“What?” he asked, clearly confused.
Blinking away tears, I cleared my throat and looked over at him, smiling. “The Christmas before I went to college. I escaped the party Mom was throwing and went up to my room, got into my pajamas, and opened a book. Harry brought you over, but you had too much to drink, so he sent you upstairs to sleep it off, not knowing I was up there, and then all of a sudden, you were in my room.” I laughed quietly. “You were the first guy I let in my room, Matt Quinn.” Shaking away the memory, I straightened my shoulders. “You asked me why I wasn’t at the party. I replied honestly, and that was a big deal, because I’d never spoken to a man the way I’d spoken to you. We spoke for a little while.” I looked up into his stern hazel eyes. “I know you don’t remember any of this.”
His voice soft, he called my name. “Mia.”
Before I lost my composure, I had to tell him why. “You told me I’d bloom into a beautiful butterfly.” My eyes filling with tears, I sniffled. “And the way you looked at me, into me, I believed you, because you believed in me.” Swiping at my eyes, my voice quavered. “You were the first guy to look at me as if I was worth something. And it felt nice. I guess I just…” I dipped my chin, hiding my face. “I guess I just wanted to feel that again.”
Silence.
A sad smile crossed my face as I stood. “I never meant for you to feel like I set you up. And Harry is never going to know about what happened. This is our secret. I’ll take it to the grave, Quinn.” I added softly, “I’d never do anything to hurt you. Not purposely.”
He watched me, his eyes piercing, obviously looking for a glimpse of dishonesty. When he didn’t find it, he stood with a small sigh and walked toward me. He kept walking until we were almost foot-to-foot, then his arms came around me and he held me, resting his chin on top of my head.
Relief coursed through me. I slumped into him, my hands lightly grasping the sides of his tee, my forehead resting on his chest as I closed my eyes, breathing in his woodsy male scent. With my face mashed into his shirt, I muttered, “I’m sorry.”
His rumbling voice vibrated through his chest. “I don’t like you crying.”
“Okay,” I mumbled.
“No more crying,” he ordered.
And my lip twitched. “Okay.”
He kissed the top of my head lightly and I felt it wash over me, warming me like a light fluffy blanket on a cool night. I smiled into him then his arm was around me, holding me by his side. “Take off your shoes.” I slid them off and he led us down the hall to what I assumed was his bedroom. And it was.
The bed was made, the sheets were crisp, and suddenly, I was nervous. But this was Quinn, and somehow my concerns flew out the window at that knowledge, as if he were safe. I felt safe. He was safe, according to my spidey senses.
Quinn lay on the bed, fully clothed, holding his arms open to me. My stomach flip-flopped as I climbed over, lying by him with my head resting on his shoulder. His strong arms went around me, tucking me into his side, and I sighed. I was at peace.
“So, Harry’s sister,” he nudged me, “what do we do now?”
I pursed my lips in thought. “We could always just do what we’ve been doing.” I peeked up at him. “Friends?”
His eyes drifted down to my lips. He didn’t speak for a long while, but when he did, my heart sang. “It’s too late for me. You’re the coolest, funniest girl I’ve met in…well…forever, Mia.” He turned his gaze to the ceiling. “I’m not letting sex come between that. Not no way. Not no how.”
I snuffled a little laugh. “That’s kind of funny in a way, because I’m not friends with a lot of guys. Well, there are the two gym junkies across the hall in my apartment building, but they don’t count. Every guy I’ve ever spoken to that wasn’t related to me turned me into a female Rain Man.” A soft smile graced my lips. “Till you, that is.”
He grunted, but the way he stuck me to his side was all I needed to know the grunt was a positive.
We lay in each other’s arms for a long while. The silence between was comfortable and easy. Neither of us felt the need to talk to fill in the space. It just wasn’t necessary.
Then, his voice rumbled into the open. “You could’ve chosen any one of those men.”
My lips pursed in thought then agreed, “I could have. There was a good five…okay, six minutes, where Marcus was a very likely contender.”
“Marcus?” He sounded mildly insulted. “Marcus? You’ve got to be kidding! He likes it rough. You would’ve hated that. He would’ve eaten you alive, Mia.” He scoffed, muttering to himself, “Marcus. What a joke.”
A sly smile crossed my face. I thought very carefully about what I was about to say next. “Well, now that I’m broken in, maybe I’ll book with him. It would be nice to see the other side of—” I squeaked when Quinn pulled himself over me, my arms pinned over my head, restrained by strong hands on my wrists.
His glare was cutting and his voice was low, dangerous. “You’re not booking with anyone. You’re officially cut off.”
A teasing smile settled on my face. My voice was breathy at the feel of his body on mine. Memories of the night before washed over me. My stomach coiled delightfully and I whispered half-honest, “I was only joking, Quinn.”
He didn’t respond for a long while, but when he did, it caused my nipples to bead. He uttered crudely, “If you haven’t got your fill, Mia, all you need to do is say the word.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
Damn it, sassy retort! Where are you?
His lips curved into a smirk and I was done for. “You need more of this?” He ground him hips into mine. The friction was earth-shattering.
Spreading my legs, with my skirt hitched up at my hips, Quinn settled between my thighs, grinding the hard ridge hidden behind his jeans right where I needed it. I moaned. Loudly.
But then he was gone. My eyes followed him as he stood, reaching down to adjust himself, cursing, “Fuck, Mia. You’re my best friend’s sister.”
And there I was, thighs spread like a wanton hussy, my panties on display. I quickly covered myself, not yet trusting myself to speak.
He turned to me, hands on his hips, looking down at his feet. “I can’t do this.” He lifted his face, his eyes on me. “I’m not going to lie. You’re gorgeous, Mia. Whenever I’m around you, I can’t seem to keep my hands off you.” He paused then added quietly, “I want you, but I can’t do this.”
I almost did a double-take. Oh Lord. Did I hear what I thought I just heard? Matt Quinn just told me I was gorgeous! Not only that, but he said he couldn’t keep his hands off me. Off me! Insert squeak here.
By thunder, I was not letting this opportunity slip away!
I would do whatever I had to where Matt Quinn was concerned.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Quinn
As I looked over at Mia, her doe eyes held me. With her tousled auburn hair draped over her shoulder, her full lips parted, wearing that pink blush I liked so much, saying no to her was harder than I thought.
She stayed silent a while, but then she moved. Slipping off the bed, her green polka dot dress bunching around her thighs, she stood, walking barefoot to meet me. When she stood in front of me, she spoke softly, “We’re not hurting anyone, Quinn.”
Fuck, she was killing me. “I can’t do it. It feels wrong.”
She reached behind her, and I heard the distinct sound of a zipper being undone. My eyes narrowed. “What are you doing?”
Swallowing hard, her voice trembled. “We’re adults. We both consent to this. I don’t see the problem.” She shrugged, and the top of her dress fell forward, revealing her perfect porcelain skin down to her soft stomach, her silky white lace bra on display.
Not fair.
I fought the urge to groan. Instead, I stared at her breasts and stated, “I’m not boyfriend material.” I lifted my head and my eyes searched hers. “If that’s what you’re after, that’s not me.”
; She tried to smile, but it was weak. “I know, Quinn. You’re an escort. I don’t want you to quit your job.” She grinned, but I could tell it was forced. She tried to laugh it off. “You’re kind of good at it.”
I was so confused. “Then what? We fuck till we work each other out of our systems? I don’t…I mean, what do you want from me? Because I don’t have a lot to offer.”
Hooking her thumbs into the waist of her dress, she gently pushed it down her legs, letting it fall to the ground, leaving her only in her white lace bra and matching tiny silken panties. She looked up at me through lowered lashes. “I just want to play.”
My arms shot out at their own accord, sliding my hands around her bare back, and I pulled her into me. “So nothing serious? Just sex?” She blushed, nodding. “And it stays between us. Harry won’t find out.” She shook her head. I felt like a jerk. This was Harry’s sister. But, fuck, she was amazing. I was damn near sold. But I had one more thing to clarify. My hand slid down her back, over her ass, squeezing and kneading carefully, purposefully. “And if you start seeing someone, playtime ends.”
Her eyes fluttered closed at the feel of my hands on her ass. She replied a breathy, “Okay.”
I pulled her close, loving that this was real. I wasn’t being paid to put on a show. My true emotions and reactions could be exposed, and the woman I was with turned me on like a light switch. This was the first sexual experience I’d had off the books for two years, and I was going to savor it.
“I want your lips, baby.” My voice sounded strange and almost harsh. It was my turn to place orders. I was about to have sex with someone, simply because I wanted to. That was a great feeling. Freeing.
Mia’s eyes met mine and the lust caught in them was an aphrodisiac on its own. Reaching up, she took my face in her hands and drew me down gently, as if I were something precious and she didn’t want to break me. Her lips close to mine, she breathed into me and my cock stood full-mast.
The connection was something else. The moment her lips touched mine, I was lost. Gone was the cool, calm demeanor I had trained myself to have. This was primal need. I needed her, and I would have her any way I wanted, if she let me.
With her soft, sweet lips on my own, I groaned into her mouth, lifting my tee. Separating for only a second, I removed it and threw it the only place it needed to be—away.
Her small hands landed on my hips, holding me, and I frowned. When was the last time someone touched me like this? Like I was a regular guy, making out with his girl? I couldn’t even remember.
Cool fingertips smoothed my brow. Against my lips, she uttered, “Stop worrying. We’re not doing anything wrong. Harry will never know.”
I didn’t correct her assumption, rather nodded lightly. “Right.”
My arms around her, I lifted her, ignoring her squeak of protest, and brought her to the foot of the bed. I ran my fingers down her cheek. “We don’t have to do anything right now. I know you’re still sore, Mia. No one heals that quickly.”
To my surprise, her full lips pouted. “Oh. Um. All right.”
My brow rose. Was she serious? “Unless…if you want to?”
Her face brightened. “Is that okay?”
My eyes shut of their own accord. I tilted my head back and chuckled. Where had Mia been my whole life? I glanced at her cautious face and smiled reassuringly. “That’s definitely okay. I just don’t want to hurt you.”
She smiled big and warmth hit me right in the chest. “I want to.” Her smile fell and she added hurriedly, “If you want to.”
Carefully, I reached over to her hand at my hip and brought it to my straining fly. Pressing her hand into my rock-hard erection, I deadpanned, “Oh, I don’t know. I think I’ll pass.” I rolled my eyes then scoffed. “What do you think?”
She bit her lip, fighting a laugh. Something came over me. I gently pulled her lip free, running my thumb over it. “I want your smiles. I want to hear your laugh. This is us, Mia. Just us. I don’t want fake.” I drew her in and pecked at her lips. “I want it all.”
I had her friendship. I craved her body. I wanted the experience to be genuine, and I wanted it with her. She was my chance at something good. Sure, I couldn’t be her boyfriend, but I could be the next best thing. I could be the person she came to when she needed comfort. I could be the man she came to when she felt like her skin was crawling and she needed relief. I could be the person she laughed with, the person she created personal jokes with.
I could be her lover.
I would give her all I had to give. It may not have been much, but it was all I had. Mia was worth so much more. Here was hoping she never figured that out, because with every second that passed, the thought of losing her to someone who deserved her was already weighing on my mind.
I’d barely had a taste of her. I needed more of her. I secretly wished I could be the man she needed. Alas, I wasn’t. So I would make certain the parts I could give her were given completely.
“Quinn,” she whispered, “this is me.”
My chest puffed out. No man had ever seen her like this, neck flushed, lashes lowered, a pretty blush on the apples of her cheeks, naked and bared to her soul. Mia was mine, for now.
I took her mouth in a long, wet kiss, loving the way she pressed into me. “Get on the bed.”
In a second flat, she was scrambling toward the center of the mattress. And so I searched. I opened drawers then closed them. I made my way to the closet, checking jacket and pants pockets. Nothing.
Shit.
As I strode out of the room, Mia called out a puzzled, “Um, Quinn?”
“Just a second, baby.”
In a final attempt, I looked through the bathroom cabinet. Brow furrowed, I shuffled back to the bedroom, standing in the doorway. Mia shrugged. I vaguely scratched at my chin. “I don’t keep condoms in the apartment. Never needed to. I don’t conduct business at home.” I was sure Mia meant to hide the pleasure that statement brought her, but the girl wore her heart on her sleeve.
A light bulb moment.
My bag of tricks.
I straightened, a slow smirk stretching my lips. “I have to go to my car. Be right back.”
Before she could say a thing, I raced down the hall, grabbed my car keys, and ran down the stairs to my car to retrieve my bag of sex fun. Throwing it over my shoulder, I took the steps two at a time . Making my way inside, I kicked the door closed and strode into my bedroom, holding the bag in the air as if it were an Academy Award.
I grinned. “Hi.”
She blinked then smiled back softly. “Hi there.”
I unzipped the black duffle, pulling out a row of condoms and a bottle of lube. Couldn’t be too careful. Mia had to be sore. The least I could do was make it easier for her if she truly wanted sex.
Holding the condoms between my teeth, I worked on my zipper. My jeans flew to the same place my tee had been thrown and I strode meaningfully to the bed. Mia’s eyes widened as she took in my heavily tented black cotton boxers. As I reached the foot of the bed, I slid my boxers down my legs, revealing my thick erection. Mia’s mouth parted with what sounded to be a dreamy sigh.
Oh, yeah. She wanted the D.
I climbed onto the bed, moving slowly until my body was above hers. She lay back and looked up at me with those pretty eyes. I lowered myself, wanting her to feel my weight on her. She took it without protest, spreading her creamy thighs to accommodate me. Resting my cock at the V between her legs, I rocked myself gently, the tip of my cock already weeping. With a swift tug, the cups of her bra rested underneath her breasts, pushing them up, her pink nipples hard against my bare chest.
I licked my lips. Her tits were incredible, and felt amazing pushed up on me. Her soft panting made me eager to pull her panties to one side and fill her completely in one cool motion, but I restrained myself.
My fingers played with the elastic at her lower stomach. I ran my fingers over the black lace tattoo there, admiring the pattern. Hooking my fingers underneath the m
aterial at her hips, I slid her panties down her legs, removing them and throwing them down.
“Turn on your side, facing away from me.”
She did without question and I valued her faith in me. Resting on her side with her head on my pillow, her knees slightly bent, I was greeted with the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. Her tight ass and pussy lips peeking out from the V of her thighs, she was on display, just for me. I took it for the gift it was.
My fingers landed on her hip. She jumped slightly, but calmed immediately. I ran my fingertips down her hip, back, over her taut ass, and then carefully over the swollen lips of her pink pussy. She squirmed. I smirked, reaching for the bottle on the nightstand.
My voice low, I uttered, “Relax, Mia. I got you.”
Squeezing a small amount of lube onto my fingertips, I ran it over her pussy, feather-soft. At Mia’s soft groan and her pushing her butt out, I tested the waters. I gently pushed my fingertip into her slit, running it up and down, watching for any sign of discomfort. I saw none and pressed harder at her entrance, breaching the smooth flesh. The lube was doing its job. I easily slid my finger inside Mia’s pussy, in and out until I could feel her wetness flowing over my digit. She gasped and fidgeted. I added a second finger, but still Mia pushed back against me, riding my fingers, moaning softly. She was ready.
So was I.
I took a small foil packet, ripped it open, and sheathed myself. I opened the bottle and squeezed a small amount of lube onto the tip of my latex-wrapped dick. Swirling the lube all over the condom, I lay behind Mia, replicating her position. My arm snaked around her, pulling her back into my chest, placing her pussy right where I wanted it. With my free hand, I reached between us, running the head of my cock up and down her already wet slit. With no effort at all, the tip slipped inside, and as I hissed, Mia whined softly.
I fed my cock into her an inch at a time, listening for sounds of distress, but all I heard was sounds of intense pleasure. Mia took me. She took all of me until we were ass to groin and I was fully cocooned in delicious warmth.