All It Takes (Romancing Manhattan 2)

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“I think I’d be uncomfortable no matter what I’m wearing.”

“I don’t want that,” he says, shaking his head. His dark hair is teased back from his face, and he used some gel to keep it in place. “I don’t ever want you to feel uncomfortable.”

“Well, hopefully it won’t last long. Quinn, I owe you an apology.”

“No—”

“Let me finish. I do owe you an apology. You were doing what you had to for your client, and for the law. I completely understand that. Frankly, I realize that I’ve been punishing you for something that I would have done myself.”

“Sienna.”

“I’m very sorry.” My chin wobbles, which only pisses me off. “I wasn’t going to cry when we did this.” I clear my throat. “I’m not usually a crier.”

“It’s been a rough week,” he says, and I really look at him. He looks tired.

“Yeah, it has. How are you?”

“Getting better by the minute.” He flashes me that smile, the cocky one that I love so much, and my stomach loosens just a bit. “How is your mom?”

“She’s okay. Confused. She’s been beating herself up because she doesn’t know how she missed what was happening under her own roof.”

“It’s not her fault.”

“I know, and she knows it too, but it’s tough. They’ve been married for almost forty years. I mean, I don’t know what I would do if I were in her shoes.”

“Is she sticking up for him?”

“No, but she hasn’t left him either.”

“Would you?”

“I’d like to say yes, but like I said, I don’t know what I would do. They have forty years and two children between them. That would be hard to walk away from.”

“Have you talked to them?”

I know exactly who them are.

“Not Patrick, and I won’t. Not for a long while. I’ve seen my dad. They’re both out on bail, and they probably won’t see more jail time. I’m obviously not working this case for the city.”

“Good.”

“It’s a conflict of interest, and my dad doesn’t want me to work it because I’d put him in jail.”

“You’re angry.”

“Fuck yes, I’m angry.”

He nods, watching me from across the room.

“Are you done not touching me now?”

He’s across the room in less than a second, his arms wrapped around me in a tight hug. My ear is pressed to his chest and I can hear his heart beating fast.

“I missed you,” I murmur. “And I know there’s more to talk about, but—”

“But it’s enough for today,” he finishes for me before pressing his lips to mine. “Now, let’s go enjoy some of that happiness you were talking about last night.”

“Excellent plan.”

“This party is amazing,” I say to London a few hours later, after the toasts and we’ve all stuffed ourselves to the gills with incredible food.

“Louise is the best. Thank you for suggesting her. She told me that she’s starting a business, and I think that I’ll keep her busy with my wedding and some of my friends’ parties as well.”

“That’s awesome, thank you.”

“She earned it.” London clinks her glass to mine, and the music changes to a soft slow song that I love by Rob Thomas.

Suddenly, Quinn is standing before me, holding his hand out for mine.

“Dance with me?”

“Sure.”

London takes my drink and I walk to the dance floor with my man. He tugs me into his arms, slowly leading me across the floor.

“You have an easy way about you,” I say. “On the dance floor, that is.”

“Are you saying I’m not easy off the dance floor?”

“That’s what I’m saying.” I grin and thread my fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck. “But it would be boring if you were easy.”

“I’m glad you feel that way.”

We leave our pieces on the ground . . .

The song is swirling around us. No one else is dancing, which is kind of weird, but I’m so caught up in the music, and dancing with Quinn, that I don’t think much of it.

“You are everything to me, Sienna.”

His voice is strong and commanding. I look up into his eyes and catch my breath.

Quinn is an intense man.

“You are the best part of every day. You’re my home. You make me a better man. I know we haven’t been together for long, but I don’t do anything slow or halfway.”

A smile tickles his lips and every hair on my body stands on end.

“I live my life in the fast lane. I like it there. But it’s nothing without you in it with me, every single day.”

He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a ring, and my hand covers my open mouth in absolute shock.

Quinn drops to one knee as the whole room quiets. The music is gone, and all eyes are on us, listening with bated breath.

“Marry me, sweetheart. Be my partner, my companion, my love. I swear to you, there won’t ever be a dull moment.”