More than this

Chapter 2-2

Quinn waited for Indy and Kate. They were supposed to meet at her house to make her summer list, but Indy had insisted they go back to O’Leary’s. While sitting in the same circular booth they’d shared last week, she tried to rid her mind of all of the images from her last date. She hated that Indy talked her into joining the stupid dating sites.

Running a finger down the side of her glass, playing with the condensation, she sighed. The cool droplets trickled down and she stopped them with the pad of her finger. Her patience grew thin. She could understand Kate being late. She had kids and had to drive in from the suburbs. Indy picked the time and place, though.

It was like her sigh acted as a cue for Ryan. He was suddenly standing in front of her, pulling a chair from a nearby table. Turning the chair around, he straddled it. “Hi.”

The intensity in his eyes belied the friendly smile.

She had a hard time holding his gaze. Every time she did, the rest of her surroundings faded. “Hi.”

He crossed his arms over the back of the chair and leaned forward. “You look lonely.”

She fidgeted with her glass. “I’m alone. That doesn’t make me lonely.”

His voice lowered a fraction. “True, but you look sad. Want to talk?”

Another sigh heaved from her chest. “I’m not sad. Not lonely. I’m irritated because Indy wanted to meet here and she’s late. Like always.”

The smile widened. “If she’s always late, why does it bother you?”

“Because it does.” She couldn’t keep the exasperation from her voice. “Why are you here?”

“I’m the owner, remember?”

She inhaled deeply. “You know what I mean. Why are you sitting with me?”

“I’m visiting with a friend.”

The eye roll made her feel fifteen again, but she didn’t care. “You don’t want to be my friend.”

“Sure I want to be your friend. Unless you’ll let me take you out on a date and kiss you senseless.”

“I already turned you down.”

“Then I’ll settle for being a friend until you see what a catch I am.”

Her eyes wandered to his lips and she briefly imagined the kiss he could offer. “If you’re such a catch, you can have any woman. You don’t need to chase me.”

“It’s not a chase, but a challenge.”

His words sounded like a promise he intended to fulfill. Her blood warmed and her heart bumped heavily against her ribs. He was all wrong for her, but every time he got close, her body didn’t seem to care. Why did he keep flirting with her?

A throat cleared next to them and they both straightened. Kate stood beside the booth. “Hi. Am I interrupting?”

Ryan stood. “Not at all. I was just leaving.” He extended his hand. “Good to see you again . . .”

“Kate,” she supplied, taking his hand.

Ryan returned the chair to its proper table and disappeared from Quinn’s sight.

Kate sat next to her. “Earth to Quinn.”

“Huh?”

“What was that?”

“I’m not sure.” Confusion coated her senses. During her brief conversation with Ryan, she’d felt encased in a bubble where everything else ceased to exist. It was disconcerting, to say the least. She scooted around the curve of the table to let Kate have a seat.

Kate’s eyes filled with worry. “Are you okay?”

Quinn shook her head clear. “Yeah, I’m fine. What do you want to drink?” She waved the waitress over. “I think we should go ahead and order dinner now. Indy can order when she finally gets here.”

The waitress strode up to the table and Indy breezed into the booth, out of breath, sandwiching Quinn between herself and Kate. “Sorry I’m late,” she mumbled, and turned her attention to the waitress. “Hi, Jenna. I’d like a big-a*s martini, dirty. I need to celebrate.”

“Do you want to order dinner now?” Quinn asked, trying not to let her irritation show.

“Sure.” Indy perused the laminated menu while Quinn and Kate placed their orders. “I’ll have a salad. Add grilled chicken. No dressing, just lemon slices, please.”

Jenna left to put in their order and Indy turned to Quinn. “I really am sorry for being late. I had a huge call at work. A new client wants me to find him a home. He’s looking to spend big—like a million big.”

Quinn choked on her pop. “A million? How does anyone have that kind of money to spend in this market?”

“I don’t know. But you can understand why I spent extra time talking to him.”

“Congratulations.” At least Indy had a legitimate reason for being late.

“Exciting,” Kate added.

“Hold the congrats until I actually make the sale.” Indy sipped the martini Jenna deposited in front of her. She dug through her giant purse and produced a sheet of paper. “On to tonight’s festivities.”

“What’s that?” Quinn asked as Indy slid the paper over. A list of thirty sloppily numbered ideas stared at her.

“I polled every woman I could find and they generated a list of things to do on your summer off. I know you’ve already done a couple, so you can mark them off. Let’s see what’s left.”

Quinn pulled out a pen and carefully marked the items she’d already done. “I’ve only done seven. Pretty sad, huh?”

Kate offered a sympathetic smile. Indy reached across and grabbed at the page. “More than I thought. I bet you’re cheating. Let me see.” She snatched it away before Quinn could stop her.

While Indy scanned the list, Quinn said to Kate, “I’m really excited. There are things on the list that sound like a lot of fun.”

Indy interrupted. “Wait. When have you ever gone skinny-dipping?”

“Do you have to yell?” Quinn leaned closer. “The summer I was sixteen. Miller’s Pond.”

Indy smirked. “I don’t think it counts if you were alone in a secluded area.”

Quinn sneered at her sister. “I wasn’t alone. I was with Toby Miller.”

“Toby? Eww.”

“Oh, shut up.” Nothing had happened between her and Toby. He spent the entire summer complaining that Indy should’ve been dating him instead of his older brother.

Indy looked up from reading. “You’ve never had a summer romance?”

Quinn raised her eyebrows and she could see Indy scanning memories of summers past.

“Not even as a teenager?” Indy asked.

“I’ve never had a boyfriend over the summer. Ever. Every relationship I’ve had started and ended without hitting summer. Except Nick.”

“How sad. I never realized.”

“That’s because you were too busy with your own romances.” Indy had had a new boyfriend every summer as a teenager. Quinn remembered being horribly jealous and had hated being born the Ugly Duckling in Indy’s shadow. She hoped she didn’t still sound jealous.

“Well, then, it has to be on the list,” Kate said.

Quinn winced. She didn’t want to admit to her pathetic attempts at dating this past week. “Give me the list back so I can decide what I want to do.”

Indy’s grip tightened on the page and she scooted farther to the edge of the booth. “Uh-uh. I think if we’re gonna help you, we should get to pick the things from the list for you.”

Quinn made another quick attempt to grab it. “Give it back, Indy.”

“We all know, without looking, you’ll choose the safest, most pedestrian items possible. The point here is to live a little. Move over here, Kate.”

Quinn turned to see an evil grin on Kate’s face.

“Speaking as someone who no longer has an identity beyond Kyra’s mom or Mark’s wife, I want you to step outside your safety zone. It’ll be worth it. It’ll be good practice.” Kate stood and slid to the opposite side of the booth next to Indy.

Indy smoothed the crumpled page, and Kate pulled a small notebook and pen from her purse.

Quinn felt herself beginning to sulk.

Indy flashed a wicked smile. “Trust us. I’m your tow truck.”

“I’m going to the bathroom.” In the hallway outside the washroom, Quinn dawdled, looking at the various photos and newspaper article replicas about the Great Chicago Fire plastered on the walls. The dim light made it difficult to see, so she stepped closer to the wall.

A door opened less than a foot to her right and a man stepped out. The warm glow of light poured into the dark hall. He was backlit, and Quinn couldn’t see his features, but she had no doubt it was Ryan. His gaze landed on her and she sucked in a breath of surprise.

“Quinn. Looking for me?” He pulled the door shut behind him.

“No.” She shook her head and waited for her eyes to readjust to the dark.

“Why are you lurking in the hall?”

“I’m not lurking. I’m keeping myself busy while Kate and Indy plan my summer.”

“Indy’s here?”

Quinn didn’t need to see the smile; she heard it in his voice. The familiarity of her sister’s name on his tongue didn’t surprise her. The prick of jealousy poked her chest and she crossed her arms. That’s why Indy insisted we meet here.

As if oblivious to her mood, Ryan put his arm around her shoulder and walked back into the bar. “Let’s see what’s on the agenda for the summer.”

She felt the warmth of his hand on her shoulder and their bodies collided as they returned to her table. Her failed attempt to block the enticing smell of his cologne irritated her. She barely stopped herself from stomping back to the table. I will not make a scene. I said I wouldn’t date him, but he could’ve had the decency not to flirt with me when he’s interested in Indy.

Quinn slid out from under Ryan’s touch and into the booth opposite Indy. Upon Quinn’s arrival with Ryan, Indy pushed past Kate and hopped from the booth. She threw her arms around Ryan’s neck and planted an exaggerated, smacking kiss. At least she has the courtesy to keep it on the cheek.

“That’s a hell of a welcome. Can you teach your sister to do that?” His hands rested comfortably at Indy’s waist.

She laughed and Quinn’s face reddened. “That’s to thank you for referring your friend to me.”

Indy sat back down and tugged at Kate’s sleeve to pull her closer. “Quinn, scoot down so Ryan can sit.”

Quinn narrowed her eyes at Indy. “Why don’t you move over?”

Ryan stepped closer, towering over Quinn. “I’d like to sit here.”

“I’m sure,” she mumbled, but slid closer to Kate and the middle of the semicircular booth.

“Don’t be rude to Ryan. He sent the millionaire my way,” Indy said.

Quinn’s eyes widened and her mouth slipped open.

“I’m glad Griff called. He’s been busy and I wasn’t sure how fast he’d get around to it.” Ryan inched toward Quinn but looked at Indy.

“When you said you had a friend looking for a house, I thought you meant a North Side bungalow, not a North Shore mansion.” Her gaze remained locked on Ryan’s.

“If I told you, you wouldn’t have believed me. Even if you did, it would totally ruin this moment.” He turned to look at Quinn and smiled.

She snapped her jaw shut. The jealousy still simmered in her chest, but now with a bit of confusion stirred in.

“I still owe you a big thank you,” Indy continued. “When I make the sale, I want to take you out.”

Ryan smiled. “Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t met Griff.”

“I don’t care if he’s purple with green spots and wants a house to match. I’ll make it happen.”

“I don’t doubt it. Quinn said you’re planning her summer. Anything interesting?”

Quinn forced her voice to work. “I’m sure there’s plenty.”

Indy nodded and her mouth spread into a wide grin. “I asked every woman I could find to name something all women should experience. We’re deciding what Quinn should do.”

Ryan returned his attention to Quinn. “Why are they choosing for you?”

“Indy wants to choose for me because I’m too pedestrian.” She sneered at the last word. “Because I’m not reckless with everything I do in my life, Indy thinks I don’t know how to have fun or adventure.”

“Is she right?”

Heat flushed her cheeks. Of course he thinks I’m boring. Compared to Indy, I am. She frowned and her muscles twitched in anger. She’d had enough.

Being told she’s boring on top of having to witness their flirtation was too much. She grabbed her purse and nudged at Ryan. “Let me out.” When he didn’t move, she hissed, “Please.”

He rose and she pushed past him, heading for the door. On her way out, her shoulder collided with two other people, but she couldn’t even mumble an apology. She shoved the door open and gulped in air. She felt so flustered she couldn’t think, much less speak. Why did she care what he thought of her?

She moved away from the door and leaned her back against the cold, rough brick of the building. Men hit on Indy all the time. It had never bothered her before. This one shouldn’t either, and probably wouldn’t if he hadn’t spent the last eight months flirting with her. As she calmed down, the door swung open and Ryan appeared in front of her. She didn’t straighten but crossed her arms over her stomach.

“Are you okay?” he asked, stepping closer.

“I’m fine.”

“I wasn’t trying to piss you off. It was only a question.” His soothing voice skimmed across her skin like cool satin on a summer night, but it did nothing to chill the warming of her blood.

Why was he here? Why didn’t Kate come out to check on her? “Why don’t you go back in and plan an adventure with Indy?”

He chuckled, low and quiet, without humor. “You think I want your sister?”

She kept her gaze trained on the fold of her arms, afraid of what she might find in his eyes. “Why wouldn’t you?” she asked quietly.

Ryan stepped so close the hairs on her arms bristled and her heart thumped. His voice was little more than a whisper. “She’s not my type.”

“Indy is every man’s type.” She’d hoped for sarcasm, but her tone was resigned. Quinn raised her eyes but needed to tilt her head up to meet Ryan’s.

He laid his left palm flat against the brick beside her head and looked down at her, first at her lips, then into her eyes. His intent was there, and she licked her lower lip in reaction.

Oh, God. Don’t kiss me. She sucked in a quick, shallow breath.

His blue eyes darkened a fraction and he lowered his head.

Quinn’s arms dropped to her sides. Push him away, you i***t. Instead, she tilted her face upward a bit more, her scalp scraping against the brick.

Ryan’s lips touched hers, moist and soft. Her lips parted as they connected. His tongue glided along the interior edge, teasing hers to come out and play. Their tongues tangled, smooth and slick. Every nerve in Quinn’s body purred like a well-tuned engine.

The traffic and bar noise surrounding them disappeared. As Ryan leaned closer, his body heat battled the cool night air against her exposed skin. The woodsy scent of his cologne mixed with passion and overwhelmed the smell of food and alcohol floating from the bar. There was nothing but him.

Blood roared in her ears as she became acutely aware of every subtle shift of his body.

Quietly, he pulled away, trailing his fingers down the side of her throat, past her throbbing rabbit-pulse, to her collarbone. Her skin puckered at his touch.

She opened her eyes and blinked to focus. Is he talking? She inhaled deeply, sucking in his scent.

He took a half step away from her. “Too pedestrian, my a*s. Your dinner’s on the table.” Without further comment, he strode back into the bar.

What the hell was that? Quinn took a few more breaths and allowed the sights and sounds of her surroundings to return to normal. He’d said he wanted to kiss her senseless, and he’d succeeded. That was the kind of kiss she’d been waiting for. Maybe a date with Ryan wouldn’t be such a bad thing. For kisses like that, she could overlook a lot.

Quinn reentered the bar and crashed into Kate.

“Hey. Are you okay? Ryan went out to find you, but we didn’t see him come back in.”

“I’m fine.” Quinn looped her arm through Kate’s and propelled them both toward the booth.

Once Kate sat, Quinn scanned the bar and found Ryan. He stood at the edge of the hall with a buxom blonde, whose girlish grin began as flirtatious and moved toward seductive as she licked her lips and ran her hand down Ryan’s arm. Last week a redhead, this week a blonde. She should’ve known.

Quinn sat quickly, silently berating herself for her moment of insanity. This was the reason she needed to avoid good-looking, charming men. How embarrassed she would’ve been had she asked Ryan out. She could still taste him on her lips, and he was already moving on.

“Everything okay?” Indy asked tentatively.

The tension Quinn held eased. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s eat and you can show me the list of how you think I’m spending my summer.”

“Here.” Kate handed her a sheet from her notebook. “The list is totally doable and you can get part of it done before summer starts, giving you extra time to find your romance. Complete these eight, then you’ve done half the list Indy and company developed. A respectable percentage.”

Quinn stared at the scrawled list. “Did you intentionally choose things to freak me out?”

Indy laughed. “We picked the most fun things. You’ll notice there’s no public s*x. Be glad Kate wouldn’t let me add skydiving.”

“How am I supposed to do this?”

“Don’t worry, we’ll help. It’ll be fun.” Kate patted her shoulder. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Quinn scanned down the list. Dread rose immediately, but her nerves were still humming and the excitement of a challenge won. If she’d created the list herself, she wouldn’t have challenged herself this much. Indy knew how to push her, that was for sure.

Play hooky. Sing karaoke in a crowded bar. Ride a motorcycle. Indulge at an expensive restaurant. Take a vacation alone. Pose nude for a photographer or artist. Have a fabulous summer romance. Have a night of multiorgasmic, mind-blowing s*x.