Under the Boardwalk

pulled the covers off him, revealing his naked body for viewing.

He was a pure hard, erect male, yet when she wrapped her hand around his straining shaft, embracing his length and learning every rigid inch of him, she was mesmerized by the silken softness beneath her fingertips. And when her thumb came in contact with moisture, blocking out emotion and feeling was no longer possible. Not when faced with the very essence of Quinn.

He’d given her so much, she wanted to give back. That decision came easily and she lowered her head, taking him into her mouth. She ran her tongue down his shaft and he let out a groan that reverberated through her. A swell of desire took hold as she worked him, both with her lips and her hands.

His hips bucked, his body trembled, and suddenly he pulled her upward, flipping her onto her back and coming over her in one deft movement.

Her breath left her body in a hard whoosh of air. “Pretty slick move,” she managed to say.

A slight grin tipped up his lips. “I’ve been trained to respond in any situation. And I wanted this to last a lot longer than it would have if you’d continued-” He cut his words off as he sealed his mouth over hers.

He thrust in his tongue hard, mimicking the action with his hips, his erection tempting against her mound. Moisture slickened between her legs and a distinct heaviness pounded there, too, while above her, Quinn’s body rubbed insistently between her thighs and a low groan rumbled from deep in his throat.

She shut her eyes, reveling in the knowledge that she’d sent him over the edge, pushing him to take control. And he did. With one easy yank of his hand, he snapped the flimsy strap of her teddy and pushed it down over her breasts, hips, and thighs until she kicked the garment aside. Cool air rushed over her and her nipples puckered harder. She lay naked beneath him, her skin becoming even more sensitized as awareness and anticipation took hold.

His gaze never leaving hers, he hooked one foot around her ankle and spread her legs wide so she opened before him, vulnerable and ready. Yet there was no one she trusted more than Quinn, with both her body and her mind. And it was her heart, which beat hard in her chest, that she refused to take into the equation.

“You feel it, don’t you?” Quinn asked, taking her off guard.

“Feel what?” She was afraid he’d been able to read her mind. Afraid he would ask her things she wasn’t ready to face just yet.

He brushed her hair off her forehead with a too gentle touch and a lump rose in her throat. Instead of answering, he lowered his head for a soul-searching kiss that culminated with him entering her in a long, deep motion. He filled her in so many ways and she wanted more.

Bending her legs, she took him deeper, as far as he could reach inside her body. And when he moved, he took his time, sliding in and out, starting slow so she felt every hard, solid inch as her body molded and joined with his. Then just as she began to build toward climax, he started to pump inside her faster, accommodating her need and taking her upward on a high, spiraling ride.

One she never wanted to end.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Quinn realized he hadn’t used protection at the same time he accepted that he loved Ari. He was still buried deep inside her body, his breath coming in shallow gulps and his weight pinning her to the mattress. Rolling off her was the last thing he wanted to do, but he forced himself to move. No matter how happy his body was, his mind screamed he needed distance.

He was in love? He nearly snorted aloud. He had finally opened his heart, and who did he choose but a woman who picked up and left the people she cared about too damn easily. Just like the other people in his past.

“I’ll be right back.” Quinn pushed himself to the edge of the bed.

“Don’t be long,” she murmured, her fingers trailing over his back.

“Oh hell.” He could search for some walls to erect to protect himself from her later. Right now he wanted to be with Ari again, he thought, and rolled back into her arms.

An hour later, they were sharing Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in bed. Dozer lay on the edge of the mattress snoring and Ari was trying to decide what to do with her winnings.

She licked the spoon, her tongue lapping over the cool steel just as she’d taken him into her mouth earlier. He nearly groaned aloud at the memory.

“I could put the money in savings,” she said, bringing him back to reality. “Or I could see if my parents need help with the spa.”

As much as he loved her generous spirit, he wished she’d put herself first for a change. “Would it kill you to splurge a little? Treat yourself to something and put the rest away for a rainy day.”

She nodded. “Maybe that’s not a bad idea.”

He persevered. “What would you spend it on? If you could buy anything you wanted, what would you pick?”

She laughed but he heard an almost desperate longing in the sound. “I couldn’t afford my fantasies. Not even with my winnings.”

“Let’s hear it.” He pushed himself up against the pillows and rested on one side. “Come on, spill your vices.” He reached over and twirled her hair around his finger.

He wanted to know what secrets lurked in her heart. What yearnings she refused to admit aloud.

“It’s nothing I can buy. It’s just a sense of something that I’m looking for.” She closed her eyes and curled into his arms. “I love this house. It’s so cozy and warm.”

“Same feelings I had the first time I saw it. I bought it at auction and did the renovations myself,” he said, unable to disguise the pride in his voice. “This house was the one thing I splurged on.” Ironic that when he asked Ari what she’d do with her money, her wishes were much the same as his.

Obviously she needed a place to belong as much as he had.

Just as obviously they needed each other.

“You made a good choice. It’s on the beach and you can hear the surf,” she said softly. “I feel good here.”

Quinn buried his face in her hair. “You do feel good here.” She also felt right here, in his house, among his things, and in his arms.

He knew better than to trust it would last. She was drowsy and her defenses were down. No doubt she’d feel differently very soon. When she learned the truth about her sister, when he’d finished wrapping up Sam’s foster- care situation and the teenager was settled and Ari no longer worried about where Sam would end up. Then she’d have to decide who she was-Professor Ariana Costas or his Ari.

Quinn shuddered to imagine which one she’d choose. And he could think of only one thing that might help her decide. “Ari? Are you up to taking a ride?”

She rolled her head to the side and met his gaze, suddenly more awake-and more wary than before. “A ride? Now? To where?”

“To see your sister.”

• • •

Still trembling inside at the thought of seeing her twin, Ari walked into the garage. She waited as Quinn held open the door to his truck. Once she was settled, he slammed it closed behind her before getting in on the driver’s side.

He glanced her way, questions in his eyes. “Are you okay?” He placed a hand on her thigh.

His touch was reassuring, but she fidgeted in her seat anyway. “I’m not sure what to say.”

“I understand, and I’m sure you’re going to be even more speechless as the night goes on. But Ari…”

She shivered at the sound of her name on his lips. She liked the familiarity and the intimacy it evoked, especially after the time they’d just shared. And especially now when she needed his support. “Yes?” she asked, swallowing hard.

“I’m breaking every rule I’ve ever lived by tonight.” He cut off his own words with the sound of the engine