Stroke of Luck

* * *

April ached inside. She had done this to Quinn. Made him this angry, untrusting man. At least, untrusting of her.

“Look, Quinn, I want to apologize. I know what I did in college hurt you and caused this mistrust between us, and I’m so sorry for that.”

His eyes flared, then his expression turned to one of indifference.

“I got over it. Once I realized what kind of woman you are—that all you really care about is money—I realized that nothing between us had been real. You couldn’t really love me. Or anyone, for that matter.”

He swirled his drink, the ice cubes tinkling against the glass.

“Tell me,” he said. “Why did you go out with me at all?”

She sucked in a breath, trying not to wilt under his withering glare.

“I really liked you, Quinn.” Her heart ached at the words. “Being with you. Spending time with you.”

“You liked me?” He shook his head. “But you knew I was falling for you.”

Anger blazed in his eyes, but she could also see flickers of pain.

Then he set his drink down and stepped closer, a dark aura emanating from him. Her heart thundered in her chest as she took a step back.

He stepped forward again. When she tried to step back, she bumped against the wall.

He grasped her arms. “Well, baby, I’m immune to you now. But watch yourself around Austin. He sees the best in people, and I won’t have him hurt by someone like you.”

“Let go of me, please,” she murmured. “I want to get dressed.”

At her words, his gaze dropped to her bra, reminding both of them that she was standing there in only her bra and panties. Goose bumps danced across her entire body as heat flared in his eyes.

“Really? That sounds like a good idea. Why don’t I help you?”

He curled his arms around her body, and s

he felt his fingers playing over the back of her bra. She placed her hand flat on his chest and pressed against the solid wall of muscle.

“No, I can manage, thanks,” she said in as even a voice as she could muster, but it still came out a squeak.

The hooks on her bra released.

He looked like he was under a spell as he dropped first one bra strap from her shoulder, then the other. He eased back, his gaze dropping to her breasts. She clung to the front of her bra, holding it in place.

He slid his fingers along her shoulders, then down her sides, his thumbs dragging along her ribs.

“I’ve wanted you for so long.” The heat in his words seared her.

Then he pulled her against him and captured her mouth. His tongue pushed inside and explored thoroughly.

Her heart was pounding, and she could hardly breathe. Oh, God, she longed to be with him.

But right now, his intensity overwhelmed her.

Then everything changed. His lips moved more gently, and his tongue glided on hers in sweet, teasing strokes. Her insides melted, and she slid her arms around him.

This was how he used to kiss her. Her heart ached as the love she’d buried so deep inside swelled to the surface.

He suckled her tongue, drawing it into his mouth. His lips moved tenderly on hers, awakening needs inside her she couldn’t restrain.