“You just did.”
“Fuck. I really wish we weren’t still ten minutes from the hotel.”
“It’s only ten minutes, honey.” Quinn giggled, the sound doing nothing to calm my need for her.
“That’s a lot of minutes when I want to rip your clothes off and bury myself inside of you.”
“Lucky for you, we’re down to nine minutes then.”
“You sitting over there being cute when my dick’s throbbing isn’t helping.”
“Well, what would help?”
“In nine minutes I’ll show you.”
“I like it when you show me stuff.”
A memory of the first time I went down on Quinn played in my mind. The look of embarrassment before it morphed into excitement. Her sweet moans as she came on my tongue. Then a vision I’d never forget—the first time I fisted her shiny midnight hair and slid inside of her. I’d memorized every second. The feel of her pussy clutching my cock, her sounds, the way she bucked and begged for more. All of it outstanding, so goddamned good I could get off just thinking about it. But it was her eyes—the way she looked at me—forget the hunger, the lust, it was more. Even then, that first time she stared up at me with love.
And I missed it. Too damn stupid to realize what she was giving me.
But never again would it escape me.
* * *
“Finally!”
I turned to see my brother Adam strolling across the hotel lobby and I groaned.
Quinn laughed beside me when I tried to keep walking.
“Stop, you’re being rude.”
“Babe.”
“Damn, brother, I’ve been…” Adam trailed off when he caught sight of Quinn.
I fought the urge to punch my middle brother in the face as he was clearly checking her out.
“She has eyes, brother,” I grunted.
“Yeah, she does. Jesus.” I started to move Quinn behind me when my idiot brother continued. “Hey, I’m Adam.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Quinn.”
“I know. I’ve heard a lot about you. Mom and Dad can’t shut up about meeting you.”
Quinn went solid next to me and her hand flexed in mine.
“Don’t be an ass,” I warned.
“What? You didn’t think they’d be anxious to meet the first woman you’ve ever been willing to introduce to the family?”
“Now you’re being a dick.”
“Why—”
“Well, I can’t wait to meet them,” Quinn cut in. “How was your drive from West Virginia?”
It took me a moment to remember I’d given her a rundown about my family when we left the apartment.
Adam’s eyes cut to mine, shocked I’d shared, clearly not understanding what Quinn meant to me. But then that wasn’t surprising considering I hadn’t talked to Adam about her, thinking it was best to just let them see.
However, the way Adam sized Quinn up, I saw the error in my thinking. No doubt Quinn was beautiful—I should’ve expected my brother to all but drool over my woman, but it didn’t mean I liked it.
“Long,” he complained. “But it’s an easy drive.”
“Right, well, then we’ll let you get to your room so you can rest up before dinner.”
Quinn started giggling again and Adam barked out a laugh.
“Loud and clear, brother. See you later.” Then Adam glanced at Quinn and smiled. “Nice meeting you.”
“You, too.”
I yanked Quinn toward the elevator, uncaring my brother’s hilarity echoed through the lobby.
“In a hurry?” Quinn squeaked when I pulled her into the waiting lift.
I didn’t answer her silly question, there was no need.
* * *
“Stop fucking around, Quinn.” My hands on her hips tightened and my gaze zeroed in on her ass—and what a fine ass she had.
Black hair tumbled down her back, the tips of the long strands swaying against her lower back as she rode me.
Quinn’s hands gripped my ankles as she arched her back, giving me a better view of my cock dipping into her wet. Christ, the sight was enough to make me lose my mind.
“Touch yourself, baby,” I demanded. “I’m close.”
Quinn’s hand went between us, but she didn’t play with her clit like I asked. Instead she cupped my balls and rolled.
“Quinn.” The half-growl, half-groan that was meant to be a warning only spurred her on.
“I like riding you this way,” she panted, slamming down on my cock.
I had to agree, her riding me reverse cowgirl was sexy as fuck. My hands moved from her hips to her ass cheeks, massaging and spreading her until the visual was too much to take.
“You take me there without you, baby, I’m leaving you hanging until after dinner. You’ll sit all night squirming in your seat with my come inside of you, unsatisfied. And when we get back, I’ll edge you close until you’re begging.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.” I bucked my hips and closed my eyes.
Too fucking close.
Quinn’s hand left my balls and she ground down before she started rubbing her clit.
Her sexy moans became loud groans and her pussy tightened.
Thank fuck.
“Christ,” I grunted. “Ride it out, baby, don’t stop.”
* * *
I should’ve known Quinn would pull out all the stops, and when she walked out of the hotel bathroom I should’ve been prepared.
But I wasn’t.
She left her hair down, but once again she’d curled it into sexy waves. Her makeup wasn’t as heavy as the night we’d gone out with her friends, but she was wearing more than she normally did. Thankfully, her dress was long and flowy covering her gorgeous legs, but when my gaze dropped to her feet she was wearing another pair of sexy high heels.
It was going to be a long night.
A hint of cleavage that left just enough to the imagination, that would leave a man wondering, wanting—no, needing—to know what she was hiding.
“Good Christ, you’re beautiful.”
“You look mighty sharp in a suit,” Quinn returned.
Her accompanying smile made my chest ache.
All mine.
Top to toe. Heart and soul. And all the places between—mine.
“Come on. The sooner we get to dinner the sooner it will be over and I can strip you out of that dress.”
“Why is it you’re always trying to get me undressed?”
She smirked and strutted to the dresser to pick up her miniscule purse. My ponderings of the ridiculousness of having such a small pocketbook were cut short when I saw the back of her dress—or lack thereof.
“Quinn.”
“Yeah, honey?” She glanced over her shoulder, her lips twitching into a playful grin.
The words caught in my throat. There I stood, speechless.
“Cat got your tongue?” she cooed.
“There’ll be payback for that dress.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“Christ,” I mumbled. “You’re trying to kill me.”
“Is it working?”
“Like a charm.”
“Good.”
* * *
Every year my parents had their anniversary celebration at the same hotel. My dad asked my mom to marry him in the very restaurant where they held the party. When they still had three boys to feed, it was just the two of them out to dinner. But in the years since my brothers and I moved out on our own, the party now included so many guests they rented out the back room.
The food was excellent and most years, when my dad’s brother Seth didn’t show, the company was better. Unfortunately this year, Uncle Seth and wife number five were in attendance, and as usual, he was sloshed.
Quinn was in the middle of an animated conversation with my mom, one that I would’ve put a stop to, however having my arm around my woman and feeling her shake with hilarity as my mother droned on about some embarrassing t
eenage antics felt so damn good I was willing to take the hit.
I was too busy enjoying the feel of Quinn pressed against my side, therefore I missed it. That was, until Quinn stiffened in my arms and my mother frowned.
“My nephew always did know how to pick ‘em,” Seth slurred, and suddenly Quinn’s body jolted forward as the resounding sound of a slap echoed over the crowd.
Embarrassment and rage battled in my chest as memories flooded of my uncle’s filthy hands smacking some skanky barfly’s ass. Years ago, Seth had done the same thing to the woman right before he’d turned her and shoved his tongue in the woman’s mouth. Elijah and I had watched from across the room. Me with disgust. But Elijah was looking at his dad like he was proud—like he was thinking his father was the man, and one day, he, too, would have a wife at home and a piece on the side.
I could take no more.
“Please tell me he didn’t just put his hand on my woman,” I growled.
“Son,” my mom murmured.
“Oh, fuck, no.” I pulled Quinn closer before I moved her behind me and suddenly my brothers were there flanking my sides.
“Fine woman you got there. Juicy ass.”
My hand shot out and I grabbed my uncle by his shirt and brought him closer.
“Don’t you ever put your goddamn hands on my woman, you piece of shit. You think because the women who marry you allow you to cheat and you live in some fucked-up dysfunction that you can walk up to my woman and disrespect her—you got another thing coming.”
“You know how it is,” Seth mumbled.
“Brice.” My mom tried again to get my attention.
“Dad.” I pinned my dad with a furious look and with a nod of understanding he guided my mother away.
“Brice,” Quinn whispered and her hand went to my bicep.
I ignored Quinn calling my name. I couldn’t bear to look at her. White hot rage pulsed through me, thinking about my own fucking uncle disrespecting my woman. A man she should’ve been safe with.
Piece of shit.
“No, Seth, I don’t know how it is. Never did. And knowing what I know now, I’ve realized I will never understand nor do I want to. What I do know is that you’re a sad excuse for a man. But worse, I allowed your shit to consume me for years.”
“Shit, boy, I see you didn’t pay attention at all. Bitch has her claws into you—”
“Not another word.” I silenced my uncle and turned to Quinn. “Babe, stay here with my parents.”
“But—”
“Quinn, I need you to go over to my parents.”
Without further protest she did as I asked.
“Eyes on me, fucker,” I growled when I noticed where Seth’s eyes had gone.
“Outside,” Bryan barked.
We stepped out of the hotel lobby and the cool night air did nothing to calm my anger. Seth stumbled and Adam caught the drunk fool before he could take a header.
“What’s your problem, boy?” my uncle asked belligerently.
“Shut the fuck up.” My ire bubbled higher.
“Not like you’re gonna remember her name tomorrow. Besides, she was asking for it.”
The fuck?
“Old man, be smart and shut your mouth,” Adam entered the conversation.
“Valet ordered a cab,” Bryan said, joining the huddle.
“I’m not leaving, we haven’t even had dinner.”
“You’re leaving,” I told him.
“Shit. Don’t know where the three of you get off, but I’m not leaving.”
“I see you’re too drunk, probably too high, and just plain too stupid so you’re not understanding this.” Bryan pushed his way closer to Seth. “But I wouldn’t push Brice anymore than you have. There’s only so much me and Adam can do before he unleashes on your sorry ass.”
“The bitch—”
“Last warning, Seth. Each time you open your filthy mouth, I’m finding it harder and harder to remember your age. That bitch you’re talking about is my woman. A woman you put your fucking hands on. A woman who should be safe with my family—always. You disrespected her, you embarrassed her, and you fucking violated her. So this is your last warning, keep your fucking trap closed—one more word about Quinn and you’ll be eating your teeth. And if you think my brothers will stop me, you’re wrong. And if you think your brother will give two shits—you’re not only stupid but you’re fucking dumb. You’re a damn disgrace to this family. But after the shit you pulled tonight, it’s doubtful you’ll be welcomed back. But what’s set in stone is, I will never lay eyes on you again.”
A cab pulled up and I shoved my uncle away from me and stepped back.
“Get his ass in the car,” I growled, not caring which brother helped a swaying Seth.
The tight grip on my control slipped the longer I was in my uncle’s presence.
Piece of shit.
My molars ground down so hard my jaw ached.
Goddamn.
“He’s gone,” Adam unnecessarily told me as the cab started to drive away.
“Motherfucker,” I grunted. “My own fucking uncle…”
Bryan came back, his eyes sliding from Adam to me and he was smiling huge.
“I don’t see one fucking thing worth smiling about,” I told him.
“No, you wouldn’t, brother. And I’m sorry the fuckstick touched Quinn, but that fire blazing in your eyes is good to see.”
Adam started chuckling and I tensed, if there was nothing to smile about there really wasn’t anything to laugh about.
“Never thought I’d see it,” Adam interjected. “But I’m pleased as hell it’s happened.”
“What the fuck are the two of you talking about?”
“You, brother—in love,” Bryan muttered. “Glad it worked out.”
“Out of the three of us, never thought it would be you that’d be the first to fall. But I’m mighty happy.” Adam clapped me on the shoulder.
“I need to go find Quinn.”
“Bet you do.” Bryan’s burst of laughter followed me as I stalked back into the hotel.
I may’ve been pissed as fuck at my uncle, annoyed by my brothers’ comments, but it felt fucking great both of them were happy for me.
25
“Maybe I should go check on Brice,” I suggested, still trembling.
Now that the shock of being smacked on my ass had worn off, I worried about what Brice would do.
And really, it wasn’t even the pat on the ass that shocked me, it was that his uncle did the patting—that was troublesome. I smelled him come up next to me, the booze seeped from his pores.
“No, darlin’, you should stay here,” Brice’s dad urged.
“Quinn, we are so sorry.” Bonnie looked stricken.
Brice’s mom no longer smiled and I seriously disliked Seth for taking away her happiness. I’d been enjoying their company before the drunk uncle joined us. Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster were both easygoing and friendly and they’d immediately welcomed me to the party. Now, Bonnie looked like she fought bursting into tears of embarrassment.
“Mrs. Lancaster, please don’t apologize for Seth. Brice told me he has issues with substance abuse. Please don’t take this the wrong way, he wasn’t being disparaging. But knowing that, and well, respectfully, smelling the amount of alcohol he’d consumed, he probably won’t even remember what happened. He didn’t hurt me. I was just surprised. Please don’t let this ruin your night, I would feel terrible.”
I reached out and grabbed Bonnie’s hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
“That’s very gracious of you, Quinn. And I promise not to let him ruin our night if you promise to come to dinner next week. Just the four of us so we can spend time with you without all the interruptions.”
“Deal.”
“Deal,” Bonnie returned, smiling.
Mr. Lancaster stepped closer to his wife, hooking her around the waist, and kissed the top of her head. A gesture so familiar I couldn’t stop smiling.
My eye
s left the couple in front of me and I scanned the room until I saw Brice walking back into the private dining room. He stopped and looked around, his gaze searching, and a thrill raced up my spine knowing he was looking for me. I saw it—the moment he found me, his hard features softened and he gave me a half-grin as he made his way to us.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a very pretty redhead checking out my man. She didn’t just glance at him with friendly curiosity, the bitch stared, openly hungry. She was also bearing down on him. Not that Brice had noticed, he never broke stride in his quest to get to me.
And then he was at my side and Brice didn’t disappoint, he wrapped his arms around me and held me so tight I could barely breathe. He did this for a long time until his stiff muscles relaxed and he pulled back just far enough to lock eyes.
“You okay?” I whispered.
“No. But are you?”
“Yes. I’m great. Your parents and I were talking. Depending on your schedule, we’re going to their house next week for dinner,” I told him.
He rewarded me with a smile. Not one of Brice’s cocky grins. Not even one of his tender ones. No, this one was different, contentment was clear but it was more; he looked happy—truly happy.
“Sounds good, baby,” he murmured and continued to stare down at me.
I really wanted to press for details about what had happened outside, but now that Brice was smiling, I didn’t want to ask and ruin his good mood. I was curious about what he said to his uncle, but more than that, I wanted to make sure he was really okay. Something I’d do later when we had privacy.
“Thank you for always taking care of me,” I whispered, but regretted it when his smile fell.
“Always.” Brice’s fierce declaration tingled over me and my toes curled.
Not even I was naïve enough to miss his meaning.
* * *
The six of us squeezed around one table but we made it work. All of the guests were seated and enjoying their meal, the feel of the room joyous and upbeat. Every once in a while, one of Bryan and Bonnie’s friends would stop by the table and congratulate them on their years of marital bliss.
Keeping Quinn: The Next Generation Page 19