Muddled though her insight might be, there was no denying he challenged her, kept her on her toes—and that was sexy as hell. So what if he also happened to be a hockey player?
Even playboys fell, and the fact that she was so different from the Dorys he was used to had her thinking that yeah, maybe there was something worth exploring with him. Should she choose to. And the choice was entirely up to her—how deep, how far. She’d never let herself be duped again. Her vision was clear, her eyes wide-open.
If the rock hadn’t thrown itself through the window and interrupted them, it’s certain they would have ended up in his bed or hers. Would she have let it go that far? Hell yes. And that, surprisingly, wasn’t just her crazy hormones talking.
But the fact that he had stopped them—hadn’t it been right after she’d suggested they have no-strings sex?—dug at her. He’d been on the verge of telling her something she wasn’t going to want to hear. She’d learned over the years that when someone told you not to take something the wrong way, inevitably you would take it the wrong way—or you’d take it the way it was intended, which hurt like hell.
Crap! She drew in a breath and steeled herself for ramming headlong into clearing that question out of the way. As cozy as staying in her semi-bubble of bliss was, it would be less painful to pop it now before she could drift away.
Quinn returned to the kitchen barefoot, entranced by the sight in front of him. Sarah, her back to him, was having a lively conversation with herself, complete with gesticulations. The words weren’t so loud he could pick them all out, but he caught a few—something about clearing him out of the way.
Shit! Not what he wanted to hear. He pulled in a silent breath and braced himself.
“What are you doing there, Sunshine?”
She wheeled. Embarrassment, hurt, and anger waved through her features. Those big hazel eyes narrowed and fastened on him, turning icy. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to know you’re having some kind of argument with yourself.”
She perched a hand on her hip. “Yeah, about that.”
Get a grip. Here it comes. He could practically hear her say, “You might be an interesting boy toy, but beyond that, I like a guy who’s waaaaay more mature, Sparky.”In another bracing maneuver, he crossed his arms over his chest and planted his feet. What he was bracing for—besides her telling him to get the hell out of her life—he had no idea.
“So last night,” she began, “you started to say something—”
“And you said we’d talk after breakfast. Guess what? It’s long after breakfast—because someone slept in late while someone else waited, I’d like to point out. So hit me with it. Let’s get it over with.”
“You go first,” she ordered.
“What? That’s not how this works. The duke certainly wouldn’t go first.”
Sarah snorted. “With the chambermaid he would. Just not with his true love, Millicent.”
Quinn arched his eyebrows. “So you go for two-timing dukes?” The words were out before he realized what he was saying. “Oh shit, Sunshine. I didn’t mean—”
She waved him off. “It’s okay. I’m a big girl.” With an expelling breath, she continued, “Last night you started to tell me … You said something about not taking things the wrong way after I suggested, uh, we help each other out. I’ve been filling in the blanks and waiting for the emu egg I think you’re planning to drop on my head—”
“That’s what this is about?” He smacked his palm against his forehead. “No, no! God, no! What I wanted to tell you, what I was trying to say … Look, I haven’t had any practice at this, so bear with me. I was trying to tell you that for me, this”—he motioned his index finger between them—“isn’t about sex. Well, not that I’d object to sex with you because I’m a huge fan of that idea. But I get it if that’s all you want out of it because … Let’s face it. You think of me as a kid who’s—”
The hard look in her eyes softened. “Wait, wait. Back up a sec. You weren’t about to say that kissing me was a big mistake? I mean, between me not being your type and my brother—”
She could have knocked him over with a hockey sock, but he recovered and moved so fast she had no chance to protest. Grasping her arms, he pulled her to him and kissed her hard and quick.
Now it was her turn to be confused—and dazed—and she reared back. “What did you do that for?”
“To show you kissing you was no mistake. And because I’m happy. Apparently, you care.”
“About what?”
“Me.” He shrugged. “Go on. Admit it.”
Those glittering eyes narrowed on him again. Yeah, he’d better not push his luck.
He plopped down on a stool and yanked her onto his lap, but she vaulted upward. Spreading his legs wide, he encircled her in his arms and anchored her in place.
She pushed against his hold. “Let go, you big lug.”
“Not a chance. And what’s up with the emu egg analogy?”
Rigid as a goal post, she turned her side to him, leaned away, and crossed her arms when she realized he wasn’t letting go. “Emu eggs are big and make a mess when they break.”
He tried not laugh. “Okay, Sunshine. No emu eggs,
