Fool Me Once

For his part, Quinn recovered faster than she did. He met the driver halfway between vehicles, and they walked over to stare at the no-longer-smoking engine. She had half a thought that neither of them knew anything about engines at all and they didn’t want to admit it, but it was entirely possible she was acting as uncharitable as her mother always accused her of being.

She grabbed her computer out of the truck as the men seemed to come to the conclusion that they’d actually have to tow the vehicle into the nearest actual town—which she learned was El Paso. It was a good twenty miles away, which would make for a truly delightful ride since she could smell the tow driver from five feet away, and he seemed to be missing half his teeth.

This is why I go out of my way to rarely leave the apartment. Shit always goes sideways at the first available opportunity.

She stewed the entire way into the mechanic’s, and the only saving grace of the driver’s stink was the fact that it kept her distracted from the fact that she and Quinn were forced to press together from shoulder to knees. Or the fact that every time she looked at his hands, she could feel them sliding into her shorts…and lower. And it sure as hell didn’t distract her from the fact that she wanted his hand back between her thighs, coaxing her into an orgasm.

Or that she didn’t want it to stop with his hands.

Chapter Six

“What the fuck do you mean it’s going to be in the shop overnight?”

The mechanic, an old, grizzled man that was about half Quinn’s size, shrugged. “I’ve got to order in a part, and even if those dipshits over there manage to get me the right one today, I’m not paid enough to stay open late for the likes of you.”

“How much?”

The guy—Larry, from his name tag—laughed. “More than you can pay, sonny.” He leaned in and lowered his voice, shooting a glance to where Aubry stalked around the front of the shop, glaring at everything. “Here’s a tip that I won’t charge extra for—there’s a nice little B&B round the way. Take your lady and put some effort into loving away that foul mood she’s got going.”

He’d be lying if he said the thought of sex chilling Aubry out hadn’t occurred to him—especially when Jules had accidentally let it slip six months ago that Aubry didn’t date and hadn’t had that particular itch scratched in what might be years—but he wasn’t the man who’d be able to manage that herculean feat.

Except, after how things had gone down next to his truck, he kind of wanted to. Quinn shook his head, trying to focus on the man in front of him rather than the woman pacing in front of the dingy window like a caged animal. “Pretty sure that’s just her personality.”

“In that case, my condolences.” The man patted him on his shoulder. “And there’s a bar next door to the B&B that has half-priced margaritas from now to closing.”

That was going to be a necessity if they weren’t getting out of here tonight. Quinn scrubbed a hand over his face. “You’re sure you can’t get my truck fixed up before closing?”

“I’ll call Sue over at the B&B and let her know you’re coming.”

Guess that was that. Now all that was left to do was let Aubry know about the delay. He headed to the front of the shop and planted himself in front of her, forcing her to stop her pacing. “I have bad news and I have good news.”

“What’s the bad news?”

“Why am I not surprised you don’t want to start with the sweet?”

“Because you’re not as dumb as you look.” She snapped her fingers, looking all the world like a queen deeming to notice an ant beneath her boot. “Now—the bad news?”

“They can’t get my truck fixed up before morning.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“It’s fine.” He glanced down and blinked. “You’re looking a little pale.”

“I can’t…” She pressed a hand to her chest. “Give me a second.”

His forced amusement vanished. Holy shit, she was having a panic attack. He recognized all the signs. “Come on, peaches.” He half carried her to a faded plastic chair and guided her head between her knees. There was no telling what would ground her, because she hadn’t told him when he’d asked, but he’d try what worked for Jenny and adapt as needed. “Breathe, yeah, just like that, in, hold it for one, two, three. Now exhale. Good girl.”

Ten breaths later, she lifted her head. “Sorry.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to make a smart-ass comment about the fact she’d never once apologized to him before now, but he bit it back at the last second. She might be a pain sometimes, but she still looked pretty shaky. He’d known a panic attack could bring down the strongest person, but there was something about seeing Aubry so shaken that made him want to yank her into his arms and hold her until she was herself again.

No wonder she didn’t want to go to that damn convention by herself. If one unexpected delay was enough to set her back on her heels, what would being around a couple thousand people do? He realized he was still covering her hands with his and forced himself to let go of her. “You ready for the good news?”

“Sure.” She managed a smile, though it wasn’t anywhere close to convincing.

“There are half-priced margaritas.”

“Well, damn, Quinn. You should have led with that.”

He helped her to her feet, telling himself that he was just worried she’d take a nosedive, but the truth was that he kind of liked touching her. She smelled good despite the hellish day they’d had, like citrus and the warm summer sun. She must have noticed him watching her, because she took two large steps away, putting herself out of reach. “I’m fine.”

“Didn’t say you weren’t.”

“No, but you’re looking at me like I’m about to take a concrete nap.” She shoved her hair out of her face. “Did you find us a place to stay? Equally important—can we walk there?”

“Yes to both.” He led the way outside and down the block in the direction the mechanic had instructed. Aubry kept pace, but she was still looking a little peaked around the edges, so he walked slower than he normally would have. It wasn’t being nice. It was making sure he didn’t have to carry her ass in this heat.

Sure it is.

The B&B was a cute little thing tucked back from the street and was charmingly decorated in bright colors. It was manned by a cute little old lady with an accent thick enough he was glad for his sort-of-fluency in Spanish. Once she realized he could converse in that way, she switched over with a grin. “What’s brought this handsome man through my door?”

“I’m looking for Sue. Larry said he’d call and let her know we were heading this way.” Quinn grinned right back. She kind of reminded him of Daniel’s aunty. She was as gently forceful as she was short, and she usually wore the same amused look tha

t this woman did.

“Ah, yes, overnight stay for the happy couple.” She accepted his card and passed over an honest-to-God key with the number four attached to it. A few signatures later and they were headed upstairs.

Aubry opened the door and stopped, halfway in the hall and halfway in the room. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“You keep saying that.” He nudged her the rest of the way into the room…and broke out laughing when he saw how it’d been decorated. There was a heart-shaped bed he was almost disappointed to find didn’t seem to vibrate, and everything was done up in ways that suggested love and romance—from the heart-shaped candles scattered about to the curtains with their little hearts printed on the fabric. It was truly impressive.

He walked over to look in the bathroom and whistled. “Check out that tub.” It was big enough to fit Aubry and him.

He turned around before that thought could take root, but it was too late. All he could picture was her straddling him, bubbles sliding over her skin, her red hair wet, and her eyes with that same expression she’d had by the truck before they’d been interrupted.

Back when he’d almost taken them off the deep end.

Quinn spun on his heels and nearly ran over Aubry. “I’m going for those margaritas.” He didn’t wait for a response. He just grabbed the second key and walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

It didn’t help. He could still smell her on his skin, which shouldn’t have been possible, and it seemed like his control had splintered the second he got into the damn truck cab with her. Now he couldn’t get the damn images out of his head, and with her showing interest there wasn’t a whole lot standing in the way of burying himself in her until he could feel her coming around him.

Nothing but the fact that they weren’t dating, weren’t friends, and could barely stand each other.

…

Aubry stared at the door and then looked around. Quinn hadn’t acted like he thought she was more of a freak than he normally did, but maybe her practically shoving his hand down her pants, followed by a panic attack, had been the last straw. She couldn’t help losing it. She’d been so focused on just surviving the trip that hearing the trip was actually going to take two days instead of one sent her into a tailspin.