It’s like a dream.

I WAKE UP SLOWLY, registering a warm, soft body in my arms and Quinn’s wild hair tickling my skin. We’re tangled up in each other as we usually are when we sleep together—her head on my chest, my arm across her waist, our legs intertwined—and it’s so comfortable. Blinking my eyes open, I see that Quinn is still sleeping peacefully, and we’re both naked.

As I smooth my hands up and down her back and arms, tracing those freckles I’m so addicted to, my mind flits back to last night. Though I was excited at the thought of what would happen, I wasn’t sure how I would feel. Would I be jealous? Turned on? Turned off? Would I not want to see another guy’s hands on her? Another guy’s cock inside her?

The reality was so much better than the fantasy.

Not only was I turned on by the entire thing, I feel closer to Quinn somehow. Sharing her with Tobias made her feel…like she’s mine.

I know that’s stupid—another man fucked her, and she isn’t mine.

She doesn’t want to be mine.

I don’t want a relationship.

But I realize none of that matters anymore.

The only reason it was so hot last night is because we were there together. I don’t know if I would have gotten that worked up if I was watching some other random woman. My body reacted so strongly because it was Quinn—the way she watched to make sure I was looking, the way she was so desperate for me to touch her, her gasps and moans and sassy mouth.

Fuck.

She shifts in my arms, and my morning wood is all too happy when it ends up lodged right in between her legs. Her slit is hot on my dick and my hips push forward, seeking more friction.

“Mmm,” she mumbles sleepily, pushing her hips forward to meet mine.

Fuck yes. I shift so we’re on our sides and she slides her leg up over my hip, opening herself up to me, rocking forward against my cock. Her eyes are still closed so I can’t be sure she’s awake. Am I an asshole if I want to bury myself inside of her when she’s asleep?

Her head is buried in my neck, her breaths still deep and even. Though it would only take the slightest forward movement to slip inside her, I hold back. I just can’t take advantage of her. Trying to rein in my lust, I release a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and continue to trail my fingertips over her soft skin.

She sighs sweetly and presses her fingertips against my skin. Slowly, her free hand trails along my stomach, lingering over my abs, then through my happy trail until she reaches my swollen cock. I grunt as she wraps her hand around my shaft and rubs my cockhead over her clit.

“Mmm,” she moans again, sounding half-asleep, but her hand is very much awake when she pulls my dick forward and bucks her hips in just the right way for me to end up inside her slick heat. Okay then.

Knowing she wants me, I surge forward, seating myself inside her until I’m as deep as I can get. We both groan in pleasure, and I begin to fuck her slow and sleepy, all the while holding her close to me and touching her everywhere—her shoulder that curves so sexily, her hip that flares out from her slim waist, the back of her knee that has the softest skin I’ve ever felt.

It’s slow and unhurried.

It’s like a dream.

Closing my eyes, I immerse myself in this feeling of bliss.

Quinn’s sounds are a symphony of sex, soft whimpers and gasps that turn into moans and grunts. I follow those sounds with my body, trying to get her to make more.

Soon the slow pace isn’t enough and I roll on top of her, needing more control. She opens her eyes in surprise, those whiskey brown orbs locking onto mine, and I hold her gaze while I settle into this new position. Her legs wrap around my waist and I link my fingers with hers, bringing our joined hands above her head. I need to get deeper, and even though l know logically that isn’t possible, I try anyway, my hips bucking and thrusting into her wet heat.

Her face has me hypnotized, her sounds have me frantic, and I’m lost—lost in this moment, lost in this woman.

Quinn’s hands squeeze mine and she thrusts her pelvis up to match my movements. I can tell she’s getting close from her pants and whimpers and moans. I need to look into her eyes as she falls apart. I grind into her pelvis with every thrust, trying to stimulate her clit, and she gasps, causing my balls to draw up tight at the sound.

Fuck. I’m close. I can feel my orgasm starting at the base of my spine, pleasure zinging down all of my nerve endings, but I need her to come first. Sweat breaks out on my forehead and back as I try to hold off my orgasm.

Then I feel it, the way her pussy flutters as she’s about to come. Yes. I stare into her eyes, so full of lust, and I see the pleasure course into her. Her eyes open wide, her mouth forming a pretty O, then her brow furrows, almost as if she’s in pain. She crests to that razor-sharp edge of pleasure and pain, of feeling so good it hurts, and it’s stunning. Her body begins to tremble and jerk, and when her pussy clamps on my dick, I stop holding back and let my orgasm take me. When it hits, I pour so much more than just my cum into her—I think I leave some of my soul inside her.

Spent, I lean my forehead to hers and catch my breath, not yet ready to leave the warmth of her body. Her legs wrap around my waist and her arms snake around my neck, holding me to her.

“Well that’s quite a way to wake up. At first, I thought I was dreaming.” Her voice is low and sultry, raspy with sleep.

“I think I’m still dreaming,” I tell her quietly. My body collapses onto hers. That was intense. “I can’t get enough of you.” It’s true. Even right now, I’m still inside her, and I don’t want to move.

Unable to resist, I kiss her. Her lips meet mine in a sweet, almost reverent kiss. I try to tell her my feelings are changing with this kiss, as I don’t know if I can find the words. We’ve been so clear with each other from the beginning that neither one of us wants a relationship, so how can I go back on that now?

Does her soft sigh mean she understands?

Does her lingering kiss mean she feels the same?

I can’t tell, but I do know that after last night with Tobias and this morning, I feel closer to her than ever before.

Reluctantly, I pull out. “Come on, let’s shower and have some breakfast before we have to leave.”

“What did you think about last night?” I ask Quinn as we dig into our breakfast. It’s Saturday morning and the restaurant in Hamilton House is packed, but the service is fast and the food is delicious. The aroma of bacon fills my nose and I bite into the crispy piece, relishing the flavor as it practically melts in my mouth.

“Are we really going to do this? Talk about it?” Quinn’s face flushes and I love the color on her cheeks.

“Don’t get shy on me now. I know you had fun. Was it better than you thought it would be?”

A small, sexy smile tugs at her lips as she loses focus, remembering what we did with Tobias. Her eyes meet mine with a naughty twinkle. “Yes, I had a lot of fun. Did you?” She looks at me curiously.

I think back to watching Tobias fuck her. “Fuck yes I did. You don’t even know how hot you are.”

“I’m glad you had fun, too.”

“What’s the verdict? Is it something you’d like to do again, or was that a one-time deal?”

“I guess it depends.” She cuts up her Belgian waffle into neat little squares, making sure there is a bit of strawberry and whipped cream on every piece, stalling for time.

“On?” I ask her. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

“On who. I know you and Tobias, I trust you guys and feel safe. I can’t imagine feeling safe enough to be comfortable with someone random.”

The thought of Quinn having a threesome without me makes my stomach clench. “I can appreciate that.” Women are so much more vulnerable than men. “What if I was there?” I swallow. “Would you do it again if I was with you?”

She stares at me a moment, her whiskey brown eyes boring into mine. Can she tell I need more of her? That I’d do pretty much anything to make her fantasies come true? The words are on the tip of my tongue, but she nods slowly before I can get them out.

“Yes, Charlie. I’d do it again if you were with me.”

I feel my dimples tug my cheeks, my smile is so big. I drag my tongue over my teeth, biting my lower lip as I stare at her pretty flushed cheeks.

“Sounds good, Red.”

The server stops by to top off our drinks, breaking our attention.

“So, give me some background on your family and the douchebag ex. What am I in for tomorrow?”

Quinn bites into her waffle and moans. “Must you ruin a good breakfast with this topic?”

I eat another morsel of bacon and let out a satisfied sigh. “Hey, we don’t have to talk at all. I can just listen to you moan and add to my spank bank.”

“You’re such a pervert.”

“Takes one to know one.” I smirk at her.

She moans around the last bite of her decadent food and my dick swells at the sound.

“Be careful. You’ll give all the guys in this place a boner moaning like that.”

“Oh, please. No one can hear me.” She rolls her eyes at me.

I look around and sure enough, the man at the table next to us is dining with a woman, but he keeps glancing at Quinn.

“Three o’clock.”

“What?”

“Check your three o’clock.”

Quinn glances to her right and catches the guy adjusting his pants. Better yet, he glances her way and flushes when he catches her looking at him.

Quinn’s eyes widen as she realizes I was right.

“Told you. You better stop moaning and tell me about tomorrow before all the guys surrounding us get in trouble with their dates.”

She shoots me a grin that tells me she’s all too pleased with herself. “Okay, okay. What do you want to know?”

“Just give me a basic rundown. Who’s going to be there? Why is your ex going to be there? What do I have to know?” I ask her as I take a sip of my coffee.

“My parents, Liam and Nora, are hardcore Catholics who don’t believe in divorce. They didn’t approve when I divorced Reid.” She spits his name.

“If you don’t mind my asking, what happened with you guys? Why did you get divorced?”

Quinn sighs, resigned to the topic. “It’s a great story,” she says flatly. “I walked in on him fucking his secretary in our bed.” She looks away, not meeting my eyes as she tells me this. Is she embarrassed?

“Asshole. And your parents still invite him over for family functions? Don’t they know what he did?” I don’t understand how hardcore Catholics could see past adultery.

“My sentiments exactly!” She slaps her hand on the table, making the silverware jump. A few heads turn in our direction at her outburst. She holds up her hands in apology. “Sorry.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“I have a sister, Shannon. She’s your age, actually.” She taps her finger to her mouth, lost in thought. I never think much about our age difference and up until right now, I never thought Quinn did either.

“Are you close with Shannon?”

“We get along, but I wouldn’t call us friends. She’s a musician and spends all her free time focusing on her career.”

“Wow, so two artists in the family. What do your parents do?”

“My dad is the principal of the local Catholic grade school and my mom is the secretary at the local Catholic high school.”

“Okay, so do I need to…tone myself down?” This is going to be a repeat of my family get-togethers all over again.

“No, Charlie. I like you just fine the way you are. I don’t want you to change a thing. My family has a hard time accepting my choices in career and life, but I am who I am. I’m tired of trying to please everyone—it never made anyone happy anyway. Now I just want to live for me.”

“I like that motto. And for the record, I like who you are, Quinn Fitzpatrick,” I say. When she meets my eyes, I can’t stop the smile that stretches my lips.

 

CHARLIE’S OCEAN BLUE EYES sparkle at me in a new way today, and it’s as if our bodies are connected by an invisible thread. He can’t keep his hands off me and strangely enough…I like it. I don’t feel claustrophobic at his attention. I don’t feel suffocated by his touch. In fact, my fingers itch to touch him, too—his firm, strong, body…his smooth, golden skin.

I haven’t felt this close to someone since Reid, before everything went to shit.

Ugh, why did I have to think of him?

“What’s that frown for?” Charlie asks, smoothing out the wrinkle I get in my forehead when I scowl.

He takes my hand as we walk out of the hotel toward his car. It’s a warm spring day for April in Columbus, and the sun feels good on my skin.

“Oh nothing, just remembered I have to see fuckface tomorrow.”

“Don’t think about him. We’re going to make him so jealous he won’t know what hit him. What do you have going on today?”

I like the idea of making Reid jealous, not because I want him back, but because I don’t understand why he continues to come to my family gatherings. I want to make him feel uncomfortable because he makes me feel uncomfortable. I think about my schedule for today and come up with nothing.

“I don’t have much going on, what about you?”

“Want to spend the day with me?”

I glance sideways at him. We’ve spent all night together and will be together tomorrow afternoon, yet he wants to spend the day together today too?

At my hesitation, he starts to backtrack. “You know what? Forget I asked. I should probably get unpacked from my trip—”

“No, I’d love to spend the day with you.”

He turns to face me, a hint of vulnerability shining in his expression. “Really?”

“On one condition.”

“What’s the condition?”

“You paint with me again.”

He looks dubious. “That didn’t go so well last time.”

“It went awesomely last time. Did I tell you I brought your piece to my gallery?”

“No way.” His eyes widen in surprise.

“Yes way. My manager loves it. It will be for sale in the next viewing.”

“Ugh. Why did you tell me that? I’m sure no one will buy it.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” I squeeze his hand when he tries to move away from me. “My manager asked me to get more work out of you.”

He casts another doubtful look my way. “You don’t have to stroke my ego, you know. You can stroke something else if you like.” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

“I’m not stroking your ego. Come on, paint with me. You can pick an activity, too. I’ll do anything you want.”

“Anything?”

The way he says it, his face bright like a little kid on Christmas, makes me worried about what he’ll choose. “Don’t make me regret it.”

“This will be fun. My activity is first.”

30 minutes later, I find myself at the zoo, watching a gigantic manatee float around. It’s a perfect day for the zoo, as the weather is not too hot and not too cold. The animals are all out in their exhibits, enjoying the sunshine as much as we are.

“How can manatees get this big eating just lettuce?” I ask Charlie as he snaps a couple shots on his camera.

He shrugs. “Beats me. They must eat a lot of lettuce.” He takes a couple more pictures then grabs my hand to tug me to the sea turtles. “This is my favorite exhibit.”

There is a bench in front of this exhibit, and we take a seat to enjoy the view. I watch the turtles as they lazily swim around their aquarium then look over at Charlie. A small smile of wonder tugs at his mouth while he stares intently at the turtles and the look on his face is so endearing, I stealthily take out my cell and snap a picture of him.

The shutter sound snaps him out of his reverie, and I try to pocket my phone nonchalantly, but I’m not fast enough. “See something you like, Red?” He smirks.

“I couldn’t help myself, you look like a little boy in here. It’s cute.”

“Cute?” He spits the word, scowling. “I’m not cute. I’m hot, sexy—badass, even, but not cute.”

I laugh at his outrage at being called cute. “Well, hate to break it to you, badass, but just then you looked pretty damn cute.”

“Whatever,” he mutters, holding his camera up to his face to take a few pictures of the sea turtles.

We walk around the zoo, stopping at various exhibits. Columbus has an amazing zoo and I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never been here before. The animals are interesting, but I have to say that my favorite part is watching Charlie and his reaction to the animals. Hours pass easily as we stroll hand in hand, joking and laughing.

“Hey, are you hungry?” he asks as we pass the food court.

“Yep. Want to eat here before we go?”

“Sure.”

We choose pizza and grab a table outside.

“Let’s play a game,” he suggests.

“What game?” I ask as I take a bite of the cheesy goodness.

“When I was younger, Dom, Tabby, and I used to love to people watch. We’d always try to guess what they do for a living.”

“You’d guess their profession just by looking at them?”

“Yes.” He chuckles. “It involves a lot of stereotypes and assumptions, but it’s fun.”

“I think I’m going to suck, but okay, let’s do it. You first.”

He scans the tables and zeroes in on a young woman dressed in khaki pants and a white polo shirt, her brown hair combed neatly back into a high ponytail. She’s smiling brightly at the older woman next to her and exudes a friendly disposition. “Her.” He nods. “She’s a schoolteacher. She just graduated and teaches kindergarten.”

“Not bad, hotshot. I can totally see that.”

“Your turn,” he says as he takes a bite of his slice of pizza.

I look at the surrounding people, trying to guess at what they might do for a living. Nothing strikes me as obvious until I land on a muscular man wearing gym shorts, tennis shoes, and a baseball hat with a picture of a dumbbell on the front of it.

“Him.” I nod in Muscle Man’s direction. “He’s a personal trainer.”

Charlie nods and smiles at me. “You’re getting it.”

“What do you say we create a different version of this game?” I give him a naughty smile.

“What do you have going on in that dirty mind of yours?”

“Well, guessing professions is kind of fun, but what about if we guessed what they’re like in bed?”

“You mean during sex?” Charlie raises his eyebrows in interest.

“Yes. Let’s take your kindergarten teacher, for example. I bet she’s a dominatrix.”

He laughs so hard he snorts. “Her?”

“You laugh all you want, but it’s the quiet ones that often surprise you. I bet she’s into hardcore BDSM.”

“What about Mister Muscles?”

I study the handsome, well-built guy. “I bet he could be her submissive.”

We both look at the two people across the room from each other and bust up laughing.

“I don’t know if I believe you, but I like your version of this game better.”

“I’m full of good ideas.”

“Yes, you are,” Charlie agrees.

“Speaking of good ideas, I think it’s time to go paint.”

“You want to go paint, huh?” Charlie pouts.

The sight of those lips pursed so prettily makes me want to lean forward and kiss him.

So, I do.

I lean forward in the middle of the food court at the zoo, and I kiss his lips.

It’s a soft peck at first, but then Charlie puts his hand behind my neck and brings me back for a second kiss. This one’s longer, his tongue slipping into my mouth to tangle with mine, and I can’t help but melt into him, inhaling in his scent, relishing in his touch.

Charlie smiles into my mouth and mumbles, “Okay, you convinced me. Let’s go paint.”