“It has.” He paused. “I came in a couple of weeks ago.”
“Oh, you didn’t mention it.”
“Didn’t I?”
“No.”
He pressed his lips against my ear. “It was nothing,” he murmured. “A drink after a particularly complicated surgery with the anesthetist and a few of the surgical staff. It was a good way to debrief.”
I turned within the circle of his arms and hooked my hands behind his neck. “But you never go for a drink with the staff.”
His forehead creased. “Well, I did once. Why is it such a big deal? Why isn’t it okay?”
“Of course it’s okay.” I was as shocked by his sudden irritation as his admission.
“And it’s not a big deal. I just thought you would have mentioned it when you got home, that’s all.”
“I told you last night I’ve got a lot on my mind at the moment. I guess I just got in the car, drove and started thinking about something else. The grant probably.” 41
Lily Harlem
I pushed to my toes and touched my lips to his. “I’m glad you came out with your staff,” I said gently. “They understand what you’ve been doing all day. It’s good to be able to talk about it.”
His forehead relaxed. “Yeah,” he said. “They do understand.” His gaze left mine and he stared over my right shoulder—his attention suddenly dragged away from me.
“Have you seen someone you know?” I half turned to look into the crowd.
“Er, yeah, there’re several faces here I recognize.” He tightened his hold and ran his hand into the small of my back. I pressed against him, delighting in his lean body moving gracefully to the music.
“Well,” I said with a smile, “I bet they’ll all be talking tomorrow about the big boss dancing like a pro at Hanrahan’s.”
“More likely they’ll be gossiping about how my dance partner was stolen away by a blond hunk.”
“What do you mean?”
A big hand curled over my shoulder. I turned and looked up at Liam.
“My go,” he said with a determined grin.
Quinn released me and sidestepped out of Liam’s way. I missed his hands on me, his touch, his body’s movements against mine, but it was instantly replaced by Liam’s tall, solid body. He wrapped his taut, muscular arms around me and pulled me close. I slid my hands around his waist, tucking my fingers beneath the bottom of his t-shirt and smoothing into the dip of his back.
“Mm, you’re all warm and soft,” he said down into my ear. “Dancing suits you.”
“I’m enjoying myself,” I said, breathing in his delicious citrus scent. “I don’t really know where Quinn’s sudden urge to be sociable has come from but it’s a nice treat.” Liam huffed as though he only half agreed with me.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Are you really not enjoying it at all? Not even a tiny bit?” 42
Shared Too
“I am now I’ve got you in my arms,” he said. “And the beat to this song isn’t as pounding as the last one.”
“Has it given you a headache?”
“No, I’m fine,” he said quickly.
I tilted my head. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” He brushed his lips to mine. “I’m just starting to wish there was no one else here so I could strip you naked, take everything off you except those sexy black boots and watch you dance around all hot and soft and giggly.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Oh yeah, that’s the plan when we get home. I’m going to light the fire, get the room cozy, get you all turned-on, then I’m going to shave off that little curly bit of hair that’s getting in the way of me tasting and feeling every delicious fold of your pussy.” My heart rate sped up at the erotic image he’d created. “I’ve already done it,” I whispered. “In the shower this morning. I wanted to show you this afternoon but you were so wrapped up in work.”
His brows lifted. “There are certain things I don’t object to being interrupted about.”
I molded my body to his, wishing I had indeed risked interrupting him. My heels meant I was taller than usual and my mound touched just below his crotch, my mouth hovering just below his ear. “Beneath this little skirt is the tiniest pair of knickers you could ever imagine, Liam, then there’s just my pussy, waiting for you.” I pressed my hand into his back, squeezed his body closer and felt him hardening beneath his jeans.
“I’m waiting for your tongue, Liam. I’m desperate for your clever, wicked tongue that makes me feel so alive.”
He pulled his head back and licked his lips. “Oh, you’re so bad,” he said, his eyelids heavy. “And you’re going to get it so damn good when we get home.” 43
Lily Harlem
I giggled and rested my cheek into the dent between his shoulder and collarbone.
One of his hands slid to my butt and the other to my shoulder. Even through the vibrations of the music I could feel his heart beating against my breast.
We danced to another two slow songs then I scanned the crowd and spotted Quinn at the bar. He was talking to a woman—a tall, willowy woman with pale blonde hair flowing down her back. Their faces were level and she was chatting animatedly. I watched as he nodded and took a sip of his drink. Her pale pink lips were moving fast, her hands gesturing. She pointed a finger at him, at his face, at his chest, lifted her palms to the air. He leaned in and said something close to her ear, his head bent low and close, the nape of his neck exposed.
I lifted my head from Liam and continued to study the exchange as we swayed against each other slowly. He planted a kiss on my hair.
The woman tipped her head back and laughed at what Quinn had just said. Quinn grinned too and rested his forearm on the bar toward her. The light bounced off his ring and his long fingers stretched out straight. She placed her hand over his wrist, her fingers wrapping around the skin just below his watch.
My heart stuttered. Quinn made no move to shake off her touch. Nor did she appear to be in any rush to let go. A weight like a ball of lead sank in my stomach. A flush crept up to my cheeks and smoldered beneath my eyes. Who the hell was this woman touching my husband, laughing and talking to him in such a close and comfortable manner?
I pushed back from Liam. “I want to go home.”
“Suits me, baby,” he said. His body tensed. “What’s wrong?”
“Who is that?” I asked.
“Who?”
“Who is Quinn talking to?”
44
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Liam slid a hand from me as he turned to look in the direction of my glare. “I dunno,” he said. “Someone he works with probably.” I huffed as emotions pinged around inside me. I’d never seen Quinn so relaxed, so at ease with another woman. Maybe it was instinct, perhaps it was paranoia, but something told me to get over there and claim what belonged to me.
I dodged through the crowd, slanting my shoulders and scooting past dancing couples. Each step I took tightened my guts until I felt quite nauseous.
“Hey,” I said, drawing up next to Quinn. I placed my hand up his back and curled my fingers over his shoulder in a possessive, familiar way. “Can you take me home now? I’m tired.”
He stopped speaking and looked down at me. For a second his smile faltered as he stared into my eyes, then he dropped a quick kiss to my cheek. “Sure thing,” he said.
“But first meet Eve Knight. She’s the new surgical manager I was telling you about.”
“Oh.” I smiled at her. My smile wasn’t spreading to my eyes so I stretched my lips all the wider to compensate. “It’s lovely to meet you, Eve.”
“You must be Ariane,” she said, finally removing her hand from Quinn’s wrist. She smiled but, unlike mine, her smile did reach her hazel eyes. They shone prettily from beneath dark lashes, like two mossy pebbles streaked with chocolate. “It’s great to finally meet you. Quinn has been telling me all about the farm and the girls with their ponies. It sounds as if you have your hands full.”
“Yes, it keeps me busy.” I was aware of Liam standing close behind me. “Although not as busy as my husband.” I smoothed my palm down Quinn’s arm, over the turned-up cuff of his shirt until it rested in his hand.
“Your husband is a very talented surgeon,” she said, glancing at my hand cupped within Quinn’s. “It would be a crime if he wasn’t busy.”
“It would mean they’d finally found a cure for cancer,” Liam said from behind me.
“So if the work dries up, Quinn can retire and we’ll all celebrate.” 45
Lily Harlem
“I’m sorry,” Quinn said, gesturing toward Liam with his free hand. “Eve, this is Liam Rosser. Liam, Eve Knight.”
“Nice to meet you, Eve,” Liam said, sliding a hand around my waist and stepping in even closer behind me. His body heat was comforting and I knew if I leaned back he would support me.
“You too,” Eve said, still smiling. Her teeth were perfectly white and straight, her lips a pink pearly shade that made them look soft, shiny and plump.
I was aware of her surveying Liam. I was used to women staring at him on the rare occasions we were out. He was a prime specimen of a man. With his model looks, perfectly sculpted body and chilled-out demeanor he was most women’s dream guy.
He never appeared to notice the attention he attracted, or if he did he ignored it, which suited me just fine. However, Eve’s admiring gaze also held an element of curiosity.
Her attention lingered on his head and for a moment I wondered if Quinn had told her about his tumors. After all, he’d told her about the farm and the twins and the ponies.
Clearly they’d discussed more than just his operating hours.
“We should get home,” Liam said to Quinn, taking my free hand in his.
“Sure.” Quinn smiled at me. “We had our dance fix, didn’t we?” He glanced at Eve.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Of course.”
There was a pause, as if something unspoken was passing between them. But as soon as the moment began to extend, Liam tugged me away. Quinn stepped from the bar and pressed in close behind me as we moved through the crowd.
I turned my head and looked at Eve standing alone. Her head was tipped and she licked her lips as her gaze trailed down Quinn’s lean body.
My instincts had been right.
Her gaze lifted and glued to mine. Far from looking embarrassed at being caught ogling my man, she simply raised her hand and waved.
46
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I snapped my head away, anxious to get out of Hanrahan’s. Away from the pretty, intelligent, eloquent woman who had her sights set on what was mine.
47
Lily Harlem
Chapter Four
“Thanks for coming with me,” Quinn said as he drove through the dark, winding lanes. “I know it was a spur of the moment idea but it was fun, wasn’t it?” Liam didn’t answer. He’d tipped his head back on the headrest and shut his eyes.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” I said from the back in a hushed voice, drawing my jacket tight against my chest.
“Yeah, I did.” Quinn paused. “Why, didn’t you?” His anxious gaze caught mine in the mirror.
I sighed. I
had
enjoyed dancing with him and Liam. It had been fun, the music and atmosphere great. But I hadn’t enjoyed seeing the beautiful woman who was controlling his working hours fawning over him. She had a steely determination about her that had my hackles rising.
“Of course I had fun,” I said, deciding to play it cool. If Eve was planning on making a play for Quinn, I needed to keep him close, not push him away with a jealous row. “I didn’t know you had such hot moves lurking beneath that cool exterior, Quinn.
I’m impressed.”
“Oh, you know my moves are hot,” he said in deeply sexy voice. “But if you need reminding―”
“So you’re not feeling too tired tonight then?” I asked, unable to keep a hint of sarcasm out my voice.
If he heard it he ignored it. “Oh no, I feel energized, and having your sexy butt gyrating against my dick on that last song has got me ready for action.” I giggled and succumbed to my desire. “Good, ‘cause that’s exactly what Liam and I were thinking too.”
48
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Liam opened his eyes and yawned as the car pulled to a halt in the yard. “That was quick,” he said.
“Did you sleep?” I asked.
“Yeah, I must have.” After stretching he opened the door and stepped out, strode
‘round the front of the car and swung open my door. “Get out, baby. I got plans for you.”
“Mm, I think Quinn has too.”
“Excellent,” he said with a grin, pulling me up and ushering me toward the house.
“Come on, let’s get into the warm.”
The dogs ran up to us barking a greeting and as Quinn opened the door they barged in.
“No, out,” he snapped.
“Ah, come on, Quinn, it’s freezing out there,” Liam said.
“It’s not even forecast a frost,” Quinn replied, locking the dogs out. He looked at Liam’s anxious face. “They can come in later.” His voice softened. “I was thinking of lighting a fire for us to relax in front of.”
Liam’s face broke into a grin. “Already on the case.” He headed toward the living room with purposeful strides.
Quinn toed off his shoes and followed Liam. “We’ll be waiting,” he said over his shoulder with a wink.
“Be right there.” I reached for a glass, filled it with water from the tap and gulped it down. Eve had left a taste in my mouth I wasn’t appreciating. She was gorgeous and confident and it made me nervous that Quinn’s opinion of her had changed so drastically.
The chilled fluid cooled my stomach and my jealousy. In its place came a buzz of anticipation. Tonight was about Liam and Quinn joining with me, giving and loving with our bodies and souls as we’d promised to all those years ago.
49
Lily Harlem
I hastily pulled off my jacket and top and laid them over the back of a chair. I shimmied out of my skirt. It landed on the floor and I stooped to reach it then placed it on the chair too. Stretching behind myself, I unclasped my bra. My breasts hung heavy as I added the bra to the pile of clothes. Next came my thong. The thin lace rolled into a ring as I peeled it down my legs and unhooked it from the heels of my boots. Dumping it on the chair seat, I straightened and looked at my reflection in the dark kitchen window.
I was visible from the waist up. My black hair was long and flowing. Two thick tendrils fell over my right breast and curled just beneath my nipple. I’d long since given up trying to straighten it and now the gentle waves had taken control. It looked soft around my face. The silver cross in the hollow of my neck caught the dim light and my lips were shiny from the water I’d just drunk. My eyes were heavy and dark, brimming with possessiveness and carnal desires.