Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Which is how Drew got away with so much for so long. In fact, he kept the police from coming back here, probably convincing Shelburne Falls to pick up the slack so he could consolidate his vantage point.
I need to talk to Farrow again.
But first, I need a few minutes with Quinn to myself. I gaze up at her front door, warm light glowing from the windows.
She’s not going to want to hear an apology, and I never would’ve dreamed of giving her one last night. It’s amazing how differently things look in the light of day. As if guilt takes a back seat when the sun goes down.
I installed cameras at her house without her permission and repeatedly questioned her decisions, not to mention embarrassing her by crashing her party last night. I could claim I was just worried about her, or how old habits are hard to break, but the truth is, I don’t want her with anyone else, and I won’t claim her for myself. It’s fucked up.
A car passes me, and I climb back into my seat, turning the radio up just a bit.
But then I stop, realizing what I just saw.
I spin around, sticking my head out the window and looking behind to where that car just drove. The headlights weren’t on.
It comes to the Stop sign, the brake lights flash—no taillights—and it slowly turns left. So slowly like it’s on the prowl.
Drew. Maybe it’s not, but it could be.
I grab the steering wheel, ready to follow, but the passenger door opens, and Quinn takes a seat next to me.
I pause, remembering we’re supposed to go to the gym. I can’t just drive off on her.
And I can’t trail someone with her in the car and put her in danger.
Instead, I shift into first, watching the vehicle disappear in my mirror as I pull away from the curb. I keep an eye on my surroundings as we leave Weston. Did it follow us here?
Maybe it was nothing. I’ll have to keep a lookout for it, though, in addition to the Traverse. Just to be safe.
We cruise across the bridge, and as my nerves calm, it occurs to me I haven’t heard Quinn so much as breathe since she got in the car. I look over at her, the tendon in her neck taut as she faces the window. I reach out to touch it—run the back of my finger down her nape—but she won’t look at me, and I’m afraid she’ll pull away. I drop my hand.
“Drive” plays on the radio, the soft, sultry tune filling the air as wind breezes through the flyaways around her face.
I’d texted her earlier to see if she wanted to exercise tonight, and thankfully, she said yes.
“Quinn—”
“I don’t want to talk,” she says calmly.
Her voice is gentle, steady.
But she couldn’t have been clearer.
I shift my gaze back to the road, a little more fucking tortured now. Does she feel like shit about last night? About me touching her? Fuck.
Why couldn’t I leave three days ago when I was supposed to? I’ve fucked it up now. Everything. She’s resorted to making assumptions because I won’t tell her anything. Who knows what she’s thinking?
Would I have fucked her last night if she were someone else? If she were just another young woman I’d met with her curious questions, contagious smiles, and little delights she takes in all the small things.
No. I wouldn’t have fucked her the first time. The first time I would’ve gone slow, swallowing every second as if it was food that I could taste, smell, and consume. I would’ve kissed everything, barely separating my mouth from her body long enough to breathe.
The next time, we would’ve fucked. On the kitchen counter. On the couch. Against the wall. In the car.
I press my cock down, toss a glare out the window, and shift into fourth. If she were anyone but Quinn, I might feel guilty about the age difference, but not enough to stop.
I pull up to the gym, park across the street, and we climb out of the car, heading to the entrance.
Just give her some space, I tell myself. We’ll get inside, blow off some steam on the track, and everything will relax. We’ll be back to being friends if I’m patient.
As soon as we walk in, though, I spot all three of her brothers carrying rackets past the front desk. Goddammit!
Madoc called me earlier, and I completely blew it off. He was probably inviting me to join them tonight. Shit.
I just want her to myself. I watch her check in and get a towel, about to follow myself.
But then Noah, Farrow, Dylan, and Hunter walk across the entryway, as well.
I grit my teeth.
Dylan grabs Quinn in a hug, rocking side to side playfully before releasing her. “Heading into spin class if you want to join us.”