by Laura Lee
“Are you sure she just doesn’t need more time? You haven’t heard from her at all?”
I tilted my glass slightly, watching as the cubes of ice slid back and forth, clinking against one another.
“Liam, we’ve been over this. No, I haven’t heard from her. She sold her fucking house, man. How does that in any way indicate that she’s still in a holding pattern?” I gulped down the remaining amber liquid. “I need to find a way to accept that she’s not coming back.”
Christ, just admitting that made me want to crawl into a bottle of scotch and never leave. Hindsight truly was one wise and clever bitch. I hadn’t realized until Quinn was gone how much I’d anticipated seeing her every day. Even when we were at our most hostile toward one another, I craved her company. Sure, I had wanted to fuck her from the moment I’d laid eyes on her, but I also wanted to talk with her and fight with her, let her steal my food, and watch her brilliant brain in action.
I was so fucking proud of that woman for everything she had accomplished in two short years with the company, and not once had I told her that. Not once had I told her how much I appreciated everything she did to make my life easier. Not once had I told her that she was the most important person in my life. Not until it was too late, anyhow.
“Still no word, huh?” Evidently, my sister-in-law had decided to join in the pity party. As Avery lowered herself into a chair on their back deck, she added, “I still think you should call her, Ronan. I don’t know Quinn as well as you do, but I know enough to see that she’s your perfect match. Speaking from a woman’s perspective, I’d bet her lack of communication has more to do with pride than heartache. Let’s face it; you Maxwell men can be real miserable bastards sometimes.”
Liam raised his drink to her. “Love you too, babe.”
She rolled her eyes. “As I was saying... you’re not the easiest lot to put up with. It takes a strong woman to deal with you domineering asses. Not to mention your tempers. I get it; it’s who you are—it’s how you’ve been so successful, and quite frankly, it can also be hot as hell.” Avery paused to wink at her husband. Lucky son of a bitch.
“That said, it can also be exhausting. You did a number on her, Ronan. I’m sure she’s still hurting—quite badly, possibly, and she needs time to recover. But I would also say it’s reasonable to believe that she’s waiting for you to make the next move. You need to earn her trust back, show her that she’s worth the fight. That she’s not the only one throwing her heart on the line.”
“She asked me to stay away—said if I ever had feelings for her, I’d honor that request. I thought I was showing her that I was all-in by doing what she’s asked.”
“I’m going to let you in on a little secret, Ronan.” Avery leaned forward and stage whispered, “We women can be fickle creatures. And sometimes—not always, mind you—but sometimes, we like to be chased. Especially by someone so undeniably alpha.”
I groaned and raked my hands through my hair. “Why are women so fucking difficult?”
“Because men can be real fucking morons when it comes to them. Trust me, little bro, I learned that lesson the hard way.” Liam laughed. “But do you know what else I learned?”
I raised my eyebrows. “What?”
My brother smiled at his wife with so much goddamn love in his gaze, my chest tightened. “That the right woman can make you a better man.”
***
I couldn’t stop thinking about what Avery had said. I decided that I would make the next move with Quinn, but I figured doing so in person would be the best approach. I promised myself that if she shot me down again, this would be it. I didn’t want to cause her any more grief than I already had, but I knew that I would never forgive myself if I didn’t give it one last try.
As I was getting ready to leave work, there was a knock on my door.
“Come in.”
Mr. Vasquez walked into my office and placed a file in front of me. “Human Resources needs your signature on those to complete Mrs. Chen’s job change.”
I opened the file and skimmed the paperwork. Li Chen was the senior most person on my finance team below the CFO. When my former executive officer had been arrested, she’d immediately taken the reins as interim CFO. She was a highly intelligent woman who had proved her worth time and again, so promoting her was a no-brainer.
I shoved the file in my laptop bag. “Let them know I’ll look these over on my flight and I’ll get these back to them as soon as possible.”
“Flight?” Mr. Vasquez asked. “I’m sorry, sir, but what flight? I wasn’t aware you were going anywhere.”
“Chicago. My plane leaves in three hours. I’m about to head out.”
Mr. Vasquez bounced on his toes and clapped his hands together. “Well, it’s about damn time! I thought you’d never get your head out of your ass!” He blanched when I glared at him. “Um... I meant that in the most respectful way possible, sir.”
I locked my desk drawers and stood up. “You can make it up to me by giving me her new number.”
Mr. Vasquez pulled his phone out of his pocket and furiously ran his thumbs over the screen. “I’m texting you her contact info now. Her home and business addresses are on there as well.” He looked up and cringed. “But if she asks, you did not get this information from me. I’d prefer my balls stay intact, thank you very much. Knowing Quinn, she’d find a way to castrate me from two thousand miles away.”
No shit. She was already holding mine in the palm of her hand.
I smirked. “You have my word. Now, I need your word you won’t warn her that I’m coming. Or tell Miss O’Hare.”
He held his palms up. “My lips are sealed, just as they were when I gave you her flight info. Can I just say one thing before you go? And can you not be my boss when I do?”
I nodded.
“If you fuck this up again, Sylvie and I will hunt your ass down and do very painful things. And trust me when I say that bitch is crazy—I’m sure she knows a hundred different ways to hide a body.”
I shook my head. Jesus, those two were so ridiculous sometimes, but I couldn’t help appreciate how protective they were of Quinn.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, Mr. Vasquez. May I leave now?”
“By all means. Go get your girl.” He winked and gestured to the door.
I punched the call button for the elevator and listened as the car made its climb to the top floor, stopping occasionally. The doors finally opened, and I was frozen in shock when I saw its sole passenger. She seemed surprised to see me as well because the door started to close again before either one of us could find words.
I stuck my hand in the middle, triggering the sensor to open the doors. I stepped into the elevator, keeping my eyes on Quinn. I advanced upon her and she retreated until her back hit the wall.
We were in the same corner where I’d stuck my hand up her skirt and done very dirty things to her once. If her beaded nipples were any indication, I suspected she’d remembered this too.
Unable to fight this pull between us, I leaned down until my lips were inches from hers. “What are you doing here? I was just coming to see you.”
Quinn blinked rapidly. “What do you mean you were just coming to see me?”
I couldn’t contain my smile. I knew things were still fucked between us, but I was so damn happy to see her. “I booked a flight to Chicago. I was heading to the airport.”
She arched into me. “Why would you do that?”
The elevator started moving. I punched the stop button before it could go any farther.
“Ronan! What the hell are you doing? You can’t just stop the elevator.”
“Sure I can.” I shrugged. “I own the goddamn building. I want to know why you’re here and I don’t want any interruptions.” I moved closer again, this time placing my arms on the bars on each side of her, caging her in. “So, tell me, Quinn. Why are you here?”
Her full lips curved into a smile. “Still a bossy ass, I see.”
> “Always. Now answer the question.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. I tried, but it was hard to ignore how the motion pushed her tits up. She had really great tits. “You first,” she said. “Why were you on your way to Chicago?”
I looked at her intently, trying my best to convey my sincerity. “To see you. To beg you to move back to California. To somehow convince you to take me back, even though I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I was hoping you loved me enough to try anyway.”
Quinn looked away. “You’re right; you don’t deserve my forgiveness.”
I told myself not to panic just yet. I lifted her chin with my index finger. “But? Please tell me there’s a but in there, because I can’t stand being without you, and based on how often your friend Sylvie tries to murder me with her eyes, I have a feeling you feel the same.”
She laughed. “You’re certainly not her favorite person right now.”
“Honey, all I care about is whether or not I can be your person. If you’ll give me another chance.” I rested my forehead against hers. “Quinn, I don’t want to be without you anymore. Please don’t make me be without you anymore. Tell me why you’re here.”
“Ronan—”
Of course, just then the damn emergency phone rang.
“Goddammit! Hold that thought.” I picked up the red receiver. “Yeah?”
“Good afternoon, sir. This is Jim Garrett from security. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, Jim. Everything is fine.”
“Great to hear, sir. If you’ll give me just a moment, I’ll override the system and get you moving again.”
“Jim, don’t you dare. Listen to me carefully. This is Ronan Maxwell. I believe you know who I am?”
“Uh... yes, of course, sir.”
“Good. Now, Jim, I’m having a very important conversation right now—one that I do not want interrupted again. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“You don’t want me to move the elevator?”
“Right. I do not want you to move the elevator. We are in no danger. I will call you when I am ready to go. If you override the system before then, or call here again, you’re fired. We clear?”
“Crystal, sir.” Jim hung up without another word.
I turned back to Quinn with a devilish smile. “Now, where were we?”
“You were reminding me how impossible you were to work for.” She playfully rolled her chocolate eyes. “Such a bosshole.”
I smiled. “You can call me that all you want if you come back to work for me.”
Her expression sobered. “Ronan, I won’t do that. That part is non-negotiable.” My disappointment must have been obvious because she raised her index finger, indicating there was more she needed to say. “Besides, I already have a job. I just accepted a director of finance position with Coastal Cosmetics.”
“I thought you wanted to stay in hospitality?” I said.
She shrugged her shoulders. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since you mentioned finance that day at my house. Quite frankly, I’m surprised I hadn’t considered it before then. When I came across this position with Coastal, I knew it was perfect. I want to work for a company that I believe in and they fit the bill. I love their products. They’re high quality, eco-friendly, and one-hundred percent cruelty-free. And even better, I get to geek out on numbers all day.” We both laughed at her obvious excitement. “Plus... the biggest factor in my decision was that their headquarters are in Los Angeles.”
I hated that she wasn’t coming back to work here, but I loved that she was moving back to California.
“So, you’re moving back?”
Quinn smiled. “Already have. I never did arrange for movers to bring my stuff to Chicago, so all I had were a few suitcases. I think I knew deep down that this would always be my home. There is one slight problem though.”
I tilted my head. “What’s that?”
“I don’t exactly have a place to live. When I put my house up for rent, an investor reached out to me, making me an offer that I couldn’t refuse. I have the funds to buy a new place, but until that happens, I’m technically homeless. I don’t really want to live out of a hotel because I’ve been doing that for the past month. I know Sylvie or Antonio would have me in a heartbeat, but—”
“Stay with me.” I couldn’t get the words out fast enough.
Quinn laughed. “You’re not going to even let me finish my sentence?”
I shook my head. “Stay with me, Quinn. For a week, a month, forever—however long you want. I have plenty of room and it would give us a chance to make up for lost time.”
She raised her eyebrows. “And what makes you think I’d want that?”
I trailed my finger down her arm and circled her wrist. “Why are you here, Quinn? Specifically, in this building. Did you come to see your friends?”
She shook her head slowly. “I came to see you, Ronan.”
I kissed the inside of her wrist. “Why?”
Her eyelids fluttered closed when I ran my tongue over her pulse point. “Because I don’t want to be without you anymore either. But you need to promise me that you will never pull something like that again.”
Before she could take it back, I brushed my lips against hers. “I love you, Quinn, and I promise, I will do everything in my power to make you happy.”
She smiled against my mouth. “I love you, too.”
My lips turned up in the corners. “So, what now?”
Quinn’s face flushed. “You can start by taking me home so we can have some really hot make-up sex.”
I couldn’t pick up the phone fast enough. “Jim, take this thing straight to the parking garage. No stops.”
“Yes, sir.”
I slammed the phone down and took the beautiful woman before me into my arms. “I’m going to screw up sometimes. You know that, right? Not nearly as bad as last time, but I’m going to make mistakes.”
She chuckled. “Well, that’s pretty much a given. You are you, after all.”
“But I promise to make up for it with orgasms.” I winked as I took her face in my hands. “I was afraid I’d never have you in my arms again. I will spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret giving me another chance.”
“Careful now,” she teased. “Keep talking like that and people will think you’ve gone all soft.”
I pressed my body into hers, proving how not soft I was at the moment. “Sweetheart, that is one thing you will never need to worry about.”
Quinn laughed. “Ronan?”
“Yeah?”
She looped her arms around my neck. “Shut up and kiss me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
QUINN
“Marry me.”
My back bowed off the bed as Ronan circled his tongue over my clit. “What?! You can’t ask me to marry you when your face is between my legs!”
I could feel his lips curving into a smile against my skin. “Why not?”
“Because...” Oh, God, he was so good at this. “What are we supposed to tell people when they ask how we got engaged?”
His chuckle vibrated through my core, bringing me right to the edge. “We tell them that I was in my second favorite place in the whole world with my favorite person.”
My toes curled as he brought me to release. It took me a moment before I was capable of responding. “What’s your first favorite place?”
Ronan crawled up my body, lavishing kisses along the way. “I’d rather show you.” He demonstrated by taking his cock and lining it up against my entrance. Lowering his head to the crook of my neck, he groaned as he slid inside. “I’ve been all over the world and there’s no better place than right here. I don’t care where we are, or if we’re living in squalor, as long as I have this tight, wet pussy.”
I moaned as he established a rhythm that drove me wild. “Such a romantic.” I tried giving him a sarcastic eye roll, but he deepened his thru
sts which had me rolling my eyes back for a different reason.
Words were lost on us until we were a limp, sweaty pile of limbs on our bed. I never did wind up buying a new house. Well, not for myself anyway. Ronan and I had gotten a place together right on the beach in Malibu about two months after I’d returned to Los Angeles.
Every morning, he joined me for coffee out on our back deck, watching the waves crash into the shore. Then, we’d head to our respective offices, where both companies were thriving, and come home to each other at night. On the weekends, Ronan took to the surf while I hung out on the beach. I wasn’t a strong swimmer, so you’d never see me out there, but I never missed a chance to ogle him in a wetsuit. The first time I ever saw him on a board, riding those waves, I couldn’t wait for him to come ashore so he could ride me.
Ronan Maxwell in his element at the office, wearing a designer suit, was a magnificent thing. But nothing compared to the man that I got at home. That Ronan had a surprisingly large collection of band t-shirts and ripped jeans. He laughed freely and loved fiercely. Don’t get me wrong; we still bickered often, but I think that would be normal for two strong-willed people such as ourselves. Besides, the make-up sex was hot. I’d never tell him this, but sometimes, I’d intentionally pick a fight with him just to get him all riled up.
“Are you going to answer my question?”
The bed dipped as I rolled over to face this beautiful man. “What question was that? All I heard was a demand.”
He grinned as he slowly moved down my body. “Quinn Montgomery, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He took my nipple into his mouth, sucking and nipping until I was a writhing mess. As he peppered kisses along my abdomen, he added, “Will you make my inner caveman happy and allow me to knock you up one day?” He moved even lower still until his face was once again between my thighs. “Will you let me devour this delicious cunt of yours for the rest of our lives?”
I gasped as he gave me one long lick up the center. “Jesus, Ronan, that’s even worse! The C-word does not belong in a marriage proposal!”
He blew his hot breath over my sensitive skin and ran the pad of his thumb over my clit. “Sweetheart, when are you ever going to learn that I don’t follow the rules? I make them.”