All It Takes (Romancing Manhattan 2)

I’m caught up in his eyes, in the sincerity there, and the confidence in the way he’s holding my hand.

Quinn is my rock. My constant. And I know I don’t want to do this life without him.

“Yes.”

The room explodes in whoops and whistles, and Quinn catches me up in a fierce hug, then plants his lips on mine and kisses me until Finn yells out, “Get a room!”

I glance around, surprised to see not only my mom and Louise holding hands and crying, but Rich too. We’re surrounded by excited family, wanting to see the ring, and congratulate us, but I’m still caught in Quinn’s gaze, trying to soak it in.

“I’m getting married.”

“Damn right you are,” Lou says before hugging me. “And I get to plan it.”

We’ve been at the beach for three days, and I don’t ever want to go home.

Quinn had studio supplies set up for me, and I’ve spent hours painting watercolors: of the ocean and of London’s beach house for their engagement gift.

I brought my pencil and paper down to the beach to do a rough sketch. I haven’t used pencil before, but I think it could be something fun to try.

Quinn’s taught me that it’s worth it to try new things.

But I keep getting distracted by the light on my ring. I know, it sounds cheesy, but Quinn didn’t skimp on this rock. It’s a princess cut, must be two karats, and fits my finger perfectly.

He says we’ll get something fancy for the wedding band, but I think he’s nuts. This is plenty fancy for me.

“Hey there, pretty girl.”

I glance up, shielding my eyes from the sun, and smile when I see Quinn walking toward me, wearing his signature cargo shorts and T-shirt.

“Hey yourself.”

“Are you about done?”

“Just finishing up.”

“Good because I’m hungry.”

I grin and walk with him into the house where I’ve had chili simmering all afternoon. While it’s still summer, it’s cooler at the beach, and I’ve been hungry for a pot of chili.

“I just have to whip up the cornbread.”

“How long will that have to bake?”

“About thirty minutes.”

A slow smile slides over his face. “Not quite as long as I was hoping for, but I’ll take it.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“When it comes to my fiancée? Absolutely.”

Fiancée.

Am I ever going to get used to that? Probably not.

“So I’ve been thinking,” Quinn says as he opens the lid of the pot on the stove and gives it a stir. “Damn, this smells good.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Come work at the firm.”

I slip the cornbread into the oven, then turn to stare at Quinn.

“Right.” I laugh and shake my head, certain that he’s joking.

“I’m serious.”

“Quinn, I’m not quitting my city job. You know that I love it there.”

“I know you love the hours there,” he replies. “Here’s the thing, Si. I can’t ever be in the same situation that I was in with Bruce. I can’t withhold information from you. It made me crazy.”

“And I love you for that, I do. But there are other ways. For one thing, we make sure that we aren’t ever opposing counsel again. I work in the Bronx, and you work in Manhattan. The odds of that happening again are extremely low.”

“That’s the other thing,” he continues. “I don’t love the idea of that commute for you.”

“You mean for you?”

His mouth opens and closes like a fish on land, and I secretly laugh.

“Who says I’m the one who has to move?”

He pushes his hand through his hair. “Well, I hadn’t considered that we’d live anywhere but the condo. Don’t you like the condo?”

“Sure, I like it. I also like my house.”

His eyes narrow. “Okay.”

“Okay what?”

“I guess I’m commuting.”

I blink quickly. “Just like that?”

“Sienna, haven’t you figured it out? As long as I’m with you, I don’t give a fuck where we live. You are home. It doesn’t matter what the address is.”

“You’d give up your fancy condo for me.”

“Well, to be fair, I probably wouldn’t sell it.” He shrugs as I let out a loud laugh. “But if you want to live in your house, fine.”

I can’t hold myself back any longer. I rush to him and launch myself into his arms. He catches me easily, his hands planted on my ass and my legs wrapped around his waist, as he kisses me senseless.

He backs me against the wall, grinding himself against my core, and I gasp.

“I had you this morning, and I want you as if I haven’t had you in months.”

“Same,” I breathe, reaching between us to unfasten his shorts. Finally, we’re stripped bare, and he pushes inside me, making us both gasp in ecstasy.

“God, I’ll never get tired of the way you feel,” he growls against my neck. He’s holding me up with one hand, the other is planted on the wall beside my head, and he’s moving in a fast, steady rhythm that makes my eyes cross. “You’re so fucking amazing.”