Page 55 of Dream Lover
Drew headed out. Since he ended things with Rebecca it was like he’d been reborn. The old carefree Drew was back. I wasn’t exactly thrilled he moved in on Carrie so quickly, but it wasn’t my place to get involved even if she was my sister.
He was right. They were adults. They could handle themselves. If they decided whatever they had was worth pursuing, I’d support them. I was mature enough to know when to stay out of it, and they didn’t need me getting involved any more than Quinn and I wanted Drew meddling in our relationship.
Quinn and I’d been seeing each other for a month. She spent most nights in my bed. Half of her stuff was already in my bathroom, and she no longer needed to pack an overnight bag for staying over. I cleared her a spot in my closet and gave her half of the drawers in my dresser. I couldn’t be clearer about what I wanted unless I hired a plane to write it in the sky.
Glancing around, everything was in place and perfect. All I needed was Quinn.
Right on cue she came through the front door. I waited for her in the living room next to the fireplace. “Hi.” She stopped abruptly, taking in the romantic atmosphere and my attire. The house was dark other than the glow from the candles creating a soft light. “What’s all this?”
“C’mere.” I held a hand out to her. Slender fingers knitting with mine, she stepped into me looking so damn beautiful. Her silky hair styled in a braid over her left shoulder, she wore a powder blue sundress that hung off her shoulders and hit mid-thigh, molding to her sexier than sin curves. Curves I was eager to get my mouth and hands on.
“What is this? Why do you look so serious? You’re freaking me out.” Her gaze darted around the room, avoiding mine. Her hand trembled in mine.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about, babe. There’s something I want to ask you. It’s important, so pay attention.” I cupped her chin and held her face.
“Conner…” Her body tensed. I knew what she was thinking, which made her even more adorable.
“Stop fidgeting. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
Her slick pink tongue darted out to wet her lips. “I think I need a drink.”
“I’ve got champagne.”
“Champagne and candles. Oh boy. You pulled out the big guns.”
“And strawberries.” I grinned.
Her eyes dilated, going softer. “I’m going to faint if you don’t tell me what the hell is happening right now.”
“Well, if you’d calm down, I’d get to that part.” I squeezed her hand and took the little black box off the mantel. Her olive eyes went round. “We’ve been seeing a lot of each other, and I think we’re on the same page here, babe. When I look to the future all I see is you. It’s always been you, Quinn. I’m in love with you, and I’d like it very much if you’d say yes to moving in with me.”
Quinn blinked and closed her mouth. I couldn’t tell if she was relieved or pissed off. “You want me to move in?”
“That’s what I said.” I opened the box and revealed the spare key to the front door. “I made you a key.”
“It’s a key.”
“Yeah, Quinn. It unlocks and locks the front door.”
“Isn’t it a bit fast to be asking me to move in?”
“I know I love you. I’ve always loved you, and I’m not going to waste any more time when I know what I want at the end of my day is to come home to you. I’ve loved you my whole life, Quinn. Is that moving too fast, or are you going to take a leap and move in with me?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes. You know it’s the next step. You can let Drew rent your house instead of finding a place you know he’ll hate to keep from sharing the house with Rebecca until it sells.” I wasn’t above playing a little dirty to get what I wanted in using her love of Drew and his happiness to get her to say yes.
Quinn slid her fingers over the key and glanced up to meet my gaze. “I’m moving in.”
“Right answer,” I growled, bringing my mouth down on hers. Parting her lips, my girl invited me in. Tongue slipping between her soft lips, I kissed her hard and deep. Quinn melted into me. Picking her up in one swoop she cradled her arms around my neck, never breaking our kiss. Moving through the house, I carried her to the bedroom where the rose petals, champagne, and strawberries waited.
I set her on the edge of the bed, and she kicked off her black heels. “Someone was awful sure I’d say yes. I’m impressed. Setting this up … lighting all the candles must’ve taken forever.”
“I had help.”
“Carrie?”
“Actually, it was your brother.” I popped the cork, and she jumped.
