Under the Boardwalk (Costas Sisters 1)

And with that innocent gesture, his heart slammed hard against his chest. She understood him in a way no one ever had. She knew, even without his explanation, that the man he was here wasn’t always the man he could be away from the job. Appreciation for her insight and gratitude for her caring overwhelmed him, and a desire that far outweighed the need for sex grew inside him.

“What do you say?” she asked softly, as if afraid she’d stepped over the line.

He separated them long enough to gaze into her eyes and stroke her cheek. “I say we go home.”

* * *

Nobody had ever told Ari that buying a sexy garment was one heck of a lot different than waltzing out of the bathroom wearing one. Especially when the guy she wanted to impress waited on the other side. And he was probably naked. Magnificently so, and not the least bit insecure about showing off his . . . assets. Which meant she shouldn’t be either.

Ariana might worry about what Quinn would think, but Ari wouldn’t. Not any more than Quinn would be disappointed. Squaring her shoulders, she pushed aside any insecurities and reminded herself he cared for Ari. A lot.

With that thought in mind, she marched out of the bathroom and into Quinn’s bedroom. He waited in bed, but to her surprise, he’d turned off the overhead lights, leaving one small lamp on, more for mood than vision, while music played softly in the background.

“Only a confident man would play the Lion King soundtrack at a time like this.”

“And only a confident woman would model an outfit like that.” He eased himself up against the pillows. The white sheet fell to his waist, revealing his muscled chest and the dark sprinkling of hair that tapered down low on his abdomen, sexy and inviting.

“It’s not as easy as you might think.” She forced a laugh as she crossed the carpeted room. His words registered and she forgot all about feeling self-conscious. “What do you mean, modeling the outfit?”

He patted the mattress and she lowered herself beside him, close enough to see his eyes dilate with a now familiar need. “Do you really think you’re going to have this thing on long enough to consider it any more than a quick modeling opportunity?” He slid one fingertip beneath a single, thin strap. Teasing her, he edged it down her shoulder until it dangled there, evidence of just how easily he could divest her of this expensive but flimsy outfit.

As he maneuvered closer, his thick erection brushed against her thigh and her insides curled in delicious anticipation. “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me how long I’m going to be wearing it?” she asked in an attempt to push him to the edge.

“You’re playing with fire,” he warned her, his voice low and barely controlled.

“I’ll take my chances.” Because she wanted to see him lose control.

His unabashed desire dispelled her worries and allowed her to experiment with the ultimate power her femininity provided. Quinn did that for her. He allowed her to revel in her abilities to affect him and toss any cover or facade out the window. He saw the real woman.

He’d taught her to begin to see Ari again and to embrace her. From his smile and pleased expression, he obviously knew it, but he didn’t know what else she had in store for him.

She let her fingertips trail along his skin, taking a direct path to the sheet hovering so temptingly over his stomach. She watched in fascination as the sheet moved, his response to her teasing touch obvious. “Should I put you out of your misery?” she murmured.

He let out a strained laugh. “Either take me out back and shoot me or have your wicked way with me.” He lifted his arms above his head, sank backward into the pillows, and gave her complete, unfettered access to his body.

Talk about trust, she thought, and sucked in a shallow breath, concentrating on Quinn and nothing else. She pulled the covers off him, revealing his naked body for viewing.

He was pure hard, erect male, yet when she wrapped her hand around his straining shaft, embracing his length and learning every rigid inch of him, she was mesmerized by the silken softness beneath her fingertips. And when her thumb came in contact with moisture, blocking out emotion and feeling was no longer possible. Not when faced with the very essence of Quinn.

He’d given her so much, she wanted to give back. That decision came easily and she lowered her head, taking him into her mouth. She ran her tongue down his shaft and he let out a groan that reverberated through her. A swell of desire took hold as she worked him, both with her lips and her hands.

His hips bucked, his body trembled, and suddenly he pulled her upward, flipping her onto her back and coming over her in one deft movement.