I opened the door, smiling, seeing a bouquet of Gerbera daisies in his hands. They were some of my favourites. I mean, I’m more partial to orchids, but Gerberas were my second favourite.
‘Robert Quinlan?’ he asked.
I blinked a few times. ‘He’s in the shower.’
‘Can you sign?’ he asked, holding out a clipboard.
I nodded, taking the clipboard and signing Stephanie Fournier on the bottom line. He then handed me the flowers and turned back towards the elevator.
‘Thanks,’ I said, looking the flowers over.
I turned back inside, closing the door. Quinn walked out from the bedroom wearing only a towel.
My God, I thought, stunned a little, the water glistening on his glorious half-naked body. I could see his tattoos perfectly, his lions’ heads on his pecs, a portrait of Christ on the cross on his right ribs, then his sleeves; a phoenix rising from smouldering ashes on the right arm and a Chinese dragon and tiger in battle on the left.
Quinn wasn’t exactly built. He was quite thin, though his chest was broad, his pecs and arms well-formed and muscular. His stomach was flat and taut, his entire torso completely hairless.
‘What’s that?’ he asked, pointing to the flowers.
‘They’re for you,’ I said, looking them over. ‘Seems you have another admirer.’
He frowned, looking the flowers over to see the card sticking out. He pulled it out, sighing.
‘Who are they from?’ I asked, seeing his distress.
‘They’re a get well soon gift from Ellie,’ he said.
I suddenly felt disgusted. Ellie Peterson was Quinn’s ex... ex whatever.
They’d had sex on several occasions, but it was over eight years ago, when Quinn was in his darkest moments. She was never really a girlfriend, not even a lover, just someone he would bang when he was so drunk he could barely see straight. I hated her with a fiery passion, though the feeling was mutual.
‘Ew,’ I said, pushing the flowers towards him.
He backed away. ‘I don’t want them.’
‘I don’t want them either!’ I said. ‘They burn my fingers just holding them.’
He frowned, taking the flowers. ‘Very funny.’
‘How did she even know where you were?’ I asked. ‘I thought you told your aunt and uncle that you were taking time off?’
‘I did, but they must have found out,’ he said, tossing the flowers on the bar. ‘Which means I’ll be getting a pity party from them when we see them next.’
‘What you talkin’ about “we”?’ I asked, crossing my arms. ‘I don’t remember signing up to see those horrible people again. Let’s not forget that Anita called my mother a bumpkin. And don’t think that stupid rubber plant she sent me is a good apology. I threw it out.’
He sighed once again. ‘They expect us to have dinner with them now that I’m back.’
‘I thought Anita decided that she was going to not talk to us any more?’ I asked. ‘I mean, you gave her the ultimatum – either drop the subject of hating me or go away; I thought she was going away.’
‘I would think her apology made it clear she changed her mind. Stephanie,’ he said, walking up to me, ‘as much as we dislike it, they are my family. I don’t appreciate how they treat you, especially when you’ve tried so hard, but in the end we have to put up with them.’
I frowned. ‘I know. I’m sorry; I just... Ellie’s bouquet has me a little pissed.’
‘I know, she doesn’t get the hint,’ he said, grabbing my hips and pulling me towards him.
‘Tell me about it,’ I grumbled. ‘She just keeps trying. Talk about desperate.’
‘Well, she’s not used to not getting what she wants.’
‘She wants you pretty badly,’ I said, looking up into his eyes. ‘Did you ever want her?’
He shook his head, water dripping down his shoulders from his wet hair. ‘There’s no blood relation, but she’s still technically my cousin and that’s how I see her.’
‘A sentiment that she doesn’t seem to share,’ I said. ‘Why did you have sex with her then?’
‘I was drunk,’ he said. ‘I didn’t really know who I was sleeping with until I woke up the next day.’
‘Oh. Well, hopefully she doesn’t find you at work... which reminds me, when are you going back?’
‘In a few days. I want to spend some time with you, make up for lost time,’ he said before leaning into me and kissing me lightly. He moved to my neck, his tongue moving over my skin.
‘You mean spend time with me in bed,’ I said with a smile.
‘Among other things,’ he said, nuzzling me.
‘Liiiike?’ I asked, still smiling. The first time I had been really smiling in weeks.
‘I figured we would go shopping,’ he said, standing up straight. ‘We have to get you a dress for the ball at the end of the month.’
‘Oh... that,’ I said, remembering our talk about Anita and Jack’s little spring fling, which had been moved from the end of April to the end of May, due to Quinn’s ‘going away’. He had originally planned to make it seem like he needed time off, but it was obvious Anita had used her resources to find out exactly where Quinn went: a rehab in Victoria.
‘We still have to go?’ I asked.
He nodded. ‘I’m expected to be there. Besides, my entire family is going.’
‘Oh joy,’ I said sarcastically. ‘More people to hate me.’
‘Surprisingly, I think that Anita’s father will like you. He loves Ellie, obviously, she’s his granddaughter, but he’s never pushed the relationship on me,’ he said.
‘I guess he’s sort of like a grandfather to you too?’
He nodded. ‘My own grandparents have been dead for a while. One died in my teens, the other when I was younger, probably four or five.’
Yikes. Lots of death.
‘I see,’ I said, looking to his chest as some water trailed down it.
‘What about your grandparents?’ he asked.
‘Um, my mum’s father died before I was born, before my eldest brother John was born, so... 1979, I think. Her mother, my nana, she died when I was twelve. I was really close to her, so her death was a dark period.’
‘At twelve?’ he asked.
I nodded. ‘Yeah. I took it pretty hard. But, uh, my father’s mother died when I was a few months old, and my grandfather a few years ago. So, I’m out of grandparents as well.’
‘Well, I’m sure Linus Sr. will like you. He won’t treat you like Anita and Jack, at least,’ he said.
‘Huh, let’s hope not,’ I said, shaking my head. ‘I’m guessing our shopping will be designer?’
‘And we’ll need to take a look at the jeweller, get some diamonds on loan,’ he said.
‘Diamonds?’ I repeated. I had forgotten he was planning on making me sparkle. I was hesitant, though... diamonds that weren’t my own were intimidating. What if I lost them?
‘They will be appropriate for the occasion,’ he said, rubbing my back. ‘All the ladies fetch them from their safe deposit boxes for it.’
‘Right,’ I said, nodding. I was more enjoying his hands on me rather than focusing on what he was saying, but I understood nonetheless.
Ball equals diamonds. Got it.
‘Are you still in pain?’ he asked.
I thought about it, shrugging. ‘I don’t know. I don’t feel any stinging at the moment.’
‘I’m sorry I was too rough,’ he said, his eyes focusing on mine.
I smirked a little. ‘I really didn’t mind. If anything, I should take it as a compliment that I make you that crazy.’
‘That and more,’ he said, the fire of lust behind his eyes.
Chapter One
I turned over in bed, the morning light bright through the large windows. My eyes went from the blinding morning sunshine to Quinn beside me, the light casting through his curls as he slept. I couldn’t help smiling, so happy I wasn’t waking up alone as I had for the past four weeks.
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I stared at him, looking over each long lash, his perfectly straight nose, his lips. He was laying on his back, his chest rising and falling deeply. I scooted towards him, putting my head on his arm, which seemed to have roused him slightly, since he moved his arm so my head could lie on his chest.
I listened to his heartbeat, soothed back to sleep. When I woke again I was hugging a pillow, the light even brighter through the window. I frowned, covering my eyes with my arm.
‘Damn you, sunlight,’ I grumbled.
I heard shuffling, pulling my arm away to see Quinn naked in front of the dresser, looking in the top drawer. My brow rose as I watched him, how taut and perfect his ass was. He seriously had the most perfect butt. It was lifted, round. I couldn’t help sighing a little.
I was a little put off when he grabbed a pair of his black briefs – the kind David Beckham wears in his undie ad. He stopped, looking down to his leg. He bent over, picking up a fuzzy white bundle, which was Ulalume.
I smiled as he petted her, his eyes on the cat. ‘I know you’re awake.’
‘I see you cuddling another woman,’ I said, putting my arms above my head.
‘I missed this fuzzy thing,’ he said, holding her like she was a baby, petting her stomach, her purr audible from across the room.
‘More than me?’ I asked cheekily.
‘Yes,’ he said.
My mouth fell open. ‘Dick!’
He put the cat down on the floor, walking to the end of the bed. I noticed he had shaved, his face completely smooth, which made me sigh. That facial hair definitely had to go.
‘I missed a lot of things while I was away,’ he said, crossing his arms. ‘I missed my bed, my city, my suits, even going into my building and working. And I missed my girlfriend.’
‘Did you miss drinking?’ I asked seriously.
He stopped, looking a little surprised. He took a moment before he shrugged. ‘I don’t know. It only seemed to cause more harm than good. My mind tells me I fucked up pretty good; now I have to deal with the consequences.’
‘You didn’t fuck up too badly,’ I said.
He eyed me for a moment.
I shrugged. ‘OK, you fucked up really bad. At least you know you did. Isn’t that the first step in moving on? You recognize you made a mistake and you’re learning from it. We can move on.’
He nodded. ‘Yeah.’
‘What time is it, anyway?’ I asked, looking around.
‘Nearly ten,’ he replied.
I yawned. ‘I thought you’d want to sleep in more.’
‘I dislike wasting the day,’ he said, Ulalume putting her little paws on his knees, sitting up, and staring at him before she let out a meow.
‘So, what shall we do?’ I asked, eyeing him hungrily.
‘I thought you’d be turned off after what happened last night,’ he said, keeping his eyes away from me.
‘Oh, come on,’ I said, sitting up, the blankets falling and revealing my naked torso. ‘A little blood and you freak out? What about when we had sex for the first time? Need I remind you I was a virgin and there was a lot of blood?’
‘There was supposed to be blood and pain,’ he said, looking to me. For once his eyes didn’t eat up my bare chest. He looked to my face, ignoring my nudity.
‘Is that what’s bothering you?’ I asked, tilting my head to the side as I eyed him. ‘Just a little blood?’
He sighed, sitting down on the bed. ‘I just didn’t think my homecoming would result in pain.’
I pulled the blankets back, crawling over to him. I lifted his chin, his eyes coming to mine. I leaned into him, his lips incredibly soft. He seemed to be holding back so I stroked his neck, my hand going into his curls and grabbing a handful. I felt his skin tingle underneath my touch, his lips moving eagerly with mine, his tongue slipping into my mouth.
I straddled him, not breaking away from him for even a moment. His hands ran up my naked back before smoothing back down and gripping hold of my ass harshly, in the most pleasurable way. I broke away to moan, his lips finding the centre of my chest and kissing it.
His lips parted from my skin, sighing once again, his arms wrapping around me. I, again, let my hand migrate into his hair, feeling how soft his curls were, the smell of his shampoo, making my sex pulse. Everything about him turned me on, especially how he smelled.
He grabbed me, tossing me down on the bed. I smiled, delighted that my seductions were working. I looked at him as he lay on top of me, kissing my chest once again before moving to my right breast, placing light kisses over it. My skin tingled, my nipples already hard and aching for him to put his mouth on them. He didn’t disappoint, taking it into his mouth and sucking, causing my body to arch against his, everything in me pounding.
His tongue flicked the sensitive tip before kissing below it, trailing the kisses down, making me smile in anticipation. He looked at my sex for a moment before taking his finger and running it against me, making me shiver. He ran it back down, stroking my clit only for a moment before hitting my entrance.
He inserted his index finger, looking up to me. ‘Is it all right?’
I nodded, only feeling a slight sting, which ebbed away quickly. ‘More.’
He slipped a second finger in, turning them so he was palm up, slowly massaging me.
I closed my eyes, savouring the feeling. ‘Mmm.’
He suddenly sped up, making me whimper, grabbing hold of the sheets. I was surprised as his mouth was suddenly on me, his tongue starting to lap my clit, causing my legs to shake on either side of his head.
I moaned loudly, arching my back, starting to move my hips, the pleasurable pulses speeding up with each movement. I could feel the orgasm building, my moans getting even louder, his tongue not letting up, his fingers going faster.
‘Quinn,’ I said breathlessly, ‘I’m going to come.’
He glanced up to me briefly, keeping his tongue going as the orgasm peaked, my legs shaking as I called out, ripping up the covers with my hands. It had to have been the best orgasm I’d ever had, just because it had been so long since I felt his mouth on me.
He pulled away, his fingers withdrawing, my orgasm still pulsing, making me smile as he moved up my body, kissing my chest once again. He kissed at my neck, making me giggle, before he collapsed on top of me, holding me tightly.
‘See?’ I said softly. ‘That didn’t hurt at all.’
‘Quite the contrary, I gather,’ he said. ‘Which is still fucking hot.’
‘Maybe you should make me moan some more then,’ I said.
‘Gladly,’ he replied.
I put my diamond stud in my ear before smoothing back my hair, making sure no strays were popping out of my high ponytail.
It had been a week before that I’d made the reservations at Joseph’s, the restaurant Quinn and I liked to frequent. It was expensive, but Quinn had the money for it, so there was really no second thought that his homecoming dinner would be here.
There was a dress code at Joseph’s, so I pulled out my newly acquired red dress, a sleeveless number that cut off at my shoulders, the neckline high, the skirt flaring out. I matched it with the red pumps and lipstick, leaving jewellery out of the equation. I wasn’t really one for jewellery besides my diamond studs.
Quinn walked into the room in a black suit and ruby red tie, matching my dress. He was in a better mood, especially since we had stayed in bed most of the day banging like animals.
‘You ready?’ he asked, adjusting his gold cufflink.
I nodded, smiling. ‘Yep.’
He put his hand out for me, leading me through the apartment and to the car. He decided to drive, though I found that when I sat in the front seat I was always a bit queasy; the car accident I had been in only a month before rang loudly in my mind.
I couldn’t forget that night, not only because of the crash, but because it was the night Quinn had first told me he loved me. We had been seeing each other for almost two months. It also could have been the begi
nning of his lapse back into his addiction, since his parents had died in a similar circumstance when he was twenty-two.
He had been eight years sober until I came along and we got into a fight, storming out. I came back to him completely drunk, and thus started his next downward spiral.
And it all happened so fast. I tried to keep my mind off the night I threatened to leave him if he didn’t go to rehab. I didn’t know what else to do. I wasn’t prepared to deal with an alcoholic; I freaked out. I didn’t sign up for that. What can I say? I definitely freaked out. Maybe that’s an understatement.
I looked to Quinn, watching as the city lights slipped over the windshield and his face. I wondered what rehab had been like. I didn’t know what it was like to wrestle with demons, to fall back into something. My only addiction had been Quinn.
We parked, Quinn taking my hand as we walked towards the restaurant. It had become surprisingly warm during the day, the warmest in what felt like forever. The winter seemed to have dragged on for too long. It was a little cool still, but I didn’t bother with a jacket as we slipped inside the restaurant.
Joseph’s was what my father called ‘swanky’; the carpets red, the table cloths white, the cutlery and glasses shining with cleanliness. It comprised of two sections; one was on the ground floor with four- and six-seater tables, the other up a set of steps to a raised platform that had mainly two- and four-seater tables.
The hostess was a new girl. On special occasions or with special persons, the maître d usually showed us to our seats, but he seemed to be indisposed with another couple. So the hostess brought us to the two-seater on the raised level, setting down our menus.
A waiter approached us, one I recognized from when Michelle and I had visited. He was incredibly tanned, his eyes a deep brown, his hair black and brushed back from his face, shiny in the light.
‘Can I start you off with the house wine?’ he asked.
Quinn didn’t seem fazed, shaking his head. ‘Water on the table is fine.’
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