No Strings Attached

by Jiffy Kate

  “So, you’re trying to make a good impression… win the kid over. Trying to get in his mom’s pants, I’m sure,” she hisses, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot like she has me pegged.

  I laugh and scrub my hand down my face. If she only knew. “It’s not like that. I’m not trying to buy his affection. We hang out and stuff. I think he already likes me.” Why the fuck am I spilling my guts in the toy store parking lot? “I just want to buy him something he’ll like. I’ve never had the chance to buy for a kid on Christmas,” I admit, ready to give up.

  She must sense my desperation, because her face softens, and I think I might detect a teeny tiny smile. So, I go in for the kill.

  “I’ll pay you double what you just bought it for. That should buy your kid something really nice.”

  The eyebrows go up again, but this time it’s in consideration of my offer.

  A few seconds pass and she glances back to the basket, before meeting my eyes. “Deal.”

  I smile in triumph and pull out my wallet.

  As me and my, I mean, Henry’s Stormtrooper are driving down the highway, headed to the Omni, my phone buzzes again. I glance over and see the message pop up on my screen.

  Are you seriously going to stand me up?

  On my way.

  I might be gone when you get here.

  Bullshit.

  Five minutes later, I’m in the elevator on my way to the 19th floor with the biggest grin on my face, because I feel like I won the McDavid account all over again. Who knew bargaining in a parking lot over a Stormtrooper could feel so rewarding?

  Knocking on the door, I wait for Quinn to open it. She takes her sweet ass time, but I know she’s still in there. It might be my imagination, but I think I catch a whiff of her sweet and spicy scent. My mind begins to run wild and my cock stirs to attention. I haven’t had much time to think about her and what I’d like to do to her, seeing as I’ve been a bit preoccupied. But now that I’m standing here in front of this door, knowing she’s on the other side, I need her.

  Knocking once more, I lean my ear to the door. “Housekeeping,” I say in a high-pitched voice. “Want me to fluff your pillows?”

  Quinn finally opens the door and smiles, shaking her head, before grabbing me by the shirt and pulling me inside.

  “I’ll fluff your pillow,” she growls before kissing me roughly. Her teeth graze my lip and I love the sting, the intensity. I kiss her back hard and press her against the door.

  “What was so fucking important?” she asks with one hand in my hair and one gripping my cock through my pants.

  “A toy,” I tell her, grinding against her.

  “What kind of toy?” she asks, insinuation thick in her tone, but all I can think about is what I want to do with my toy.

  “Aren’t we Little Miss Nosy.” I laugh, loving this shift where Quinn is the one seeking information and needing me. Picking her up, I carry her to the bed. After I devour her mouth, I feast on the rest of her, taking my time and doing everything right… making sure she knows how much I want her.

  Chapter 16

  “Ten!”

  “Nine!”

  “Eight!”

  I grab Quinn’s waist and pull her body against mine. “Pucker up, buttercup. It’s almost midnight.” That didn’t sound nearly as suave out loud as it did in my head, but in my defense, I’ve had a few beers. And a couple of shots of tequila. Thank goodness Quinn is laughing at me and not pushing me away.

  Quinn and I originally made plans to meet at the hotel tonight, but when Sebastian invited us both to celebrate the New Year at the bar with him and Lexie, I took a chance and asked her.

  To my surprise, she agreed, and here we are.

  Tightening my grip on her hips, I zero in on Quinn’s full lips. Her tongue peeks out, wetting her bottom lip and causing my dick to harden. I can’t wait to get to the hotel so we can spend the entire night together.

  “Three!”

  “Two!”

  “One!”

  It’s as if a gun has gone off, signaling the beginning of a race as our mouths collide, making us both winners. All of the cheering, noise-makers, and music fade into the background, and it feels like Quinn and I are the only two people in the room… the whole fucking world. There’s something different about this kiss—it’s fierce, passionate, promising—and I hope with everything in my soul that she feels it, too.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Quinn whispers.

  Moving faster than I ever have in my life, I drop a few bills on the bar to pay our tab, then grab her hand and head for the door while waving at Sebastian, letting him know we’re leaving.

  The cold air that surrounds us as soon as we’re outside is a refreshing change from how it felt in the crowded bar, but I make sure to keep my arm around Quinn, holding her close to keep her warm.

  “I’ll drive,” she says as she presses in closer, hiding her face in my jacket from the cold January wind.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, I only had a couple of beers. I’m fine. I’ll drop you back at your car later.”

  “Okay.” I don’t argue because I’ve definitely had more to drink than she has, and I don’t want to waste time or be away from her.

  I can’t stop touching her, even in the car. I lean over the console and nip at her neck and ear, teasing the soft skin just under her shirt.

  “Stop, you’re driving me crazy.” Quinn’s hands stay firmly on the steering wheel, but I can see her eyes flutter closed and then back open. Driving a little faster, she makes no effort to push me away, so I know her complaints are invalid.

  She wants me just as much as I want her.

  I’d take her here if she’d let me.

  I’d take her anywhere, anytime, any way she’d let me.

  I don’t see that ever changing.

  Unable to stop myself, I lick and suck at her neck, and I’m rewarded when her entire body shivers in response. She tastes so good. I didn’t know skin could taste so sweet, so perfect. “We could just go to my apartment. It’s not far from here,” I tell her, my lips against her neck. This time, instead of a shiver, she stills and then shifts away from me, pulling her head back.

  “We can’t do that.”

  Sitting back in the seat, I watch her in the pale glow of the interior lights of her SUV. Her eyes stay trained on the road, but I can tell by the way she works her bottom lip with her teeth that something’s on her mind.

  “I don’t get what the big deal is,” I say breaking the silence. The liquid courage still coursing through my system making me brave.

  “It’s not part of the agreement.”

  “I thought maybe we could get past the agreement. I mean—”

  “Can we not do this tonight?” she cuts me off with a level of pleading and need to her voice I haven’t heard outside the bedroom… hotel room, excuse me.

  “Fine.”

  We continue through the next stoplight and pull into the drive of the hotel. Neither of us speaks as we get out of the vehicle and allow the valet to park it. I walk up to the desk and request a room, and after a quick transaction, I take Quinn’s hand and walk towards the elevator.

  On the way up, I think about making her talk and refusing to go through with this if she won’t tell me what’s going on. I want to force her to tell me why we can be seen together in public and attend parties together, but she won’t even entertain the thought of coming to my apartment. I want to say something, but I can’t.

  Maybe I’m weak.

  Maybe I want her too bad.

  Maybe I’m scared she’ll call the whole thing off.

  So instead of talking, I hold her hand, rubbing my thumb over hers.

  When the elevator stops on the tenth floor, I walk silently down the hall and open the door, leading Quinn inside. No words are exchanged as we undress each other. It’s not hurried or needy like earlier. It’s not hard and desperate like we sometimes are. It’s slow and deliberate with our eyes
locked on each other.

  Small moans of pleasure and pleas of want fill the quiet room.

  The only light filling the room is from the open window and the city surrounding us. Quinn’s creamy skin blends into the white comforter with her dark hair a stark contrast.

  “You’re so beautiful. I could look at you like this forever,” I whisper, running my hand between her breasts and down her stomach, slipping a finger under the small silky piece of fabric. Ridding her of that last stitch of clothing, I lean down and begin to kiss all the skin I’ve wanted to all night but couldn’t, taking my time and telling her how I feel with my actions, hoping they’ll suffice for now.

  When I make my way to her sweet pussy, spreading her legs, I glance up to see her eyes closed.

  “Open your eyes, Quinn. Watch what I do to you.”

  She obeys, slowly opening her eyes, letting me see the emotions she was hiding. Her hands latch onto my hair as I lick up her slit, pushing my tongue farther in, tasting her, relishing in her—being consumed by Quinn.

  Her taste.

  Her smell.

  Her touch.

  The combination is lethal. It’s enough to make me come and could very well be the end of me.

  When I slip two fingers inside her, Quinn begins to writhe under me, her hips seeking what she desires… taking what she needs.

  The faster I pump, the more she loses control.

  Her hands leave my hair and grab frantically at the blanket beneath her.

  Her body begins to tremble.

  Her mouth falls open with silent cries of ecstasy.

  Her walls tighten around my fingers, and I want it to be my cock.

  Without hesitation, I climb up her body and wrap my arms around her thighs, pulling her to where I need her. As she’s still riding out her orgasm, I thrust inside, forcing out a loud cry of pleasure.

  Quinn’s eyes fly open and find mine. The sweat on her brow shines as her look of desire grows. Her gaze goes from my face to where we’re joined, and she watches as I thrust in and out.

  “Oh, God. So good.”

  “So fucking good, Quinn.”

  I begin pressing down on her clit, coaxing out another orgasm from her, taking her to the edge and helping her fall.

  I love watching her completely lose control and knowing I’m responsible for it.

  I love watching her like this… vulnerable, exposed… so much different than how she normally is.

  As she closes in around me, her thighs squeezing tightly on my torso, I lose control myself—heart beating wildly, sweat pouring, erratic thrusts.

  And then oblivion, where the only thing that exists is us.

  Moments pass as we try to regain our breaths. My muscles are so spent I can barely hold myself up.

  “Every time,” she says breathlessly. “Every time, I think it’s the best yet, but then the next time, I’m proven wrong. Somehow, each time is better than the last.”

  I lean down and kiss her damp forehead. “I agree.” I roll lazily off her and sprawl out beside her on the bed, letting the world spin around us.

  After I catch my breath, I rid myself of the condom and crawl up beside Quinn. Now would probably be a good time to have that talk, but I can’t force myself to ruin the moment. Instead, I pull her to me and bury my face in her hair, inhaling deeply and wishing we could stay like this forever.

  Chapter 17

  I’m not sure who’s more excited for our Sunday afternoon in the park, me or Fergie. Quinn and I agreed to skip our usual park date on the Sunday after Christmas, so it’s been two weeks since we’ve all been together. Of course, I’m happy to see Quinn again, but I’m really excited to see Henry because I can finally give him the gift I bought him.

  I admit, it’s pretty damn cool. I had to wrap the enormous box so I’d stop playing with it. There’s a slim chance it might already need some new batteries, so I bought those too.

  Fergie starts running in small circles, barking excitedly to let me know she spots Quinn and Henry. Less than a minute later, Henry is on his knees in front of my dog, petting behind her ears and telling her how much he missed her. When I look up, I watch Quinn slowly walk toward our bench with a tight smile on her face.

  Something’s wrong. I know it. I’ve sensed it since New Year’s Eve and her shutting me down when I suggested we go to my apartment, but she won’t talk to me about it. I hate seeing her struggle. It’s in a man’s nature to want to fix things and make everything better, but Quinn is too stubborn and independent to let me help. They’re qualities I both admire and find insanely frustrating.

  She sits next to me and seems to relax a fraction, especially when she sees how happy Henry and Fergie are together. It’s impossible to not be happy when those two are around.

  “They sure are quite the pair, aren’t they?” she says, finally speaking.

  “They are,” I agree, wondering if now is a good time to give Henry the gift. I’ve hesitated for the past couple weeks, unsure if it would be a good move or a bad one. Lately, I seem to be walking on eggshells where Quinn is concerned. “Hey, I have that gift for Henry. Do you mind if I give it to him?”

  Quinn genuinely smiles and says, “Not at all.”

  Maybe I’ve been worried for nothing?

  “Henry, come here for a minute. I have something for you.”

  He looks my way, and when he sees the large and horribly wrapped gift beside me, he rushes over.

  “This is for me?” he asks, eyes wide.

  “It sure is. I saw it and knew you had to have it. Open it up, buddy.”

  Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to care about how badly I wrapped his present because he wastes no time in ripping the shiny paper to shreds, revealing the Stormtrooper. Not knowing any other kids very well, I had no idea how fun it is to watch one open a gift. I could do this all day. The look of awe and joy on his face makes the extra money I gave that lady at the toy store totally worth it.

  I would’ve paid even more just for this moment.

  “Mom, look! It’s the Stormtrooper I wanted!” He holds up the box that’s almost as big as he is to show her, as if there was a chance she missed seeing it.

  “That’s awesome, Henry! What do you say to Jude?”

  “Thank you, Jude. Thank you so much!” He rushes to me and gives me a quick hug, and fuck, if it doesn’t feel amazing. “I’m gonna leave it here while Fergie and I play. I don’t want her to think it’s her toy.”

  Quinn and I both laugh as Henry and Fergie run off with a frisbee. I have the biggest smile on my face and when I turn to Quinn, the same one is on hers. It’s genuine, and it makes me relax.

  “Where did you find that?” she questions. “I looked all over the city and online and couldn’t get one.”

  Not wanting her to know exactly how I was able to purchase the toy, I tell her, “It’s all in who you know.”

  She side-eyes me before thanking me. “You’ve made his day.”

  “No, I’m pretty sure he’s made mine. I mean, I hoped that he’d like it, but I had no idea he’d react like that. He’s such a great kid, Quinn.”

  “He is.” Now her smile isn’t reaching her eyes, and her shoulders are slumped. I can’t take it anymore, the mood shifting once again.

  “What’s going on?” I ask, exhaling, hating that we have to have this talk, but damn it, I have to know what’s wrong. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”

  Quinn leans back against the bench but keeps her eyes trained on where Henry and Fergie are running and playing. “I didn’t want to have this talk here, but…”

  Her eyebrows furrow, and her teeth bite down on her lip. The struggle is so evident on her face, but I don’t know what she’s fighting. If she’d tell me, I’d gladly fight it for her… dragons, fire, the grocery store on Sunday. I’d do anything for her, if she’d just let me.

  “Remember at the party when Dr. Wilson mentioned that Dr. Cartwright was coming back?” she asks, rubbing nervous hands down the front of her jeans
before leaning forward on her elbows, allowing her head to sag, her hair creating a curtain around her face.

  “I remember. He’s the guy who tried to save your dad,” I recall her story from the Whataburger parking lot.

  “Yeah, he was my dad’s protégé, for lack of a better word. If my dad could’ve adopted him, he would have.” She laughs, but there’s not a lot of humor behind it. “I guess he saw himself in Daniel and took him under his wing, teaching him everything he knew.”

  “So, were the two of you close?” I know there’s a lot she’s not telling me. I can feel it, but I’m not going to let her put her walls up and keep me out this time. “You and Daniel?” I clarify.

  “Not really. When he first came to Mercy, I was still in school. But after I got hired on in the ER, I got to know him. Like I said, he and my dad were close. He would come over for family dinners and stuff like that. All of his family is up north, so my parents took it upon themselves to make him feel at home and be his surrogate family.”

  “Are you happy he’s coming back?” I ask, prodding for more information.

  She lets out a deep breath and sits back up, leaning back on the bench and folding her arms tightly around her torso. “It’s so complicated.”

  “What’s complicated?”

  She growls out in frustration and scrubs her face with her hands. “I don’t want to have this conversation.”

  Leaning forward, I take her hands from her face and force her to look at me. “Just say whatever you need to say. Rip it off like a Band-Aid.” As much as I don’t want to hear whatever it is, she needs to tell me because I hate seeing her like this. “There’s nothing you can say that’ll make me feel any differently about you.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”