Quinn released her hand and rolled onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow. “You were sick? What happened?”
Shoot. Larissa bit her lip. She hadn’t meant to tell him that, but her guard had already dropped with Quinn it seemed. “It’s been a few years,” she said, slowly picking her words. “I’m better now.” Which was mostly true, unless the cancer recurred.
“But what was wrong?” he persisted, not seeming to realize how personal his question was.
“I was sick. Let’s talk about something else.” She wrapped her hand around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss.
Quinn seemed more than willing to be distracted by her lips. His hand trailed down her side to her hip, squeezing as his fingers once again brushed against her butt. He teased at her mouth, nipping her lips and letting out a playful growl.
Larissa burst out laughing. “This place really brings out the wild man in you.”
He growled again and attacked her neck, kissing and nibbling. “I could show you wild, but I think we’d better eat our lunch instead.”
With a great deal of reluctance, Larissa released his neck and settled back onto the blanket. “What great feast have you prepared for us?”
He shrugged and pulled the saddlebags to him. “I let my little brother plan it, so we’ll find out together.”
The bags were bulging and everything Quinn pulled out was wrapped inside more sacks. “To keep the icepacks off the horse,” he explained.
Hungry after all the hours spent on horseback, Larissa opened the first package and pulled out the plastic food container inside. When she opened it, she grinned across at Quinn. “Are you sure you didn’t have anything to do with the food?”
He shook his head and pulled out another container. “Nope. Why?”
She shrugged. “You should have taken credit. Big points for this one. Chocolate-covered strawberries.”
“Well, I might not have planned it, but I’m the one who gets to feed them to you.” He wiggled his eyebrows with a suggestive grin on his face. “But it’s going to cost you.”
She batted her eyelashes and feigned embarrassment, looking away. “But, sir, I didn’t bring any money.”
“I’m sure we could work something out.”
Larissa giggled, plucking a blue flower from the ground beside the blanket and tossing it at him. “I just bet we could.”
Chapter Eleven
Quinn packed away the leftover fruit salad and took out the bottle of wine. Practical, as always, Shane supplied them with plastic cups. Quinn filled the glasses halfway and handed one to Larissa. “I’d like to make a toast.”
Her nose wrinkled, lending a cute factor to her already pretty face. “A toast? Isn’t that usually for weddings or something?”
Quinn laughed, surprised at how much she delighted him. He didn’t normally have reason to laugh quite so much. “This is a special occasion, isn’t it?”
“Why’s that? Because you finally took a day off work?” Merriment sparkled in her blue-green eyes as she raised her glass. “I’ll drink to that.”
Shaking his head, Quinn raised his glass and took a sip. “That is cause for celebration, I’ll give you that. But it’s not quite what I had in mind.”
She licked her lips, still looking rather mischievous, though she simply raised an eyebrow.
Taking that as a cue she wanted to listen to his toast, Quinn raised his glass again. “Here’s to chance encounters and horrible first impressions...”
She nodded and winked.
“...leading to happiness and a strong relationship,” he finished.
Larissa’s eyes widened and some of the grin slid from her face.
Damn. Too fast. He hadn’t meant to say that anyway. “Yes, to strong friendships,” he amended.
She shrugged and lifted her wine. “To us.”
“To us.” He clinked his cup against hers before drinking.
Even if he wasn’t entirely sure what she meant, ‘us’ sounded good. It seemed he wasn’t being friendzoned quite yet in her mind. He was worried after her reaction to the word relationship.
The warm afternoon sunlight beat down on them and Quinn longed for a swim, but this date had to be about what Larissa wanted. Besides, he didn’t want her thinking he let Shane plan everything and didn’t have any ideas of his own for this outing. Time to impress her.
After digging through the saddlebag, he found the vanilla lotion he’d swiped from the massage parlor when Larissa wasn’t looking. Holding it up, he grinned widely. “I have more planned for you than a picnic.”
Larissa tilted her head to the side, looking at the small bottle. “I sure hope you’re not asking for a happy ending again.”
A flutter of panic erupted in his stomach. Did she really think he’d do that? “Larissa, I—I didn’t—”
“I’m kidding.” She reached over and punched his shoulder lightly. “Lighten up.”
Quinn closed his eyes, exhaling a long breath. He’d thought for a minute everything was ruined. Larissa’s teasing would take some getting used to. Camille had always been serious about everything.
“I’m glad that’s a joke.” Quinn pouted his bottom lip and did his best impression of sexy bedroom eyes, never taking his gaze off Larissa’s face. “The truth is, I thought it was time someone gave you a massage. And I’m just the man to put his hands all over you.”
“What?” That single word sounded so unbelieving and happy at the same time. “No one’s ever offered to do that for me.”
“That’s good, because I’ve never given a massage before. Glad I don’t have any great expectations to live up to.” He indicated the blanket with a sweep of his hand. “Lie down, beautiful. Prepare to be pampered.”
She grabbed at the hem of her shirt, but hesitated. “I don’t know if it’s appropriate for me to take my blouse off during our first date.”
“This is actually our third date, if you’ll recall.” Quinn grabbed her chin in his hand and ran his thumb across her lips before leaning down to kiss her. “You’re safe with me. I promise.”
When he backed away, Larissa nodded once. “I trust you.” Quickly, she pulled the shirt off, revealing the lacy black bra beneath.
Quinn stared freely at her body, appreciating how perfect her tits were when combined with the rest of the package. He’d really like her to remove the bra too, and let him massage her front, but he knew that would be pushing it.
“Lie down so I can undo the bra clasp and work on your back.”
Larissa did as instructed, folding her arms together and cradling her head inside them. “Work your magic, Mr. McCallister, and maybe I’ll return the favor.”
That sounded promising. Quinn knelt beside her and ran both hands up her back.
Larissa shuddered slightly and her skin broke out in goose bumps beneath his touch. Even if she wasn’t willing to offer him a happy ending, her body was ready for more than a chaste rubdown.
When he undid the fasteners on her bra, it shocked Quinn to note how his hands trembled. He was as nervous as a virgin touching his first lover. It was crazy, but there was something special about Larissa. The excitement he felt being with her was similar to the love he had for his job when things were falling into place in the office.
That might not sound romantic to her, so he’d never tell her that, but it was one of the highest levels of excitement for Quinn. He wanted to be with her, more than he’d ever wanted to be with another person.
Once he finally got the bra out of his way, Quinn squeezed lotion onto her shoulders and down her spine.
“Brrr.” A shimmy went through her body. “Did you have that in the shade or something?”
“Sorry.” Damn. He hadn’t even started and had already screwed up. “Try to relax. I’ll have you hot in no time.”
“Oh, trust me, I’m getting hot for you.”
Quinn paused with his hands poised above her shoulders. Had he heard that right? Larissa was such a kidder though, and more of a fli
rt than he would have guessed. Even if that was what she said, he couldn’t read too much into it.
He’d better just stick with his plan. Starting at the top of her back, Quinn ran his hands all the way down, working the lotion into her smooth skin. After he made a few passes, Larissa made a soft gasp of contentment and relaxed fully beneath his hands.
Now to decide just how sexy to make things. He wanted to go all out and give her a full body massage, which would end in her being fully satisfied. However, despite her flirting, she thought of this as their first date. Best not to get carried away.
Though he wasn’t a professional like her, he could definitely feel the knotted spots where the muscles were too tight, and he dug in and rubbed those places harder.
She whimpered slightly. “Yikes. Not trying to tell you what to do, but it might be better if you made vibrating motions with your fingers instead of pushing so hard.” She reached above her head, demonstrating what she meant on the blanket.
Immediately switching to do as she instructed, Quinn couldn’t help but smile. “Not only a back massage, now you want me to be your vibrator.”
Her guffaw of a laugh was not a dainty giggle, and Shadow snorted loudly at the noise.
Quinn glanced up to see the horse glaring at them from the other side of the meadow.
At least he’d been able to shock Larissa after all the shocks she’d given him.
Making tight vibration motions by shaking his hands, he worked up and down her spine. “Alright, beautiful, I’m vibrating away. Your wish is my command.”
***
Larissa felt more keyed up than she could remember being in a while. Quinn had done a passable job with the massage, but a few seconds ago he switched to a technique that wasn’t taught in any massage school and it was making her feel decidedly moist.
His hands took on a feathery quality as he skimmed across her skin, barely making contact. The brevity of his touch made her ache for more. However, when his fingers stroked down her side, making contact with the sides of her breasts, Larissa froze.
Too much of that, and he might feel the scar. She wasn’t ready to answer questions or explain about the cancer. Besides, she didn’t want Quinn to see it. Nothing could happen between them out here in the daylight.
Her left breast wasn’t exactly attractive. It had certainly turned Jacob off after the surgery. She wasn’t about to have another man turn away from her after getting her worked up. It was horrible enough with her ex-fiancé. It would be mortifying if it happened with her boss’s son.
Shoving her arms down her sides, she forced Quinn’s hands away. “I think that’s enough massaging for now.”
“Really?” Disappointment was heavy in his voice. “I was just getting to stuff I really know how to do. Sexy massages are all the rage, you know?”
She forced herself to laugh, trying to capture the playful mood she’d been in before. “I’m sure they are, but I think that’s taking things too fast.”
Although he gave a long sigh that sounded as though he were suffering, Larissa was relieved when he refastened her bra.
“I guess if a sexy massage is out, we should go swimming instead,” he said. “We have time for a quick dip before heading back to civilization.”
Larissa sat up slowly, adjusting herself to make sure nothing stuck out of the side of her bra before turning to face Quinn. “I don’t have a swimsuit. You didn’t say we’d be swimming.”
He spread his hands wide. “Who needs a swimsuit? No one is here but us and the horses. They won’t mind, and I certainly won’t.”
“You’re a contradiction, you know that?” Larissa pulled her blouse back on. “You come across as this super serious, grumpy person, and then you bring me out here and...” She shook her head. “If this is the real you, who in the heck is that guy I went to the company party with?”
Quinn lay down and pillowed his head in his arms, once again staring at the sky. “That’s the guy with too many responsibilities who’s afraid to let his parents down. That’s the guy who took over once I finally agreed to train for Dad’s position.”
“Finally agreed?” Larissa was sure she detected a hint of regret in Quinn’s voice. “What did you want to do instead?”
“I can show you.” He hopped up, extending his hand to help her to her feet. “We have to go into the cave, so be careful. It gets slick.”
When she stepped off the blanket, he bent to pick it up.
“We’ll need something to sit on,” he said. “Most of the blankets and pillows I had in there are ruined by now.”
He led the way to the waterfall, stepping up onto the slippery rocks with a sure-footed stance that Larissa knew she couldn’t match. Still, she’d watched Quinn make it there before and she had on good tennis shoes. It should be possible.
She cautiously stepped out behind him, skidding down the first rock in a sickening lurch that caused her lunch to revolt in her belly. Shuffling across and testing each rock carefully before trusting it with her weight, Larissa finally looked up to realize she was only halfway across and Quinn had already disappeared behind the fall.
“You can do this,” she told herself firmly.
It might have been a good idea to mention she was afraid of heights before Quinn went off without her. Even glancing down and realizing how far of a drop it was to the water below made her dizzy.
“Keep moving forward.” She gritted her teeth, not sure if the coaching was helping or not, but determined not to let fear rule her.
“Larissa?” Quinn’s voice was raised to shout over the roar of the water. “Give me your hand.”
Relieved that he’d come back, Larissa placed her hand in his, relinquishing her fear to him. She knew without a doubt that he wouldn’t let her get hurt. She was safe with him.
At least as far as the waterfall was concerned.
Her heart and her secrets were another matter.
Chapter Twelve
Quinn pulled Larissa into the safety of the cave. He felt like a grade-A asshole. She trembled uncontrollably and he drew her into his arms, smoothing back her hair and kissing her forehead. “I didn’t know that would scare you. I shouldn’t have suggested we come in here.”
Her arms wrapped around his waist and she shook her head slightly. “It’s okay. I’m a little afraid of heights and those rocks were slippery. It’s not your fault, but thanks for coming back for me.”
He leaned down and kissed her again. “I’ll always be here for you, if you let me.”
She gulped audibly and Quinn dropped his arms, releasing her.
What was wrong with him? He couldn’t talk to her like that. It was too fast. She must think he was a creep like Mr. Skinner. He’d never said things like that to any woman before. It was like he hadn’t dated before, what with all the mistakes he kept making with Larissa.
He cleared his throat and turned to the back of the cave where he’d set the blanket down. The cavern extended a fair distance inside the hill and had plenty of area free from the misty water drops.
The shelves he’d made so many years ago stood against the back wall, holding his secret treasures. His brothers and sister had loved coming here with him to swim and explore the trails, but this hidden cave was the reason he had come by himself so frequently.
“I’ve never shown anyone this place,” he told Larissa when she came to stand beside him. “Now you’ll see all of my secrets.”
“Your secrets, huh?” She grinned up at him before squinting into the shadowed shelves. “What’s back here? It’s too dark to see. I hope it’s not the bodies of other girls who learned your secrets.”
“Not exactly.” At least she was in good humor again after her scare. Chuckling, Quinn grabbed the kerosene lantern off the top shelf and the plastic bag holding a box of matches. Within seconds, he lit the wick and turned up the flame, illuminating the area.
“Oh, my goodness.” Larissa stepped closer, inspecting the shelves. “Did you paint these?”
; “Yes.”
The clear plastic covering the canvases made it hard to see the details, but all his best work was here, just as he’d left it the last time he made the trip to the cave. The day he decided to give up his dreams of being an artist to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“It’s been a long time since I even picked up a sketchpad,” he admitted while Larissa studied each painting. “It used to be an escape for me, one I loved very much.”
She ran her fingers over the plastic protecting Quinn’s favorite picture. “This is Shadow standing by this waterfall, right?”
“I think that’s my best work.”
Larissa reached out blindly, grabbing his hand as she continued studying the paintings. “Why don’t you have these hanging in your house? Or heck, put them in an art gallery. These are great, Quinn.”
Warmth flooded through him at her praise. It had been a long time since anyone appreciated his talents, at least talents that didn’t deal with expense sheets or hiring and firing employees. “I’m glad you like them.”
“I love them.”
An idea struck him, but he didn’t know if she would agree to it. He fumbled his hand across the bottom shelf, pulling out the sketchpad and set of charcoal pencils inside yet more plastic bags. Even if the paper was a bit yellowed with age, it would serve his purpose.
“Larissa, can I ask you for a favor?”
She nodded.
“It’s been a long time since anyone was interested in my art, but I really have the itch to draw right now. Can I sketch you?”
“Me?” The flickering light from the lamp shone in her widened eyes. “I’d be honored.”
“Excellent.” He pointed at the blanket. “Make yourself comfortable. I’m going to go grab the chocolate-covered strawberries and bottles of water. We might need a snack before I finish.”
***
Larissa plumped the blanket against the wall, waiting for Quinn to return. She’d known she was falling in serious like with this guy almost from the moment he showed up at the massage studio this morning to rescue her from Mr. Skinner, but this? There was certainly a romantic side to Quinn, hidden away but definitely there. Seeing his secret self, learning who Quinn really was, Larissa knew she could fall for him—hard.
Happy Endings Page 8