Page 27 of Chasing Temptation
Chapter Eight
We end up staying in our little lodge for five days before Quinn decides I’m allowed out into the world again. As much as I’d like to re-join real life, I’m also a little sad to leave our haven behind…although I’m hoping that getting back to London and putting some distance between Quinn and this place might help with her nightmares that seem to haunt her each night. I’d do anything to take away her pain, her memories, but I’m powerless to do anything but hold her as she cries. It’s been incredible just being the two of us, finding out all the little things about each other that we’d not had a chance to do until this point.
Quinn opened up more about her previous life. Although she was understandably reluctant to tell me some of the darker parts, she managed it. I think she was worried about my opinion, but after telling her for the millionth time that the stuff that’s happened in the past doesn’t bother me, I think she’s starting to believe me.
She makes me sit on the edge of the bed while she packs up the small amount of stuff we have. Seeing as she was brought here against her will and I arrived in a bit of a panic, all we have is what Quinn ordered for us when we first got here.
Thankfully, her bruises have almost completely faded now. I can see her confidence come back a little more each day, and it’s incredible to witness. She’s becoming the Quinn I fell for again and somehow managing to puthimbehind her.
“I can help, you know. I’m not completely useless.”
“Just chill out. We’ve got a long journey.”
“We’re going to London, not Australia. I’ll be fine.”
“You say that now; you’ve not experienced my motorway driving.”
I laugh at her but stay put as she carries the bags to the front door.
“I’m not sure I’m ready to leave this place in favour of that damp studio flat in London.”
Stepping up behind her, I wrap my arm around her waist, drop my head to her neck and breathe her in.
“Move in with me?”
She tenses but doesn’t immediately say no. “Don’t you live in your friend’s flat? I can’t imagine she wants me there.” Her voice is flat, and it gives me a little hope that she might actually be up for this.
“I’ve actually moved into her boyfriend’s place upstairs so they can be together and there are no more accidental interruptions. Trey said I can stay there as long as I’d like, but if you’re up for it, I’d really love to get a place of our own sometime soon.”
Turning in my arms, she looks up at me, an unreadable expression on her face. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Deadly. I don’t want our time together to be over.”
“But I’ll be there every day. It won’t be like it’s been here. We’ll have to work and—”
“I’m aware that I'm not asking you on a long-term holiday, Quinn. I know we’re going to have responsibilities and that at times, it’s going to be stressful. I’ve never done it before, but I want it all with you. I want the nights cuddled on the sofa, the lazy Sunday mornings. I want the heated arguments and the hot make-up sex afterwards. I want a future, Quinn, and that’s something I’d never thought I’d say.”
She’s silent for a beat too long, and I almost find myself telling her to forget about it and attempting to convince her that it was a joke, but then she opens her mouth and just one quiet word leaves her lips that makes every part of my life fall into place.
“Yes.”
“Yes...as in yes you’ll move in with me?”
“Yes.” A smile twitches at the corners of her lips as my heart races. “Yes, I’ll live with you.” It’s much louder this time, almost a squeal before she wraps her arms around me and holds as tight as she can without hurting me. “I love you too.” She mumbles it against my chest so quietly I almost think I’ve misheard her.
Pushing against her shoulders, I force her to move back a little.
“What was that?”
When her eyes find mine, they’re full of unshed tears and swimming with emotion. “I love you too, Joe.”
My fingers twist in her hair and I pull her lips to mine. My heart damn near beats out of my chest as I repeat those three little words in my head. I’ve heard them before. Lauren says she loves me, Erica’s even said it once or twice, but I’ve never heard it in this way, and fuck if it’s not just knocked my world upside fucking down.
My cock swells against her stomach, still desperate for some real action, but sadly she takes a step back, putting some space between us.
Her chest’s heaving just as much as mine as we stand there silently for a few moments, absorbing what just happened between us.
“Before we do this, there’s something I need to do. You’re welcome to come or you can just wait for me. It’s up to you.”
