He rubbed a weary hand over his face. Part of him wanted to call Avery’s aunt back and make sure she realized how much Avery did for her. How gracious and compassionate a woman Avery was. Given the rough life she’d had it was damned admirable.
Judging by the conversation, he didn’t get the impression her aunt cared much about Avery or the fact she had survived. She’d just called to make sure her check was in the mail.
It made him damn angry.
Made him want to protect Avery from people like that. Family shouldn’t take advantage of loved ones. They were to be honored and cherished. Protected. Respected.
He glanced at Avery’s closed door. The more he peeled away her layers, the more he liked what he saw. It was no wonder Books for Change flourished and had grown into a world renowned organization. He’d read the file Kell put together before the mission. Avery’s compassion and selflessness made it the respectable business it was. And if he had to guess, he’d bet she sacrificed herself to get it there.
Her aunt had no idea the kind of person Avery really was.
In truth, neither did his family.
But, they had gotten a glimpse of the selfless woman she was when she stood up for him the night they returned from Azbakastan.
An image of Avery charging in to defend him flashed through his head. And all after being kidnapped, tortured, and his rough treatment on the chopper. The woman had fortitude, he’d give her that.
Too much for her own good. For his peace of mind.
He turned his gaze to the windows. Maybe a swim to unwind. Rising, he went upstairs to change into his swim trunks.
****
Avery couldn’t relax. Felt cooped up in her room, so she slipped through the back door and crossed the deck to where Quinn sat on the top step, staring out across the quiet lake. He wore swim trunks and nothing else.
She’d tried to read one of his sports magazines, but it didn’t stop the restless thoughts running through her head. She’d bared a piece of her soul to Quinn tonight and she’d been worked up ever since. Vulnerable. If she could take the words back she would. She didn’t want Quinn to know about her past. How lonely her childhood was.
Somehow, Quinn pulled her secrets out of her and if she wasn’t careful he’d pull the rest. She couldn’t let that happen.
Her intentions were to find a bottle of brandy and have a sip to settle her down. Then she saw Quinn through the kitchen window.
He didn’t look up when she sat down beside him. Deep sadness was etched in the lines of his face. He’d buried his brother. She wanted, not for the first time, to take his pain away, but didn’t know how.
The sun dipped behind the horizon, casting them in shadow. After a moment of silence Quinn spoke.
“We used to play football on nights like this. All of us, including Bailey, in the backyard at my parents’ house.”
Avery remained silent.
“It was a tradition after one of Mom’s Sunday dinners. For a girl, Bailey gave us a run for our money.” He cut off and raked a hand through his hair, his pain palpable. “There were seven of us so we used Bailey as a crutch. She hated it.”
After meeting Quinn’s sister she believed it.
“We haven’t played in a couple months. Been too busy.” His head dropped and his shoulders hitched.
Avery’s heart twisted.
“Now the teams will be even,” he choked out.
Avery put a hand on his bare shoulder, felt it bunch beneath her touch. Quinn was a strong, proud man who carried the burden of his family on his shoulders. He did it selflessly, no questions asked. But, who took care of him?
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
He shook his head. She withdrew her hand, not blaming him for pulling away. When she went to stand he grabbed her wrist, guided her in front of him to stand between his legs. He wrapped a strong arm around her waist and pulled her close, mindful of her wound.
His forehead rested against her stomach, his sorrow seeping into her, making her ache for him. Only time healed wounds. At least that’s what they said. Her parents’ death still hurt like the day it happened.
A warm breeze drifted past, carrying the earthy scent of the lake. Quinn’s hand opened on the small of her back. Avery froze. His lips pressed a kiss to her navel, sending a shudder through her.
He lifted her shirt, his hands skimming her hips. Her breath caught when he nuzzled her belly. She buried her hands in his hair, pulled him closer. The heat from his mouth, the touch of his hands, ignited a fire that had been burning since the day she met him.
Slowly, she lowered herself until she sat on his lap.
He captured her mouth with his. She moaned, her fingers digging into his shoulders. Heat burned where he touched the small of her back. Goose bumps pricked her arms and legs when his hand slid up to rub the nape of her neck. Needing to touch him, Avery smoothed her hands over his chest, bumped them over his abs. He released her mouth and drew in a sharp breath when she reached the waistband on his shorts.
He dropped his head so that their foreheads touched. “Stop me now.”
Avery shook her head.
He met her eyes. “I want you.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
Hunger darkened his gaze. In one swift move she was under him, the cool boards of the deck beneath her, his warm body covering her. She lifted up and kissed him, her blood racing through her veins. Quinn took possession of the kiss, driving her to the brink.
An appreciative sigh escaped her lips as she ran her hands over the muscles in his chest and down his arms, mindful of his injury.
Avery met Quinn’s eyes. Her strong warrior. A man of honor and courage who she had fallen for. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his. Right now all she wanted was to make love to him. Later, she’d protect herself from loving him.
****
Quinn stared down at the lace bra cupping Avery’s breasts. So perfect. As if they’d been made for him. He traced the delicate lace with his finger, watched goosebumps erupt on her silky flesh. His body responded, but he restrained himself. The buds of her nipples poked through the fabric, drawing a groan from him.
Needing to see the rest of her, he removed her clothing, then shucked his swim shorts and lowered himself over her. He rasped his teeth over a nipple. Her back arched, her hands burrowing into his hair. The more she responded, the harder he became.
Rising above her he stared down at her, red hair spread across the deck, eyes dark with desire, lips parted.
“You’re beautiful.” He cupped her cheek and leaned down to capture her lips. Avery’s legs locked around his hips, the kiss turned greedy, hungry. The bands of his restraint shredded and he surged against her.
He tore his mouth from hers to trace a fiery path down her neck to the pulse that beat frantically. She nipped his shoulder and he swept her up and rose to his feet. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her legs around his waist.
There was a glint in her eye as she pressed her lips to his throat. Quinn growled and carried her inside, almost making it to the stairs when she ran her tongue along his jaw. Pushing her against the wall, he plundered her mouth. Her heels dug into his ass, and God he wanted inside her. This gorgeous, uninhibited, responsive woman who turned his life upside down.
Before he took her against the wall, he carried her upstairs and lowered her to the bed. On his way to the bedside table he paused to stare down at her. Gloriously naked and all his. She gazed back at him, her gray eyes dancing with yearning. No holds barred with this woman. When she jumped it was with both feet. Just like the day he’d rescued her. And when she’d stood up to his family to fight for him. The Wolff clan could be an intimidating bunch when all together, yet she faced them head on. A woman like that could either be admired or loved.
Whoa.
Quinn pulled back. Mentally and physically.
Avery rolled over onto her side and touched his thigh with a wicked smile. “Are you going to stand there or join me?”
All thought fled when she wrapped her hand around him and licked her lips. God help him. She took him in her mouth, her tongue gliding over his head. He let out a grunt, thrust his hips. Warm and wet, she brought him near the edge, scraped her teeth down the length of him.
Before he came in her mouth, Quinn stopped her, dug a condom out of the drawer and hastily rolled it on. Avery grabbed his shoulders, pulled him down. He surged inside her, groaned, and ground his mouth down on hers. Her lips parted on a sigh when he moved slowly in, then out.
As much as he wanted release, he didn’t want to leave her body. It felt too good. Too damn right. No woman had ever made him want to stay forever.
“Quinn,” Avery gasped, when he thrust slow and long inside her, felt her walls clench around him. Her back arched, her head thrown back in ecstasy as her orgasm rocked her body.
With a grunt Quinn followed, plunging deep. The force of his climax shattered any hope he had of remaining on neutral ground.
****
Avery watched Quinn walk from the bathroom, naked and hard, even after making love. He was the first man she’d been with since Tim and now she knew she’d made the right decision with her ex. Tim never made her feel this way. Never set her body on fire like Quinn. Didn’t make her want to stay.
And that scared the life out of her. Because staying meant risking her promise, her very soul, and she wasn’t letting anyone give her an ultimatum again.
Unwilling to think about it, she bit her lip, running her gaze over the powerful muscle in his chest and thighs. The mattress dipped when Quinn climbed in bed beside her and pulled her into his arms. She went willingly.
Quinn pressed a kiss to her temple, holding her close.
Avery settled against him, comfortable with the way they fit.
Whatever this was, she’d take it because the alternative was too difficult to think about.
Chapter Fifteen
Quinn woke to sound of the front door opening. His eyes popped open, his body going on high alert. Shaking Avery’s shoulder, he pressed a finger to her lips when she went to speak.
“Someone’s downstairs,” he lipped.
Her eyes widened and she nodded, mouthing, “Your brothers?”
“Maybe. Stay here.”
He climbed out of bed, slipped into a pair of jeans and t-shirt and with one last warning look at Avery, disappeared from the room. He took the stairs down, leading with his 9mm, avoiding the ones that creaked.
The sound of water running came from the kitchen. He hit the landing silently and rounded the corner to find his mother filling the coffee pot at the sink, her back to him. Swearing beneath his breath, he tucked the gun in his waistband and covered it with his t-shirt at the same time his mother turned.
“Mom.” He looked around the room. “Where’s Dad?”
“He dropped me off.” She raised her hand to cut off his protest. “I insisted. He walked me to the door and waited until I locked it behind me. Don’t worry. He’s out back with Kell. Did I wake you?”
Quinn crossed to the doors to peer out at the lake, images of Avery, naked and willing, filling his head. “No.”
“I was just about to make a pot of coffee. Would you and Avery like a cup?”
Not wanting his mom to see Avery come down from upstairs, he asked, “What brings you over so early, Mom?”
“I’m here to check on Avery. Did she get any rest last night?”
The guilt grew heavier on his shoulders. Had he been thinking with the right head, he’d have anticipated his mother’s arrival this morning. Surprising she waited until eight o’clock to come over.
He turned to face her. “She’s sleeping now.”
His mom nodded, reaching for two coffee mugs. “Good. That will give us a chance to talk.”
No use arguing, so he didn’t. She handed him a steaming cup of coffee and he walked over to accept it, then leaned against the counter, sensing she had something more to say.
“Quinn, I owe you an apology.”
He shifted. “Mom—”
“Let me speak.”
He nodded.
“You know I love you, dear. And I didn’t mean what I said at the house. I was only protecting Dani. She isn’t as strong as we are. She needed me.” Her gaze met his, unwavering and sincere, but filled with tears. “You understand that, don’t you?”
Quinn set his cup on the counter and pulled her in for a hug. God love his mother. She had a heart of gold and compassion enough for the world, yet she was the strongest woman he knew.
“I know, Mom.”
She hugged him back, smelling of spices and coffee. The same as he remembered. But tension still rode her shoulders.
“What else, Mom?” he asked quietly.
Her shoulders hitched and she squeezed him tight. “I’m worried about Dani. She’s been losing weight. And she was too thin to begin with. You know how thin she was.”
He nodded, thinking she was right. Dani had lost a couple pounds. But that was par for the course given the events.
“I know she’s grieving, but…” She let the sentence trail and Quinn frowned.
“But what?”
“I’ve noticed things. Outbursts. Irritability that is so unlike my sweet girl.”
“She’s mourning. Grief doesn’t always manifest in reasonable ways.”
His mom sipped her coffee. “I know, and I thought of that. I just get the feeling that there is more going on with Dani than meets the eye.”
“Want me to have Evan keep a closer eye on her?”
His mom waved that off. “No. I don’t want to invade her life any more than we already have. But I would like you to watch out for her.”
Quinn stepped over and gave her a hug. “Done.”
She squeezed him hard. “Thank you. Now, about Avery. How is she doing?”
He leaned back, noticing the tears in her eyes. His mom’s compassion knew no boundaries. She truly was an amazing woman. “She’s doing fine.”
She sent him a look, then patted him on the arm and let him go, wiped her eyes, and moved to the stove where she set out a pot. “Now, go get Avery up. I’m going to make breakfast. She needs to eat. She’s much too thin too.”
Gut churning, Quinn left her alone to make breakfast and went upstairs, wondering how the heck he was going to sneak Avery downstairs.
“Everything okay?”
Her voice brought him up short. He looked over to see her sitting up in bed, the sheet clutched to her breasts. Her hair fell in tangles over her shoulders and one leg was bent outside the covers at a sexy angle.
As wrong as it was he wanted to undress and climb back in bed with her. Ravage her just so he could hear her moans of pleasure. Escape this hell for another couple hours.
No. Everything was not okay. It was a fucked up mess. No, scratch that. He was a fucked up mess.
“Mom’s downstairs making breakfast.”
Avery’s eyes widened. “Oh, crap.” She scooted out of bed. “She’s going to see me. There’s no way to get to my room without being seen. Can you get her out of the house for a couple minutes?”
Quinn quirked a brow.
“Damn it. Why is she here so early? Ouch.” She sat back down on the bed. “I need a new pair of feet,” she muttered.
“Can’t give you that, but I can create a diversion. Come down in five minutes.”
“Deal.”
He turned to go.
“Quinn.”
Almost made it to the steps.
“Just so you know, I’m the kind of woman who sees things for what they are. Let’s not make this weird between us.”
Never had a woman say that to him before. “What exactly is this, Avery?”
Her shoulders fell. “I don’t know.”
He didn’t push, because last night defied reason. Mistake or not, it didn’t fit into any definition.
“Five minutes,” he said and took the stairs down.
****
After the longest five m
inutes of her life Avery snuck downstairs wearing only Quinn’s shirt since her clothes were on the deck still. She snuck into her bedroom and dressed in record time, cursing herself for sleeping with Quinn and risking his mother finding them in bed together. She should have known Ellen would come over this morning to check on her. The woman had a heart of gold and had been worried about her from the start. It was no small miracle she’d let Avery come back to Quinn’s to rest.
But God help her, she didn’t regret making love to Quinn. Best sex she’d ever had. No, they hadn’t had sex. They’d made love. And it scared her as much as the first kiss. Sex with Tim hadn’t scared her. Or made her want to run. Making love to Quinn—definitely.
Quinn was absolutely the kind of man who took your heart and soul when he walked out the door.
She just came out of her room when Ellen called out, “Avery. There you are. Quinn was just showing me your Books for Change organization on the computer. Incredible.”
Avery pasted on what she hoped was an innocent smile and turned to face Quinn’s mother. “Good morning, Ellen,” she said. “Thank you.”
Ellen bustled over and slipped an arm around her shoulders. “You shouldn’t be walking around, dear. Over to the sofa you go. Quinn, get her a cup of that tea I brought over, will you?”
Avery could smell the fresh brewed coffee and longed for a cup, but she didn’t argue on her way to the couch.
Once Ellen had her settled to her approval, she left Avery alone and went into the kitchen to make breakfast. When Quinn brought her a cup of tea she glared at him.
“She’s making us breakfast,” she whispered, accepting the cup. “Do you think she knows?”
The corner of Quinn’s mouth tilted. “No, she doesn’t know we slept together.”
Avery clapped a hand over his mouth, glancing toward the kitchen to see if Ellen had overheard. But Ellen was busy mixing batter in a stainless steel bowl. “Are you crazy? She might hear you.”
He removed her hand. “Relax. Even if she found out she wouldn’t care.”
Maximum Risk Page 17