Chapter 12

“It’s not in here! I’ve looked ten dang times,” Kiera called out, pushing aside cutlery and random culinary gadgets in search of a pizza cutter in Quinn’s kitchen.

She could hear him laughing from the couch in the living room, which only made her look harder. “Babe, I swear to you, it’s in that drawer. That’s the only drawer it would be in.”

“What is all this stuff anyway?” She pulled out a yellow item shaped like a banana with dividers throughout. “Please tell me you do not own a banana slicer, Quinn! How is that even a thing?”

Laughter again. “Not just bananas, sometimes I cut hot dogs with it!”

“I swear, this guy,” she mumbled under her breath, opening the next drawer to search there instead.

Right on top of a dishcloth sat the small silver heart she’d first seen two weeks ago, one day before she and Quinn had started dating.

She picked it up, pressing it into her palm as she wondered about its origins. He’d told her he had made it for a girl he’d once loved, and the girl hadn’t wanted it. At the time, her heart had ached for him the way someone might hurt for a friend who’d been wronged. She wanted to find that girl and give her a piece of her mind—rage at her for being so dumb as to not realize how amazing Quinn was.

Now, after a whirlwind two weeks during which she’d spent almost every night with Quinn, and the majority of her free days between shifts as well, she realized she was just like that girl. She’d spent the last twenty-four years not looking at him as anything other than a friend. Even after she’d given him her virginity—an unbelievably passionate moment for just friends—she’d still never thought about pursuing more.

She wanted to smack her eighteen-year-old self for being so stupid.

If the last two weeks were any indication of what being in a relationship with Quinn Kavanagh was like, she definitely wished she’d come around sooner. With his health still improving, they didn’t go out much on dates, but it didn’t matter. A night on the couch with him was everything she could have ever wanted—they talked for hours, laughed at terrible television programs, and had more sex than her fitness level advised.

It was perfect, but in all honesty, not much different from their friendship so long ago. The biggest change was physical. Despite his injuries, Quinn definitely knew what he was doing in that department, and she was more than willing to benefit from his expertise.

They weren’t going at it like bunnies, of course. He was still her patient, after all.

Plus, their days made it a little harder to be together, since she was a resident and was gone for long stretches of time on a shift. He spent that time working from home or being with his family, but she’d encouraged him to get back in his studio, as well. He’d started working on some new pieces, though he refused to show them to her yet.

He also still came in for his physical therapy appointments and his leg was doing remarkably well. In a few weeks, it would be seven months since his accident, and he’d be strong enough to not need his cane anymore. Already he was sometimes forgetting to grab it for short stretches walking in his apartment.

Kiera loved being the one to help him regain his strength and confidence, because the change was evident in a lot more than just his body. When she’d first seen him again after so long, he’d been exhausted, overwhelmed; he’d even been crying. Now, everything about Quinn screamed determination and power, and she was more than okay with that.

Her body had never been so exhausted, but her heart was light, her energy electric.

“Babe? Did you find it yet?” Quinn called out again.

“Not yet!” Tucking the heart back into the drawer, Kiera decided she wasn’t taking this man for granted anymore.

She was putting her all in this, just like he was. No looking back.

“I’m going to rip into this pizza with my bare hands, then,” he told her, his tone amused. “I am Tarzan, me eat delicious pizza.”

She laughed at his terrible vocal impression while grabbing a plain knife, forgoing the pizza cutter. Walking back into the living room, she dropped down onto the couch next to him and handed it to him. “I’m telling you, Quinn, you don’t own a pizza cutter.”

“It’s a good thing you’re beautiful,” he said, winking at her as he cut their slices.

Kiera smacked his arm. “I’m a doctor, Quinn.”

“And a damn good one,” he replied, leaning in to kiss her as he handed her a slice of hot pizza and a cold bottle of beer. “Even if you can’t see what’s right in front of you.”

Something about his last words nettled her. She accepted his peck on the lips anyway, but narrowed her eyes. “Seriously, I looked in every damn drawer, Quinn.”

He raised his brows, a big smile spreading across his face. “Kiera Finley, did you just curse?”

Kiera shoved the pizza into her mouth, taking a big bite so she couldn’t talk, shaking her head furiously instead. She had surprised herself and wasn’t about to admit that to Quinn.

“You did!” He laughed. “You cursed! I’ve known you twenty-four fucking years, and I’ve never heard you curse before. Welcome to adulthood, Keeks. We have pizza and beer.”

“I just sound so weird cursing—like a bunny holding a knife. It feels out of place. So you’re lucky because it was a onetime thing. Special circumstances,” she said, one hand covering her mouth full of pizza.

“Pizza has certainly been known to qualify as special circumstances before.”

She couldn’t hold back her laughter at the classic Quinn sarcasm, covering her mouth again as she coughed and tried not to choke on cheesy goodness. A defiant piece of sausage lodged in her throat and she began coughing harder.

“Babe, take a drink before you kill yourself,” he said, joining in her laughter. “Can’t have a dead bunny on my hands.”

She tipped the beer to her lips, swallowing several gulps, which cleared her throat. “New rule: no telling jokes when I’m eating.”

“Vetoed,” he said, taking a bite of his own slice of pizza before putting it down on the coffee table in front of them and turning his body to face her. “Next?”

“You can’t veto my rules, Quinn.”

He shrugged. “Just did. Plus, I liked hearing you curse. You should do it more often.”

Her cheeks flamed, and she wrinkled her nose. “Quinn…”

He lifted the pizza and beer from her hands and placed them on the table next to his, then pulled her onto his lap in one swift move. “Tell me you didn’t like it. Even a little?”

“I didn’t like it,” she said quickly, even though that wasn’t entirely the truth. There was no real reason why she didn’t curse. It just sounded harsh on her tongue, and she never felt the need. She had no problem with those who did—in fact, when Quinn did in the bedroom she was…a fan. “Well, I guess I didn’t hate it, either.”

“Really?” His voice dipped into a husky tenor, as he trailed his hands down her arms in long, slow strokes. “Maybe I can help you practice more.”

“I don’t know. It would take a lot of practice,” she teased, brushing her lips over his as she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck.

He nipped at her top lip, then the bottom. “I’m willing to put in the time.”

Kiera giggled and pressed her lips fully to his, their tongues meeting amid their slight moans. He pushed his hips up against her core, no disguising how turned on he was when she felt the large bulge in his pants. A thrill ran through her at the very concept that she could do that to him so easily, that he wanted her that badly. She began rocking against him, their lips still locked together as his hands slid through her hair, holding the back of her head.

Her heart swelled at the lightness between them, the easy way they fit together and how he made her feel like the most important person in the world. She’d always considered herself a happy person, but this feeling was something she hadn’t even known to look for. Kiera felt adored, and in turn, affection she hadn’t even known she was capable of poured from her.

Suddenly, his pants started emanating low-pitched music, which she quickly recognized as the theme song for the movie Jaws. Only slightly muffled by the fabric of his jeans, the music picked up faster and faster, the way it did in the film when the vicious shark got closer and closer to its attack.

“Well, that’s not intimidating to hear right before sex,” Kiera said. Her hands on Quinn’s chest, she pushed back slightly. “Should I ask why your pants have their own terrifying musical number?”

“That’s just my ringtone. Ignore it.” He kissed her again, but now she was a little intimidated about what was happening down below. Sharks and sex didn’t really mix well in her mind. Go figure.

Pushing off him, she pointed down at his pocket. “That’s your phone’s ringtone? Every time someone calls you, you’re suddenly about to be attacked by a shark? No wonder you keep it on vibrate so often—that’s terrifying.”

Quinn laughed, taking his phone from his pocket and declining the call. “That ringtone is not for everyone, just my mom. It infuriates her, and I find that hilarious.”

“Quinn!” She smacked his arm, laughing. “That’s so awful! What is wrong with you? Your mom is so nice.”

“I know she is,” he said with a mischievous grin. “But I’m not.”

Kiera rolled her eyes, grabbing her beer again. “You wish.”

“What does that mean?” He readjusted his pants and grabbed for his beer as well.

She took a sip then leveled her eyes at him. “You play a big game, all macho and tattoos and piercings and motorcycles, but you’re a big softie.”

“Softie?” He sounded incredulous. “Oh, you’ve done it now, woman. There is nothing soft about me.”

Quinn lunged for her, a devilish smile on his face, his eyes darker than ever.

Kiera shrieked and fell back into the couch cushions, laughing as he pressed his body over hers. “Quinn! You’re crushing me!”

“Good,” he teased, but pushed up on his elbows to give her room. He lowered his lips to her neck, biting and kissing his way down.

Laughter quickly evaded her as fire pulsed in her core and shot through her body. She stretched her neck to give him more access, her hands clutching at his biceps and her hips thrusting up against his.

His mouth moved to the neckline of her shirt, which he quickly grabbed and yanked down, along with her bra. Her breasts on full display, he took one nipple in his mouth, sucking hard and flicking his tongue over its tip.

“Oh, Quinn…” Kiera moaned and closed her eyes, reveling in the sparks and sizzle that coursed through her blood within seconds of his touch.

Moving to her other nipple, he bit down and she cried out as the intoxicating sensation traveled between her legs. He grabbed her wrist and shoved her hand between their bodies, pressing it against his firm manhood.

“Anything soft about that, Keeks?” He was growling now, and she shivered, closing her fingers around his bulge.

She shook her head, swallowing hard as he kissed below her ear.

“Answer me, Kiera.” His voice more commanding now, he pushed his pants down until his dick sprung free. He pressed it into her hands and she took hold. “Tell me what you want.”

Stroking her hand up and down his shaft, she whispered, “I want—”

Shark music filled the room again.

“Goddamn it all to hell, hold on.” Quinn groaned, pulling his pants up as he sat and reached for his cellphone on the coffee table. “Ma is killing me. Let me turn this off.”

“Just answer it,” she said, tucking her breasts back into her shirt as she sat up. “She’s called twice now. What if it’s important?”

Quinn’s eyes grazed her body, his jaw tightening as annoyance flared over his expression. Letting out a sharp exhale, he answered the phone. “Hello?”

Kiera crawled closer to him on the couch, resting her chin on his shoulder.

“Ma, you don’t need to confirm Sunday dinner. I know tomorrow is Sunday,” Quinn said into the phone.

“I’m just confirming because you didn’t answer, and I’m worried about you being alone these last two weeks. You should move back here so I can take care of you.” Dee’s voice rang clear over the phone now that Kiera had crawled closer.

“I’m not alone, Ma,” Quinn assured her. “I’m doing great. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“You’re not alone?” Dee squawked this time.

“No, I mean, yes. I mean, I’m doing fine on my own,” Quinn began to stammer.

Kiera furrowed her brow, and she shot him a querying look. Why is he suddenly acting so weird? She wasn’t sure why he didn’t just say she was there with him. They’d been dating for a couple weeks, and his family knew everything about everyone, so this couldn’t be new information. They certainly hadn’t flaunted their budding relationship in front of his family during Ace’s passing, but that was because she didn’t even know they were going that route yet. Still, it couldn’t be a surprise that they were together.

Could it?

He shrugged at her as if it was no big deal, but something felt…off…weird. She didn’t like it.

“Who’s there right now?” Dee asked. “Is someone there with you? Oh my gosh, is it the Finley lass?”

“Ma!” Quinn groaned. “Please, I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

Kiera leaned closer to the phone, deciding to jump in. “Hi, Mrs. Kavanagh. It’s Kiera.”

Quinn pulled the phone away from her and put his hand over the microphone. “Keeks!” he whispered loudly, his eyes wide.

“What?” She put her hands up in defense. Seriously, what the heck is his problem?

He put the phone back up to his ear, but she was too far away to hear Dee now. “No, Ma. We’re just friends. You know we’re friends.” He paused for a moment. “She’s busy tomorrow. Okay, yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He hung up the phone and groaned loudly, tossed it on the couch beside him.

“Um…” Kiera put her hands in the air, her voice questioning. “Care to explain what the hell that was about?”

Cursing twice in a day was quite the roll for her, but the harshness felt warranted. He’d just hidden her from his mother, called her his friend, and then declined an invitation for her to Sunday dinner. Everyone knew Sunday dinner at the Kavanaghs was a big deal, and she’d been to a bunch of those dinners over the years as a friend of the family. Hell, she’d just seen the entire family two weeks ago and no one had acted like she was a pariah then.

“That wasn’t what it sounded like,” he began.

Irritation washed over Kiera as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh, no? Because it sounded really bad.”

“I haven’t told my family about us dating yet,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. “Please don’t be mad, Keeks. I’m sorry. It’s just, you know how they are, and this is so new.” He gestured between them. “If you came to dinner, or they knew that this was more than friends…”

“What would be so wrong with that?” she asked, the edges of her lips pulling into a frown as she grabbed her beer and took several swallows. “Everyone in your family likes me.”

Quinn closed the gap between them on the couch, wrapping his arm around her back. She didn’t stop him, but she wasn’t exactly leaning in, either. “Yes, exactly. They love you.”

“I’m not following.” She tucked her feet underneath her and turned to face him. “That’s a bad thing?”

“No, it’s great.” He looked down, taking one of her hands in his and kissing the back of it. “But it would put us under a lot of pressure being in the spotlight like that, or getting their hopes up. I already got a ton of questions when you came to Rory’s house, and I didn’t have any answers then.”

She could sort of understand that. She certainly hadn’t known she was going to start dating her childhood best friend as an adult, either. It had just happened, and once it did, it seemed impossible they’d ever been anything else.

She also hadn’t spoken to her mother about them, but only because her mother was halfway around the world on a month-long couples’ cruise with her new stepfather. The idea of not mentioning their relationship to parents yet didn’t really bother her, but misleading and straight out lying to them wasn’t something she’d be party to.

He sighed softly, a fearfulness in the way his eyes trailed away from her. “What if this doesn’t work out? What if we don’t work out?” he continued. “What if I have to tell them that someone they consider a part of the family, who babysat Shea, who worked at the clinic, who has been to all of our big moments as a family…didn’t work out?”

She bit her bottom lip, considering his words for a moment. An ache pulled on her heart as she tasted the nerves he was feeling and wondered if she was afraid of that, too. Afraid of this ending? With a loud exhale, she shook her head. “I’m sorry, but that’s dumb.”

“What?” His eyes snapped to hers. “That’s dumb?”

“It’s literally the dumbest,” she clarified, a small smile tugging at her lips. Pushing up, she straddled his lap and took his face in her hands. “Yes, we are new, and yes, your family is intense as heck. But who cares? If we do this, we’re all in. We’re not afraid of the what-ifs and maybes and Kavanagh family wrath.”

“Kiera—” he began.

She stopped him with her lips—one long, slow kiss before she drew back. She placed her hand on his chest over his heart and met his eyes with hers. “Do we feel new to you?”

Something she couldn’t identify flashed across his face.

He shook his head. “Not even a little, Keeks.”

She lifted a brow at his response, her heart pounding a little harder. Trailing her fingers down his jawline, she pressed her lips against his one more time, her hips pushing forward at the same time.

He groaned slightly, and she felt his body responding against her core. “Kiera…”

“Do we feel like just friends?” she continued, pushing her hips forward again.

He grabbed her waist and pinned her against his body, his mouth finding hers.

“We are not just friends,” he assured her.

She shrugged, stepping off his lap and downing the last few sips of her beer. “I don’t know…that’s not what you just said on the phone. Maybe I want to date another guy, since I’m single and all.”

Anger flared in his eyes and his jaw tightened, his mouth set in a thin line, as he looked up at her from where he sat on the couch. “I swear to God, Kiera, if you dare date someone else…”

“You’ll what?” she teased, tipping her head to the side as she walked backward in the direction of the bedroom. “I’m a free agent, Quinn. I’ll do what I like.”

He grunted, definitely irritated with her antics, but she didn’t care. She knew what she wanted and what she deserved, and she wasn’t accepting a fraction less.

“I’ll tell you what, Quinn,” she began, reaching the bedroom door and leaning against the doorframe. “If I do have a boyfriend, and said boyfriend wants to make things official and stop being dumb…well, then I’ll be in said boyfriend’s bed. If not, then I’m going to steal your pizza and go home to my own bed.”

“Damn it, Kiera.” Quinn laughed, shaking his head as he stood and grabbed his cane. “Get your ass in that bedroom.”

She grinned, clutching the bottom hem of her shirt and pulling it up over her head, throwing it at him. “Yes, sir! But, uh, bring the pizza. Because, you know, pizza is delicious.”

He looked down at the box with dismay then picked it up with a loud exhale. “My girlfriend is insane.”

“A little bit!” she called over her shoulder as she dropped her pants to her ankles and jumped nearly naked onto the bed, turning to look at him as he followed her in. “But you like it.”

“Fuck me, I do,” he said with feigned frustration, a smile on his lips the entire time.

Dropping the box of pizza on the nightstand, his cane propped against the side, he grabbed his shirt at the back of his neck and pulled it off.

Her tongue slid across her lower lip as she gazed at the chiseled muscles on his tattooed chest—intact from the accident and as toned as ever. Wriggling out of her panties, she dangled them from the tips of her fingers before tossing them at him.

He laughed and batted them away, watching intently as she unfastened her bra next. He stepped out of his pants and boxer briefs at the same time, and her eyes dipped lower. Her core ached at the sight of him, and when her eyes trailed to his scars, her heart ached, too.

“Come here,” she whispered, her index finger beckoning him.

A low growl rumbled through him as he followed her request, crawling onto the bed and covering her body with his. She parted her legs, anchoring her knees to either side of his hips as she clutched his biceps.

“I’m making the rules now.” His voice was husky and vibrated against her ear as he whispered, “No vetoes.”

Kiera swallowed hard, her entire body tingling with excitement. “Okay,” she breathed, more than happy to let him. She was pretty strong-willed most of the time, but she loved how he took charge in bed.

His lips trailed over her neck, and his tongue slid against her skin until he reached her breasts. Swirling wetness over her nipple, he then blew over the tip.

She shivered, the chill and pleasure enveloping her. “Oh…”

Quinn moved lower, pushing her knees apart as he came to her center. With one long stroke of his tongue, he made her hips bucked off the bed, and she gasped. He grinned, staring up at her from between her legs. “Play with your nipples, Kiera.”

Intense warmth rushed to her cheeks, but she moved her hands to her own breasts and rolled her nipples between her fingers. Shock waves coursed through her as his tongue pressed against her center at the same moment. Small circles around her clit, to long, slow licks across her core. She was writhing beneath him, gasping and moaning.

All of her began to tighten as she shook, trying to catch her breath as his tongue moved faster, harder, deeper. Her back arched off the bed and sparks fired inside of her as he pushed her closer and closer to the edge.

“Come for me. Now,” he demanded, growling against her body as he gripped her hips with his hands, pinning her to him.

His words were all she needed to tumble off the cliff and every muscle in her body spasmed, but his tongue was unrelenting. The sparks seemed unending, and she was almost certain she’d die if it lasted another glorious moment.

“QUINN!” she screamed, her hands clutching the sheets as he took everything she gave him.

“God, I love how you say my name when you come,” he told her, sliding up her body after she’d calmed down from her climax. “Turn over.”

She gasped. “What?”

“My rules, remember? So, turn over.” His eyes blazed, and all the calm she’d felt moments ago was gone, her body reignited.

A smile spread over her face and she flipped over on her belly, pushing up on all fours. She heard his groan as he grabbed her hips, and she waved her ass in his face. “Like this?”

“Fuck, yes,” he said, reaching past her into the nightstand and grabbing protection.

She watched over his shoulder as he rolled it on, then positioned himself against her.

“You’re so damn beautiful, Kiera,” he whispered, one hand twisting in her hair as he pulled her backward at the same moment he thrust inside her.

“Oh!” she gasped, adjusting to his length.

He pulled at her hair enough to arch her back against his chest as he began rhythmically thrusting in and out of her. His free hand hugged her body, sliding between her legs and moving in small circles over her clit. “You feel so damn good around my cock, Kiera,” he said, nibbling the side of her neck. “Tell me how you feel.”

Panting, she pulsed around him, meeting his movements until they both fell forward into the bed. He continued to push into her, and she pressed her hips backward to take more, but still said nothing.

He growled against her ear. “Talk to me, baby.”

She blinked, trying to find the words. She had never been a dirty talker—she wouldn’t even know where to begin.

His hand came down hard on her ass, a loud whack that left her stinging. Surprising even herself, excitement whirled through her at the impact, and she pushed back against him.

“I’m not going to ask you again, Kiera.”

She swallowed hard, reveling in the fact that he’d just spanked her—and she’d liked it. “Spank me again,” she finally said.

A low, throaty chuckle came from behind her as he pumped inside her faster, his hand coming down on her ass again. “Got a bit of a wild side to you, don’t you, Keeks?”

“Hell, yes,” she said, as his hand circled her waist again and found her clit. Light sparkled and crackled behind her eyes as she clutched the sheets, her body exploding against him as he circled the most sensitive spot on her body.

“I knew I’d get you to curse,” he growled, pushing into her harder until he pressed as deep as he could manage and held her there.

She felt him explode inside her as she was spasming around him, and it was too much and not enough and just perfect all in one. He slumped against her, pressing her into the mattress, and she didn’t even mind that it was harder to breathe, because she was already floating.

When they could both move again a few minutes later, he left the bed to freshen up. He kissed her gently, then grabbed his cane and headed for the bathroom.

Kiera sat up, leaning against the headboard with a huge smile on her face. Pulling the blankets around her, she snuggled into them. Spying the pizza on the nightstand, her stomach growled.

“Hey, babe?” she called out.

“Yeah?” All clean, he walked back into the bedroom and pulled on a pair of pajama pants, tossing her one of his shirts.

She slid it on over her head, fluffing her hair out over the collar. “I’m going to eat this pizza in your bed.”

Quinn laughed. “Okay?”

“I’m just saying, there might be crumbs.” She opened the box and pulled out a slice, taking a bite. “And as my boyfriend now, you’re gonna have to get used to it, because eating in bed is one of life’s greatest luxuries.”

Dropping onto the bed, he climbed over next to her. Kissing her temple, he squeezed her leg. “Just hand me a slice, you weirdo.”

Her mouth full of pizza, she brought the box on the bed between them. “You like me.”

“God help me, I do,” he teased, taking a bite of his. “So fucking much.”

Pizza. Sex. Boyfriend. It was a modern-day fairytale.