Best of 2017

I moved into his embrace, cozying up to his warmth.

“Quinn, I hope this doesn’t sound too insane, but I really like you.” He reached for one of my hands and started to kiss my fingertips, one at a time. “I know I just met you, but I feel like I could spend every day and every moment with you… if you’d let me.”

I gazed up into his eyes, swallowing the lump in the back of my throat. My heart pounded and butterflies danced in my stomach. “I know what you mean,” I whispered.

“I know you said you’re only going to be here a short while. And I know the fact that I live a pretty fucked up life is an issue. But I was hoping... I was hoping we could continue to spend time together.”

“Really?” I giggled. I felt like I was a love-struck teenager. “Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?” I teased. I joked, but there was a wishful thinking element to my comment.

Axel cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable. “Well, yes. I mean, if the idea doesn’t scare you off.” He pulled me in closer. “I’m not good at stuff like this. There really is no easy way to broach this subject without sounding so cheesy. All I know is that I want you and me to be together... solely. At least while you’re here.”

I sat in silence, overwhelmed by the realization that I was about to become the girlfriend of Axel Rye, the man I had come to secretly get information on for my book. My stomach did flips as I tried to take it all in. Could I have a boyfriend and a book deal?

My emotions jumbled: I was happy, ecstatic, scared, shocked, and timid. I turned to him with a serious expression. “What if I can’t buy into this whole drug thing? I still haven’t wrapped my head around working in a club every night let alone dating someone who represents it. I mean, what do I tell my parents? What do I tell them about you? If you are my boyfriend, I sort of have to tell them about you.” Oh my God, I sounded like a little girl.

I saw his eyes narrow while he looked at me skeptically. “Well, the fact of the matter is I am what I am. You have to be comfortable with that. One Google search and everyone will know—including your parents—what I do for a living. I don’t believe in keeping secrets.” He paused. “But why don’t we agree to not make this about defining. Let’s make this about two people who have feelings for each other, and take it from there.” He chuckled. “No need getting the parental figures involved on either end. Trust me, you do not want to meet mine.”

“They can’t be that bad.”

“Oh they are. Really bad. Dear old Dad is in Europe someplace banging girls half his age while he tries to hold onto his youth. My mother… hell, I have no idea what she is up to. I haven’t spoken to either in a couple of years.”

I tilted my head in confusion. “But your court case. Weren’t they there?”

“Oh hell no. Are you kidding me? They didn’t want the shame to wreak havoc on their perfect little worlds.” He sighed. “Enough talk about my parents. That is the most I have thought about them in ages, and I feel I need to pop a Valium and pay for therapy sessions by just doing so.”

“I’m sorry to bring it up. Nothing for killing the mood like talking about parents,” I said with a giggle.

“I don’t mind. Some day we will have to deal with them. But not today. Today, I want to talk only about you and me and us.”

“Us,” I mimicked.

He nodded. “Us.”

“And your lifestyle? Do I really fit in with that? You’re famous, and every woman at these hot spots would die to be with you. I’m not exactly the exciting girlfriend type. I may kill your vibe.”

“It’s a job. I would never betray you because of a paycheck.” He was firm. “My friends will love you because you’re an amazing person. As for the fame, we’ll muddle through it. It’s a pain. I’m not going to lie. But I want you to be with me.”

Grinning from ear to ear, I wrapped my arms around Axel’s neck. “I would love to be your girlfriend!” I kissed him and pulled away quickly. “I love it!”

Axel stared at me, expressionless, for an instant. Then, as if he suddenly comprehended what I just agreed to, his grin matched mine. He put his hand behind my neck, pulling me closer, pressing my lips hard against his own. Our lips brushed and tested as we explored the growing connection between us. The touch of our lips was soft, unsure of what was to come. This kiss seemed as if our souls combined. I took in Axel’s breath, as he took in mine. We paused and took a moment to look into each other’s eyes. I could feel the kiss in the depths of my heart. I could feel the most wonderful moment of my life.

Axel groaned. I muffled the sound and tangled my tongue with his, kissing him with all the passion that exploded from within, until I panted for more, until our bodies strained together and everything disappeared but the ravenous quest of our mouths. The hard, warm weight of Axel pressed against me, one hand slipping inside my loose blouse and behind me to trace the low curve of my spine, then ever so gently lower, to the top of my bottom, where his caress slid the material of my skirt in sinuous circles against my hyper-sensitive flesh.

Panting, struggling for breath, I broke the kiss to stare into his perfect face. I had to touch him, to feel him. I spread my fingers over the rugged surface of his cheek, moving them down to the firmness of his moistened lips. Axel was the most handsome man I had ever seen.

Not quite brave enough, suddenly, to meet his eyes, I leaned my forehead against his throat, tugged the white shirt from his jeans and slipped my hand under its hem to find Axel’s firm abdomen and the softness of his bare skin. I felt a sense of triumph at the quiver of his stomach muscles and the near-silent sound of desperation that escaped his lips.

Axel sucked in a breath as my touch moved around his waist to his spine, where I flattened my palm against the smoothness of his back and let my fingertips slip over every muscled hill and valley.

With a moan, Axel jerked my hand from beneath his shirt and drew it to his lips, kissing each finger before he released a shaky sigh. “Don’t get me wrong, I love what you’re doing. But if we don’t stop…”

“If we don’t stop…” I echoed in a haze, watching Axel’s lips move against my hand and wanting them on my mouth instead.

“I’m going to take you right here. I have very little self-control.”

That prospect didn’t sound half bad to me, but suddenly we heard voices and a dog barking, and the sound hovered all around us. The spell was broken.

Embarrassment heated my cheeks, both from being more aggressive than I had ever been and from my public displays of affection. I would have had sex with Axel right then and there if it weren’t for the damn dog. Fuck being a virgin. “This isn’t like me at all. But there’s something about you—”

“There’s something about us,” Axel interrupted softly. “Why don’t we take a break? I think I should probably take you home… for now. Otherwise it’s going to be pretty hard to respect that virgin card of yours.”

The drive to Felicity’s apartment was quieter than I would have liked. I met Axel’s gaze several times during the drive. He had the most alluring eyes. With each look, the fire blazed between us.

I reached over and touched his cheek. “Thank you,” I said. “For being understanding with me.”

“I’ve never been good with this whole courting thing.” Axel blew out a breath, thrust his fingers through his disheveled hair, and cast me an enticing smile. “You make me feel… different. You make me want to be a better man.” He let out a low laugh. “Just don’t tell anyone that. I have a reputation.”

At the front door of the apartment, I stopped and turned to face Axel. “I had a really nice time.” He gave an easy nod, his brown-eyed gaze scanning my face. “It was fun,” I added. “Well, not fun, exactly. More like… a million other physical sensations. I’ve never felt this way before. It’s so confusing, but in a good way. Does that make any sense?”

Axel laughed and stepped closer to me, slid a hand beneath my hair, and pressed his lips to my forehead. When he spoke, his voice was a husky ru

mble that seared me to the bone. “I know exactly how you feel.”

“I don’t want you to leave,” I admitted. I fiddled with the simple silver chain around his neck, staring at the satiny skin beneath it. “I have a feeling things are going to move quickly between us.”

“That’s completely up to you. I have the same feeling, but I don’t want to make you do anything you are uncomfortable with. Agreeing to fully give yourself to me is a huge step. I don’t take the matter lightly. When you do, is something I’m going to allow you to dictate. My libido may disagree, but I want this to be all you.”

A faint smile tugged at my mouth, and I glanced up at Axel through my lashes. “How I feel right now… things are going to move quickly. My libido is in cahoots with yours.”

“You better go inside,” Axel whispered intensely. “Before I change my mind about letting you have the control.”

Filled with a feminine power I’d never experienced, I tugged him against me and caught his mouth in a long-lasting, blazing kiss. “Goodbye, Axel.”

CHAPTER SIX

ALL TO FUCKING SEE

QUINN

IT WAS ALMOST implausible to me what a whirlwind of emotions the past few days had been. Coming to terms with my feelings, my sexual desires, and my choice to be with Axel made my head spin.

I had told Harrison everything that had happened, and that Axel and I were more than just friends or a means to a book deal. Although shocked at first, Harrison laughed and teased me about being in love. He warned me to take it slow and remain somewhat guarded, but also encouraged me to explore my feelings about the possibility of being in a relationship. He also had informed me that I was not allowed to give up on the book deal. That this was my life, my future, and I had a career to think about. A lustful encounter with Axel Rye was not worth giving up everything for.

I almost jumped for joy when I heard my phone ring and saw Axel’s name on the screen. I answered it with a huge smile and tried to hide a squeal that threatened to escape my lips. This was ridiculous. Truly ridiculous.

“Hi, Axel.”