Page 23 of Pleasure and Mane
Like the sun breaking through storm clouds."
"Dear God," Quinn whispered, pressing her palm against her flushed cheek. "I'm writing terrible poetry about his smile. What's next—doodling our names with little hearts?"
The soft crunch of footsteps made her look up from her embarrassing literary endeavors. Caius stood about ten feet away, his blue button-down shirt open at the collar to reveal a mouth-watering glimpse of his tanned chest. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and his khaki pants fit him in a way that should probably be illegal. His thick brown hair caught the morning light, and those devastating blue eyes were fixed on her with a piercing intensity that made her stomach flip.
How long had he been standing there?Her heart hammered as she wondered if he'd somehow sensed what she was writing or if her thoughts were written across her face in bold, humiliating letters.
Quinn snapped the notebook shut and stood up, smoothing down her sundress with hands that trembled slightly. "Good morning." She gave him what she hoped was a bright, normal smile instead of the dreamy expression she'd probably been wearing while composing romantic verse about him. "How was your moonlight run with the pride?"
A slow smile spread across Caius's face, transforming his features from handsome to absolutely devastating. "Refreshing. Necessary." He stepped closer, and Quinn caught that intoxicating scent of cedar. "Last night with you was one of the best nights I've had in a long time. I hope we can have more like it."
The implication in his words sent heat flooding through her system. More nights together, more stolen moments by pools and bonfires, and more of those searing kisses that made her forget her own name. She wanted that more than she should, more than was probably wise.
"That would be nice," Quinn managed, her voice slightly breathless. She needed safer territory before she did something embarrassing like blurt out the contents of her notebook. "Lavinia's doing remarkably well. Yesterday's examination showed everything progressing normally, and her energy levels have improved dramatically since I arrived."
"That's good news."
"So, she really doesn't need constant oversight right now," Quinn continued, clutching her notebook against her chest like a shield. "Which means I have quite a bit of free time on my hands."
Caius's gaze dropped to the notebook, then back to her face with an expression of curiosity. "What's that you're working on then?"
"Oh, this?" Quinn's laugh was too bright and too quick. "Nothing important. Just some sketches of the flowers. I used tolove drawing and writing poetry, but I haven't made time for it in years. My practice has consumed pretty much every minute of my life."
"Poetry?" Caius asked, his voice dropping to that low, rough register that caused her heart to skip a beat.
"Terrible poetry," Quinn clarified quickly. "I'm completely out of practice. It's just been so long since I took the time for life's simple pleasures. Or really any time just for myself and my own..." She trailed off, realizing what she'd been about to say.
"Desires?" Caius finished softly, and something dark and heated flickered in his blue eyes.
The word hung between them, loaded with possibilities that made Quinn's pulse race. Yes, desires. Like the desire to trace the line of his stubbled jaw with her fingertips, or to discover if his body tasted as good as he smelled, or to see if she could make him lose that careful control he wore like armor.
"Something like that," Quinn whispered.
Caius stepped closer, close enough that she could see the flecks of gold in his eyes and could count the dark lashes that framed them. "Would you like to accompany me into town today? I have a few errands to run, and I thought Lavinia might need something from the pharmacy."
The excuse was thin, and they both knew it. Lavinia was perfectly healthy and had everything she needed here. But Quinn found herself nodding before she could think better of it.
"I'd love to."
Five minutes later, Quinn was standing beside a beautifully restored Chevy pickup truck in the circular driveway. The deep blue paint gleamed in the morning sun, and every chrome detail had been polished to perfection.
"This is gorgeous," Quinn breathed, running her fingers along the smooth fender. "It must be from the fifties?"
"1952," Caius confirmed, his voice warm with pride and something deeper—affection, maybe even love. "It was my father's. Henry and I restored it together after he died. Every time I drive it, I feel close to him."
Quinn's heart clenched at the raw honesty in his voice. For all his Alpha dominance and control, Caius Haider was a man who held onto the memory of his parents with fierce devotion. It was impossibly sweet, and it made her want him even more.
"That's beautiful," she said softly. "What a perfect way to honor his memory."
Caius moved to the passenger side and opened the door for her with old-fashioned courtesy that sent butterflies dancing in her stomach. As she climbed into the bench seat, his hand briefly touched the small of her back—a gesture so natural and protective it took her breath away.
The engine soon rumbled to life with a deep, satisfying growl that vibrated through the seat. Caius backed out of the driveway with practiced ease, and soon they were winding down the mountain road toward town. Wind whipped through Quinn's hair from the open windows, and she found herself stealing glances at Caius as he drove.
The scenic route carved through dense forest and open meadows dotted with wildflowers. Mountains rose on either side like ancient guardians, their peaks still touched with snow despite the summer warmth. It was breathtakingly beautiful, but Quinn was far more interested in watching the way Caius's hands moved on the steering wheel, competent and sure.
Too soon, the charming buildings of Leon's Main Street came into view. Caius parked the truck with the same careful precision he seemed to apply to everything, then walked around to help her down from the passenger side.
His hands spanned her waist as he helped her onto the sidewalk, and for a moment they stood frozen, her hands onhis shoulders and his on her waist. The space between them crackled with electricity, and Quinn was caught in the intensity of his gaze.
