Happy Endings (9 page)

Quinn’s lips rested against her forehead briefly before he backed away. “My dad called me when he realized who the client was today. That man never should have been allowed in here on a day there weren’t more people around. I’m sorry. That’s a mistake that won’t happen with Vanessa’s other clients. You won’t be alone with them until we’re sure they aren’t going to ask for anything you can’t give.”

Larissa shuddered, remembering Mr. Skinner’s offer. “Vanessa was doing more than getting them off during massages. He wanted me to visit his room every night during his two-week stay. Said we could take care of each other.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw Quinn’s hand tighten into a fist and the sound of his teeth grinding vibrated between them. “I’ll tell my dad to put him on the first plane out of here.”

“That’s probably a good idea. His idea of a vacation should include a whore-house in Vegas, not a resort.”

To her relief, Quinn let out a strangled laugh. “You’re something else, Larissa. You know that?”

She looked up, staring into his eyes. “I’m counting on that. If I’m no different from your other dates, then this is a waste of time.”

“I thought you were innocent and wholesome when we first met.” He kissed her lightly, barely brushing his mouth against hers. “The truth is even more fascinating.”

The door to the studio creaked open, and Larissa startled, leaning away from Quinn. It wouldn’t do to have the creep spread rumors about them. She was sure he would badmouth the company in some way, since he was about to be exiled from paradise, but she didn’t want Quinn catching the brunt of his wrath.

For Quinn’s part, he stood, the hardness back on his face. “You should pack your bags, Mr. Skinner. My father will arrange for you to get off the island. Maybe he can find something on a resort in Hawaii for the rest of your vacation, but I’ll leave that to him.”

“What do you mean?” he sputtered. “I’m not leaving.”

Quinn pointed at the door. “Yes, you are. My father will contact you shortly.”

***

Q
uinn hung up his phone, confident that his father had the situation in hand.

Next to him, Larissa finished locking the spa door and then bounced on the balls of her feet. “Does this mean you have to cancel our date?” she asked.

He wondered if it was because his parents painted him as a man more interested in the office than love that made her ask, or if Larissa had changed her mind about going. “Dad has it under control, but I’ll understand if you...” He broke off, letting the unspoken question hang between them.

She snorted out a laugh. “You think one little erection is going to send me into hysterics or ruin my day? I was afraid you’d have to work now, that’s all.”

“Little erection, huh?” Quinn arched an eyebrow. “With some men, you don’t have to worry about that problem.”

Larissa bit her lower lip and her face reddened. “That’s what you all say, but I never believe the boasting.”

Quinn suddenly found himself in unfamiliar territory. Larissa seemed to be baiting him, but he wasn’t sure what sort of response she wanted. Her looks still screamed wholesome to him, but the sexy vibe she exuded told him that she wanted to ride more than his horse.

He swallowed hard, trying to moisten his dry throat. “I’ll go finish packing lunch while you slip into something more comfortable then.”

“Not feeling like bragging anymore?” She batted her eyelashes with feigned innocence. “I didn’t take you as a guy who’d back down from a challenge.”

Quinn grabbed her wrist, tugging her against him. He stared deep into her blue-green eyes, unblinking. “Some of us don’t have to brag.”

Her delighted laughter filled him with pleasure and she shoved him backward. “Go get our food. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

She sashayed away, walking up the pathway toward her housing unit. Even in relatively shapeless scrubs from her work uniform, the gentle sway of her hips fueled Quinn’s imagination. He’d never seen her in jeans before, but he just knew she’d have a nice, firm, round ass. He sure hoped whatever she deemed more comfortable was tight enough to show her curves.

He walked to the shady side of the building where he’d left Shadow and Sunfire. Luckily, Shadow knew when Quinn dropped his reins on the ground to stay put, and hadn’t wandered off while Quinn dealt with that sleaze.

Quinn hoped his dad stuck to the plan and kicked Mr. Skinner off the island. He didn’t want a jerk like that anywhere around Larissa.

Swinging up into the saddle, Quinn decided to put it from his mind. He was dating Larissa today, not working. He was determined this date wouldn’t end like their last ones. He’d show her a good time.

L
arissa hung on for dear life as Shadow’s muscles bunched beneath her. He was getting ready to climb a hill again.

Quinn’s chuckle floated back to her and his warm hand closed over hers where they clasped around his waist as tight as she could clench them. “Don’t worry, Larissa. This hill is small. Sorry about you sliding off back there. I didn’t realize Shadow still had that much power in him.”

Relaxing marginally, Larissa remained plastered to Quinn’s back. After all, it wasn’t like that was a bad place to be. When they weren’t climbing through the dense vegetation and hills, it was actually quite the enjoyable trip. The interior of the island was more like a rainforest than the sandy beaches of the resort suggested, and Larissa was enthralled with the colors.

“These wild flowers are beautiful,” she said. “It’s no wonder you like to get away. I thought the beach was paradise, but this is the real place.”

Shadow crested the hill, and Quinn threaded his fingers through hers when Larissa relaxed her grip. “Just wait until you see the waterfall. We’re almost there. The pool of water beneath it is so clear that it looks like the bottom is close enough to reach out and touch, but it’s actually about fifteen feet down.”

Now that he mentioned it, Larissa did hear the sound of water. It had been there for a while, but faintly until they made it to the top of that last hill.

“I’m glad we’re almost there,” she admitted. “My legs are getting sore.”

He glanced over his shoulder, a frown turning down the corners of his mouth. “Do you need to take a break?”

She shook her head and snuggled closer to his back. “I like this, I’m just not used to it.”

The sun beat down on them whenever they crossed a break in the trees and illuminated the reds, purples, and blues of the flowers around them. Large ferns of all different shades of green coated the ground beneath them, obscuring their path and adding to the beauty.

Feeling daring, Larissa kissed the back of Quinn’s neck. “In fact, this is practically perfect.”

Pressed against him like she was, Larissa felt the shudder that rocked his body and the quickening of his breathing. She’d been right about one thing—Quinn desired her. It was crazy. She’d always made men wait for months before doing more than holding hands, but the feel of Quinn’s hard-muscled body against hers was causing Larissa to have thoughts that ran counter to what Quinn said was her wholesome image.

They broke into a large clearing where the flowers had taken over. Directly in front of them was their destination.

Water splashed down about twenty feet, thin streams in places with one large shower in the middle. Sunlight splayed across the fall, forming a rainbow over the hillside.

“Wow,” she murmured.

“Welcome to Quinn’s Grove.”

Quinn stood in the stirrups and carefully swung his leg over Larissa as she ducked down to give him clearance. Once on the ground, he reached up, lifting her at the waist as though she weighed nothing and pulling her off Shadow’s back.

When her legs touched the ground, tingling pain flared through them and she stumbled.

Quinn was right there, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her against him. “Careful. Takes a minute to work the kinks out.”

She laughed, feeling more stable by the second, but not wanting Quinn to let go. “We’re already talking kink, huh?”

Humor flashed in his eyes and he ran a hand down her back, stopping at the top of her behind to run his hand across it. “If you’re into kink, pretty lady, that can be arranged.”

Shadow sidestepped, pressing his side into Larissa’s back and shoving her hard against Quinn.

Chuckling, Quinn pulled Larissa out of the horse’s reach, then released her to hug Shadow’s neck. “Sorry, Larissa. He’s a jealous beast and greedy about being the one to get hugs. I should have warned you.”

Watching Quinn with his horse, Larissa had a hard time imagining the grumpy man she’d spent time with at the company party. “Shadow makes you truly happy, doesn’t he?”

Quinn grabbed the horse’s reins, reaching out for Larissa with his free hand.

She locked her fingers through his and Quinn picked his way across the field to the waterfall.

“I’ve had Shadow for fourteen years,” he said. “Back before my parents decided I should take over the business. Back when I did what
I
wanted. Trained him myself. He’s been a good friend. Unfortunately, the last five years I haven’t spent much time with him.”

“Why not?” Larissa asked, already knowing the answer.

Quinn shrugged. “Work. Well, and marriage. Despite the way I made it sound, I did try to work things out with Camille at first.”

Larissa followed Quinn to the shade near the pool of water. The mist from the waterfall sprayed across them, cooling her from the hot ride. She probably shouldn’t have asked any questions. She didn’t want Quinn thinking about his ex-wife while she was trying so hard to flirt with him.

Luckily, he let the subject drop as he turned his attention to the animals. Within moments, Quinn had Shadow’s saddle and head thing off and had stripped the bags and rope from the other horse. Both animals promptly began eating, wandering around the meadow.

“Shouldn’t you tie them up?” she asked, afraid what might happen if they ran away. It would be a long hike back to the beach.

Quinn shrugged. “Shadow won’t leave me. If Sunfire gets spooked and takes off, she’d just head to the stable and meet us back at home. Horses always go where the good food is, and she’ll be wanting her oats for dinner tonight. They’ll be fine, but right now they need water.”

Making his way along a ridge of wet rocks, Larissa watched anxiously while Quinn walked toward the waterfall.

“What are you doing?”

“There’s a cave behind the water,” Quinn said. “Don’t worry.” Within moments, he disappeared behind the curtain of water, but reappeared before Larissa could get overly anxious.

He held up a bucket, a victorious smile on his face as he made his way back across the treacherous-looking slope. “I figured it would be in there still, but I haven’t been up here for so long. Looks like no one found my hiding spot.”

Larissa watched as he carefully leaned over the pool, filling the bucket with fresh water. It was clear that Quinn had his hands full taking care of the horses, so maybe she should do something about setting up a spot for them. Not too close to the water. As nice as the mist was right now, she could already feel herself getting chilled from the dampness.

She shook out the blanket closer to the trees, spreading it across the ground. The faint smell of horse on it was actually comforting. It was a smell she would associate with Quinn now. Heck, maybe she’d even sign up for riding lessons if things kept going so well. As nice as it was cuddling against his back, now that she was losing her fear, galloping along on her own horse sounded like freedom.

She unzipped the saddlebags just as Quinn finished with the horses. He collapsed onto the blanket, stretching his legs out.

He stared up at the sky and let out a long sigh. “I’ll unpack the food in a minute. Come here. This is the best part.”

Larissa did as he requested, lying next to him.

Quinn reclaimed her hand, but closed his eyes, not speaking again.

Rather weird for a date. Usually if they weren’t talking, a guy would have his hands all over her and she’d have to fight them off, but she wouldn’t question it. The warmth of the sun was amazingly relaxing, and Quinn seemed more at ease than she’d ever imagined he could be.

Taking her cue from him, she closed her eyes. The crash of water mixed with calls of birds and humming of insects. It all combined with the soft ripping sounds as the horses tore up grass. There were no people sounds, no ringing phones, no screaming kids.

She breathed in deeply. A clean, earthy scent surrounded them, the sort of smell she associated with the green of plants. With life.

One word described the whole experience: peaceful.

“It’s been too long since I came here,” Quinn said after a few minutes of silence. “No wonder I’ve been getting stress headaches every day and my parents are worried about me.”

“You have to get out sometimes,” Larissa agreed. “After I got sick, my doctors told me exercise was the best medicine. I walk on the beach every morning. You could join me if you want, get the blood pumping before sitting in your office all day.”

Quinn released her hand and rolled onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow. “You were sick? What happened?”

Shoot
. Larissa bit her lip. She hadn’t meant to tell him that, but her guard had already dropped with Quinn it seemed. “It’s been a few years,” she said, slowly picking her words. “I’m better now.” Which was mostly true, unless the cancer recurred.

“But what was wrong?” he persisted, not seeming to realize how personal his question was.

“I was sick. Let’s talk about something else.” She wrapped her hand around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss.

Quinn seemed more than willing to be distracted by her lips. His hand trailed down her side to her hip, squeezing as his fingers once again brushed against her butt. He teased at her mouth, nipping her lips and letting out a playful growl.

Larissa burst out laughing. “This place really brings out the wild man in you.”

He growled again and attacked her neck, kissing and nibbling. “I could show you wild, but I think we’d better eat our lunch instead.”