“Ask the private investigator to contact her. I’m sure he’s got experience doing that kind of thing.”
“That makes sense.”
“I’ll do it tomorrow.”
“You don’t sound sure.”
“I will.” He gazes at me. “Hold me accountable?”
“Okay.”
He cups my cheek and kisses me. “That’s settled, then. I’ll call the PI tomorrow. But right now, we need to get you home.”
18
STEFAN
I have a burning desire to be close to Quinn. To feel his breath on my skin, to touch and taste him, to feel the warmth of his body around my cock.
Except it’s more than that. Something has shifted inside me when it comes to Quinn. My emotions have changed. They’ve become richer, like colour bleeding into a black-and-white movie. I’m not sure when it happened. Last night over dinner? When Rubin pulled the protective brother act on me on the train? When I held Quinn in my arms as I fell asleep. It could have happened in any one of those moments, but I suspect it’s been more of a trickle, so slow I didn’t notice until the change had become too big to ignore.
He shifts beside me and makes a sweet sound that tells me he’s waking up. From the way he’s moving and stretching while he’s still asleep, I know he isn’t going to be gripped by sleep paralysis.
I nuzzle his ear and nip his earlobe as he wakes, making him squeak. “How would you feel about making love this morning?”
Yes. That’s what this feeling is—a need to make love to the man I adore. Except I know instantly it’s more than that.
Quinn gently rakes his nails down my bare chest and pulls me to him for a harder kiss. “I’d like that.”
“You’re awake enough?”
“Uh-huh.” He sucks my lip into his mouth and nips it playfully. “But what time is it?”
I fumble for my phone. “Nine thirty.”
Despite his exhaustion after his stepmum’s birthday meal, I know Quinn had a restless night. He was awake more than usual, or maybe I was just more aware of his restless prowling. I didn’t mind. I held him each time he came back to bed, helping him relax so he could fall asleep again. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how he can struggle to stay awake and struggle to fall asleep.
Quinn puts a finger on my chest. “Are you stalling?”
I raise my eyebrows. “Stalling?”
“Calling the PI about your mum.”
“I can do that later.” I try to kiss him, but he shakes his head.
“Nope. Call first.”
“Quinn—”
“You asked me to hold you accountable last night. This is me doing that. I won’t be your diversion or distraction, Stefan. I want you to make love to me because you want me, not because you want to put off calling the PI.”
“That’s not—”
He gives me a stern look, which is out of place on his normally soft-featured face.
“I need you, Quinn.”
“But?”
