“You finished them? So you have nothing to do tomorrow? That’s great. I happen to know Larissa only has one client in the morning, and then her day is free as well. You should ask her out.”
It was clear John wouldn’t give up until Quinn broke down. This was how he’d been railroaded into marrying Camille. Then again, the thought of spending the day with Larissa held appeal, even if he’d never admit that to his parents.
“Why don’t we play things by ear, Dad? If she likes Parker, she isn’t going to want to go out with me.”
John ran a hand through his deep black hair. “You’re determined to be miserable, aren’t you? Why are you so serious all the time?”
Because they expected him to take over the company, drilling it into him until it became his dream too. He couldn’t say that, though. It would hurt his dad’s feelings to know Quinn had become exactly what his parents pushed him into. Once upon a time, he’d loved other things, before McCallister’s Paradise became his whole life. What he really wanted to be was an artist, but that would do nothing to forward the family business, so his talent was never encouraged.
Quinn kept his lips sealed firmly together, afraid if he tried to say anything at all, he’d blurt the truth. His dad didn’t deserve that. When it came down to it, Quinn knew he’d made the final decision to become his father’s protégé on his own. If he’d flatly refused, his parents would have figured out a different path for the company, but that might have meant turning it over to a cousin to manage or even an outsider. Quinn knew they didn’t want that. It had always been a family business, so Quinn made the decision to keep it that way at the price of giving up his own dreams.
John seemed uncomfortable with Quinn’s continued silence and blew out a long breath. “Did Sydney tell you that Larissa came back to watch the fireworks with you? She didn’t want to be with Parker, she just wanted to dance. Larissa said you’re the one who told her to go with Parker. I think Larissa felt like you didn’t want to be there with her.”
“She came back?” Well, shit. He’d definitely screwed up everything with her. But it sounded like John had talked to her about it. “Does she know I’m going to be here? Does she want to see me?”
Wow... if that didn’t sound pathetically desperate. Judging by the return of John’s smile, he heard the hope in Quinn’s voice.
“Larissa says you’re grumpy. You should do something to change that image if you like her.” John stood up and walked around the desk, putting a hand on Quinn’s shoulder. “If you don’t end up liking her, don’t do something stupid this time, like getting married, but I think she’s more your type than you want to admit.”
Quinn still had his doubts. “But Parker—”
“She doesn’t want Parker.”
***
The luxurious town car pulled up the dirt path onto a paved drive in front of a surprisingly cozy house. Larissa had expected something much larger. A wraparound porch boasted lawn furniture and a swing, and Larissa wondered if the McCallister’s spent time watching the sun fall over the ocean, together.
In any event, her original impression of them being laid back for rich people was correct. This house was just big enough to hold a family with five children in comfort, nothing more. It certainly wasn’t the mansion she’d envisioned.
The driver hopped out of the front and opened her door. “Here we are, Miss Benner. Enjoy your night.”
Before she knew what happened, the driver helped her out of the seat, jumped back in, and took off down the road. Maybe that was the McCallister’s way of making sure she didn’t chicken out and leave. She was stranded.
The front door opened and Quinn stepped onto the porch. “Larissa.”
The way he said it still gave her shivers.
He paced slowly toward her, his powerful leg muscles defined beneath his slacks when he ran lightly down the stairs. He wore a polo shirt tonight in a grey color that accentuated his eyes.
Those eyes. They caught and held her as he approached.
He took her hand in his, bending over it as he raised it to his mouth. A tingle of awareness shot up her arm, even though he did the polite thing, not really touching his lips to her skin. Still, she could feel his breath upon it, and goose bumps pricked her flesh.
“You look lovely,” he said, releasing her hand as he straightened up. “Did Dad lure you here with promises of Mom’s famous chocolate cake?”
“Famous, huh? He had a peculiar smile when he told me about it, but I didn’t know it was famous. Now I’m anxious to try it.”
He offered her his arm, and Larissa hesitated before accepting it.
“Is your entire family here?”
He shook his head. “Just us. Mom and Dad say I need a night off work.”
Larissa looked out across the water to avoid looking at Quinn. John had suggested it would be a small dinner party, but she hadn’t realized just how small. What she desperately wanted to know was whether this was Quinn’s idea. Was this another date she was being tricked into?
“Look, Larissa, about the party last weekend.” Quinn shifted his feet back and forth. “I shouldn’t have left without saying goodbye. I also shouldn’t have told you to go with Parker, when what I really wanted was to be alone with you. I don’t like the party scene and dancing real well, and I thought you wanted Parker, so...”
“Is this your way of apologizing for ditching me before the fireworks?” Larissa glanced back at him.
The breeze caught his hair, mussing the black strands in a wild way that made him even more handsome. Larissa sighed internally. She was attracted to him, no matter what she tried to tell herself. Maybe brooding and grumpy did it for her. It wasn’t as though she’d had many serious relationships to know what she was looking for in a mate.
Besides, the last time she gave her heart to a man, he couldn’t handle things when she got sick. Jacob tried to control things and had a hard time with the fact that her illness was outside of his control. Larissa knew marrying him would be a mistake and had to break things off.
It was hard to believe anyone out there would be able to handle her being sick if the cancer returned, but apparently her heart was hoping Quinn was that sort of man, no matter how sternly her brain told it not to like him.
Quinn took both her hands, squeezing them gently. “Yes. This is an apology. I am very sorry. I haven’t been the nicest guy to be around. Mom’s worked hard on dinner, and I’d like tonight to go well. Can we get along?”
Larissa nodded, barely daring to breathe because the scent of Quinn’s faint cologne was setting her nerves on overdrive. How could the man infuriate and attract her all at the same time? “It was nice of your dad to invite me.”
Quinn chuckled and leaned into her, brushing a light kiss across her cheek that made her pulse race. What happened to Mr. Grumpy? He was being pleasant.
“I have to let you know it wasn’t entirely nice,” he said. “I think my parents have ulterior motives for tonight.”
He was so close that his warmth caressed her like a comfortable sweater. She knew she should step away, but she wanted to move closer. She’d already seen how muscular his body was when he lay naked on the massage table, and she couldn’t help but fantasize about how his strong arms would feel wrapped around her.
“Did you hear me, Larissa?”
She tilted her head up, heart pounding harder when she realized how close his lips were. If he bent slightly, she could taste them. “Ulterior motives how?” she forced herself to say.
“Throwing us together, mainly.”
His voice had a slight hitch in it that Larissa didn’t know how to read. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“I was wondering that myself, honestly.” He stepped back, breaking the intimacy between them.
Larissa mentally shook herself. What was she thinking? This was her boss, a boss who was more confusing than any man she’d ever encountered. “After the way you left the party, I wasn’t sure you’d want to see me agai
n,” she admitted. “Sydney told me we were on a date, but you never said that. I wouldn’t have danced with Parker if I’d known.”
“If I’d asked you flat out for a date, would you have said yes? You were pretty pissed off.”
That was fair. She might have told him to shove it, or felt obligated to go with him because he’d just offered her a job. In fact, that was the main reason she had gone with him. She didn’t want to jeopardize her new position.
“I was mad,” she agreed. “Right up until we saw the sun setting and you told me about the fireworks. I really did look forward to watching them with you.”
Quinn’s eyes bore into hers, trapping her with their intensity. What was it about him that had this power over her? He was nothing like Parker, who’d been fun and engaging. But if she let herself admit it, Larissa was much more attracted to Quinn. He seemed deeper. Someone who might stay committed, despite his prior divorce.
That was considering any woman could make herself more important to him than his work. After all, he admitted that was why his ex left him.
“Quinn?” a woman’s voice called. “Dinner’s ready.”
The spell was broken. Larissa looked away from his eyes to see an older woman standing on the porch. She was as fair and light as Quinn and his father were dark. Although Larissa never managed to make introductions at the company party, this had to be Susan, Quinn’s mom. Parker and Sydney both took after her, it seemed.
“We’re coming, Mom,” Quinn answered, once again offering Larissa his arm.
She accepted it this time without hesitating. What could it hurt to see where the night took her? Quinn seemed so serious, as though he planned out every single thing he did, but that wasn’t Larissa. A little spontaneity never hurt anyone. It wouldn’t be hard to pose as Quinn’s date for the night for the sake of his parents.
He led her up the porch steps, stopping in front of his mother. “Mom, this is Larissa Benner. Larissa, my mom, Susan McCallister.”
Susan stepped forward, brushing a kiss against Larissa’s cheek just like Larissa had seen so many of the rich people do with friends.
“So nice to meet you, Larissa.” Her voice was warm and welcoming.
“Nice to meet you as well, Missus McCallister.”
Susan laughed and waved her hand through the air, flashing the huge rock of a diamond that was on her finger. It seemed the McCallisters didn’t always live like regular folks, although they pretended to. “Please, call me Susan. I’m sorry to interrupt you guys, but I don’t want the food to get cold.” Susan looked down at Larissa’s white summer dress. “Cute dress.”
She turned, leading the way into the house, and Larissa paused, wondering if the compliment had been a dig in disguise. It was the same dress she’d worn to the party last weekend. In fact, it was the only dress she’d brought with her. Susan probably noticed, since most rich people wouldn’t be caught dead wearing the same dress twice. Then again, it wasn’t Larissa’s fault. She hadn’t expected to hob knob with the founding family.
“This is the only dress I have,” she hissed quietly to Quinn. “Is it okay? I should have gone to the boutique and bought another one.”
Quinn squinted at her, looking puzzled. “What do you mean? Mom said she liked it. And I, for one, think it’s beautiful. You outshine any other girl on the island.”
Maybe it wasn’t a polite way of slighting her, after all. The only time Larissa had dealt with people as rich as the McCallisters was when she worked as a secretary at a law firm before getting sick. The people there constantly threw out daggers filled with venom, disguised as compliments. When Larissa spotted the rock on Susan’s finger, she automatically assumed it would be the same.
Perhaps her best bet would be to take everything at face value. After all, Quinn didn’t seem to be an expert at hiding his feelings. Maybe this family really was as nice as they seemed.
“Thanks.” She took his arm again, bumping her hip against his. “I’m not used to all this, and I’m glad I have you to help me through it.”
Chapter 7
Larissa was glad to have him. That was a step in the right direction. His parents would certainly think so.
Quinn finished the last of his green beans, not being able to take his eyes off Larissa. Every bite she took, the way her lips moved, the tightening of her neck muscles. When one of his parents said something witty, Larissa’s tinkling laugh caused Quinn to smile reflexively. She had a nervous habit of smoothing down her light hair, and Quinn was quickly coming to recognize when she was uncomfortable or when she truly found something funny.
Not that his parents hadn’t said plenty to make her uncomfortable. They were quite transparent in their efforts to get Larissa and Quinn to commit to spending time together. He was surprised Dad didn’t already have date activities mapped out for them tomorrow, but Quinn had to admit that the idea of spending more time with Larissa was growing on him.
“Have you explored the island much, dear?” Susan asked.
“No, not really.” Larissa fiddled with her champagne glass, running the long stem between her fingers. “I’ve been anxious to. My friend, Janie, said there’s a rumor about a waterfall with a sparkling blue pool in the center somewhere, but no one knows how to get there.”
“Ah, yes.” John wiped his mouth with his napkin then set it down on the table next to his empty plate. “Quinn’s Grove. I’m surprised Janie even knows about it. It’s one of the island’s true hidden treasures.”
“Quinn’s Grove?” Larissa tilted her head to the side as she stared at Quinn. “Is that its name, or is it a place you like?”
Quinn shrugged. “I found the waterfall when I was younger and spent a lot of time there. Anytime my parents couldn’t find me, they knew where to send the search party. No one goes up there much anymore. I’d be surprised if the paths were even passable.”
John chuckled. “Sounds like a good adventure for a couple of people who don’t have a lot to do tomorrow. The weather’s supposed to be nice until Monday.” His eyes widened and he looked between the two of them. “Maybe you guys should check it out tomorrow.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Susan chimed in. “Make a whole day of it.”
Quinn rolled his eyes, fighting against embarrassment. It seemed Larissa passed inspection by his mother as well, and Susan wanted them dating—heck she probably had wedding plans already brewing, knowing her.
He wondered what Larissa thought of all this. It wasn’t as if his parents hid the fact that they wanted her to date their son.
In some ways, Quinn felt forced into it, but John did say if he didn’t end up liking Larissa, he shouldn’t marry her. It seemed a fair bet they wouldn’t push him as hard as they’d pushed for Camille. But it wouldn’t hurt to make his parents happy. After all, it would make him happy as well, because he did like Larissa.
“What do you say?” he asked, turning to her. “We could saddle up some horses, take a picnic, and explore.”
A smile flirted with the corners of her mouth, but she smoothed her hair down as well. Nervous. He wished he could read her mind.
“Depends. Is this a date?” She smiled wider.
That was a challenge if he’d ever heard one. Larissa might look wholesome and naïve, but she wasn’t as sweet as she looked. She had a fighter’s heart, and Quinn liked it.
“Definitely a date.”
She looked down at her plate and her cheeks pinked up. “It sounds fun, but I’ve never ridden a horse. I’ll join you, but we should do something closer to home.”
She didn’t know how to ride? That was even better. “We’ll still go to the falls. We’ll take Shadow and you can ride behind me. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.” It would be a fun afternoon, having her arms wrapped around him the whole day. Besides, Shadow must miss going on longer rides than just a beach walk for resort guests.
“Who’s Shadow?” she asked.
“Quinn’s horse,” Susan hurried to answer. “Quinn brought hi
m up from a foal and did all the training himself. He’s the best horse on the island and sire to most of our line. Now he’s getting old, but still a sturdy horse.”
“Hmmm...” She raised her eyebrows. “So you can care about something besides work. That’s promising.”
John and Susan both burst out laughing.
It was Quinn’s turn to look away as heat climbed his neck. She already had him pegged as the workaholic that he was, while completely charming his parents with her responses. He wondered if he sounded boring to her. If she longed for adventure, he might. He’d have to work hard to show her he still had an adventurous nature.
“Is that a yes to our date, then?” It suddenly occurred to him that she might feel it was a condition of her employment, given the rocky start they’d had. “If you don’t want to go, I’ll understand. After all, I always have my office to turn to.”
Larissa gasped mockingly. “Oh, no. We can’t have that.” She smiled, putting his fears at ease. “I really want to go. Since I don’t know anything about horses, you have to promise to watch out for me.”
He reached across the small space separating their hands, barely brushing the outside of her pinky. “Always.”
Quinn didn’t miss the satisfied looks exchanged between his parents. They had won, but he didn’t care.
He won too.
***
I must be crazy.
Larissa sat in the front room, sipping coffee and eating Susan’s famous chocolate cake, which was delicious, as promised. Quinn and John sat across the room, going over some business Quinn had been anxious to discuss. Did she really think she could fit in with these people? What possessed her to agree to a real date with him?
Then again, she couldn’t fight the fact that Quinn attracted her in a way no one else had for a long while. A man who raised his own horse and liked to slip away to a hidden waterfall couldn’t be all bad. Maybe underneath his gruff exterior, Quinn had the heart of a poet.
If not, she’d simply stop dating him. He’d made it clear this was her choice, and she believed him. He wasn’t forcing her to date him as part of her job. It might even be fun.
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