by Lisa Evans
“Don’t be sorry. Don’t do that. Don’t apologize for being you. You don’t have to do that around me.”
“I don’t?”
“No.”
“I guess I never saw it that way. That I was apologizing for being me…”
“Well, you kind of are. And you don’t need to do that.”
Turning quiet, she pulls her eyes away from me, and looks down at the floor again.
“Hey,” I say, and wrap my arm around her. “What’s the matter, sweetie?”
“I’m sad,” she says, and then the tears come all at once. She starts weeping, and I hug her, holding her tightly in my arms. Drawing in the scent of her hair, I feel like my whole body is on fire.
“Don’t be sad, Nina,” I say, shushing her.
“Thank you Quinn,” she whimpers, her tears wetting my shirt.
Holding her so closely makes me want her even more, and I draw in a couple of deep breaths just to stifle my desires. My hunger for her is so strong right now, that I don’t know if I’ll be able to contain myself.
“Hush, now,” I say, rocking her back and forth. “Don’t speak, just cry until your all cried out. You’ll feel much better then. I promise.” And then I gently press my lips against her forehead, hoping she won’t think I’m taking things too far.
I drive her home to her apartment in West Hollywood in the middle of the night. The sky is black, and the streets are empty. Mulholland Drive is breathtakingly beautiful at this time, and so is Nina. As always.
When I walk her to the door, I gently stroke her cheek again. I’m glad she’s smiling again, and I’m happy she appears to feel much better now.
“Thank you, Quinn. For taking me home. And for taking care of me.”
“My pleasure. Just give me a call if you need anything. Anything.”
Then she does something which takes me by surprise. She grabs my hand and rubs her thumb against it.
“Thanks for being my friend, Quinn. I really needed it tonight. And thanks for dinner.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I say, and move closer to her. Rubbing my own thumb against her palm, I hope I’m not reading her wrong. Because my passion for her has only grown stronger tonight.
“I won’t,” she whispers, and blinks while I move in closer to her. Our faces are about an inch apart, and all I can think right now is that this moment is perfect. If I lean in to kiss her now, I’ll be the happiest man on earth when I wake up in the morning.
My muse.
My love.
My everything.
Parting my lips, I move in for the kiss. And when I look at Nina’s face, I see her opening her mouth just slightly, which is all the confirmation I need to move forward.
Damn how I want her.
She’s so sexy…
Pressing my mouth against hers, I slide my tongue inside. With one hand behind her neck, I kiss her slowly but intensely. Her mouth is delicious. Lovely. Everything I’ve ever wanted.
Our tongues dance with each other, and although I want more and never want this kiss to end, I don’t want it to come off as though I’m taking advantage of her.
Which is why I pull back.
When our kiss ends, I wipe the corner of my mouth and smile at her. Her cheeks are redder than ever, and her lips are swollen, which makes me want to kiss her even more.
“Good night, Nina,” I whisper, and stroke her cheek.
“Good night,” she says, chest heaving.
I feel myself throbbing, and though there’s nothing I’d want more than to push her up against the wall, kiss her and tell her how badly I want to fuck her, I don’t.
Instead, I walk towards the car, and turn around to watch her go inside her apartment. Before she closes the door, she lifts her hand, waving a final goodbye at me. Waving my hand back at her, I get in the car the moment she’s inside.
That’s my girl.
Nina.
She’s mine forever.
Chapter 3
NINA
WAKING UP, MY head hurts.
My eyes are sore from crying last night, and when I remember what a spectacle I must have made of myself, talking about everything that’s been bugging me lately, and bawling my eyes out in front of Quinn, I feel mortified.
Did all that really happen the way I think it did?
Opening my eyes, I sit up in bed. That’s when I remember something else. Something fantastic.
Our kiss.
Quinn kissed me. And it was the sexiest kiss I’ve ever had.
I can’t believe it.
Touching my lips, I laugh as I remember the kiss, and lean back in bed.
He kissed me.
He really did.
He must like me.
Yes.
The shower I take before breakfast does me good. The headache subsides slightly, and I figure that once I eat something and start my day off, it’ll be completely gone.
With a towel wrapped around me, I blow-dry my hair before tying it into a ponytail on the top of my head. Then I pull on a pair of sweatpants and a neon pink top, and head into the kitchen. That’s when the phone rings.
Reaching for it, I see who it is. It’s the only person I want to talk to right now.
Quinn.
“Nina here,” I say, acting like I don’t know who’s calling.
“Hey there beautiful,” his deep, luscious voice says, making me melt.
“Hi Quinn.”
“Good morning. How are you?”
“Good, I’m good. You?”
Turning around, I walk over to the window. The sun is shining outside and it looks like it’s going to be a hot day.
“I’m fine. I was just calling to see if you’ve had breakfast yet?”
“No I haven’t actually. I was just about to eat some, though.”
“Wanna eat together?”
Yes Quinn. I want to eat every single meal in your company. Always.
“Why not?” I say, not wanting to sound too eager. I want him so much, but I don’t want him to know that. Not yet at least…
My heart is beating harder with each breath. And when he tells me he’ll swing by my place with coffee and bagels in twenty minutes, I feel like the luckiest girl ever.
We sit down by my kitchen bar, and whenever I look into his eyes, I feel like a young girl who doesn’t know how to act.
The moment Quinn rang the doorbell, I could feel my pulse racing. That’s the effect he has on me, I can’t help it. When I first met him, I never thought that I’d feel so strongly about him, or that I’d start feeling so awkward around him. I’ve never been shy around guys. But Quinn’s different, I guess.
“That box belong to the ex?” he asks, nodding at the cardboard box on the floor with Justin’s name written on the side.
“Yeah, he’s been avoiding coming over here to pick it up. Not that I know why.”
“He probably wants to stall things,” Quinn says, taking a sip from the Starbucks cup in his hand. “I’d find whatever reason I could to keep you in my life if you kicked me out.”
“If I kicked you out?”
“Yeah, if we lived together and you got bored of me and decided to kick me the hell out,” he says, reaching for my hand. I let him grab it, and when he does, I feel tingly all over.
“I… I’m not so sure that would happen,” I say, and pull my eyes off him. Staring out the window, I try not to smile too much. I don’t want him to see the effect he’s having on me, at least not if he doesn’t feel the same way I do.
“You don’t think so huh? But you hardly know me. I can be pretty boring if I want to, you know,” he says, and drinks some more coffee.
“Whatever,” I say, and crack up. I don’t believe him. And I don’t think I’d ever give up a man as charming and intelligent as him.
Finishing breakfast, Quinn suggests we drop off Justin’s cardboard box and then hit the beach. It sounds like a good idea, especially since I want to get rid of his stuff, and I also haven’t been to the b
each in a while.
“But today is a regular workday,” I say. “Shouldn’t you be writing?”
“I wrote all morning,” he says. “So technically, I’ve already done enough work for today.”
“But what about me? I can’t be doing fun things all day today and no work. I might get fired.”
“Well, if that happens, I got your back. Don’t worry about it,” he says, and strokes my cheek.
God I love it when he does that. It sends shivers down my body, and it even makes my nipples tingle.
We drop the cardboard box outside the door to Justin’s new apartment, and I call him and leave a message for him telling him that he doesn’t need to come by my place anymore. We’re done. And it’s the best feeling in the world.
Sitting in Quinn’s convertible with the top down, I feel happy. It’s the first time I’ve felt this way in ages, and when we head down to the beach, all I want to do is laugh and scream out loud about how happy I am.
Quinn’s driving the car with one hand, and holding my hand with the other. I am so thankful for him coming into my life, and I’m beyond blissful that he kissed me last night.
He’s got to like me more than as a friend. He can’t be one of those guys who just runs around kissing women without any serious intentions. The man who’s written the book I’m reading right now cannot possibly be such a person. There’s no way.
“Feel better now?” he asks after he’s parked the car. His hand is still clutching mine, and it makes me feel safe.
“Much better, I didn’t want to drop his things off for him before since I figured it wasn’t my place to do so, plus it would have been such a hassle for me, but you were right. I feel much better now that I’m done with him. For good.”
“Great,” he says, and squeezes my hand with his. “Ready to go for a swim?” he asks, and we both exit the car.
The sun blaring down on us, we jump into the ocean. I love the Pacific, and there’s nothing like spending the day at the beach. This is what dreams are made of. Having a good time with someone you like, splashing around in the ocean.
Growing up down in O.C., I used to go to the beach with my friends every weekend. My favorite place on earth still has got to be Newport Beach, although I must admit Venice Beach is pretty awesome too.
Swimming around for a while, I soon feel like going back to warming myself in the sun. Quinn follows behind me, and when I lay down in the sand to tan, I finally get a better look at his body. Which is perfect, just like the rest of him.
He’s sculpted like some kind of a Greek god, and I’m speechless where I lie, looking up at him from behind my sunglasses. The sun kisses his wet skin, causing it to glow.
“I just love the beach,” I say when he joins me in the sand.
“You do?”
“Yeah, I’ve always dreamed of living in a beach house.”
“Really? Well, I guess it’d be nice to be able to start every day off with a swim, but I get to do that in the pool in my backyard too.”
“But don’t you think the sound of the waves crashing against the shore is like the most beautiful sound ever? Don’t you find it inspiring?”
“I guess. But I don’t know if I need any more inspiration. I think I’ve got all the inspiration I need right here…” he says, lying on the side facing me, propped up on his elbow. Shutting my eyes, I pretend like I didn’t hear him. He puts a finger on my belly, and starts tracing it around my belly button. Right away, my skin gets covered in goosebumps, and I shiver. My nipples turn stiff, and when his fingertips nudge against the edge of my bikini bottom, I feel like I’m going to explode. Gasping, I wonder if this is really happening.
We drive back to my place a couple of hours later. Although we went swimming a couple of times more, I haven’t been able to cool off. Not even remotely. Because whenever Quinn touches me or even so much as looks at me, I melt inside. And the only thing I can think about right now is how much I want his body. I want him.
I want him to take me.
Right here.
Right now.
Entering my apartment, I tell him that I’m gonna go get a towel for him, but he stops me. Pulling me by the hand, he draws us closer together.
“Nina…” he whispers, his voice thunderous as ever. We’re only inches apart and he’s looking into my eyes, and when he does, I feel every bit as excited as I did last night when we were this close right before we kissed. But he hasn’t kissed me all day today, so I’m beginning to feel insecure about him. Does he expect me to make the next move? What if he’ll never even try to kiss me again until I do?
Gawking into his gorgeous chestnut eyes, I feel so weak. It’s like he’s having some kind of power over me, like I can’t help but be completely mesmerized by him. I am completely in his control, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
I’m lost.
I’m lost to him forever.
So there’s nothing I can do right now but follow my gut. And my gut is telling me to stop worrying and start kissing the man in front of me. Which is what I do.
Cupping his unshaven face in my hands, I kiss him. And when I do, I moan, and the stubble on his chin tickles my palms. My whole body starts tingling again, and my nipples become hard like pebbles. Rolling my tongue against his, I moan into his mouth, closing my eyes and pressing my body against his. This is it. This is all I want to do. I don’t want to speak anymore, all I want is for us to enjoy each other’s bodies.
Quinn seems to feel the same, because he lifts me up into his arms and continues to kiss me. I wrap my legs around his waist, and when I do, I feel his manhood pressing against me. It’s big and hard, and when I gently thrust my crotch against his, he grunts.
“Nina,” he mumbles between our kisses. “Nina, I’ve never wanted anyone so much… I want you… I need you… So much… So very much…”
Entering my bedroom, Quinn puts me down on the bed. Taking off the t-shirt he put on before we left the beach, I see him in all his glory. He’s so stunningly handsome, and I can’t fathom that he really wants me.
His body is so sexy, that it makes me ooze with desire.
Joining me on the bed, he’s naked. His body is warm and taut, and as he kisses me, he reaches his hand inside my bikini top, and squeezes my breast. It feels so good that I moan, and when he pulls each of my breasts out my head starts spinning. He’s turning me on so much that I can hardly think. All the while, I can feel his manhood brushing against my leg, hard and stiff, ready for me.
“Oh god, Quinn…” I mumble, hoping it won’t be long until I have him inside of me.
Pulling the strings of my pink bikini bottom, he takes it off me, and throws it across the room. Then he lies down on top of me, spreading my thighs apart.
The moment I feel the tip of his hardness against me, I feel like I’m going to climax right away, and I gasp when he gently slides into me. Looking straight into my eyes, he starts thrusting into me. And he reaches deeper and deeper into my body each time.
Quick, shallow gasps escape my lips while we fuck. Holding on to his shoulders, I shut my eyes and crease my forehead as he penetrates deeper and deeper into me.
“You feel so good Nina…” he grumbles, his voice rumbling. “You feel so damn good…”
“Quinn…” I moan, and feel closer and closer to having an orgasm with every second that passes. Digging my nails into his skin, I sense him tightening his grip on my hips, and it causes me to erupt. “OH GOD… QUINN…” I moan, and feel the orgasm take complete and utter hold of me. And when I do, I hear him screaming out my name as he stops thrusting into me.
Holding on to his shoulders, I whimper in the aftermath of our lovemaking.
I have never felt this way before.
It’s absolutely amazing.
Chapter 4
QUINN
UNDERNEATH AN OCEAN of stars, I stand here looking deeply into Nina’s eyes. I can’t believe we made love for the first time today, but it makes me happy. Amazingly happy.
Unleashing inside of her body was the most spectacular feeling I’ve ever experienced. And now that we’ve finally made love for the first time, there’s no holding back. She’s mine, and she’ll always be.
My hands wrapped around her waist, I tell her how beautiful she looks. She really does.
“Are you ready to go inside?” I ask before we head into the restaurant. Although I would have preferred to have dinner with her alone, I also want to treat her and show her a good time.
“Yeah,” she says, shying her eyes away from me.
“Don’t be shy, sweetie,” I say, and kiss her.
“I can’t help it,” she says. “You’re too fucking handsome.”
Dinner with Nina is perfect. Like everything is whenever I’m with her. Ever since she came into my life, she’s changed everything. I don’t even feel like the same man I was mere weeks ago.
How’s that even possible?
Recalling a time when I wrote my first book, I was so lonely, and absolutely miserable. Having had my heart broken, I decided to leave my native New York and move out west. Looking back, it was the best move I’ve ever made. And I’ve never regretted that decision.
Not once.
Growing up with a deadbeat dad, and a mother who worked two to three jobs every now and then just to make ends meet but who could barely hold a steady job due to substance abuse, I’ve always been a loner. Except for my little sister, I don’t really have a family. Where I come from is nothing but bad memories, apart from my sister, that is.
Part of me is elated Nina doesn’t seem to have a very good relationship with her parents either, it gives us something in common. But I do hope she’s willing to build a family of her own one day, because I’d be more than happy to do that with her.
Looking into her wondrous eyes while I sip my red wine over dinner, I feel like I want to give her the world. Anything she wants, she should have.