Stroke of Luck

“Austin, I’m sorry,” she said as she sat down on the couch across from him.

Quinn sat down beside her, his arm sliding around her waist and drawing her close.

“It’s okay,” Austin said. “Things did get a bit emotional.”

She pursed her lips. “You and Quinn have been so good to me. I should have let it go.”

Quinn tightened his hold. “Never mind about that. I’m just glad you’re back.”

Austin grinned. “You’ll be happy to know we brought your breakfast up to the suite. I can nuke it for you. Coffee, too. Or I can order a fresh breakfast from room service.”

She smiled. “No, that’s okay. I’m fine with reheated, and I’m starving.”

Austin strolled into the small kitchen. Quinn walked with April to the table and sat down. A few minutes later, Austin returned with a tray containing a covered plate, a thermos of coffee, and three mugs. He filled her cup as she started to eat.

Quinn sipped his coffee, watching her the whole time. Things had changed over the past day. Everything he’d thought he’d known about her and why they’d broken up had changed. He’d never realized how alone she’d felt her whole life. How that had affected her feelings of self-worth.

He had thought she’d left him for someone who had more money, but she had left him for other reasons. He’d been too much of a fool to see he was losing her because she was insecure about his feelings for her and thought he was pulling away. She’d been afraid of losing him, so she’d ended it first.

The fact she’d fallen for Maurice … even she had admitted that money might have been a factor, but not for reasons of greed as he’d surmised … but because what she’d needed most was security. And love.

Fuck, he could have given her both back then. He hadn’t had wealth, but he’d had a brain and could make a good living. She could, too. Together they could have built a sound foundation. But more, he’d been in love with her, and if he’d been able to see what was happening and assure her, his love would have helped heal her wounds.

She cut another bite of egg, Canadian bacon, and English muffin, pushed the forkful through the béarnaise sauce, then put it in her mouth. When she noticed he was watching her, she smiled timidly, then swallowed. She was down to her last few bites.

He’d wasted so much time. He couldn’t let this opportunity slip away. To reestablish what they’d had.

Austin sipped his coffee, watching both of them. When April finished her last bite, Austin tipped back his cup and drained it, then picked up her plate and placed it on the tray, along with his empty cup.

He stood up. “Well, I’m going out for a walk. I’ll probably be gone for a couple of hours.”

In response to Austin’s pointed gaze, Quinn nodded. Austin headed out the door.

“What was that about?” April asked.

“That was my friend being not so subtle about letting me know he’s giving us some time alone.”

“Oh.” She sipped her coffee, then set it down and stared at the cup, avoiding looking his way.

It was clear she wasn’t sure what he expected. He might want to talk. Or he might order her down on her knees in front of him again.

He took her hand and cradled it in his. “Baby, I just want to tell you that I’m sorry about the things I’ve accused you of and the way I’ve treated you.”

Her gaze jerked to his. “You’ve treated me very well.” She shook her head. “You didn’t think twice about paying my bill yesterday. You let me stay here—”

“And I agreed to a sexual arrangement with you. Then when I had a chance to finally be with you—something I’d wanted for so long—I had you suck me off, then right afterward dragged you down to the casino without even a thank-you, let alone satisfying your needs, too.”

“It’s all right,” she said hesitantly. “Austin was waiting.”

“Fuck Austin,” he said sharply.

She glanced up at him. Her hand tightened around his, and he noticed amusement shimmer in her eyes.

“I did, thank you.” Her lips turned u

p in a grin. “I quite enjoyed it, too.”

He couldn’t help it. He chuckled, tension releasing from him. At least she was okay with the whole threesome thing.