Page 29 of Quinn

“I don’t know if Doctor Vincent would allow me to dance until I’m fully healed.”

“He won’t mind you dancing how I have in mind. Give me a minute.”

Quinn crossed to another cabinet and I noticed this one had rows of smaller plastic cases. He selected one and pushed it into another small black box before pressing a button.

Returning to my side, he held out a hand. I slipped mine into his palm and he drew me onto my feet. I was led to a part of the room which was bare of furniture, and he swung me into his arms and against his body. One hand rested on my back, the other held one of mine against his chest where I could feel the thumping of his heart. I wrapped my other arm around his waist.

A soft melody filled the room and he started swaying, urging me to do the same. I laid my head against the muscle beneath his shoulder and moving my feet a little at a time, managed to stay with him.

“This is one of my favorite songs.”

I lifted my head and gazed up, fuck the man was tall. “What’s it called?”

“Two out of Three Ain’t Bad by Meat Loaf.”

Quinn pierced my eyes with his and sang the chorus. My heart hit the floor when I realised he was sending me a message through the words. He wanted me. He needed me. But he was never gonna love me. The words detracted from his beautiful, deep, and husky voice and I felt tears brimming in my eyes. Before I could drop my head back to his chest, he bent forward and his lips crushed against mine.

His kiss was everything I knew it would be—soft, deep, and insistent. Searching but confidant. His tongue pushed into my mouth, duelling with mine and licking against my teeth. I was glad he held me because I was damn sure my legs would have given way and I’d end up a mess on the floor.

I moaned into Quinn’s mouth, the swaying stopped and he pulled me tighter against his hard body. His straining cock pressed against the bone of my hip. If I died the next day, it would be with a smile on my face as I recalled the passion evoked by one simple kiss and the arms keeping me safe.

When Quinn drew back, I stood gazing into his face. His eyes smouldered with want and lust, something I’d often seen in Tchokai’s eyes, but where I had fought every move made by the chief, I would willingly surrender to the man holding me at this time.

Quinn rubbed a hand across his mouth and I feared for a moment I hadn’t been enough. “Fuck, Bella, how am I ever supposed to let you go?”

Don’t. Keep me forever. I didn’t lend my voice to the words in my head; I knew Quinn would eventually let me go and there was no point in complicating the matter.

“Come and sit down so I can tell you what we discussed in our meeting. Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, thank you.”

“I’ll just grab a beer.”

While Quinn headed to the kitchen, I sat back on the couch. He joined me, popping the tab on his beer, and taking a swallow before setting it down on the coffee table.

“Connor is adamant that we not take on Sangumala in Moresby. He wants to lure them here to us, where we can meet them with the full force of our family and the Bonello family.”

“What makes him so sure they’ll come here? As far as I know, they have never ventured to this side of the island. They certainly haven’t since I’ve been old enough to be aware of my surroundings.”

“He’s convinced the chief will want you back and will do anything to make it happen. Connor wants Tchokai to find out it was me you came to, who I am, and that it was my plane that was used to aid your escape. We don’t have the contacts on our side in Moresby and landing there with a bunch of armed men would certainly draw attention. We’d end up in a shitload of trouble. Here, we can forewarn the authorities of an impending conflict and they’ll be prepared for what happens.”

“I understand. How are you going to make sure he finds out who you are? Do you think people in Moresby will tell him?”

“Maybe, but they don’t really know much. I’m going to spend the next three or four days playing the tourist and making it known I’m a ‘businessman’ from Popondetta.”

“Won’t that be dangerous?”

“Nope, and even if it was, Logan and Daly will have my back. Olimar and Kent, two of our National men, will infiltrate Hanuabada under the guise of being drug dealers who have heroin to sell. Their story will be that they were kicked out of their village on Bougainville. It will be harder for Tchokai and his men to verify they are from there. The men will say they have been on the streets in Moresby for the past week which is where they were told someone in Hanuabada might be willing to buy from them. They’ll get the word around the village about me being in Moresby and how they heard I rescued a young girl and took her back to Popondetta.”

“Please be careful, Quinn. They’re dangerous and may not react in the way you expect.”

“I promise you; I’ll be fine. Now…Tomorrow, Jake, and Natalie, along with a couple of our men will take you to the hospital. I’ll make sure my brothers keep an eye on you as well as Tania and Natalie so you won’t be alone.”

“I won’t be alone, I have Lynetta, but I’ll welcome the company of Tania and Natalie. I like them both very much.”

The conversation obviously done with, Quinn scooted forward and pulled me into his arms. We shared another toe-curling, breath-stealing kiss. I was in deep shit; way over my head with this man.

Once done with the kiss, he set me back on the couch and studied me for a few seconds before getting to his feet and leaving me alone with my thoughts.