The Sweet Under His Skin

by Portia Gray

  There was a long pause and his hands tightened on her face, then his forehead touched hers. No one said anything, Arielle let the warmth of his body absorb into hers, her heart swelling with the realization that he was falling in love with her.

  Because she was already there, for certain.

  "Let's wash the dishes," she suggested softly with a smile. "Because you're going to make me cry."

  With that he was kissing her again, and knowing now how big a part of him she was becoming the kiss was entirely different. Hot, certainly.

  But sweet.

  So sweet it made her heart almost ache. So sweet she couldn't not say it herself. "I'm falling in love with you, Quentin," she whispered against his lips. "I just want you to know that."

  His grip tightened, and he made her stop talking with his tongue. There were a few tears that she let spill, but the lightness in her chest kept her from bursting right into tears.

  "Sorry," Thelma called, walking right into the kitchen and heading for the stove. "I'm feeling a chill and I need a cup of tea. You two want some?"

  Arielle had dropped her face into Quentin's chest at the interruption, and she could tell that he was laughing by how he shook. "Sure," she croaked, wiping at her eyes before stepping away from him. "Thank you, Thelma."

  Thelma's face was strange. She looked content, smiling as she was. But there was a certain sadness in her eyes, and Arielle didn't know where it came from or what it was. She had likely heard every word, but she just turned back to the stove and grabbed the kettle. "You two ever get those dishes done we can watch a movie. So get on it."

  Quentin pulled on a T-shirt with his jeans, rubbing a hand through his hair and covering a yawn. This old farm house might be called cosy by some, but when the wind blew the thing creaked and groaned like an old man trying to get up off a sofa. He hadn't slept a wink the night before, and that wasn't just because of the extracurricular activities he talked Arielle into once everyone was tucked in their beds. The house was loud. Every sound had him waking up and reaching for his Beretta, tucked between the mattresses.

  It was absolutely, one hundred percent not because of the conversation he'd had with his girl in the kitchen while doing dishes. Because that hadn't freaked him out at all. And he'd swear to that.

  He hit the foot of the stairs, coming into the quirky but cosy living room. The tree was in the rounded front bay window, lit up, presents at it base like it had dropped its drawers and Christmas fell out all over. Before he could really take in all this normal heart-warming, Rockwell moment. something hit his gut and arms went around his waist. "Merry Christmas, Q!"

  He chuckled, patting Calvin between the shoulders. "Merry Christmas, Charlie."

  "Merry Christmas," another voice said, and before Calvin could move away Aunt Thelma was pulling him down slightly by the shoulder and kissing his cheek.

  He smiled at her, knowing it might have shaken a bit. "Merry Christmas, Thelma."

  She patted his cheek and smiled, then moved away. "Take a seat. Do you want coffee?"

  "Sure," he said, sitting on the sagging sofa she indicated. Calvin was sitting on an ottoman, eyeing up the bounty under the tree and grinning. Quentin laughed. "Looks like Santa spoiled you."

  Calvin nodded, and Quentin looked up as Arielle padded into the room with two steaming mugs, looking sleepy and hot all at the same time. She had full flannel pyjamas on, a matching scarf around her head, and a sweet smile that was just for him as she handed a mug over and curled a leg under herself to sit next to him. He immediately wound an arm around her shoulders, kissing her cheek.

  "Merry Christmas, baby girl," he muttered, and she eased her weight into his side.

  "Merry Christmas, Quentin," she returned, sighing as they got cuddly.

  Another planet, completely, where the air was scented with apples and cinnamon, holiday music was playing all scratchy and old-school from the record player, and he was…at ease. Not on guard, looking for threats, coiled as though ready to strike if danger reared its ugly head. The locals decided he was welcome even if he was an alien life form.

  "Calvin," Thelma called as she entered the living room and plopped into the armchair in the corner. "Get presents for Quentin and Arielle to open."

  Calvin grinned and scooted around the tree, clearly having a game plan for the distribution. He came back with two wrapped gifts, dropping one into Quentin's lap and the other on Arielle's. He had selected the gifts that were from him, and Quentin had to smile. He couldn't wait to see Arielle's reaction to those earrings.

  He picked the paper off of what felt like a paperback, and as the front cover of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was revealed he was stunned silent. No one had ever given him a book before, and he set his coffee down, holding an arm out. "Come here, Chuckles," he instructed. Calvin did and Quentin gave him a tight hug. "Thanks, buddy," he mumbled, ignoring the prickle in his nose. "Go get your present from me."

  Calvin found it right away. It was heavy, and he grunted as he plopped it down in front of him and began opening it.

  Arielle gasped next to him, and he caught her face as she looked at the open jewelrybox in her hand. Her lip shook as she looked up. "Calvin, how in the world did you—"

  "They're your birthstone," Quentin cut her off with, bringing her startled expression back to him. "Calvin even picked them out himself."

  She smiled. "Calvin, sweetie. Thanks so much."

  "No problem," Calvin returned, cool-as-shit as he got the last of the paper off his gift. It was a hardcover version of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance with a package of colored highlighters. That kid studied that book like it was a textbook or something. May as well make it professional grade. "Thanks, Quentin!" he shouted, eyes big as he looked up. "This is a really nice version."

  "Nothing but the best for you, buddy."

  "Calvin," Arielle said, "give Thelma one of her gifts."

  It was the one from Calvin, of course. He was doing the handing out so he was getting the first crack at everyone loving their presents. Quentin had helped Calvin shop, even though the kid knew on his own what he'd wanted to get for Thelma.

  Aunt Thelma made a show of saying how nice the bathrobe was, saying she'd needed a new one. Calvin knew this, heard her say it all summer and remembered it. The matching slippers were an after-thought but Thelma loved those, too.

  Next Calvin opened Thelma's gift to him, and it was pyjamas with socks. Standard family gift. Arielle got Thelma a cook book, as well as a gift bag full of jars of some shit called pesto, antipasto, pickled things he'd never thought of that way like asparagus and onions, all kind of gourmet foods he couldn't pronounce. Thelma loved all of it.

  Thelma gave Quentin a road hazard kit. It had jumper cables, road flares, reflective collapsible cones, all in a zippered bag that would likely fit in his storage bin. He grinned, thanking her honestly. There was another bag from her too; a nice twenty-six of bourbon he'd heard of but never seen, brewed in California. He was impressed and offered to spike the coffee if anyone was interested. Thelma said she would be on her second cup.

  Calvin opened up more books and video games, and when he came to the other gift Quentin had found as an after-thought Quentin leaned closer to Arielle. "Don't be mad," he whispered as Calvin tore the paper off.

  It was a bike calendar. All vintage-model Harleys, original advertising re-colored from the year the prints were made. Of course, the bikes all had pin-up girls posing with them.

  Calvin's face went pink, but he was grinning. "Thanks, Q!"

  "What the hell is that?" Arielle gasped, easing away to glare at him. "He's nine!"

  "He likes the bikes. And none of the girls are nude, Arielle."

  She shook her head. "Nine-years-old, Quentin. Nine."

  "Aunt Arielle! Look! This is Q's bike! April!" Calvin was pointing to the back where the printer had included a preview of the viewing material. "It's painted black here, too, Q!"

  "See? He barely sees the women.
"

  Arielle's glare was adorable. But he was still in trouble. "Hey, Charlie, I think there's a gift there for Aunt Arielle from me," he called out, easing against the arm of the sofa as Arielle continued to look pissed.

  Diversion was absolutely necessary.

  Calvin plopped a gift down on each of their laps, then settled down cross-legged to watch, a grin on his face. Quentin found that disconcerting, then looked down to realize he held a gift from Arielle.

  He went full-out pussy right then. The sound of ripping wrapping paper brought him back to Arielle, smiling at the package she held. "The wrapping paper is so nice on your gifts, guys," she said, now turning her smile to him.

  She knew his gift came from the same store as Calvin's? Of course, matching wrapping paper. Damn.

  He was opening his gift but watching her, so he didn't miss how she froze with the open box in her hand. She inhaled sharply, hand going to her chest. He risked a look at her face and that damn heart-flip thing happened again.

  "Oh my God," she whispered.

  "Arielle, let's see it," Aunt Thelma coaxed.

  His girl loved her gift so much she was frozen. He knew he was grinning like an idiot as he reached over to pluck the necklace out of its velvet holder, opening the clasp and bringing it up to her neck. She wrapped the ends of her scarf around one hand and turned so he could set the necklace in place, do up the clasp, then she leaned back on the sofa, staring down at it and touching it lightly.

  "Oh, that's beautiful," Thelma murmured. "Quentin, that's gorgeous."

  "Charlie helped," he offered, winding an arm around Arielle's shoulders. "You like it?"

  She bit her lip and looked at him. Her eyes were wet, and…shit. It was contagious because his were too. "I love it. It's beautiful."

  Quentin reached across her to grab the box with the earrings. "They match, see?" He undid one from the backing in the box and tilted her head, putting the earring in place then did the same with the other one. "Look at that, Charlie, it's perfect."

  "You look pretty Aunt Arielle."

  Arielle laughed at that, and the sound made him feel like the fucking king-of-the-world. He'd have her dripping in jewelry if it made her this happy.

  "Thank you, Calvin," she said, then turned those eyes to him again. "Thank you, honey."

  He kissed her quickly, smile still plastered in place, then opened the box he'd dropped in his lap. Now it was his turn to go rock-solid, not so much as blinking.

  "I don't know why. I saw it and I thought of you." He was still staring, processing. "I'm sorry. It's probably not your thing."

  He pulled the necklace from the box, then dropped it over his head. It had barely settled against him when he grabbed Arielle, not even caring that they had an audience, and kissed her with everything he had. She resisted slightly, probably because of Thelma and Calvin, but as always she eventually relaxed in his hold and kissed him back.

  She saw this necklace and thought of him. Thought of him. So she bought it for him. He really didn't know the last time anyone said anything like that to him.

  "Thank you," he said gruffly when he finally ended the kiss. Her cheeks were pink, which also pleased him.

  "Thank you," she whispered back, blinking a few times quickly.

  Thelma cleared her throat, but she was beaming and averting her eyes as Arielle settled back into her spot next to him. Calvin was grinning at them both like mad.

  And Quentin was getting used to his heart feeling full, warm and happy.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  "You see this Arielle? This is the why of what I did," Thelma breathed, wrapping an arm around Arielle's shoulders and sighing.

  Arielle smiled into the pink glow of the Colorado sunset, beaming down over the mountains. The grass of the yard was dead with patches of snow here and there but it was an absolutely breathtaking view that the month of February brought them. "It's a gorgeous spot, Aunt Thelma."

  "You can taste that air, can't you? It's so clean. Not dusty and dry." The older woman inhaled deeply. "God, I love it here."

  Arielle rested on the porch swing, and Thelma eased one leg up to perch on the railing. "So," Thelma said grinning. "You wear that necklace everywhere you go?"

  Arielle smiled, touching the pendant at her neck. "Yes, I do. The only reason I'm not wearing the earrings is they dangle and I didn't want to yank them out while we were moving your stuff."

  "You seem to be doing better, honey," Thelma said.

  "I really am. I almost feel like I'm back to my old self. Energy's coming back, I'm hungry now and it's been months since I've been hungry without…well, you know." Thelma nodded.

  "And things with Quentin?"

  Arielle knew her smile got bigger. "Everything with Quentin is wonderful."

  Thelma smiled back. "And still no word on Jolene or Reuben?"

  Arielle shook her head. "No. No surprise that Jolene didn't call back or check in. But I was hoping Reuben would be handled by now."

  "He definitely makes me nervous," Thelma agreed. "You're still protected?"

  "Quentin's nearly always with me, and when he can't be he sends over T-bone or a prospect."

  "So why do I have you two all to myself then?" Thelma nodded to Calvin, who was chasing her border collie around the front. "Not that I mind of course."

  "We're four hours away," Arielle answered simply. "And I have a… gun."

  Thelma shuddered. "It freaks me out that you're carrying a gun around."

  "I've been getting better at using it," Arielle informed her. "Besides," Arielle went on. "Reuben's territory doesn't extend into Colorado and he's really taking his time appearing in Portus Felix. I don't know how intent he is on getting hold of anyone anymore."

  Thelma shrugged. "Still makes me nervous."

  "You have a shot gun," Arielle pointed out.

  "And that's for killing coyotes that get too close to my chickens," Thelma quipped but her eyes were twinkling. "Don't throw that in my face, young lady."

  Arielle watched Calvin tearing around the yard, laughing and chasing the dog which came with the house. That dog already freaking loved him, and Arielle knew the second they got home Calvin would be asking about getting a dog.

  And she couldn't even scare him off with the "You have to take care of it" threat. He would totally do all the work and be responsible. They just didn't have the room. Arielle always thought big dogs, real dogs, deserved wide open spaces like this. Not chain-linked squares of hard packed grass.

  "He really likes it here," Arielle mused. "He was so excited when we saw the snow." The white stuff had terrified Arielle, though. She hadn't driven in snow in a long time. Luckily it was warm and the roads were wet instead of icy.

  "It's a good spot," Thelma agreed. "You know you can come and stay anytime you want or need to."

  Arielle frowned, looking up into Thelma's open expression. Something strange was behind her eyes, and it gave her a slightly uneasy feeling. "Why…why'd you say that?"

  Thelma sighed. "Just worried about you two. That's my job, remember?"

  Arielle stared at her hands in her lap. "I'm not leaving him, Thelma."

  They'd gotten into this a few times in the past while, but since the new year started Thelma had been getting very pushy on the subject. Maybe it came from the guilt of moving so far away from them. Who knew. All Arielle wished was that she'd stop worrying.

  Quentin took good care of both of them. He'd keep them safe.

  "I know, honey. But if things get tense, you have to come and stay here. Okay?"

  Arielle just nodded. She wasn't going to get into her worries about how serious everything seemed to be getting with the club. Quentin wasn't telling her anything, but she knew he was bothered by outside influences when they were at home. He was impatient at times, irritable, and sullen which was even worse. But it always passed, and she was never scared of him when he got that way. She just worried.

  No need for Thelma to know about that. She was concerned enough
as it was.

  "I think it's about time to head inside for me," Arielle changed the subject, covering a yawn.

  "Time to call Quentin?" Thelma guessed.

  Arielle had to smile. "Yes. I didn't call this afternoon, he might be worried."

  Thelma shook her head as Arielle got up, gave her a kiss on the cheek then bounced up the stairs to her room. All the furniture had been moved and arranged very much like it had been at Thelma's, but the view was entirely different.

  She picked up her phone, unplugged it from the charger and flipped through her contacts until she found Quentin and dialed. He answered on the third ring. "There she is," he said by way of a hello. She could even hear his smile.

  "Hey, honey," she said, closing the bedroom door.

  "How is it at Thelma's?"

  Arielle shrugged, flopping onto the bed. "It's a bit smaller. Nice and cosy, though." She sat up, grinning as the light of the sunset hit her in the eyes. "You should see the view, honey. It's amazing."

  "I bet. How's Charlie?"

  "Playing with Thelma's dog. If he comes back wanting one I need you to be on my side, telling him the yard's too small and a dog is too much work."

  "Charlie'd be awesome with a dog, what’re you talking about?"

  She closed her eyes, sighing. "Crap. You're not on my side."

  "He's responsible enough."

  "I know. But I hate seeing big dogs in little yards tied up all day."

  Quentin chuckled. "Dogs are the shit, babe. Better than a fucking cat." Arielle rubbed her forehead. "Doesn't have to be a big dog," he went on. "Medium-size would be good. Still small enough to bring inside, yard should be just right during the day. Good security, too, actually." Shit, now he was sounding really serious about it.

  "Quentin, not yet. Not a dog yet. Maybe…maybe over summer break. So Calvin can be there to house train it all day, get it into a routine."

  There was a pause, then he chuckled again. "You're convinced."

  Arielle had to shake her head and flop back into the pillows. "Shit," she muttered and he outright laughed.