“I need some water.”
I reluctantly detangle myself from Damon's embrace. Slipping out of bed, I reach for a silk robe, draping it over my naked body as I make my way to the kitchen.
As I enter the room, I find Quin leaning against the island, a mischievous smirk clipping his lip.
"I assume he's forgiven you?" Quin quips, amused.
I grin. "I don't know about forgiveness, but I don't think he's angry right now."
Quin tilts his head, his gaze trailing over my disheveled appearance. I feel a blush bloom on my cheeks. It’s strange. I shouldn't feel this way around Quin, not after everything we've been through together. But I still feel giddy whenever he looks at me like that.
"Let me taste you, darling," Quin rasps, his fingers caressing my face as he leans in to brush his lips against mine. His tongue teases the seam of my lips before retreating. "Mmm..." He pulls back, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "You taste like the ocean."
A shiver runs down my spine, and I feel hot. Flushed. Wanting. His eyes, so blue and mesmerizing, hold me captive. And I let him. This is one cage I don’t mind being trapped inside. My chest rises and falls with anticipation as I untie my robe, letting it fall to the floor.
"Do you want to go for swim, Doctor?"
Quin's features darkens as he notices a trail of white cum dripping down my inner thigh.
"Messy, messy girl," he murmurs, his voice low and husky.
My gaze flicks down to the bulge in Quin's pants, a wicked smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
"You love messy," I whisper.
"That I do…" Quin growls under his breath as he hoists me onto the kitchen counter. His gaze flicks across my flustered face as he nestles between my legs. “Will this earn meyourforgiveness, darling? I’m?—”
I place my index finger across his lips. “Shh… Not now. I can be mad at youafter.”
“Are you scheduling an argument?” He grins, running his hand along my dampened thighs.
“Yes.”
Because there’s such a thin line between fucking and fighting.
THE PUPPET
DAMON
I paceback and forth in front of the entrance to Manning Park. I’ve been pacing a lot these days. This was a stupid idea. Why am I even here? I don’t need this. I don’t need her. I don’t evenknowher. She could be a spy for the tabloids. She could be trying to get close to me just to milk me for personal details. Details that can end up on the front page ofStar.
A dog barks in the distance, and I cringe.
I should leave. I should turn around and head back to my condo. My empty condo. Jesus, I can’t believe this. I can’t believe that I’m missing the opportunity to meet Emery’s parents. Missing the chance to show them just how much I love their daughter.
No. Don’t do that.
I kick myself for my train of thought. I need to pullit together. I can’t feel jealous. Jealousy ruins these types of arrangements. Jealousy is what destroyed Quin and me the last time. It’s the reason Alison had to choose. It’s the reason I was alone. It’s the reason why every goddamn thing fell apart.
How does Quin do it? He seems to be confident, so sure that Emery, despite her relationship with me, also loves him. Is he wired differently than me? Is there some molecule or atom in my genetic makeup that’s missing? Or am I simply broken? I’m leaning toward the latter.
Broken and busted and not worth the trouble.
Emery’s voice replays in my head.I love you. I love you. I love you.Fuck! It needs to be enough. A part of her needs to be enough. I can’t ruin this. I can’t spoil such a beautiful thing. But I will spoil it. I’ll incinerate the best thing that’s ever happened to me if I continue to keep all of these worthless emotions bottled up.
Damn it.
With a sense of determination, I slide on a pair of sunglasses and march into the park toward the woman donning a lime green rain jacket. Must she always be soloud? Sage whips her little head around as I approach her, a knowing smirk on her face.
