Quinn sat cross-legged on the hotel floor with newspapers and magazines spread out before her, her eyes burning from a combination of crying and lack of sleep. Staying up all night had served its purpose though. She’d finally made a decision.

She ignored the persistent ache in her throat and began scouring an industry mag for want ads. There were a few bands looking for female singers, but none that wanted both a singer and guitar player. She’d make do with strumming rhythm in the background if it came down to it. At this point, she couldn’t afford to be picky. Once she went through the ads, she’d place a call to her agent and give her the news.

After this tour was over, she was leaving Hank Lemon and the Law.

She bit her lip to stop it from trembling. Considering this was all her fault, she had a lot of nerve being so upset. She’d known the risks when she walked into that room. Hell, even as she looked back, she was only half sorry. She got to spend one amazing night with the man she loved and couldn’t regret a second of that. The fallout that tore the band apart and could have cost Rex and Beau their friendship? Yeah, that part she could have done without.

“What the hell are you doing?”

She started in surprise and looked up to see Rex standing in the doorway. Her heart thudded and she sucked in a breath. “I didn’t hear you come in. I was just… How did you know where I was?”

“I called around to area hotels. The clerk here is a fan and gave me a duplicate key.”

He ran an impatient hand through his hair as his sharp eyes took in the papers on the floor before returning to her face.

“You’re leaving the band, just like that? Were you even going to talk to us?”

She couldn’t meet his gaze. “I was, I just wanted to give you guys a few days without me under foot. I caused enough drama today and thought you could use some time to talk without me in the way.”

He dragged an ottoman closer and sat.

“You’re never in the way. We’re a unit. We belong together. There’s a chemistry between us that can’t be replaced.”

So even after their night together, he still believed the three of them should try to have a relationship. Hot tears rushed to her eyes and she blinked them back.

“It was a mistake last night, Rex. I thought I felt something I didn’t. I won’t lie, it rocked my socks off. But it’s not what I want for my life. I want one man to love me more than anything, and I want to love one man. I want a family. A house and a dog and a husband to come home to when I get back from a tour. Someone to grow old with.”

She looked at him now and her heart gave a squeeze. His eyes were rimmed in red, his jaw unshaven. He looked leaner, harder than he had even the day before.

Fine job, Quinn. Way to go.

She pressed the heels of her hands to her burning eyes. “It was wrong of me to spend the night with you both when it wasn’t something I could do long-term. Especially since I knew how you both felt. I did it anyway, and this,” she gestured to the newspapers, “this is the price.”

“It doesn’t have to be, Quinn. We’re so good together. It’s like magic between the three of us.”

“I said I don’t wan—”

“I don’t mean as lovers, damn it. I mean us, the band. About us as people?” He shook his head grimly. “I would never share you again. I couldn’t. I want to settle down with one woman. More than anything, I want that woman to be you.”

It took a long moment for his words to sink in. He still loved her. He still wanted her. Her pulse skittered at his words, heedless of the fact that his admission didn’t change a god-damned thing.

“Which is exactly why I can’t stay in the band.”

He flinched as if she’d slapped him. “Because you don’t love me back.” His tone was resigned as he sat back, his face bleak.

“No! Because I do love you back. Because I can’t be in that band and watch you with other women and stand next to you every day and not touch you.” She lowered her voice and continued, “But I also can’t be the wedge that drives you and Beau apart. I can’t be the person who breaks his heart day in, day out. And neither can you.” She reached out and took his hand in hers and tried to hold back the sobs that were strangling her. “I can’t talk about this anymore.”

“I’ll do the talking then.”

He stood and pulled her up with him.

“Beau is the reason I’m here. He told me to come. He said you and I belong together, and he gives us his blessing. Quinn, I’m not going to lie. I know he loved you at one time. Or at least he thought he did.” He touched a finger to her chin and tipped her head back so she had no choice but to look in his eyes. “But not like I do. I know it and he knows it. That’s why he told me to come here.”

He bent and pressed his lips to hers in the softest of kisses. “Please, love. Give it a chance. If you go, the band is over anyway. We’re nothing without you. I know you want to do the right thing, but how does that help him? Shit, how does that help any of us?”

She knew he was right. Just like if one of the two of them quit, the band would cease to exist if she left. Sure, they could get a new singer, but he’d been right about their chemistry. It wouldn’t be the same.

Hope began to creep in but she fought it hard. She didn’t think her heart could take the disappointment again if she allowed herself to think this could work then realized it couldn’t again. “And what? He’s supposed to watch us kiss and…” She noted the hint of challenge and edge of desperation in her voice.

“It might be a little weird at first, but I swear, he was fine. A little envious of our connection maybe, but he knows you and I are meant to be together.” Rex sounded so certain. “Let’s finish the last few dates of the tour. You and I will keep it low key. By the time we hit the studio again, things will be okay. I know it.”

“What if they aren’t?”

“They will be.” He locked his gaze with hers and leaned forward until their foreheads were touching. “I know Beau. He’s like a brother to me, and he wouldn’t have given us his blessing if he was still in love with you. Hell, I think he’s more bothered by the realization that he doesn’t know what love is.”

“I want to believe that so badly.” Her hands shook as she lifted them to his face. “Okay. We’ll try.” His face lit up with a smile that had her heart pounding. “But if things start to fall apart between the two of you…”

His voice was firm. “They won’t.”

She let her doubts fade under the intensity of his stare. It was going to be all right. It had to be. He pulled her close and kissed both corners of her mouth before settling on her lips. Was this really going to be her new normal? Being able to kiss and touch Rex every day? Her stomach did a flip. Her emotions were so raw, right on the surface.

“You smell so good,” he murmured into her mouth.

She groaned and fit herself against him, reveling in the feel of his hard length pressing against her stomach. Desperate to be even closer to him, to prove that this was real, she pressed her hands to his chest and pushed him backward until the back of his knees hit the sofa. He fell back with a thump.

She remained standing and stripped off her shorts and underwear in record time. Slinging her leg over his hips, she straddled him, grinding against his thick cock. He gritted his teeth and grasped the hem of her t-shirt. A second later it joined the shorts in a pile on the floor. His gaze was hot on her naked breasts and she arched her back, encouraging him to taste her. He leaned in to flick her nipple with his tongue, then drew it into his hot mouth.

Hers hips flexed harder against his, the pressure building between her thighs. Rex turned his attention to her other breast as his hand skimmed down her side. He slid the other between them to cover her pussy and squeezed. Moisture rushed to greet him.

“That’s my girl,” he muttered. He pushed her away from his body, ran a finger down her core, then slipped inside. She gasped then shivered as her muscles tensed. She was already close to coming. One move and she was a goner.

“I want you inside me when I come.” Reaching between them, she unzipped his jeans. His swollen cock sprang forward, unencumbered by underwear.

“Pretty sure of yourself, huh?” she teased.

He gave her a pained smile as she stroked him. “Not even a little bit. I just had no clean underwear.”

She threw her head back and laughed, but her laughter turned into a cry as he pressed the head of his dick into her pussy.

“Wait.” She slid from his lap and knelt before him. She wrapped her hand around his length and leaned down to draw him into her mouth. She laved the smooth, broad head with her tongue before sucking deep, sealing her lips around him. He wrapped a hand in her hair and pinched his eyes closed. She worked him up and down with her mouth, groaning as he swelled even more. The faint, salty flavor of his pre-cum hit her tongue and she lapped at the slit of his cock, eager for more. Her nails scored his thigh muscles as she took him all the way, until he tapped the back of her throat. He stiffened beneath her and gave her hair a warning tug.

“You’re playing with fire,” he growled.

She gazed up at him and repeated the maneuver, this time closing her throat around him tight. He let out a strangled snarl and slipped his hands under her arms to drag her up on top of him.

He grabbed onto her hip with one hand, his cock with the other. He stared down at their joining as he teased her pussy, drenching himself in her juices, before he flexed, pushing into her until he was seated fully. They sat that way for a long moment, in silence but for their harsh, labored breath.

She stared down at him, at his beautiful mouth, his eyes almost black with passion, and she nearly wept.

Then he moved. And the storm came, destroying every coherent thought in its path. Need took over, and she began riding him, working her pussy over his cock, desperate for release. Her body clenched around him as he thrust up to meet her. Deeper, faster, until her gasps became cries. He latched on to her nipple and sucked as he pounded into her.

She hurtled over the edge, shuddering as her body exploded, gripping his cock tight as tremors racked her body. He stiffened beneath her and surged forward one more time, tearing his mouth away to bellow her name. She contracted her muscles around him, pulling him tighter as his cock jerked and pulsed inside her.

She fell forward, boneless, onto his chest. His heart thudded wildly against her ear. A few minutes later, she sat back to peer at his face. He looked ten years younger than when he’d walked in. Being with her had done that. Just like being with him changed everything for her. It was like someone had just turned on the light.

The moment dimmed a little as she thought of Beau again. Would he be lonely with her and Rex around less?

“None of that,” Rex said, smoothing the purple lock of hair to the side. “He’ll find someone he’s crazy about, who loves him back the way they should. We can even try to help. We’ll find someone perfect for him, okay?”

She nodded and burrowed close again. That sounded like a great idea. That’s exactly what Beau needed, a woman who loved him for more than just his persona. She’d make it her prime objective.

Rex ran a hand down her back and she smiled. Time to put her worries aside. It had been the best day of her life. She was with the man of her dreams and there was no stopping them now.

“The real question is,” she said with a grin, “who’s going to tell the fans you’re off the market?”

“Off the market?” He cocked a brow in feigned confusion. “Wait, I have to give up the groupies? Because I know at least Shayla said she’d share—”

She socked him hard in the gut and he let out an “Ooph!” before dissolving into laughter.

“Get it out of your head, Rex. Our sharing days are over. It’s me and you from here on out. Can you handle it?”

His laughter subsided and he met her gaze head on. “I can handle it.” “Might take some practice.”

He pressed his hips upward and she groaned. “Better get started then.”

Keep reading for Beau’s love story <3