Temporarily, it felt nice to belong. “Thank you.”
They entered the kitchen as Leila dropped to one knee, her gaze on Amy’s sandals. “Are those Manolo Blahniks?”
“No.” Amy glanced down at the three-inch heels. “They’re Christian Louboutin.”
Leila gasped, her eyes widening. “They’re so pretty.” She stood and ran to her grandmother. “I love shoes.”
Loni ran a hand down Leila’s dark hair. “I know, sweetie. I do, too.” She glanced around the kitchen, a small smile playing on her face. “Well, this is nice, isn’t it?”
“Very.” Joan took a healthy swallow of her beer, her disgruntled gaze wandering again to Amy’s dress.
Juliet sipped more of her beer. The only thing missing from the party was—
The door to the garage opened, and Quinn Lodge stepped inside. He stopped, his gaze on the gathering of women. A laugh bubbled up in Juliet, but she quashed it. If a “holy shit” expression existed, Quinn was wearing it.
Leila leaped for him. He caught her easily against his chest and smacked a kiss on her forehead. “Hi, Uncle Quinn. Juliet’s having a party.”
Loni bustled forward and pecked him on the cheek. “We stopped by to keep Juliet company, and turns out she had some visitors. Isn’t this wonderful?”
He settled his hand on the butt of his gun in a natural pose. “Ah, yes. Very nice. I, ah, dropped by to grab the spotlight I left in my garage. There’s a wreck on the interstate.” He set Leila down, his gaze on Juliet. “I might be late.”
She nodded, her face heating. Maybe the blush resulted from Loni’s delighted grin. Maybe it resulted from the heat in Quinn’s gaze. Or maybe it resulted from the glares from the other two women in the room.
Quinn had already shut the door behind himself and escaped to the garage before she regained her voice.
…
Juliet awoke from a deep sleep to glance at Quinn’s bedside clock. Three in the morning. Something shuffled at the bathroom doorway, and Quinn strode into the room with that male grace she had begun to recognize.
She sat up and clicked on the lamp. “I’m awake.”
Wet hair curled around his ears, and he’d tied a towel around his masculine hips. Lines of exhaustion cut into the sides of his mouth, and dark stubble covered his chin. “Sorry if I woke you up.”
“I didn’t even hear the shower.” She shoved curls out of her face. “You okay?”
“Fine.” He dropped the towel and slipped under the covers, reaching over his shoulder to turn off the lamp.
Instant heat radiated toward her. Should she go back to sleep? Perhaps give him some space?
He made up her mind for her by rolling onto his back and tugging her on top of him. Gentle hands smoothed the hair away from her face. “The wreck was a bad one, but the ambulance arrived in time. I think everyone might be all right.”
“Good.” She settled more comfortably against his hard body. Soft moonlight filtered in through the shades, and his eyes blazed through the dim. “You were gone a long time.”
“Just a couple of hours. After clearing the scene, I had two DV calls to take. I hate those.” His hand wandered down her back and cupped her butt.
Heat spiraled through her abdomen. “That means domestic violence, right?”
“Yep. Worse calls ever. I arrested several people tonight—both men and women.” He caressed her rear. “Let’s talk about something else. How long did your party last?”
A grin tickled her cheeks. “You mean the get-together of women who want Quinn Lodge? Everyone left after you made your appearance.”
He snorted. “Funny.”
“Not really.” She wiggled against his groin just enough to cause his eyes to flare. “This is an awkward question, but I feel the need to ask it. Are you, um, seeing either Joan or Amy?”
“No.” He tugged her T-shirt over her head, leaving her in flimsy panties. “I have never dated Joan but did have one unfortunate night with Amy about a year ago after a fund-raiser. We all make mistakes.”
Jealousy zinged in a weird electric arc into her heart. “She still likes you.”
“I like you.” His voice deepened to a dark tone that wandered right through her skin and warmed her. Everywhere.
“I like you, too.” She pressed a gentle kiss against his nose and then looked closer. “Is that a bruise on your chin?”
“Probably.” His hands flattened on her butt, pressing her onto his rapidly hardening cock. “One of the guys didn’t want to be cuffed. We, ah, scuffled.”
She took a deep breath, not really having considered the danger he faced every day. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”
“You’ll have to discover that for yourself, darlin’.” He grinned. “Why don’t you start with my mouth?”
“Why don’t I,” she murmured, brushing his lips with hers.
His mouth captured hers. Deep, strong, he commanded the kiss like he did everything else in his life. Liquid fire rippled through her. Wetness coated her thighs. Her lips trembled and parted for him. He angled his head, depending the kiss.
A click resounded inside her head. Fire and home. She was home.
At the frightening thought, she lifted her head. Her breath panted out. Tingles erupted on her lips.
“I wasn’t quite done kissing you, Juliet,” he rumbled, his dark gaze on her mouth.
“What makes you think you’re always in charge?” She slid her knees up to straddle him.
He grinned and slipped his fingers in the waistband of her panties. “If I were in charge, you wouldn’t still be wearing these.” A quick tug, and he yanked them off.
She settled back into place and lifted an eyebrow. “I’m no longer wearing those.”
“I guess I am in charge.” He flipped them over and thrust inside her with one strong push.
With the shock of his entry, she cried out, her body arching into his. Mini-explosions rocketed through her sex. Flashes of light erupted behind her closed eyes. Need cut into her with sharp, demanding blades.
She tangled her hands in his hair, rearing up to kiss him. Hard.
He returned the kiss, his movements slow and drugging. Sexy and deep, he kissed her, consuming all her fear and uncertainty. She relaxed into the safe cocoon created by Quinn Lodge, melted into him with a sense of trust she’d never shared with another person.
His body impaling hers, his mouth destroying hers, he stripped her of any lingering defenses.
Finally, he lifted his head. “You are the most perfect creature I could’ve ever imagined.”
She swallowed, her eyes widening, her heart softening. “Quinn—”
“Shh.” He kissed her again, pulling almost out and then sliding back home. “Just feel.”
So she did. She slid her hands down to his shoulders. Muscles bunched against her palms as his mouth wandered along her jawline and down her neck.
He pushed hard into her, his pelvis slanting against her clit. Heat zipped up to her breasts, pebbling her nipples. His chest brushed the sensitive buds as he increased his speed, pounding into her until the headboard banged the wall.
Her thighs clasped his, and she tilted up to take more of him. To take all of him.
He thrust harder, his fingers digging into her hip. A ball of fire slowly uncoiled inside her. Then, with a flash of lightning, it detonated into a series of explosions that arched her back. She cried out his name, her nails digging into his skin. Wave upon wave of electric pleasure pumped through her until finally, she went limp.
With a growl of her name, he ground against her and came.
After several deep breaths, he dropped his forehead to hers. The friendly intimacy slid contentment into her smile. She patted his shoulder. “Sorry about the fingernails.”
“I’ll wear your marks any day.” He withdrew, smiling at her brief whine of protest.