December Rain (39 page)

“What does it say? Who’s it from?” he asks taking it from her as she charges upstairs.

“You tell me. Who are you having lunch with this week? And why does she know about the club?”

He follows behind her quickly. “It’s the curator I told you about from the museum. She’s the one who told me about the supper club. We talked about that.”

“You didn’t tell me it was a woman. A woman with red lipstick.”

Quinn is slightly amused by her jealousy until he thinks about her tryst last night. “Look, I have no interest in any other women. In fact, that party made me realize that I want you to myself. I shouldn’t have paraded you around like a sex object.”

“What? I thought we were there to have some exploration and fun. I thought that was what you liked?”

“It was, but by the time you were getting worked up and wanting to let people watch us, I realized that’s not what I want with you. I don’t like the idea of opening our intimacy to others, or letting anyone else between us, or watch us. Painting your likeness and presenting your beauty to the world is one thing, but sharing your vulnerable moments with me is out of the question. I won’t share you Monica. Never again.”

“Share me? I don’t want you to share me. I don’t want anyone else to touch me again. I swear.” He looks at her thinking of last night, knowing it’s not true, but wanting to believe it. She reaches for his hand and pulls him to her, hoping he’ll hold her tight.
He knows about Jack. Oh God! I have to sever ties with that man completely. It’s such a small city, I hope Ri will understand. It’s not going to be easy telling her. Fuck! I won’t screw this up. I can’t lose Quinn. I won’t.

His phone rings, but he lets it go to voicemail and holds her tight. He tilts her face to look deep into her eyes and calm her worries. “I promise I’ll keep our sex life interesting without sex parties.”

“I’ve never been worried you wouldn’t. I just want you. Us.”

“You mean it? Like forever?” He moves her hair away from her face trying to capture her look.

“Please don’t push too hard yet.”

“I’m sorry, I just get excited.”

“I know I don’t want to be without you, it’s the worst feeling I’ve ever had. Harder than losing Alex.” She covers her mouth, instantly feeling bad for saying it. “It’s true. I’m sad and I miss him all the time, but I just feel like I was never really living my life with him. I was driving myself crazy trying to fit because I cared and worried about him so much. Once I met you it was like all the things I wouldn’t let myself think or feel started coming out, but in the worst way.”

“You mean like having an affair?”

“No, I mean I started obsessing over you. I watched you through the curtains. I knew when you were home and when you weren’t. I even fucking masturbated in my laundry room hoping you’d see me.” Quinn looks shocked having never known any of this. “It wasn’t normal behavior Quinn. I was acting like a lunatic, keeping secrets from everyone. Lying to myself.”

“Does anyone else know about that laundry room thing?” He doesn’t hide his amusement or distraction.

“No.” She laughs. “This should all worry you. You shouldn’t be laughing, you should be concerned that I’m unstable. I’m obviously fucked up.”

He takes her face into his hands forcing her full attention. “There’s nothing fucked up about you or anything you do. I love that you’re a sexual creature one minute and the shyest most delicate woman the next. It’s what makes you so intriguing and so wonderful. I don’t want a one dimensional partner who’ll bore me. And nothing you did is cause for institutionalization, so chill out.”

She starts cracking up. “Chill out? Really? The west coast is creeping in here huh?” He kisses her through their laughing until there’s nothing funny anymore. His full lips calm into a slow sensual tug with a delicious sound. He pulls away only after his voicemail dings twice, vibrating his pocket.

“You should see who that was. It might be important.” Monica nestles her head into him as he pulls the phone out to listen. She can hear Richard and Dianne speaking together like an old answering machine message in tandem.

“Hi Quinn. Hope your trip went well. We just wanted to check on Monica and make sure she’s alright. We didn’t mean to scare her off last night. Poor thing. We should have known she was a bit too shy for that kind of fun solo. Next time you both will have to join us for a drink. It will be a lot more comfortable for her. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too. Give us a call!”

Monica’s forehead sinks into his chest.
They’re impossible people who don’t easily get the point. When someone runs from you they don’t want to hang out.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Is that you talking or Richard and Dianne?”

“I’m asking. I don’t care about those people.”
Or Jack.

“I’m going to be fine. As long as we’re together, I’m going to be wonderful, apparently.” She smiles and lets him take her into his passionate kiss again.