Page 56 of Frequency of Attraction

Between Quinn’s legs. In the clouds. With his daughter. If he had to strip something away to be all in for his future, he knew which one would have to go. He didn’t like it, but a woman—even that one—wasn’t worth risking his last chance to be an astronaut. “I thought I was doing the right thing earlier. I really did. I wanted to see if I could get out of a real-life condition on my own. I thought I was taking my training to the next level.”

Thomas sat back in his chair and sighed. “We are two years out from launch and a couple months out from the next test campaign for Stratos. You have plenty of time. Do you see why today was a mistake?”

“Yes. I’m not ready to be in command yet.”

“You’re our astronaut hopeful, but Harv’s still in charge when you’re in the air. Got it?”

He nodded and rose to leave, pausing at the door. “Thank you for giving me another chance.”

“I can’t give you another, Baranov. If you want this, don’t fuck up again.”

Vadim went next door to his own office, mind spinning and stomach still clenched. He needed to do everything in his power to keep from fucking up.

Now was not the time to wonderwhat ifwith Quinn. He should have seen that earlier, but he’d been blinded by her generosity, her way of knowing how to deliver on desires he didn’t know he had.

Besides phenomenal sex, what did Vadim have to offer her, anyway? A borrowed corporate apartment and a ready-made family? A criminal brother and an iffy reputation at work? Everything about him screamed bad optics. The situation with the old broad at that restaurant in Boston had happened before and would happen again. Quinn didn’t want someone like him. She could do better. She was so much better.

The longer he dwelt on his options, the easier the decision became. It was time to fucking own his future. No more mistakes, and no more Quinn.

27

On the flight back into L.A., Quinn perfected the job description for the position that had been cycling through her mind since her trip to check the working conditions in their warehouses in Sri Lanka. Director of Wellness and Welfare, she’d called it. Like philanthropy, but from the inside out. First order of business? Get the position approved by HR. Second? Move into the role and start making proactive changes in the way Geier Group took care of its people. Mental health checks and sporadic facility inspections were just a few of her ideas. Maybe after their people were happy, she could focus their philanthropy efforts more externally. She sent the email to HR right before the flight attendant made her stow her laptop.

Tate had taken OrbitAll’s CEO position from his brother a couple months back. Elle had left the working world entirely. Quinn didn’t have to accept her own lot, either. She could go after what she wanted. Right now, she wanted a shiny new position and a tattooed Russian.

He’d be getting off work right about now. Maybe hitting up the gym. It was an off day, not one when they’d normally be working toward orgasms. But she hoped there would be no more off days from Vadim.

She just didn’t know how to tell him. Would he laugh in her face? Or was he softening to something more, too?

Quinn took an Uber to a private airfield outside of L.A. where Theodore waited to take her back to Victory. Ninety minutes later, she stepped into the villa. She’d texted Tate her estimated time of arrival, so of course a steaming plate of chicken and potatoes and a crisp green salad sat at her place at their dining table. Her stomach gave a roar as she sank into her chair. Tate was an exceptional human being.

A few bites in, he joined her in the chair opposite. “How’s Hadrian?”

“Madly in love with a Ferrari. A woman, not a car,” she qualified around bites of roasted fingerlings.

He chuckled, but his smile faded rapidly. “Good for him. I hope he’s happy. And healing.”

“He seems determined to change. That was nice to see.”

“I’m sure, as the person other than his mother most affected by his choices.”

“About that, Tate…”

Her clear-eyed cousin waited patiently, unmoving, as Quinn polished off her chicken. He’d drowned it in some decadent sun-dried tomato sauce she couldn’t get enough of.

“Your grab of the CEO role inspired me. I created a new executive position today, a role focused on holistic employee wellness. I want our people happy and healthy in a real way. I’m thinking of leaving the PR to someone else. Thoughts?”

He settled back in the upholstered chair. “Interesting idea. I’ve wondered for a while if you love the job like you used to.”

“I don’t.”

“Then moving on is best for everyone.” He sighed. “You may not be the only one.”

Quinn moved on to her salad. “Who else is thinking of leaving?”

“There was an incident in the T-38 today. Vadim is on thin ice with Thomas and Harv.”

Her stomach dropped. “Is he okay?”

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