Aleksándr had a dark gleam in his eyes, rubbing his hands together like a villain in a Disney movie. “Let’s make this a memorable meeting.”
Searchingthe bustling crowd for Quinn, I spotted her black bob bouncing up and down with each step. Shifting on my feet, I clenched my hands to stop myself from rushing up to her. Conflicting emotions fought a battle inside my body, elation eventually punching out regret.
I stood still amid people rushing around me, taking in her every move. She walked the same way she did everything else: with purpose and a smile on her face.
God, I was such a bastard for doing this to her. But my need overrode everything else. And I’d never pretended to be a good man. I was sure there was a special place in hell reserved for me.
Quinn scanned the busy airport, standing on tiptoes to see over the crowd.
When she spotted me, her face lit up, and she ran the last few steps, not stopping once she was close. Instead, she dropped her suitcase and barreled into my arms.
Not thinking twice about it, I scooped her up in a tight embrace, and her legs wrapped around my body. Our mouths found each other, the pillowy softness of her lips enough to get me excited in the middle of an airport, standing among harried travelers. I instantly felt like I was floating, all worry gone with the touch of her lips.
I was sure we garnered our fair share of disapproving stares, but in that moment, nothing mattered but having Quinn in my arms again.
She tilted her head back, wide smile on her face, her hands interlaced behind my neck. “Hi.”
“Hi, yourself.”
We continued staring at each other, her bright eyes drinking in every inch of my face, and I did the same.
How would I ever be able to let her go?
“You sent a plane.”
The corner of my mouth tilted up. “I did.”
“Thank you. I loved it.” She slid down my body until she was standing on her own two feet again. “But it was too much. You didn’t have to do that.”
Kissing her nose, I took her bags in one hand, then interlaced our fingers with the other. “I have the plane, so you might as well use it.”
“It’s as easy as that, is it?”
Pulling her closer, I walked us out to my car sitting at the curb in front of the entrance. When you were an Olysses, you had special privileges wherever you went. One of them was parking in a no-parking zone and having an airport attendant guard it.
I didn’t want a driver today. For this weekend, it would only be Quinn and me. No interruptions. For once, I’d pretend the outside world didn’t exist. The memories would have to carry me through the rest of my life, and I intended to savor every moment I had left with her.
Opening her door, I watched Quinn get in the car, holding myself back from reaching for her again. I put her bags in the trunk next to mine and slid into the driver seat, tipping the airport employee who’d been standing next to my car.
Quinn turned to me with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling. “So what’s on the agenda for today? Do you still have to work?”
“It’s a surprise. And I’m not working while you’re here.” I didn’t want to miss a single moment I had with her.
My family had a beach house in Saugatuck, and I was taking her there. I wasn’t going to share my time with Quinn with anyone else. Not my sister or my parents, who’d all been asking about her.
I hadn’t even told them she was coming, and I had no intention of doing so.
Once we made it out of the busy city, I relaxed against my seat, taking Quinn’s hand in mine. The drive was smooth, and conversation came easy. Her enthusiasm at everything we drove past was infectious.
She made me stop at St. Joseph, and I didn’t even mind getting dragged into shops stuffed with random trinkets and incense that made my nose hairs recoil in fear.
We ate at a coffee shop that didn’t possess one matching piece of furniture, dish, or cutlery. I obviously didn’t hide my horror as well as I thought, because when Quinn’s attention turned to me, she burst out laughing.
Her hair was a mess, her cheeks red from the cold outside, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She’d never been more beautiful.
She nudged me while still chuckling. “Do you want to wait outside? I can order our food.”
Pulling her closer and away from the most likely flea-infested furniture, I shook my head. “Nonsense. But promise not to touch anything.”
