. As steam filled the bathroom, she stripped out of her clothes and dropped them into the hamper.

A sigh escaped her lips as she stepped under the showerhead.

The pulsing of the water eased her sore shoulders and neck as she stood under the water, letting it work its magic on her tight muscles.

A bath would have been better, but the wide yawn reminded her of her exhaustion.

If she didn’t get into bed soon, she’d probably fall over.

Grabbing the lavender-scented shampoo, she lathered her hair and then quickly rinsed it and added the conditioner.

If not, she’d never get her comb through it.

She inherited her mother's auburn-colored hair, and her father’s thick waves—a blessing and a curse.

She reached for the purple pouf and grabbed the vanilla-scented body wash from the ledge.

Scrubbing her skin with the rough fabric made it tingle and left her feeling fresh for the first time in hours.

Using her soapy hand, she carefully washed between her labia, ensuring she washed away all traces of the spermicide on the condom.

Wincing as her fingers touched her swollen lips, a smile curled edges of her lips as heat gathered low in her belly at just the thought of Quinn.

Even exhausted, her body responded to him.

He was a fine specimen of a male; one she’d love to study for hours.

But at least she’d have those memories for a lifetime.

She didn’t care what he claimed. He was just as attracted to her as she was to him.

Patience would figure out how to get through his stubbornness.

It’s not like she didn’t expect him to get down on one knee and propose.

But why couldn’t they enjoy each other until she went away in a few months?

Thinking about this now wouldn’t get her into bed any faster.

There’d be time for it later, after she slept and her brain was working fully again.

Rinsing the soap from her skin and the conditioner from her hair, she shut off the water and stepped out of the shower.

Grabbing a towel, she wrapped it around her head, and then another and dried off.

The shower's heat relaxed her, and now her limbs felt like putty.

With a groan, Patience pulled the towel from her head and grabbed her comb.

Working it through her long, tangled, auburn hair until it hung smoothly down her back.

It was a struggle to dry her hair. Still, she struggled through it, and after far too long, her hair was finally dry.

The cooler air of her bedroom raised goosebumps on her skin.

Hurrying over to her dresser, she pulled out her favorite lavender-colored cotton sleep shirt.

After checking her phone for any missed messages while she was in the shower, she pulled back the covers and slid between the cool sheets.

She relaxed onto the soft mattress and hugged her pillow.

Sighing in bliss, she snuggled into the soft bedding.

She closed her eyes and thought of kissing Quinn as she drifted off to sleep.