Well, my father was the one who rejected the idea of us. Mother and Lucy were left entirely in the dark.
That was what Quinn had requested so it wouldn’t mess up her friendship with Lucy.
Quinn was more stunning than I remembered. Her sundress accentuated her breasts in a way that wasn’t even fair. And each time the wind blew, I got a peep of her thighs and silently wished the wind would pick up more.
I overheard her conversation with Lucy, so I decided I needed a new book to read.
When I opened the door to the library, I saw her. She was alone. She was in that dress. And she was lounging on a chaise near the fireplace, completely engulfed in her book. I was pissed when she left two years ago. I was even more pissed when she blocked all contact. Completely ghosted me.
But in here, she couldn’t hide from me.
I strolled up to the fireplace, and she noticed me for the first time. I had startled her, apparently.
“Must be a good book. I’ve been watching you for five minutes, and you haven’t even noticed.”
She slammed the book shut.
“It is. It’s about a stalker who gets poked in the eye with a hot stoker.” She glanced towards the fireplace stoker a few inches away. I was grateful it wasn’t in the fire.
“He probably deserved it.” I played along.
“What do you want, Weston?”
I sat across from her in a cozy and warn-in leather chair.
“I want to call a truce,” I said.
“I didn’t realize we were at war.”
“Well, we’re not. But you sure make it seem like we are. Ever since you left, I’ve been trying to figure out my life. And I’ve come to realize something.”
“What’s that?” she said plainly. She sat up and adjusted her dress to cover up more.
“That life is short, Quinn. And filled to the brim with opportunities. If we can only see them.”
“You sound like your father,” she said, opening her book again.
Her words pierced me. And she knew it.
I got up from the chair, placed one hand on the chaise, snatched the book from her, and threw it into the fire.
The heat licked it up.
“I’m nothing like my father, bunny.” I saw the shock from my action settle onto her face. Being this close. Riling her up. I instantly went hard, and she noticed. Looking down at my jeans and then back at my face with her eyes narrowing.
“If you think this is the way to win me over, you’re very wrong, Mr. Myles.”
She crossed her arms, making her breasts perk up even more. I caged her in and let my eyes take in every inch of her. The fire created a warm light that danced over her skin.
“You left me.”
“You were a dick,” she replied.
“We could’ve worked it out. Instead, you decided to cut me out of your life.”
“Are you really trying to do this now?” She pushed my chest away from her. I was locked in but seeing the hurt in her eyes, I relented and backed off.
“I didn’t have a choice back then,” I continued. “I was green and trying to earn my place.”