Chapter Sixteen

It was late. Well, after midnight, and Rogue still hadn’t come home. She’d eaten the dinner Rio had prepared. It was amazing but would’ve been better had she not eaten it by herself at the large kitchen table. Quinn didn’t verbally complain, but she’d thought it. She constantly looked at the clock, but as the hours passed, she quickly realized Rogue wouldn’t be home anytime soon.

Quinn had asked Rio where the plates and foil were and proceeded to make another plate of food. Heftier portions than she had taken. Leftovers. It got an odd reaction from Rio, though he’d never said a word. He merely watched her. She wrapped the plate, shoved it in the refrigerator, and glanced over.

“So Rogue has a plate to heat up when he comes home.”

Rio’s gaze softened, his lips spread in a smile, and he nodded before turning around and starting the cleanup. There wasn’t much left for Quinn to do. She could’ve retired to Rogue’s room, but she wasn’t ready for bed. She glanced out the back window into the yard, watching the dogs.

They were guard dogs, Rogue’s staff , according to Jared. Quinn should’ve left them alone. But I can’t help myself. Even knowing it was wrong, she walked outside and through the yard, passed the pool, and sat a few feet away from where they were walking the perimeter. They were beautiful, all five of them.

“Hey, pups.” Only two looked over, sparing her a glance. Aside from a few seconds, they seemed to lose interest instantly—except one. He, she assumed, kept looking over at her every time he made a pass through the fence. She patted the grass next to her, and for a brief second, she thought he’d walk over. He didn’t. It was disappointing but understandable. They were doing their jobs.

Quinn spent over an hour outside with little luck luring the dogs to her. They needed motivation. She walked back up to the house. Sliding in through the doors, she saw Rio at the counter. He’d done a full cleanup and seemed to be making a list. Perfect timing.

“Hey, Rio?”

He looked over, raising his brows.

“I was wondering if I could maybe add something to the grocery list, if possible?”

“Of course. What would you like?” He glanced down at his list, fully prepared to jot down whatever Quinn wanted.

“Umm… dog treats.”

Rio’s hand stilled, and he slowly glanced up. “Excuse me?”

Quinn gave a shaky smile. “Well, I just thought…”

He sighed, shaking his head. “That’s not a good idea, Quinn. Rogue won’t like that.”

“It’s just a little treat.”

Rio narrowed his gaze. “They don’t get treats, Quinn.”

“But all dogs love treats.” I think.

“Pets enjoy treats. They are security. Members of Rogue’s staff. He wouldn’t approve.”

Quinn was pretty sure that statement was accurate. However…

“He can’t be upset if he doesn’t know. Am I right?”

Rio widened his eyes, and Quinn held up her hands. “Just hear me out. I know they’re staff, but even staff get perks, right? Bonuses, paid time off. It keeps morale up. Same thing for the dogs.”

Rio sighed, looking up at the ceiling. She hadn’t sold him on her idea just yet, but clearly, she was breaking him down. Maybe.

“I’ll take full responsibility, Rio. If it ever comes out, I won’t mention your name. I’ll say I got it myself, which I’d totally do if I wasn’t being kept in the house on strict orders. I swear, this will be all on me.”

He tapped the pen against the pad, looking through the sliding doors to the yard.

“They probably won’t take the treats, Quinn. They’re fiercely trained.” Rio raised his brows. “Like soldiers.”

Quinn smiled and shrugged. “I’d still like to try.”

Rio sighed, dragging his hand over his face. She couldn’t get a read on him. Was he on board? Rio cupped his jaw, taking another look through the screen doors. C’mon, Rio, please!

“I’m not putting it on the grocery list, but…” His voice trailed, and he walked across the kitchen, opened the back door, and called over one of the maintenance guys. Quinn was too far away to hear their conversation, but the man nodded and walked away just as Rio closed the door. Rio walked over, a small smile playing on his lips.

“The treats will be here in thirty minutes.”

Quinn grinned, and when she parted her lips to thank him, Rio held up his hand.

“This never happened, Quinn.”

Fair enough. My lips are sealed.

True to his word, they were delivered as if in a back-door drug deal. No one spoke as the brown bag was placed in her hands. Quinn had no idea when Rogue was expected back. But she took her chances and walked with the bag down to the property perimeter. It was odd. Even though she was a stranger, none of the dogs took an interest in her. Well, one did. It was the same one who had intently watched her earlier. Then, they all seemed to take notice one by one.

It was a daring move that should’ve left her in fear. Strangely, she was calm and comfortable. It was a ridiculous comparison, some might consider it pitiful, but she had a lot more in common with the dogs than she did with most people. They were there to do a job and serve a purpose, but other than that, no one thought much about them.

*

Quinn had retired to her room shortly after having made little progress with the dogs. She’d hoped the treats would make them more friendly, but she’d only gotten a few to give her a lukewarm reception. Quinn was determined but decided to go to bed.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d been asleep when she stirred against a warm touch on her inner thigh. She blinked open her eyes to the most perfect vision. Rogue was standing at the side of the bed, completely naked, his knuckles grazing her thigh and moving dangerously close to her most intimate parts.

“Did you eat?” It was the first thing that came to her mind. Obviously, he took the statement differently.

His gaze darkened, and the corner of his mouth hiked in a devilish smirk. “Not yet.”

Rogue hooked his fingers over her panties.

Oh!

It had been forever since any man had gone down on her. It wasn’t Clay’s thing, as he’d said, though he wasn’t opposed to being on the receiving end. Quinn had just assumed that was a common ideology of most men. But Rogue’s not most men . She watched his grip tighten over her cotton panties, and his muscles constrict as he lowered them down her legs. He tossed them over his shoulder and gripped her inner thighs, stretching her legs apart. She pushed back, resisting against his will.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want it. She did. But it was a power move that left her vulnerable. Spread out and open—to him. The pads of his fingers bit into her flesh. It was an unspoken command, and she totally gave in, dropping her legs to the bed.

His head lowered with his gaze locked on her. It felt dirty, naughty, and shameful, yet she arched her hips, eager to feel his mouth on her. And when she did… Fuck! Her back jackknifed, curving her forward to his warm, wet mouth. His tongue lapped her incessantly as he gripped her thighs, digging into her skin. She swiveled her hips, riding his mouth as his tongue slipped between her folds, taking aim at the small, sensitive bead.

She gripped the sheets in her fists, driving her hips forward. His mouth moved over her, sucking her clit between his lips, flicking her with his tongue. Her legs stretched open wide, giving him full access, and when he groaned, she sucked in a breath. The vibration of the rumbling in his chest and throat had an effect on her. She blindly lowered her hand, weaving her fingers through his hair. It was amazingly soft, not what anyone would expect from Rogue. Nor would they expect him to be face-deep between her legs. She gripped a handful of hair, tugging lightly. At first. The more he tongued her clit, the more aggressive her hold became, pulling at the strands of his hair and moaning through gritted teeth.

“Rogue,” she said with a long sighing breath, desperation evident in her tone. It was too much and not enough. She sliced her legs restlessly, but his nails dug into her flesh, keeping her spread open for him. He was making it known he was in charge. She turned her head, pressing her cheek into the pillow. She was close. So damn close.

Quinn curled her hips, widened her legs, and gasped, trying to catch her breath. Impossible. Seconds later, she exploded, her body seized, and a ripple of heat raced through her veins.

Best orgasm ever!

****

The warmth was the first indicator he wasn’t alone. Her small body curved into his side, clutched against his chest, was the second.

This never fucking happened.

Sexual interludes weren’t uncommon, but they didn’t take place in his home and never ended with waking up together. Sleeping next to anyone left a person vulnerable. It took trust, of which Rogue didn’t have much for anyone except a select few.

He glanced down at the silky blonde hair sweeping over him and the profile of the sweet face with her cheek pressed against his chest, her lips parted in a soft snore. The corner of his mouth curled, and he ran his hand through her hair . What the fuck is happening?

This wasn’t Rogue. It wasn’t how he operated, not how he acted, and sure as hell not how he felt about anyone. Until Quinn. She shifted, curling in closer and spreading her hand over his stomach. She was so content, comfortable, and, more importantly, safe. He cupped her jaw gently, careful not to wake her. Her chin lifted, she sighed, and settled into her new position, tightening her hold over his stomach.

Fucking beautiful. There was nothing average about this woman. At least not in his eyes. Her chin was pointy, along with her nose, and her features weren’t asymmetric. Her brows were too defined, and her cheekbones didn’t have much definition. Her skin was flawless but too pale as if she hadn’t gotten much sun in years. She didn’t have the curves most men desired. Her hair was silky and smooth, though tousled and not styled. But to Rogue? She’s fucking perfect.

He cupped her ass, pulling her closer, and she came willingly, half asleep. Quinn swept her leg over his thigh, rubbing against him.

Fuck!

She stirred, blinking her eyes open with a wide yawn. It wasn’t sexy, but it was damn fucking cute. It was a clueless move. Yet, natural. It was real, which summed up Quinn.

“Morning,” she mumbled, nuzzling her face against his chest.

Quinn had passed out almost immediately after he’d made her come last night. It wasn’t how Rogue had intended for the night to go. While she fell fast asleep, he was left with a raging hard-on. He could’ve woke her up. He didn’t. Instead, he chose to do the most un-Rogue thing. He put his own desire and needs on the back burner. But that was last night. And now…

I’m done fucking waiting.

Quinn naked in his bed, curled up next to him was too much to resist. He cupped her jaw, taking her mouth. Her lips were smooth, unpracticed. There wasn’t a seductive motive. She pushed up onto his chest, angled her head, and deepened the kiss.

Her tongue slipped between his lips, and her leg anchored over his thighs, spreading herself over his cock. He woke up hard, but her rubbing against him only amplified his desire. He spread his hand over her back, hiking her closer for direct contact. As his cock slipped between her legs, he bit back his groan. It seemed Quinn had woken up ready and eager, much like him. He hooked his arm around her waist and flipped her onto her back. Then he looped her leg through his arm and drove inside her with one thrust.

Her head pressed against the pillow, exposing her neck, and she moaned. Fuck. Too much temptation. Rogue could fuck any woman with little to no contact other than the obvious. But Quinn? No, he needed her close. Her taste, her scent, and the small voice mumbling nonsense.

“Uh, yeah,” she whispered.

He rocked inside her, pressing his lips to her throat. He licked the column of her neck, his cock hardening more under the whimper gurgling in her throat. He dropped his mouth to her breast, suckling on her nipple, and with each drive inside her, he bit down. Her hand caressed over his back up to his neck, with her nails driving in.

“So fucking wet for me.”

Quinn moaned, nodding with her eyes closed, seemingly lost in the moment. Fuck, no. Rogue wanted her eyes. He gripped her jaw, squeezing, and her eyes blinked open. He leaned closer, taking her mouth, sliding his tongue between her lips to tangle with hers.

“You’re gonna come when I tell you.” It was rhetorical. A command, not a question. Still, she answered.

She pressed her hips against his, rocking in unison with each stroke.

“Yes, sir,” she whispered.

“Not a fucking second early.”

She shuddered, pressing her face into the crook of his neck. She was ready, on the brink of coming. Her softened whimper only elevated his desire as he pounded inside her, hiking her leg up higher, opening her wide for him.

Fuck!!!!

Rogue thought he had a lot more stamina left in him. He didn’t. He exploded inside her. He straightened his arms, not willing to bear all his weight down on her. He’d crush her. But she wasn’t helping matters, gently caressing his back. It was too soft. Too soothing. He liked it too much.

Rogue had no plans of letting her leave the bed before he took her again. And again. They had all day. Or so he thought.

The phone rang, forcing him to pull out of her quicker than he wanted. He kissed her quickly, rolling to his side and sitting up, dropping his legs off the side of the bed. He gripped the mattress, staring at the blank wall. The room was drowned in silence except for the one thought blaring in his mind. Who the fuck is calling me?

Rogue grabbed his phone from the nightstand and answered.

“What?” His graveled tone sounded off even to him.

“You alright?”

Rogue drove his hand through his hair in frustration. “Is that why you fucking called, Trey? To see if I’m alright?”

There was a small stretch of silence.

“Set up a meeting for you with Rutledge as requested. He owns the property we want up north for the poker house. I think we should take a ride up beforehand, make sure we know how much we want to negotiate for it.”

Fucking perfect.

“When?”

“Tonight. He wants it casual. Meeting at Sardana’s at ten. We’d have to head up in an hour to check out the property, though. Does that work for you?”

Fuck.

Rogue drove his hand through his hair and sighed. “Yeah.”

He didn’t bother with a parting gesture. He ended the call, dropped the phone to the nightstand, and continued to look straight ahead at the empty wall. He’d had plans for the day, and none included leaving Quinn. Fuck! That thought only pissed him off.

Her hand draped over his back, and he stilled.

“I was wondering if we could talk now? I just wanted to, um…”

“Later.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

“Be ready by ten. Wear a fucking dress.” Rogue stood, walking through the room completely naked and not bothered a bit.

“Rogue.”

He glanced over his shoulder. Quinn was sitting in the center of his bed. Her hair was a mess, and she was clutching onto the sheet. Fucking beautiful. Seeing her only angered him, knowing he had to leave her. He turned and walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

This property better be fucking worth it.