Happy Endings

by Rhondeau, Chantel

  Another flash of lightning illuminated the area. It was so close that the hairs on Larissa’s arms literally stood up. Electricity charged the air.

  “Quinn, can you please sit down and make yourself less of a target? I’m afraid of that storm. It’s dangerous.”

  He rushed to do as she asked, pulling her into his embrace. “It’s going to be okay, Larissa. Try not to be scared. Everything’s going to be fine. I promise.”

  She wished she could believe him, but he’d let his fear show for that split second before, and she knew he was as frightened as she was. Snuggling into his chest, she breathed in deeply, slightly comforted by his masculine scent and the warmth of his arms.

  Things could be worse. Sure, they lost the horses, but at least they had each other.

  The thunderstorm continued raging against the meadow outside, and Quinn rubbed her back and murmured soothing sentiments every time she jumped at the deafening booming sounds.

  He seemed too good to be true. He called her a survivor, and he wasn’t scared off by the ‘C’ word like so many people she’d told her story to. Maybe Quinn honestly was the perfect guy he seemed to be.

  As the thunder became less and less frequent, Larissa began to gain confidence again. After all, being trapped with Quinn overnight with no hope of rescue until tomorrow wasn’t all bad.

  She was pretty sure that whatever happened in this cavern, he would respect her in the morning.

  “Quinn?”

  He kissed her forehead in an almost fraternal manner. “You okay?”

  Yeah. His thoughts weren’t going the same direction as hers. Time to change that.

  She rubbed her hand across his stomach before tucking it under the hem of his shirt. His muscles tightened beneath her fingers when she stroked his firm abs.

  “I’m okay,” she whispered. “But I’m thinking it’s not safe for you to go outside right now, so maybe we can pass the time together. Take our minds off the storm and lack of food.”

  She rubbed down his trail of curly hair, tucking her fingers just into the band of his pants while she waited for his response.

  His skin quivered beneath her and he sucked in a quick breath. “I think that idea has merit,” he said, sounding stuffy and businesslike.

  Rather than annoying her, Larissa found it charming and sweet. He seemed to tread cautiously through her offer, not yet sure what she meant. That was okay. She could show him.

  Larissa shifted and pushed his shirt up his chest, running her fingertips across the hard angles of his muscular body while she worked it up to his neck. Quinn might spend a lot of time in the office, but he obviously hit the gym sometimes. When the shirt was moved far enough, she rubbed her face against his pecs, delighting in the tickle his patch of dark hair gave to her nose.

  Jacob had been metro sexual, shaving every inch of his body. It was a relief to be with a manly man, strong, well muscled, and one who smelled musky and earthy... not like flowery perfume.

  Refusing to spend another second wasted on thoughts of Jacob and that failed relationship, Larissa forced herself into the present. After all, the present was fabulous.

  “I want you, Quinn. Tell me you want me too.”

  Quinn grunted something incoherent, but was certainly agreement, as his hand caressed up her stomach to zero in on her breasts. Obviously her warning of scars and cancer didn’t concern him. Without a hesitation, his fingers kneaded into her left nipple, poking and prodding it into a hard, quivering peak, eager for more of his attention.

  If his touch could accomplish this through her clothes, Larissa couldn’t wait to feel him against her bare skin. She tugged more aggressively at his shirt until Quinn leaned away from the wall, allowing her to draw it over his head. She ripped away her own blouse and straddled his lap.

  He buried his face between her breasts, licking at her skin as he reached around to undo her bra.

  When it fell open, Larissa’s heart pounded so hard, she thought it might bruise the inside of her chest. Now was the moment of truth. Would Quinn really be as okay with her scars as he said he would, or would he stop their fun when he spotted the ugly marks?

  She dropped her arms with a great deal of fear, allowing the bra straps to slide slowly down and the fabric to fall across Quinn’s stomach.

  The moment her arms were free, Quinn’s face returned to her chest. He licked his way around both nipples, giving them each equal attention with his tongue, though not ignoring the other as he rolled it between his finger and thumb.

  Several times, his hand touched the hard length of her scars and the irregularly pitted skin from her past surgery, but his demeanor never changed and he never paused in his actions. He was as hot for her as he’d been before her bra came off. He hadn’t been joking about the scars not mattering to him. Slowly, Larissa’s fear drained away, leaving only the sexual tension that Quinn stoked inside her.

  She moaned softly and reached between their bodies, tearing at the button on his denim pants. It was hard to focus on her own mission, as Quinn kept his skillful attention on her nipples.

  Abandoning her attempts to figure out the button, she reached down to grip him softly, rubbing up and down through the thick fabric of his clothing. It pleased her to note that her nipples weren’t the only hard objects in the cave.

  “Quinn, you’re making me too hot. I can’t handle this.”

  As though her words gave him the permission he needed, Quinn changed tactics, going for her jeans. Unlike her, he had no trouble undoing buttons. Within seconds, he unfastened them and plunged his hand inside the front of her panties.

  “Not only hot,” he said as his finger slid into the folds of her desire, flicking its way against her most sensitive area. “You’re soaking wet.”

  “Oh, yes,” she agreed, shifting her weight to help him rub his finger against her within the limited confines of her clothes. The pleasure that raced through her was rivaled only by her desire to have him inside her. “Take me, Quinn. I want you. Now.”

  He removed his hand from between her legs, gripping her hips instead and tossing her lightly off him to lay her on the blanket. Before Larissa even knew happened, he had her pants and underwear removed and his muscular body slid between her legs.

  The hard material at the seam of his zipper bumped against her clit as Quinn rocked his pelvis over hers. He leaned down, trapping her in the cage of his arms, and his lips found hers.

  His body went completely still, not grinding or prodding, but his tongue found ways to delight and excite as he twirled it around her mouth. He backed off, pressing soft kisses across her chin and down her neck.

  Moaning loudly, Larissa tipped her head to the side and Quinn sucked at the top of her shoulder and then worked up to her ear. His hot breath blew into the shell of her ear, raising her excitement to a full on frenzy.

  She clawed at his back, wrapping her legs around his hips and grinding against him. She wanted him, more than she’d ever wanted anyone. “Now,” she ordered again, less pleading and more demanding this time.

  “Right now?” His voice had a teasing lilt.

  “Yes, right now. Right this second.”

  Quinn drew away, a sexy grin splaying across his face. “I love a woman who knows what she wants.”

  He sat back onto his knees, rubbing his hands down the length of her body as he went.

  Larissa shuddered with anticipation, craving him like a drug. She squirmed beneath him, trying to angle herself in a better position so he hit all the spots longing for his touch.

  Quinn reached into his pocket, holding up the small packet to show her. “Don’t find me presumptive, but I had hoped this would happen.”

  She giggled, stroking her hands across her own chest and tweaking her nipples, hoping that would encourage him to hurry. “I love a man who’s prepared,” she said, mimicking his earlier comment.

  Chuckling, Quinn removed his pants and rolled on the condom before kissing his way back up her stomach. The hard length of hi
s cock bumped against her, but Quinn didn’t go for the kill, as ready as Larissa was for him.

  He dipped a finger inside her, stroking it in deep before pulling back, only to plunge inside again. His thumb angled upward, stimulating her already over-sensitized nerves with a fast flick every time he moved his hand back and forth. He added another finger to the first, stretching her tight opening as he drove his fingers inside.

  Larissa tipped her head back, rocking against his hand. Her breathing became short and she clenched with excitement. “Yes, yes, yes,” she panted.

  Within a few moments, Quinn abandoned that tactic, simply rubbing at her tight, throbbing clit and raising her to the very edge of orgasm.

  She was almost there when he guided himself to her opening and entered her. As he buried himself inside, Larissa gripped with her thighs and drew him as close as he could get.

  With another grin, Quinn grabbed her shoulders and shifted their positions, putting her on top. “I like to be ridden,” he said into her ear. “I want to see those beautiful tits dancing above my face. Show me what you can do.”

  Up for the challenge, Larissa pushed off from his chest, sitting over him. The different angle of his cock inside gave her renewed sensations, and Larissa knew she wasn’t far from the finish line.

  While she impaled herself onto him hard and fast, Quinn’s moans grew as loud as hers. He dug his fingers into her ass, shoving her up and down with as much aggression as she could wish.

  “Come on, come on, come on,” he growled, slamming her against him and raising his hips to pound into her.

  After a few more frantic thrusts, Quinn went entirely rigid beneath her. It was time. Reaching down to touch herself so she could finish with him, Larissa also kept up the speed with which she rode him. A few more flicks of her finger, and her shuddering climax reached its highest peak at the same time Quinn grunted out his satisfaction.

  ***

  Larissa fell against Quinn’s stomach, all soft and feminine once again instead of the wild temptress she’d turned in to. He stroked her face, kissing her softly. He felt more content than he could remember being in a long time. She pleased and delighted him more than he thought possible.

  “Thank you,” he said softly, hugging her against him.

  She giggled and shook her head slightly. “Oh, no. Thank you.”

  Quinn smiled, rolling her once again so he was on top. He stared down into her blue-green eyes, knowing he was lost. This was what had been missing with Camille all those years. Quinn knew in this moment, he’d do anything to keep Larissa in his life. “I think I could be very happy living with you forever behind this waterfall.”

  Her gaze softened and she nodded. “I know what you mean. I’m not as afraid as I was earlier. Nothing seems so bad, as long as you’re here with me.”

  Not wanting to press the issue or force something more than either of them were ready for in their new relationship, Quinn kissed her again. “I’m certainly comfortable and happy, just so long as you’re in my arms. What do you say we nap away the rest of the storm and figure out what to do about our predicament later?”

  Larissa nodded and hugged him tight. “That sounds like a great idea.”

  Quinn stood, quickly cleaning himself as he shivered in the damp air of the cavern. Once finished, he rushed back to her arms. Quinn grabbed the edge of the blanket and wrapped the excess over the top of them, keeping Larissa tight in his embrace while her heat warmed him again and drowsiness quickly descended on him. “Sweet dreams, beautiful woman.”

  “Who needs to dream?” she asked.

  “You’re right.” He closed his eyes, breathing in her scent and slipping further into a state of relaxation. “No need to dream when reality is so damn sweet.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Larissa woke up all at once, chilled and disoriented. Strong arms closed around her and she relaxed. Quinn. That part wasn’t a dream. They were trapped in a cave and she’d had sex with him. She still didn’t know what came over her. It might be the third date, but in all her past relationships that only meant kissing and handholding. Definitely not getting down and naughty. Then again, with Quinn, naughty was so nice.

  When she had decided to tell him about the cancer and he was so angry with Jacob for not standing with her through her treatment, it deepened her attraction. In that moment, she knew how she wanted this day to end. It felt right, being with him.

  Crazy, considering Quinn was only the second man she’d ever slept with. And only one week after they met. If a friend told her they did something like that in the past before she met Quinn, she would have judged them as a slut. But she didn’t feel like she’d done the wrong thing. Even if he never spoke to her again, this afternoon with Quinn worked out exactly the way it was supposed to. She wouldn’t apologize for that. Not even to herself.

  “You okay?” Quinn asked, startling her. “You seemed to be having horrible dreams. Like someone was hurting you. You cried out before waking up.”

  She twined her leg between his muscular thighs and ran her fingers through his thick, black hair. “Waking up to all this manliness makes things better.”

  He chuckled, the movement of his chest bouncing her softly. “You’re the biggest flirt, aren’t you?”

  Was she? It was crazy all the things she’d said to Quinn the past few days. “I guess being with you brings out the best in me. I’m not usually this bold.”

  “That’s even better.” He kissed the top of her head and stroked a warm hand down her chilly back. “I like that I get this version all to myself.”

  “Just like I get sensitive, painter Quinn all to myself?” She figured it was that version of him that tipped the scales in his favor as far as sleeping together.

  He nodded. “Just like that.”

  After a few moments of listening to the waterfall and Quinn’s breathing, he heaved a heavy sigh.

  “What’s wrong, Quinn? Did you have a bad dream too?”

  “No, nothing like that. I just don’t want to go back to real life. I’m liking being here with you too much,” he said. “But the storm is over and I should try and call for help.”

  “Why don’t we wait for tomorrow morning?” She didn’t want the day to end either.

  A gurgling sound erupted from her stomach, and Quinn laughed.

  “We don’t have any food left, beautiful. It’s obviously past dinnertime, as your stomach has informed us.”

  Embarrassed, Larissa rolled off Quinn and clapped a hand over her betraying stomach. “Maybe some water would do the trick.”

  “It’s going to take more than that.” Quinn got to his feet and snagged his pants off the ground, turning around to dress quicker than Larissa would have liked. She didn’t mind staring at his firm thighs and butt.

  Hopefully, once they left the magic of this place and got back to real life, he’d still want to show it to her again.

  That put a damper on her contented mood, and Larissa crawled across to get her own clothing. Quinn truly was a different man around his family. This could have been a one-night stand for him. That might be the reason he was so anxious to call for help now.

  Quinn had his phone in his hand and turned it back on. “Damn it. Still no bars,” he said. “I’m going to climb to the top of the falls and see if I can get a signal.”

  Larissa nodded. “Sure. Sounds good. I’ll go to the meadow and look for fruit or something while you do that.” Not to mention use the bathroom, but that didn’t sound romantic. She wanted to keep him thinking of her as sexy, for as long as she could keep up the fantasy.

  He reached his hand down to help pull her to her feet, wrapping her in another hug as she rose.

  “Can you make it down the rocks?” he asked. “I don’t want you getting hurt. You’re too important to risk. I can search for food after calling if you want to wait here.”

  Too important to risk? It certainly sounded like Quinn wasn’t calling for help just to get rid of her. Perhaps this was more to him
than a fun afternoon with no commitment after.

  “I’ll be okay,” she assured him. “Promise me you’ll be careful too? The whole hill must be slick after the storm.”

  “There’s a pool of water at the top of the falls. It’s always slick, but I’m used to it.” He rubbed his stubbly chin along her jaw as he closed in for a tender kiss. “I’ve climbed up there tons of times, so don’t worry. You won’t be without me for long.”

  Better and better. Larissa grabbed the back of Quinn’s head, drawing him in for a deep kiss. “I miss you already.”

  A grin hitched across his face when he pulled away. “I’ll be back before you know it, and we’ll have time to kill while waiting for rescue. I’m sure we can think of something to do.”

  Before she could think up a sexy response, Quinn turned and ducked beneath the falls, not even bothering to put shoes on.

  Shaking her head, Larissa tied the laces on her tennis shoes, knowing her feet weren’t cut out for the cold rocks of the hillside, and who knew what she’d step on in the meadow.

  She wondered if there was even hope of actually finding something to eat. At least it gave her a job to do so she wouldn’t feel useless while Quinn hiked the face of the waterfall.

  When she ducked out from beneath the water herself, she was shocked to see how late it had become. The sun would set soon. They napped longer than she figured. Maybe the horses had already reached the stables and someone was searching for them.

  She glanced up, seeing that Quinn had already scrambled halfway up to the top. As she watched, his foot slipped and his body lurched in a sickening manner.

  Larissa sucked in some air, holding her breath and praying he caught himself.

  Quinn dropped his body low against the hillside, stopping his sliding motion. He glanced over his shoulder, smiling widely when he saw her. “I’m okay,” he shouted above the roar of the water.

  “Be careful,” she screamed back.

  With a shake of her head, she knew she couldn’t watch him anymore on the hillside. It would give her a heart attack. Besides, she had her own slick rocks to navigate.