It was a late lunch around 2:30. Leah had a busy day with the radio interview and a meeting across town that lasted about three hours. Quinn was happy to wait until she was free. By the time they met, he’d almost forgotten how hungry he was.
He figured that while he was with her in the open she was safe. It was when he wasn’t with her that he worried the most. The bodyguard was supposed to follow her once she left the office building.
Since the incident, the managers increased security and added another camera to the parking area. Two extra guards worked the late shift as well. Quinn felt that the perpetrators wouldn’t be foolish enough to return to the scene of the crime or try another attack there.
From the moment he left the hospital, he had been alert about his surroundings. He scanned the area for any movements before entering his car. The gun was easily reachable from its shoulder holster and he felt safer with it.
Lunch – or rather early dinner - was nice and cozy at the French café on the other side of town. Quinn had to admit that he enjoyed spending time with Leah, a rare occurrence for him. He couldn’t stop staring at her lips during their conversations and he had to draw on great strength of will not to kiss her again.
On occasion, his eye strayed to her high firm breasts. At these times, he thought about how much he wanted to bury his face in her plush mounds. What would it be like to take her nipples between his lips and ravage them until she begged him to stop?
Usually during his dates he would be restless, had to keep up appearances and listen to gossip, or fashion talk. Leah was different. She matched him on every level. No subject phased her, and he felt stimulated enough that when it was time to leave, he was disappointed.
Not only did she mentally stimulate him, she stirred something deep inside him that perhaps had laid dormant. His desire for her wasn’t just because he found her sexually attractive. She lighted a fire in his loins as well as his soul.
Quinn was never a man to believe in that soul mate bullshit. Leah made him want to believe otherwise. Even the silence during lunch wasn’t vacant. Every look, every breath they both took was a communication in itself that he knew their connection was more than physical.
When she looked into his eyes, he felt stripped, not of his clothing, but of the walls he’d built around himself – around his heart. Quinn had learned from an early age to keep himself guarded against anything that could make him weak.
Love made one weak. He saw that with his father and how it shattered him when his mother left and later when she died. He’d seen love shatter many men whose women cheated or a when they got divorced. However, here he was sitting across from a woman who made his core quiver and sent fire shooting up his belly. He wasn’t sure what it was, whether it was love. All he was certain of was that he desired her more than he desired anyone woman before.
Their date ended around 4:30. He would have loved to stay longer, but Leah needed to return to her office and what he needed he couldn’t very well have – not yet anyway. As they left the restaurant and walked to the parking lot, he kept a few paces behind her.
This he did in order to watch her tight ass, the sway of her hips and the firmness of her backside beneath her skirt. He wanted to bend her over right there in the parking lot, pull her skirt up and take her from behind.
“Stop watching my ass, Quinn.” She abruptly came to a halt and spun to face him. “What do you think, that I don’t know what you’re doing?”
He closed the small space between them. “And what if I’m watching your ass, will you spank me for it?” he grinned. “Come on Leah, spank me, I beg of you.”
Leah laughed. When she would have turned and walked away, he gripped her arm and pulled her into him. Her eyes flicked to his.
“What are you doing now?” she murmured.
“I’m going to kiss you, what else?” he replied, dipping his head.
“Quinn….”
Their lips crushed together, cutting off her words. A deep growl emitted from his throat as Leah whimpered softly against his lips. The kiss deepened as his tongue found hers, stroking and caressing it passionately. Her arms twined around his neck, pulling him closer.
Quinn didn’t need anything else. Breaking the kiss, he pulled her the short distance to the car and bundled her in. In silence, he revved the engine, speeding toward his penthouse. It was closer than her apartment. In any case, he would have ravaged her right there in the car, but she deserved better.
His heart thundered violently as he half expected her to protest when he pulled into his parking space and came to fetch her on the passenger side. She allowed him to take her hand and they both rode the elevator in silence. Words were not needed at this point as they both knew what was about to happen. He held her hand all the way to his penthouse.
When they were inside, he switched on the lights in the living room. For some reason, he was now uncertain how to approach her. He couldn’t very well jump her like he’d done all his other conquests. Leah wasn’t like all the other women.
“Leah…,” he began, but she cut him off by tipping and pressing her lips to his.
“I want you too,” she whispered. “Do it now before ….”
* * *
Before Leah could complete her sentence, Quinn captured her bottom lip, sucking on it. His lips then trailed her jawline, nibbling at her chin. When he reached the curve of her neck, his hot tongue licked her skin, leaving fiery trails in its wake.
Quin pulled away from her lips, only to sweep her up in his arms. With long strides, he was across the living room and down a passage. When he reached a door, he nudged it open with his shoulder.
Leah’s heart was doing backflips as her body tingled with anticipation. He crossed the threshold and strode to the bed where he laid her gently down. A moment later, he switched on the lamp by the bed. The light was enough so she could see the expanse of the room, but dim enough not to overwhelm her.
Quinn loosed his tie and tossed it across the room. The jacket followed. Leah eased herself to sitting position and began to undo his shirt. Her fingers itched to touch him and she fumbled on a few buttons. Before she was completely done relieving him of his shirt, she parted the garment and pressed her lips to his muscled torso.
Obviously impatient, he tore off the shirt and tossed it. Leah drew back, her fingers lightly tracing the healing scar on his chest. Quinn gently took her hand, kissing the tips of her fingers and then her palm. Leah closed her eyes as a waved of current sprinted through her.
Quinn gripped the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head. Leah reached behind her and unfasted her bra while Quinn unbuckled his belt. How did this reach so far? The last thing she’d intended was to get involved with Quinn. She’d promised herself one date and this was their second. A second date that led to this. Leah, just this once, allow yourself to feel, she told herself. You can’t deny yourself this one pleasure.
“You are so beautiful,” he said, his voice deep a thick.
Quinn placed a finger under her chin, pulled her to him and softly covered her lips with his. His body pushed into hers, sending her back against the silken sheets. The kiss deepened as his mouth moved over hers. Those large hands and strong fingers she’d fantasized about now captured her breasts, kneading and caressing.
Breaking the kiss, he adjusted himself to take a taut nipple between his lips. Leah groaned, arching her back for the pleasure the coursed through her. When he covered her body with his, she wrapped her legs around his thighs. His hard cock brushed tantalizingly against the flesh between her thighs.
Leah reached between them and guided he swollen member into her. Her warm wet flesh hungrily sucked him in. Their lips met as his hips began to move. Each thrust sending shockwaves through her body. Their bodies danced together to the cadence of their own music - a sweet lyrical stanza that only lovers would understand.
With the increased tempo came panting and heavy breathing. Sheens of sweat glistened on skin as sighs and moans filled the room. Ripples of pleasure coursed through both as the fire between them flared into a raging furnace.
Together, his grunts and her whimpers blended together, creating a harmony of their duet. Soon, her cries of ecstasy echoed through the room. The explosion within her lifted her from earth, hurling her through space.
Quinn growled deep within his throat as he moved his hips with precision. His face twisted as a deep guttural sound emitted from him. His movements became short and rapid as he let out a long howl. Leah tightened around him, feeling him swell within her. Quinn stiffened as his explosion ripped through him. She could feel the release within her as she took his lips and sealed their mating with a passionate kiss.
* * *
They’d left Quinn’s penthouse and he’d dropped her back at the office. They were sitting in Quinn’s car having a little chat where he told her that he’d hired a bodyguard to follow her from a distance. He explained that he didn’t tell her as he didn’t want to alarm her. When she told him that she was okay with it, he’d leaned over and kissed her.
Leah pulled away from his kiss. “You’re vibrating,” she whispered.
He gave her a silly smile, “I know, it feels great…you feel great.” He dipped his head to kiss her once more, but she placed a finger on his lips.
“No, you’re really vibrating. I think it’s your phone,” she said.
Agitated that he was interrupted, he pulled the phone from his pocket and almost yelled into it. “Yes, Quinn here.”
“I’m on my way,” Copeland’s voice said over the phone and there was a click.
“Shucks!” he exclaimed.
He’d completely forgotten his appointment. Copeland had texted him that they should meet at the café at seven. It was near seven.
“What’s the matter?” she asked softly.
He smiled dejectedly at her. “I’m suppose to meet someone about an important matter. I’ll call you later.”
She reached up and kissed him. “Call me.”
While Quinn was on his way to meet Copeland, the last couple of hours played over in his mind. The passion, the sweetness and the fire was something new and exciting. He loved women and making love to women, but never had he experienced such emotions. His heart, mind and soul had been lost in Leah and for some reason, he didn’t mind. As he neared the location, he focused on the meeting and pushed Leah from his mind – only for the moment.
Copeland was fifteen minutes late so he grabbed a beer and waited for the PI. He wondered what the man found and what he would do about the information he would receive. Should he let the police figure things out and should he hand over whatever he got?
While he waited, he called Leah. She just entered her office and they chatted for five minutes before he bade her farewell. He had only just seen her, but he missed her already. That surprised him. He could feel the change within him and knew something profound had happened. Quinn wondered if perhaps his near death experience was making him soft. He didn’t mind and he smiled when he thought about her.
“Daydreaming?” Copeland’s voice jolted him out of his fantasy. “It seems you finally found a girl to make you smile like that.” Quinn chuckled embarrassingly. “Your father would be proud.”
“Yes, he always wanted me to settle down, but it’s too soon for that.”
“If you’ve found the one, why wait?” The PI asked.
He had a point but was Leah the one? He wondered. “Her life might be in danger.”
“What are you talking about?”
Quinn frowned. “It’s the girl who saved me. I’m not sure if staying away from her or keeping close is the best thing to do. I’m scared that she might get hurt now that I’ve brought her into the open.”
Copeland stared at something on the table before rising his eyes to Quinn. “It might be too late for you to keep your distance. What I mean is, they already know who she is and if they thought she might have seen them that night….”
“Did she see them?”
The man shook his head. “I don’t know, but you can’t be certain what these goons think. She came into that parking area some time after you were stabbed. No one knows for certain the time difference.”
Copeland waved to a waiter who ran over. “Let me have a beer and some nuts.” He looked over at Quinn and his empty bottle. “You should order another one, you’re gonna need it.” He pointed to the empty on the table and spoke to the waiter, “Bring him another.”
“What’s the matter?” Quinn asked, now concerned that something was seriously wrong.
The beers and the nuts arrived, and Copeland took a deep swig of the cold lager. He smacked his lips and threw a few nuts in his mouth. Quinn was getting impatient, but took a sip of his beer and waited. The man placed a large brown manila on the table.
Without a word, Quinn picked up the envelope and opened it. He gave the investigator a glance before popping the contents and setting down the envelope. He wanted to hurry, but took his time and prepared for the worse. Frank was his archenemy and he expected that he was the man.
The first thing he picked out of the lot was a file, at which he stared for a moment. The photo attached to it was not Frank’s, but someone he knew – someone close. Squeezing his eyes shut, he counted to three then opened them, thinking he’d been mistaken.
Clenching his jaw, he flipped through the rest of the documents, then came back to the first. Quinn took his time to read Copeland’s report. The name Bridge Bolin popped out at him as well and he recalled that Detective Lawson had asked him about it.
Attached to the report was a phone log belonging to the owner of the photo. Several calls were made to Bridge Bolin over a period of time. Copeland was a thorough man who covered all his bases. Also included were bank details of transactions made within the last few months.
“No, it must be a coincidence,” Quinn mumbled, in disbelief.
Copeland drained the last of his beer and glued his sharp eyes to Quinn’s. “I’m afraid not. I dug around the precinct and I have it on very good source they’re on the list of suspects.”
Quinn stared at the photo taken over a decade ago while in college. He recalled those days. They spent all their free time together. They were almost inseparable. No matter what happened between them since, there was no reason to resort to this. He thought he’d taken care of them well.
“Look, if you need more proof, I can get it easily, just give me two more days,” the investigator said.
“Yeah, that’d be the best thing,” he replied, not recognizing his own voice.
“Don’t do anything until you hear from me,” the man said. “And don’t confront them either, that could be dangerous.”
Quinn fingered the gun beneath his jacket. He’d been wearing the shoulder holster since he’d retrieved the weapon from his father’s study. Copeland was telling him one thing and his brain was saying another.
“Keep calm, Quinn, remember you’re not the only one in danger. They know Leah now, so don’t do anything rash. Let the police take care of it.”
The name made his heart skip a beat. If they harm Leah, he’d kill them for sure, no matter how long he’d known them or how close they’d been. He rose and gathered the documents.
“Quinn,” Copeland stood and grabbed his arm. “I know you’re strapping, but please don’t do anything. It might be a set up.” His eyes connected with Copeland’s. The man continued. “Two days, to verify everything.”
“Okay,” he said, not sure he agreed.
“Swear on your father’s memory you’ll stay away from them.”
Copeland knew how to get to him, using emotional blackmail. If he didn’t agree, he knew his father’s friend would detain him until the case was over. Copeland was not a man he wanted to go up against.
“Alright, I’ll sit tight until you say when.”
“Just relax and pretend you didn’t see this.”
Quinn glowered at him. “How the hell am I supposed to do that?”
“The way you pretend with your women. Time to do the same with this one.”
Another beer came for Copeland and Quinn bade goodbye. The information he read was playing over in his mind. When he was seated in the car, he opened the envelope and scanned the files again.
“Alan Smith,” he whispered the name printed on the first line of the page. “You son-of-a-damn-bitch!”
His best friend – no - his brother wanted him dead. What reason could there be? What had he done that made Alan hire goons to kill him?
“Leah.”
Her name popped into his mind as he recalled the conversation with Alan on Friday night. “You’re putting her life in danger, you jackass.” Those were his words. Was that a threat?
Turning on the car phone, he called the bodyguard. The man took forever to pick up. Finally, he answered, out of breath.
“Where are you Cal?”
“I’m five minutes away from Lake Towers,” the bodyguard replied.
“Get there soon. Miss Brooks is in the office, guard her well.”
“Yes Sir.”
* * *
Alan gritted his teeth at the thought of what was happening. His life was a mess. What he just discovered was enough to drive anyone crazy. To make matters worse, Leah saw him talking to the hoodlums who almost killed Quinn. His mind went back to that morning to the conversation with Bridge.
“You want what?” he asked, his voice dripping with incredulity.
“We need more money to keep our mouths shut,” the man replied.
The man was tall. Without the ski mask, his skin revealed tanned leather with large hollow pores. That didn’t bother Alan. What bothered him the most was the man’s eyes. They were dark pools of midnight black that radiated evil. His breath smelled like sweaty gym shoes and his crooked teeth were off white, bordering on being yellow.
“Why would I do that?” He spat. “You and I have no business!”
That’s when Leah had showed up. She looked over at him and their eyes made four. He looked away quickly, hoping she would think he didn’t notice. Briefly, he thought that maybe she would think he was in danger. What if she thought he had something to do with Quinn’s attack? A feeling of despair hung over him as he contemplated his next move.
“Then we’ll go to the cops,” the man had said, drawing back his attention.
The woman in the group and the burly one looked nervous. Alan hoped that Bridge Bolin was only bluffing. “Then be my guest. I don’t know you or owe you anything.”
He’d had enough distress as it was. Maybe going to the police was the best solution. At least everything would be out in the open and he could get some respite from the hell he found himself in. Then again, how could he face what was to come? Quinn trusted him. They were like brothers. Could he ever look him in the eyes again?