Page 86 of Open To Negotiation

As my unplanned speech went on and she didn’t say anything I got more nervous, my heart was racing. I meant what I said, that she didn’t have to say it back, but I was a selfish enough bastard to want her to.

We stood there for maybe two breaths before she practically leapt at me. Thankfully I had fast reflexes.

Her legs wrapped around my waist and her lips were on mine as my hands went to cup her ass to hold her up. It was a slow, deep kiss that I felt down to my bones. Our mouths molded, like they were always meant to be together.

She pulled away first, her eyes bouncing between mine with a serious look on her face.

“Are you sure?” Her voice was a little breathless from our kiss.

I laughed, my voice gruff as I placed a kiss on her nose. “Yes, Love, I’m sure.”

Her eyes softened. “I love you too,” she said it quietly, reverently. “When we first met, you seemed grumpy and closed off but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You make me feel cherished and cared for and like you’ll always have my back. Knowing how I feel with you, I can confidently say I’ve never loved anyone like this before.” She rushed the words out and didn’t give me a chance to reply before her lips were on mine. I deepened the kiss and moved us so she was sitting on the island, I moved my hands to her neck, pulling her closer.

I wasn’t sure she quite understood that I would do anything for her. This woman had come into my life and in three short months, become my everything.

“Uhh, Quinn.” I pulled away and looked into her hooded eyes. “Do you smell that?” And just like that her eyes widened, the lust clearing from them.

“Oh shit.” She removed her legs from around my waist, pushed me out of the way, jumped off the counter and ran back to the stove. She turned off the burner and lifted the pan onto a hot plate. I walked over to look at the burnt sauce over her shoulder.

“What was it?”

She turned around to look at me, her face was turned down into a frown. “I’m really good at ruining our moments.”

I hated that look on her face, no matter the reason. I thought it was rather funny that dinner burnt while we were professing our love, but she clearly didn’t feel the same way.

“What are you talking about?” I put my hands on her shoulder, but she still didn’t look at me.

“I ruined our first date with my stupid father.”

“I think I told you that was our third date.” She continued on like I hadn’t spoken.

“Now here you are proclaiming your love and I go and burn our dinner. You do so many nice things for me, making dinner and eating together is one of mine.” She took a breath and bit her lip to stop herself from continuing.

I was just ecstatic she’d said it back, I didn’t particularly care about the food or anything else for that matter.

“I don’t give a shit about the food. Why don’t I order us some —”

“I wanted to make you something! It’s better than trying to find a way to pay for our dinners, since you haven’t let me do that yet.”

And I wouldn’t, I saw no reason for her to pay.

I tried to suppress my smile at her rambling, deciding to focus back on her. “I would rather spend my time eating you as an appetizer instead of waiting.” She blushed a little as she finally looked up at me.

“I want to put up more of a fight, but…” She linked her arms behind my neck and I hoisted her up so I could carry her upstairs.

24

Quinn

“Ican walk you know,” I muttered as I placed kisses on Theo’s chin and then down his neck as he marched upstairs to our bedroom.

“Too slow.” His eyes were heavy with lust as he watched me. There was something about the way he looked at me, it never failed to make me feel beautiful and cherished and loved and turned on.

I let out a little laugh as he tossed me on the bed, seemingly one of his favorite moves. Sitting up, I grabbed my top and pulled it off, his eyes locked on my boobs. The light bra I was wearing did nothing to hide my hard nipples.

After a moment, he came to the end of the bed and pulled me so my ass was on the edge, a little squeak escaping me. Theo was controlling in the bedroom, every time we’d been together he gave demands, never asking, putting me where he wanted.

Before him, I wouldn’t have thought I would like it. But with him, even the thought of his commands made me wet.