by Opal Carew
Maurice had been ticked off when they hadn’t been able to get the best penthouse at the hotel, especially annoyed that his powerful influence did nothing to sway the hotel manager to bump the people who had booked it already. Maurice wasn’t used to people saying no to him.
April had known that meant whoever had booked this suite had a larger fortune and more influence than Maurice. Never would she have imagined that person would be Quinn.
“You’ve come a long way from college,” she said as she glanced around. “Your business must be doing well. I’m glad things worked out for you. You certainly deserve it.”
He sat down on the couch, his arms stretched across the back.
“Really? And why do you say that?”
She walked to the bar and sat on one of the tall stools.
“You were extremely focused when you were in grad school. You pursued your studies nonstop, intensely determined to succeed. In school and in life.”
He frowned. “Is that a comment on how I didn’t spend enough time with you when we were dating?”
Her stomach tightened. “No. Of course not. I admired your dedication.”
It was true. But it had also been the major reason she’d left him. She would never lay the blame on him for their breakup, though.
“But not enough to stick with me? Why take a chance on me when Maurice already had money and success?”
“I didn’t care about that.”
He snorted and stood up, then poured himself a drink from a crystal decanter on the bar.
“You? Didn’t care about money? That’s a laugh.”
She stood up and walked to the window, staring out at the skyline without actually seeing it.
How could she argue with him? She knew deep inside that Maurice’s money had been part of the attraction. Not because she was a gold digger but because she craved stability. Security. She’d never had that in her life.
But she would never marry a man just for his money. Maurice had been charming and attentive, and he’d made her feel special.
“Quinn, I didn’t leave you because Maurice was rich.”
“Then why did you leave?”
She frowned. “I loved how passionate you were about your thesis. And I understood why you put your work first. I didn’t want to be a distraction.”
His eyebrow arched. “A distraction? Are you kidding me?” He strolled toward her, his eyes flashing. “I cared about my work, but what I was passionate about was you. What I wanted was you.”
He stood beside her now, anger and frustration blazing in his eyes, but she could see the even deeper pain beneath.
“You’d never been with a man before, and I respected that. You wanted to keep yourself for the right man. So I held back and gave you the time you wanted.”
She could barely breathe, remembering how patient and loving he’d been.
He gaze flicked to hers, searching. “I thought I was that man.” His gaze turned somber. “Did I hold back too much? Did you really not see—”
“I knew how much you wanted me,” she said quickly, stopping him from finishing that thought. Not wanting him to say he’d loved her. “And I knew you didn’t want to pressure me.”
She could barely breathe as his gaze remained locked on hers, boring into her soul. Finally, she looked away, unable to bear the raw emotion seething between them another moment.
He drew in a deep breath, breaking the spell.
“And what about your new boyfriend? I bet you didn’t make him wait. Or are you going to tell me you’re still a virgin?”
She froze inside.
“That’s none of your business.”
But guilt washed through her because he was right. Maurice had so totally deceived her that she’d believed he was the one. That she was in love with him.
He’d been her first—and only—man. He’d known it, and it had made him even more possessive of her, which she mistook for love.
“Life isn’t fucking fair sometimes.” Quinn’s words were a mere whisper.
The aching wistfulness in his eyes tore at her heart.
But as the moment hung between them, that wistfulness turned to a growing heat. Her skin pebbled into goose bumps as her senses heightened. As she became aware of the warmth of his body close to her. Of the breadth of his solid chest. The strength of his muscular arms. She longed to close the small distance between them, glide her hands around his neck, and give herself over to the growing desire inside her.
“Quinn, I’m so sorry—”
Frustration welled in his eyes again, and he tugged her into his arms before she could finish the thought, his lips claiming hers in a demanding kiss. He pulled her tighter to him, his arm encircling her waist. His tongue surged into her mouth and explored, taking her breath away.
Then his lips softened, becoming more persuasive. His hand glided up her back, then cupped her head. The kiss became heart-wrenchingly tender.
Oh, God, her heart ached, remembering how it had been between them.
She melted against him, a deep longing building inside her.
This feeling … this was why she’d had to break it off with him. She’d been worried she would fall for him, and that would have been a disaster. Because she didn’t believe he could give her what she needed. To be the most important thing in his life. She had felt she would always come second to his drive for success.
So she’d broken it off with him before they could fall in love.
Except she realized that she hadn’t escaped with her heart after all.
As his lips continued to move on hers, his arm tightened around her waist, and she felt his cock straining against her.
Her body ached, wanting to strip off her clothes for him. Wanting to experience what she’d always longed for. To be physically possessed by him.
As if sensing her acquiescence, his hand covered her ass, and he pulled her tighter still. His rigid cock pushing snug against her drove up her need. She arched against him.
A door off the living room opened, and Austin walked in.
“Ah, sorry to interrupt,” he said.
Quinn released April and stepped back. “Not at all. We were just getting … reacquainted.”
He sent her a sardonic smile, then walked away from her and sat on one of the high stools at the bar. He picked up his drink and took a sip.
“Want one?” he asked Austin.
“No, thanks. I’m good.”
It was then that it hit her. Quinn had wanted Austin to catch them kissing. He’d warned her off going after his friend, and now that he’d established the kind of relationship he’d had with her, Austin would stay away from her.
Well, that was fine with her. She didn’t intend to get involved with either one of them.
* * *
Austin got the not-so-subtle message. Quinn still wanted April, so she was off limits. Not that Austin hadn’t already figured that out.
“I took April’s luggage to the room off the den,” Austin said.
The three suitcases had been left inside the door, so he’d taken them to one of the spare bedrooms. The suite had two large master bedrooms and two more modest-size bedrooms that were perfect for other guests or support staff traveling with their bosses.
After seeing that kiss between April and Quinn, he wondered if she might wind up sleeping in Quinn’s room.
“Actually, we need to move the luggage,” Quinn said.
So they were going to be open about it.
Quinn strode down the hall, and Austin followed. They walked into the room, and each grabbed a case. Quinn picked up the carry-on bag, too, then headed back to the hallway. But instead of turning into his bedroom, he continued to the shared living space.
“Are you planning on evicting her?” Austin asked.
Quinn rolled the suitcase to the couch and set it upright, then put the smaller bag on top of it.
“No. It turns out her ex-fiancé is claiming that he owns some of her belongings in the luggage an
d is demanding that they be returned. Some hotel staff will be arriving in a few minutes to go through the luggage.”
Austin glanced at April, who sat on an armchair by the window, her face a portrait of sadness.
“I’m sorry, April,” Austin said. “This guy you were with is being a total ass.”
A knock sounded on the door, and Quinn strode to the entrance and opened it.
“Mr. Taylor,” said the young woman in the hotel’s gold blazer and black pants. Another uniformed woman stood beside her. “My name is Leslie, and this is Renee. We’re here—”
“Yes, I know why you’re here,” Quinn said. “Come in. Let’s get this over with.”
The women came in, and he led them to the luggage. The one named Leslie lifted one of the cases onto the couch and unzipped it.
“Ms. Smith, would you like to see the list so you can identify the items rather than us go through your things?” Leslie asked.
Quinn walked to April’s side.
“Come on, April,” he said in an encouraging voice.
She glanced at him, clearly unnerved by the whole thing. But then she stood up and walked to the woman and took the list she offered.
Austin sat on the barstool and watched the whole process as April opened the suitcase, then took out things one by one and handed them to Leslie, who set them beside the case. There were shoes, blouses, pants, and nightgowns. Renee ticked the items off the list as the suitcase emptied.
“That’s all from this suitcase,” April said.
“I’m sorry, but I have to check the rest,” Leslie said.
April moved back as Leslie went through the remaining items, checking labels and adding to the pile.
Quinn stepped in. “If it’s not on the list, why are you taking it?”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Leslie said, “but Mr. Dubois said to check for anything from a list of designers.”
Quinn glanced at April. She just nodded and turned away, but not before Austin saw the sheen on her eyes.
Austin hated seeing her go through this, and he could see Quinn’s jaw clenching.
Once the woman was finished, all that was left were a couple of items of casual clothing, a toiletry case, and some socks. She took them out and set them on the armchair, while the other woman, Renee, started putting all the selected items back into the suitcase.
Quinn’s eyebrow arched up as she zipped it up and set it down. Leslie hefted the second large case onto the couch.
“You’re taking the luggage, too?” Austin asked.
“I’m sorry, sir,” Leslie said. “He said he bought it. He supplied receipts for all the items.”
“I’ll just take out what’s not on the list this time,” April said as she opened the second suitcase.
She glanced at the paper as she riffled through the items, then finally just pulled out some bras and panties. Even those, the women examined, and they took most of them.
“What about your jewelry, April?” Quinn said.
The leather case was sitting atop the items in her bag.
“I don’t care that he takes it back.”
Quinn placed his hand on her shoulder.
“I know, sweetheart, but you need to have them inventory the items while they’re here so the bastard can’t come after you later for anything.”
She nodded, then opened the jewelry case and set it in front of them.
While Renee went through it and ticked off the various items, Leslie opened the carry-on. Quinn watched the jewelry being sorted while April finished with the small bag.
Finally, everything was closed up, with only a few items left for April to keep.
It was a surreal experience. Austin had never seen anything like it. Someone being stripped of their belongings, and in such a methodical way. Her ex really was a bastard.
Austin had never taken his wealthy upbringing for granted. He knew how lucky he was. He’d never experienced anything like April just had, and she’d gone through it with such grace.
Renee walked to the door and rolled in a luggage cart they had waiting outside. Once all three suitcases were on it, Renee leaned in to Leslie and pointed at some unchecked items on the list. Leslie turned to April.
“There’s something from the list of jewelry missing.”
April’s shoulders pulled back, and her eyes flared.
“If it’s the tennis bracelet, he never gave that to me.”
“No, ma’am. It seems to be the necklace you’re wearing now. He listed it as a gold chain with a black pearl.”
April’s eyes widened, and her hand moved to the small pearl, covering it protectively.
“No.” Her voice was shaking, but she was adamant.
Austin wanted to rush to her side. To be her support. But Quinn was close by, and Austin could see the protective gleam in his eyes.
April sucked in a deep breath. “This is my necklace. He had nothing to do with it.”
Leslie was clearly unhappy about the position she was in.
“Of course, ma’am. I’ll just mark down that there’s a dispute.” She made a notation on the list. Then she glanced up reluctantly. “I’m sorry, but one last thing. What you’re wearing now…”
Anger flared in Austin, and he was on his feet.
“No,” Quinn snapped. He drew April to his side and angled in front of her as if shielding her. “You’re not taking the clothes off her back. Tell Mr. Dubois he can send me the bill.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And tell him I happen to know that Ms. Smith had this necklace long before she ever met him, so if he harasses Ms. Smith about this or the clothes, he’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”
“Of course, sir.”
The two women turned and pushed the cart to the entrance, then disappeared out the door as quickly as they could.
Quinn slid his arm around April and drew her close to him. He guided her to the other couch and sat down beside her. Austin poured a drink and brought it to her.
She sipped it. He noticed she still clung to the necklace.
It was simple and understated, and on her gracefully curved neck it looked classy. But it wasn’t an expensive piece of jewelry. Why would her ex-fiancé want to take it?
Clearly, he just wanted to hurt her.
“That necklace is obvisously important to you,” Austin said as he sat on her other side. “He had no right to try to take it. I’m sorry this man is putting you through such a terrible ordeal.”
She nodded, tears now swelling from her eyes. “It’s all I have of my mother.” Her voice shook.
“Did she … pass away?” Austin asked.
She raised her gaze to Austin. “I don’t know.”
The words hung in the air between them. How could she not know?
She lowered her gaze. When she lifted it again, she seemed surprised he was still looking at her expectantly. He got the impression she wasn’t used to people taking an interest in what she had to say.
“I hope you’re not going to leave it there,” he said, hoping to encourage her to open up.
She sucked in a breath. “I was abandoned at the hospital right after I was born. My mother left me there. It turns out she used false insurance papers, so they had no way to track her down. She’d been wearing this necklace when she arrived at the hospital, and she’d left it on her bedside table. The hospital staff made sure it was passed on to the orphanage with me.”
“I didn’t know that you were abandoned,” Quinn said. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
She bit her lip. “I don’t like to talk about it.”
“Yet you just told Austin.”
She glanced to Quinn. “He asked,” she said simply.
Quinn frowned, and Austin knew he needed to have a discussion with Quinn about this later.
“Why do you want to keep a necklace from a woman who abandoned you?” Austin asked.
She held the pearl between her fingertips.
“Because it’s all I have in the world that
’s truly mine.”
Her words tore at Austin’s heart.
3
Quinn had hated watching that whole thing. The pain in April’s sapphire eyes tugged at his heartstrings and made him want to pull her into his arms and promise to take care of her forever.
But he couldn’t let himself feel that way. If he went down that path, he might start caring for her again … wanting her to be a part of his life. And that would be foolhardy.
She would probably be all too happy to start dating him again. Marry him. Because he had a big enough bank account now.
He watched her walk to the small pile of clothing that was left, along with her bag of toiletries, and gather them up.
“Where do I sleep?” She didn’t look to him or to Austin. Just kept her gaze cast downward.
Austin sent a querying glance at Quinn, and he realized his friend thought Quinn might be considering having her in his room.
“I’ll show you,” Quinn said.
He pressed his hand to the small of her back and guided her down the hall to the guest room where Austin had put her luggage earlier. She dumped her stuff on the bed, then started sorting the clothing items.
“I have an idea,” said Austin, who was leaning against the doorjamb. “Why don’t we all go for a swim? We have this great pool right in the suite, so we should enjoy it.”
Quinn knew that April loved the water, so it was a great idea to cheer her up.
“Sorry. I don’t have a swimsuit,” she mumbled.
She had pulled several bikinis out of her luggage, but Leslie and Renee had claimed them all as part of the list. They must have been designer pieces. Not that Quinn would know the difference.
He did know that the sight of one of them, made up of a couple of triangles of fabric held together by strings, had sent his imagination running wild with erotic images of her practically naked body, setting his groin on fire. And his cock started to swell now as the images returned to haunt him.
He never would have believed that April would wear a thing like that. But then, had he ever really known her?