Chapter Twelve
Quinn
The crisp morning breeze rushes across my face as I stand on the corner outside my apartment, preparing for my morning jog. As I stretch, I notice that I feel a little lighter than usual. Probably from all the mind-blowing sex this weekend. Sex with Alessandra was incredible. Even more incredible than what I’ve been imagining it would be like for the past couple of weeks.
Once my legs feel loose, I set out at my usual pace, my muscles protesting slightly more than they usually do. I skipped yesterday’s jog in favor of breakfast with Alessandra. . .along with a few other unplanned aerobic-like activities.
I forgot how loose a long night of fucking can make you.
Turning the corner at the end of the block, I reach the entrance to my favorite place to jog—a long, looping pathway that winds through the park closest to my apartment. I pick up the pace a bit once my feet hit the dirt. I run this path enough to know that there will be almost no one on it, and I don’t have to be as cautious as I do when jogging through the city.
As I make my way down the path, my thoughts wander to my plans for the day. It’s Sunday—which means I have family dinner to worry about. It’s always good to spend time with my brothers and their wives, but I can already tell I’ll struggle to get Alessandra off my mind. After how well she handled the last family dinner, I make a snap decision and pull out my phone.
I slow to a stop in the middle of the pathway and type Alessandra a new message.
Busy tonight? Would love for you to join us for another family dinner.
Moments after I close my phone, it buzzes. A smile spreads across my lips. Good to know Alessandra isn’t the type to play hard to get after finally going all the way.
Can’t :( Lorraine is out of town, so I have to watch the kids overnight. Wish I could come.
I immediately begin typing a dirty response about coming, but decide against it. Instead, I send:
If I get rid of my family early, can I come see you?
Alessandra responds that she needs to check with her boss first. While waiting for her reply, I begin jogging again.
My phone buzzes, and I quickly stop to open it. I smile as I read the message.
She said it’s fine, just as long as it’s not too late! Bedtime is 8:30 here. Can’t wait to see you. :)
Excited, I send Alessandra a quick text back and practically sprint the rest of the way home. I still have plenty of time to kill before dinner with my family, but knowing that I have time with Alessandra on the horizon gives me a sense of urgency I didn’t have before.
The rest of the day catching up on a bit of work, and then cleaning up around the house and prepping for dinner that night. I decide to make sheet-pan fajitas so cleanup will be easy, and I can push my family out the door as soon as we finish with our weekly ritual. I make a quick run to the grocery store to pick up tortillas, then stop by a toy store on the way home to ensure I make a good impression on the kids later.
By the time my brothers arrive with their wives, I can feel myself rushing through our conversations. I have to force myself to listen while Emma and Gavin talk about the renovations to their place, all the while pushing thoughts of Alessandra out of my head.
“You have somewhere to be?” Cooper asks me when Gavin and the women leave the room to set the table. He claps his hand on my shoulder and gives it a good shake. “You haven’t stopped checking the clock since the second we got here.”
“I, uh, what? No, I’m fine. We have all the time in the world,” I mumble, checking on the fajitas in the oven so I don’t have to look my brother in the eye.
“Yeah, sure, whatever you say, boss,” Cooper grumbles, lazily swirling the wine in his glass. When I don’t respond, he decides to press further. “So, where’s your girlfriend this fine evening? Did we scare her away?”
I bristle slightly at the word girlfriend, not because of what it implies but because I know what Cooper means by it. He’s pushing my buttons, and whether I want to admit it or not, it’s working.
“She’s at work,” I say as I pull the fajitas out of the oven.
I check the clock and my stomach sinks a little. It’s already seven o’clock. Time to get this show on the road.
“Food’s ready,” I say loud enough so the others will hear. I decide to help the process along by plating everyone’s meals and setting them on the counter for them to grab and go.
“Full service.” Emma chuckles, raising her eyebrows as she grabs a plate.
“Yeah, thanks, Quinn,” Corinne chimes in, smiling broadly at me.
My brothers and I shuffle into a line behind the women, picking up our plates and making our way to the dining room. Once we’re all seated, I make a hasty toast about family time and focus on finishing my meal as soon as possible.
“Have you been fasting all day or something?” Gavin asks, shooting me an amused look.
“I think he’s just enjoying his fajitas,” Emma says, poking Gavin’s ribs with her elbow. “It’s delicious, Quinn.”
“Yeah, thanks, Quinn,” everyone chimes in before resuming the usual chatter.
While my family continues their conversation about countertops and flooring, I go back and forth between monitoring the time and everyone else’s plates. I made sure to only prepare enough food for each person to have one plate, carefully divvying out each meal so there wouldn’t be room for seconds. Once everyone finishes eating, I quickly clear all the plates, apologizing for forgetting about dessert.
Slowly, everyone mills into the kitchen to help with cleanup, and by seven-thirty, the place is spotless. As we all stand around the island, chatting casually, I use a natural lull in the conversation to seize my moment.
“Guys, it’s been a pleasure, as always,” I say, clasping my hands together and forcing a warm smile.
My brothers and sisters-in-law all turn and smile at me, seemingly not understanding that I’m trying to get them to leave.
“Can’t wait to do this again next week.” I grin even wider and take a few small steps toward the door.
Gavin furrows his brow, and he and Cooper exchange a slightly annoyed look.
Thankfully, Emma sees the look passed between my brothers and swoops in to save the day. “Well, Quinn, why don’t we get out of your hair. Dinner was lovely. Thanks again,” she says, looping her arm through Gavin’s and pulling him gently toward the door.
Corinne follows suit, thanking me for dinner and taking Cooper’s hand in hers.
Thank God for my sisters-in-law, the saviors of my fucking day.
I follow my guests to the front door, wishing them well and assuring them next week’s meal will be even tastier. My brothers both shoot me one last disapproving look before leaving, but I’m too distracted to care. It’s already seven-forty, and when I looked up directions to Lorraine’s house earlier in the day, my phone said it would take about twenty minutes to get there.
I quickly brush my teeth to eliminate any trace of fajita breath, grab the bag with the toys for the kids, and get into my car. During the drive to Lorraine’s house, that stupid butterfly feeling flutters in my stomach again. This isn’t the first time it’s happened, but still, I can’t help but feel a little embarrassed.
I’m thirty-fucking-eight years old. So, why the hell do I suddenly feel twenty-three all over again?
By the time I pull up in front of the house, the light rain that started halfway through my drive has escalated just short of a downpour. I check the clock for the last time. Eight o’clock. Only half an hour before bedtime, but hey, at least I made it.
The nerves haven’t really died down in my stomach, but at this point, I’m more concerned about the growing bulge in my pants. Just thinking about Alessandra brings me right back to the feeling of her velvety skin, the image of her perfect body writhing in pleasure. I run my hands roughly over my face before getting out of the car.
I need to focus. I’m meeting the kids she babysits, for fuck’s sake. This isn’t the time to arrive at her doorstep with a fucking hard-on.
Stepping out into the rain-soaked street and before I take off running for the front door, I take the bag in one hand, quickly locking the car behind me with the other. In the fifteen seconds it takes me to jog from the curb to the door, I wish I’d thought to bring flowers for Alessandra—and an umbrella for me. Too late now, asshole. Hopefully, she finds the slightly damp look endearing.
After three solid knocks, I take a step back and wait for the door to open. I can hear a squeal from the other side of the door, and a child’s voice screaming something I can’t really make out.
Within moments, the door swings open and Alessandra is standing in front of me. I haven’t seen her since breakfast yesterday morning. Even though I know she must be exhausted from watching her little monsters all day, I can’t tell from her face. She’s as radiant and gorgeous as always, somehow still sexy in an oversized gray sweatshirt and leggings.
She smiles at me, and for a moment, neither of us says anything. I can almost hear the energy crackling between us, and already I know—this is going to be one hell of an evening.