“It’s complicated,” Heath finally said with a shrug.
“Well, if you need a listening ear, I’m told I have a good one.And I’m discreet.”
“Thank you.”He took a step toward the door but then turned back.“She could use her mom’s advice right now but doesn’t feel like she can tell her.If you can get Quinn to talk to you, it might help her figure out what she wants to do.”
“I’ll keep that in mind when she comes back from her hike.”
“Thanks.”
Quinn steppedfrom the tour bus and followed the others up the path, trying to focus on something other than last night’s kiss.All night she’d dreamed of it.She’d finally risen at five, determined not to risk seeing Heath again until enough time had passed that her whole body didn’t go up in flames.It was almost as though the more she told herself not to think of the kiss, the more determined her mind was to bring it up.
She’d kissed guys before.Except nothing had prepared her for kissing Heath.Being in his embrace meant so much more to her than any she’d experienced before, way beyond the touch of their lips.
Quinn had tried to analyze it—like that would somehow remove the emotional element.She could only compare it to a constrictor knot which had tightened the harder she’d pulled on it.Denying how she felt about Heath was the same.The more she pulled away from him, the more their connection tugged her back.And it hit her where her deepest feelings lay.
The comment Viktor had made last night as he and Heath were leaving came to mind.If she hadn’t been embarrassed and confused about the pull Heath had on her, she might have turned on the viscount and smacked his face.How dare he still talk about pursuing her, like she was an escaped convict or something.Or some prize to win.
Had the threat been for Heath or a warning to her?Or both?It had to stop.But she couldn’t tell Viktor why.
Quinn growled.The hiker she was passing shot her a wary glance.She stepped to the edge of the path and paused to take a deep breath.Thank goodness she had plans to stay away from both men.It would give her time to cool down.In more ways than one.
She concentrated on taking pictures the rest of the hike.She got a ton of them in the mountains and then drove the SUV to photograph the town and finally ended at REKD Gaming headquarters.Some time, it’d be fun to rent a drone to see the wheel from above.
Except there wouldn’t be another time.
Feeling depressed at the thought, she pulled up beside the Wallach SUV.Sara stepped out of hers and waited for Quinn to join her.
“I just got back from dropping the children off for a playdate.Did you get all the photos you wanted?”
“I did.This is a gorgeous area.”They entered the apartment and hung up their jackets.
“Did you have lunch somewhere?”Sara asked, stepping into the kitchen.
“I grabbed some fast food.”
“That’s a shame.There are lots of fun restaurants here.We’ll have to take you to a few on your next visit.”
Her words and fatigue made Quinn’s eyes sting.She wasn’t usually so emotional.Frustrated with herself, she wiped her eyes.
“You look like you could use a nap, but do you have a few minutes to talk over a hot chocolate?I have a homemade mix that’s to die for.”Sara didn’t wait for an answer but took the lid off a ceramic canister on the counter.
Quinn brought over two mugs from the cupboard.When they both had mugs full of the hot drink, she turned toward the living room.
“One more thing,” Sara called.With a mischievous grin, she opened the refrigerator and pulled something out from the back.A spray can of whipped cream.
“Brilliant,” Quinn said, coming back for a healthy squirt.
“It’s not the same without it.”Sara pointed to the comfy chairs, and they settled in.“Did you know I’m also from the Pacific Northwest?Seattle, like Ezreal.”
“I hadn’t heard that.”Quinn blew on her drink.“Is that where you two met?”
“No.We met here.I’ve often wondered if it was kismet or serendipity that we both had to cross the country to find each other.”
Quinn frowned, trying to remember the difference between the words.“Isn’t serendipity a fortunate accident?”
“Yes.Kismet is fate.Either way, I’ve never been happier since I knew we were safe with Ezreal.”
Quinn paused in lifting her mug to her lips, surprised at how the tone in Sara’s voice had darkened.
