Beautifully Hurt (Beautifully Broken)

I shake my head as I set the toolbox down on the counter. Letting out a sigh, I admit, “I snapped at Quinn.”

Mom’s eyes widen. “Why?”

“I just got off a call with Cade and was frustrated that they haven’t made any progress. Quinn walked to town by herself.”

“Oh.” Mom comes around the counter and places her hand on my back. “Is Quinn okay?”

“I think I scared the hell out of her. She couldn’t get away soon enough.”

Mom glances at the entrance of the store. “Where did she go?”

“To get me a gift.” I let out an empty-sounding chuckle.

“I’m sure she was just startled. Did you explain to her why you snapped?”

I nod. “Yeah. I just don’t want her walking that distance with them still out there.”

“Don’t worry about it too much,” Mom says.

I lean back against the counter, crossing my arms over my chest. “I didn’t know the worry was weighing so heavy on me.”

“That they might come back?”

I nod, lifting my eyes to Mom’s. “After what they did to Katie…” I shake my head hard.

Mom takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly, before she says, “We’ll all keep Quinn safe. She now knows not to walk by herself.”

Glancing around the store, I ask, “You okay closing for me?”

“Sure. Go celebrate your birthday with Quinn. Try not to worry.”

Nodding, I grab the toolbox. “Thanks, Mom.” I press a kiss on her forehead before leaving the store.

Just as I set the toolbox down in the back of the truck, I see Quinn coming down the road with a small bag. When she notices I’m watching her, she tucks the bag behind her back.

I give her a playful grin. “What are you hiding?”

“You’ll see when we get home.”

Lifting my hand, I brush my thumb over her cheek. “You okay?”

She nods, then glances at the truck. “Are you ready to leave?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Chapter 22

QUINN

After we’re done with dinner, I say, “I’m going to get your gift. Give me ten minutes.”

Eli sets the plates down in the sink, grinning at me. “Finally. You’ve kept me waiting for this gift.”

“Will you wait in the living room?”

“Sure.”

I dart up the stairs, and shutting the bedroom door behind me, I go to take the bag with lingerie out of the closet.

I remove the red lace and stare at it, hoping Eli will love it.

Stripping out of the dress I’m wearing, I go to the bathroom to freshen myself up before pulling the sexy nightgown on. It falls to just beneath my butt.

Grinning, I tug the g-string on, and then I glance at my reflection in the mirror. I fluff my hair around my shoulders.

“Shoot! I almost forgot.” Rushing back to the package, I take out the red ribbon, then go stand in front of the mirror to tie it in a bow around my neck.

A happy smile spreads over my face when I see the end result, and feeling sexy, I leave the room. I sneak down the stairs, and reaching the living room, I peek inside, hiding my body behind the wall. “Ready?”

Eli glances at me from where he’s sitting on the couch. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Close your eyes, and no peeking.”

He does as I say, and walking into the living room, I quickly push the coffee table out of the way and switch off the TV.

“How big is this gift that you’re moving the furniture?” Eli asks.

I go stand in front of him, and taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart, I say, “You can open your eyes.”

Eli’s eyes open, and then the smile drops from his face. He stares at me, his lips parting as his features begin to tighten until he looks downright predatory. “Christ, Quinn, you look like an angel.” He clears his throat as he rises to his feet. “A fucking sexy one.” He closes the distance between us. “Scratch that. You look like a sexy little devil.”

Happy with his reaction, I grin up at him. “Yeah?”

“Oh yeah,” he says, lifting his hand to my neck. He tugs at the bow. “Damn, I really like this. Red’s my new favorite color.”

Eli places his hands on my bare shoulders, then he moves his palms down until his fingers brush over my breasts. “I’m not gonna lie, this is one hell of a turn-on.”

My eyes flit up to his face. “I want you to take my virginity tonight.”

Eli’s eyes meet mine with the intensity that can rival the sun. Tugging his bottom lip between his teeth, he takes a step back, letting his scorching gaze drift over me. “At this point, I’m not going to last a minute once I’m inside you.”

Taking hold of his shirt behind his neck, he yanks the fabric over his head. My lips part from how hot the move looked.

“Yeah, I’m definitely not going to last if you keep looking at me like that.”