SIN FOR YOU: ROCKTOWN INK, BOOK TWO Page 16

There were also a few ranchers and their wives or girlfriends from Springhaven. People Cassy had met after her father left town, hard-working families who worked the land themselves. Cal told me they’d formed a tight-knit group, sharing knowledge and advice and the occasional drink.

  The large living room in the ranch house was getting full.

  Still no Quinn, though.

  My gaze slid to the door again, willing it to open and for her to walk in. It had started snowing not too long ago, I didn’t want her out in that weather, on the road in that piece-of-shit car she drove. The muscles across my shoulders and the back of my neck were tight as fuck.

  I’d wanted to drive her here tonight, but she thought people might get suspicious. We wouldn’t want that now, would we?

  Shit.

  The voice in my head sounded suspiciously bitter. I needed to get a handle on the possessiveness, the protectiveness I felt toward Quinn, that’s all.

  We’d spent every night together the last week, and an image filled my head of her sliding out of my bed this morning, like the morning before that, while it was still dark, darting around my room searching for her clothes, slipping out before the sun came up.

  The first time I’d tried to pull her back in bed and had asked her to stay.

  “What if someone sees me coming out of your place?”

  For some reason her reply had caused me to suck in a breath. A feeling like fucking thumbtacks bouncing around the cavity of my chest had started up instantly.

  Cassy smiled at someone and started toward the main door. My gaze followed her across the room, knowing exactly who it would be. The two women had become tight recently, shopping and lunching and shit, and I couldn’t say I didn’t like it.

  I liked seeing her happy, seeing Quinn smile and laugh.

  Yeah, I loved it.

  Maybe having a friend like Cassy here would give her a reason to stay…

  I slammed on the mental brakes and my fingers tightened around my drink.

  Jesus. Quinn had made it clear she was going back to the city, that her time in Rocktown had an end date.

  I ignored the weird feeling that thought gave me and tried to see her again.

  There was a group of people by the entry, in the way. I scowled, desperate to see her and, yeah, pissed that I couldn’t go over there, take her hand, and kiss her—to hell with everyone.

  You have to stop thinking like that.

  Quinn didn’t want that. No one could know we were spending time together.

  Going near her in public, touching her like I had a right to, was breaking the rules. I drained my beer, staring at the group of people Cassy had moved behind, willing them to move so I could get a glimpse of my girl.

  She’s not your girl.

  Not for much longer anyway.

  And if I did what I wanted to, like pull her into my arms and make sure everyone in the room knew she was mine, I’d lose her even faster.

  I moved toward the drinks table. I needed a refill, and I might be able to see her from over there.

  As I reached the table, a couple of people finally moved…and there she was.

  I froze, like a fucking ice statue.

  Quinn was wearing a little black leather skirt, showing off her gorgeous legs, and the black heels she was wearing were hot as hell. On the top, she had on a purple sweater, but the thing was somehow see-through, loosely knitted or something, because I could see her black bra underneath. The sweater hung off one shoulder and was short, showing a strip of skin across her belly.

  Her beautiful gray eyes were ringed with black, making them look even bigger, and her lips were shiny and pink. Her hair—Jesus Christ—it was down and wild, kind of how it looked after I’d fucked her. Sexy and messy.

  I quickly scanned the room, scowling at all the male eyes turned her way.

  I wasn’t worried about Quinn going off with some asshole, but no way did I trust any of them.

  Things got worse when I turned back to Quinn in time to see Cassy leading some rancher asshole in cowboy boots over to her.

  “Cassy thought they might hit it off,” Cal said beside me.

  I hadn’t even realized he was there. “What?” I growled out.

  Cal aimed the beer he was holding in their direction. “Buddy’s a good guy. I can vouch for him.”

  No fucking way. “What the fuck is this?” I said, even though I knew exactly what I was seeing. I just didn’t want to believe it.

  “Cassy thought Quinn and Buddy—”

  “Buddy is the stupidest fucking name I’ve ever heard.” Nope, didn’t want to hear an answer after all.

  “You got a problem…with Quinn dating someone else?”

  “I know for a fact she’s not interested in dating, period.”

  Cal’s brows lifted. “You asked her out or something? Cassy and I just assumed you weren’t interested, since you never made a move.”

  I swallowed, mouth suddenly dry as hell. “Bevan hurt her. She doesn’t want to go there again.”

  Cal shrugged. “What can I tell you? She’s obviously ready now.”

  I felt fucking ill all of a sudden. “She’s not even staying in Rocktown. Did she tell Cassy she wanted to be set up with this prick?”

  Cal frowned. “Well, yeah. Cassy wouldn’t just blindside her with some guy.”

  Yeah, I thought I might actually throw up.

  She was done with me.

  Two weeks and she’d already had enough.

  The room was crowding in, was too hot. I needed to get out of there or I’d do or say something I shouldn’t.

  “Where’s Dane?” I said, looking for an excuse to leave.

  Cal’s eyes grew shadowed. “Guesthouse.”

  Cassy had somehow convinced Dane to stay at the ranch for a while. None of us liked the idea of him being on his own.

  Cal rubbed a hand down his face. “Fuck, Bull, what will…happen to him? I can’t bear to think of him…locked up, all alone.”

  Stress made talking harder for Cal, and the way he was stumbling over his words made it clear just how worried he was.

  But if there was one thing I knew about Dane, it was that he was tough, resilient. “Been talking to Dice. A couple of his brothers are at Cannon Correctional, where they’ll send Dane if he ends up doing time. Things will go a lot smoother for him if he has someone watching his back.”

  Cal drew in a rough breath. “Good.”

  “But there’s another option I’m looking into,” I said. It was risky, illegal, but I was prepared to do anything to keep Dane from going through what I had.

  Cal’s brows lowered. “What are you planning?”

  “This kid’s far from squeaky clean. We just gotta dig up some dirt.”

  “And if you come up with nothing?”

  “I’ll pay the fucker off. Everyone has a price.”

  Cal’s hands went to his hips. “What do you need? You’re not doing this…on your own.”

  “Nah, brother, you need to think about Cassy. I’ll deal with it.”

  Cal’s jaw got tight. He knew I was right, but he didn’t like leaving me to sort this on my own. “You need anything, anything at all, let me know, yeah?”

  I dipped my chin and glanced back over at Quinn. She was talking to the asshole with the stupid name, smiling, laughing. Yeah, I needed to get the hell out of here.

  Her gaze slid to me, and I turned away before I went over there and caused a scene. “I’m gonna go check on him,” I said to Cal and headed for the back of the house.

  I hit the kitchen when I heard the click of heels on the tile floor behind me.

  Quinn grabbed the back of my shirt. “Logan, wait.”

  I stopped and turned to her and bit down a curse. She was so fucking gorgeous I had to curl my fingers into a fist so I didn’t touch her. “You done with me?” I said before I could stop myself, giving away too much, showing my ass…Christ, letting her know exactly how I felt about her moving on to someone else.

  “What?�
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  “A heads-up would’ve been good, sweets.” Looked like there was no shutting me up.

  She grabbed my arm before I could walk away again. “I’m not, it’s not…” She bit her lip. “Cassy wanted to set me up. I didn’t know for sure he was going to be here tonight, and I’d already told her I wanted to meet someone, you know, to have fun with, before you and I started…” She shook her head, dark hair moving over her shoulders. “Before I knew it, she had a guy she wanted me to meet, and I didn’t know what to say. I’m sorry. I’m not interested in seeing him. I’m not. I won’t.”

  I took a step closer, closing the space between us. “Do what you want, baby. We’re just casual, right?” Yeah, I sounded angry, bitter as hell again.

  Her hand dropped from my arm. “Right.”

  Why did that one word feel like a fist to the chest? It wasn’t like I expected her to say something different. I tucked her hair behind her ear, fighting the need to kiss her. “You do what you need to tonight.” Only I’m not going to stand here and watch you find my replacement. It might not be this guy, but eventually it would be someone. Eventually she’d move on and find someone who deserved her.

  “I just need to be polite, for Cassy’s sake.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “He asked me to dance. After that I should be able to excuse myself.”

  “Sure thing, sweets.” I was pretty sure I was dying inside. If Quinn knew me at all, she’d know just the idea of another man thinking he had a chance with her, let alone fucking touching her, holding her, was enough to fuck me up.

  She smiled up at me. “I just wanted to make sure you knew…I’m not, I don’t want—”

  “You better go,” I gritted out.

  She stared up at me for several long seconds, then finally nodded and turned, heading back to the main room, and fool that I am, I couldn’t help but follow her back in. The center of the large room had been made into a dance area, and couples moved around to the music. It was slow, and Buddy was waiting in the wings for Quinn, sweeping her into the middle of the floor as soon as he saw her. One of his hands went to her waist, the other holding hers.

  I thought I was dying before—nah, this was what would kill me. Because there was no denying it, they looked good together. Right. The kind of man Mase would want for his sister. A good, wholesome guy with his own ranch. He probably wanted a big family, would be a great dad. A great husband.

  Quinn’s head turned my way and she found me in the shadows, her gaze coming to mine and holding. My heart started pounding so hard I felt dizzy.

  I wanted it to be me.

  I wanted to be the one dancing with her.

  I wanted to be the one to give her the big family.

  I wanted to be good enough to be her husband.

  I was in love with her.

  I was so in love with her I didn’t know how I was still standing there breathing, knowing she would never be mine.

  * * *

  Quinn

  Bull had been watching me most of the night and all I wanted was to go to him, hold his hand, be with him. I should have come clean. I should have told Cassy I was already seeing someone or that I just wasn’t ready to meet her friend.

  But I’d been caught off guard and I’d panicked. I’d actually forgotten about the conversation Cassy and I’d had several weeks ago, and when I walked in and she’d said she had someone for me to meet, I didn’t know what to do.

  And I’d agreed to dance with him, something I didn’t want, then I’d made it worse by not warning Bull.

  Now I just wanted to find him, but he was gone and I had no idea where.

  I pulled on my coat and headed for the door. Hopefully, I’d find him at his place.

  “Sorry, Quinn. You’re not going anywhere tonight,” Cal said. “Too much snow. Cassy’s got a room for you in the guesthouse.”

  Dammit. “But everyone else managed to leave.”

  “They left before it got so bad.”

  Shit. Shit. Shit. I wanted to be in Bull’s room, in his bed, in his arms. I wanted to apologize for what happened tonight, for blindsiding him, for making him think we were through when that was the last thing I wanted.

  Cassy walked over and took my hand. “Come on.” She led me through the main house and out the back door.

  “Put those on.” She pointed to a pair of boots much better suited for the weather than my heels. I quickly changed shoes and we headed out.

  Cold wind hit me as soon as we left the house, and I huddled in my coat as we rushed to the guesthouse. The place was as big as my family home, two stories and three bedrooms. She led me upstairs.

  “Here’s your room,” she said, opening the door and leading me inside.

  I followed her in, and she crossed her arms and grinned at me. “So what did you think of Buddy?”

  I loved Cassy, but right then I just wanted to talk to Bull. As soon as she left I was calling him. “He seemed nice.”

  “You think you’ll see him again?”

  I squeezed her hand and returned her smile because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. “I’m not sure Buddy and I are right for each other.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Really? No chemistry?”

  “That’s what it was. No chemistry.”

  She nodded. “I guess I’m not surprised. You’ll find something to wear in the dresser. I left a few things here when I moved out.” She headed for the door. “Just so you know, the room across from yours is where Dane’s staying.” Her smile softened. “Oh, and Bull’s in the one just down from that. See you in the morning.”

  She walked out, shutting the door behind her. What the hell was that? Did she know something? More likely, she thought she was matchmaking.

  I didn’t care. I just wanted to see Bull.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Quinn

  As soon as the light in the hall went off, I eased the door to my room open and stepped out, quickly padding down the hall.

  I didn’t want to risk knocking and alerting Dane, so I turned the handle and quietly opened the door to Bull’s room, stepping inside.

  The light was off but the curtains were open. Bull was standing in front of the window, looking out. His big body was bare except for a pair of boxer briefs, his massive thighs braced apart, colossal shoulders blocking the view to outside.

  “Hey,” I said softly.

  He turned to face me. “Hey.”

  “I thought you’d gone.”

  “Nah, was hoping you’d come find me.”

  I moved toward him, stopping within touching distance.

  “You have a good night, sweets?”

  I slid my arms around his waist. “No. The whole time I was wishing I was at your place, in your bed, alone with you.”

  His eyes, warm and soft, seemed to hollow. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple sliding up and down his thick neck. “That’s what you wanted, huh?”

  I searched his gaze, not sure what I saw, but it was gone. “Yes.” As soon as I left Bull’s place or he left mine, I wanted him back. Always.

  “You been thinking about what I’d do to you later while you were dancing with your new friend?”

  “Yes,” I said, because it was the truth. I’d wanted to be in Bull’s arms on that dance floor, wanted to know what it was like to sway to the music with him while he whispered rough, dirty things in my ear, while he held me in his strong arms and made me feel safe, more wanted than I had in my whole life.

  “Take off the skirt, Quinn.” He squeezed my hip. “Now.”

  The rough edge to his voice had my pulse racing and my panties dampening even more. I undid the zip at the back and slid the skirt off.

  “Now the sweater, that fucking sweater that’s been tormenting me all night, giving me glimpses of your beautiful body, showing everyone in that place what’s mine, what they wish they had.”

  What’s mine. If his voice was any deeper, the ground would shake. I swallowed, mouth suddenly dry, refusing to acknowledge those words or think a
bout them too deeply.

  I pulled the sweater off as well so I was left in only my underwear.

  “The rest, take it all off.”

  My gaze roamed his body, the way his muscles flexed with every subtle movement, the huge erection behind the soft fabric of his boxer briefs. The magnificent sight that was Logan “Bull” Calero.

  I stripped off the last scraps of fabric covering me.

  He grabbed his jeans from the chair beside him and took something out of his pocket. Then I watched in awe as he shoved off his underwear, his beautiful cock springing free, tore open a condom, and rolled it on.

  I squeezed my thighs together. They were slick.

  Bull scooped me up and I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. He strode across the room until my back was to the wall.

  “I’m going to fuck you against this wall, then I’m going to put you on that bed on your hands and knees and fuck you some more from behind.”

  I nodded, licking my lips, desperate to have his on mine.

  He tilted his hips back, but instead of feeding me his hard length, he slid two of his fingers inside me, eyes dark and intense. He dropped his forehead against mine then dragged those thick fingers out and back in, slow and measured over and over until my thighs were quivering and I was so wet I knew I must have been all over his hand.

  “You ready for me?” he muttered harshly, sliding his fingers free, although he had to know I was.

  “Yes.” I shoved my hand down between us and took his cock in my hand, positioning the head right there.

  Bull grunted and thrust deep with one brutal movement.

  “Oh God.” My mouth fell open then my head dropped forward and I bit down on Bull’s shoulder, moaning.

  One of his arms stayed banded around me, holding me tight to him, while the other fisted my hair. He pulled my head back and finally, finally, his mouth came down on mine and he kissed me the way only Bull could.

  In a way that I felt from the top of my head to my curled toes, surrounded by him, filled by him. My skin felt too tight, and the heat of Bull’s body soaked through me, making me tingle and tremble. There was the way the hair on his chest rasped my nipples deliciously, the way his thick waist spread me wide and kept me wide, and all the while that long, thick cock was thrusting into me, over and over and over, his mouth moving against mine, deep and slow and perfect.