His lips drew back from his teeth. ‘Why should I be?’
His answer was the one she wanted. But there was something in the way he’d given it that made her uncomfortable. She looked at him and then at the dark street. What she needed was a hot shower. She could still feel the slither of Ward’s hands on her, and the
memory made her shudder. Yes, a shower first. And then… and then…
Her heart turned over, and she glanced at Quinn shyly. What would happen between them tonight? She trembled as she thought of those breathless moments in his arms the night before. Yes, she thought, yes, it would be like that again. Only, this time she wouldn’t send him away. This time…
The Jaguar slid to the kerb in the silent mews. Quinn shut off the engine, and the sounds of the night closed around them. Paige’s mouth was dry with anticipation.
‘Remind me to send good old Jack a box of cigars tomorrow.’
His remark was so unexpected that she laughed. ‘Jack?’ she said, turning towards him. ‘His wife’s the one who deserves a gift, not him. A dozen roses, at least, for being so long-suffering.’
Quinn stepped from the car and came around to her side. ‘I wonder what kind he smokes?’ He held his hand out and Paige took it as she stepped on to the pavement. ‘Do you happen to know?’
She looked up at him as his arm encircled her waist. ‘How would I know what Mr Ward smokes, Quinn? I don’t know why you’d send him anything, after what he did.’
The front door slammed shut behind them, and Quinn pressed her back against it. His hands cupped her face and tilted it to his.
‘Come on, sweetheart, we both know what he did,’ he said in that soft, dangerous voice she knew so well. ‘Good old Jack got you warmed up.’ His teeth flashed whitely. ‘He deserves a little something for that, don’t you think?’
She froze. ‘Got me warmed… ? Quinn, what are you talking about?’
His arms closed around her. ‘You must think I’m blind,’ he growled. ‘But why wouldn’t you? Hell, I acted as if I were, these past weeks.’
Her eyes rounded with disbelief. ‘These past weeks were wonderful. They…’
‘I’ll bet they were. How does playing at being Mrs Quinn Fowler feel?’ She gasped as his fingers dug into her flesh. ‘What’s it like, playing a game by your own rules, darling?’
‘No,’ she whispered, ‘it… it wasn’t like that, Quinn. You know…’
‘I know what I saw tonight,’ he snarled. ‘You have no shame, have you? Coming on to Ward in front of his wife, in front of me…’
Paige shook her head. ‘No. It’s not true. He…’
‘Come on, Paige, don’t waste my time with lies. I saw you. I saw your eyes begin to darken while you played footsie under the table. I saw the tremor that you couldn’t keep from your lips when he caressed your hand.’ Distaste twisted his mouth. ‘Jesus, the way you ground against him on the dance floor…’
She stared into his face, waiting for him to laugh and tell her it was all a dreadful joke. But his eyes blazed with fury. There had to be a way to make him understand.
‘Quinn, I beg you—listen to me. Ward forced himself on me. He…’
‘The way I did, right, baby?’ The sound of his laugher turned her blood to ice. ‘Hell, let’s not let all his efforts go to waste, Paige.’
She cried out as he swung her up into her arms. ‘What are you doing? Quinn…’
His arms tightened around her. ‘We’ve said too many goodnights at my bedroom door, sweet Juliet,’ he said softly. His mouth swooped to hers in a kiss that stole the breath from her. ‘Not tonight, Paige.’ His voice roughened as he stared up the dark stairs. ‘Tonight, you’re not going to send me away.’
CHAPTER NINE
‘QUINN, no…’
Her cry was silenced by his kiss. His mouth bruised hers as his arms locked her to him. Helpless against his rage, Paige could do nothing except beat her fists against his shoulders as he carried her through the darkness.
How could things change so quickly? Moments ago, she’d been filled with anticipation of what lay ahead. Now, fear sent her pulse racing. This couldn’t happen. Not now. Not when they were so close to finally capturing again what had begun between them that long-ago night.
A path of moonlight arrowed from the bedroom door to Quinn’s bed, the bed in which she’d slept alone for so many nights. He dropped her into its centre and looked down at her.
‘Quinn,’ she said quickly, ‘listen to me. I…’