by Shannyn Leah
“I should go check on Emma,” Violet said. “The hunt is about to begin. Do you two have your list?”
Quinn patted his breast pocket. “Yes.”
Violet beamed. “Good luck.”
Ryder walked her through the crowd on their search to find Emma. They were adorable.
“Is this like hide and seek?” Quinn asked.
Anya shook her head. “No, it’s like a scavenger hunt.”
“We are not going to make it to the scavenger hunt if you keep looking at me like that,” Quinn warned.
Anya laughed and kissed his cheek. “You have no self-control.”
“Not when it comes to you. I have told you before and I will tell you again, you are not good at hiding what you’re thinking and ten minutes ago you were undressing me with your eyes.”
Anya gasped. “I was not,” she lied.
“Oh yes you were, and sweetheart I was doing the exact same thing, only you had no idea.”
Anya pressed close to his side. “Maybe you better give me some pointers on masking my undressing face, because when it comes to envisioning your naked body, I have no control.”
Quinn shook his head. She felt his hand on her back traveling down passed her waist. She caught it and wrapped it around her side.
“I’m not teaching you how to mask anything. Biting that lower lip is a turn on.”
She laughed. “See, no control.”
Emma’s voice played through the speakers of the event, inviting all couples who were partaking in the scavenger hunt to gather around the stage.
Quinn looped Anya’s arm around his as he led them from the sparkling outdoor garden and under the extravagant white tent. There were hundreds of people in attendance, but only about a quarter of them gathered and listened to the rules. Everyone confirmed they held their sheets and were sent to separate paths in the bush around the Caliendo Resort with clear instructions to stay on outlined paths.
Quinn and Anya hung behind, letting the eager guests go ahead. When they were the last couple, they started into the bush.
“I’m not one for losing,” Quinn said, stopping on the outskirts of the edge and letting her go under the lighted twig archway first. “Now we are last, so we better pick up our pace.”
Anya laughed. “We have an advantage,” she said. “We’ve hardly had a drink while the rest of them are well on their way to being sloshed.”
Quinn chuckled.
A canopy of lights lit their paths, partitioned off from the rest of the bush with fancy ribbons in the same umber and gold colors as the rest of the event, tied from tree to tree, six-feet in height with ribbon strands flowing down into elegant walls.
“Alright, let’s see the paper,” she said to Quinn, holding out her hand.
Quinn unfolded the sheet. It had a list of ten riddles to follow in order to find the prizes along the way. The riddles weren’t all that difficult, probably purposely easy anticipating the crowd’s condition after the six course meal and unlimited alcohol.
They found a secret key tied among hundreds of others around a fallen log along the path. Further in they found a message in a bottle, inside a large wire birdcage hanging above a bench.
Two down and eight to go.
Quinn pulled her onto the bench beside him. And he was rushing to get this done.
He brushed away the gathered waves of her hair and stroked her bare shoulder. To hide the red lump still on her forehead and keep guests from worrying about her accident instead of focusing on opening their chequebooks, Anya had pinned waved bangs over the lump. The waves continued, pinned down one side of her shoulder. She’d rifled through her closet, which held almost a hundred gowns from previous galas and found the most beautiful off white, sleeveless mermaid dress covered in rhinestones and beads with a train of tulle.
Quinn kissed her shoulder where his thumb had left a mark. Anya closed her eyes, feeling only the dampness of his mouth against her skin. Each kiss up her throat was slow, taking her skin into his mouth. He licked her jaw and she trembled.
“Are you cold?” he whispered, stopping at her lips.
Anya shook her head. “No.”
He smirked and she loved it.
“Come on,” he whispered against her mouth before standing and taking her hand. They walked across the path and he parted the ribbon curtain. “After you?”
Anya raised an eyebrow at him. “We were given strict instructions to stay on the path.” Losing a guest in the woods would not be good for Eliza’s party. Anya on the other hand had been raised in these woods.
“I will protect you from whatever is beyond these walls.” His growly tone reminded her of the wolf he claimed to be.
“Maybe you will be the one needing protecting,” she huskily teased and passed through the curtain.
His chuckled, then followed her as she pulled the hem of her dress up and began running through the bush.
“Oh, you want to play that way,” Quinn’s echo chased her and she giggled loudly so he wouldn’t lose her trail. She wondered how good of a tracker he really was.
Dodging branches and focusing on not falling in her heels, she slowed and ducked behind a large old tree. Grabbing the trunk she slipped into the darkness, listening to Quinn chase her. Twigs snapped and she clamped down on her bottom lip to keep from giggling again.
Then it was quiet.
There were no more stirring branches or rustling of his shoes on the dirt. His loafers would be so dusty now and her shoes would have nicks in the heels. That was okay. It was worth the growing anticipation rising through her body, sending hot desire, waiting for Quinn to find her. The longer the silence, the more energy developed inside her. Was he circling her right now? Was he that good of a tracker?
She slowly inched around the tree, looking at the trail she’d run and finding nothing. Slowly she turned and the mass of Quinn’s body was right behind her.
“Now you’re going to need protection,” he growled, like a wild wolf, pinning her against the tree and covering her mouth with his savage kisses.
She moaned as the bark drove into her back. Painful and arousing. Quinn’s hands, pressed above her shoulder against the tree, hadn’t touched her yet, but his body pushed into her as hard as his kisses, stealing her mouth, setting it on fire with the speedy strokes of his tongue. Her whole body was on fire for him and she could feel his growing hardness for her. His kisses moved forcefully down her neck, ravishing her skin, bearing her harder against the tree until his body was holding her up. She wanted to wrap her legs around him, but the dress restricted her.
He slipped the sleeves of her dress down, his hands moved down the front of her dress, cupping her breasts.
Her moans were unstoppable, like she was the undomesticated animal lurking in the bush. She hoped they were far enough away from the path that guests wouldn’t hear her cries. Cries of desire, cries of hope, and cries of a yearning she couldn’t control. Her hope lasted for less than a second before she felt Quinn yank the top of her dress down, so only the lace material of her bra separated his hands from her breasts.
Another moan.
“You like that?” His hoarse voice only made her want him more.
She wanted her legs around him. She wanted to touch his naked skin, but didn’t know how long they had. Would someone come looking for them? Would they hear them?
Instead her fingers worked at his buckle and finally he set her down and lifted her dress up her legs, trailing his fingers to her panties. He dipped underneath the thin silk and ran his hands over her bare derriere.
She moaned in his mouth. “Pick me up.” She couldn’t wait any longer.
Quinn lifted her upon request, slamming her back against the tree again. She hardly noticed wrapping her legs around him and feeling him against her. She wanted him inside her. She wanted all of this man and this was only the first of many chases in the woods that would end like this.
No more hiding, no more secrets, unless it involved secretly making love together.
/> ***
WHEN THEY EMERGED from the path, they were the last couple. Everyone moved around the lit area comparing their finds, drinking more champagne and laughing about.
Quinn casually glanced down to at his outfit. His shirt was smooth and tucked in. He touched his tie to make sure it wasn`t twisted: check. But his shoes were dirty, easily explainable being they had been walking a dirt path.
Walking.
He almost grew hard knowing walking had been the furthest thing from their interactions in the bush.
Arm wrapped around Anya’s waist, he whispered through her hair, “I’m ready to chase you around the woods again.”
She stiffened underneath him. “Stop it,” she said, lightly slapping his chest.
No adventure in the woods had ever been as immensely momentous as the one they’d just finished. After they’d succumbed to their desires, they’d tried to complete the quest quickly so no one would notice their absence. Quinn would have preferred to take her home and not give a shit about image. At the same time, he was glad to see Anya enjoying her family.
“Maybe we can take the scenic route back to your suite.”
“Maybe you could focus on the gala and open your wallet...” she teased.
“If I open my wallet does that guarantee us a quick departure and animal chase?”
Anya laughed. “No...maybe...go make a donation and I will think about it.”
Quinn kissed the top of her head. “Alright, give me five minutes.”
“Good luck with that. You’re at a gala. These people will sink their teeth into you.”
This crowd was out of Quinn’s league. Ninety percent of the people had no idea who he even was. Without Anya on his arm, it was easy for him to maneuver through the people with only casual nods and greetings. He gave his donation and was on his way back to Anya when a body stepped in front of him.
Quinn took in the mass of man under his expensive designer suit. The mayor of Willow Valley met Quinn at eye level. Trim but rather scrawny, his lack in muscle was more than made up in his domineering attitude. Murray Carter was not a pushover, quite the opposite, and he stood like he owned the world. Quinn didn’t like his arrogance, identical to Robert’s.
“Quinn Barker.” He said his name like Quinn was lucky the mayor knew of his existence. Smug prick.
“Mayor Carter,” Quinn said, sending arrogance right back.
Murray chuckled, like he was amused with Quinn. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight,” he said.
Quinn didn’t care what this man expected or didn’t expect.
“Wasn’t in my agenda to knock heads with you either, but here we are.” Quinn felt his jaw tighten each time he finished talking.
What did this man want?
“Rather high-spirited aren’t we?”
Quinn wasn’t in the mood. “Are you going somewhere with this conversation?”
The mayor inhaled deeply and released it with a smug smirk. “I can’t decide if you are here with Anya or back working for Caliendos.”
Either way it wasn’t this damn man’s business, so Quinn remained quiet.
“I assume you’re here with Anya after departing from the woods looking like two guilty teenagers about to get busted making out in the bush.”
Quinn was tempted to smash this man’s face in.
Murray continued. “That I can work with. I could use a man like you under my payroll.”
“Not interested.” Quinn sidestepped, but Murray moved with him.
“I would make it worth your while.”
“You have the wrong guy for whatever position you are looking to fill.”
“I think I have the perfect guy. Your father was Robert’s right hand man for a long time. Then you took over for two years, disappearing after his death. I am here to offer you a pay increase of double what Robert gave you for the same services you provided to Mr. Caliendo.”
This was getting boring and irritating. Quinn didn’t want to waste his time with this man when he had the woman he loved waiting for him to return...with the promise of another run in the woods hanging in the air.
Quinn stepped toward Murray. “Let me make myself crystal clear so we both understand where I stand. You have the wrong guy. In no uncertain terms am I interested in joining your untrusting, more than likely corrupt payroll no matter what figure you throw out.” Quinn stepped around him. “The wrong guy,” he repeated and walked away.
“Feisty like your mother,” Murray said.
Quinn stopped dead in his tracks. The ice cold trickle of curiosity and anger tore through Quinn.
Walk away, he’s edging you on.
But what did he know about his mother? Anything? He was Murray Carter, he knew a lot.
“Hey.” Anya stepped in front of him, touching his cheek. “What’s the matter?” Her other hand touched his chest and Quinn forced himself to breathe steady.
“Good evening, Miss Anya,” Murray said, in a softer, pleasant tone.
Anya’s body stiffened, her hand tightened around his suit jacket, but she smiled behind Quinn at the mayor.
“Evening, Mayor. I hope you’ve brought your bank book.”
Murray laughed deeply. “You bet sweetheart. Enjoy your evening.” He walked passed Quinn, winking over his shoulder.
Quinn let him go. He was baiting him...wasn’t he?
“I dislike that man,” Anya breathed, turning to watch him weave his confident body through the crowd only stopping to talk to who he pleased. “The only reason he is mayor is because his father, his grandfather, and great-grandfather before him all maintained the position. I don’t know what is wrong with this town. It must be the connections he has with the mass majority and the lies he feeds them.”
“Or the threats,” Quinn said.
Anya looked up at him. “Yes, I suppose you could be right.” She smiled at him. “Did you make that donation?”
Quinn forced a softer look for Anya, his mind still reeling about what Murray’s comment meant.
He took her hand and kissed her palm. “Yes.”
“Are you ready to go for a walk back to my suite?”
“Are you?”
She shrugged. “I could use a break from this crowd. Some alone time with you...”
Alone time with this woman was exactly what he needed, so when she pulled him away from the crowd, he followed.
“Woods or beach?” she asked at the crossroads.
“Where do you want to go?”
“I just want to go home.”
Home it was and the shortest way was through the resort. Maybe not the most romantic, but when they shut Anya’s suite door they didn’t need romance. Quinn pulled her into his embrace kissing her until they were both breathless.
“Do you want a drink? Snack?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I want you.”
She shrugged and her mischievous eyes lit up. “You have me.” She slid her fingers up his front and pushed his jacket over his shoulders. It landed behind him. “What are you going to do with me?” Her fingers began unbuttoning the top of his shirt, her warm touch sizzled his skin.
“Give you a night you’re not going to forget.”
She laughed. “I don’t know if you can compete with that tree slamming orgasm earlier. Sorry babe, but that was incredible.”
He could compare. “You know what we haven’t done since we’ve returned?”
She shook her head. “Got along?”
“Are you trying to ruin the moment?”
Anya faked a gasp. “Was that your dirty talk? If so...” she lowered her voice. “...you need improvement tips.”
“From you?” He laughed and felt Murray and the wonderment of his mother fall to the back of his mind as this sweet woman began to take over every thought, every sense, and every last part of him.
He unzipped her dress and slipped the straps over her shoulder. It didn’t slide down as gracefully as he planned and Anya giggled.
“You wouldn�
��t believe the wiggling I had to do to get this on.” But he’d had it off in the bush. As if reading his thoughts Anya said, “Your hands were like wild claws pulling this down.”
He scooped her up in his arms. “Roar,” he said in her hair, causing giggles, and a lot more wiggling. “I will get you out of this thing if I have to rip it off of you.”
Her laughter took them down the hall and into bedroom where they had yet to make love. Spontaneous was amazing, but hypersensitive was mind-blowing and he wanted to blow Anya’s mind.
Chapter Twenty
THE NEXT DAY, Anya was hardly able to sit still, but it should have been a relaxing day at the beach. She could lie to herself and say she was nervous about her upcoming supper and the files that would follow, but the lie wasn’t accurate. The truth was, for the first time in years, the file and Rebecca weren’t taking precedence in her mind. The thought scared her.
She was selfishly allowing the day to steal away her worries, but only temporarily and she willingly pushed them away. That scared her too. A lot.
But then, she would glance to her right and see the man who had promised to stand by her side and accept all her secrets. His support gave her the okay to smile, to laugh and not to focus on Rebecca or feel guilty for not focusing on Rebecca.
Anya hadn’t forgotten about her responsibility and the woman who was her top priority, but there was nothing to do until she had the file in her hands. Knowing she would gain access tonight left her feeling more accomplished than she had in years.
Quinn was the one calming her nerves, in a good way. The mere sight of him left her weak. His naked tanned torso diverted her attention and conjured wickedly naughty thoughts about what she could do with his unclothed body. As incredibly hot as those thoughts made her, they did not compare with knowing each time he leaned over to kiss her, it was for real. Or when he touched her, he wasn’t doing it for a show. It was genuine and it was theirs.
But keeping her hands off of him, now that she was allowed to touch him whenever she pleased, was proving to be a challenge. Did he have to wear reflective aviators in the same bronze color of his blazing hot body, looking like he’d just stepped out of a photo session? Honestly? How was a girl supposed to concentrate on anything else?