Page 18 of Hot Lovin'

When it’s over, and Quinn finally opens his eyes, he looks devastated.

“Fuck,” he curses, his hand cupping my face, his expression tortured. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop?—”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m not. Watching you was incredible.” I turn my head, pressing a kiss to his palm.

The small gesture seems to unlock something inside him because he’s suddenly kissing me, long, hard, and deep, his tongue mating with mine.

“I’m sorry I pushed you away, Sunshine,” he says, apologizing again. “I was a fucking idiot.”

“Yeah, you were,” I state. “Don’t do it again, or I’ll give you a wet willy and stick your head in a fart jar.”

His laughter is free and unrestrained. “Fuck, you’re amazing.”

“I know. It’s hard being this perfect.” I grin, then wince as he slips out of me. “I need to, um, clean up,” I say, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.

“Want some help?”

I shake my head, my blush deepening at the thought of him seeing the mess between my thighs. “No, I’m good.”

“Okay. I’ll check on the little guy,” he offers, retrieving his boxers and pulling them on. I almost weep as they conceal his muscular buttocks from my greedy eyes.

“I have the ‘Sleep Spy,’” I say, pointing to the device on the bedside table I purchased when Aiden came to live with me. I flush when I see it’s partially covered by my discarded bra.

Quinn quirks an eyebrow. “You mean the baby monitor?”

I shrug, giving him a sheepish grin.

He shakes his head with a chuckle. “I’ll just poke my head around his door.”

Could this man be any more perfect? It’s clear he wants to see Aiden is okay for himself. His thoroughness and attention to detail are why I like him so much. Like? I’m on the slippery slope to something that feels a whole lot bigger than like.

Pulling on my robe, I quickly clean up in the adjoining bathroom, noticing the smear of blood mixed with Quinn’s cum as I wipe between my legs. My flesh is tender, but as first times go, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

We said this was for tonight, but that was before we were intimate. I want more than one night with my growly sheriff. But what does he want? Will he leave now we’ve done the deed? This is all new to me, so I have no “after-sex etiquette” to fall back on. I only know I want him to stay.

My question is answered as I reenter the bedroom. Quinn is lounging naked on the bed, waiting for me. He opens his arms when he sees me. I take a moment to drink in all that taut golden skin and beautiful masculinity before ditching my robe.

Quinn drags me onto his chest, his arms locked around me. He steals a kiss and then says, “Aiden is sleeping peacefully. He looks so innocent.”

I nod and sigh. “I don’t know how anyone could harm a defenseless child.”

Quinn’s laugh is bitter. “Believe me, it happens all the time.”

I pull back to look at him. “Is that what happened to you?” I ask softly.

His face closes up, and I expect him to shut the conversation down, so I’m surprised when he says, “I took my share of beatings in the orphanage.”

My mouth drops open. “You grew up in the care system? And they beat you?”

His fingers dig reflexively into my hip as he no doubt relives painful memories. Emotions spread across his face like cracks in an eggshell. “Not the adults. The kids who were bigger than me. Until they weren’t. I was a late bloomer, but once puberty hit, they didn’t bother me anymore.”

“What about your parents?”

Quinn shrugs. “Never knew them. I was left on a bench outside the local police station in Bakersfield when I was a baby.” He laughs wryly. “Guess I was destined to go into law enforcement.”

Things suddenly slot into place. His gruff demeanor. How closed off he seemed when I first met him. And how he tried to push Aiden and me away after the shooting incident. He’s been alone all his life. No parents. No siblings. I recall his words from earlier.

I’m used to being alone, of only having myself to think about…

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