Under the Boardwalk (Costas Sisters 1)

Damon waved a hand, dismissing him. “Go downstairs, have a drink and relax. You’re too damn uptight.”

“I wonder why.” Quinn let out a harsh laugh and, ignoring Damon, headed out the door. To keep himself sane, he needed fresh air.

And he needed to see Ari.

Not five minutes later, he’d settled himself on a barstool where Connor was busy mixing drinks and sending pathetic mooning looks Maria’s way. Not that he was one to talk, he silently acknowledged, watching Ari’s hips sway as she maneuvered among tables.

“I’m not sure how we came to this,” Connor said, leaning on the bar during a lull between patrons. “Hung up on two babes.”

“We always liked women,” Quinn said, laughing.

“Yeah, but they never presented such big challenges before.”

“Is that what you see in Maria?” Quinn asked his friend. “Is it just the challenge?”

Connor wiped down the bar with a damp rag. “Hell, if that’s all it was, do you think I’d be taking her and her kid to Great Adventure?”

“She has a kid?” Quinn let out a slow whistle. “That must have been some first date.”

“Instead of having hot sex, we shared hamburgers, fries, and milk shakes, then watched Joey play with his friends at the school playground.” Connor stared at Maria for a while, long enough for her to turn and acknowledge his searing gaze. “And I’m still not going anywhere, which shocks the hell out of me.”

“Scares you, too, I’ll bet.”

Connor barely acknowledged the comment with an imperceptible nod. “Be right back.” He turned to pour a round of beers from the tap for one of his waitresses, then returned to hang out with Quinn.

“When’s the trip to the amusement park?” Quinn asked.

“Next weekend.”

After they’d closed down this operation, Quinn thought. Maria would still be around. In all likelihood, Ari would not be.

Connor pulled out a Corona, opened the top, and handed Quinn the bottle.

Quinn shot him a questioning look and Connor shrugged.

“You looked like you could use one. My guess is Ari’s got you tied up in the same knots. Anything you want to admit to?” Connor asked, laughing.

“Hell no.” Which both men understood meant Not here. But there were some things about the situation he could discuss. “She’s not like Zoe.”

“That much I had figured out.”

“She’s more intense. More . . .”

“Repressed?”

Shutting his eyes, Quinn recalled how easily she had slipped out of her blouse, how close they’d come to making love on his couch with the ocean as a backdrop. He shook his head. “Not the word I’d use, buddy.” He met his friend’s amused gaze. “But she’s so scared of being like her crazy family, she’s lost sight of how to have fun.”

“So remind her,” Connor said as if it were simple.

And maybe it was. He and Ari had spent all their time in an intense situation. What they needed was relaxation and fun. She needed relaxation and fun. She’d spent too much time hiding behind the conservative facade she thought distinguished her from her family, and not enough time giving in to her true nature.

Quinn intended to bring out her “Ari” side. Not only did he want her to have fun but he wanted her to see she could embrace her natural instincts and emotions without fear of turning into a sideshow freak. She’d come to understand how special the real Ari was. The upside to his plan was that they’d be putting on a show for Damon at the same time.

He reached across the bar and slapped Connor on the back. “Every once in a while your intelligence shows through.” He chuckled but knew Connor understood he was damn grateful for the insight. “Now get back to work.”

Quinn slid off his chair and walked to where Ari stood at the other end of the bar, where she was calculating a bill. “Hey there, beautiful,” he whispered in her ear.

A light blush stole across her cheeks. “Stop that, I’m working.” But a pleased smile told him she was happy to see him.

“You know what they say about all work and no play. Which brings me to my proposal.”

She turned and he captured her against the bar. Her heart beat more quickly in her chest and her breathing grew more rapid. “You’re excited,” he said softly.

“Yeah, well, I think we’ve established that you do that to me.” Her eyes flashed bright and eager.

He grinned. “Well, what would you say to upping the excitement quotient? Let’s plan a night of hot gambling.” He leaned closer so he could whisper in her ear. “And even hotter sex.”

Her body trembled against his. “You’re bad,” she said, nestling her cheek against his in an intimate gesture that did so much more than just turn him on physically. He had an emotional tie to this woman that had the potential to hurt him in the end.