The dainty cup and saucer sailed over Quinn's head to crash loudly against the door. Lucky for her, Katherine had finished drinking the tea. She was shaking with rage which only egged Quinn on further.
"That's quite a temper you have. Does Archer know of it?"
"Let me make this very clear to you. He's mine. I always get want I want and I want him. I've gone through so much to get here that I'm not going to let you stand in my way. Do yourself a favor and stay away from him. If you haven't noticed, Archer doesn't have the best of luck with women."
A chill went through Quinn but she pushed a little harder. "What does that mean?"
Katherine's smile had the hair at the nape of Quinn's neck standing on end before she replied, "It never seems to end well for the women who link themselves to him. And you, your past is so very sketchy, one wonders what might be learned if someone knew where to look?"
Even though her threat hit its mark Quinn kept her face expressionless as she stood and stared down at the beast disguised as a beauty. "Interesting idea, looking into the past. Wonder what one would discover aboutyouif one looked closely enough intoyourpast. Thanks for the idea."
Quinn didn't wait to hear Katherine's reply as she turned and left the room.
Later, Quinn was summoned to Archer's drawing room and when she arrived Thaddeus and Archer were already there waiting. Still brewing from her morning bout with Katherine, she strode over to Archer and stabbed him in the chest with her finger.
"What the hell were you thinking?"
It was surprise and humor on his face in reaction but before he could answer she pulled back.
"No, don't tell me I already know but, Jesus, could you have attracted anyone worse? She's a Goddamn devil's spawn." Quinn raised her head and stared pointedly at Archer before she added, "You have really bad taste in women."
His eyebrow rose at that before he asked silkily, "Do I? That's not very flattering to you, Quinn."
Quinn blushed which made Archer smile.
Thaddeus broke their phony lovers' quarrel with a serious: "Arch, we need to talk."
Quinn moved to the back of the room and listened as Thaddeus explained everything to Archer. It wasn't everyday that you learned that the woman you're engaged to could be a killer, that you and your son might be facing imminent death, that the woman you're falling for was from the future, but he took it all in stride. At least that's what Quinn thought until he turned to her and instead of the many emotions she expected disbelief, anger or even fear -- he instead was smiling: the biggest, happiest smile she had ever seen. It was so bizarre a reaction that Quinn didn't curb her words when she asked, "Why are you smiling like your brain has suddenly dripped out of your ears?"
He stepped closer to her and when he spoke, it was so low and intense it made Quinn's stomach quiver with desire. "You really don't belong here."
"No." Quinn held his stare and then realization dawned. "You thought I was just being dramatic?"
"Yes."
She rolled her eyes at that. "I am the least dramatic person I know. Wait, so why are you grinning when you know I can't stay here?"
He stopped just in front of her and reached out to take a lock of her hair between his thumb and forefinger.
"I shouldn't know you. We never should have met, but you came through time, you came to me. Any time we're given is a miracle, a gift I intend to cherish."
"Yes, but how long will you have this gift if we don't stop Katherine?" Quinn and Archer both turned to Thaddeus after he dropped that little treasure.
"What a buzz-kill you are, Thaddeus," Quinn muttered.
"Buzz-kill?" Archer asked.
"Never mind. You are taking this all very well, Archer. Maybe you're in shock."
He leaned over and pressed his lips against her ear. "Not shock, Quinn, want. While you are here I want you, all of you. Do you have a problem with that?"
Quinn's legs went weak. Desire rendered her mute so she replied with a weak shake of her head but it was answer enough for Archer and he grinned in response.
"We need a plan," Thaddeus started.
A shiver went through Quinn as she recalled her conversation with Katherine. Archer noticed and reached for her hand.
"What's wrong?"