Under the Boardwalk (Costas Sisters 1)

Quinn stifled a laugh. It was important that he continue to focus on Ari more than on Zoe’s pranks. “And Ari’s the one who walked into Damon’s casino dressed like that twin?” he guessed. “The one who slept with me? Who just undressed in front of me now? And who liked it?”

“You know me too well.” She looked at him through heavy eyelids.

Through caring eyes, he hoped. Still his life had always been about watching people leave and never getting too close as a result. She was guaranteed to do just that once her sister returned, and he couldn’t invest too much in her.

“I’m not sure what to think about us,” Ari said.

Quinn nodded, accepting her honesty. He wasn’t sure what to make of them either. He only knew when she was around, the world seemed brighter and he liked everything more. He’d gotten more revelations than he’d counted on, and he didn’t want to risk driving her away too soon.

“Then how about you don’t think and just feel?” he asked, and shifted his palm so that he could turn teasing into torment by rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger at the same time he leaned over and sealed his lips over hers.

He slipped his tongue between her lips, molding his body to hers. The need to make love to her, bury his body deep inside and lose himself in her, was overwhelming. But without warning, the doorbell rang, interrupting them.

“This can’t be happening.” She echoed his thoughts exactly.

He rose to his feet, pulling her to a sitting position. “Unfortunately, it is. I forgot I told Wolf to bring Dozer over when he got a lull at the center.”

Ari scrambled to dress, pulling her shirt over her head.

“The bedroom’s back that way and the bathroom’s inside,” he said. “Go on and I’ll handle Wolf.”

“Thanks, Quinn.” She treated him to a smile that made him harder than he’d been before they were interrupted and, worse, caused a distinct warm feeling in his heart. So much for not investing too much in Ari.

Ari buttoned the blouse she’d changed into at home, then glanced in the mirror over the sink and vanity in Quinn’s bathroom. With the meager contents of her purse, she quickly fixed her makeup and, after a moment’s hesitation, picked up a comb lying on the counter and brushed through her hair. She’d pulled herself together on the outside, but inside she was still trembling and aroused.

And one thing had nothing to do with the other. Arousal seemed obvious and understandable. The trembling came more from their conversation than from unslaked sexual desire. Thanks to Quinn, she was an emotional mess, feeling more vulnerable than usual and susceptible to a whole host of insecurities. All combined to prove just one thing.

She didn’t know who she really was. She couldn’t say she missed Ariana Costas, the uptight and boring teacher with an equally boring life.

On the other hand, she still thought that the insanity surrounding her family was too great. Her views on that hadn’t changed in the time she’d been gone. But she liked the woman she was around Quinn—the more open and less repressed, and even less judgmental, Ari.

In coming home, she was starting to view her family from an adult perspective and appreciate their idiosyncrasies a bit more than she’d like to admit. So much so that she no longer minded thinking of herself the way her family did: as Ari, the child who’d willingly participated in their pranks and games.

So it wasn’t a coincidence that she could no longer think of herself as Ariana. Being caught between two personalities and two worlds raised a scary question—just where did that leave her now?

Chapter Thirteen

Quinn stood in his office watching the rows of television monitors. His anger was contained and he merely rocked on his heels and waited for Damon. By the time his boss strode into the room, it was close to midnight.

“The tables are hopping and the bar’s packed.” Damon slipped his hands into his slacks, obviously pleased with himself. “All in all, it’s a damn fine night.”

The man’s arrogance knew no bounds and was getting on Quinn’s frigging nerves. “I guess that depends on your perspective. I don’t appreciate being tailed to my own goddamn house.” Though he’d told Ari he was just being cautious, he’d lied. He just hadn’t wanted her to panic.

“A smart man trusts no one, Quinn.”

He clenched his jaw tight. “And what did you find on this fishing expedition of yours?”

“That you’re having a good time on the job, not that I blame you. It’s smart to keep Ariana close by. This way she can’t be asking questions around here. I’m impressed with you,” Damon said, nodding.

“Then call off the tail or I’m out of here.” And though he had no intention of walking away, Quinn’s boiling frustration was evident in his threat.