Beautifully Hurt (Beautifully Broken)

Chapter 16

ELI

Since last week, Quinn’s been so much better. Mom told me she and Quinn had a heart-to-heart moment. I don’t care who Quinn talks to, as long as she talks to someone, but I’m grateful it’s Mom.

Quinn hasn’t been as withdrawn since she and Mom talked, and she’s been baking up a storm. I’m now selling cupcakes at the hardware store, as well.

After showering, I walk into the kitchen, the aroma of bacon filling the air.

“What are you making?” I ask as I grab a bottle of water from the fridge, my eyes drifting over Quinn.

“I’m just going to put bacon on some bread and sprinkle cheese over it, then shove it in the oven for a couple of minutes.”

“Sounds good.” I take a sip of the water before mentioning, “Your princess-themed cupcakes are selling fast. I think all the dads are stopping by the hardware store for their daughters.”

Quinn chuckles as she glances at me. “Really? You’re not eating them all?”

“I may have a sweet tooth, but I can only handle so much sugar.”

Quinn stops placing strips of bacon on the slices of bread, giving me a surprised look. “They’re really selling?”

“Yeah.” My eyes lock with hers. “You might want to consider opening a store.”

She instantly shakes her head. “Nah, I just bake for fun.”

I decide to let the idea go for the moment, not wanting to pressure Quinn.

I watch her as she continues to make the grilled cheese sandwiches, and when she catches me staring, her cheeks flush a soft pink.

My heartbeat instantly speeds up as I get a glimpse of the girl I fell in love with.

“You’re staring,” she whispers.

“Can you blame me? There’s a beautiful woman in my kitchen.”

The corner of her mouth lifts while the pink on her cheeks deepens in color. Just as she starts to look self-conscious, I move closer to her and brushing my knuckles over the curve of her cheek, I whisper, “I’ve missed this.”

“Me blushing up a storm?” she asks.

“Yeah. I love it.” I move my fingers to beneath her chin and turning her face to me, I press a tender kiss to her mouth. Keeping my lips to hers, I take a deep breath of her before I pull back. “I’ll set the table.”

“Okay,” she breathes.

When everything is ready, we sit down at the table. I give Quinn’s hand a squeeze, saying, “Thank you for making dinner.”

“It’s the least I can do,” she murmurs. After taking a sip of her water, she mentions, “My dad will be back in town tomorrow.”

“Yeah, he told me.”

“He said I should stay here?” Her eyes flit over my face, and the fist tightens around my heart as the worry resurfaces.

The asshole in me wants to tell her she doesn’t have a choice. I’m never letting her move out. Instead, I ask, “How do you feel about staying here?”

Quinn shrugs, then an awkward expression settles on her face. “I’ve been visiting for two months already. I guess at some point, I have to go home.”

My heartbeat speeds up. “Is that what you want?”

Instead of answering me, she asks, “What do you want?”

Reaching for her hand, I wrap my fingers around hers. “I want you to be happy, Quinn. If you like living with me, then stay.”

Her tongue darts out, wetting her lips. “You’ll be okay with that?”

“Baby, this isn’t just some sleepover for me. I love coming home to you. I want you here, not for a visit or a couple of months, but indefinitely.”

Quinn stares at me for a moment, and then a smile explodes over her face, and for the first time in months, the sun shines again. “I’d like that too.”

My mouth curves up as I drink in the sight of her, “Yeah?”

She nods, and leaning toward me, she presses a kiss to my mouth. When she pulls back, she says, “You’re an amazing man, Eli. Thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome,” I murmur, and then I turn my attention to the food. “Let’s eat.”

She grins, and picking up a slice of grilled cheese, she sinks her teeth into it. Closing her eyes, she moans as she enjoys the bite.

Shamelessly, I stare while wondering if she’ll have the same reaction when she’s naked beneath me.

Christ, help me if she does because I won’t last long if she moans like that.

QUINN

It might just be my imagination, but it feels like things have changed between Eli and me today.

The conversation we had over dinner was something that’s been worrying me, so I’m glad we discussed it.

I’m glad I don’t have to leave. I thought I liked living alone, but that’s changed since I came to live with Eli.

I’ve been feeling better since I talked with Nina. It’s as if hearing her story gave me some strength to fight my own demons.

I let out a contented sigh, thinking today almost felt normal. It’s as if I’m becoming aware of things around me again. Like Eli’s intense stare. The fluttering in my stomach when he’s nearby. Lying in his arms… in his bed.