Chapter 6

6

Quinn

Ifeel like I’ve been through the spin cycle.

My brain cells are scattered in different directions and my limbs are made of licorice. That was…that was…

Life altering.

His mouth did that. By licking my…

I can’t even say it in my head, but another wave of delight passes through me and I wonder if I can faint if I’m already lying down.

Get up.

I have to get up.

The last thing I want is for Desmond’s sisters to walk into this room and find me spread eagle with their brother on top of me. The first time I meet them, I want to have my wits about me and a nice, pre-planned outfit. I want time to prepare.

When did I start believing that meeting Desmond’s family was a given?

It’s not, is it?

He lifts his head and scans my face now, his jaw tight with irritation and…panic? Fear? It’s hard to tell, but it furthers my unease. Is he irritated because he never planned on introducing me to his sisters? Or because they interrupted us?

Sex lessons are hard.

So is falling for a man and having no idea if he feels the same.

Fine, so he took the lesson pretty seriously and my heart tells me I’m not the only one reeling from this connection between us. It’s not only physical, it’s mental, and the idea that I could be training for someone else is utterly laughable. But what if Desmond is only interested in sex? He hasn’t really hinted otherwise, has he?

We have no time to discuss our possible relationship now because Melissa and Steph are calling to us from the living room and obviously aren’t going to leave until we make an appearance.

“I’m so sorry,” Desmond groans, shaking his head and dropping it onto my belly. “Jesus. I can’t believe this is happening.”

“It’s okay,” I say slowly, pushing a limp strand of hair out of my eye. “Um…well, I guess we should get dressed?”

“That’s a very sad thing that just came out of your mouth.”

I giggle despite my jumbled nerves. “They can’t be all that bad.”

He laughs without humor. “They eat people alive.”

“Yes, but I’ve had some experience with people eaters. You met my mother.”

Desmond kisses my belly, his beard chafing the sensitive skin and sending tingles down to my toes. “I could barricade the door.”

Again, I worry he’s not serious about me and therefore hesitant to introduce me to the important people in his life. I’ll never know unless I ask. Normally, I would never be so bold as to question a man’s intentions before he volunteers them, but I’m feeling kind of…assertive at the moment. “Um. Desmond…are we—”

“All right, we’re coming in!” shouts one of the sisters. “Cover your privates!”

Desmond lunges to his feet and locks the door at the last minute, backing away from the jigging door handle. I stand as well, with a serious effort because my legs are still wobbly, rearranging my dress and smoothing my hair. “I’m ready.”

His eyes scanning me head to toe. “You’re wearing that orgasm like a second skin, but I guess we can’t do anything about that.”

I sigh. “No, you can’t un-orgasm me.”

He’s silent a moment. “I don’t want to hear another word about you lacking confidence. You’re funny. You’re kind. Talented. Beautiful. I’m lucky as hell you even came home with me.” He unlocks the door with a groan. “And I’m sorry about this.”

Turns out, he was not exaggerating about his sisters. When we walk out into the living room, they regard me the way I Iook at crab legs when they’re in season. Thanks to the television lighting, I only saw the barest outline of them in the crowd this morning. They are both tall, brunette, nearly identical, but one of them has a sleeve of tattoos and the other is dressed on the conservative side, giving me a glimpse into their personalities.

“Quinn, allow me to introduce Melissa and Steph.” He gestures to his sisters as he says their names, letting me know the one with tattoos is Steph. “We share parents, I’m told.”

“Hello,” I say, holding out my hand. “I’m Quinn—”

“Oh, we know who you are,” Steph interrupts, circling behind me slowly. “We Googled you on the way home.”

My eyebrows go up. “That must have been very boring.”

“You’re the opposite of boring,” Desmond growls, throwing an arm around my shoulder and tucking me into his side, kissing my temple hard. “Enough of that.”

For some reason, the gesture sends Melissa’s jaw dropping to the floor. “Uh-oh, sis. You seeing this?”

“I’m seeing it.”

Melissa laughs. “This is going to be fun.”

“You read my mind,” Steph says, turning to her brother. “Des, can you make us some coffee?”

He snorts. “You know where I keep everything.”

Steph sucks her teeth at him. “You don’t want Quinn to think you’re a bad host, do you?”

A groove forms between his brows. “No, I don’t want that…” Reluctantly, he drops his arms from around my shoulders. “If you upset her, I’ll tell Mom what your crazy asses really got up to on prom night.”

He leaves the room in a sea of hisses, glancing back at me three times before disappearing into the kitchen.

“All right, we don’t have much time.” Melissa claps her hands. “Quinn, are you and my brother together together? Give us the scoop.”

Steph hustles me over to the couch, pulling me down to the cushions. Before I know it, I’m the meat in a sister sandwich. “Yeah, give up the goods,” Steph squeals. “He hasn’t dated anyone seriously in…”

“Never,” Melissa finishes. “He’s never dated anyone seriously.”

“Oh, I just met him this morning,” I say, waving a hand. “There’s nothing…I mean, it’s way too soon to, um…”

They stare at me expectantly, not saying a word.

It’s a tactic.

I know it is.

They’re staying silent so I’ll feel obligated to continue, thus revealing more information. My mother employs this method on me all the time and I really should know better. But I don’t have close girlfriends, only colleagues, thanks to my mother’s impossibly high standards for the people I associate with. And it’s really nice being part of this little girl chat, even if it’s only a temporary thing. I find myself wanting to confide in them, whether it’s wise or not…and they still haven’t said a word, the silence trick prickling under my skin and urging me to fill the conversation void. Darn it, they have me. “It’s only meant to be one lesson,” I blurt.

They sit up straighter. “A lesson?”

“Yes. Your brother is merely being kind. I told him I have a confidence problem a-and that I know nothing about men and sex. He’s helping me understand.”

Melissa and Steph stare at one another in disbelief. “He’s helping you understand?” Steph squeaks.

I nod. “Yes.”

“And you…” Melissa grabs my arm. “You think he’s doing this to be kind?”

“Yes, isn’t that nice?” I say, smiling brightly.

Silence descends on the room.

Both sisters burst into laughter.

My nose wrinkles. “What?”

Steph picks up an imaginary phone and presses it to her ear. “Hold my calls. Reschedule my appointments. Something has come up.”

Desmond chooses that moment to walk back into the room, a thunderous frown on his face, three mugs of coffee in his hands. “What’s going on? What did they say to you?”

“Um…”

“Des. Bro.” Melissa stands and takes the coffee mugs from her brother, setting them down on the coffee table one by one. “We’re here to help. We know all about the lesson you promised Quinn.”

He makes a choked sound. “You do?”

I mouth the word sorry at him.

“Yes. Our Quinn here wants to be more confident when it comes to men, right?” Steph says. “Well since three heads are better than one, we decided to help.”

Melissa smiles. “You’re welcome.”

Desmond is shaking is head. “I don’t want your help. No one wants your help.”

“Too bad.” Both sisters throw their arms up in the air. “Makeover time!”

“She doesn’t need a makeover,” he snaps. “She’s perfect.”

Steph is about to say something, but falters at her brother’s words. Until Melissa elbows her hard in the ribs and she recovers. “O-of course, she’s already beautiful. But she’s not dressed for the club.”

Melissa studies her nails. “Yeah, we’re just going to dress her up for a little club action.”

“No better place to learn about men than a club!” Steph whispers at me, out of the corner of her mouth. “We should have you ready to go in an hour.”

“Like hell you will,” Desmond roars.

“Oh no?” Melissa tilts her head. “Why not?”

“Yeah, bro. Why not?”

He opens his mouth to say something, but catches himself and closes it again. His eyes are trained on me, but I can’t figure out what’s going on in his head. Obviously he doesn’t love the idea of me going to the club with his sisters, but why? Maybe he does have feelings for me, but they’re not strong enough for him to make a big declaration in front of his family. I mean, expecting such a thing would be crazy when we only met this morning, right?

Why does my chest feel hollow the longer he stays quiet?

“I want to go,” I say in rush, hoping to let Desmond off the hook. “It sounds fun.”

Actually, it sounds like a nightmare, but I don’t want to be rude.

“You want to go?” Desmond asks, sounding like there’s a pine cone lodged in his throat.

I hum in the affirmative, earning smiles from Steph and Melissa.

Desmond’s head drops forward momentarily. “Fine, but I’m coming, too.” His swallow is audible as he splits a hard look between his sisters. He says something to them, but he’s speaking so quietly, I can barely make out his words. Something like, “Please, don’t ruin this.”

Another awkward silence grips the room and I can’t stand being the cause of it anymore. I shoot to my feet. “I’m all yours. Make me over.”