Austin laughed. “Then I think I’ll like her. Come on in,” he said, gesturing inside the house to where the family had gathered.
They walked back to the family room and joined the others. Jenny had gone down for a nap in her room, the baby monitor on the table where they could keep an eye on her. And the women had congregated around the bar where the ice and soda choices were located. Austin watched as Quinn introduced Evie to Bri and her friend, Charlotte, a pretty woman with jet black hair, and they laughed and bonded over whatever women had in common. He was glad his family had embraced Quinn.
Paul walked up to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. He gestured to the couch where Ron sat, engrossed in both games on separate screens.
“How’s it going?” Paul asked.
“It’s going,” Austin said of his life. “It’s weird but I’m adjusting.”
Paul nodded, leaning back against the oversized cushion. “Ron and I opted not to have kids. We love to travel and we were close with you and your siblings. It was enough for us. But there is no doubt children can bring something wonderful to your life.”
Austin glanced at the monitor and grinned. “Maybe if she’d continued to cry and scream at me all the time, I wouldn’t have come around so fast. But Jenny makes it easy.”
“And Quinn taught you everything you needed to know,” his uncle said.
Austin let out a laugh. “You could more than say that.”
“Have you thought about what I suggested? About going after what you want?” Paul asked, following Austin’s gaze to where Quinn was laughing with the other women.
Austin rolled his shoulders. “I’ve thought about it a lot. Unfortunately I learned last night that Quinn broke up with her fiancé because he wanted kids and she didn’t.”
And it had hurt badly. Mostly because of the decision he’d made. “I’m going to fight for Jenny whether she’s mine or not. Quinn not wanting kids is kind of a big barrier when the woman you love is finished raising other people’s children.”
And he did love her. His feelings for her had grown from the day they’d met, but this last week had shown him that Quinnlyn Stone was everything he desired in a partner.
His uncle looked to Quinn, who caught their gaze. Realizing they were talking about her, she flushed and glanced away. “Maybe she needs an adjustment period, too, but hers is just longer than yours. I see how she looks at you. Give it time.”
Austin managed a nod because, really, what choice did he have?
“Now that your mother’s feeling better, is Quinn going to move out?” Paul asked.
Austin’s heart squeezed in his chest at the possibility. “I sure as hell hope not but that’s been the promise all along.” He hated the idea of going back to merely boss and assistant, never acknowledging the intense desire between them again.
“Look! Damon’s in!” Ron gestured to the screen and the family gathered around to watch.
The screen was full movie-theater size, and Austin liked feeling as if he were on the field with every play. His brother had incredible talent and smarts as a quarterback, already earning six million dollars a year. They were banking on him reaching double digits in the next contract.
Austin watched the second quarter, keeping an eye on Damon. The Thunder were short on the first down. Austin leaned in closer. Quinn sat on his other side, surprising him.
Not caring who was watching, he grasped her hand and held on tight. Next play, Damon dropped back to pass the ball and was immediately wrapped up by Dwayne Carter, a New York cornerback.
Everything next happened in slow motion in Austin’s brain. Damon was hit head on by Nick Markowski, a defensive end, and slammed to the ground, his head ramming against the turf.
They waited for him to get up. To move.
“Come on, man. Sit up,” Austin said.
The announcers were discussing the fact that Damon remained on the ground, unconscious.
“Fuck!” Austin flew from his seat on a yell.
His mother screamed.
Quinn jumped up and grasped Austin’s forearm, as they all watched in horror what unfolded on the big screen. They didn’t need the announcers to tell them something awful had occurred or that they had to get to New York now.
Bri grabbed her mother’s hand and Austin pulled his phone out of his pocket. Before he could call Ian Dare, his brother’s team owner and the family member with a private jet, Austin’s cell rang in his hand.
“Ian.”
“I’m headed downstairs now,” the other man said, out of breath as he obviously rushed to Damon’s side.
“We need your plane,” Austin said, he didn’t ask.
“Done.” For family, Ian would do anything. “The problem is it’s in New York. I’m sending it back for you. Be ready in three hours.” Ian disconnected the call.
Austin looked up to see his brother’s face. Teammates swarmed him and as he suddenly opened his eyes. Trainers leaned over him and finally he was put on a stretcher and carried off the field.
Jesus. Austin’s heart broke for his sibling. Despite being Damon’s agent, Austin cared only about his brother’s injury and pain and that he get the best treatment possible. The television was showing the play over and over.
“Amy?” Quinn’s voice interrupted his thoughts as she spoke into her cell. “I need you to come over here and stay the night. Maybe a couple of nights. Austin’s brother was hurt and we’re going to New York.” As Quinn spoke, she dropped one arm and grasped his hand in hers.
Quinn obviously wasn’t letting Austin face Damon’s injury alone, and he was grateful for her steady support.
“Who’s coming to New York?” Austin asked the family. “Plane is in New York but Ian’s sending it back here. We need to be ready in approximately three hours.”
“I’m going,” his mother said.
“Me,” Bri added. “I’ll take Mom to grab what she needs from home and we’ll meet you back here?”
Austin nodded.
“We’ll hold down the fort here.” Paul was hugging Christine tight. “You guys go get ready. I’ll have a car here for you to take you to the airport.”
Realizing he still held Quinn’s hand and his sister was watching them carefully, Austin deliberately didn’t let go. She was his for as long as she’d stick by him and right now he needed her.
* * *
Along with his family and Quinn, Austin traveled on Ian Dare’s private plane to New York. The trip was silent, everyone worried about Damon.
Quinn kept her hand inside his, giving him strength as he brooded, worried about his brother. He called Ian but all the other man could tell him was that they were running tests and when they had answers, he’d let them know.
They were an hour from landing when Austin’s phone rang. “Ian. Talk to me.”
“It’s a severe concussion and it’s not his first, as you know.”
“Is he conscious?” Austin asked.
“Yes. But symptomatic.”
Austin swallowed hard, knowing his mother and the rest of the family were listening. “We won’t know anything about a return until he passes protocol.” If he passed concussion protocol.
Something that would devastate his brother this early in a year that was supposed to lead to a new contract.
“Look—”
“No, I know. Let’s focus on his health. Call me if you know more. We’ll be there soon,” Austin said, disconnecting the call. “Mom. It’s a concussion. He’s going to be okay.”
His mom was sitting beside Bri and nodded, visibly relieved, but her tension would remain. She needed to see Damon for herself. They all did.
“Hey.” Quinn spoke softly beside him. “What’s going through your mind? Did Ian really say he’s going to be okay or are you keeping the family calm until you know more?”
He turned and they were face-to-face, her lips inches from his. “Do you have any idea how much I appreciate you coming with me?”
Her smile warmed h
im inside. “I can’t imagine how scared you all are feeling. I mean I’m worried and he’s not my brother. I wouldn’t leave you to deal with this on your own.”
“That’s twice now you’ve stood by me.”
She grinned. “That makes you a lucky man,” she said, brushing off what she’d done for him. “So how badly is this going to affect Damon’s contract negotiations? I’m not trying to be cold, but I have a feeling that’s what he’s going to be focused on.”
Austin smiled grimly because Damon’s future was exactly what he’d been trying not to dwell on. “He has a solid history behind him with the Thunder. But I won’t lie. A lot depends on his recuperation. What the doctors say. Whether it’s safe for him to even return to play given that it’s not his first or even third concussion. And even if he can return, it depends on whether Ian sees him as a liability.” Ian might be family, but he had a team to run and a salary cap to keep in mind.
“Then it’s a good thing Damon has the best agent in the business.”
Her faith was humbling. “I’ll do what I can for him.”
“I know.” She sighed. “When I was a year out of high school, my brother fell out of a tree house. I had to take him to the hospital because he was screaming in pain.” She glanced out the window into the darkened sky.
“Where were your parents?” he asked.
“At work. They met us at the hospital, eventually. But I had to stay with him through x-rays, diagnosis, and getting his arm set.” She turned to meet Austin’s gaze. “I held his hand, not that he’d admit that to anyone,” she said with a wry grin. “Guys are tough, you know.”
“Yeah, I know. And I hope the doctors don’t tell him he’s had too many concussions to continue playing. He’s had his share since he was a kid.” He leaned his head against the back of the seat and turned toward her. “I hope your parents realize how lucky they were to have you holding down the fort on their behalf.”
She shrugged. “It was expected. But don’t get me wrong. Even if they’d been home, like you are now, I’d have been in the car with them going to the hospital to make sure he was okay.”
“You just shouldn’t have had to play parent or make decisions at nineteen.”
“Yeah, well, that’s the way it was. And it made me pretty self-sufficient. And a great executive assistant.” She laughed, then said, “Which reminds me. I booked hotel rooms close to the hospital where they took Damon so everyone can come and go easily,” she said.
He glanced at the woman who’d become so integral to his life. “Thank you. I didn’t even think about where we’d stay.”
She squeezed his hand. “You’re welcome.”
Not caring who was watching, he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers, rubbing his lips back and forth, tasting her since it was all he could do at the moment. She moaned softly into his mouth. “I need you, Quinn.”
Before she could reply, an announcement came over the loudspeaker letting them know they would be landing soon.
As soon as they touched down, Austin heard Quinn call her niece and check on Jenny before he could pull out his phone and do the same.
For a woman who no longer wanted the responsibility of children and who knew Austin was now capable of the basics, she definitely continued to step up and make herself a part of both their lives. He didn’t want to delude himself but her actions gave him a sliver of hope.
* * *
Hours later, Quinn sat in the hospital waiting area as the revolving door of people took turns seeing Damon. Despite the doctors and nurses limiting him to two visitors at a time, Damon was conscious and had remained so, and had agreed to see whoever had stayed to visit with him.
From family to coaches, teammates, and doctors, everyone got their five minutes. Ian took two. Quinn imagined that neither man wanted to talk much when the end result was so uncertain.
Austin went last, and when his turn came, he grabbed Quinn’s hand, and before she could argue, not that she would in public, he pulled her through the doors and down the hall.
“Don’t you want to see your brother alone?” she asked when it was just the two of them outside Damon’s hospital room.
He turned to her, his indigo blue eyes somber. “Believe it or not, I could use the moral support. He’s going to want answers I can’t promise him.
She nodded in understanding. Austin was straddling the line between compassionate brother and honest agent. “Then let’s do this.”
Keeping her hand in his, Austin rapped on the door. “Incoming,” he said and pushed the door open so he and Quinn could step through.
Damon lay against the pillows, his eyes glazed, looking pained.
Austin strode up to the foot of the bed. “Hey, buddy. If you wanted to sit out a preseason game, it would have been easier to just ask. You didn’t need to get your ass kicked on the field.” He joked but Quinn heard the hurt in his voice.
Damon winced, no doubt sensing his brother’s empathy as well, and he let out a rumbling laugh. “Funny,” he said, his voice rough. “Fuck. I didn’t need this now.” He glanced at Austin. “Ian could barely look at me.”
“Doesn’t mean he doesn’t have faith in you. You’re going to get through this.”
Damon thinned his lips. “Thanks for the faith, man.”
“I believe in you. I always will. Now let’s deal with the immediate issues. How’s the pain?”
Damon winced. “Not good.” He glanced at Quinn. “Thanks for coming all the way to New York and keeping this guy company. Better be careful or you might become indispensable to him.”
Austin glared but Quinn just ignored his teasing.
“You’re welcome. I wanted to make sure you were okay, too,” she said.
Damon leaned his head back against the pillows and yawned, the stress of the day obviously catching up with him. “If you weren’t taken, I might appeal to your better nature and get you to stay here and look after me.”
“I’m not taken,” she said.
“Yeah? Then why hasn’t he let go of your hand?” Damon chuckled and closed his eyes. “Night, lovebirds.”
Ignoring him, Austin walked out of the room.
Quinn didn’t know what to say, either.
Chapter Nine
Austin’s family had already left the hospital and headed to the hotel. His mom needed rest so she could get back to Damon early the next morning, and Bri had gone with her. Austin and Quinn took an Uber. On the way, he called Amy and checked on the baby, who had gone to sleep easily. He breathed out a sigh of relief.
Glancing at Quinn, he realized she’d tipped her head back and closed her eyes. Exhaustion was catching up to her, too. It really had been a long day, but seeing Damon had helped calm Austin down.
He let out a low groan and Quinn tilted her head, meeting his gaze. “Are you okay?”
“I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m fine.”
She shook her head. “I was just shutting my eyes for a few minutes.
The car pulled up to the curb in front of the hotel. They thanked the man and exited, grabbing their carry-on luggage from the trunk. At the front desk, they checked in to find their room was ready, and it didn’t take long to head upstairs and settle in. Quinn had booked them one room with a king-sized bed and he was glad. He wanted nothing more than to lose himself inside her tonight.
While she closed herself in the bathroom to wash up, he stripped down to nothing but his boxer briefs and stood looking out the window at the city below. Glittering lights blinked up at him, cars honked, and ambulance sirens sounded. The city that never sleeps was an accurate description.
The bed had been turned down and mints left on the linen. He put the chocolate on the nightstand and sat down, leaning against the pillows, bracing his hands behind his head. Jesus, but today hadn’t been anything like he’d planned.
No sooner had he closed his eyes than he heard Quinn step out of the bathroom. She wore one of his tee shirts, the large oversize cotton draping down to her knees
.
“I packed fast,” she said with a sheepish grin.
He scanned her tanned legs, imagined what was underneath the shirt, and his cock gave a jerk of approval. “I like you wearing my clothes.” He held out an arm toward her, and she walked over, putting a knee on the mattress and pulling herself over him.
“Do you like me wearing no clothes?” She settled one leg on either side of him and met his gaze, her eyes darkening.
“Rhetorical question,” he said, grabbing the hem of her shirt and pulling it over her head, revealing bare-naked skin and puckered nipples.
He pushed himself up and pulled one distended peak into his mouth, sucking hard until she responded, writhing on top of him and moaning his name. He lifted one hand and cupped her other breast, palming its weight and rubbing his thumb across her nipple. Playing with her breasts and watching her respond was arousing on its own, and his cock thickened beneath his boxer briefs. But he wasn’t finished with her yet and gripped her waist in his hands, dragging his mouth down her rib cage, her stomach, until he couldn’t dip his head any farther.
“These need to come off,” she said, hooking her fingers into his waistband and wriggling the underwear down his thighs. She lifted herself so she could take them the rest of the way, and he kicked the material off and onto the floor. But before she could take control of any kind, he flipped her onto the mattress and held her down with one palm against her stomach.
“I need to taste you,” he said and dipped his head between her thighs.
She smelled of musk and woman, and her scent aroused him. He licked, sucked, and teased her into oblivion, her body thrashing and her back arching up from the bed as he tormented her with his tongue. He swiped back and forth over her clit, the trembling in her limbs telling him she was close. He took her as high as he could and then nipped lightly with his tongue.
“Oh, God, Austin. So good. It feels so good.” She pressed and rocked against his mouth, and he licked and laved her sex until the shaking slowed and she came down from her climax.
Then he slid off the bed and grabbed a condom from his carry-on and slid it on as he returned to the bed. Her hazy gaze met his, a warm smile on her face.
Dare to Resist Page 13
