Indefinite (Salvation #6)(52)

He pushes my hair back, eyes staying on mine as he moves slow and with purpose. He fills me. Every single part of me. My heart, my lungs, my body, and my soul are all one with him.

With each thrust, I climb higher, and I never want this to stop. This is the Quinn I’ve been longing for. The one who cares for me, makes me feel special and valued. He gave up his career and has shown me . . .

An epiphany happens as I stare in his deep blue eyes.

For the first time, I see all the things he’s done in a different light.

Maybe it wasn’t the smartest strategy, but there it is. He loves me.

He loves me and the baby we made.

He loves me and wants to make me happy.

He loves me enough to do all the dumb things he could to find a way back into my heart.

And the stupid bastard accomplished it.

My fingers wrap around the back of his neck, and I pull his lips to mine. I kiss him with everything I am. I want him to feel the joy that is overtaking me. Tears leak from my lids as his lips break from mine and he stares at me. “Am I hurting you?”

“No,” I say with my head shaking.

“Then why are you crying?”

“Because I love you.”

His eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning who got a pony. “I love you.”

“I know.”

“You do?”

I nod as my hand caresses his cheek. “Yeah, I really do.”





26


Ashton





“Are you scared?” I ask Quinn while squirming in the passenger seat.

“Nope.”

He should be. We’re in the car to see my parents for Sunday dinner—together—as a couple. Much to his dismay, I went alone last week, but I felt it was the best choice. We had only been back together for twenty-four hours and I wanted to make sure he didn’t change his mind again.

“Well, I’m beyond excited about this.”

He taps his thumbs on the wheel. “Why is that?”

“My father is going to castrate you for knocking his baby girl up. I don’t care that he likes you, he will not like knowing that you defiled me.”

This is going to be so much freaking fun.

When I called my mother to tell her I was bringing a date, she squealed and said something about prayers being answered. They have no idea it’s Quinn. First, because it’s been a week. Second, because they’d ask a million questions that I wasn’t sure I had the answers for. Like, how long is he staying in New York? Did he find another job? Are you moving to Virginia Beach? Why aren’t you married yet?

“Then we’ll have to say it was a one-time thing. You know, leave out the fact that I defiled you in the shower before we left to come to dinner.”

The shower. What a way to get clean.

We’ve had a lot of sex. Pregnancy sex didn’t sound all that much fun, but the extra blood vessels do a body very good. So far, I’ve had none of the morning sickness or any issues other than my boobs really freaking hate my bra.

“You want to lie to the man?”

“I don’t think he wants or needs details,” Quinn replies.

“True.” I sigh as I look out the window. “But it would make this dinner that much more enjoyable. I say we play it by ear.”

Quinn ignores me and keeps driving, but not before taking my hand in his.

This has taken a bit of getting used to. He’s never been overly affectionate. It wasn’t as though he didn’t hold my hand before, but it’s almost like he can’t stop himself now. He’s always finding ways to touch me, ask if I’m okay, or do something for me.

It’s really sweet.

Every day this week, he has walked me to work, we stopped and got breakfast, and then he’d kiss me before going back home.

Tonight, though, we are going to tell my parents the big news.

And watch my mother lose her shit.

And watch my father try to kill Quinn.

He pulls the car into the driveway and then kisses the top of my hand. “You ready?”

“Oh, I sure am. I’m pregnant, they won’t beat me.”

He snorts and then we exit the car.

“Mom!” I call out when I open the door. “We’re here.”

I hear her fuss at my father and then she comes to the door. Her eyes widen when she sees who is standing behind me. “Quinn!”

“Hi, Mrs. C.” The jackass already has her grinning as he steps forward with a bouquet of flowers. He’s hoping to gain her as an ally when the shit hits the fan.

“You didn’t have to bring me these.” My mother’s cheeks turn red. “You’re a sweet boy. Isn’t he a sweet boy, Ashton?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“And you two are back together and you didn’t tell me!”

Great, she turns on me. “Me? He didn’t tell you either.”

She scoffs. “I’m not his mother.”

“No, but apparently, he’s the son you never had.”

I’m over most of what happened when Quinn was working his way back into my life, but the traitors that reside in this house have some explaining to do.

My mother cocks her head to the side. “Don’t be petulant, Ashton Beth. If your father and I didn’t like Quinn, then how would this be? We saw how he felt about you and listened to him, which is a skill that you struggle with.” She pauses and watches for a retort. “It clearly comes from your father’s side, but a mother knows, my darling.”