Breath Of Life

She pauses and leans back against the granite counter. “Are we going to talk about what happened earlier?”

She’s bold. I like that.

“If you want to.”

“Was that a response to your reaction to the photos or me?”

“Quinn, we both know I was into you from day one.”

“I know, but what we went through ...” She shakes her head. “I don’t want to mistake a visceral reaction to a horrible situation.”

“Are you going to tell me you weren’t interested in getting to know me better before that night?”

“I’m not sure what I was. You intrigue me.”

“Then we know it has nothing to do with the robbery.”

“I don’t think we can separate ourselves from that.”

“Is that such a bad thing?” I move closer, placing an arm on either side of her curvy frame. “You’re the only person on this planet who gets how I feel right now. I like that. I also like you. You’re funny, tough, kind, and sexy as hell, whether you’re wearing a dress or a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. There’s a connection between us I want to explore. I’m not saying we need to run out and get married or jump into the deep end of a relationship, but we should test out the waters. Because I don’t want to live with the question of what if running through my head.”

She bites her bottom lip, and I groan.

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” she whispers.

“Make me want to kiss you more than I already do.”

She peers up at me through her dark lashes. “Maybe you should.”

I’ve never been the kind who needs a lady to tell me twice. I press our bodies together and bite back a moan as her soft curves mold to me. Bending my head, I brush our lips together. A jolt streaks through my body like lightning. I shudder and go back for seconds. I press our lips together, and she yields, sighing as she opens. I slip my tongue into her mouth, and my head damn near explodes at the feel of her wet heat and the spicy sweet taste of her. She moans and grips my forearms as she moves her head slightly to deepen our lip lock.

Her tongue twirls around mine, and I grip the counter to keep from pulling her lush form to me. She’s hesitant. I don’t want to spook her, but she makes me feel starved. I want to eat her up and drink her down.

Her body trembles and I cup the back of her neck, taking her weight as my own. Her arm slides up and wraps around my neck. She toys with the nape of my hair, and I can’t stop the moan that escapes my lips. We part to suck down air and stare. That one kiss changed our dynamic. The hum between us has gone from the frequency of television to that of power lines. I no longer fear it. I cherish it. It gives me a place to belong. A new point in my life to pick up from where no one has expectations of my previous incarnation.

I rest my forehead against her, content to simply be in this moment.

“Wow,” she whispers shakily.

“I second that.” I grip her hips lightly, and for the first time I think I might make it out of this a better person in a far superior place in their life. For the past few years, I’ve been in a holding pattern. It’s time I take flight or change course.

Chapter Five

Quinn

I glance back in the rearview and swear the same black four-door sedan has been following me for the past fifteen minutes. There’s nothing that stands out about the car, but these days it doesn’t take much to set me on edge. I switch lanes and slow my speed. It responds accordingly. My anxiety spikes. Clenching the steering wheel, I force myself to remain calm. I’m halfway to my house. I can’t go there now. The clock says three. Ollie might be home. He’s been toying with going back to work. Please be home. I press the button on my phone.

“Call Ollie.”

The seconds stretch like salt water taffy.

“Quinn?”

“Thank God.”

“What’s wrong. You don’t sound like yourself.”