Page 6 of Pleasure and Mane
QUINN
Six months.The timeframe crashed through Quinn's mind like a tidal wave, bringing equal measures of eagerness and panic. Six months of living under the same roof as this intensely magnetic man who looked like he'd stepped off the cover of GQ magazine. Six months of testing her patience and self-control while he made her crave things she'd never allowed herself time to consider.
Her charcoal dress suddenly felt too snug, the fabric clinging to curves that seemed hypersensitive to Caius's burning blue gaze. When she'd chosen this sleeveless number this morning, professional elegance had been her goal—not whatever this charged atmosphere was doing to her composure.
God, this man is devastatingly attractive.
Every detail about Caius screamed success and confidence, from his perfectly tailored white button-down with the top two buttons undone to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of his tanned muscular chest to his black dress pants that emphasized his powerful frame. Even his office reflected his commanding presence: rich wood paneling, expensive leather, and that massive desk that spoke of a man who meant business and always got exactly what he wanted.
The memory of their handshake sent heat spiraling through her body all over again. When their skin had touched, the entire world had narrowed to just the two of them, despite Gerri and Lavinia sitting mere feet away in their leather chairs and Bertram's imposing presence behind her. Time had seemed suspended, reality reduced to the strength of Caius's fingers and the way his eyes had locked onto hers with a burning intensity that made her knees weak.
Strong, loyal, intensely protective. And very, very good with his hands.
Gerri's words from the balcony last night echoed through Quinn's mind with uncomfortable accuracy. The description matched Caius down to the last devastating detail, and Quinn couldn't shake the growing suspicion that she'd been expertly maneuvered into this situation by the petite woman currently radiating satisfaction from her chair.
Had Gerri orchestrated this entire arrangement? The timing felt too convenient and the setup too perfect. Quinn's practical mind screamed that she should turn and bolt from this office, race back to her convertible, and drive straight back to Denver where her life made sense. She couldn't afford complications or unpredictability—she wouldn't even know how to handle chaos that looked and smelled as intoxicating as Caius Haider.
He's sizzling hot, and I'm not sure I can resist that smoldering gaze for six months.
The thought terrified her more than any medical emergency she'd ever faced. Living in close proximity to this alpha male, seeing him every day, and breathing the same air—how was she supposed to maintain professional boundaries when her entire body hummed with awareness every time he looked at her?
And the more terrifying realization—she wasn't sure she wanted to resist.
What have I done?The question hammered through her mind as she second-guessed every decision that had led her here. Why had she agreed to abandon her thriving midwife practice in Denver? Her other patients needed her, and they might not understand why she was deserting them for six months to help complete strangers.
Gerri's blue-gold eyes seemed to know every conflicted thought racing through Quinn's head at that moment. The confident woman rose from her leather chair with the fluid grace of someone half her age.
"Perhaps we should show Quinn to her suite so she can get settled," Gerri suggested, her tone carrying subtle command beneath its sweetness. "She's had quite a long drive, and I'm sure she'd appreciate the chance to freshen up before dinner."
Caius's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, his blue eyes flashing with what looked like reluctance. "I have several calls scheduled this afternoon?—"
"That can wait, dear." Gerri's smile could have melted steel, but her golden gaze held the kind of authority that brooked no argument. "Your guest's comfort takes priority over business calls, doesn't it?"
The tension radiating from Caius's powerful frame suggested an internal battle between his need for control and his apparent inability to deny Gerri's request. Quinn watched, fascinated despite her own turmoil, as this commanding alpha male struggled with forces clearly beyond his understanding.
"Of course," Caius finally conceded, though his voice carried a rough edge that made Quinn's pulse skip.
When his intense gaze shifted back to her, Quinn felt heat bloom across her cheekbones. The way he looked at her—like she was something precious and dangerous simultaneously—made her forget every rational reason she should run from this situation.
Gerri and Bertram soon flanked Lavinia as she rose from the leather chair, their gentle movements betraying how precious they considered the pregnant woman. Quinn watched the careful choreography, noting the protective way Bertram's large hand hovered near his wife's elbow without actually touching—as if he understood she needed independence but couldn't quite suppress his instincts.
Caius moved closer to Quinn, his presence a wall of heat at Quinn's back. His hand ghosted near her spine, not quite touching but close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating through her charcoal dress. The gesture sent electricity skating across her skin, making her hyperaware of every breath he took.
Focus. You're here to do a job, not get distracted by an impossibly attractive man.
They left Caius's office behind and moved through corridors that spoke of generations of wealth and tradition. Deep mahogany paneling gleamed under warm lighting, while oil paintings of stern-faced ancestors watched their procession with painted eyes that seemed to follow Quinn's every step. Bronze sculpture and crystal vases occupied alcoves between doorways, each piece clearly chosen by someone with impeccable taste and unlimited resources.
The family portraits drew her attention most—two golden-haired, blue-eyed individuals who shared Caius and Lavinia's stunning bone structure. The two children played in painted meadows while the two adults posed with the kind of confidence that came from knowing exactly where they belonged in the world.
I'm an outsider here.The realization hit harder than expected. These people had roots stretching back centuries, while she was just a wandering professional who'd abandonedher own practice on a whim. What had she been thinking, agreeing to Gerri's proposition so impulsively this morning?
"The east wing houses our guest suites," Caius explained, his deep voice rumbling through her awareness. "You'll have complete privacy here."
They stopped before ornate double doors that Caius pushed open to reveal a space that made Quinn's modest Denver home look like a closet. Soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and furnishings that belonged in architectural magazines created an atmosphere of casual luxury that probably cost more than her annual salary.
The living area flowed seamlessly into a bedroom dominated by a king-sized bed draped in jewel-toned fabrics. Through an archway, she glimpsed a bathroom that featured both a clawfoot tub and a shower large enough for a small party.
This is bigger than some apartments I've lived in.
