by Ryan Michele
“Right this way. A Mr. Davenport is already here.”
“Davenport?” I heard her sudden intake of breath as if she didn’t want to be in the same room as me. Yeah, I was an asshole.
She rounded the corner and fuck me, she was gorgeous. Her dark hair hugged her shoulders, and she was wearing a tight black skirt with a slit up the side and a white sleeveless blouse that was sheer. The best part was her shoes. Black leather come-fuck-me heels. Heels I wanted to fuck her in. Heels I was going to fuck her in. All my blood went south fast.
“What are you doing here?” Her voice came out in a squeak.
“Drew called me. Something about work. You?”
“Um.” She blinked, the wheels in her brain spinning. I just wished I knew what she was thinking. “Rebecca had another appointment.”
I got out of my seat to greet her, wanting to wrap her up in my arms, but before I could she skirted around me to her chair completely avoiding touching me in any way. Yeah. Tattooing fucked up on my forehead wouldn’t be enough for this woman.
“Listen, I was planning to call tonight about dinner. Work has been crazy, but I closed the deal and am finally free to take you out.” While that was true, it even sounded shitty to me.
“Sure. It’s whatever.” She didn’t meet my gaze, and I needed her eyes.
“Quinn,” I tried, but she cut me off.
“I get it, alright? Let’s just get this over with. I have to get back to work.” Had I completely blown it with her? I needed to do something to convince her that we could work. That I wasn’t a complete fuck up.
I wanted Quinn, and I wasn’t letting her go. First thing I needed to do was make her a priority. Not work. Loved my job, but it was time for a change in my focus. This had made me realize it more than ever.
“It’s Friday night. You name the place, and I’ll make it happen. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Her eyes lifted to mine, and I couldn’t tell if she was hurt or pissed. Maybe a combination of the two. Both pissed me off because they were my fault. “Conner, you don’t need to feel guilty for not calling. We both got wrapped up in the competition in Vegas. I get it and plus, you don’t date.”
I needed to get through to her. This was not my past. Far from it. “I’m taking you out on a real date. No ifs, ands, or buts about it, babe. You and me. It’s happening. I may not have dated in the past, but you’re different. I know I’ve screwed up by not calling when I should, but that changes now. Give me another chance. You know we could be good together.”
“I don’t know if we’re a good idea.” The hurt of how the past few weeks had gone was there under the surface of her gaze. There was a sadness behind her green eyes I had put there, but I was determined to make it right. Quinn was a woman worth fighting for. She was worth everything.
A server interrupted our conversation, walking toward us carrying two plates. “The first cake is made with all organic ingredients. This is a vegan carrot cake. The frosting is lemon buttercream topped with crushed walnuts.” She placed the plates in front of each of us, serving Quinn first.
“Great.” Quinn gave a fake smile and picked up her fork. She waited for the woman to leave before attempting to take a bite. I knew she hated both carrot cake and nuts. I took my fork and cut into the cake. “You first,” Quinn spoke softly. “It looks as awful as it sounded.” She made a squeamish face. There was no way she was taking a bite. I held off a second, knowing she was bluffing.
“You hate nuts,” I reminded her how well I knew her. I sniffed the forkful. “It doesn’t smell much better either, babe.” I put on a brave face and took a bite. Immediately I had to spit it back into a napkin. It was dry and tasted stale. “Yeah, no. That’s nasty. No one should be forced to eat that shit.”
Though, if we wanted to be assholes, we should pick that shit out of spite. Rebecca would deserve it for the way she had treated Quinn so nasty, but I couldn’t do that to Drew. He was a good guy, and he specifically said no carrot cake. I still didn’t know why he wanted to marry her. I had wracked my brain on the drive here, and nothing had come to me. Still sitting here, nothing.
Quinn laughed, and I coughed, choking out the word, “Water.”
Quinn poured me a glass from the pitcher in the center of the table, a wide smile on her full lips at my plight. “Here. There’s no way I’m even putting that near my mouth.” I could think of something better to stick in her mouth, but I kept that thought to myself.
“How are we doing?” The server returned to grab our plates.
“That’s a no on the carrot cake,” Quinn told her.
“All right. Next is our signature chocolate raspberry truffle cake.” She placed the samples in front of us and took away the carrot cake. This one was much better, but I knew Drew would hate it because he wasn’t a fan of berry flavored stuff. We passed on it, Quinn knowing the same thing.
“Next we have the Bride’s favorite, caramel apple cake.” It was the best of the three, but not something I would have picked for a wedding cake. And if she’d already picked this, why were we even here? That made no sense, but whatever.
“If their marriage is anything like these cakes taste, my brother is in for a rude awakening.” Quinn made a disgusted face. “That last bit of apple was as bitter as Rebecca.” Quinn giggled.
We took bites of so many cakes I thought I was going to be sick. One should not try so many flavors at one time. It would be something I remembered for a very long time.
Last was a sea salt caramel cake, and with one bite we both agreed was the best.
However, when the server returned to ask for our pick, I asked, “Give us a few more minutes to think it over.” I wasn’t ready for my time with Quinn to be over. It was selfish, but I had missed her, and convincing her to take a chance on us wasn’t going to be easy. “No problem. Take all the time you need.”
I scooted my chair closer to hers, our arms brushing.
“What are you doing?”
“I meant what I said about dinner.” I squeezed her thigh, and she sighed deeply.
“What if I have plans tonight?”
“Change them. I’m not leaving here until you agree to dinner tonight.” I inched my hand further up her thigh, and she shoved my hand away, causing it to fly completely off her. She meant business, but so did I.
“No.”
“Don’t test me, babe.” I put my hand back, this time closer to her panties. “I’m not taking no for an answer.” I teased at the lace. “What color you got on under there?”
“None of your business.” She pouted, but I knew I was wearing her down.
“I’ll be taking them off you later,” I gritted in her ear, and she quivered.
“No. I don’t want to go with you.”
Her face was stone, and the freeze out made me uncomfortable. Quinn was my Quinn, always this person who soothed me even just thinking of her. I fucked up, and I needed her to see I wouldn’t do it again.
Her hand came on top of mine, stopping its process. She clutched me tight, making it clear I was in the doghouse.
“I’m sorry for not calling. It was a shit move, and I want to have time to explain everything to you. That’s why I want to do dinner. Please, Quinn.”
She bit her lip, inhaled deeply, then closed her eyes briefly. The war inside her was evident. I knew Quinn had feelings for me that matched my own, but I also knew the woman in front of me wouldn’t be accepting of games no matter the excuse. I needed her to take a chance on me, so I could show her without a doubt I wouldn’t fuck it up again. She continued to bite her lip, making me anxious. Opening up, she answered, “Fine. Whatever.”
“Is that a yes?” I nipped the shell of her ear, and she jerked away.
“Okay. It’s an okay, and if you nip me again it’s going to be no.” She rewarded me with a small smirk. I’d take it. I leaned in for a kiss, and she pulled away. “You haven’t bought me dinner.”
“Fair enough. You thought of where I’m taking you yet
?”
“No. I don’t know.”
“I’ve never heard of I don’t know. What do they serve?”
Not until then did I get the smile I desperately craved as she said, “You’re such a shit.”
I felt a small bit of relief lift from my shoulders. She was giving me a chance, and it was more than I deserved, but I’d take it willingly. “You like it.”
“Maybe I do.” I smiled. Victory was mine, and soon Quinn would be too. We gave the baker our choice, and I walked Quinn to her car.
“Be ready at seven.”
“So bossy,” she teased me back, and more weight came off.
“I’ll spank your ass if you keep sassing me,” I growled low.
She stopped next to her car and gave me a devilish look. “That sounds like a challenge.”
She was making me crazy. The thought of spanking Quinn was making me turned on. I leaned down to kiss her, and she denied me again. Damn, I wanted to touch her lips.
“Dinner first.”
“Right.” Now I was the one pouting. She could play it that way for now, but by the end of the night I knew she’d be in my bed, under me, crying out my name and I was never letting her go. “See you tonight.”
“Later, Conner.”
I stepped back, and she closed her door. As she pulled out, I dialed Drew.
“How did it go? Was Rebecca pissed?” Drew asked before the word ‘hello’ came from my lips. He was probably afraid to catch hell fire from his woman. At least I had a bit of good news to brighten his day.
“Yeah, about that. Rebecca was a no-show. She sent your sister in her place.”
He paused for a moment, putting silence on the line, then he choked out, “She had Quinn come?”
“Something about an appointment she couldn’t reschedule. I don’t know, man. Anyway, we went with the sea salt caramel. It was the best out of the group.”
He breathed out deeply that seemed like relief. “Thanks, Conner. I appreciate it.”
“That’s what friends are for.” And it worked out damn fine for me.
“Yeah. Hey, I gotta get off here. I have a staff meeting to get to, but we’ll talk soon. Wanna grab a beer later?” I couldn’t remember the last time the two of us had gone out for just a beer after work, and I hated to tell him no. I sensed he needed a break. That he needed time just us, but tonight wasn’t that night. I had a woman to get back.
“I would, but I have a hot date.”
“Right.” He paused. “Don’t hurt my sister. I don’t want to murder you.”
“I’d never.” Even though I had. It wouldn’t happen again.
“Okay. I gotta go.” Luckily, he didn’t give me too much shit for dating his sister.
“We’ll catch up soon, I promise.”
I ended the call and got in my car to go home to get ready and pick up my place. After traveling, everything was everywhere.
I was taking Quinn out and had every intention on getting her back to my place at the end of the night. I did a quick sweep of the place, picking up dirty clothes out of the bathroom floor. Running the vacuum. I changed the sheets on my bed.
I did have a cleaning lady, but she was on maternity leave, and I hadn’t had time to find a replacement. Satisfied with how the place looked, I picked out my clothes and hopped in the shower. Let’s do this.
17
Quinn
If you kiss my neck, I’m not responsible for what happens next
Fingering through the wooden hangers on the rack inside my closet, I had no clue what to wear to dinner with Conner. Casual? Dressy? Sweats? Okay, maybe not sweats, but still. There were too many options, and dammit if part of me didn’t want to look awesome for whatever the night would bring.
Although we’d spent a great week together, excluding Rebecca and company, in Las Vegas, this would be our first real date like a couple.
Not that I believed a date implied there would be an us, maybe it was a glimmer of hope. Snap out of it, Quinn. You’re mad at him. Remember?
Gripping a little red satin slip of a dress between my fingertips and feeling its softness, I remembered how Conner’s eyes lit up when I wore the red dress during the competition. The one he bought for me.
The night a dream so many years in the making came true.
Our first kiss. Intense and all consuming. Everything that one would think a first kiss should be. His gaze seared through me and penetrated my soul; my breath stalled in my throat, his warm, slick tongue dominating mine. A moment I had fantasized almost half my life. If I touched my lips, the feel of him still lingered there.
Buzz. Buzz. My cell phone vibrated, lighting up on the nightstand of my bedroom. Pulling the power cord out to unhook it, I picked the device up and swiped a finger across the screen.
Conner—You decide where you want to go yet?
Quinn—Surprise me.
Conner—See you at seven, buttercup.
Lips tipping up at the silly pet name, I snatched the red silk from the hanger. Even though he’d seen me in it before, it had sentimental value. It meant something to me, and I hoped it did the same for him.
Searching through my underwear drawer, I snagged my red satin strapless bra and coordinating hipsters that matched my dress.
I hated going strapless, but I couldn’t simply slap some pasties over my nipples and call it a day. My girls required support, or all hell would break loose.
Glancing at the clock, there was enough time to shave my legs and reapply my makeup. I never wore a lot, however, tonight I wanted to go the extra distance, giving my eyes a bit of a smoky, dramatic appearance. It was something I hadn’t done for him before, and I was curious what his response would be.
While I was still angry at him for completely writing me off, those feelings I had for him were still going strong, and chances were good that I’d be in Conner’s bed reenacting a performance of what we started on our trip. He’d have to work a bit for it first, though.
Hurrying through my shower, I prayed I didn’t miss any spots while shaving. The last thing I wanted was Conner to run his hand up my smooth leg and hit a patch of hair and think he was touching spider.
Going through the motions of my set routine, I did my hair in loose waves that hugged my shoulders but bounced when I moved. Applying mascara and red lip gloss, I checked my reflection in the mirror. Black and smoky gray eyeshadow highlighted my olive eyes, giving me a sex kitten vibe.
Losing my robe, I took extra care not to ruin my hair while pulling my dress over my head. The red satin clung to my hips, and the draping neckline accented my ample cleavage. The dress hit right below my knees with a slit up the front that ended mid-thigh.
Tagging my earrings from the dresser, I pushed the diamond studs through the holes and slipped silver bangles over my wrist. Completing the look with my favorite red heels that wrapped around my ankles, I felt glamorous like Hollywood royalty.
Before I forgot, I dabbed perfume on my wrists and behind my ears. Staring in the mirror, this was as good as it was going to get.
With no time to spare the doorbell chimed, signaling my date’s arrival. Slapping my lips together once more, I made my way to the door.
Letting out a breath and trying my hardest to not let whatever was on the other side of that door bring me to my knees, my fingers wrapped around the handle and pulled. The front door swung open, and Conner waited at the entrance.
Jaw going slack and blue eyes dilating, his lips parted. “Wow,” he breathed the word out. Blush bloomed over my cheeks, spreading down my neck. One word and the man had me in an instant state of belly flutter.
“Hi.”
Shoving a hand forward, he thrusted a bouquet of fresh long-stemmed red roses in my direction. They were absolutely magnificent. “These are for you.”
A smile graced my lips. “Thank you. I’m going to put these in water. Come on in. It’ll only take a second. Do you want a drink? I have beer.”
“No thanks. I’ll get something at the r
estaurant.” His gaze swept over my curves as he sucked in a sharp breath. A finger crooked around the collar of his black button-down shirt and tugged. He looked damn fine, and I felt tempted to say to hell with dinner and let him eat me instead, but we needed to talk.
A dark strand of hair fell forward over his forehead, my fingers itching to brush it back. Another part of me wanted to attach my lips to his. This man…
“Babe.” My brows pinched together, and he smirked as I studied him, wondering what the look was for. Please tell me I didn’t have anything between my teeth or coming out of my nose.
“Yeah?”
“The flowers,” he prompted, snapping me out of whatever trance he seemed to have over me.
“Right.” I turned and hustled to the kitchen. Bending down, I snagged a vase from one of the cabinets.
When I spun around, Conner leaned in the doorway wearing a devilish grin, gaze trained on the space where my ass just was. Giving him an eye roll, I filled the vase and stuck the gorgeous roses in and inhaled them deep. My house was going to smell beautiful when I got home.
“Ready?” He watched me, hunger blazing in his intense stare.
I gave my sexy man a nod. My thighs clenched, liquid fire pooling between them when his hand moved to the small of my back. I froze at his welcome touch. A tingle worked its way up my spine and back down to my toes. This man was going to be the death of me.
His feral voice gritted in my ear, lips brushing the delicate shell, warm breath fanning over the skin. Chill bumps pebbled along my arms. “You look absolutely mouthwatering.”
Tilting my neck to meet his eyes, the temptation to kiss him pricked me, but I wanted him to work for it after the blow off he gave me. No way would I give in that easy. Leaning in close, his tempting tongue darted out and wet his lips.
At the last second, I pulled away. “I’m starving,” I announced, steering him toward the door.
“Yeah. Me too.” His sky blue gaze warmed my insides because I didn’t think he meant food.
