“Congratulations, darling,” Elaine whispered in Heather’s ear as she dropped down beside her on the beach after an exuberant volleyball game. “I don’t recall seeing any woman work so hard at staying away from a man.”
Heather groaned, dropping her head to rest on upraised knees. For several hours she’d done her best to prove to herself that she was unaffected by him. It was stupid. Lying to herself hadn’t made a bit of difference. She was still crazy in love with the man.
“Was I so obvious?”
“Not to the others, but then none of them know just how much you care for him. Have you two had a chance to talk?” Elaine asked.
The others were busy taking down the net or gathering and stacking driftwood for the huge bonfire planned for nightfall.
“No—but if there was something he wanted to discuss, he would have taken the time to call me. Evidently he had nothing to say to me,” Heather hissed, determined to hang on to her anger.
“So that’s it. Darling, ignoring him isn’t going to get you what you want.”
Heather frowned. She’d refused to play tennis on the off chance that she might have to partner Quinn. She’d used Elaine’s needing help with the food as her excuse. She had even gone so far as to limit herself to a short time in the pool, leaving as soon as Quinn’s sleek frame sliced through the water. Heather was ashamed of how purposefully she overlooked the empty place at his side at the barbecue in favor of squeezing in between her nieces.
Why was she acting like a teenager? She was so angry that she couldn’t seem to stop herself. She wasn’t being ridiculous—she was merely honoring their agreement. He asked her to keep her distance, and she was doing just that.
But what if she weren’t able to keep up her end of it? What then? Her feelings for him were difficult enough without sexual desire getting in the way. She literally ached for him, craved the kind of sweet magic only he could provide. He was more than a terrific lover. He worked at pleasing her. It did no good to caution herself against him—she couldn’t help wanting him.
“I know it isn’t my business, but I care about you two. I truly believe he cares for you, Heather. It’s in his eyes. Can’t you feel him watching you? He follows you with his gaze. And I for one think it’s romantic.”
“What’s romantic?” Elaine’s husband Darnell asked, putting an arm around his wife’s shoulders. Quinn was right behind him and he sat down near Heather.
“You, my darling, who else?” Elaine smiled at him, snuggling back against his side.
“You don’t expect me to believe that, do you?”
“And why not? It’s absolutely true.”
Darnell looked over at Heather, a wide smile on his even features. “Enjoying yourself?”
“Yes, very much,” she said. “The weather has been super. The girls and I love it here.”
Busy trying to avoid staring at Quinn’s compelling profile as he relaxed in close fitting cut-offs, his long hard thighs almost touching hers, Heather tried not to note the way the muscles in his arms were displayed to perfection in a short-sleeved blue cotton shirt that he’d left open down to the middle of his chest.
“How’s life in Washington, old man?” Darnell asked.
“Intense.”
“Not working too hard, are you?” Elaine asked.
“No. I’ve managed to do a little running, racquetball. Another week or two and we can wrap this thing up.”
“You both work too many hours. It’s not good for you.”
Darnell laughed. “Darling, a man needs his work. It’s the challenge. Heather, Quinn tells me you’re responsible for the smile I see on Cynthia’s face these days. Elaine and I love her like one of our own. And we’re grateful for all you’ve done for her.”
Heather forced a polite smile. “How generous, but I certainly can’t take credit.” Gratitude! Was that what Quinn felt for her? No wonder he hadn’t called, the snake. In the beginning he’d desired her. Now even that had ended. It was over between them. Why had it taken her so long to realize?
Heather jumped to her feet. “Excuse me, I think I’ll help the kids collect wood.” She was off, oblivious to the streaked beauty of the sky as the sun began its descent. Orange-red flames danced into a sky as dark and endless as a pool of liquid sapphires. The pulsating wails of Stevie Wonder poured from the portable cassette player.
Heather watched the kids jumping and twisting to the music. Loneliness tore at her tender heartstrings as she took note of the two other couples. The Hunters and the Sanderses enjoyed a special closeness as they took in the seductive appeal of the sultry, summer night. Her toes curled in the sand still warm from the hot sun. Her thoughts were with the man a short distance away.
He was stretched out with his back resting against a boulder, an idle hand on his thigh. Heather didn’t have to look at him to feel his brooding deliberation.
Quinn resented that she had time for everyone but him. He was experiencing a sharp sense of disappointment. Why was she so distant? He barely had a chance to speak to her all day, and never privately. Damn it, he missed her. Didn’t she feel the same? She was acting as if he’d mistreated her. What did she have to be angry about? Or was she simply tired of waiting?
“Hasn’t this been the best day?!” Angela exclaimed as she and Cynthia joined Heather.
“The best.” Heather smiled quickly.
“I can’t remember when I’ve had such a great time, in spite of the heat,” Cynthia said, mopping her wet brow. “It was just super.”
Heather looked from one to the other before returning her gaze to the slowly dying embers. She was glad someone was having fun. She couldn’t remember ever being so miserable.
“The twins are driving up to Mackinaw Island in the morning,” Angela said. “They’re going biking around the island. Wouldn’t it be great if we could go, too, Cynthia?”
“Yeah.”
They both turned hopefully to Heather. “Can we?”
“Huh?”
“Go biking around Mackinaw Island with the Hunter twins,” Angela begged. “Please, please, please.”
“Have you been invited?”
“Sure, if you and Dad give the okay.” Cynthia said, blissfully unaware of what the innocent coupling of their names had done to Heather.
“Please, Auntie, say yes. It’s only one day. Maybe we can have lunch in the Grand Hotel and get fudge.”
“Sounds like fun. But Cynthia, you must get your father’s permission. I can’t speak for him.”
The girls beamed. After conspiratorial whispers, they went to sit with Quinn.
Heather couldn’t help chuckling. She’d been worried about Cynthia being away from therapy. But apparently the vacation was doing her a world of good. All three girls couldn’t be happier.
“He said we could!” the girls shouted, then asked each other at the same time, “What should I wear—”
“Decide later,” Heather interrupted. “The fire has died and we should be leaving, especially since you have a long drive ahead of you. What time are the boys planning on starting out?”
“Seven.” Angela frowned.
“That early?” Heather laughed, brushing herself down. “Where’s your sister?”
“Here I am,” Ericia called, having just returned from one last swim.
“Here—put this over your shoulders. It’s getting cold.” She gave her a beach towel.
“Guess what? Aunt Heather and Dad said we can go biking with the twins on Mackinaw Island.”
“Hey! That’s really hot.” Ericia beamed. “We can pick our outfits out tonight. Can I borrow your pink and green overalls?”
“Sure. Hey, Angie...”
Heather put her arm around Ericia’s shoulders. “Honey, I’m counting on you to look after the other two. You’re the oldest and most responsible.”
Ericia beamed at her aunt. She gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll keep those two in line.”
The girls collected their things, while Quinn helped put out the fire and Heather worked with Elaine to clear away the remains of their meal.
Once they’d finished their farewells, the chattering girls went on ahead.
“Ready?” Quinn asked, Heather’s beach bag in one hand and empty salad bowls in the other. Heather was cradling the remains of the cheesecake in the crystal pie server.
“Mmmm,” she nodded.
“Those nieces of yours have really brought Cynthia out of her shell.”
“Yes.” Heather smiled her approval of Cynthia at him.
“Lady, that’s the only smile I’ve gotten from you all day.” Quinn groaned as he saw the tiny frown forming on her forehead.
“I’m surprised you agreed to the trip to Mackinaw Island.”
“I wouldn’t if I thought there was something to be concerned about. The Hunter twins are good kids. I’ve watched those two grow up. They’ll take good care of the girls. Are you concerned?”
“Not really. I trust the girls. It’s just that if anything happens to those girls, my sister Gwen will kill me. Are you sure they’ll be safe?”
“Stop worrying. Mackinaw is roughly two hours away. If there’s a problem, we’re close enough that we can always drive up and get them,” Quinn assured her, careful not to touch her. “Okay?”
“Okay.”
This was certainly the longest night in history, Heather decided as she stood by the patio screened door. She glanced back at the four glued to the television set, sharing a huge bowl of popcorn. “How can you eat that stuff after all the food we’ve consumed today?”
The girls didn’t hear the question. They were rolling on the floor and screaming with laughter at some new comedian on the Tonight show.
“It’s a good program. Come and join us,” Quinn said from his place on the sofa with his bare feet propped on the coffee table.
“No, thanks.” Heather slid the screen door open and stepped out onto the patio. She’d changed into magenta cotton slacks and pale pink cotton knit sweater. Ebony braids swirled around her shoulders as she looked up into the cloudless darkened sky. It was a beautiful night—a night for lovers.
It was quite late when Quinn stood in the screened door studying Heather. The rhythmic creak of the patio swing blended with the night sounds. Heather sat lost in thought.
“The girls have finally decided on what they’re going to wear and have gone to bed,” he said, stepping outside. He offered one of the tall imported beer bottles he carried.
“I don’t know how they expect to get up at six. Not one of them has been out of bed before eleven for the last two weeks.” Heather laughed.
Enjoying the warm sound, Quinn joined her on the swing, taking a healthy swig of his drink.
Heather didn’t have to look at him to know how well his shirt hugged his upper torso, nor did she have to inhale his fresh scent to recognize his masculine appeal.
“Ericia’s growing up so fast. It’s hard to believe she’ll be seventeen in October.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” He smiled, unwittingly drawing her eyes to the seductive curve of his mouth, partly screened by his thick mustache.
Her heart accelerated as she thought of how that tiny bit of masculinity felt against her skin. She shivered as the warm rush of memories spiraled beyond the limits she had placed on herself. Clear recollections filled her head of Quinn’s mouth between her breasts, the roughness of his tongue warming her breasts and her aching nipples before he took each one into his mouth and suckled with hard sweet suction. Heather trembled. She adored the feel of his mouth on her body.
“Good?”
She blinked. It took her a few seconds to clear her mind and realize what he was saying. She managed a quick sip of the brew, wondering why she took it. She hated beer. “Yes, especially on a hot night like this.” With a smile she said, “No wonder the girls used this as the major ingredient in the all-natural face mask they coated each other with the other night.” Heather laughed at the face Quinn made.
“Pretty night,” he murmured softly.
“I should go inside.” She spoke her thoughts aloud as she realized that wasn’t what she wanted. She longed to stay right where she was, with Quinn.
“Stay... please.” He tried not to think of just how much even a few minutes alone with her meant to him.
“Are the girls asleep?”
“They’re in bed, which is distinctly different. There was plenty of giggling going on when I checked on them before I came out.”
They exchanged a smile.
“When we were little, I remember my folks taking us kids on picnics to the state park in Bay City. We had a ball. We used to run up and down the hills. It was such great fun. We would play on the beach all day. At night when the stars came out, they seemed so much brighter, bigger than in the city... like tonight.” Her glance strayed to him. She found herself asking, “Why don’t you ever talk about yourself? You’ve never told me about your parents... your brother.”
“It’s not a pleasant story, Heather.”
“That’s it? That’s the whole story?”
“Yeah.” He took a deep swig from his beer.
“I’ve told you about my whole life. You’ve told me nothing!” Heather stared at him, unable to accurately read the shadows in his eyes.
Quinn was tempted to lift the small hand that lay on her lap and press a kiss into its center. Instead he slowly finished his beer and placed the bottle on the table at his elbow.
One of Cynthia’s accusations, made months before, suddenly came to mind. She told Heather that her father hadn’t cried when her mother died, hadn’t shed a single tear. Maybe he didn’t know how to cry. Did he keep the pain and bitterness locked inside? If so, that certainly explained his ulcer.
Heather broke the silence. “It’s believed that a man’s life expectancy is shorter than a woman’s due mainly to his inability to express, thus release his emotions.”
“Where did you hear that? On the Oprah Winfrey show? You don’t honestly believe that, do you?”
“Of course I do.” She shifted, unintentionally brushing her leg against his hard muscular thigh and quickly moved away.
“I intend to live to be a very elderly gentleman.” He grinned. “Want this?” He indicated the nearly full bottle she was holding.
“I prefer iced tea.”
His senses flared as he drank from the bottle, wishing it were her mouth he was covering with his own, exploring its sugary depths. Now that they were finally alone, he was aching from her. But he made no move to touch her.
Heather stared down into the gentle rippling water in the pool. He was too attractive. Quinn probably had women falling all over themselves to get next to him. Oh, why was she tormenting herself this way? She needed to get as far away from him as she could.
“You’re awfully quiet. What’s wrong?”
“Good night, Quinn.”
“What do you mean, good night? We haven’t said half dozen words to each other today.” He caught her wrist, gently massaging the soft inner flesh. “Stay with me. Let’s watch the sunrise. The breeze is so nice off the bay.”
From the instant he’d arrived, she’d struggled against her feelings for him. Frankly she was exhausted from the effort. She couldn’t seem to stop loving him. She longed for him to be everything a man can be to a woman... lover, friend, someday... husband. But he was denying her even a corner of his world.
She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t. Her emotions were too close to the surface.
“Heather?”
“This is ridiculous. We can’t stay out here all night.”
“Why not? I’ve missed you, pretty girl.”
“Oh really? That’s news to me.” She glared up at him. “You haven’t called me once since I’ve been here. Let go of my hand,” she hissed, absolutely furious with him.
“Woman, you’re driving me up a wall!” he said in exasperation.
“Good!” she snapped at him, trying to ignore the way her skin still tingled from his caress. She folded her arms beneath her breasts. “You’ve annoyed the hell out of me for weeks!”
They were both on their feet now.
He couldn’t help himself, he needed to touch her. He cupped her slim shoulders. He swore when she tried to pull away. “Stop that!”
“You stop!”
“Why are you so angry? And it can’t be over a telephone call.”
“Why not? It’s all we have.” She stopped, realizing her voice was trembling.
“Heather—”
“Those calls made me feel as if you cared about me,” she whispered, unable to look at him.
“I do care about you. That’s not the issue. I didn’t call because I thought it would be easier on both of us.” He sighed. “Those calls were starting to mean too much. They left me lonely and miserable without you. I thought if I didn’t call we both would cool down a bit. I’m sorry. I didn’t do it to hurt you.” When he tried to pull her close, she held him at arm’s length. “Baby, don’t be mad. Let me hold you. Give me that much.”
“Oh, Quinn...” she said in a whisper, fighting for control of her emotions. “It’s pointless. We have an agreement.”
“I know, but I can’t help myself. You’ve kept me away from you all day. Give me some of your sweet sugar, girl.” The lower half of his body seemed to have conquered his brain. His breath warmed her lips, but he didn’t take them. He needed her precious offering.
Heather shook her head, in spite of the sweet yearnings inside demanding her surrender. She swayed, like a moth circling a flickering flame, coming closer, ever mindful of the danger that could destroy it. His mouth represented the fire, a temptation she had promised to resist.
“The girls—”
“Are in bed,” he finished for her. “Heather...” He lifted her chin.
Heather sighed in defeat, curling her hands around his neck and pressing her fingers into the thick, crisp hair at his nape. She went up on tiptoes to bring her mouth against his. His lips were cool, firm yet soft and dangerously inviting. His tongue was waiting, eager to remind her of the sensual pleasure he alone could give.
Quinn cradled her. “Oh, Heather...” His kisses were like a meteor shower, raining sparks of heat, light, and wonder over her.
They were so absorbed in each other that neither noticed Cynthia standing by the screen door. Her hand went to her mouth as she realized what they were doing. She spun on bare feet and raced back to her room.
Eventually he eased away, but only long enough for Heather to regain her breath. When his lips returned to hers, she played with his tongue, teasing, tasting, then suckling. Quinn growled, rubbing his thumbs against the hard peaks of her breasts. Oh, yes... yes. Quinn lifted her so he could cradle her soft buttocks in his palms, fitting his arousal between her soft thighs, and erotically massaging her feminine mound. Heather moaned so sweetly, making him wonder how had he survived without her these past weeks? How?
“No!” she gasped for breath. They couldn’t make love.
“Heather—” All he could focus on was her and the sweet pleasure of being back in each other’s arms.
“We can’t do this, Quinn—especially with the girls in the house. Let me down.” She didn’t breathe until her feet made contact with the flooring. She was trembling so badly, she would have fallen if he hadn’t been supporting her.
Heather knew that it wasn’t only the girls holding her back. She didn’t have much pride left, but she wasn’t about to beg him to change his mind.
He held his mouth taut as he fought the fury of his passion. “Alright. I’ll make up the sofa bed in the living room. You take the bed in the loft.”
“But it’s your room. I can sleep downstairs.”
They squared off like two old war enemies, tired of fighting but knowing no other way to settle their differences. And they knew the problem had nothing to do with who should sleep where but had everything to do with the fact they both yearned to be in the same bed.
He surprised her when he said, “Okay... you win.” He rubbed at the tense muscles in his neck. “Good night.”