Page 75 of Frequency of Attraction

Vadim kissed her with every atom of stardust in his body. He kissed her with the universe singing in his blood. He kissed her not knowing if it had been physical or metaphysical forces or pure chance that had brought them together. Vadim kissed Quinn like he fucking loved her.

When he figured she’d gotten the message, he set her gently on the ground and dropped his forehead against hers. Cradling her face, he said, “Listen to me,kiska. I’m sorry for everything I’ve said, but I’m sorrier for everything I haven’t. I’m in love with you. You’re the meaning of my life. I know I have nothing to give you. I know you said no. We’re all out of order. I fucked you first and loved you second. But go out with me. Date me. Fuck me. Love me. Any order you want. Just…be mine. Please.”

Quinn smiled. “Okay.”

His heart fluttered in his chest. “Which part?”

“All of them, Vadim. And you’re wrong. You have everything to give me. You are everything I want.” She dropped a tender kiss on his surprised mouth. “I’m in love with you, too.”

His eyes closed in relief, in gratitude, as he kissed Quinn again. And again. And one more time. Audience be damned. Debriefs? Fuck ’em.

“Where should we go on our first date?” she asked finally.

He wondered how he hadn’t noticed the love in her eyes before. Quinn shone like moonlight, guiding him home. “I don’t give a fuck, as long as you’re there.”

35

Their first official date happened that same night at The Saloon. Even with a full house, surrounded by colleagues, her family and his, Quinn could not keep her hands off her man.

Vadim felt different to her now. The hard muscles under his tight, Euro-style clothes hadn’t changed. But he seemed softer somehow. As he held her under neon lights near the pool table, Quinn had to wonder if the difference came from knowledge. She finally knew what love felt like.

Nearly everyone at The Saloon told them at least once to get a room. Trouble was, they didn’t have one. For now, Quinn was content to just be near him. Be his. But every time he bent over to shoot pool, just being near him became difficult.

“I’m glad he finally got his head out of that ass.”

Quinn smiled at the woman seated next to her. Lisa, a friend of Vadim’s, had joined them for the after-party. “How do you mean?”

Lisa shook her head ruefully. “The first time I met him, he was trying so hard not to act interested in you, though it was as plain as those tattoos on his neck. Last week when we had drinks, same deal.” She adopted a convincing Russian accent. “‘I’m Vadim and I’m strong enough to be alone.’” She snorted. “We’re all strong enough to be alone, but that doesn’t mean we have to be. No, this is good. What are you going to do? You live in Boston, right?”

A cross-country romance was not ideal. Quinn didn’t want to think about that detail yet. “I do. I love it there. But we’ll figure it out.”

“Being rich as hell probably helps.”

Quinn giggled. “I do have a private pilot.”

Lisa’s face scrunched together. “Yeah, you’ll be fine. Is that one taken?”

She gestured at Tate, who was making his way over. Quinn grinned. “He is.”

“Of course. That’s my cue. I’m a mess around guys that pretty.” Lisa downed the rest of her cocktail. “Nice to finally meet you, Quinn. I like you.”

“I like you, too,” Quinn called after her.

Tate took the stool. “What a year for the Geiers, cousin.”

“Are we talking curse or new jobs in the company?”

He took a drink of his gin and tonic. “Curse. Seems that myth has been disproven.”

Quinn just smiled.

“House is quiet without you,” he continued.

“Fridge is empty without you,” she replied. She studied Tate as his eyes swept the bar full of people in his employ. He was too modest to acknowledge the impact he’d had on these people’s lives. Hers included. “Thank you.”

He brought his gaze to her. “For two years of amazing cooking?”

“For hiring Vadim. For hiring Chen. You owe Elle and Chen the best wedding gift ever. Elle brought you Rosie. All these couples? That’s all you, really.”

---