Jumping up, I pulled her against me, my fingers brushing her jaw as I slowly lifted her chin. “No, Quinn! You need to stay here. Where would you go?”
“Away from here.” I looked at her, my heart breaking. This was what I’d been afraid of. Her running from me.
“You belong here with me. We can face this together,” I told her, hearing the desperation in my voice.
“I don’t belong anywhere, Brody.” Fresh tears ran down her cheeks. “He’s always going to find me.”
“That bastard is your past, Quinn.” I paused. Taking a step back, I picked up her hand and placed it over my heart. “I’m your future.” She looked at me for a few seconds before dropping her head onto our joined hands.
“You don’t know how much I wish that were true.” Her body wracked with silent sobs before she took a deep breath and lifted her head. “Evan is my present. Until that changes, I don’t have a future.”
“Quinn—” I started.
“No, Brody,” she interrupted, taking a step back, her hand falling from my chest. “While I’m here, with you, everyone I’ve come to care about is in danger. I can’t stand the thought of anyone getting hurt because of me.” She paused. “I have to go.”
“I’m not letting you go, Quinn.” Closing the gap between us, I picked up her hands again. “I love you. You are it for me. If you think I’m going to let you walk away because you’re scared, then you’re wrong.” I’d never imagined saying those three words to someone; it wasn’t ever something I’d wanted before Quinn. Now I was ready to fight for her. “I’ll do whatever it takes, Quinn.” I watched as her eyes went wide.
“You love me?” she asked in disbelief. Smiling, I nodded.
“Yes, baby. I love you.”
“I love you too,” she whispered.
Hearing those words made my breath catch in my throat. “So, you’ll stay?”
“Brody, I’m scared.”
“I’m scared too.” I brushed my lips across hers. “But I won’t let anything happen to you. We don’t even know if Evan has found you, or if he’s even looking.”
“Maybe he hasn’t found me, but hewillbe looking. If it’s not today he turns up, it will be another day. He’s dangerous, Brody. That’s what scares me the most.” She paused and dragged in a shaky breath. “If it was him out there, he knows I’m here.”
“I’m going to call Ethan first thing in the morning, get him over here. Just promise me you won’t go anywhere? No more running.” I could hear the begging tone in my voice, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t above begging her to stay. When she remained silent, my heart sank. “You can’t spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder, Quinn.” I felt like I was losing her. After surprising even myself with the depths of my feelings for her, I just couldn’t watch her walk away. “Do you want to stay?”
“God, yes!” she exclaimed throwing her arms around me. “I want to stay more than anything.” I held her tightly and breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing her say she wanted to stay, gave me hope that I could hold on to her. Her reasons for wanting to leave only made me love her more. Knowing she was prepared to leave to keep that bastard away from the ranch, and everyone on it, only proved to me what an incredible person she was.
“Then stay,” I said simply. “Evan’s a wanted man. It’s only a matter of time before he’s picked up. Then all of this will be over. You’ll never need to run again.” She looked up at me, hope in her eyes.
“Okay,” she whispered.
“You’ll stay?” She nodded, and I leaned down, kissing her head. “Thank God,” I mumbled against her hair.
“We need to let your parents know what’s going on though, Brody.”
“Okay we’ll speak to them tomorrow.” Just then the doorbell rang, and Quinn jumped. “It’s just the pizza, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.” She nodded as I dropped my arms from around her. Jogging down the stairs I grabbed the pizza from the kid standing on the porch, quickly looking around what I could see of the ranch before heading back inside and locking the door behind me. There was no sign of anyone hanging around, but knowing Evan could be out there, I wasn’t about to leave the door open, so he could walk right in. Stopping by the kitchen, I grabbed two beers from the fridge before making my way back upstairs.
Pushing the bedroom door open, Quinn was sitting on my bed. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and she was biting her bottom lip. I knew her instinct was telling her to run, and I knew her feelings for me were the reason she wasn’t. As much as it was inappropriate with all that was going on, I wanted to go all caveman on her and pound my chest. Let everyone know this woman was mine and that she loved me.
Lost in thought, she hadn’t heard me come in. Slowly I crossed the room, dropping the pizza on the bed. “Everything okay?” Turning to me she smiled and nodded, patting the bed next to her.
“I’ve decided we're going to forget about Evan for tonight. The most amazing man is in love with me.” She paused and leaned over, brushing her lips against mine. “I don’t want to spend another minute talking or thinking about that bastard.”
I grinned. Though I knew she was putting on a brave face, I was more than happy to forget about him for tonight at least. “An amazing man, hey?” I asked, teasing her.
“Don’t let it go to your head.” She rolled her eyes, before bursting out laughing. She looked so beautiful when she laughed. Her whole face lit up and her eyes sparkled. “Let’s eat! I’m starving.” Dragging my eyes off her, I opened the pizza box, offering it to her. My eyes dropped to her bare legs, and it was only then I realized she was wearing my t-shirt. Growling, I put the box down before she could take a piece and gently pushed her back on the bed.
“What are you doing?” she cried, as I positioned my body to the side of hers, one leg nestling in between hers. Her breathing hitched as I dragged my fingers up her thigh, over her hip and under my top. She wasn’t wearing any panties and my fingers swept up over her ribs, brushing the side of her breast.
“Seeing you wearing my clothes makes me fucking crazy,” I told her, my voice husky. My finger found her nipple, and as I circled it she let out a low moan, arching her back into my hand. Her t-shirt was pushed up, and I lowered my head, swirling my tongue around her pebbled nipple. Lifting her hips, she ground her pussy against my leg.