Maximum Risk (21 page)

Quinn’s hand rubbed her calf muscles, jolting her out of the past. Before he grilled her about things she didn’t want to talk about, she continued. “I graduated, went to college on scholarships and got my Masters in Public Health, but I concentrated on Humanitarian Assistance and Health and Human Rights. I volunteered with non-profit organizations involved in human aid and a few years later had the funding to open Books for Change.” She left out the part that her motivation for starting her own organization began with a beautiful little girl and a promise made in blood.

Quinn’s hand wrapped around her knee. “And you send money to your aunt monthly?”

Avery sighed. “She’s all I have, despite her feelings about me. She was injured on the job years ago and she can’t work. She took me in when I needed somewhere to go. It’s the least I can do for her.”

“She takes your generosity for granted.”

She shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I owe her. I could have ended up in foster care.” A thought occurred to her. “You don’t think my aunt is in danger, do you?”

“No, but I can call in a favor and have the local PD patrol her house.”

“Thank you.”

His hands on her skin, the warm evening breeze floating through the windows, the way he immediately offered protection for her aunt twisted her emotions. It would be so easy to love this man. But, wasn’t that what she did? Fell for the knight in shining armor? She had fallen for Tim when he stepped in and became her investment banker, helping her get her business off the ground and keep it financially stable. Then, taking a seat on her Board of Directors. She’d fallen for the confident way he handled her and her finances.

Until he started pushing her to settle down and take a less active role in the field. Wanting her to spend more time in the office running her business, not out there putting her life in danger. Then, he’d given her the ultimatum: Set a wedding date and start running her business from her office so they could have a life together, or call it off.

He thought he’d backed her into a corner. That she’d set a date. She still remembered how the room began to spin at the prospect of staying in the office and not delivering books to women and girls all over the world. Breaking her promise to Dembe.

She would rather die than be stuck behind a desk. Even her own. That’s why she’d hired a competent office manager and had trusted members to run the business so she could be in the field doing what she loved.

That promise couldn’t be broken for any man. She couldn’t risk it again.

Pushing abruptly to her feet she said, “I think I’ll turn in.”

****

Quinn let Avery go, sensing her need to be alone. He waited until her bedroom door closed to lean his head back against the sofa. She still hid secrets, not trusting him enough to tell him what she kept buried. He’d wanted to pry it out of her, but knowing her as he did, she’d only dig her heels in deeper.

He rubbed a weary hand over his face. Part of him wanted to call Avery’s aunt back and make sure she realized how much Avery did for her. How gracious and compassionate a woman Avery was. Given the rough life she’d had it was damned admirable.

Judging by the conversation, he didn’t get the impression her aunt cared much about Avery or the fact she had survived. She’d just called to make sure her check was in the mail.

It made him damn angry.

Made him want to protect Avery from people like that. Family shouldn’t take advantage of loved ones. They were to be honored and cherished. Protected. Respected.

He glanced at Avery’s closed door. The more he peeled away her layers, the more he liked what he saw. It was no wonder Books for Change flourished and had grown into a world renowned organization. He’d read the file Kell put together before the mission. Avery’s compassion and selflessness made it the respectable business it was. And if he had to guess, he’d bet she sacrificed herself to get it there.

Her aunt had no idea the kind of person Avery really was.

In truth, neither did his family.

But, they had gotten a glimpse of the selfless woman she was when she stood up for him the night they returned from Azbakastan.

An image of Avery charging in to defend him flashed through his head. And all after being kidnapped, tortured, and his rough treatment on the chopper. The woman had fortitude, he’d give her that.

Too much for her own good. For his peace of mind.

He turned his gaze to the windows. Maybe a swim to unwind. Rising, he went upstairs to change into his swim trunks.

****

Avery couldn’t relax. Felt cooped up in her room, so she slipped through the back door and crossed the deck to where Quinn sat on the top step, staring out across the quiet lake. He wore swim trunks and nothing else.

She’d tried to read one of his sports magazines, but it didn’t stop the restless thoughts running through her head. She’d bared a piece of her soul to Quinn tonight and she’d been worked up ever since. Vulnerable. If she could take the words back she would. She didn’t want Quinn to know about her past. How lonely her childhood was.

Somehow, Quinn pulled her secrets out of her and if she wasn’t careful he’d pull the rest. She couldn’t let that happen.

Her intentions were to find a bottle of brandy and have a sip to settle her down. Then she saw Quinn through the kitchen window.

He didn’t look up when she sat down beside him. Deep sadness was etched in the lines of his face. He’d buried his brother. She wanted, not for the first time, to take his pain away, but didn’t know how.

The sun dipped behind the horizon, casting them in shadow. After a moment of silence Quinn spoke.

“We used to play football on nights like this. All of us, including Bailey, in the backyard at my parents’ house.”

Avery remained silent.

“It was a tradition after one of Mom’s Sunday dinners. For a girl, Bailey gave us a run for our money.” He cut off and raked a hand through his hair, his pain palpable. “There were seven of us so we used Bailey as a crutch. She hated it.”

After meeting Quinn’s sister she believed it.

“We haven’t played in a couple months. Been too busy.” His head dropped and his shoulders hitched.

Avery’s heart twisted.

“Now the teams will be even,” he choked out.

Avery put a hand on his bare shoulder, felt it bunch beneath her touch. Quinn was a strong, proud man who carried the burden of his family on his shoulders. He did it selflessly, no questions asked. But, who took care of him?

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

He shook his head. She withdrew her hand, not blaming him for pulling away. When she went to stand he grabbed her wrist, guided her in front of him to stand between his legs. He wrapped a strong arm around her waist and pulled her close, mindful of her wound.

His forehead rested against her stomach, his sorrow seeping into her, making her ache for him. Only time healed wounds. At least that’s what they said. Her parents’ death still hurt like the day it happened.

A warm breeze drifted past, carrying the earthy scent of the lake. Quinn’s hand opened on the small of her back. Avery froze. His lips pressed a kiss to her navel, sending a shudder through her.

He lifted her shirt, his hands skimming her hips. Her breath caught when he nuzzled her belly. She buried her hands in his hair, pulled him closer. The heat from his mouth, the touch of his hands, ignited a fire that had been burning since the day she met him.

Slowly, she lowered herself until she sat on his lap.

He captured her mouth with his. She moaned, her fingers digging into his shoulders. Heat burned where he touched the small of her back. Goose bumps pricked her arms and legs when his hand slid up to rub the nape of her neck. Needing to touch him, Avery smoothed her hands over his chest, bumped them over his abs. He released her mouth and drew in a sharp breath when she reached the waistband on his shorts.

He dropped his head so that their foreheads touched. “Stop me now.”

Avery shook her head.

He met her eyes. “I want you.”

She nodded. “Yes.”

Hunger darkened his gaze. In one swift move she was under him, the cool boards of the deck beneath her, his warm body covering her. She lifted up and kissed him, her blood racing through her veins. Quinn took possession of the kiss, driving her to the brink.

An appreciative sigh escaped her lips as she ran her hands over the muscles in his chest and down his arms, mindful of his injury.

Avery met Quinn’s eyes. Her strong warrior. A man of honor and courage who she had fallen for. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his. Right now all she wanted was to make love to him. Later, she’d protect herself from loving him.

****

Quinn stared down at the lace bra cupping Avery’s breasts. So perfect. As if they’d been made for him. He traced the delicate lace with his finger, watched goosebumps erupt on her silky flesh. His body responded, but he restrained himself. The buds of her nipples poked through the fabric, drawing a groan from him.

Needing to see the rest of her, he removed her clothing, then shucked his swim shorts and lowered himself over her. He rasped his teeth over a nipple. Her back arched, her hands burrowing into his hair. The more she responded, the harder he became.

Rising above her he stared down at her, red hair spread across the deck, eyes dark with desire, lips parted.

“You’re beautiful.” He cupped her cheek and leaned down to capture her lips. Avery’s legs locked around his hips, the kiss turned greedy, hungry. The bands of his restraint shredded and he surged against her.

He tore his mouth from hers to trace a fiery path down her neck to the pulse that beat frantically. She nipped his shoulder and he swept her up and rose to his feet. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her legs around his waist.

There was a glint in her eye as she pressed her lips to his throat. Quinn growled and carried her inside, almost making it to the stairs when she ran her tongue along his jaw. Pushing her against the wall, he plundered her mouth. Her heels dug into his ass, and God he wanted inside her. This gorgeous, uninhibited, responsive woman who turned his life upside down.

Before he took her against the wall, he carried her upstairs and lowered her to the bed. On his way to the bedside table he paused to stare down at her. Gloriously naked and all his. She gazed back at him, her gray eyes dancing with yearning. No holds barred with this woman. When she jumped it was with both feet. Just like the day he’d rescued her. And when she’d stood up to his family to fight for him. The Wolff clan could be an intimidating bunch when all together, yet she faced them head on. A woman like that could either be admired or loved.

Whoa.

Quinn pulled back. Mentally and physically.

Avery rolled over onto her side and touched his thigh with a wicked smile. “Are you going to stand there or join me?”

All thought fled when she wrapped her hand around him and licked her lips. God help him. She took him in her mouth, her tongue gliding over his head. He let out a grunt, thrust his hips. Warm and wet, she brought him near the edge, scraped her teeth down the length of him.

Before he came in her mouth, Quinn stopped her, dug a condom out of the drawer and hastily rolled it on. Avery grabbed his shoulders, pulled him down. He surged inside her, groaned, and ground his mouth down on hers. Her lips parted on a sigh when he moved slowly in, then out.

As much as he wanted release, he didn’t want to leave her body. It felt too good. Too damn right. No woman had ever made him want to stay forever.

“Quinn,” Avery gasped, when he thrust slow and long inside her, felt her walls clench around him. Her back arched, her head thrown back in ecstasy as her orgasm rocked her body.

With a grunt Quinn followed, plunging deep. The force of his climax shattered any hope he had of remaining on neutral ground.

****

Avery watched Quinn walk from the bathroom, naked and hard, even after making love. He was the first man she’d been with since Tim and now she knew she’d made the right decision with her ex. Tim never made her feel this way. Never set her body on fire like Quinn. Didn’t make her want to stay.

And that scared the life out of her. Because staying meant risking her promise, her very soul, and she wasn’t letting anyone give her an ultimatum again.

Unwilling to think about it, she bit her lip, running her gaze over the powerful muscle in his chest and thighs. The mattress dipped when Quinn climbed in bed beside her and pulled her into his arms. She went willingly.

Quinn pressed a kiss to her temple, holding her close.

Avery settled against him, comfortable with the way they fit.

Whatever this was, she’d take it because the alternative was too difficult to think about.

Chapter Fifteen

Quinn woke to sound of the front door opening. His eyes popped open, his body going on high alert. Shaking Avery’s shoulder, he pressed a finger to her lips when she went to speak.

“Someone’s downstairs,” he lipped.

Her eyes widened and she nodded, mouthing,
“Your brothers?”

“Maybe. Stay here.”

He climbed out of bed, slipped into a pair of jeans and t-shirt and with one last warning look at Avery, disappeared from the room. He took the stairs down, leading with his 9mm, avoiding the ones that creaked.

The sound of water running came from the kitchen. He hit the landing silently and rounded the corner to find his mother filling the coffee pot at the sink, her back to him. Swearing beneath his breath, he tucked the gun in his waistband and covered it with his t-shirt at the same time his mother turned.

“Mom.” He looked around the room. “Where’s Dad?”

“He dropped me off.” She raised her hand to cut off his protest. “I insisted. He walked me to the door and waited until I locked it behind me. Don’t worry. He’s out back with Kell. Did I wake you?”

Quinn crossed to the doors to peer out at the lake, images of Avery, naked and willing, filling his head. “No.”

“I was just about to make a pot of coffee. Would you and Avery like a cup?”