Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark #2)(29)

Tess lowered her eyes, her thick lashes causing shadows to dart over her cheeks. She looked so demure, so innocent and f*cking fragile.

My semi-hard cock thickened to full mast in a millisecond. I would never be satisfied around this woman. All I wanted to do was push her against the wall and wrap her legs around me. I wanted to be buried so f*cking deep inside her, she would never contemplate asking me why her ever again.

Why her? Because she made me f*cking happy for the first time in my sorry existence. She made me stronger, more grounded…more right.

Her gaze connected with mine, glazing with glittering lust and need. Her breathing grew shallow and my eyes dropped to her breasts, seeking out her hard nipples beneath her flimsy shirt.

“You need me like I need you. I get it,” she murmured.

I ducked and nuzzled her throat, teeth aching to break her skin and lick. “And why is that?” My hand reached to cup her neck, not squeezing—just a gentle coax, reminding her she was in my power.

Her mouth opened and her body melted against mine. “Because…”

My body burned for her; my ears strained for her answer. “Because…” I licked her lips, begging her to finish her sentence. I had to hear why she cared. It meant the world to me.

My stomach tensed, recognizing yet another change in me. I would never have cared about another person loving me before. Now, I needed it more than anything. I would never be able to remove the dark tendencies I’d lived with all my life, but I slowly grew a capacity for calmness.

Almost as if the monster took what it needed, then gave me a brief respite where I could be the love-struck, considerate man I wanted to be for her.

Tess kissed me back, whispering into my mouth.

“Because you’re my monster in the dark, and I’m yours.”





Strip me bare, pull my hair, I don’t care, just take me there.

I need that high, I need that pain, it’s the only thing that keeps me sane...



The lift doors opened, breaking our moment.

Q sighed, letting me go with a grimace. It looked as if he couldn’t stand the thought of not touching me.

I knew how he felt. Whatever existed between us was growing fast, and I didn’t want to move. I wanted to stare into his eyes and try and decipher him.

Q stepped out first, opening another door only a metre or two away. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t designer. In fact, the heavy riveted metal looked tarnished and weather worn.

“Where are we?” I asked as I disembarked the lift.

He smiled and undid the door handle, pushing the metal open. Instantly, sun beamed into the gloomy space, and I squinted in the glare.

“Come on. I’ll show you where I spend most of my time.”

Q beckoned me to follow, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I’d died and gone to heaven. Literally.

I stepped over the threshold and gasped. The entire Parisian skyline was there for my viewing pleasure. I ghosted forward, not aware of moving until I stood on the edge of the roof with the cosmopolitan city spread before my feet.

My eyes popped wide. I hadn’t walked over concrete, but the softest, brightest green grass I’d ever seen. Wildflowers, bonsai, and fully grown fruit trees ringed the roof, shading little sitting areas and water features.

Nestled in the middle of such an urban wilderness was a white sparkling building with glass walls all around.

Q came toward me, bringing with him the noise of wingbeats and small updrafts of feathers.

I ducked as a flurry of pigeons, blackbirds, and sparrows took flight over my shoulder, scattering from the garden into the limitless sky.

I spun to Q, trying to understand this place.

He grinned, eyes glowing with such blazing intelligence it floored me. This man ran a worldwide company. He dedicated his life to helping others, all the while hating himself for his downfalls.

I meant what I said—why me? What did I ever do so special to deserve him?

Only someone perfect and worthy and conflicted enough to understand him was worthy of all this. I hated my doubt—hated my need to hear him say he was falling for me, too.

Some part of me worried I’d never hear those words from him.

“Welcome to my office.” He fanned his arms wide. “I think it’s a much better use of space than a boring helipad.” He strode toward the building, sitting so proud, like a crown on top of his empire. “Shall we?”

I nodded and followed Q to his domain. A few brave birds alighted on the grass as we left them in peace.

This place was a sanctuary for wildlife in the heart of the city. The analogy didn’t escape my mind—Q built an oasis wherever he went, looking after those that needed the space to heal and be free.

As enamoured as I was with Q, and as much as he fulfilled me, gave me everything my sick, twisted little soul could want, he drove me insane. I wanted into his head. I wanted to know every minute detail about him, and yet he didn’t trust me. That splintered my heart, and I wished I could prove my devotion to him. That I would never spill his secrets or cast blame on his perversions. I didn’t like that he might never fully open up, that I may never completely understand the man who possessed my heart.

Q stopped just outside the building, holding out his hand.

I stopped short, eyeing it warily, so conditioned to expect pain or pleasure from his touch.

He huffed, gritting his jaw. “You refuse to do something as simple as hold my hand?” Hurt shadowed his gaze, and he let his arm fall.