by Brooklyn Ann
Would she risk her dignity for a night in his arms?
Chapter Twelve
It took all Quinn’s willpower to stop himself from following Kinley’s retreat with his eyes.
Klement’s voice pierced the fog of desire. “So MetalKin is your guitar tech now?”
“Huh?” It took him a moment to realize that Klement was referring to Kinley’s online identity. “Oh, yeah. She is. I’m sorry it didn’t work out with your nephew.”
“He’s not my nephew. He’s my sister’s by marriage. And I’m sorry he turned out to be a douche.”
Quinn hid a grin at the bassist’s reluctance to claim Phil. “Don’t worry about it. He’s not the first to cause problems.”
Apparently Phil had whined to Klement about his demotion. Quinn set the bassist straight on the situation, explaining Phil’s constant shortcomings and ineptitude with his duties and his surly attitude. He glossed over the episode with Kinley, but his fists clenched at the memory.
“So are you going to send him home?”
“As much as I’d like to, Gaffer says it’s too late in the tour to find a replacement and we need all the hands we can get to set up for the gigs.”
“Well, maybe he’ll pull his head out of his ass long enough to get a mediocre reference.” Klement ran a hand through his Nordic blond hair and returned to the subject at hand. “So how’d Kinley end up as your guitar tech? Come to think of it, how did she come to work for you in the first place?”
Quinn sighed and pulled his smokes from his pocket. If he didn’t leave the room soon, he wouldn’t be able to hide his feelings. “It’s a long story. Care to join me outside?”
“All right.” The bassist fixed him with a stern look. “But you gotta quit those things soon or you’ll ruin your voice.”
Once outside, Klement listened to the story, eyes wide with astonishment. When Quinn finished, he shook his head. “Let me get this straight. She got hired by beating the shit out of your security guy and then she got promoted to your guitar tech after you found out she can shred?”
Quinn nodded, suddenly uncomfortable. It sounded even more ridiculous coming from Klement’s mouth.
His friend wasn’t finished. “I can’t help but wonder, is she really that good, or does this have more to do with you having the hots for her?”
“At this point, both.” Crossing his arms defensively, he couldn’t help but add, “She truly is good. Check out videos of the Megadames online and you’ll understand why I promoted her.”
“I’ve seen them,” Klement said with an odd half-smile. “Even with the poor audio and visual quality, I can tell that they’re cute and talented.”
Quinn’s eyes widened. “You’ve seen them? But when…” He knew the guy spent a lot of time on his computers, but even so, the chance of him running across such obscure footage was unlikely.
“I don’t remember.” Avoiding Quinn’s gaze, Klement waved a dismissive hand and headed inside.
Klement was lying, Quinn knew that much, but he had no idea why. Crushing out his cigarette, he followed his friend back to the party. Immediately he scanned the crowd, searching for Kinley. Her husky laugh reached his ears before he spotted her in the corner, talking with Gaffer. She tipped back her bottle of Michelob and her eyes met his. Everyone else fell away under her dark, smoky gaze.
Quinn’s mouth went dry. I want you, he told her with his gaze before turning away. He couldn’t wait any longer. He needed to find out whether or not she’d accept his invitation. Hell, he needed her to accept it. He needed to feel her in his arms, to taste and touch every inch of her body.
“I’m heading up to my room,” he called over his shoulder.
Klement chuckled behind him. “Good luck with that.”
Once there, Quinn paced the bland, sterile area, fighting an absurd urge to get some flowers and candles. He stopped for a moment and shook his head. What the hell was wrong with him? Kinley might see that as a bit over the top. Also, what if he missed her arrival? If she even showed up.
He frowned. Kinley would come—in more ways than one. She wanted him as much as he wanted her, he knew it. Why else would she have worn her hair down and put on makeup? And damn, she looked hot tonight. He couldn’t wait to peel off her clothes and kiss his way down her lithe body, taking extra time on her long, lean legs.
The room grew warm. Quinn pulled off his shirt and attempted to relax on the bed, counting the minutes before Kinley would join him. Of course, with his raging hard-on, relaxation was beyond impossible.
He glanced at the clock. The minutes seemed to be ticking away damn slowly. What if she wasn’t coming? He couldn’t fault her for having the common sense to avoid mixing business and pleasure.
If she did show up, if they did experience the night he’d been fantasizing about since the day he met her, it’d be impossible to treat her like a mere employee afterward. Hell, if she didn’t come tonight, he’d also have a difficult time.
Damned if he did, damned if he didn’t. The former would be far more worth it. Quinn sighed and checked the time, wondering when he’d have his answer.
The red numbers on the cheap bedside alarm clock seemed to mock him.
***
Kinley’s chest heaved with nervous, shallow breaths as she stood at the door to room 217. Heart pounding, she raised her fist and knocked softly. There was no way in hell she’d be brazen enough to use the keycard and walk right in.
Before her hand drew back to knock louder, the door opened to reveal Quinn leaning against the frame. “I thought you weren’t going to show.”
She bit back a gasp. He wasn’t wearing a shirt.
“I didn’t know if I was either.” Her words faltered as the sight of his bare chest and rippling muscles distracted her. “I mean, this isn’t a good idea.”
His brow arched and the corner of his mouth rose in a wicked smile. “You can’t possibly know that until we find out.”
Before she could form a reply, he pulled her inside and closed the door, claiming her lips in a devouring kiss. Kinley tangled her fingers in his silken hair, caught in his seductive spell.
Slowly, he guided her closer to the bed, hands sliding down the fabric of her top, then lower to her jeans. As he gripped the waistband, he looked up at her, a silent question in his eyes.
Biting her lip, Kinley willed her jumbled thoughts in order just long enough to ask the deciding question. “Protection?”
Instead of cringing or blowing her off like she feared, he nodded placidly. “Of course.”
“O-okay then.” Tentatively, she caressed his cheek with her fingertips, making sure he was real.
With excruciating gentleness, Quinn pulled her shirt up and over her head in a whisper of satin. Tossing the garment aside, he swept her entire body with his turbulent green gaze. She tried not to shrink back and cover herself, despite her bra. She had nothing on those centerfold-looking chicks who mobbed him nightly.
“God, you’re so beautiful,” he whispered with husky reverence.
Normally, Kinley would have scoffed at such a statement, but the rough caress of his voice gave her pause. It was pointless to negate him at a moment like this.
“You are,” she breathed, trailing her fingers across his chest, circling his firm nipples.
Quinn pulled her back into his arms, claiming her lips once more. As his tongue delved into her mouth, he carefully unhooked her bra. His hands slid around her ribcage as he removed the garment, covering her breasts in feather-light caresses.
When he broke the kiss, Kinley let out a small whimper of protest that became a moan of pleasure as Quinn nibbled at her neck, occasionally licking her earlobe. She gasped in surprised bliss as he lowered his head and kissed her breasts, swirling his tongue around her nipples. His hands gripped her hips, pulling her closer as he sank lower to kiss her belly. Moisture flooded her core.
Once he reached her pelvis, she sucked in a nervous breath, expecting him to remove her pants, but he continued l
ower. Lavishing kisses down her trembling thighs, Quinn removed her boots before unbuttoning her jeans.
As she stepped out of them, he rose to his feet and met her gaze. “Am I moving too fast?”
In answer, she unbuttoned his pants and carefully pulled down the zipper so she wouldn’t snag something important. The rough sound heightened the clarity of the moment. As the denim fell past his hips revealing his muscled legs and enormous erection, Kinley’s eyes widened.
Quinn Mayne went commando. Who knew? She bit back a giggle.
All thoughts vanished when he gently removed her panties and sank to his knees. The sight of him kneeling before her made her breath catch in her throat. His tongue delved between her thighs, licking her clit like it was forbidden fruit. Kinley’s knees turned to water and she nearly fell.
He grasped her hips, steadying her. “Lie back on the bed,” he murmured against her labia. The vibration of his voice made the sensitive nerve endings sing.
A fresh pulse of moisture flared between her legs as she obeyed. Kinley thrashed on the bed under his sensual ministrations. Licking, nibbling, and sucking, he tormented her female center with waves of overwhelming ecstasy.
Just as she was on the brink of climax, Quinn lifted his head. “As much as I’d like to bring you all the way, this time I want you to come when I’m inside you.”
Rising up over her like a demigod, he reached over to the end table and grabbed a condom. He’d already been prepared. Kinley felt another warm surge of relief that he’d taken such consideration.
As he rolled the condom over his cock, she felt a tremor of trepidation at his size. “Please be gentle,” she whispered.
Quinn nodded and gathered her into his arms, softly kissing her lips. Slowly, he guided himself to her entrance, moving his hard length in teasing circles across her hot, wet center. Kinley squirmed beneath him, eager to feel him inside her. Still, when he began to slide into her slick heat, she stiffened at the stretching pressure.
He froze above her. “You’re not a—”
“Virgin?” She shook her head with a light laugh. “No, but I’m not a skank either, so as I said, it’s been awhile—and you’re very large.”
Quinn’s low chuckle was the epitome of masculine arrogance. Holding her tighter, he deepened his kisses and slowly worked his cock inside her. His gentleness remained until the last, when, unable to restrain himself, he thrust in all the way, melding their bodies into one.
His growl of pleasure matched her moan. For a moment they remained still, savoring the intoxicating pleasure of the union. Then Quinn’s hips began a slow, hypnotic dance and Kinley undulated beneath him, matching his rhythm.
The last vestige of her discomfort faded as her body flared to life with pleasure. Quinn’s thrusts grew deeper and harder, though he maintained a slow, drugging tempo. Kinley cried out against his lips, and his tongue plunged inside as if tasting the sound.
Her nails dug into his back as her hips bucked against his, urging him to go faster, deeper. But Quinn continued to taunt her, deepening his kiss, the slow deep thrusts of his tongue mimicking his movements below.
Kinley moaned, feeling herself tighten further around his cock, electrical pulses flickering through her core. He was so deep inside her that his pelvis ground against her clit. If this went on any more—
The orgasm ripped through her with the intensity of a lightning strike. Quinn swallowed her first cry then broke the kiss to rise up above her. He quickened his thrusts, pounding into her as she rode the intensifying waves of her climax.
A low groan escaped him as he pulsated within her, multiplying her pleasure. Kinley bit his shoulder to muffle her scream as Quinn shuddered within her, gasping at his own climax.
For an eternity, they lay trembling in each other’s arms.
“Wow,” Quinn whispered.
Overcome with the magnitude of their lovemaking, she could only manage a faint, “Uh-huh.”
As he rose from the bed and headed to the bathroom to clean up, Kinley’s mind spun with awe. She’d just had the most mind-blowing sex with her favorite rock star. The realization was beyond surreal. And what would come next? Panic fluttered through her heart as all of her previous worries returned.
Was this a one night stand? Would he ask her to leave the room now? Or would he want to continue this affair? Was it an affair? Was she his new groupie? Or was she his girlfriend? Would she still keep her job?
Oblivious to her mental turmoil, Quinn emerged from the bathroom, reached into the mini fridge, which was full of expensive hotel commodities, and tossed her a bottle of water. Kinley caught it gratefully and took a big swig. As he opened his own bottle and chugged it down, she couldn’t stop staring at his naked muscled form, at the beads of sweat adorning his chest and belly like diamonds.
Setting his water on the nightstand, he lifted the covers and crawled into bed, immediately pulling her into his arms.
“At last I get to sleep naked with you,” he said drowsily.
Kinley tried to relax against him, forcing her worries away for now. For awhile, she was tranquilized by Quinn’s warm, soothing embrace. But once his breathing evened out into the steady rhythm of sleep, her unease returned.
He felt too wonderful, too perfect, too safe to be true. Sure, he’d been interested in her tonight—he’d made her feel like the most cherished woman alive. But how would he be in the morning, now that he got what he wanted?
Her father had warned her about letting a guy get her out of her clothes. He’d think she was a slut and he’d abandon her the moment she “put out.” Since Kinley had proven him wrong on pretty much everything else, at the start of her junior year in high school, she hopped into bed with the first guy who showed interest in her.
Aside from the fact that sex was a painful, awkward experience, Kinley discovered that her father had been right. The guy dumped her like yesterday’s garbage and told the entire school how easy she was. She’d reeled from the shock of his abrupt about-face. When Quinn rolled over and released his grip on her, she took it as an omen. Unwilling to give him a chance to rebuff her, Kinley fled back to her own room.
Chapter Thirteen
Quinn awoke to sunlight streaming through the curtains. Birds chirped outside the window, promising a beautiful day. A satisfied smile curved his lips. No day could match the beauty of last night. That had to have been the best sex he’d ever had.
God, she’d been so tight. It was surprising she hadn’t been a virgin. An odd twinge of regret struck him that he hadn’t been her first. He shook his head. Why the hell did he care? Besides, it wasn’t just Kinley’s tightness that had made last night so wonderful. There was also her taste, her touch, her soft skin, her smell. His cock hardened at the memory.
Quinn rolled over, reaching for Kinley, ready to make a new one. His hand found an empty mattress.
Immediately he sat up, rubbing the last bit of sleep from his eyes. “What the hell?”
She was gone. A quick glance at the dark bathroom confirmed it. She’d returned to her room while he’d slept. So she’d had her favorite rock star and now she was done?
His fists clenched in anger, warring with stung pride. “Not even a kiss good-bye.”
Good-bye. A worse thought crossed his mind. What if sleeping with him had somehow spooked her and she’d left? Quinn threw off the covers and yanked on his jeans and shirt, not bothering with shoes. He had to know if she was still here—and if she was, he needed to have a serious talk about running off in the middle of the night.
As he strode down the corridor to Kinley’s room, a housekeeper pushed her cart aside, giving him a wide berth. When he reached his destination, Quinn paused, took a deep breath, and ran his fingers through his wild hair, hoping to look less feral.
But he couldn’t keep from knocking sharply.
Kinley opened the door, blinking owlishly up at him. “Wha’ you doin’?” she asked in a sleepy voice.
He crossed his arms over his chest, unabl
e to hide his irritation. “I just wanted to know why you snuck out of my bed like a—”
Her eyes widened as she visibly awakened. “Shhh! Don’t let anyone see you!” Before he could reply, she grabbed his arm and yanked him into the room. “Look, I’m sorry about that. Let me make coffee first and I’ll explain.”
Quinn nodded and shut the door, watching her shuffle over to the coffeepot. All she wore was a long T-shirt that completely exposed those long, sexy legs. He glimpsed her panties as she bent over to pick up a sugar packet she’d dropped on the floor. He bit back a groan.
“What if it hadn’t been me at the door?” he ventured, his ire rising at the thought. “What if it’d been one of the other guys?”
Kinley shrugged and opened up one of the tiny hotel coffee packets. “I would have told them to put their eyes back in their head. If not, I can fight without pants.”
“Okay then.” Damn, her boldness was hot. But it could get her in trouble. The rich aroma of brewing coffee woke up his protective instincts. Clenching his fists, he added, “If any of them makes a move on you, I’ll kick his ass.”
To his irritation, she shook her head. “I can fight my own battles, Quinn.”
“Yeah, but—”
“But what? Do you think you own me now?” Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
“No, I just…” He shook his head and sighed. “Never mind. So why’d you sneak away last night?”
Kinley took a deep breath, pouring the coffee into those God-awful Styrofoam hotel cups. “Well, for starters, I didn’t want anyone to know.”
“And second?” he prodded as she handed him his cup.
Her cheeks pinkened, giving him another rare, delightful glimpse of her girlish side. “Well, I didn’t really know what the protocol was. I still don’t know anything. Was it a one-night stand leading to me getting kicked out of bed first thing in the morning?” She paced in front of him, oblivious to how delicious she looked. “Or is it a casual fling? Or friends with benefits? Or is it—” Her blush deepened and she broke off, unable to speculate further.
