Page 46 of Modern Romance Collection December 2024 Books 1-4

‘We have a child—that’s the definition of unfinished business,’ Sadie observed, even as her heart thumped.

What did Quin mean? Was he saying that—?

‘I’m not talking about that. I’m talking aboutthis.’

Quin’s head lowered to hers, and there on the dance floor he kissed her—a long, slow, drugging kiss that left Sadie’s head spinning when he finally drew back.

Yes, resounded in Sadie’s head. He was saying he wanted her and he wasn’t going to fight it.

Reluctantly she opened her eyes and all she could see was the heated intent in Quin’s expression, his face stark.

He said, ‘Let’s get out of here?’

Sadie nodded, even though she wasn’t sure if her legs would function properly. But somehow they did.

Quin didn’t even stop to speak to anyone. He had a tight hold on Sadie’s hand and all she could do was try to keep up with his long-legged pace. She lifted the folds of the dress in one hand as they went down the steps to where Quin’s driver was waiting, holding the car door open.

The journey back to the hotel was swift. Quin didn’t let go of her hand all the way up to the suite, and the air vibrated between them with an electrical charge.

Once inside the vast empty suite, Sadie took her hand from Quin’s. He was undoing his bow tie fully and pulling it off. He looked a little wild, and every cell in Sadie’s body clamoured for her to throw herself at this man right now.

She forced herself to say, ‘Are you sure this is a good idea?’

She couldn’t bear it if Quin went cold with her again after making love, as if he was punishing himself, and her, for being weak.

He came towards her, all dark, heated intensity. ‘Like I said, we have unfinished business. We can’t move forward until we’ve got this desire out of our systems.’

Something inside Sadie cracked a little at the hint of desperation she heard in his voice. Her heart. He believed this was finite—or at the very least he obviously hoped it was finite. And maybe it would be for him. But not for her. She knew that.

But she also knew she didn’t have the strength to resist Quin. Not when he was looking at her as if she was the only thing in the world right now. And not when she craved his touch so badly. For four years she’d been in the desert, living a physically and emotionally barren existence. She needed him now. He and Sol were bringing her back to life, restoring her faith in humanity and her sense of home. Because no matter what happened with Quin, Sol would always be her home.

But some small, self-preserving part of her made her ask, ‘What if we can’t get it out of our systems?’

‘I believe we will. It’s just lust. Chemistry.’

There it was: the confirmation that Quin didn’t want anything more. Didn’t expect anything more.

She felt like pointing out that four years and his hatred for her hadn’t killed their chemistry. But she didn’t say that. She gave in. Succumbed.

‘I want you, Quin. Make love to me.’

He came close and surprised her by taking her head in his hands and tipping it up. He looked at her for a long moment, as if learning her face, and Sadie’s heart was beating so fast she thought it had to be audible. She’d expected him to take her straight to the bedroom, but if he was going to be like this...he would kill her before they even got there.

‘Quin,’ she said weakly. ‘Kiss me, please.’

He took his time, until Sadie was quivering with need—so much that by the time his mouth covered hers a shudder of pure pleasure went through her whole body. She wound her arms around his neck, opening herself up to him, and his hands splayed across her bare back, hauling her closer.

Sadie wasn’t sure how long had passed by the time they’d pulled apart again. Her blood was on fire, her vision was blurry, and she was gasping for oxygen.

Quin lifted her against his chest and walked down the corridor to his bedroom. Low lamps sent out pools of light.

He put her down and Sadie had to lock her knees to stay standing. He stripped with an efficiency that she knew she didn’t possess right now and stood before her, tall and powerful. Proud. Virile. She drank him in greedily, stretching out a hand to touch him, tracing over his muscles and blunt nipples, making his breath harsher.

Then he was at her feet, and Sadie put her hands on his shoulders for balance as he removed her high heels, before running his hands up her legs under the dress until he got to her underwear. He tugged it down, and she stepped out of the flimsy lacy briefs.

But Quin didn’t get up. He looked up at her and pushed her dress up her legs. He caught one leg behind her knee, lifting it so that it draped over his shoulder. He kept her steady when she would have fallen at the explicit intent in his gaze.

He drew her to him with a firm hold on her waist and bottom. Then he found where she was so exposed—literally—and put his mouth to her, tasting her desire for him...the desire that beat between her legs, hot and urgent.

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