“And it’ll give you some space to figure out who you want to be, and what you want to do. Have you thought about college?” I ask.
“I’m way too old for college,” he laughs, shaking his head.
“Hey, that’s bullshit and you know it. Don’t be a chicken, Reed.”
He lifts me up and smacks my ass. “Behave yourself, Quinn.”
The sweet sting sends a surge of need through my body, and I bite my lip, eager for more. Acting on instinct, I pull off my shirt and toss it onto the dresser.
“I’m going to find a job,” he says, sitting me back down and unhooking my bra. “At least until the restitution comes in.”
It didn’t occur to me until a few days ago, on a conference call with Marla, Carson and Helena, that we’re going to sue the ever-loving shit out of Darren Prescott, all the rich sponsors and the estates of Byron Ashworth and Judge Jonah Jefferson. They were all rich as fuck, especially Prescott, and even split a few dozen ways, everyone is expected to receive millions. It’s not going to change what happened to us, but it’ll help us start over.
“Deal,” I say. “But I want you to think about it. Maybe take a course or two at night?”
Grunting hungrily, he fondles my breasts, tracing his thumbs along my hardening nipples. “Yeah, and what will I get in return?”
“Mmm, what exactly do you want?” I ask, lying down and spreading my legs.
I expect him to yank off my sweats and pin me down, but instead he leans over me and looks me in the eye. “Just your love, Quinn. I don’t need anything else.”
“You have it,” I say. “And no matter what happens to us, or whatever challenges we face, you always will.”
He takes my hand and holds it in his, rubbing my ring finger with his thumb. “I’ll work the rest of my life to make up for my mistakes and to show you I love you. I promise never to forget that all the joy in my life, I have because of you.”
Reed kisses me and reaches into my pants. His words echo as I close my eyes and open myself to bliss. There was a time I believed days like this would never come. Now I know they’ll never end.
—