A Thief In The Night

by K. Sterling

  “I don’t understand… You’ve wanted to ask me out but you’re with him… Oh, God! He’s the man with the dog!” She realized and Quinn felt the blood drain from his face.

  “I swear that had nothing to do with you or us,” he said quickly as he tried to catch her hand but she pulled away from him and edged closer to the steps.

  “There was no us! Were you playing some kind of game?” She asked as she carefully backed down the two steps to the lower landing and Quinn shook his head.

  “No. I really, really think you’re amazing and I planned to ask you out but my brother…” He stopped and groaned as he pushed his hand through his hair. “That’s so long and complicated,” he muttered under his breath then offered her a pleading look. “My brother’s in trouble and he’s been helping me,” he explained quickly as he pointed at his flat. “I wasn’t expecting it because I’m straight but things kind of happened with him and I don’t know what it means but…”

  “I don’t know either but we can safely assume you aren’t straight,” Jenna said shakily as she pulled the strap of her purse higher up her shoulder then tightened her cardigan as she hugged her chest. Quinn knew those were all very bad signals. She gasped for breath as her eyes flooded and Quinn braced himself. “Whatever you are, I don’t want any part of it. You lied to me and you’re nothing like I thought you were,” she stated then turned and ran for the door.

  “Jenna! At least let me make sure you get home safe,” Quinn called after her but the door slammed shut. “Shit.” He jogged after her and leaned out the door just in time to see her duck into a cab. He pushed the door shut and beat his head against it as he called himself every name he could think of. He looked down at his crumpled suit as he turned then pictured himself stumbling through the door with Roman. “Fuck me running,” Quinn said as he scrubbed his face with his hands and stomped up the steps. The door swung open as he approached and he muffled a scream as he passed Roman. He went to the couch and crashed onto it and Roman sighed as Quinn buried his face in a pillow.

  “I’m sorry but there wasn’t anything there,” Roman said as he rested his shoulder against the wall and leaned.

  “There could have been. If things were different,” Quinn argued as he flopped onto his back and Roman shook his head.

  “No. Not even if things were different,” he stated as he rolled so his back was against the wall and unzipped his trousers. Quinn sat up and his neck stretched as Roman pulled a condom from his pocket.

  “How do you know?” Quinn asked absently then stifled a moan as Roman pushed the front of his jock low and his cock sprang free. He was hard and heat pooled in Quinn’s groin and his passage ached.

  “Because you could wait with her. You couldn’t take your eyes off me that first night and it took heroin to keep you from me. We can’t keep our hands off each other now. It’s either there or it isn’t. It just isn’t there with her,” Roman explained as he rolled the condom down his shaft and Quinn’s skin burned as need pushed through his veins and his heart raced. “You’ve never felt like that with her,” Roman said as he pointed and Quinn shook his head.

  “Never,” he breathed then swallowed hard as he stood. “But I didn’t really try,” he argued weakly as he waited for Roman to tell him what to do next. He’d never felt anything close to the wild rush and the intoxicating desire he experienced every time they kissed. It scared the hell out of him but he couldn’t help himself.

  “Into the bedroom,” Roman said as he pushed away from the wall and prowled toward him. Roman shrugged out of his coat and tossed it at a chair as they made their way through the living room and into the hall. “Take off your clothes.” His eyes glowed as he loosened his tie then pulled it free. He slipped it into his pocket and Quinn was too impatient so he ripped open the front of his shirt and tugged at his tie until he could whip it off then flung his shirt at the wall. He backed into his bedroom door and it swung open as Quinn pushed his pants down his legs. Roman reached down and pulled off his shoes and socks before he stepped out of his trousers and Quinn stumbled as he kicked his away. He shoved his boxers down his hips and sighed in relief as Roman’s hand snaked around his neck and he was pulled close for a deep, brain melting kiss. “The vibrator and the lube,” he whispered against Quinn’s lips and goosebumps spread down his arms and his back as his heart exploded.

  “Why do we need the vibrator?” Quinn asked as he reached blindly for the drawer and his lips stretched toward Roman’s as his fingers searched. “I have you,” he added then cheered triumphantly when his fingers curled around the bottle.

  “I want to show you something,” Roman sang as he pushed against Quinn’s chest. He fell back on the bed then caught the vibrator as Roman shut the drawer. “Use it,” he said and Quinn frowned as he got his elbows beneath him.

  “Whaaat?” He asked warily.

  “Just go about it as if I wasn’t here,” Roman said as he waved airily. Quinn bit down on his lips as his nerves flared. “Come on, you let me take your virginity in front of a live sleazy audience,” he reminded him and Quinn squeezed his eyes shut and swore under his breath.

  “It wasn’t actually my virginity and we really could pretend that never happened.”

  “We could. You could also pretend you’re a grown man who’s found himself alone in his bedroom and highly aroused,” Roman replied and Quinn fell back on the bed and pushed out a long, cleansing breath and focused on the ceiling. “Do you watch porn when you want to get off?” He asked quietly and Quinn shook his head.

  “The women always look so…unhappy,” he said as he tightened his hands then stretched his fingers wide to keep them from shaking as his pulse raced.

  “Relax and just do whatever it is you usually do,” Roman crooned softly and Quinn nodded then scooted back a bit so he could pull his feet onto the bed when he was ready. “Let your mind go where it normally goes,” he said soothingly and Quinn closed his eyes and set his hands on his thighs. He cleared his mind and focused on his hands as they glided lightly over his skin as he imagined lips kissing the head of his cock, just under the slit before they sucked. His erection became heavier and he bucked as the lips trailed down his shaft and tugged at his sack. They dipped into his ass and swirled around the tight puckered ring as Quinn opened his hand to reach for the lube and it pressed against his palm instantly. He quickly coated his fingers and bit back a moan as they swirled around and around, making his hole flinch as his passage tingled. Quinn pushed a finger into his tight heat and a bright sting pushed its way up his cock and a string of pre-cum drooled from the head. Anticipation and lust slammed into Quinn and he reached deep and worked two fingers into his ass as his other hand tugged at his cock loosely. The tingle in his passage became a gnawing emptiness and the vibrator was in his hand. His thumb found the switch as he stroked it with his slick hand, coating it in lube before he rubbed the head against his hole. He pulled his legs up and planted his feet on the bed as he massaged the tight ring of his ass, getting it warm and slick. The imaginary tongue teased his hole, making him restless as his other hand gripped his shaft and pulled faster. He shifted and reached behind him so the head of the vibrator could find his hole then gasped as it pressed into the tight ring, stretching him as it slowly filled his passage. There was a mild burn as he worked it deep into his core and his jaw stretched as he crushed his prostate. He pulled it out slowly and his erection throbbed as his balls tightened. The pressure was intense as he worked the vibrating cock back into his passage. Pleasure swirled in his groin as his nerves twisted but Quinn groaned in frustration.

  “Fuck,” he huffed as he jerked the vibrator hard and deep. He needed more heat and more friction.

  “Who is it?” Roman asked and Quinn gasped as his voice curled through him. His nerves flickered as his body became tighter and hotter.

  “What?” Quinn asked then hissed as Roman’s hand closed around his and he shoved the vibrator deep.

  “Who is it?” Roman d
emanded. “Is it Jenna? Is she wearing a strap-on and pegging you like a demon?” He said as his hand sawed back and forth, grinding it against his prostate as Quinn writhed mindlessly. “Or is it me? Am I fucking you fast and deep and making you come harder than you’ve ever come in your life?” He rasped and Quinn could barely make his mouth work as a heavy current of pleasure and pressure slid down his legs.

  “You,” he moaned and almost swallowed his tongue as Roman pulled the vibrator from his ass. Roman’s cock drove deep, filling Quinn with one smooth, rolling thrust and he screamed and arched off the bed as he shattered and cum burst from the head of his erection. “It was you!” He cried as his arms and legs wrapped around Roman and his heels dug into his ass. It was Roman’s lips and Roman’s tongue, torturing him and he ached to feel Roman’s cock stretching and filling him relentlessly.

  “That was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen,” Roman groaned as his fingers curled around Quinn’s ass cheeks. He rolled his hips and bucked hard as his breath thundered in Quinn’s ear. “I am not going to last long,” he laughed breathlessly. “I don’t know how I survived that. I thought I was going to have a stroke. You were incredible!” He said then swore as his head snapped back and his chest locked. “Mother of God… Quinn.” His body jerked and jumped as he thrust hard. Roman shivered and twisted before he went limp and he melted over Quinn. “You’ll never have that with her. You’ll never have that with anyone else,” he warned as he nibbled on Quinn’s lips.

  “Just with you?” Quinn asked and Roman hummed.

  “Just with me,” he said and Quinn laughed as he threw his arm around Roman and rolled him.

  “And the vibrator, that time,” Quinn teased and kissed him loudly before he vaulted from the bed. He didn’t want Roman ruining the moment by mentioning their pretend arrangement, the arrangement he probably wanted or to ask Quinn to make a decision about his future. He wanted so many things with Roman but he didn’t know how to move forward until he knew where Jayce was. “Give me two minutes. We need to get out of here before my life gets messier and more complicated.”

  Chapter 18

  “Wash your hands and put your bags away,” Quinn called as Annabel and Jack dashed down the hall with their shopping bags. “I don’t think they heard me,” he murmured to Cassie as he hung his messenger bag then checked his watch. The lasagna would be done in about forty-five minutes and all he had to do was change Cassie and make a salad. He could have dinner on the table in an hour and be out the door shortly after. “Dinner in about an hour,” he called as he passed Mr. Whittacombe’s office then smiled as Mrs. Whittacombe appeared in the kitchen door. Her eyes were swollen and red and her nose was raw. “Is everything all right, Mrs. Whittacombe?” He asked and she sobbed into a handkerchief loudly as her hand flailed. Her strawberry blonde bun was frazzled and collapsing as she shook her head.

  “Oh, Quinn!” She wailed as he looked around for someplace to put Cassie and Mr. Whittacombe was behind him. His face was taut and his eyes avoided Quinn’s.

  “Quinn, could you give the baby to Miss Gaines?” He asked and Quinn frowned as the neighbor’s nurse peeked from around the kitchen door. She blushed and her eyes darted around the hall anxiously as she hurried to him and reached for the baby.

  “Is this an early birthday surprise?” Quinn asked brightly despite the clenching in his gut and Mrs. Whittacombe launched herself at him.

  “How could you, Will?” She cried as Quinn caught her and she was inconsolable as she buried her face in his chest.

  “Really, Margaret!” Mr. Whittacombe hissed and he gave Quinn an apologetic look as he pried his wife away from him. She pushed him away and glared as she pointed.

  “We wouldn’t have Cassandra if it weren’t for Quinn and that sprinkler! I was dead from the neck down before you hired him,” she said and Quinn’s cheeks puffed out as he held up his hands.

  “I have no idea!” He promised. The only thing he remembered about a sprinkler was the time he ran through the one in the yard while chasing Annabel. He ended up drenched and hung his shirt on the line for half an hour to dry while they played on the trampoline.

  “She’s had a great deal of wine this afternoon,” Mr. Whittacombe mumbled as he pushed her toward the stairs. “Can I see you in my office?” He asked and Quinn gestured for him to lead the way.

  “I can’t imagine what this could be about,” Quinn said and there was a mournful shriek from the top of the steps as Mr. Whittacombe shut the door.

  “I’ll keep this brief because I’m sure you’ve gathered,” he said as he hugged his chest and Quinn raised his brows expectantly.

  “You’re firing me,” he said and Mr. Whittacombe looked legitimately pained as he nodded.

  “Even with all that,” he nodded toward the hall. “We’re both very sorry to have to do this, Quinn. You’ve been the best part of this family for the last three years and I don’t know if my marriage will survive without you,” he said and Quinn’s eyes flicked to the ceiling as his lips twisted.

  “So… Why?” He asked and Mr. Whittacombe turned red as he rocked forward and studied his shoes.

  “It’s about that business yesterday evening,” he said and Quinn frowned. Everything was fine. The Whittacombes were sitting down to dinner when he left them the evening before and everything was fine when he left to take the kids to the market and the park earlier in the afternoon.

  “What did I miss? I left last night and things were great. Everything’s been fine today,” he said and Mr. Whittacombe shook his head.

  “You didn’t do anything…here. It was yesterday evening, after work,” he said and Quinn leaned back.

  “What?” He couldn’t feel his face and his eyes started to burn as he forgot how to blink.

  “Miss Gaines informed us of a…misunderstanding between you and another young lady. And a gentleman,” he added weakly and Quinn covered his mouth as his stomach jumped up into his throat.

  “I don’t know why she…” Quinn coughed to try and get his voice to work as he pointed toward the kitchen. “I don’t know why she told you but I didn’t hurt Jenna,” he swore.

  “Of course not! We know you could never hurt anyone, it was more the circumstances of the…misunderstanding,” Mr. Whittacombe said and Quinn’s lips pulled in as his brain screamed.

  “I’m sorry, the misunderstanding?”

  “Yes. The one involving the gentleman,” Mr. Whittacombe stated and Quinn bit his knuckle then nodded.

  “Right. The misunderstanding that happened in my building, between myself and an older adult gentleman,” he confirmed and Mr. Whittacombe coughed.

  “Yes. I’m sorry, Quinn, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to…”

  “Wait. I’m being fired because a young lady, who I was not in a relationship with, saw me with a man of legal age, in my private residence?” Quinn confirmed and Mr. Whittacombe’s hands flailed as he spluttered.

  “It’s not that we disagree with your lifestyle but we just don’t want that sort of attention and those sorts of things being associated with our household. I have to think of my political career,” he said and Quinn’s brows pulled together.

  “I’ve never behaved improperly around your children or behaved in a manner that would embarrass you while caring for your children,” he said.

  “Of course you haven’t and we have no complaints. In fact, I’ve written a glowing letter of recommendation,” he said as he went to his desk and Quinn shook his head.

  “I don’t understand. What sort of attention?” He said and Mr. Whittacombe’s lips pulled tight as he held out the letter.

  “It’s gone around the whole neighborhood,” he said and Quinn shut his eyes.

  “The other nurses,” he whispered as he pictured Jenna telling one then the news spreading like wildfire. “I don’t need that,” Quinn said as he headed for the door. “I won’t be able to work in a decent household ever again.” He stormed out of the office then
pulled himself together and offered Annabel and Jack a sunny wave as they watched from the top of the stairs. “You two be very good for me. I’ll see you later,” he said but he couldn’t look back at them as he quickly hunted through his bag for anything that belonged to the Whittacombes. He snatched two lollipops from the outside pocket and left them on the bottom step for the kids then pushed through the front door and jogged down the steps and out the front gate.

  “Quinn!” Jenna called and he flipped up his hoodie as he turned and hurried down the pavement. “Wait!” She begged as she ran after him. “I didn’t mean for this to happen!” She cried as she grabbed his arm.

  “Seriously?” He asked as he turned and pointed at the house. “You told everyone and you didn’t think this would happen?” He said then laughed in disbelief and she slouched as she whimpered.

  “I was so devastated last night,” she said and Quinn threw his hands up.

  “Looks like we’re even because I’m not feeling great,” he said and she reached for him.

  “I found the girls at the pub and I drank way too much and made a total arse out of myself,” she admitted and Quinn stopped. She looked like hell, actually. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun but it wasn’t messy in the cute way, like it normally was. Her eyes were red and raw and she was dressed in something that looked like a cross between yoga wear and pajamas. “I was crying and I can’t even remember everything I said,” she groaned and Quinn sighed. She did what any woman would do if she’d just been jilted in a wildly traumatic manner.

  “You have looked better,” he teased as he reached with his foot and kicked her gently. Her lip wobbled as her eyes watered.

  “Kittie Gaites’ sister was with us and I didn’t think about it. I was so upset and I was drunk and I threw up on my roommate’s lap,” she confessed and Quinn hissed.