Rose could handle the business; she was tough, especially with West at her back.
“I don’t want you to go,” Rose said. “You’re needed here, Lily.”
“That’s always the problem though isn’t it?” She stared at her sister. “I always do whatever anyone else wants. I never do what I want. And maybe what I want is to be a lawyer. I never even got the chance to pursue that, Rose.”
Her sister colored. “Yeah, I know. Because of me.”
“That’s not a criticism and you know it. I’m just thinking that maybe… Maybe it’s time I do something for myself for a change.”
It wasn’t really what she wanted, but then she couldn’t have what she wanted, could she? And if she couldn’t have Quinn, then she’d have something else at least. Something to throw herself into and try to forget.
Not that she ever would. Sadly.
Rose opened her mouth to no doubt issue another protest, when shouting came from outside.
“What the hell?” Rose muttered, turning toward the door of Lily’s office.
Then it burst open and Quinn Redmond stood on the doorstep, a fierce expression on his face, green eyes burning. “Out,” he barked.
Through the open door the other members of her team could be seen starting to come toward the office. Rose gave her a startled glance, but then, unexpectedly, darted toward the door, doing exactly what Quinn said.
He slammed it after her and very pointedly locked it.
Lily’s heart thumped, her gaze roving over him, unable to help herself. It had been so long since she’d seen him. Forever, even. He was in his usual uniform of jeans and a T-shirt, six four of hard muscle and masculine strength.
And he was coming straight for her.
Lily rose, opening her mouth to tell him exactly what he could do with himself, but he was coming around her desk and then she was backing away, her heartbeat heading into overdrive as he crowded her back up against the office wall. Then he put one hand on either side of her head and leaned down, and she was surrounded by fierce male heat and his familiar scent, the gleam of his green eyes, everything she’d missed and longed for with every fibre of her being.
“You can’t leave,” Quinn said fiercely. “Not until I’ve said what I need to say.”
Lily struggled to remain cool and calm, lifting her chin, reaching for the anger that had burned inside her ever since she’d walked out of his hospital room. “Oh? And why should I listen to anything you have to say?”
“Because I’ve been a dumb fucking idiot,” Quinn gritted out. “Because I shouldn’t have let you walk away back in LA.” His hand shifted, cupping her chin. “Because I hurt you, baby, and that’s one thing I shouldn’t ever have done.”
She wanted to pull away, but his fingers were warm on her skin and she wasn’t strong enough to deny him, not when everything inside her craved him. “Yes,” she said, because even though every self-preservation instinct she had was kicking in hard, she couldn’t seem to protect herself the way she used to. At least, not against him. The truth was all she had. “You did hurt me. And if you want me to disagree that you’re a coward, I’m not going to. You are.”
Remarkably, Quinn smiled. “You never shy away from the truth, do you?” His fingers firmed on her chin. “Lily. Beautiful, beautiful, Lily.” And before she could move, his mouth was on hers, the kiss hot and sweet, bringing tears to her eyes.
“Stop it,” she whispered against his lips. “Don’t be cruel, Quinn. Don’t come in here and kiss me and—”
“The thing I wanted to tell you,” he murmured, ignoring her, “is that I’m in love with you, Lily Hammond. I’ve been in love with you since the day we met. And I let you leave me back in LA, because, well, I was in a hospital bed.” He lifted his head, looking down at her, green eyes blazing. “Because you told me you loved me, and because I told myself that I didn’t deserve it. I was the man who let down my brothers, who wasn’t there for them when they needed me, and I couldn’t bear the thought of doing the same to you.” He took a breath. “But, fuck, Lily. Those were lies. What I was really afraid of was what I felt for you. Because for the last fucking two decades, loving people has meant nothing but pain. And I couldn’t deal with that, not again.” He stared at her, his gaze a brilliant emerald. “But I can’t let you go. And you’re right. You are worth more than my fear. You’re worth sacrificing everything for and if that’s what you need me to do, I will. If you want just sex, you can have it. If you never want to see me again, I’ll deal. And if you want everything I have to give, it’s yours.” His voice deepened. “Everything, including my heart.”
No amount of blinking would get the tears in her eyes to go away. “Three months, Quinn,” she said hoarsely. “I’ve been waiting for you for three months.”
His gaze darkened. “I know. And I will spend the rest of my life making up for those three months, I promise you. I swear it on my father’s fucking grave.”
The tears spilled over. “Does your father have a grave?”
“No. He’s in a box behind the bar.”
“Quinn—”
But he was kissing her then, hot and sweet, melting the last shreds of her resistance. “Tell me what you want, baby,” he whispered. “Anything.”
“You.” Her heart was swelling up her her chest, raw and tender and full. “Just you, Quinn.”
“Then I’m yours,” he said simply.
EPILOGUE
Quinn leaned back against the bar and gazed thoughtfully at the spot on the shelf that used to be the last resting place of Joe Redmond and wasn’t anymore. Not since a couple of weeks ago, when he, Rush and Zane had taken their father’s box of ashes out into the desert and had scattered them finally.
It had been a release and a salute. A letting go of the past and an acknowledgement of how it had formed them. And a conscious turning to the future and all it would bring them.
He could hear that future behind him now, in the laughter and buzz of conversation of all the people currently filling that bar.
It was a going away party for him and Lily.
And he was not sad about it. Okay, he was sad about not having his brothers around, but he and Lily weren’t going far. Just to live in LA for a few years while she attended college for her law degree and he spent some time getting to know his son. He wanted to make some steps toward righting that relationship and Jack had been interested. Or, at least, he hadn’t said no, which was something.
Rush and Zane would manage Lone Star Bounty, while Rose and West could manage Duchess Bail Bonds, which meant both businesses were in safe hands. Hopefully.
Behind him came Jamie’s laughter in response to something teasing Zane had said to her — he and Iris were teaching her to play pool — and Quinn grinned.
Oh yeah, they were in safe hands all right.
“Oh, holy fuck,” Rush said, sounding shocked. “Oh holy shitting fuck.”
Quinn turned sharply to find his brother, who was sitting in one of the booth seats staring at Ava, who was sitting opposite him. She’d flushed bright red but there was a smile curving her mouth.
Clearly not bad news, despite his brother’s white face.
Then abruptly, Rush lunged across the table and dragged a gasping, laughing Ava over it and into his arms, kissing her hard and long.
An arm slid around Quinn’s waist, the familiar feel of a small, slender curvaceous woman settling against him.
“Don’t worry about them,” Lily murmured.
“Oh?” Quinn frowned at his brother who was still kissing Ava hungrily. There were kids in the room for God’s sake.
Down the other end of the bar, Nora was recklessly promising drinks to all and sundry, flush with her win from the office sweepstake. Lily had apparently told her the real date that she and Quinn had hooked up, which had made Rush very pouty, not to mention Rhys.
“I should let him tell you,” Lily said.
Quinn glanced down at her, his hand settling on her hip. She was looking up
at him, a secretive smile turning her lovely mouth, blue eyes full of everything he’d ever wanted. “You know?”
“Yeah, I saw Ava coming out of the bathroom earlier.”
The bathroom? What?
Seeing his confusion, Lily just shook her head. “Rush will tell you.”
And suddenly, Quinn got it.
“Oh,” he said. ‘Oh, Christ.”
They both contemplated Rush who was holding Ava like he never wanted to let her go.
“He’s going be a great father.” Quinn grinned, the ache in his chest bittersweet. “I should be here for him.”
“It’s not far to LA, Quinn.” Lily leaned her head against his shoulder. “But if you want to stay here…”
“Absolutely fucking not.” He rounded on her and pushed her gently up against the back of the bar, taking her face between his hands and kissing her so there could be no confusion. “No way I’m going to let you be in LA by yourself. Who knows what mischief you’ll get up to?”
She lifted her hands and spread them out on his chest, leaning into him. Her skin was pink, which is was his favorite color on her. “Well, if you’re sure.”
“Positive.” He kissed her again. “Plus, I’ve got a boy to get to know. A boy who needs to know his dad.”
“He does,” Lily agreed. “Still, I hope it doesn’t set a precedent.”
Quinn examined her lovely face. “Anyone you’re particularly worried about?”
She spread her fingers out on his chest, the warmth of her touch seeping right down into his heart, where it stayed. “Well, Rose is too young for kids yet.”
He moved a little closer, stroking her cheek with his thumbs. “But you’re not.”
She went even pinker. “I know, but I have a degree to get first.”
“Of course.” He smiled. “But afterward, just so you know, I would be okay with anything you decide.” Because he couldn’t think of anything nicer than having a child with the woman in his arms right now.
Her lashes lowered and she smiled, smoothing his T-shirt, stroking his chest. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt. We could…certainly get in some practice right?”
Lovely Lily. Insatiable Lily.
His brightness and his joy. His heart. His love.
She glanced behind him. “Do you think they’ll be okay if we leave for half an hour or so?”
He didn’t need to look. He knew they’d be okay. And so would he.
“Yes.” He reached down and swept her into his arms. “And half an hour is not enough time.”
Lily put her arms around his neck and leaned back against his shoulder. “How about forever?”
“Done,” said Quinn.
And smiled.
Quinn Redmond had a reputation for being one hell of a bastard.
But at seven in the evening, in the bar of Lone Star, with the woman he loved in his arms, and his family and friends around him, his past behind him and in his future in front of him, he was the happiest goddamned bastard in the entire world.
ABOUT JACKIE
JACKIE ASHENDEN lives in Auckland, New Zealand, with her husband, the inimitable Dr. Jax, two kids, one dog, and one cat. When she’s not torturing alpha males and their kick-ass heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on social media, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
To keep up to date with Jackie’s new releases and other news, sign up for her newsletter at:
www.jackieashenden.com
ALSO BY JACKIE ASHENDEN
Standalones
* * *
Falling For Finn (Ebook only)
One Night With The Master (formerly Black Knight, White Queen) (Ebook only)
* * *
Demanding His Hidden Heir (Harlequin Presents)
Claiming His One Night Child (Harlequin Presents)
* * *
The Debt (Harlequin Dare)
(Out September 2019)
* * *
Series
* * *
The Lies We Tell
Taking Him
Having Her
* * *
Forbidden Desires
Living In Shadow
Living In Sin
Living In Secret
* * *
Talking Dirty (Ebook/audio only)
Talking Dirty With The CEO
Talking Dirty With The Player
Talking Dirty With The Boss
* * *
The Nine Circles
Mine To Take
Make You Mine
You Are Mine
Kidnapped By The Billionaire
In Bed With The Billionaire
* * *
Motor City Royals
Dirty For Me
Wrong For Me
Sin For Me
* * *
Bad Boy Sheikhs (Ebook only)
Never Seduce A Sheikh
Never Refuse A Sheikh
Never Resist A Sheikh
* * *
Texas Bounty (Ebook only)
Cold Hearted Sniper (formerly Take Me Deeper)
Make It Hurt
Take Me Harder
The Hit Man Next Door
Big Bad Marine
Black Sheep Bounty Hunter
* * *
Tate Brothers (Billionaire Navy SEALS)
The Dangerous Billionaire
The Wicked Billionaire
The Undercover Billionaire
* * *
11th Hour
Raw Power
Total Control
Hard Night
* * *
Knights of Ruin (Harlequin Dare)
Ruined
Destroyed
* * *
Kings of Sydney (Harlequin Dare)
King’s Price
King’s Rule
King’s Ransom
* * *
Novellas
* * *
Series
Billionaire’s Club NYC (Ebook only)
The Billion Dollar Bachelor
The Billion Dollar Bad Boy
The Billionaire Biker
* * *
Boxed set of above: 100 Shades Hotter edition
* * *
Billionaire Fairy Tales (Ebook only)
The Billionaire’s Virgin
The Billionaire Beast
The Billionaire’s Intern
The Big Bad Billionaire
* * *
Multi-author series (Ebook only)
Hollywood Blackmail (Seacliff Medical series)
Hold Me Down (Deacons of Bourbon Street biker series)
Frankie (Secret Confessions: Down and Dusty)
Black Sheep Bounty Hunter: A Texas Bounty Novel Page 30
