And as for her, well, she might want to go into self-protection mode, deny herself what she so clearly wanted, but he wasn’t going to help her. He wasn’t going to let her starve herself. Not when he was around and ready to give her everything she needed.
Her walls were strong. Good thing he was one hell of a battering ram.
He shifted, reaching for her leg and sliding his hand up her thigh, right up under skirt, dragging it up as he cupped the curve of one perfect ass cheek.
Her eyes widened and then widened further as, still cupping her ass, he slid his fingers beneath the crotch of her panties, brushing over the slick flesh of her pussy. And yes, she was blazing hot, moisture coating his fingertips.
Her hips jerked, her pupils dilating. Her mouth was so red, but her lipstick wasn’t even smudged. An issue he would rectify right the fuck now.
“Bastard.” Lily’s voice was breathy, her fingers curling into his tee and holding on. “We don’t have the time for this.”
“Then let me go,” he murmured. But she didn’t let him go as his fingers wandered. She only made another sound, the flush in her cheeks deepening as he eased one finger just inside the soft heat of her pussy.
She was probably right, though. He shouldn’t be out here with her, touching her like this when they had a blackmailer to handle. Yet he couldn’t stop.
“You don’t want space,” he murmured, looking down into her eyes. “And you don’t want distance.”
She took a ragged-sounding breath, arching against the wall as if she couldn’t help herself. “No, I—”
“Don’t lie to me, baby. I know. I could see it in your eyes.” He slid his finger deeper, feeling her inner muscles clench around it, holding him there. Fuck, it was making him even harder than he was already and he was pretty fucking hard. “You want me.”
Her head fell back against the wall, her gaze gone smoky from beneath her gilt lashes. “So? What does that prove?”
“It proves that this distance you’re trying to put between us is bullshit. And it’s not going to work, either.” He slid his finger all the way into her hot cunt, and she groaned, her hips shifting against the wall. “I don’t care where you sleep tonight, Lily Hammond.” He leaned down, his mouth near her ear, inhaling her sweet scent, gone musky with arousal. “But one way or another, it’s going to be with me.”
She shivered, her fingers twisted in the cotton of his tee and when he tried to pull back, she held on. “You’re a controlling dick, Quinn Redmond.” This time it was her breath against his neck as she turned her head. “Why is that?”
The question took him by surprise and he straightened a little, looking down into her face. “I like to be in charge. I told you that. And I don’t like you keeping me at arms’ length.”
“Why not?” The question was cool and for some reason, the way she was looking at him from beneath her lashes cut through him like a knife.
“Because it’s not what you want,” he insisted.
“Sounds like it’s a lot more not what you want.”
Something shifted inside him, a warning.
Because she was right, he was being a controlling dick and this was about what he wanted. And that was entirely due to the hungry, possessive emotion that had gripped him the moment he’d pushed inside her. Shit, probably even the moment he’d met her if he was honest with himself.
You need to get that shit under control.
Except there was a part of him that just didn’t care. That didn’t want to get it under control. That wanted to keep her and make her his, and all this control shit be damned.
Another reason to keep going and let this ridiculous emotion play itself out. Far easier to pour cold water on smoldering coals, than a raging bonfire.
So, he didn’t deny it. “It is what I want, believe me. But hey, if you’re not up for sex, that’s fine. I’ll just sit on your couch all night, instead.”
Lily gave him a narrow look. Then abruptly, she let him go. “We’ll see.”
“Yeah, we will.” Quinn pulled his hand from her and stepped back. Then he lifted his fingers and very deliberately, holding her gaze as he did so, he licked her moisture from his skin.
Her eyes darkened, following the movement of his mouth. “Low blow, asshole.”
Quinn gave her a smile that only just touched on savage. “Baby, if you want to win the war, you have to fight dirty.”
Having made his point, without another word, he turned on his heel and strode back into the bar, leaving her standing there.
ELEVEN
Quinn Redmond was a prick and Lily was starting to get very curious as to why that was. Not so much about his prickishness in general — leaving her with a throbbing ache between her legs was just mean — as about his intensity in particular. Especially with her.
You know why that is.
Yeah, she did. As he’d told her that morning in bed, for some inexplicable reason, she mattered to him. And she wasn’t quite sure why, or how deep that went for him, but one thing she did know was that it made her uncomfortable.
Because you want him to care.
No. Hell, no. Caring was not happening, not for either of them. Sex, yes. Anything else, no.
Lily leaned against the table they were all standing around, shifting surreptitiously on her feet to ease the nagging ache between her thighs that was very definitely all his fault.
He was standing opposite, watching her, that same intensity burning in his green eyes. He hadn’t liked her turning his demand back on him, not one bit. But too bad. She hadn’t liked it when he’d put his hands over hers in front of everyone.
Of course, blaming that on not wanting her to team to see had been a lie and pretty much the only excuse she could come up with, because the alternative — jumping his bones right there and then — wasn’t entirely appropriate to the situation. Plus, she’d resented her body’s instant leap into full blown desire the second she and her team had walked into Lone Star, and Quinn had got up from the booth seat he’d been sitting in. All six foot four inches of glorious hard-packed muscle, he hadn’t even been wearing anything special, just a black tee and jeans. But her heart had come to screaming halt inside her chest.
All she’d been able to think about was that now she knew what he looked like naked, what a pity it was that they had to have a meeting about this stupid blackmailer when she could be spending that time running her hands all over him. Watch his green eyes glitter with heat and his beautiful mouth curve into a snarl of pure animal pleasure. Have his cock pushing deep inside her and those big hands stroking her skin, making her wet. Making her come.
Making you feel safe.
Yeah, and she’d resented that too, not liking the power he had over her after only one night. But all the resentment in the world hadn’t changed her body’s response out there in the foyer either, or her chaotic emotions either.
And she did not want to have chaotic emotions about Quinn. She didn’t want to have emotions at all about him. Sure, this morning she’d had a moment of weakness, but it was over. She needed to stay detached. Enjoy the sex but keep any other feelings right the hell away.
She shifted again, trying not to stare at him, but she knew he was staring at her and making no bones about it. The pressure of his gaze was insistent and it was making her breath catch, making her even more aware of the ache between her legs. Damn, she needed to take control of this, because she couldn’t concentrate and that would be a mistake, especially given what they were all discussing.
You’re going to let him come to your apartment. You can’t resist him.
Maybe. Maybe resisting him physically in general was pointless, especially when he already knew she wanted him. It gave him too much power anyway. Better to take their chemistry and the fact that it went both ways, and use it for herself. Perhaps to find out why she mattered to him.
Why do you want to know that?
Good question.
Across the table, Quinn stood with his arms folded,
eyes blazing. No one had made a comment after they’d returned from the foyer, but there had been several raised eyebrows and subtle glances her way. A couple of knowing grins. She’d been irritated that the reason for Quinn’s dragging her out of the room was exactly what everyone thought it was, but perhaps she should just give in to that. It wasn’t a secret that she and Quinn were sleeping together, even though that had only been a reality since the night before.
Lily lifted her chin and met Quinn’s burning gaze, raising an eyebrow at him in silent challenge. He didn’t look away, yet a muscle leapt in his hard jaw and the heat in his eyes flared, making all the blood in her veins fizz in response.
Oh yes, resisting him was definitely the wrong thing to do. Better to take charge and make it her own.
A dangerous game to play with a man like him.
No, it wasn’t. It only got dangerous when feelings were involved and hers weren’t. She’d fuck him and love it, and maybe use some of his ‘no distance’ crap to get some answers out of him for herself, but that was the extent of it.
Firmly refusing to examine her own reasons for wanting those answers, Lily turned her attention finally back to the discussion around the table. Rose had already announced she was going to see if she could track the text messages and investigate the IP address of the emails Lily had been getting. She mentioned she had friends who might be able to do more with technology than she could, which was helpful. Rhys had decided that he and Rush were going to do a deeper investigation into their shady list of contacts to see whether or not Mason had any criminal connections that none of them knew about, while Ava had mentioned she’d look into any files the police had on him.
West had decided he was going to go through the Duchess Bail Bonds records to see if there were any other people who might have a personal grudge against her, which was an avenue she really hoped wasn’t going to turn up any leads. Mainly because there was going to be a lot of suspects.
“So what about this payment demand?” Zane asked Lily during a lull in the conversation, after Nora had mentioned some of the connections she and Smith could use. “Have you responded to it?”
Lily pointedly looked away from the staring match she was having with Quinn and met Zane’s icy gaze. “No, not yet. I was thinking I could delay them, ask for more time.”
But it was Quinn who replied. “Good plan,” he said. “See if we can get a couple more days, though they’ll probably be wise to the fact that we’re trying to track them down.”
Lily glanced back at him, the fierce look on his face making her whole body tighten in helpless response. She didn’t fight it this time, though. Instead she let him catch a glimpse of her own ferocity. “True,” she murmured. “But then it wouldn’t hurt to engage them. I don’t want to provoke them into sending that footage out before we’ve managed to track them down, but perhaps we might be able to get a sense about what they want from me. Because if it’s everything, then they’ll want to see me suffer a bit before they get their final revenge.”
“Fair point.” Quinn dropped his arms from where they were folded across his chest and put his hands on the table, leaning forward on them and staring at her. “In which case they might allow you some time to get that money, giving us some more time to track them.”
Her heart was beating faster and she couldn’t help but note the flex of his biceps as he leaned on his hands, the corded muscle tightening the sleeves his tee. “Worth a shot,” she agreed, the gleam of fierce intent in his eyes making the tiredness she’d felt before fall away, her own excitement rising. “If I’m pathetic enough they might give me more time. Wring a bit more emotional torture from me, since that’s clearly what they’re after.”
Quinn’s eyes gleamed. “Do you think you can manage some tears?”
She gave him an imperious look. “I can manage anything. Though tears from me might be a bridge too far.”
“True.” Quinn’s gaze swept over her once more, getting hungrier by the second. “Tough as nails Duchess weeping down the phone might give the game away.”
The heat inside her gathered and she didn’t hide it, letting him see it. “I could definitely sound worried. Or even—”
“Can you two stop eye fucking each other?” Rush interrupted, sounding impatient. “We’ve got shit to deal with and that’s getting old.”
Lily snorted while Quinn threw his brother an irritated look then abruptly shoved himself away from the table. “Okay, regardless of the plan, remember that this asshole knows that Zane, Rush and I are helping. And they’ve probably realized that the rest of you are too, which means we’ll probably all be being observed. So let’s watch ourselves. Anyone who feels unsafe can stay at Lone Star, we’ve got plenty of room.” At the rumble of offended male dignity, not to mention some female offended dignity, Quinn sighed.“Just a fucking suggestion. Unbunch your collective panties.” He swept a look around the room. “Right, are we good to go? Lily is going back to her apartment for the night and I will be with her. West? Is the place secure?”
“Yes. Abso-fucking-lutely.”
“Good.” Quinn glanced at her again, the heat in his gaze just about burning her to ash where she stood. “Anything to add, Duchess?”
“Nice of you to let me speak, Quinn.” She allowed a slight tartness to color the words, prompting a snicker from some of her team, but didn’t add anything more. Staring at him so openly was bad enough let alone arguing with him. Plus, the team needed to know she and Quinn were on the same page, since a divided leadership was a weak leadership. “Only one thing, really.” She looked around the room, letting her gaze rest in particular on Zane and Rush. “Thanks all for your help. It means a lot to me and I appreciate it.”
There were nods, a few grins, and then the meeting broke up, the bar filling with the low hum of conversation. Rush and Rhys, trailed by Smith and Nora left, while Zane, clearly the designated barman, began to mix some more drinks behind the bar for the rest of them.
Rose had commandeered one of the booth seats and had sat down with her laptop, her attention fully focused on the screen. West came down to sit opposite her, pushing another alcoholic milkshake in her direction, his hand dropping to stroke her leg under the table.
Ava, Iris and Vivi were sitting at the bar watching Zane and offering direction, of which he took absolutely no notice at all.
Typical damn Redmond.
A hand, warm and large, cupped her elbow, Quinn’s spicy scent suddenly enveloping her. “Time to go,” he murmured in her ear.
Instantly she was breathless, the throb of desire between her legs acute. She wanted to turn to him, bury her face in his neck, inhale his scent, press against his warmth and the hard strength of his body.
The need inside her deepened and she knew that this time it went deeper than purely physical, but she gritted her teeth against it. She wouldn’t give in. This was about sex, nothing more. And maybe using that sex to get some answers from him first.
Neither of them said a word to each other as Quinn steered her back toward the foyer again, or up in his room as they both gathered a few things to take with them for the night. He made no attempt to break the silence as they got into her car, either, apparently content to let the sexual tension building between them build higher. That suited her, so she let the silence sit.
It was only when they got to her apartment building at last that he took charge, carrying both of their bags and insisting on being the first out of the elevator at her floor. Then making her wait in the corridor outside while he did some reconnaissance of her apartment.
Lily watched him disappear through the door, admiring his tapered waist and the shape of his ass in blue denim as he did so. Really, it wasn’t bad letting him do a few things for her. It didn’t actually mean anything. And it was nice not to have to lug around that stuff herself. Obviously, she could do it if she’d had to, but since she didn’t have to, why argue?
“Thank you, Mr. Bond,” she murmured as Quinn came back to the door and
held it open for her, the apartment clearly safe to enter now. “I feel so much safer now.” Without waiting for him to reply and ignoring the way a very deep part of her actually did relax, as if what she’d said was true, she pushed past him, stepping into the familiarity of her own space again.
Only to feel his muscled heat at her back as he shut the door behind her, his hand coming to rest on the back of her neck, taking her in a light, but very dominant grip. “Now then, Miss Moneypenny,” Quinn murmured, his warm breath brushing over her nape. “Where were we?”
Lily’s breath caught, a rush of heated excitement filling her. “I believe we were talking about you wanting me.” She didn’t bother keeping her voice cool this time. There was no point in pretending she wasn’t affected by the way he held her.
His hand tightened fractionally. “What about it?”
“You said that you cared about me this morning. Why?”
He was silent a minute and all she could hear was her head thudding loudly in her head. She ached, wanting to touch him, kiss him. Wanting to run her hands all over him, taking him inside her and give herself over to the power of the chemistry between them, forget about power games for a few moments at least. But this was important. She wasn’t sure why she wanted the answer to this question, she just did.
“What do you want from me?” he asked roughly after what seemed like a long time. “A nice little heart to heart? Is that what you’re after?
“I want you to answer the question, Quinn.” She turned suddenly, his hand falling away from her as she faced him. “Or does the no distance thing only go one way?”
The look on his face was unreadable. “Why do you want to know?”
Lily stared back, her heart beating faster. “Why don’t you want to tell me?”
The look in his eyes didn’t flicker, intensity burning off him. “I care about you because you’re in my bed. Because you get under my skin, Lily Hammond.”
Black Sheep Bounty Hunter: A Texas Bounty Novel Page 21
