Rendezvous with Danger (Reunited Series)

by Cooper, Sharon C.

  “I don’t see a ring on her finger.”

  Alandra frowned and looked around Quinn at Kendra. “I don’t need a ring to prove to you or no one else that this is my husband. I’m the one who will walk out of here with him, and I’ll be the one who screws his brains out tonight.”

  A sly smile played at the corners of Quinn’s mouth. He didn’t hear anything else Kendra had to say because he was too busy thinking of all the things he wanted to do to Alandra when he got her home and out of that dress. “We’re out of here. Later, Kendra.”

  ****

  “Quinn, if I hurt myself, it’s going to be your fault,” Alandra said, allowing him to guide her blindfolded through the house.

  “I won’t let you run into anything.”

  Alandra’s mouth watered at the heavenly smell that assaulted her nose when they walked farther into the house. They made a right turn and she was pretty sure they were walking toward the dining room.

  “I hope you still like surprises.”

  Her lips turned into a full-blown grin. “I love surprises, but hurry up.” Excitement bubbled inside her and she could hardly contain herself.

  “Okay,” Quinn said when they stopped suddenly. “You ready?”

  “Yes,” she giggled and wiggled around as he untied the scarf from around her eyes.

  Her mouth dropped opened when she took in everything before her. “Oh my, God. This is incredible.” She glanced around the dining room, a sea of candles illuminating the intimate space. The table adorned with delicate silk linens, Parchment china containing several covered dishes, and sparkling Orrefors crystal set off the table setting for two. If that weren’t enough to steal her breath, a bounty of red and white roses towered at least four feet high spilling a delicious aroma enticing enough to eat. “So this is why you made me sit in the truck for like - forever? Quinn, this is….”

  She turned, but stopped abruptly when she saw him bent on one knee, a small velvet box in his hand. When he slowly lifted the lid, she swallowed hard and bit back tears, her heart beating double time in her chest. “Oh…Quinn.”

  “I never stopped loving you, Lan. Will you agree to stay married to me?”

  Tears slowly found their way down her cheeks and she covered her face with her hands and outright cried. She never thought she would ever hear him say it again. That he loved her.

  “Lan, please don’t cry.” He stood and wrapped his arm around her shoulders and placed a kiss against her temple. “You know I can’t handle it when you cry.”

  “I’m sor..ry. I can’t help it.” She looked up at him. “This is…the swee…test sur…prise, you’ve ever given me.”

  Quinn frowned. “What about when I asked you to marry me in Vegas?”

  She stepped out of his arms, grabbed a napkin from the table and wiped her tears. “This is different.” She stared into his eyes. “I never thought I’d ever hear you say that you love me. You have no idea how much I needed to hear it. How much I’ve longed to hear it. I love you so much it scares me sometimes. We’ve been through hell and all I want is for us to have our life back.”

  “That’s what I want too.” He stood before her, and held out the box with the ring. “So, will you stay married to me and accept this ring as a token of my love for you?”

  A smile spread across her lips and she nodded. “Yes and yes!”

  He placed the elegant three-carat pear-shaped ring with a double row of bead-set diamonds on her finger. Awe struck, all Alandra could do was stare at the luminous work of art, with its sparkling stones and intricate details. This moment was extra special because Quinn hadn’t given her a ring when they married in Vegas. Their wedding had been spur of the moment and he had promised to get her a ring once they returned home.

  Quinn brushed her hair away from her face and kissed her on the forehead. He then lowered his head, his lips slowly descended to meet hers and he kissed her, a kiss as delicate and light as a summer breeze. His arms encircled her waist, pulling her flush against his hard body, and suddenly she wasn’t as hungry for food as she was when they first walked in.

  “Mmm, I think we should continue this upstairs,” he said against her lips.

  “I think you’re right, but what about dinner? You went through so much trouble,” she said when they pulled apart. She lifted a few of the lids from the serving dishes, inhaling the enticing aromas while he strolled around the room blowing out candles. “Wow, everything looks delicious. Who catered?”

  “Malik.”

  Alandra’s brows shot up. “Your Malik? He cooks?”

  “Like a top-notch chef.” He grinned. “Trust when I tell you that you have never tasted anything as good as one of his meals. We’ve tried talking him into opening a restaurant, but he claims to only enjoy cooking for family and friends.”

  “I can’t wait to taste it.”

  “And I can’t wait to taste you.” Quinn brought her hand to his lips and wiggled his eyebrows making her laugh.

  They walked up the stairs hand in hand, and Alandra couldn’t remember the last time she was this happy. They stepped into the bedroom and Quinn closed the blinds and pulled the draperies.

  “Are you tired?” he asked from across the room, a familiar gleam in his eyes.

  Alandra flashed him her sexiest smile. “Nunca estoy cansado para ti, Papi.”

  Quinn chuckled and moved toward her. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you talking sexy, or cursing me out in Spanish.”

  Alandra laughed. Though she spoke Spanish fluently, she didn’t speak it often unless conversing with another Spanish speaking person or in the bedroom, and only with Quinn.

  Quinn eased up behind her and unzipped her dress.

  “So, how many more women am I going to have to beat off with a stick?”Alandra asked, thinking about the woman from the bar. “Are they going to be ringing the doorbell at all hours of the night?”

  “There are no other women. You’re the first and the only woman who has ever stepped foot in this house.” He kissed the side of her neck. “Well, except for Dallas and my decorator.”

  He slipped the dress from her shoulders and it pooled around her feet. Alandra heard the hitch in his throat when he realized she didn’t have on a bra or panties. She stepped out of the outfit and turned, wearing only a silver pendant around her neck and red stilettos on her feet.

  She almost burst out laughing when his mouth dropped open.

  “I take it you like what you see?”

  “You know damn well I do.” His smoldering gaze roamed over her body.

  “Well, it’s all yours, baby.” She struck a seductive pose and leveled him with a come-hither look.

  A slow smile touched his lips. “Oh, so it’s going to be that kind of party tonight, huh?” He stepped back, unbuckled his belt and eased his dress shirt out of his pants, never taking his eyes off her. “So you think you can tease me relentlessly,” he removed his shirt, “with your sexy body and I not fight back with a few moves of my own?” He tossed his shirt to the floor and sat on the edge of the bed removing his boots and socks, his taut muscles rippling with every move.

  He looked up, his eyebrows arched mischievously. “You do know two can play that game don’t you?”

  He stood. Wickedness sparkling in his dark eyes. He slowly unzipped his pants and Alandra swallowed hard. She was familiar with the large package hidden behind his zipper and longed to have it inside her. Watching him undress was like being deliciously tortured, the prolonged anticipation almost unbearable. Taking his precious time, he pushed down his pants, letting them fall smoothly to the floor. Whoo! The man’s body was sexy as hell and his theatrics were nearly her undoing.

  He looked totally male - big, strong and dangerous. Clad in black briefs he stood with his tree-trunk like legs shoulder width apart and stared at her, his passion-filled eyes rooting her in place. It had been a long time since he’d stripped for her, and it was definitely worth the wait, but she knew she couldn’t take much more.

>   His eyes slid closed and Alandra’s gaze followed as his large hand traveled slowly down his hard-sculpted chest, leisurely over his flat six-pack, and then lower. He clutched his crotch, squeezing and stroking, his moans filling the intimate space as his hips moved to a sensual rhythm. Alandra inhaled sharply. She could feel the heat radiating from every pore in his body. She clenched her hands tightly, fearing she would draw blood from her nails cutting into her palms. Her desire was at its peak and her womanly folds were getting wetter by the minute.

  And then…he licked his lips.

  Her heart slammed against her chest and her knees went weak. Lord have mercy.

  “Okay, you win,” she said breathlessly and jumped into his arms. “I want you inside me, and I want you now.”

  Pulling her tight against his body, he chuckled in her ear. “Too much for you, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  She wasn’t ashamed. The mere sight of his hard body pulsating in front of her made her interior muscles contract and her sex wet, almost taking her over the edge without him even touching her.

  He laid her on the black satin sheets and covered her body with his. With consummate skill, his greedy mouth took bold possession over hers, his tongue igniting unbridled passion threatening to be released. A whimper slipped through her lips. He felt so good. How many times had she dreamed about being in his arms again, in his bed? Ripples of pleasure coursed through her veins when he nibbled on her ear, then placed soft feathery kisses along the curve of her neck and down to her shoulder.

  His mouth was as enthralling as his hands stroking and tweaking her hardened nipples. He dragged his mouth from hers and she breathed in and slowly released, trying to slow her pounding heart and throbbing desire. His lips replaced his hands on her breast, licking, sucking, and tugging. Alandra’s body temperature rose with every swirl of his tongue around her sensitive tip.

  “Quinn.”

  “I plan to have my way with you tonight,” he said against her breast. With one last flick of his tongue, he rose up and stared down into her upturned face. Power radiated in his intense eyes, mesmerizing her as his hand seared a burning path from her breast down to the opening of her thighs.

  “Quinn, please.”

  He covered her body with his and nudged her thighs opened, his erection hot, heavy and teasing at her peak.

  “You ready for me?”

  “You know I am.”

  His large hands gripped her hips and he plunged into her filling her completely. She cried out as his length caressed her interior walls and pulsed within her. She thrust her hips upward, welcoming every delicious inch of him.

  With every thrust, she matched him stroke for stroke, rotating her hips forcing him deeper, and deeper. She grasped his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh trying to hold on. He bucked like a bull in a pen, driving into her harder, faster, deeper. Flesh slapped against flesh, and perspiration slicked their flaming bodies.

  When she didn’t think she could stand anymore, he growled huskily. “Stay with me”

  He flipped her onto her hands and knees, and entered her from behind.

  “Quinn!” she screamed, his powerful thrusts rocking her senseless. Currents of pleasure stormed through her body from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Her fisted hand bunched the sheet in a merciless grasp and she threw her head back.

  “No aguanto mas, Papi,” she cried.

  “Come for me, baby. I’m right behind you.”

  The flooding of uncontrollable passion gushed through her body propelling her over the edge of a cliff. Everything within her shattered and she cried out wildly, shuddering around him.

  He drove harder and faster, gripping her tight before howling his own release and collapsing against her. Quinn rolled over and wrapped her in his arms.

  “Damn, girl, I forgot how much energy you have.” He said between breaths, trying to get his breathing under control. “You’re going to mess around and give me a heart attack. First that hot red dress and then this.” He squeezed her bottom.

  Alandra laughed and threw her arm across his waist, her head against his chest. “I figured since I was spending your money, I should at least buy something you’d like.”

  “I see you remember what I like.”

  “Oh yeah, I remember what you like.” She climbed on top of him and covered his mouth with hers. “We have some years to make up for, so I hope you’re ready for round two.”

  Quinn gripped her hips and moved with her. “I’m always ready for you, baby.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Quinn jerked awake. The moonlight shined through the two narrow windows near the ceiling, he quickly scanned the semi-dark room sure that he’d heard movement. After a few minutes of hearing nothing, he glanced down at Alandra half covered by the sheet and sprawled across him. Each time he looked at her it felt as if his heart would burst. Her head lay nested against his chest, her arm draped across his waist, and her leg tangled with his, as if making sure he didn’t go anywhere. He smiled at the thought of them back together and relaxed against the pillows remembering their night of love-making, tempted to wake her for an encore.

  A scraping sound came from downstairs. Someone was in the house. Quinn pinned Alandra on her back and covered her mouth with his hand, afraid she’d wake up fighting him or worse, screaming.

  “Shhh, someone’s downstairs.” Her eyes grew big and she wiggled beneath him. “I need you to calm down and hide in the closet. Stay there until I come for you. Do you understand?” She nodded.

  He quickly slipped into his pants and grabbed his gun from the the drawer in the bedside table.

  “Quinn, don’t—” She struggled into a pair of sweats she had in a chair in the sitting area.

  “Go, now!” He mouthed and headed for their bedroom door.

  There was another sound, and he didn’t wait to see if she followed his instructions. With his gun raised, he checked left then right before moving into the hallway. He lived in the house for over a year and never had a problem. Why now? And then it dawned on him. He hadn’t set the alarm before heading upstairs hours ago.

  Quinn padded silently along the walls, guided by a sliver of light shining through the hall window. His pulse pounded loudly in his ears, and adrenaline surged through his veins as he made quick work of getting down the stairs. He stood in the shadows on the second to the last step and waited.

  There was movement coming from the kitchen. Then he saw them. A reflection in a picture frame showed two intruders. One, short and husky, crept around the center island, his gun raised and moved toward the stairs. The other, slightly taller with a thinner build disappeared into the family room. When the one near the stairs made the turn into the main hallway Quinn struck out and hit him in the jugular, bringing him to his knees. The intruder’s gun skittered across the floor and Quinn grabbed him from behind, his hand over his mouth and his own gun stabbing into the man’s throat.

  “Make a sound and you’re dead.” Mr. Short-and-husky stopped struggling and Quinn knocked him upside the head with the butt of his gun. He grabbed the intruder’s gun from the floor then quietly dragged him into the laundry room, quickly tying his hands behind his back with rope from a cabinet. He went in search of the other one.

  Anger burned in Quinn’s chest. He didn’t appreciate people breaking into his house and though his first inclination was to kill the punks, he reminded himself that they were someone’s child.

  He crept around the corner leading to the family room knowing he could find his way around the house blindfolded and never bump into anything. The family room was clear. He turned the dining room corner as the sound of glass shattering spilled from his office.

  He moved across the carpeted floor, his gun close to his body, and eased down the hall. A pale stream of light from the guestroom’s window lit a small area in the hallway, making it easier to see the doorway of his office several feet away.

  Footsteps echoed from upstairs. Quinn tensed. He glanc
ed at the ceiling as if he could see through it. Damn, Alandra, I told you to stay put. He flattened himself against the wall and kept moving. Mr. Tall-and-thin stepped out of the office, oblivious to the fact that he wasn’t in the hall alone. Quinn fired two shots - one to the leg, and the other to the intruder’s shoulder. The gunman’s guttural scream pierced the air and he collapsed to the floor, clawing and howling in pain.

  ****

  Please let him be okay. Alandra didn’t know how much longer she could hang out in the closet without knowing what was going on. She’d heard two shots, but now everything was quiet. What if Quinn needed her, and he couldn’t make it up the stairs? She listened for another few minutes then eased the door open. She tiptoed to her bag for her gun. Before she could get her weapon, an arm snaked around her and the cold metal barrel of a gun jabbed against her temple.

  “Scream and I will shoot you, princesa.”

  A cold chill ran down her spine. Princesa. The gunman referred to her by the same name Orlando Medina called her when he held her captive. Los Hermanos. It can’t be. How did they find her? And how did they get into the house?

  “Que quieres?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

  “Que quiero?” he chuckled. “I have what I want – you.” He pulled her toward the door. “Now that I have you, it will be easy to get Ghost, or as you call him, Quinn.”

  Alandra’s pulse thumped loudly in her ears. He was at least several inches taller than she was, but not bulky. She could take him. She would not make Quinn vulnerable again. It’s because of her distracting him in Tzbekystan that he got hurt then. That wasn’t going to happen again.

  She planted her feet and shot an elbow to the gunman’s stomach, catching him off guard. He doubled over and his gun sailed across the floor, stopping near the bed. Adrenaline pumped through Alandra’s veins as she lunged for his weapon, praying she could get to it in time, but she was too slow. He grabbed her leg and yanked her back.

  “Let me go!”