by Jayne Rylon
That had been nearly two years ago now. Despite how grown-up he sometimes seemed, Kate reminded herself that he was still a seventeen-year old boy inside his rapidly developing body.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Morgan asked, beating her to it.
“That’s how I know you’re a good mom.” He shook his head. “I didn’t even say anything and you could tell.”
“You’re not very subtle.” Joe put his arm around his wife’s waist. None of them liked seeing their friends upset, Quinn especially. He was special to all of them. Considering how he’d fought to survive his horrific childhood, they tried to make his life as easy and fun as possible now.
“Not shockingly, my own mother never could read me like that.” He shrugged one shoulder. They all knew Missy Daily wasn’t exactly a maternal paragon, which was putting it lightly considering her penchant for physical abuse.
Still, that’s all he’d known for most of his life.
“Well, I guarantee you Ms. Brown and Tom will be able to. So why don’t you tell us what’s bugging you before they pry it out of you?” Mike asked Quinn. “I’m guessing this might be something you’d rather keep private or you wouldn’t have called us solo, would you?”
James and Devon exchanged a quick glance. If nothing else, relationships—families—like theirs, and the Hot Rods’, required intense communication. It wasn’t like Quinn, or any of them really, to be uncomfortable sharing, especially given the close connection he had with his big brother. Why was he afraid of telling Roman whatever had happened? He’d been given reason to be cautious in his short life, but Barracuda would never hurt Quinn.
“It’s a girl,” he blurted.
“It’s always a girl.” Dave’s laughter boomed off the exposed wooden beams of the cabin. “Your brother told us you were dating someone in your class. Took her to homecoming last week, right? Ms. Brown sent us a picture. You looked great.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Quinn cleared his throat. “And when I brought her home, her brother had something to say about it.”
“Oh shit, because you live with your brother and he’s part of an alternative partnership? Did you kick his ass?” James wondered. “Sure, that’ll be awkward, but maybe if you tell her what happened she’ll forgive you—”
“It would have been hard to land a punch considering how far down my throat he stuffed his tongue.” Quinn buried his face in his fingers, muffling the end of his admission. “I guess he had a crush on me and was pissed I asked his sister to be my date instead of him.”
Kate noticed how huge his hands were. She didn’t remember them being so…grown…even a few months ago. He was like a giant clumsy puppy, right on the cusp of becoming part of a powerful pack.
“So you let him down gently, right?” Kayla asked. Considering Quinn’s older brother was gay, she didn’t think he’d be upset over being hit on by a guy. That wasn’t part of whatever was eating the kid up.
“Not exactly. It felt too good.” Quinn peeked through his fingers. “Things sort of got out of control.”
“Are you saying you slept with your girlfriend’s brother?” Neil, never one to have much of a filter between his mind and his mouth, asked what they were all thinking.
“Yep. And I liked it. I’m going to hell, right?” Quinn dropped his hands to his lap, his brow wrinkled as he looked to them for judgment or absolution, Kate wasn’t sure which. Either way, he wasn’t going to get it from them.
“First of all, did you use protection?” Devon asked, point blank. If he was mature enough to be sexually active, he could answer her question.
“Of course. I mean, I’m an idiot—obviously—but I’m not that stupid.” He did grin then, reminding her so much of his older brother it was uncanny. The kid could easily break another million hearts after this one, even without trying.
Kate watched Morgan’s shoulders relax then. They’d talked often about their relationships and how they might unintentionally influence their own children. Promiscuity and safe sex were major concerns. A child couldn’t possibly understand how blessed they had been to find each other. It could leave them open to being taken advantage of, or assuming that all relationships were based on trust and respect like theirs. Quinn might have an equally skewed view of the world after being immersed in the Hot Rods’ culture of open love and sexual sharing in contrast to the dysfunction of his mother’s house.
“Good, that’s great.” Mike cleared his throat. “Now, if you think you’re man enough to take on a relationship like that, you’re going to have to handle all the emotional aspects of caring for your partner that come along with getting off. That part is quick and easy, the rest is a lot more difficult to figure out. So I’ll help you out. You did fuck up. Big time.”
Quinn groaned as if one of his heroes had punched him in the gut. “I know. How do I fix it?”
“You might not be able to,” Devon said quietly, clearly pained, though not angry. “What would be your ideal outcome?”
“I’m not sure. I guess it’s too much to hope they’ll both want to date me, right?”
“Um, yep.” Dave nodded. “Neither one is likely to stick around after being betrayed, and think what it would do to their family if you came between them. If you really care for them, you’ll do the right thing here and cut them loose before trying again, the right way, with someone—or someones—else.”
“Damn it. I thought I’d be fine dating just a guy or just a girl, whoever turns me on, you know?” Quinn tipped his head then whispered, “What if I want both? That is okay, right?”
“Tell me it’s not.” Devon propped one hand on her hip where she stood flanked by her two husbands.
Quinn held up his hands, palms out. “I know. Sally, Alanso, and Eli too. But how do you make it work without messing with the people you’re really into? Amy’s not going to believe that I ever cared for her after this.”
“Unfortunately, that’s probably true.” Mike nodded brusquely. He thought too much of Quinn to lie. They all did. “Because you weren’t upfront with them. And…well, it’s probably not a good idea to fall for two people who are related if you want to sleep with them both at the same time. Imagine what kind of position you’d be putting them in.”
“Yeah. Boner killer for sure.” Quinn wrinkled his nose. “It’s bad enough when Carver and Roman make out while I’m around. I damn sure don’t want to watch them getting it on.”
Kate would have no problem doing that for him. After all, she’d watched the two fuck many times and enjoyed every second of their passionate displays. Roman loved showing off his boyfriend, especially when they were in the middle of a BDSM scene. But…his little brother probably didn’t need to know that. Definitely wouldn’t appreciate it like she had.
She blinked a few times to clear her dirty thoughts and focus on the conversation.
“Amber says the same thing.” Quinn smiled then. “There are plenty of times I stay over at her and Gavyn’s place after working at Hot Rides. The three of us end up watching movies to avoid seeing and hearing too much at the garage. I get passed around. Between Tom and Ms. Brown, the Hot Rods, and Amber and Gavyn, it’s a landmine of who’s doing who around here.”
Kate made a mental note to talk to the guys and Tom about finding a place Quinn could really make his own. He only had another six months before he’d graduate high school and maybe move on if he felt like he didn’t truly belong anywhere or, worse, was some kind of imposition.
“So yeah, you’re going to need to apologize sincerely and break things off. With them both.” Joe sighed. “Sorry, buddy. That sucks.”
Quinn absently tapped his fingers on his knee as he considered their advice.
“It’s going to hurt to let go. Especially now that you’ve had a taste of what it could be like. But you’ve got to man up and do it right. It could take a lifetime to find one perfect partner, never mind two, but if that’s really what you want…it is possible.” Neil reached out and clasped one of his husband’s hands and
then one of his wife’s as well.
“You’re going to have to be even tougher than you have been until now,” Mike said solemnly. “You’ll have to be strong enough to care for yourself and the people you love even if that means sacrificing sometimes. What they give you in return will make it worth it a million times over, but it’s still not always easy.”
Quinn swallowed hard. “I think I kind of knew that, but I was hoping you knew something I didn’t.”
“There’s no shortcut to love.” Kayla smiled softly at him. “But you should try to enjoy the journey on the way to your destination, wherever that might end up being.”
“Oh, it was more fun than taking one of the Hot Rides bikes for a joy ride.” Quinn smirked.
“Right until you crashed and burned, dumbass.” Dave chuckled, shaking his head. No one knew better than him the lasting impact a moment could have on someone’s life.
“Good point. Okay, I guess I better go. I assume I need to fess up to Roman soon or you’ll do it for me?” His smile faded as he thought of how disappointed his brother would be in him.
“We’ll give you time to handle it before ratting you out. Two days should be enough time.” Mike crossed his arms, making it obvious that there was no other option, not that Quinn seemed ready to argue.
Quinn nodded. “Thanks for listening.”
“We’re always here for you,” Morgan promised.
He reached forward as if he was about to sever the connection.
“Hey, Quinn?” Joe called out. He proved again that the crew practically shared one brain when he said, “You’re ready for the next stage in your life. With this stuff and more. Tell Gavyn you want more responsibility at Hot Rides. I think you’re ready for it. And I’m sure he’ll agree.”
Especially because the Powertools would text Gavyn immediately and let him know that he should. Maybe they’d been treating him too much like a kid, trying to protect him when they should have been encouraging him to grow.
“If not, come on out here and we’ll give you a job,” Mike offered.
“Really?” Quinn perked up. It was amazing what a little confidence could do for a guy. Kate kissed her husband on the cheek.
“Of course, but be prepared. Building houses is a hell of a lot harder than tinkering with a puny motorcycle engine.”
“Ohhhhh, burn.” Quinn snorted. “I’d give you the finger, but I’m not sure if I’d get in trouble.”
“You’re allowed. I give you permission.” Joe laughed, then sobered. “You’re in an awkward place right now, Quinn. Not a kid, but not fully grown either. Don’t rush it. Enjoy what’s left of your childhood. Too much was taken from you not to savor the rest. There’s plenty of time to be an adult.”
“Yeah, I’m not ready to be that boring yet.” He smiled. There was the Quinn they’d come to know and love.
“Hey, we’re probably some of the least boring people in the world.” Kayla crossed her arms, drawing Quinn’s stare to her plump, tattooed breasts. Yep, definitely part man-child. Good thing he had no idea what they’d been up to shortly before he’d called.
“I know. Just teasing.” He shrugged one shoulder, then stared straight into his laptop’s camera when he said, “I hope I’m like you, and the Hot Rods, when I’m older.”
“You’re going to be even better than us when you find your people,” James swore.
“But first, you better go make this right.” Mike pointed at the door behind Quinn. “And then tell your brother what happened. He’s never going to turn his back on you. Neither will we. Got that?”
“Okay, fine.” Quinn rolled his eyes. Despite everything, he was still a typical teenager. “Later. Uh, thanks—”
He mumbled as he disconnected.
“The world is going to be in trouble with that one,” Morgan sighed.
“He’s going to make a couple of people really happy one day,” Kayla added. “I hope they do the same for him. He deserves it.”
4
“Hey, cupcake.” Joe slid his arms around his wife and hugged her tight. She stiffened instead of melting against him, so he pulled away, his arms dangling empty and awkward by his sides. “Is everything okay?”
She nodded, but the smile she flashed at him was tight. “Just tired. Yesterday got kind of wild. I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Me either, but I’ll take that kind of surprise any day.” He grinned. Relieved and refreshed, he felt ready to tackle the world today. And by world, he meant whatever this weird thing was between him and his wife. He didn’t like it. It reminded him of the days when she’d desperately wanted a baby he couldn’t provide. Damn sperm count.
A flashback of the insecurity and guilt he’d felt before the crew had lent a hand—and a few dicks—to the problem, hit him hard. He frowned.
Morgan must have sensed the change in his mood. She nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder and rested there a moment before she said, “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Hell, just thinking about it is making me hard all over again.” He leaned down, brushed her hair aside, then kissed the crook of her neck. “I think I have a few minutes before I need to leave.”
“Let me take care of that then.” Morgan started to sink to her knees. But that wasn’t what he wanted right then. He needed to breach the odd distance that had wedged between them over the past few weeks.
Right here, right now.
“I got mine yesterday.” He put his hands beneath her arms and lifted her up. Then he began kissing her as he carried her back to their bed.
Thank God Nathan was still asleep. They both got early starts. Sometimes she’d wake up at three to get freshly baked items ready for the morning rush. Luckily, he’d caught her before she headed down to her shop.
“I need to start the danishes for breakfast rush.”
“They can wait until I’ve eaten my fill.” He smiled wolfishly as he crawled between her legs and unfastened her jeans. Was it his imagination or were they a little looser than he remembered?
He walked them down her slender thighs, kissing each inch of skin he revealed.
“Joe, really…I shouldn’t.”
“Shh. I asked your boss. She said it’s okay if you’re fifteen minutes late.” Of course, Morgan was the sole proprietor of Sweat Treats. She wasn’t about to fire herself.
He reached up beneath her light sweater and ran his fingers as lightly as he could manage over her abdomen, trying to help her relax. It must have worked because when he looked up at her, she had her eyes closed and she didn’t stop him from peeling her pants off completely.
The desire to take his time and spoil her warred with being mindful of her responsibilities. The last thing he planned to do was add more anxiety to her life. She took pride in her shop and its reputation as the premier boutique bakery in the city.
So he’d make it quick and all about her.
His hands ran up her smooth legs, caressing and massaging as he made his way higher and higher. When he could reach, he took her hands in his and held them while he let his mouth continue where his fingers had left off.
He licked her body, breathing in the scent of her shower gel and the hint of her arousal, which began to perfume the air.
When he planted a light kiss just above her clit, with a feather-light brush of his mouth over her heated skin, she sighed. “Well, maybe I can take a few minutes…”
He smiled against her dampening flesh. Damn straight she could. She needed to do more for herself and less for others. Maybe it was just stress preparing for the holidays. In addition the regular family stuff—rushing around, buying gifts, decorating, and attending functions with Nathan—it seemed like a million custom orders flooded her inbox every day. The pressure to fulfill them all instead of turning people away while still exceeding her customers’ expectations would have anyone on edge.
If that’s all it was, he knew one really good way to combat her tension.
Joe gave Morgan every ounce of his attention and affection
. He tried in every way possible to communicate to her through his gentle touches that she was loved and safe in his arms. He worshipped her, because she and their son were truly the center of his entire world.
Morgan made a noise deep in her throat that sounded like a cross between a purr and a moan. He repeated the circular flick of his tongue, swirling it around her clit over and over again until she reached down and buried her fingers in his hair.
That was the woman he knew. The one who gave herself freely and accepted his devotion in return.
Joe took his right hand from hers and lowered it until it rested beneath his chin. He spiraled it inward, spreading her arousal across her folds. Slowly, yet inexorably, he neared her core. And when he slipped his index finger the barest bit within her, she didn’t object.
In fact, she spread her legs wider and pressed her pelvis tighter to his face.
He obliged her unspoken demands, lapping at her as he inserted his finger more completely. Refusing to rush, he made sure not to break the arousal blossoming within her. Yesterday, and other times lately, she’d seemed particularly sensitive. Maybe he’d been rushing too much, too eager to have her.
Carefully, he made sure to keep building her pleasure without ramping it up too fast. He figured it was like one of those fancy dessert soufflés she’d made last week. If you weren’t careful…poof.
By the time he’d worked a second finger into her, she was moaning and writhing on the bed. Joe suckled her clit, pulsing the pressure softly, in slow bursts.
“That’s so good, Joe,” she gasped. “But I need more. Please, make me come.”
Triumph flooded his veins. He could still do this to her, unravel her the way simply being with her did to him.
Joe redoubled his efforts, beginning to stroke her pussy from the inside out, loving the satiny feel of her and imagining how good it had felt when he’d buried himself inside her the day before. He’d probably been too rough when he’d claimed her, but being with the rest of the crew had that effect on him. Made him animalistic. Raw. He’d make up for it now.
