More Than This

by Shannyn Schroeder

  “Congratulations.” At least Indy had a legitimate reason for being late.

  “Exciting,” Kate added.

  “Hold the congrats until I actually make the sale.” Indy sipped the martini Jenna deposited in front of her. She dug through her giant purse and produced a sheet of paper. “On to tonight’s festivities.”

  “What’s that?” Quinn asked as Indy slid the paper over. A list of thirty sloppily numbered ideas stared at her.

  “I polled every woman I could find and they generated a list of things to do on your summer off. I know you’ve already done a couple, so you can mark them off. Let’s see what’s left.”

  Quinn pulled out a pen and carefully marked the items she’d already done. “I’ve only done seven. Pretty sad, huh?”

  Kate offered a sympathetic smile. Indy reached across and grabbed at the page. “More than I thought. I bet you’re cheating. Let me see.” She snatched it away before Quinn could stop her.

  While Indy scanned the list, Quinn said to Kate, “I’m really excited. There are things on the list that sound like a lot of fun.”

  Indy interrupted. “Wait. When have you ever gone skinny-dipping?”

  “Do you have to yell?” Quinn leaned closer. “The summer I was sixteen. Miller’s Pond.”

  Indy smirked. “I don’t think it counts if you were alone in a secluded area.”

  Quinn sneered at her sister. “I wasn’t alone. I was with Toby Miller.”

  “Toby? Eww.”

  “Oh, shut up.” Nothing had happened between her and Toby. He spent the entire summer complaining that Indy should’ve been dating him instead of his older brother.

  Indy looked up from reading. “You’ve never had a summer romance?”

  Quinn raised her eyebrows and she could see Indy scanning memories of summers past.

  “Not even as a teenager?” Indy asked.

  “I’ve never had a boyfriend over the summer. Ever. Every relationship I’ve had started and ended without hitting summer. Except Nick.”

  “How sad. I never realized.”

  “That’s because you were too busy with your own romances.” Indy had had a new boyfriend every summer as a teenager. Quinn remembered being horribly jealous and had hated being born the Ugly Duckling in Indy’s shadow. She hoped she didn’t still sound jealous.

  “Well, then, it has to be on the list,” Kate said.

  Quinn winced. She didn’t want to admit to her pathetic attempts at dating this past week. “Give me the list back so I can decide what I want to do.”

  Indy’s grip tightened on the page and she scooted farther to the edge of the booth. “Uh-uh. I think if we’re gonna help you, we should get to pick the things from the list for you.”

  Quinn made another quick attempt to grab it. “Give it back, Indy.”

  “We all know, without looking, you’ll choose the safest, most pedestrian items possible. The point here is to live a little. Move over here, Kate.”

  Quinn turned to see an evil grin on Kate’s face.

  “Speaking as someone who no longer has an identity beyond Kyra’s mom or Mark’s wife, I want you to step outside your safety zone. It’ll be worth it. It’ll be good practice.” Kate stood and slid to the opposite side of the booth next to Indy.

  Indy smoothed the crumpled page, and Kate pulled a small notebook and pen from her purse.

  Quinn felt herself beginning to sulk.

  Indy flashed a wicked smile. “Trust us. I’m your tow truck.”

  “I’m going to the bathroom.” In the hallway outside the washroom, Quinn dawdled, looking at the various photos and newspaper article replicas about the Great Chicago Fire plastered on the walls. The dim light made it difficult to see, so she stepped closer to the wall.

  A door opened less than a foot to her right and a man stepped out. The warm glow of light poured into the dark hall. He was backlit, and Quinn couldn’t see his features, but she had no doubt it was Ryan. His gaze landed on her and she sucked in a breath of surprise.

  “Quinn. Looking for me?” He pulled the door shut behind him.

  “No.” She shook her head and waited for her eyes to readjust to the dark.

  “Why are you lurking in the hall?”

  “I’m not lurking. I’m keeping myself busy while Kate and Indy plan my summer.”

  “Indy’s here?”

  Quinn didn’t need to see the smile; she heard it in his voice. The familiarity of her sister’s name on his tongue didn’t surprise her. The prick of jealousy poked her chest and she crossed her arms. That’s why Indy insisted we meet here.

  As if oblivious to her mood, Ryan put his arm around her shoulder and walked back into the bar. “Let’s see what’s on the agenda for the summer.”

  She felt the warmth of his hand on her shoulder and their bodies collided as they returned to her table. Her failed attempt to block the enticing smell of his cologne irritated her. She barely stopped herself from stomping back to the table. I will not make a scene. I said I wouldn’t date him, but he could’ve had the decency not to flirt with me when he’s interested in Indy.

  Quinn slid out from under Ryan’s touch and into the booth opposite Indy. Upon Quinn’s arrival with Ryan, Indy pushed past Kate and hopped from the booth. She threw her arms around Ryan’s neck and planted an exaggerated, smacking kiss. At least she has the courtesy to keep it on the cheek.

  “That’s a hell of a welcome. Can you teach your sister to do that?” His hands rested comfortably at Indy’s waist.

  She laughed and Quinn’s face reddened. “That’s to thank you for referring your friend to me.”

  Indy sat back down and tugged at Kate’s sleeve to pull her closer. “Quinn, scoot down so Ryan can sit.”

  Quinn narrowed her eyes at Indy. “Why don’t you move over?”

  Ryan stepped closer, towering over Quinn. “I’d like to sit here.”

  “I’m sure,” she mumbled, but slid closer to Kate and the middle of the semicircular booth.

  “Don’t be rude to Ryan. He sent the millionaire my way,” Indy said.

  Quinn’s eyes widened and her mouth slipped open.

  “I’m glad Griff called. He’s been busy and I wasn’t sure how fast he’d get around to it.” Ryan inched toward Quinn but looked at Indy.

  “When you said you had a friend looking for a house, I thought you meant a North Side bungalow, not a North Shore mansion.” Her gaze remained locked on Ryan’s.

  “If I told you, you wouldn’t have believed me. Even if you did, it would totally ruin this moment.” He turned to look at Quinn and smiled.

  She snapped her jaw shut. The jealousy still simmered in her chest, but now with a bit of confusion stirred in.

  “I still owe you a big thank you,” Indy continued. “When I make the sale, I want to take you out.”

  Ryan smiled. “Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t met Griff.”

  “I don’t care if he’s purple with green spots and wants a house to match. I’ll make it happen.”

  “I don’t doubt it. Quinn said you’re planning her summer. Anything interesting?”

  Quinn forced her voice to work. “I’m sure there’s plenty.”

  Indy nodded and her mouth spread into a wide grin. “I asked every woman I could find to name something all women should experience. We’re deciding what Quinn should do.”

  Ryan returned his attention to Quinn. “Why are they choosing for you?”

  “Indy wants to choose for me because I’m too pedestrian.” She sneered at the last word. “Because I’m not reckless with everything I do in my life, Indy thinks I don’t know how to have fun or adventure.”

  “Is she right?”

  Heat flushed her cheeks. Of course he thinks I’m boring. Compared to Indy, I am. She frowned and her muscles twitched in anger. She’d had enough.

  Being told she’s boring on top of having to witness their flirtation was too much. She grabbed her purse and nudged at Ryan. “Let me out.” When he didn’t move,
she hissed, “Please.”

  He rose and she pushed past him, heading for the door. On her way out, her shoulder collided with two other people, but she couldn’t even mumble an apology. She shoved the door open and gulped in air. She felt so flustered she couldn’t think, much less speak. Why did she care what he thought of her?

  She moved away from the door and leaned her back against the cold, rough brick of the building. Men hit on Indy all the time. It had never bothered her before. This one shouldn’t either, and probably wouldn’t if he hadn’t spent the last eight months flirting with her. As she calmed down, the door swung open and Ryan appeared in front of her. She didn’t straighten but crossed her arms over her stomach.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, stepping closer.

  “I’m fine.”

  “I wasn’t trying to piss you off. It was only a question.” His soothing voice skimmed across her skin like cool satin on a summer night, but it did nothing to chill the warming of her blood.

  Why was he here? Why didn’t Kate come out to check on her? “Why don’t you go back in and plan an adventure with Indy?”

  He chuckled, low and quiet, without humor. “You think I want your sister?”

  She kept her gaze trained on the fold of her arms, afraid of what she might find in his eyes. “Why wouldn’t you?” she asked quietly.

  Ryan stepped so close the hairs on her arms bristled and her heart thumped. His voice was little more than a whisper. “She’s not my type.”

  “Indy is every man’s type.” She’d hoped for sarcasm, but her tone was resigned. Quinn raised her eyes but needed to tilt her head up to meet Ryan’s.

  He laid his left palm flat against the brick beside her head and looked down at her, first at her lips, then into her eyes. His intent was there, and she licked her lower lip in reaction.

  Oh, God. Don’t kiss me. She sucked in a quick, shallow breath.

  His blue eyes darkened a fraction and he lowered his head.

  Quinn’s arms dropped to her sides. Push him away, you idiot. Instead, she tilted her face upward a bit more, her scalp scraping against the brick.

  Ryan’s lips touched hers, moist and soft. Her lips parted as they connected. His tongue glided along the interior edge, teasing hers to come out and play. Their tongues tangled, smooth and slick. Every nerve in Quinn’s body purred like a well-tuned engine.

  The traffic and bar noise surrounding them disappeared. As Ryan leaned closer, his body heat battled the cool night air against her exposed skin. The woodsy scent of his cologne mixed with passion and overwhelmed the smell of food and alcohol floating from the bar. There was nothing but him.

  Blood roared in her ears as she became acutely aware of every subtle shift of his body.

  Quietly, he pulled away, trailing his fingers down the side of her throat, past her throbbing rabbit-pulse, to her collarbone. Her skin puckered at his touch.

  She opened her eyes and blinked to focus. Is he talking? She inhaled deeply, sucking in his scent.

  He took a half step away from her. “Too pedestrian, my ass. Your dinner’s on the table.” Without further comment, he strode back into the bar.

  What the hell was that? Quinn took a few more breaths and allowed the sights and sounds of her surroundings to return to normal. He’d said he wanted to kiss her senseless, and he’d succeeded. That was the kind of kiss she’d been waiting for. Maybe a date with Ryan wouldn’t be such a bad thing. For kisses like that, she could overlook a lot.

  Quinn reentered the bar and crashed into Kate.

  “Hey. Are you okay? Ryan went out to find you, but we didn’t see him come back in.”

  “I’m fine.” Quinn looped her arm through Kate’s and propelled them both toward the booth.

  Once Kate sat, Quinn scanned the bar and found Ryan. He stood at the edge of the hall with a buxom blonde, whose girlish grin began as flirtatious and moved toward seductive as she licked her lips and ran her hand down Ryan’s arm. Last week a redhead, this week a blonde. She should’ve known.

  Quinn sat quickly, silently berating herself for her moment of insanity. This was the reason she needed to avoid good-looking, charming men. How embarrassed she would’ve been had she asked Ryan out. She could still taste him on her lips, and he was already moving on.

  “Everything okay?” Indy asked tentatively.

  The tension Quinn held eased. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s eat and you can show me the list of how you think I’m spending my summer.”

  “Here.” Kate handed her a sheet from her notebook. “The list is totally doable and you can get part of it done before summer starts, giving you extra time to find your romance. Complete these eight, then you’ve done half the list Indy and company developed. A respectable percentage.”

  Quinn stared at the scrawled list. “Did you intentionally choose things to freak me out?”

  Indy laughed. “We picked the most fun things. You’ll notice there’s no public sex. Be glad Kate wouldn’t let me add skydiving.”

  “How am I supposed to do this?”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll help. It’ll be fun.” Kate patted her shoulder. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  Quinn scanned down the list. Dread rose immediately, but her nerves were still humming and the excitement of a challenge won. If she’d created the list herself, she wouldn’t have challenged herself this much. Indy knew how to push her, that was for sure.

  1. Play hooky.

  2. Sing karaoke in a crowded bar.

  3. Ride a motorcycle.

  4. Indulge at an expensive restaurant.

  5. Take a vacation alone.

  6. Pose nude for a photographer or artist.

  7. Have a fabulous summer romance.

  8. Have a night of multiorgasmic, mind-blowing sex.

  The bubbly blonde giggled as she caressed Ryan’s bicep. For the life of him he couldn’t focus on a damn thing she said. All his concentration was trained on slowing blood flow to his dick. Kissing Quinn had done more to him than expected. If she had stopped him, he could’ve walked away. If she had given him a prudish, puckered-up kiss, he would’ve taken the hint. He’d just wanted a brief taste, but once he started, he wanted more. When was the last time a kiss stirred him up like that? Ever?

  The woman in front of him—Kristi?—continued to chat. He looked at her bright blue eyes and knew he could walk out with her and get laid. No strings. No effort.

  But he didn’t want to.

  What the hell was wrong with him? He had a good-looking woman in front of him giving him every go-ahead signal possible, and he wasn’t interested. In fact, the thought caused his dick to wilt a little.

  He stared over Kristi’s shoulder to the front door. Had Quinn come back? She wouldn’t leave Kate and Indy. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t go back to their table. What would he say? Quinn had made her position on dating him clear. At least for now.

  “Are you listening?” Kristi asked.

  Ryan looked down at Kristi’s narrowed eyes. “Sorry. I got distracted by something at the bar.”

  “Well, I guess if it’s work and not some other woman distracting you . . .”

  His cell phone rang and he reached into his pocket to retrieve it. Moira. Thank God. “Hey, Kristi, I need to take this in my office. I’ll catch you later.”

  She looked stunned. “Oh, okay.”

  Ryan turned toward his office, unusually grateful for a familial interruption. “Hi, Moira. What do you need?”

  “Who says I need anything?”

  “Cut the shit. You only call while I’m at work when you want something.” She figured he’d be distracted and she’d be able to convince him of anything. He’d been aware of her tactics for years.

  “Fine. There’s this huge charity fund-raiser thing next month I want to go to.”

  “So?”

  “I need an invite.”

  “I don’t even know what you’re talking about, so I’m sure I don’t have an invitation.”

  �
��I bet Griffin does.”

  “No.” It was one thing for his family to bug him for favors. He had no intention of using his friend.

  “Ryan, this is a huge society event. Anyone who’s anyone will be there. Only select reporters have been invited so they can control the kind of coverage they get. This could be my big break. If I can write an exclusive insider’s view, I might be able to get a byline in the Trib or Times. I’m tired of slugging through with this paper.”

  “I can’t help you.” He felt bad. Moira worked hard, but there wasn’t much room for advancement at her current job.

  “Please. Just ask Griffin. He probably has an invitation he’s not even using. You know how he hates those things.”

  Ryan sighed. “You’re sure this isn’t some pay-five-thousand-for-your-dinner kind of fund-raiser?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Who was he kidding? Even if it were, Ryan would come up with the money to give to Griffin to cover his sister’s entrance. “I’ll ask him, but I’m not promising anything.”

  “Thanks. You’re the best.”

  By the time he hung up with Moira, his body had returned to normal. He sat at his desk and thought about Quinn. He didn’t look for relationships. His last attempt taught him that until his family could function without constant mediation by him, a relationship couldn’t work. It couldn’t stand the strain and demands of the O’Learys. They had to come first; they only had each other.

  Quinn pulled something from him he didn’t even know existed—a desire for something more.

  Shuffling papers on the desk, he realized he had nothing he needed to do tonight. He should go back to his other bar, Twilight, and check on things there. He couldn’t make himself do it, though. It would be like admitting he couldn’t face Quinn. Not that he was rushing back to the bar to kiss her again either.

  A knock sounded on the door.

  His manager, Mary, didn’t enter but stuck her head around the corner, and said, “Sorry to interrupt, but there’s a guy here who says he needs to talk to you.”

  “Who is it and what does he want?”

  “He wouldn’t say, but—”

  “Then he can wait. I’ll be out in a little bit.”

  “Will do.” She exited, closing the door behind her.