FLOWERS ON THE WALL (26 page)

"And you?" Ryder moved closer, backing Quinn against the wall. "What do you want, Quinn?"

Swallowing, Quinn opened her mouth to answer just as they arrived on her floor.

"Saved by the bell?" Ryder laughed as they walked down the hall.

"You know what I want, Ryder. Nothing has changed." Quinn opened her apartment door. Standing aside so Ryder could enter. "Just put the bags on the counter."

"Zoe screwed up."

Ryder leaned against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest. His scuffed hiking boots, faded jeans, and plaid flannel shirt suited his overall look. Mountain man chic.

"I know why she did it. You are always looking out for her. She wanted to do the same for you."

"I'm glad you understand. But that doesn't change what Zoe did. I know you had nothing to do with that story, Quinn."

"Just like that?" Relief flooded through Quinn. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. A little of both wasn't out of the question. "Not even a moment of doubt?"

"No." Ryder didn't move, but his intense gaze searched Quinn's face. "Only a fool relies on blind trust, Quinn. I knew before I read it. That article isn't your style. If you wanted to make a fast buck, you would have sold the pictures."

"I will never sell them, Ryder."

With deliberate steps, Ryder walked to her. Taking Quinn's face in his hands, he lightly kissed her lips. "I know," he whispered, kissing her again. "If I didn't, I wouldn't be here."

"I meant what I said, Ryder. Nothing has changed."

"And for me, everything has changed. I love you, Quinn. No doubts. No hesitation. I'm yours if you'll take me. Think hard," he said, covering her lips when she would have spoken. "If you say yes, you'll be stuck with me for the rest of your life."

Quinn waited for the tears. It seemed like one of those moments when a woman was supposed to cry with happiness. When her eyes remained dry, she broke out laughing. She had never done things the way they were supposed to be done. Why start now?

"The rest of my life? I was hoping for longer. Forever and beyond."

Grinning, Ryder pulled Quinn close. "That sounds like a good song title. If you promise me first rights, you have a deal."

Needing to touch him, Quinn quickly unbuttoned Ryder's shirt. Tugging, it hit the floor followed quickly by his t-shirt.

"I have questions. Dozens of them."

"Me too." Ryder disposed of Quinn's jacket. "Do you love me?"

"Yes." Quinn sighed as Ryder kissed her neck.

"Then the rest can wait."

Before Quinn could do more than blink, Ryder sent her shirt and bra to the floor. The touch of his hands was enough to make her brain fuzzy. She wanted this—wanted him. Ryder was right. He was here. He wasn't going anywhere. And he loved her. That was all that mattered. They could fill in the details later.

"I've missed you," Ryder whispered the words in her ear, his tongue bathing her lobe before he bit down, eliciting a moan from Quinn.

"Me?" Quinn teased, cupping him between his legs. Through the heated denim, Ryder's erection jumped in her hand. "Or this."

"It's one and the same," Ryder groaned when her grip tightened. "Thank God."

Before she could think of another quip, Ryder made it clear that playtime was over. He lifted Quinn into his arms and strode toward the bedroom. All things considered, it made no sense, but a thought suddenly occurred to her.

"I have ice cream in my shopping bag."

Ryder gave her an incredulous look then burst out laughing. "I'll buy you some more. Later. Much later."

"It's salted caramel," Quinn stated, hiding her grin.

"I don't care."

"Good answer."

Taking Ryder's face between her hands, Quinn kissed him. He lowered them to the bed, never breaking contact. She couldn't get enough. His taste. The feel of his lips against hers. She was a starving woman taking her fill. Ryder was the only man who could satisfy her cravings because
he
was
what she craved. Nobody else.

"I'm sorry. I was an idiot to let you go."

"I agree." Rolling to her knees, Quinn unfastened Ryder's jeans. She eased them over his hips and down his legs. "You came to your senses."

"I did," Ryder shuddered when she kissed the inside of his thigh. "Do you forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive. You're here, my love." Quinn licked Ryder's stomach, then his chest. "I love you."

"I love you." Ryder rolled Quinn to her back. "It feels good to say it. I love you, Quinn. I love you." When he heard Quinn's chuckle, Ryder smiled. "Too much?"

"Never. It's music—the sweetest you've ever played."

The look in Ryder's dark eyes made Quinn's heart beat faster. He wanted her. He loved her. It was all there. Too much? She would live a lifetime without growing tired of his words or his touch or his gaze.

"Forever?" he asked, lowering his body to hers.

Quinn opened her arms and her heart, breathing a sigh of happiness. "At least."

CHAPTER TWENTY

DINNER CONSISTED OF take-out pizza and cookies for dessert. It wasn't a grown-up choice, but Ryder figured they had plenty of time to eat healthily.
Forever
. He liked the sound of it. The future had always been about his music and his friends. Dalton, Ashe, and especially Zoe. Their band and their careers. That had been the focus of Ryder's life for so long. That single-minded focus had made him a very successful, very rich man. It had also almost cost him the love of his life.

"Are you cold?" Quinn asked when she felt Ryder's shudder. She pulled the blanket higher.

"I'm fine." Ryder brushed his lips over Quinn's bare shoulder. Dinner in bed with Quinn—naked. It made the food taste that much better. "Continue with what you were saying?"

"Right." Quinn reached for the last slice of pizza. The box was at the foot of the bed, and her movement gave Ryder a nice view of her rounded butt. "I understood that Zoe wanted to protect you. I admire her intentions—even though her venom was aimed at me."

"Zoe knows she was wrong."

Quinn nodded. "It's fine, Ryder. My only concern was how you would react."

"You thought I would jump to the same conclusion as my sister?"

"I wouldn't have blamed you."

"Come on. Tell the truth." Ryder searched Quinn's eyes. "You would have been disappointed."

"Disappointed, yes," Quinn nodded. "However, I hoped you would ask for my side of the story before you made your final condemnation."

"Final condemnation?"

Quinn rolled her eyes. "If you tell me that's a great title for a song, I swear…"

"No. Maybe for a head-banger band." Ryder thought about it for a second, deciding his initial instinct had been correct. "I like the way you phrase things."

Quinn hesitated. "What if there had been something damning in the article? Something private that you had shared with me?"

"It would have raised a red flag." Ryder wasn't going to lie. "I had realized that I loved you. I think—I know I would have come to you before I
made my final condemnation.
" Ryder said the last bit with a deep, doom-laden tone.

"Funny." Quinn jabbed a finger in his ribs. Knowing his weakness, she hit his ticklish spot with admirable accuracy.

"That's playing dirty." Since Quinn didn't have a similar affliction, Ryder chose a different form of retaliation. His deep kiss turned Quinn into a sighing, pliable woman. "Now I can have my way with you."

"You already did. Twice." Smiling, Quinn pushed Ryder away. She took a sip of water before biting into her pizza. "I found the source of the story. Norris Mayhue."

"Dalton's brother-in-law?"

When Quinn nodded, Ryder reached for his phone, cursing a blue streak. "Way to bury the lead, sweetheart."

"You distracted me," Quinn reminded him. Then she mumbled, "And don't call me sweetheart."

"Get used to it. I'll be calling you all kinds of things in the years to come."

"Years to come?" Quinn beamed. Realizing what he had said and liking the sound of it, Ryder beamed back. "Will all the things you call me be nice?"

"I doubt it." Dialing Dalton, Ryder laughed. "We are bound to rub each other wrong—on occasion. Take it from someone who has spent a lot of time around people I care about. Arguments happen. It can be a good thing."

"I was young when my parents divorced. But I remember that they argued—all the time. That was
not
good."

Understanding her hesitation, Ryder took Quinn's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. "I didn't have parental role models either. We'll figure out our own way."

"Trust and respect." Quinn brought his hand to her lips. "And love."

"We already have all three. We're way ahead of the game." Ryder met Quinn's gaze. "Sweetheart."

"You're right." She waited two beats. "Baby."

Giving her a quick kiss, Ryder nodded. "There you go."

Ryder frowned when Dalton's phone went to voicemail. He looked at the time. Eight-thirty. Unless Dalton had gotten lucky—which wasn't out of the realm of possibilities—there was no reason he shouldn't answer. After leaving a brief,
call me
, he hung up.

Quinn slipped out of bed. Pulling on her robe, she began cleaning up. "Are you worried?" she asked as she tossed a used napkin into the empty pizza box.

"Concerned." Tapping the keypad, Ryder brought up Ashe's number. "Dalton has always had a short fuse. He's better than he used to be, but I want to make certain he doesn't to do something stupid."

"Ryder." Ashe sounded upbeat. That was a good sign. "Tell me you have good news. Should I break out my tux?"

"You don't own a tux."

"You're right. I burned that sucker when I turned eighteen. I swore I would never wear one again, but for you and Quinn, I'll make an exception."

"It's a little too soon for that." Ryder had to ask Quinn to marry him before they planned the ceremony. "Is Dalton around?"

"Listen."

Ryder waited. It didn't take long for him to hear what Ashe meant. The sound was faint but distinct—like hail hitting a tin roof. Relaxing, Ryder gave Quinn a thumb's up.

"How long has he been at it?"

"Close to an hour. Dalton will wind down soon." Though Ashe tried to hide it, Ryder could hear the concern in his friend's voice. "He called his sister as soon as you left."

"He suspected it was Norris?"

"That's right. Dalton wanted confirmation before he said anything to you. You know that Maggie can't lie worth shit—especially to Dalton. The bastard got a lousy thousand bucks for the story."

"At least Dalton chose to pound his drums instead of Norris."

"It was a near thing," Ashe said, tone taking on a serious note. "It wasn't what was in the article, it was the sense of betrayal. Dalton sends his sister money every month. We all know that she doesn't see very much of it. And this is how Norris pays him back? It hit Dalton pretty hard."

"Is Zoe there?"

"I'm waiting with the bottle of bourbon. Zoe has a sympathetic shoulder. Between us, we'll get Dalton to the other side."

"Thanks, Ashe. I hate not to be there, but…" Ryder reached for Quinn. A second later, she took his hand.

"Is it all good on your end?" Ashe asked.

"Luckily, I have an understanding woman. So, yes. All's good."

"Then take care of each other. We have Dalton's back. See you when we see you, brother."

"Family comes in all kinds of packages."

Ryder should have known that Quinn would understand She had seen them together. Zoe was his sister. Ashe and Dalton were his brothers. Simple as that.

"They have been there for me no matter what."

"We'll leave first thing in the morning," Quinn said with matter-of-fact conviction. "Unless you think we should go now."

"Dalton has Ashe and Zoe." Ryder slid his arms around Quinn's waist, resting his head on her soft breasts. "Thank you."

"Hey, I'm getting the brothers and sister I never had." Quinn smoothed back his mop of hair. "Make that brothers. I don't know if Zoe will ever accept me."

"She will." Quinn looked at him, doubt—and laughter—shining from her eyes. "Eventually. Zoe is a hard nut, but she can be cracked. I have faith that the two of you will end up the best of friends."

"I don't want to push my luck. I'll settle for her not sneering whenever I walk in the room."

Smart woman
. Ryder toyed with the belt. One tug and all of Quinn's lovely skin would be his to explore. Reading his mind, Quinn slapped his hand away.

"I have questions."

"Of course, you do." Ryder liked Quinn's inquisitive mind. And since her beautiful body wasn't going any place, he didn't mind settling back and letting her ask away. "What would you like to know?"

"What changed?" Quinn hopped onto the mattress. Sitting cross-legged, she angled her body until she and Ryder faced each other. "I know you love me."

Taking her hand, Ryder nodded.

"What is different now? When we parted, you were emphatic." Keeping his hand in hers, Quinn placed them over Ryder's heart. "This belongs to me—thank you very much."

"I missed you." Ryder knew it was an oversimplification, but it was the best place to start. "Then I
really
missed you. And no, it wasn't about the sex. Or at least not all of it."

"I missed you, too. I wish I had known you felt the same. It would have saved me some sleepless nights."

"I had a few of those." Trying to find the words was so much easier when he set them to music. "I've never liked singing to someone."

Quinn laughed—as he knew she would. "You do a great job of faking it."

"On stage is easy. Or sitting around with my friends. I'm talking about one on one. It feels strange. I wrote you a song." Taking his phone, Ryder pulled up the recording. "Remember the tune I hummed in Aruba?"

"I thought you were joking."

Quinn looked so pleased that Ryder was glad he had taken the time to record it for her.

"I was. But the tune wouldn't leave me alone. For some reason, I resisted, but the pull was too much. After you listen, I hope you'll understand."

It was hard to remember the last time Ryder felt these kinds of nerves. There had been a time when he was just starting out when he questioned whether he was a songwriter. Playing guitar and singing? His confidence knew no bounds. Ryder had the cockiness of youth on his side teamed with a hunger for success. A thousand experts could have told him that he would never make it. Ryder wouldn't have believed them. But putting his thoughts—his feelings—down on paper was something else.