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26. Quinn

26

QUINN

The empty salon space feels like it’s holding its breath, a canvas waiting for our dreams to paint it to life. The soft hum of distant traffic and the glow from the streetlights filtering through the windows cast everything in a warm, almost dreamlike haze. I stand near the entrance, the plans for the salon laid out on a makeshift table, but my eyes keep drifting to Aria as she walks the length of the room, her gaze lingering on every detail.

The smell of fresh paint and possibility hangs in the air, mingling with the faint scent of Aria’s perfume. It’s intoxicating, and I find myself taking deeper breaths than necessary. My fingers twitch, itching to bring our plans to life and transform this space into something extraordinary.

It’s just us tonight, and the charged silence between us is both comforting and nerve-racking. I’ve spent the past hour talking her through layout ideas, but my thoughts keep straying from the blueprints to the way she moves and the way her lips part slightly when she’s focused. I clear my throat, trying to pull my mind back to business.

“What do you think about this wall?” I ask, pointing to a section where I sketched out a potential feature display. “Maybe we could make it into a highlight—something to catch the eye right as people walk in. I was thinking maybe a living wall, you know, with plants and stuff, to bring some life into the space.”

Aria nods thoughtfully, stepping closer to inspect the sketch. Her fingers brush against mine as she traces the outline, sending a jolt of electricity through me. “I like it,” she says, her voice soft but filled with enthusiasm. “It would give a good first impression and set the tone for the whole space.” She glances up, and our eyes meet. There’s a softness there, a flicker of something I’ve been too cautious to name.

“Yeah, that’s what I was hoping for,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. I lean against the wall, casually closing the distance between us without making it too obvious. The rough texture of the unfinished wall grounds me. “And for the relaxation area… what do you think of adding some private booths? Something cozy, but still open enough so clients don’t feel boxed in. Maybe with some of those fancy noise-cancelling features?”

Aria tilts her head, considering the idea. Her brow furrows slightly in the way it does when she’s deep in thought, and I have to resist the urge to smooth it out with my thumb. “Cozy, but open,” she repeats, her lips curving into a small smile. “Kind of like us, figuring out this… thing, whatever it is.”

Her words catch me off guard, and I laugh softly, a low rumble that breaks some of the tension. “Yeah, something like that. We’re building more than just a salon here, aren’t we?”

She turns back to the space, but her movements are slower, more deliberate. I watch her closely, sensing a shift in her demeanor. Her steps are quieter now, as if she’s testing the ground beneath her feet. There’s a question in her eyes when she looks at me again, and for a second, I think she might bolt.

“Are you okay?” I ask gently, stepping into her line of sight. “I know this is a lot—us, this place, everything. If it’s too much, we can slow down. I don’t want to overwhelm you.”

Aria nods, her gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before meeting mine again. “It is a lot,” she admits, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “But… it’s also good. I haven’t felt this hopeful in a long time. It’s almost scary, you know?”

I take a breath, the air between us thick with unspoken words. My mind races, wondering how the other alphas would react to this moment. I push those thoughts aside, focusing on Aria.

“Aria, you’ve been through so much. I get that trusting us—trusting me—isn’t easy. I don’t want to rush you into anything. We can take this as slow as you need, both with the salon and… whatever this is between us.”

She looks up at me, and there’s a vulnerability in her eyes that makes my heart ache. “You’re different, Quinn. I’ve been trying to figure out why, but it’s hard when I’m so used to being on guard.”

I want to tell her everything—how I’ve seen her strength, her resilience, and how it’s drawn me in deeper than I ever expected. Instead, I just nod, keeping my voice soft. “We all have our guard up sometimes, but we’re figuring it out, right? One step at a time, no pressure.”

She takes a step closer, her proximity sending a rush of warmth through me. I can smell the faint traces of her shampoo, something floral and delicate. “Yeah, we are. It’s… nice not feeling rushed or pushed.”

The air around us seems to crackle, and I realize I’ve been holding my breath, waiting for a sign that she’s ready for more. Aria’s gaze flickers to my lips, and it’s all the encouragement I need. I lean in slowly, giving her plenty of time to pull away. She doesn’t.

Our lips meet in a kiss that’s both tentative and electric, a spark igniting in the quiet room. It’s not the kind of kiss that demands or takes—it’s a question, a promise, and when she presses closer, I know we’re both answering it the same way. She tastes faintly of mint, and I wonder if she was as nervous about tonight as I was.

For a moment, everything else fades—the pack, the business, even the lingering threat of Noah. It’s just us, two people trying to navigate the emotions and history that lie between us. The kiss deepens, and I feel her relax against me, her hands finding their way to my chest. My own hands settle on her waist, gentle and undemanding.

When we finally break apart, we’re both breathless. Her eyes search mine. There’s no regret in her gaze, just a quiet contemplation that tells me she’s processing everything.

“I didn’t expect that,” she says, her voice a little unsteady.

I chuckle, resting my forehead against hers. “Me either, but I’m glad it happened. Are you okay with it?”

Aria smiles a genuine, beautiful smile that makes my heart do a ridiculous flip. “Yeah, I am, but this doesn’t have to change anything about the salon,” she says, her practical side asserting itself. “I still want to work on it, but… I need to take this one step at a time.”

“Absolutely,” I agree, pulling back just enough to see her face. “No pressure or rush. We’ll figure it out as we go. The salon comes first, okay? This… us… is a bonus, not a condition.”

She nods, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. “Thank you, Quinn. For this, for everything. For being patient.”

I watch her as she gathers her things, my chest full of cautious hope. We’re on the edge of something new, something fragile and real. I want to hold onto this moment and protect it as fiercely as I want to protect her.

“Same time next week?” I ask as she heads for the door. “I’ll bring the blueprints for the private booths, and maybe we can start looking at color schemes.”

Aria pauses, turning back with a shy smile. “Same time,” she agrees. “And Quinn? Maybe bring some of those kale chips you like. They are starting to grow on me.”

I grin, delighted by this small admission. “You’ve got it. It’s a date. I mean, a meeting. A business meeting. With snacks.”

She laughs, the sound echoing in the empty space, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.

I watch her leave, the promise of our next meeting lingering in the air like a sweet scent. As I trace the lines of our business plans with my finger, I can’t help but think about the delicate balance we’re trying to strike between the past and future, trust and fear.

For the first time, though, I feel like we’re on the right path, and I’m ready to see where it leads, even if it means navigating the complex dynamics of the pack. As I lock up the salon space, I make a mental note to talk to the other alphas soon.

I head to the back to grab some of the folders with the agreements in them, and the door opens again. I step out, my guard up, until I see it’s Aria.

“Hey, are you alright?” I take a step toward her.

She licks her lips. “Yeah, I just…” She blows out a breath. “I don’t want to wait.”

“What?” My heart beats out of my chest. Aria takes another step closer, the urgency in her voice unmistakable. “I don’t want to wait for us to figure everything out. I know we’re building this salon, and I’m excited about it, but what if we could start building something between us right now?”

I process her words, my heart racing. Her determination pulls me in, making it hard to breathe, and I can’t help but take another step forward, closing the space between us. “Aria, I thought you wanted to take it slow… to establish a solid foundation.”

“I do,” she insists, her steady gaze softening beneath the weight of vulnerability. “But I’ve spent so long holding back, and this feels too important to sit around and let it slip away. You feel it too, don’t you?”

I nod slowly, my pulse thrumming in the silence that envelops us. “I do, but after everything, I just wanted to make sure you knew we could take our time. I care about you, Aria. About us.”

Her mouth curves again, but it’s a more fervent smile this time—one that tells me she’s ready to embrace whatever exists between us. “Then let’s just be in the moment, Quinn. Let’s see where it takes us without the weight of expectations hanging over us.”

I can hardly process her words, the thrill of possibility sending a rush through me. “You mean… now?”

“Yes,” she whispers, stepping closer so we’re nearly touching again. “Right now.”

Her breath is sweet, and the world outside the salon’s walls fades into a blur. Time stretches as I reach for her, tangling my fingers in her hair as I draw her toward me once more. Our lips meet again, this kiss igniting a blaze of passion and longing. It’s deeper and more urgent than the first, reflecting all those unspoken thoughts and feelings we had been tiptoeing around.

I feel her hands on my arms, grounding me as if she, too, is trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions we’re unleashing. The kiss feels like a declaration, a promise that we aren’t just building a business but something uniquely ours.

When we finally pull apart, our foreheads resting against one another, I see the wonder in her eyes. “Wow,” she whispers, a smile stretching over her face. “I didn’t think it would feel like that.”

“Neither did I,” I reply, still caught in the magic of that kiss. “It’s like… everything just clicked into place.”

She lets out a soft laugh, a sound that makes my heart swell. “The salon might be our business venture, but this, whatever this is, feels like a whole different project—one that’s not tied to blueprints or plans.”

“Exactly,” I agree, my pulse quickening with every beat. The weight of unspoken words hangs between us, and I clear my throat to break the spell. “But we should talk about how we plan to navigate that, this pack, and everything else.”

Aria nods, but there’s an eagerness in her expression that ignites hope in me. “We can figure it out together.” Her voice is steady, affirming the bond that is growing stronger with each passing moment.

“Together,” I echo, meaning it with every fiber of my being.

In that moment, all thoughts of the pack, the salon, and the complexities of our lives slip away, leaving only the promise of connection. “So what if we just… live in this moment a little longer?” I suggest, brushing my fingers lightly against her cheek, absorbing the way her eyes spark with possibility and the way her breath mingles with mine.

“I like the sound of that,” she replies, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Let’s own this, Quinn.”

Just like that, as if our previous doubts dissipated like morning mist, I lean in again. It’s a shared surrender, a mutual agreement that we are both ready to explore not only our dreams, but also each other.

I pull back, glancing at the windows before I lift her into my arms. Aria wraps her legs around me, and there is a softness in her eyes that sends a thrill through me.

She gives me a naughty smile as her scent deepens to arousal. “I want to break in every surface in here.”

Laughter spills out of me. “That isn’t very sanitary,” I tease, even though all the blood in my body just rushed to my cock.

Aria’s laugh dances through the air like a melody, infectious and full of mischief. “Sanitary be damned,” she declares, her tone daring. “We could always disinfect afterward.”

The thought ignites something primal within me, something that yearns to break free from the confines of all my careful planning. I sway slightly, our bodies aligning perfectly as I adjust my grip on her waist. “You’re one to bring pure chaos into a sterile environment,” I counter lightly, trying to mask the urgency coursing through me.

She just looks at me, her eyes sparkling with determination, the flush in her cheeks telling me she wants this as much as I do. “You think I’m afraid of chaos? I thrive on it, Quinn. Life is messy—that’s where the fun happens.” She leans forward, teasingly brushing her lips against my neck, her warm breath sending shivers down my spine. “Plus, this place is essentially ours already, so we can do whatever we want here.”

The heat of her breath ignites a fire in my gut, and I can’t help but hoist her up a little higher against me. “You’re right. This is our space… and that definitely sounds fun,” I murmur, my voice filled with anticipation.

With that shared spark, I move deeper into the room, instinct guiding me as I navigate through the scattered supplies and tools, the remnants of our earlier blueprints forgotten. I head into a cozy nook toward the back of the salon, where the light casts shadows that illuminate the fierce desire in Aria’s eyes.

I set her gently against a wall, maintaining that teasing distance between us as I take a breath, savoring the moment. “What’s the first rule for this… uh, chaotic adventure?” I ask, leaning in just enough to capture her attention.

Aria bites her lower lip, the mischievous glint in her gaze only intensifying. “The first rule is to let go of all your inhibitions. We’re creating something new, right? No guidelines, no holding back. Just us. Right here, right now.”

I arch an eyebrow, intrigued. “That sounds like a bold rule,” I reply, tempted to push her boundaries even further. “And what if it leads to me needing to explain to the pack why my new salon team was… well, busy?”

Her laughter is a haunting serenade, and she leans closer again, caressing the stubble on my jawline. “Then you’ll just have to be creative with the explanations. Besides, who says business and pleasure can’t mix? Think of it as a team building exercise.”

Her words hit me like a rush of adrenaline, bold yet enticing, and I feel the thrill of defiance coursing through my veins. “Alright then, team building. I’m game,” I whisper before closing the distance between us again and capturing her lips with my own in a fierce kiss, one that mirrors the wildness pulsing between us.

Aria moans softly, and that sound makes everything around us fade away. There’s a hunger in her, an urge I can feel echoing in my bones. My hands curl around her waist, and I pull her even closer until we’re molded together like two pieces of a puzzle snapping into place.

The weight of her body presses against me, and I feel every curve as she melts into me. I want to hold on to this moment and let it stretch into eternity, but my mind drifts to the reality of what’s at stake.

“Just a little longer,” she murmurs against my lips, her breath quickening in rhythm with mine. “Let’s forget about everything else for a moment.”

I nod, fully surrendering to her words and this irresistible urge rising within. “Fine. Just this moment,” I agree, my voice low and laced with promise. “But if we’re doing this…” I pause to gather the right words, a thrill coursing through me at what I’m about to suggest. “Then no regrets afterward. We own whatever happens next.”

“So you’re saying we can’t blame it on the chaotic creativity?” she teases, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes.

“Exactly,” I say, slipping my fingers into her hair as I draw her back into a deep, intoxicating kiss. There’s a primal connection that consumes us, drowning out all else. The world outside ceases to exist, and it’s just us.

With every caress and gentle pull, I feel the weight of our decision growing more substantial. She wraps her legs around my waist, and I can’t help but lift her fully against me, a thrill racing through me as I realize how much I want her.

I stumble back a step, drawn toward the plush set of couches tucked into the corner, the perfect place for this burgeoning chaos to unfold. I set her down, brushing my fingers across the soft fabric as my eyes find hers again, a question lurking beneath the surface—are we really going to go through with this?

“Yes,” she whispers, mischief sparkling in her gaze. “No thinking, just feeling. Remember our rules?”

The look she gives me ignites a fire within, something wild and unrestrained. I couldn’t hold back even if I wanted to. “Alright. No thinking.”

Aria leans in, pulling me closer so our foreheads touch. “Just feel.”

With that declaration, everything falls away again. I reach for her, slipping my fingers beneath the hem of her shirt, touching skin. She gasps softly, biting her lip as I explore, feeling her shudder against me.

I’m lost in her, in this moment. Nothing else matters as she whispers my name like a sweet incantation, urging me further into the chaos. With every shifting movement and every brush of our skin, we weave a connection deeper than mere physicality. It feels raw, real, and utterly electrifying.

As our lips meet again, the urgency builds. Aria’s fingers fumble with the buttons of my shirt, her touch electric against my skin. I pull back just enough to help her, shrugging off the fabric and tossing it aside. Her eyes roam over my chest, a mix of hunger and appreciation in her gaze.

“Your turn,” I murmur, tugging gently at the hem of her blouse. She lifts her arms, allowing me to pull it over her head. The sight of her, flushed and breathless, sends a jolt of desire through me. I trail kisses along her collarbone, reveling in the soft sounds she makes.

Our hands explore, mapping out new territory with reverent touches. Every caress feels like a revelation, igniting sparks wherever skin meets skin. Aria arches into me, her body speaking a language of need that I’m all too eager to answer.

We fumble with the rest of our clothes, laughing softly at our shared impatience. When we’re finally bare before each other, I pause, drinking in the sight of her. “You’re beautiful,” I whisper, meaning it with every fiber of my being.

Aria pulls me close, her lips finding mine in a searing kiss. “So are you,” she whispers against my mouth. Her hands roam lower, teasing and exploring. I groan, my hips bucking involuntarily.

I lay her back on the couch, hovering over her. I trail kisses down her neck, savoring the taste of her skin, her pulse beating wildly against my lips. Aria squirms beneath me, her fingernails digging into my back in a silent plea for more.

I kiss my way lower, my lips brushing against her collarbone, her ribs, her belly button, and the small patch of hair above her intimate spot. Aria moans loudly, lifting her hips off the couch in a silent invitation for me to continue.

With a final soft kiss, I spread her legs wide, gazing hungrily at the prize before me. Aria whimpers, her legs shaking, her breath quickening as I lower my mouth, dipping my tongue between her folds.

I savor her orange and cream taste, each flick of my tongue drawing another gasp, another moan, each kiss causing her to arch into me. Aria’s fingers tighten in my hair, urging me deeper.

I plunge inside her, stroking my tongue against her most sensitive spots. She claws at the couch cushions, bucking her hips wildly, her body trembling on the edge of ecstasy. I refuse to let her fall over just yet, teasing her mercilessly while making her beg for release.

When she claws at my head, panting and moaning, her body tightening around my tongue, I know she’s close. One final thrust sends her over the edge, a sharp cry escaping her lips as waves of pleasure wash over her.

Exhausted and satisfied, Aria collapses back against the couch, her body covered in a sheen of sweat. I crawl up her body, pressing a gentle kiss to her mouth before settling between her legs.

Aria’s body trembles beneath me as I roll my hips, feeling the heat between us intensify with every inch we’re locked together. I kiss her neck then nibble on her earlobe as I tease her sensitive spot with my thumb. Her moans turn into whimpers, and I feel her nails dig into my shoulders.

“You feel so good,” I growl, my voice rough with desire. “Give me more, Aria.”

She gasps and meets my gaze, her eyes just as bewitching as they were when I first met her. She pushes her hips up, meeting my thrusts eagerly. Our mouths come together once again, our tongues exploring every inch of each other’s mouths.

“Fuck yeah,” she pants against my lips. “Don’t stop.”

Her dirty talk sends a shiver down my spine, and I bite my lip to stifle a moan. I thrust into her harder, feeling her wetness on my shaft. Her gasps and moans fill the air, and I know we’re both on the edge.

“I’m close,” I whisper, my voice hoarse. “I want to feel you come apart in my arms.”

Her hands slip trace patterns on my bare skin. It feels like fire, and I’m losing control. She bites her lip, and I know she’s close too.

“Fuck, Aria,” I groan, my hips picking up the pace. “I’m going to knot you.”

Aria’s eyes widen, a mixture of anticipation and primal need flashing across her face. She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me deeper into her, meeting my thrusts with her own urgent rhythm. “Yes,” she hisses, her voice laced with desperation. “Knot me, claim me.”

Her words ignite something feral within me. I feel the base of my shaft begin to swell, the knot growing with each pulsing beat of my heart. Aria’s body responds in kind, her inner walls clenching around me, drawing me in farther.

Our breaths come in ragged gasps, mingling together as we share the same air and desperate need. I bury my face in her neck, inhaling her scent, a heady mix of sweat, desire, and something uniquely her. My teeth graze her skin, the urge to mark her, to make her mine, overwhelming.

“Please,” she whimpers, tilting her head to expose more of her neck. “Do it, please.”

I don’t need any more encouragement. I sink my teeth into her flesh—not enough to break skin but just enough to leave a mark.

She lets out a long, slow moan, and I feel her walls clench around me. The sensation of her coming apart around me sends me spiraling over the edge. I thrust one last time, emitting a loud cry as I come inside her. Her body shakes with her own orgasm, and I hold her tightly as we both ride out the intensity of our climax.

With a final, deep thrust, I bury myself to the hilt, my knot locking us together. Pleasure rips through me as I spill into her, making her mine.

We stay locked together, our bodies trembling with the aftershocks of our shared climax. Aria’s arms wrap around me, holding me close, and her fingers trace lazy patterns on my back. I feel her heartbeat against my chest, syncing with mine, a shared rhythm that feels as natural as breathing.

Panting, I look down at her, and my brows knit together. Fuck, she’s everything I’ve always wanted. “Mine,” I murmur, pressing a soft kiss to the mark on her neck.

Aria smiles, her eyelids fluttering open. “Yours,” she agrees, her voice soft but certain. “And you’re mine.”

In that moment, everything else fades away. It’s just the two of us, bound together, our souls intertwined. The world outside can wait. This, right here, is all that matters.

As we lie here, our bodies still joined, I feel the knot slowly recede, but the connection between us remains as strong as ever. I brush a damp strand of hair away from Aria’s face, tucking it behind her ear. Her eyes, warm and sated, never leave mine. There’s a softness in her gaze, a vulnerability that makes my heart ache with tenderness.

“I never want this to end,” she whispers, trailing her fingers up my spine.

“It doesn’t have to,” I murmur. “We can make this last, Aria. We can make it forever.”

A soft smile tugs at the corners of her mouth, and she pulls me down for a lazy, languid kiss. It’s a kiss that speaks of promises, of tomorrow, and a future together. When we finally break apart, she nods, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

“Forever,” she agrees, her voice thick with emotion.

Reluctantly, I pull away as the knot finally recedes, but I don’t go far. I roll onto my side, propping myself up on one elbow, and gaze down at her. She mirrors my position, her hand coming up to cup my cheek. We stay like this for a while, just looking at each other, our fingers tracing patterns on each other’s skin.

“You know,” she says, breaking the comfortable silence, “I never believed in all that destiny and fate stuff, but now…” She trails off, her eyes searching mine.

“Now?” I prompt, my thumb stroking her cheekbone.

“Now, I think maybe there’s something to it. Maybe we were meant to find each other and be each other’s… mate.” She says the last word softly, almost hesitantly, as if she’s trying it out for the first time.

A slow smile spreads across my face, and I press my forehead against hers. “I like the sound of that,” I whisper. “Mates. Forever.”

She smiles back, her eyes fluttering closed as she leans into me. “Forever,” she echoes.

As we lie here, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside begins to intrude once more. The sound of distant traffic, the hum of the city, and the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the room still feel distant, muted, as if we’re in our own little bubble, our own private universe.

Eventually, Aria sighs, her breath warm against my skin. “We should probably clean up,” she says, though she makes no move to get up.

“Mm-hmm,” I agree, my arms tightening around her. “In a minute.”

She laughs softly, her body shaking against mine. “Just a minute,” she says, her eyes meeting mine.

As we lie here, our minute stretches into two, then three, then five, and neither of us minds, because right now, we have all the time in the world. We have forever, and that’s all that matters.

For the first time in a long time, I feel alive.

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