Whatever it Takes (Healing Hearts book 3) by Laura Farr (18)

The next couple of weeks passed by quickly, and I’d started work cleaning the cottages. While there were no guests staying on the ranch, Claire and Ryan had been pretty laidback about what time I started. When the season began, I’d be needed from early morning until mid-afternoon, cleaning the cabins in rotation. Claire had explained that when they were at their busiest there were another two cleaners on the payroll that I’d also be working with. While the work wasn’t the most interesting, and it wasn’t something I’d dreamed of doing, for now it was perfect.

When I wasn’t working, I spent every spare minute with Brody. The more time I spent with him, the more my feelings developed, and I think he was feeling the same. I was a little worried to start with that he might get sick of spending all of his time with me, but he was always the one who would seek me out when I’d finished work. He’d be waiting outside whichever cabin I was cleaning. I had no idea how he knew where I was. I always meant to ask him, but he’d wrap me up in his arms and kiss me until I was breathless. When he did that I couldn’t remember my own name, let alone remember to ask him how he'd known where I'd be.

It was Friday afternoon, and I was just finishing up cleaning the kitchen of the final cabin on my list. Wiping the back of my hand across my forehead, I stretched my side. My ribs were sore, and I was glad it was the weekend. Collecting my cleaning stuff, I headed outside. Brody wouldn’t be waiting for me today. He’d gone with Ryan to buy a couple of horses from a breeder about an hour's drive away. Since two horses had died in the fire, they needed to replace them before the holiday season started in a few weeks.

After putting my cleaning stuff away in the small closet at the back of the barn, I headed over to the ranch house. As the house came into view, I saw Savannah pacing up and down in front of the porch. Frowning, I walked faster, hoping everything was okay.

“Hey, Sav,” I called out. She stopped pacing and looked over at me, a grimace on her face. “Are you okay?”

“My back is killing me. I’m hoping walking will ease the pain,” she said, her face pale.

“Do you want me to call Josh?”

“God, no! He’ll think I’m in labor and go into full-on panic mode. I love that man more than life itself, but he’s become so protective over me since the fire,” she explained, her hand rubbing her back.

“Savannah, are you sure you aren’t in labor? You look pretty uncomfortable to me.” She waved her hand and shook her head.

“Nah. It’s just a backache. It’s easing a bit now.” She reached for my hand and tugged me up the porch steps. “Come on. I bet there’s some cake in the fridge. You can tell me all about you and Brody, take my mind off it.” She looked over her shoulder at me and grinned. I couldn’t help but smile back. She’d been itching to get me on my own to grill me since she’d found out Brody and I were dating.

Dragging me into the kitchen, she dropped my hand and swung the fridge door open. She turned to face me, triumphantly holding up a cheesecake. “Want some?” She placed it on the counter and reached into the drawer for a knife.

“Definitely,” I told her, my stomach choosing that moment to rumble. “I missed lunch today.” I crossed the kitchen, grabbing two plates from the cupboard.

“How’s the job going?” she asked as she cut two huge slices of cheesecake.

“It’s good. I’m glad to actually be doing something.”

She handed me my cheesecake along with a fork. “Let’s sit in the den. I need a comfy seat.”

I nodded and followed her out of the kitchen. As we sat down my phone chimed with an incoming message. Pulling it from my pocket, I smiled as I saw it was from Brody.

“I’m guessing by the smile on your face that message is from my brother?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

“Might be,” I teased, quickly typing a reply.

“What’s he saying?” she asked as she put a huge forkful of cheesecake in her mouth.

“He’s telling me he’s taking me out tonight.”

“My brother, the romantic! Who’d have thought. So… what’s going on with you two anyway?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “We’re dating.” I watched as she shook her head and I raised my eyebrows in question.

“I’ve seen Brody dating. What you’ve got going on isn’t that.”

“What do you mean?”

“When Brody dates, he takes a girl out once or twice. Every time I see him you’re together. That’s more than dating.”

“More than dating?” I repeated, still confused by what she was trying to say.

She nodded. “My brother’s got it bad. We told him when the right girl came along he wouldn’t know what hit him. I love being right.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I shook my head. “We’re just dating.” She burst out laughing and I looked at her like she was crazy.

“Just wait and see,” she said cryptically. “You like him though?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I really do.” I was falling for him more and more each day. My heart was all in, but my head was telling me what I was beginning to feel for him would make leaving unbearable. The past couple of weeks had been so good. There were days when I didn’t think of Evan at all. I loved being on the ranch and in another lifetime, I could see myself wanting to stay forever.

“Are you okay?” A frown crossed her face. “I hope I haven’t said the wrong thing.”

“No, of course not,” I reassured her. “I’m falling for him, Sav, and that scares me. What if I can’t stay?” I whispered. She moved to sit next to me and put her arm around me.

“Why can’t you stay?” I sighed. I didn’t want to tell her about Evan. To know I had some psycho after me.

“It’s complicated, but I can’t stay forever. I have nothing.”

“You have us. You have Brody.” She paused and turned in her seat so she was facing me. “Quinn, I’m serious. I’ve never seen Brody this into someone. I reckon he’s fallen as hard for you, as you have for him. If I’m right, then he’s not going to want to let you go.”

“That’s what scares me. He’s going to have to let me go eventually.” I could see the confusion on her face. I knew she didn’t understand.

“Whatever it is you aren’t telling me… you can trust me, Quinn.”

I sighed. “I know, Sav. And I will tell you… just not right now.” She nodded and squeezed my shoulder.

“Whenever you’re ready.” She smiled, and we were silent for a few minutes before I saw her hand go to her stomach. “Hey, baby’s kicking. Do you want to feel?” I nodded and placed my hand on her stomach, thankful for the distraction from where the conversation was leading.

“Oh wow! That’s amazing.” I felt a strong kick under my hand.

“They’re quite a wriggler.” She lovingly rubbing her hand across her stomach. “And I’m definitely ready to meet him or her now.”

“I’m guessing it won’t be long.”

“I hope not. Feel like watching a movie?” I nodded, and we spent the rest of the afternoon drooling over Ryan Gosling in The Notebook. Hearing the front door open, Savannah eased herself off the couch. “I bet that’s Josh. I told him I’d be here.” Standing up, she pulled me into a hug. “Don’t forget, I’m here when you’re ready to talk.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, hugging her back. Pulling out of the hug, she grinned.

“Enjoy your date. Can’t wait to hear all about it.” She paused. “Well, maybe not all of it; he is my brother after all.” I laughed and linked her arm as we walked out into the hall.

“Hey, there you are,” Josh said walking up to Savannah and kissing her. “Hi, Quinn.” I waved as he turned back to Savannah. “You ready to go, sweetheart?” She nodded.

“See you over the weekend, Quinn,” Savannah called over her shoulder as Josh led her outside and down the porch steps.

Checking my phone, I saw I had enough time for a bath before Brody got back. Cleaning the cabins the past week had taken its toll on my ribs, and I was looking forward to soaking my aching body. Heading up to my room, I walked into the bathroom and turned on the faucet, throwing in some bath salts that were on the side. As I waited for the bath to fill, I grabbed one of the books Libby had lent me. I loved to read and had even managed to bring a couple of books with me when I’d left Westwood, but along with all my other possessions, they’d been destroyed in the fire. Libby had offered to lend me a couple of her books after we’d discussed our favorite authors while we’d been at the spa.

Placing the book on the side, I removed my clothes. Dipping my toe into the hot water, I moaned at how good it felt. Easing my body into the water, I lay back and closed my eyes. After a few minutes, I quickly washed my hair and body before reaching across to the counter and grabbing my book, ready to get lost in the story.

Finally back from picking up two new horses, I was eager to see my girl. Taking the stairs two at a time, I called out her name. When I didn't receive a reply, I tapped on her bedroom door and pushed it open. Seeing the empty room, I walked in.

“Quinn? You home, baby?” I called out.

“Yes, I’m in the bath. I’ll be right out,” she shouted from the bathroom. Grinning, I pushed the bathroom door open and strode in.

“Brody!” she exclaimed. “I’m naked!” She dropped the book she was reading onto the floor, her hand coming over to cover her perfect tits. The water held a few bubbles, but most had dispersed, leaving the water almost clear. Chuckling, I knelt down at the side of the bath, leaning over to kiss her.

“I should hope so, as you’re in the tub,” I muttered against her lips. “Hmmm, you smell of cherries.”

“It’s the bath salts,” she whispered.

“I missed you today.” I kissed her again, my hand tangling in her wet hair. “You can move your hands, baby. I’ve seen you naked before, remember?” A smile tugged at my lips as I kissed her. “You were all wet then too if I remember correctly.”

“So that’s twice you’ve barged in on me,” she said, her voice tinged with amusement. She moved her hands, wrapping them around my neck. I was sure she would be nervous for me to see her like this. We’d done nothing more than make out since getting carried away in the kitchen. I was waiting for her to let me know she was ready for more. I didn’t want her to do anything she wasn’t comfortable with. As hard as it was to stop when we were together, I would wait for as long as it took for her to be ready.

She pulled my head down to hers and I kissed her, plunging my tongue into her mouth. She moaned as our tongues met. My hand was still in her hair and I tugged gently, eliciting more moans from her. Breaking the kiss, I tilted her head, kissing down her neck. Glancing down her body I could see her rubbing her legs together, my hands itching to touch her. As if reading my mind, she moaned.

“Touch me, Brody.”

“Are you sure, baby?”

“Please,” she begged.

Not needing to be asked twice, I slipped my hand into the warm water, my fingers stroking down over her stomach. As I continued to kiss her, my fingers brushed through her folds before finding her clit. As I circled her center with my finger, she gasped into my mouth, her hips bucking up out of the water. Pushing a finger inside her, she whimpered.

“Oh God, Brody, don’t stop.”

Adding another finger, I stroked her clit with my thumb, my fingers thrusting in and out. Water sloshed over the side of the tub as Quinn moved against my hand. Her head was dropped back against the tub, her eyes closed and her breathing erratic. As her walls pulsated around my fingers, I knew she was close. Reaching around her neck with my other hand, I pulled her mouth to mine, kissing her urgently. Pulling out of the kiss, her head dropped onto my shoulder. She called out my name as she came, her body shuddering with her orgasm.

Removing my fingers from her heat, I traced them up over her abdomen, feeling the bumpy scar I assumed was from her kidney donation. I didn’t want to remind her of that in this moment, so I allowed my fingers to carry on tracing up her skin until my hand was in her hair. Her face was still buried in my shoulder and I could feel her breathing was levelling out. When she didn’t lift her head after another minute or so, I stroked her wet hair.

“You okay?” She nodded her head, lifting it slowly. Her face was still flushed from her orgasm and her lips were swollen from our kisses. She’d never looked more beautiful. Something shifted in my chest as I looked into her eyes, and I knew I was falling hard for her.

“I’m embarrassed I pretty much begged you for that.” Her cheeks flushed even pinker. “But, God, it was amazing.”

Unable to stop the huge smile that came over my face, I bent my head and kissed her softly. “You never have to feel embarrassed asking me for anything. I’m more than happy to do that anytime you want.” I winked at her and she smiled, playfully hitting my chest. “Hey! You’re getting me wet,” I said, joking with her.

“I think it’s a little late for that.” Her eyes moved down to my soaking wet t-shirt. Sitting back on my heels, I peeled the wet shirt from my chest and threw it in the corner of the bathroom. Standing up, I looked down at her lying in the bathtub. All the bubbles had gone, and the clear water gave me the perfect view of her perfect body. As my eyes met hers, I could see the same heat in her eyes that I’m sure mine held. Reaching into the tub, I scooped her into my arms, water splashing all over the floor.

“Brody, what are you doing?” she cried, her arms looping around my neck.

“Getting you dry.” I snatched up a towel as I strode out of the bathroom, gently placing her wet body onto the bed.

“You’re going to get my bed all wet,” she said with a giggle.

“Don’t cover up. You’re perfect,” I told her, frowning as I saw her hands coming up to cover her body.

“I’m not perfect, I have ugly scars,” she said, her voice small. Pulling her to a sitting position, I wrapped the towel around her.

“Your scar is beautiful, Quinn.” I lowered my head and brushed my lips across hers. “It shows me what an amazing…” I paused kissing her again. “Selfless…” I dropped another kiss on her lips. “Amazing...” My lips brushed hers once more. “Person you are. You should wear it with pride. Don’t ever hide it from me.” She smiled.

“You said amazing twice.”

“That’s because it needs to be said twice. I’m in awe of what you did, baby,” I told her softly. Sitting back slightly, her towel had fallen open and my eyes fell on the tattoo I’d seen in the bathroom at the hospital. “This is beautiful.” I swept my fingers over the tattoo of a butterfly on her hip.

“I had it done after Mom died. She loved butterflies, and I wanted something good on my body that reminded me of her.”

“It’s perfect. I’m sure she would have loved it,” I whispered, bending my head to kiss over it. Seeing I’d completely embarrassed her, I changed the subject. “Now get dressed and let’s go out. I want the world to know you’re mine.”

Standing up, she gave me a grateful smile, before heading to the closet. “Do I need to dress up?”

“Nope. Jeans and Converse will be fine.”

“Perfect.” She looked relieved that she didn’t need to get dressed up. Pushing myself up off her bed I frowned.

“Baby, your bed’s all wet, you’ll need to sleep with me tonight. Can’t have you sleeping in wet sheets,” I told her with a smirk before leaving the room, her laughter echoing behind me.

I hadn’t planned to get her bed wet, but now that it was, I had the perfect excuse to have her wrapped around me all night.