Chapter Six

“What the fuck do you mean it’s going to be in the shop overnight?”

The mechanic, an old, grizzled man that was about half Quinn’s size, shrugged. “I’ve got to order in a part, and even if those dipshits over there manage to get me the right one today, I’m not paid enough to stay open late for the likes of you.”

“How much?”

The guy—Larry, from his name tag—laughed. “More than you can pay, sonny.” He leaned in and lowered his voice, shooting a glance to where Aubry stalked around the front of the shop, glaring at everything. “Here’s a tip that I won’t charge extra for—there’s a nice little B&B round the way. Take your lady and put some effort into loving away that foul mood she’s got going.”

He’d be lying if he said the thought of sex chilling Aubry out hadn’t occurred to him—especially when Jules had accidentally let it slip six months ago that Aubry didn’t date and hadn’t had that particular itch scratched in what might be years—but he wasn’t the man who’d be able to manage that herculean feat.

Except, after how things had gone down next to his truck, he kind of wanted to. Quinn shook his head, trying to focus on the man in front of him rather than the woman pacing in front of the dingy window like a caged animal. “Pretty sure that’s just her personality.”

“In that case, my condolences.” The man patted him on his shoulder. “And there’s a bar next door to the B&B that has half-priced margaritas from now to closing.”

That was going to be a necessity if they weren’t getting out of here tonight. Quinn scrubbed a hand over his face. “You’re sure you can’t get my truck fixed up before closing?”

“I’ll call Sue over at the B&B and let her know you’re coming.”

Guess that was that. Now all that was left to do was let Aubry know about the delay. He headed to the front of the shop and planted himself in front of her, forcing her to stop her pacing. “I have bad news and I have good news.”

“What’s the bad news?”

“Why am I not surprised you don’t want to start with the sweet?”

“Because you’re not as dumb as you look.” She snapped her fingers, looking all the world like a queen deeming to notice an ant beneath her boot. “Now—the bad news?”

“They can’t get my truck fixed up before morning.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“It’s fine.” He glanced down and blinked. “You’re looking a little pale.”

“I can’t…” She pressed a hand to her chest. “Give me a second.”

His forced amusement vanished. Holy shit, she was having a panic attack. He recognized all the signs. “Come on, peaches.” He half carried her to a faded plastic chair and guided her head between her knees. There was no telling what would ground her, because she hadn’t told him when he’d asked, but he’d try what worked for Jenny and adapt as needed. “Breathe, yeah, just like that, in, hold it for one, two, three. Now exhale. Good girl.”

Ten breaths later, she lifted her head. “Sorry.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to make a smart-ass comment about the fact she’d never once apologized to him before now, but he bit it back at the last second. She might be a pain sometimes, but she still looked pretty shaky. He’d known a panic attack could bring down the strongest person, but there was something about seeing Aubry so shaken that made him want to yank her into his arms and hold her until she was herself again.

No wonder she didn’t want to go to that damn convention by herself. If one unexpected delay was enough to set her back on her heels, what would being around a couple thousand people do? He realized he was still covering her hands with his and forced himself to let go of her. “You ready for the good news?”

“Sure.” She managed a smile, though it wasn’t anywhere close to convincing.

“There are half-priced margaritas.”

“Well, damn, Quinn. You should have led with that.”

He helped her to her feet, telling himself that he was just worried she’d take a nosedive, but the truth was that he kind of liked touching her. She smelled good despite the hellish day they’d had, like citrus and the warm summer sun. She must have noticed him watching her, because she took two large steps away, putting herself out of reach. “I’m fine.”

“Didn’t say you weren’t.”

“No, but you’re looking at me like I’m about to take a concrete nap.” She shoved her hair out of her face. “Did you find us a place to stay? Equally important—can we walk there?”

“Yes to both.” He led the way outside and down the block in the direction the mechanic had instructed. Aubry kept pace, but she was still looking a little peaked around the edges, so he walked slower than he normally would have. It wasn’t being nice. It was making sure he didn’t have to carry her ass in this heat.

Sure it is.

The B&B was a cute little thing tucked back from the street and was charmingly decorated in bright colors. It was manned by a cute little old lady with an accent thick enough he was glad for his sort-of-fluency in Spanish. Once she realized he could converse in that way, she switched over with a grin. “What’s brought this handsome man through my door?”

“I’m looking for Sue. Larry said he’d call and let her know we were heading this way.” Quinn grinned right back. She kind of reminded him of Daniel’s aunty. She was as gently forceful as she was short, and she usually wore the same amused look that this woman did.

“Ah, yes, overnight stay for the happy couple.” She accepted his card and passed over an honest-to-God key with the number four attached to it. A few signatures later and they were headed upstairs.

Aubry opened the door and stopped, halfway in the hall and halfway in the room. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“You keep saying that.” He nudged her the rest of the way into the room…and broke out laughing when he saw how it’d been decorated. There was a heart-shaped bed he was almost disappointed to find didn’t seem to vibrate, and everything was done up in ways that suggested love and romance—from the heart-shaped candles scattered about to the curtains with their little hearts printed on the fabric. It was truly impressive.

He walked over to look in the bathroom and whistled. “Check out that tub.” It was big enough to fit Aubry and him.

He turned around before that thought could take root, but it was too late. All he could picture was her straddling him, bubbles sliding over her skin, her red hair wet, and her eyes with that same expression she’d had by the truck before they’d been interrupted.

Back when he’d almost taken them off the deep end.

Quinn spun on his heels and nearly ran over Aubry. “I’m going for those margaritas.” He didn’t wait for a response. He just grabbed the second key and walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

It didn’t help. He could still smell her on his skin, which shouldn’t have been possible, and it seemed like his control had splintered the second he got into the damn truck cab with her. Now he couldn’t get the damn images out of his head, and with her showing interest there wasn’t a whole lot standing in the way of burying himself in her until he could feel her coming around him.

Nothing but the fact that they weren’t dating, weren’t friends, and could barely stand each other.

…

Aubry stared at the door and then looked around. Quinn hadn’t acted like he thought she was more of a freak than he normally did, but maybe her practically shoving his hand down her pants, followed by a panic attack, had been the last straw. She couldn’t help losing it. She’d been so focused on just surviving the trip that hearing the trip was actually going to take two days instead of one sent her into a tailspin.

No, that wasn’t completely accurate. She’d been strung so tightly from getting so close to orgasm and denied, and then having to sit next to Quinn while they rode into town, and then realizing she was going to spend an extra day in close quarters with a man who didn’t know if he wanted her or didn’t want her—and whom she couldn’t decide if she wanted to jump his bones or shove him out of the truck and take off…

She’d lost it.

Quinn had handled her panic attack, though. He hadn’t touched her other than to help her sit, and there had been no taunting or jokes, just his smooth voice anchoring her, walking her through it. If she’d had any doubts that he’d be able to stand as a wall between her and the strangers at the convention, they were gone now. He’d do what needed to be done to keep her from freaking out.

It made her feel weird to know that, so she refused to focus on it. And she sure as hell wasn’t going to think about the fact they were sharing a room tonight—and every night from here on out, until this godforsaken trip was over.

Instead, Aubry walked around the room one more time. It was exactly what it seemed at first glance—a lovers’ nest. Her gaze fell to Quinn’s phone sitting on the dresser and she shook her head. There was no way she would go searching for him if she needed him, half-priced margaritas or no. Not that she’d need him. She wouldn’t. What she needed was to get her head on straight.

She grabbed a set of clean clothes and headed for the shower. It would help center her and wash away all the insanity of the day. Or that was the theory, at least. As long as she tried not to be too weirded out by the fact there was no actual door in between the bathroom and the rest of the room.

The reality was that as soon as she got beneath the hot spray, her over-sensitized skin went into overdrive. All the pent-up feelings she’d wrestled down after they were interrupted rose to the surface, and she closed her eyes and braced her hands on the wall. She didn’t make a habit of touching herself when she was on the go—probably because she was never on the go—but maybe she could make an exception…just this once. She glanced at the doorway to the bedroom, but she was just as alone now as she’d been two seconds ago.

She closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and slipped her hand between her legs. Her body was already primed from all the near-miss with Quinn, so it was the easiest thing in the world to imagine him on his knees in front of her, hiking one of her legs over his massive shoulder, that look in his blue eyes as he lowered his mouth to press a kiss to her inner thigh. A moan slipped free as she stroked herself, following the imaginary path his mouth would take. She reached her clit and circled it with her middle finger just like he’d done. She was so close. So freaking close.

A low curse had her eyes flying open. She froze, a deer in headlights, when she focused on Quinn standing in the doorway to the bedroom. One breath passed, and then another, with them staring at each other across the steam-covered bathroom. She’d almost convinced herself that this was a desire-fueled hallucination until he took a step forward. “Tell me something.”

It was too late to cover herself—not that she was particularly inclined to be bashful anyways. He’d had her on edge for hours. It was only fair that she returned the favor in whatever way she could. From the look on his face, she was doing a damn good job of it. She licked her lips. “What?”

“What are you thinking about right now while you’ve got your hand between your legs? What almost happened on the side of the road? Or about delivering some particularly violent finishing move in that game of yours?”

Maybe it was lust curdling her brain, but she didn’t even hesitate. “You.” When he cursed again, she kept going, enjoying the intense expression on his face. “On your knees, your mouth driving me to orgasm.” It was perversity that had her adding, “Though, to be honest, I think it’s better in fantasy than it could ever be in real life.”

His brows slanted down, a forbidding look coming into his eyes that made her nipples tighten. “How do you figure?”

“Oh, you know.” Her voice was breathy, but she was too distracted to be annoyed by how intensely he affected her. “I know my body better than anyone else ever could. So I’d just be setting myself up for disappointment.”

He’d closed the distance between them without her noticing, until he stood just in front of the shower door, his big frame taking up entirely too much space. “Want to bet?”

“You can’t be serious.” He just looked at her, and she laughed. “You want to bet that, what, you’re better in reality than whatever I can dream up? Does that line ever actually work on a woman?”

“You tell me.”

Damn it, he had a point. She wanted to say yes. God, she wanted it so much, she was practically shaking. That’s just one more denied orgasm. Aubry trailed a hand down her sternum, her heart picking up at how intently he followed the movement. “I don’t like you.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

No, she supposed it didn’t. She’d never done anything like this before—casual sex wasn’t in the cards for someone like her—but there was a first time for everything. And if she didn’t come soon, she might go insane. Aubry stepped back into the spray of the water, opening the door as she did. “Just this once.”

“Peaches, I’ll make you a deal.” He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on the ground. His chest was just as cut as it had been last year when she’d seen him at the swimming hole, but this time she was allowed to touch him. It shouldn’t be possible, but that made him more attractive. Quinn laughed darkly. “Are you listening?”

Nope. I’m too busy checking you out. She took a deep breath. “I’m listening.”

“This is going to be as good as your fantasy—better than your fantasy. And when it is, you’re going to be in my bed and on my cock for the duration of our trip.”

Her jaw dropped. “Did you not hear what I just said?”

“I heard, and I’m telling you that you’ll change your mind the second I get my hands on you.”

The scary part was that she wasn’t sure he was full of it. He had such a magnetic confidence that she was tempted to believe he was actually capable of what he was promising. “And if you’re wrong?”

“I’m not wrong.” He unbuckled his pants and let them drop to the floor, revealing that Quinn apparently walked around commando.

Oh my God, I’m never going to be able to get that knowledge out of my head. That, or the fact he did not have a micro penis. She stared at his cock, deciding right then and there that there was no way that thing was going inside her. It was a study in impossibility. “We’re not having sex.”

“I’ll promise you something else.” He stepped into the shower stall and slid the glass door closed behind him, and suddenly there wasn’t enough room and she didn’t know where to look because she was having a seriously hard time lifting her gaze from his waistline.

Aubry took a shuddering breath. “What’s that?”

“We won’t have sex until you beg for my cock.”

She went ramrod straight. “That’s never—”

Quinn kissed her. It was nothing like before. There was nothing polite or soft about this kiss. It was hard and dominant and every bone in her body went liquid at the feeling of his tongue sliding into her mouth. One of his hands skated up her spine, bringing her body flush against his as he explored her mouth. Because that’s exactly what he was doing, testing her, teasing out different responses.

I am in so much trouble.

He moved down her jaw line to set his teeth against her shoulder. “Tell me how I gave it to you in your fantasy.”

“That’s…” She gasped at the feeling of his cock against her stomach. “That’s cheating.”

“No, peaches. It’s really not.” He went down to his knees, perfectly replicating how she’d imagined it, right down to the look in his eyes. He ran his hands up the insides of her legs, spreading her as he did, and lifted her to pin her against the shower wall. The cold tile against her back was a direct counterpoint to the hot water peppering her sensitive breasts, and the equally hot man crouched between her thighs.

She had the sudden thought that he hadn’t been wrong—not about making it better than her fantasy, and not about her begging for his cock before he was done with her.