Whatever it Takes (Healing Hearts book 3) by Laura Farr (23)

I was woken by the door to my room hitting the wall. “I thought you’d left.” Brody exclaimed, crossing the room and sitting on the edge of the bed. “Why are you in here?”

Blinking away sleep, I took a minute to fully wake up. “Sorry, I had a nightmare and couldn’t sleep, so I came in here to read. I didn’t want to disturb you.” Sitting up, I placed a kiss on his stubbled jaw.

“A nightmare? You should have woken me up.” A frown formed on his face and I waved off his concern.

“I’m fine, no point both of us being awake.”

“Was it about Evan?” I nodded and played with the edge of the comforter. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really. It was just a stupid dream.” He nodded and climbed into bed with me.

“I missed waking up with you,” he mumbled into my hair as he pulled me against his bare chest. “I don’t think we’ve spent a night apart since we got together.” He was right. My bed had lain empty ever since I’d crept into his room a few weeks ago when I was unable to sleep. I’d felt a little uncomfortable thinking his parents were down the hall. Brody had informed me that their bedroom was in the attic on the other side of the house, and that there was a separate staircase leading to their room. I still didn’t feel completely at ease with it, but they seemed happy enough that Brody and I were together. Whether they would still feel the same when they knew about Evan, remained to be seen.

“You’re quiet. Are you okay?” he asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Just tired.” It wasn’t a complete lie. Although I’d fallen asleep last night, I must have been awake for over an hour after the nightmare. I didn’t want to tell him I was worried about what his parents would think when they found out what was going on. While Claire could never replace my mom, I’d become really close to her since I’d arrived on the ranch. I felt awful knowing I might be bringing trouble to her family.

“Why don’t you stay in bed and get some more sleep?” he suggested.

“Are you going to stay with me?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. Grinning, he gently pushed me down on the bed, his body hovering over mine.

“Baby, if I stay you won’t be getting much sleep.”

“Maybe I’m not that tired after all.” Catching him off guard I rolled him over so I was straddling him. Leaning down, I captured his mouth with mine. His hands found my hips, his fingers digging into my skin as I pushed my tongue into his mouth. Feeling his erection growing, I ground my hips against his and he moaned. Breaking the kiss, my lips travelled over his jaw and down his neck. Kissing over his chest, my tongue darted out licking along his abs. Reaching his stomach, my fingers traced over the line of dark hair that went from his belly button and disappeared under the waistband of his boxers. Sitting up I gripped the edge of my t-shirt, pulling it over my head and tossing it on the floor. His eyes went wide as he watched me sitting naked on top of him.

“Quinn… do you know how sexy you look sitting there?” he asked, his hands caressing my sides. Shaking my head, I scooted backward off his legs, my fingers tugging down his boxers. Resting back on his elbows, he lifted his head, his eyes fixed on me.

“I think you’re wearing too many clothes,” I muttered, sliding his underwear down his legs and throwing them onto the floor. My stomach churned with nerves as I eyed his naked body. I’d been itching to touch him, but I’d no clue what I was doing. Kissing his leg, I reached up and took his length in my hand. As I began to stroke him, his head fell back on the pillow and he moaned.

“God, that feels good, baby. A little faster,” he panted, his hand coming over mine, increasing the speed. As he released my hand, I continued to stroke him, my movements getting faster. Positioning myself between his legs I swallowed nervously, before dropping my head and taking his length into my mouth. My hand still held him as I swirled my tongue around the head of his cock before sucking him into my mouth.

“Fuck! Quinn!” he cried out, his hands coming into my hair. His hips bucked slightly, and I felt him hit the back of my throat. “Arghhh,” he moaned, as I continued to lick and suck him, my head bobbing up and down. I felt myself getting turned on, and I rubbed my legs together in an attempt to ease the ache that was building.

“Shit, stop, baby. I’m going to come,” he said, his breathing labored. Ignoring him, I carried on. “I’m coming,” he warned before his whole body shuddered and shots of warm cum hit the back of my throat. Swallowing, I continued to stroke him with my hand through the last of his orgasm, before his body relaxed back into the bed. Kissing up his stomach and over his pecs, I licked up his neck and found his mouth. His hands tangled in my hair as he held me against him.

Suddenly he flipped me over and I squealed as I landed where he had just been lying. “That was amazing, Quinn,” he muttered against the skin on my neck, his kisses and hot breath making me shiver. “I definitely wasn’t expecting that this morning.”

“Was it okay? Only I’ve erm… never done it before.” I was glad his head was buried in my neck so he couldn’t see the flush that was spreading over my cheeks.

“Well fuck!” My eyes went wide with surprise. “If that was your first time, baby, I can’t wait until you’ve had years of practice.”

“Brody!” I exclaimed, smacking him on the chest. He laughed and bent his head, kissing me softly.

“Honestly, I can’t believe you’ve never done that before. It was way more than okay. I’m happy knowing I’m going to be the only man to see you like that.” He kissed me again until I was breathless and panting with need. Moving his mouth to my ear, he whispered, “I’m never letting you go, gorgeous.” Kissing around my jaw, his fingers brushed down my body, coming to rest between my legs. His fingers brushed through my folds, missing where I needed him most.

“Brody, please,” I moaned, pushing my heat into his hand.

“Are you sore, baby?” He teased my entrance with his finger. I shook my head, lost in pleasure. “Tell me the truth,” he whispered in my ear. “Are you sore?”

“A little—” As soon as I’d spoken he removed his fingers, kneeling up on the bed next to me. “I’m not too sore,” I told him, a little disappointed he’d stopped. I was so turned on I was considering sorting myself out.

“Well, I’ve got a better idea.” He winked at me before picking me up in his arms and carrying me into the bathroom. With me still in his arms he pulled the shower curtain back and turned on the hot water. Grinning, I looked up at him.

“I hope you’re coming in there with me?” I gestured to the shower with my head.

“Of course! Try to stop me.” His fingers tickled my side, and I squirmed in his arms. I grabbed his hand to stop the tickling. Laughing, he climbed into the shower, lowering me down his body so I was standing in the tub, the hot water hitting my back. Backing me up under the spray he pressed his body to mine, his erection pushing against my stomach. Kissing me, he snaked his tongue into my mouth and I reached my hands around his neck, holding him against me. His hands went under my ass and he picked me up, my legs automatically wrapping around him.

Turning, he gently pushed me against the tiled wall of the shower and I gasped into his mouth, the cool ceramic hitting my back. His erection was rubbing against my clit and I shamelessly ground against him, desperate to ease the ache that was building. Putting me down, he dropped to his knees, the water from the shower hitting his head. Lifting one of my legs, he rested my foot on his shoulder, opening me up to him. His eyes met mine before his head went between my legs, his tongue finding my clit. Dropping my head back against the tiles I closed my eyes and whimpered. My hands went into his hair, holding his head between my legs. My fingers tugged gently on his hair, my legs twitching as he sucked my clit into his mouth. One of his fingers pushed inside me and I gasped out as he thrust his finger in and out, his tongue still working over my clit. His other hand reached up my body, his palm cupping my breast. His fingers began to pinch and flick my nipple and I found myself tugging harder on his hair, desperate for more from him.

After a minute or so he pushed another finger inside me. I cried out as they brushed a spot inside that made my toes curl. I could feel my orgasm building and my breath was coming out in pants.

“I’m going to come, Brody,” I moaned, my eyes still closed and my head dropping back on the cool tiles.

Brody increased the speed of both his fingers and his tongue, and seconds later I exploded against his mouth, my legs shaking with the force of my orgasm. His fingers continued to move inside me, pulling the last of my orgasm from my body. Dropping my leg, he kissed up over my stomach and breasts until he was standing in front of me. My head dropped onto his shoulder, my body spent. Lifting me into his arms again, he kissed me, and my legs wrapped around him. Standing in each other's arms, the hot spray of the shower pounded down on us.

When my breathing returned to normal, I lifted my head from his shoulder, placing a gentle kiss in the hollow of his neck. “I love you.” My words were barely audible above the noise of the shower.

“I love you too,” he said, bending his head and kissing me. As the kiss intensified, my body came to life again and Brody lifted me slightly, positioning his erection at my entrance. Pushing inside me, he dropped his head to my shoulder, his teeth biting down gently on my skin. “God, you feel good,” he moaned, his head lifting from my shoulder. My body jerked against the tiled wall as Brody pounded into me. Using the wall to hold me in place, he moved one of his arms from my legs and cupped my breast, squeezing softly.

“Ohhhh,” I groaned as his thumb circled my nipple, his cock still thrusting into me. My arms were wrapped around his shoulders, my fingers digging into the skin on his back. Moving his hand from my nipple, he reached between our bodies, his fingers flicking over my clit. A second orgasm was coming, and I rocked my body against his, pushing his fingers harder against my clit. Crying out his name, I came hard on his cock, his thrusting increasing in speed as I rode the wave of my orgasm.

“I can feel you squeezing me, baby. It’s never felt so good,” he mumbled into my ear. Suddenly he stopped and lifted his head “Shit! The condom.”

“There’s some under the vanity.” He grinned before gently pulling out and putting me down. Hopping out of the tub I heard him open the cabinet. A few minutes later he pulled back the shower curtain and climbed in. Picking me up again he kissed me.

“Where were we?” he asked with a smile.

“Right about here.” Reaching between us I guided his erection inside me. Groaning as he filled me, I moved my hips, willing him to move as well. Taking the hint, he pushed me back against the tiles, thrusting into me.

“So tight,” he mumbled. “I’m close, baby.” He thrust a few more times before I felt him swell inside me, his whole body shaking as he came. Wrapping my arms around him, I held him as he shuddered against me. Slowly dropping my legs, he lowered me so that I was standing, pressed up against him.

“I’m sorry I forgot the condom, Quinn. No wonder it felt so good with nothing between us.”

“I forgot as well, Brody. It’s fine,” I reassured him. “It did feel good though.” I reached up and kissed his jaw

“Well, it won’t happen again.”

“I hope it will,” I replied with a wink.

“Oh I can promise plenty more of what you’re talking about, just with a condom next time. Come on, let’s get you washed. I need to work for a couple of hours this morning.”

After spending far too long in the shower, Brody climbed out wrapping a towel around his waist. “I’ll be back before Ethan comes, sweetheart,” he promised, kissing me on the cheek, before heading back to his room to get dressed. Coming out of the bathroom I dried my hair, throwing some jeans and a shirt on. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand I smiled when I saw a message from Savannah. Opening it, a picture of Hope flashed up on the screen. She was fast asleep and wrapped up a in pale pink blanket. Underneath it was a message.

Laughing, I typed out a reply, loving that Savannah had called me Auntie Quinn.

Slipping my phone into the back pocket of my jeans, I picked up my book and made my way downstairs. Heading straight outside, I sat on the porch swing, tucking my legs underneath me. I couldn’t face any breakfast. My stomach was churning with nerves at the thought of having to speak to the police about Evan. Sitting alone outside the house, I couldn’t help but look around, half expecting to see Evan walking up the driveway. Shaking my head, I picked up my book and began to read, picking up where I’d left off last night.

Ten minutes later the front door swung open, pulling me from the pages of my book. “Morning, Quinn,” Claire chirped as she came to stand next to me on the porch.

“Morning,” I replied, smiling at her.

“I’m popping into Marble Falls to pick up some things for when Savannah comes home. Do you need anything?” I shook my head.

“No, I’m fine thanks.”

“Okay, I’ll be back soon.” She started to make her way down the porch steps before turning back. “Oh, Quinn, with all the excitement of yesterday, I forgot.” She disappeared into the house. Standing up, I followed her into the kitchen.

“Forgot what?”

“This.” She held an envelope out to me. “It came in the mail yesterday. I’m sorry I didn’t give it you then.” Taking it from her I turned it over in my hands.

“Who could this be from?” I muttered. “No one knows I’m here.” A horn blasted from outside and I jumped.

“That’ll be Ryan. I’ve got to go, sweetheart. I’ll see you later.”

I nodded absentmindedly, my eyes still fixed on the envelope. Sitting down at the breakfast bar, I ripped the envelope open, pulling out the letter.

“No, no, no, no, no,” I chanted as I read down the page. This couldn’t be happening. The letter had come from the hospital in Marble Falls. They were apologizing for not being in touch sooner. They hadn’t realized my address had changed and had written to me at my old address. When they’d received no response, they’d gone back to the forms I’d completed on discharge. Seeing the ranch address I’d left for correspondence, they’d re-sent the original letter. Turning the paper over, it went on to explain the details I’d put down for the insurance didn’t relate to an active policy. They wouldn’t be paying out for the treatment I’d received. The hospital would contact me again in due course to arrange payment.

If they’d written to me at my old address, then Evan would have intercepted the letter. “He knows I’m in Marble Falls,” I said out loud to the empty kitchen. My stomach rolled, and I thought I was going to throw up. It definitely had been Evan I’d seen yesterday outside of the grocery store, and it was likely it had also been Evan I’d seen from Brody’s window last night. If Evan was hanging around the ranch, I had to let Brody know.

Standing up to reach for my phone, the doorbell chimed before I could call him. “He wouldn’t just ring the doorbell, would he?” I mumbled to myself as I slowly made my way toward the front door. My heart pounded as I peeked through the peephole, breathing a sigh of relief when I saw a police officer standing on the other side of the door. Swinging the door open, he smiled.

“Quinn Montgomery?” he asked, holding his badge out to me. Glancing down at it, I nodded. “I’m Officer Ethan Roberts from the Marble Falls police department. Would you be able to come with me to the station? I’ve got a few questions to ask you in relation to Evan Williams.”

“Come to the station?” I asked in surprise. “Brody said you were coming to talk to me here, at the house?” He nodded as he put his badge in his pocket.

“I did tell Brody that. Unfortunately, the officers in Westwood want the interview recording. For that I need you at the station, ma’am.”

“Oh. Okay. I’ll just grab my purse.” He nodded and stepped away from the door, his hands going into his pocket. Closing the door, I raced upstairs, finding my purse on the dresser. Scooping it up, I pulled my phone from my pocket and found Brody’s name in my contacts list. Hitting the call button, I listened as it went straight to voicemail. Not wanting to leave a message I ended the call, quickly typing out a text instead.

I decided not to tell him in a message about the letter I’d received. It was too complicated to explain in a text. I’d wait until he called. Nerves swirled in my stomach at the thought of having to tell people about Evan. I’d really wanted Brody to be with me when I spoke to him. I could only hope he picked up his message in time to meet me at the station.

Meeting Ethan on the porch he escorted me to the waiting police car, introducing me to Officer Buchanan who was sitting in the driver's seat. Holding open the door to the back seat, I climbed in, fixing my seatbelt as I watched Ethan get into the passenger seat.

An uneasy feeling came over me, and I tried to ignore it, telling myself I was just nervous. I hoped I was right.