Page 134 of Hard Hitter

The familiar gleam in Rae’s bright blue eyes lit up her face and made the possessive monster in Quinn’s chest want to break free and go wild, but he kept his calm demeanor. He’d let it loose soon enough. But first he wanted to address what was bothering him the most.

“Rae,” he began, and the tightening in his chest that he’d felt the previous night after she hadn’t called or texted on time returned, “why did you stay there with him? Why wouldn’t you have left right away?”

“I didn’t know he was there until morning,” she replied. “I had gone straight upstairs to one of the guest rooms, and I guess he was already sleeping in the basement. I didn’t see him until maybe forty-fiveminutes before you showed up. He was in the kitchen, and I needed caffeine. So I endured his interrogation for some kick-ass iced coffee.”

“Interrogation?” Quinn snorted, unable to help himself.

“I know he’s a bank lawyer, but he should really consider criminal law. That guy could make a mime talk.”

The corner of Quinn’s mouth pulled up slightly. She wasn’t wrong. Quinn had always been known for being somewhat mysterious when it came to his past but remembered how easily he had given away some of his deepest secrets within an hour of meeting Emerson. He’d thought it was strange at the time, and still couldn’t quite put his finger on what had made him so easy to talk to.

He nodded, understanding. “And when he saw you there without me, he obviously wanted to know everything. I wouldn’t expect him to let up.”

“Still, I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions,” Rae said, looking at Quinn, the big dog still between them. “My brain just immediately went to what I walked in on a little over a year ago, and I didn’t think I could handle it if…” she trailed off and let her gaze drop to where she was still petting Harry.

Studying her, he found himself caught between wanting to be completely understanding, and being offended that she’d even think for a second that he could hurt her like that. He tried not to think too hard about how she must have felt that whole night, imagining he’d been with someone else, and feeling like she had reasonable suspicion to back it up. Then he remembered the other part of that night that had upset him.

“Promise me, Rae,” Quinn said, placing his hand on top of hers, “you won’t ever take off without letting at leastsomeoneknow where you are or that you’re okay. You have no idea the kinds of scenarios I was running through my head. Seriously, baby, even if you tell me that you’re mad and don’t want anyone bugging you, just let me know you’re safe.Promiseme.”

“I promise.”

“I was terrified something had happened...someone who’d seen you in the tabloids could’ve developed an obsession or something, and…” Quinn shook his head. “I know it seems far-fetched, but there are some whack-jobs out there. You can’t do that to me again.”

“I’m sorry, Quinn,” Rae said, letting her fingertips brush against the scruff on his jaw that had grown over the past few days.

Taking her hands, Quinn stood up and brought Rae to her feet with him, gazing deep into her eyes that twinkled turquoise in the California sun. He pulled her so that her body was pressed against his, and brushed her hair back, curling his fingers in the sun-gold strands and holding firmly as he tilted her face up to his. He quirked an eyebrow and let a smirk cross his lips. “You can make it up to me later.”

Chapter 34

Watching a Major League game from the view of the dugout with the entire team and the rest of the trainers that evening was an experience unlike anything she had ever had. Raelyn had interned during her undergrad with the University of Michigan baseball team as an athletic trainer but being at this level with world class athletes was something else entirely. The energy of the ballpark, the tension when the score got close, and the comradery among the players was something Raelyn couldn’t believe she would actually be part of in a month’s time.

She hadn’t been sure the health director would even consider her with the position she was in with Quinn, but he obviously had his reasons for wanting her as a member of the player health staff. The important thing was that she’d gotten the job on her own. She had been itching to tell Quinn all about it when she’d made her first contact with the director only days after their initial conversation about moving to Los Angeles together, but she really wanted to get the job independently, rather than feeling like she’d pulled strings to get there.

As much as she’d wanted to chase after Quinn the day he left for Los Angeles, her interview was already set up and she wanted to get things in order and prepare herself for the massively intimidating interview.

The team won their game that night, continuing their winning streak. Even though Quinn had watched from the bench, he was celebrating with his team as though he’d also been out there making runs. Raelyn hadn’t forgotten how much she enjoyed watching Quinn play or get engrossed in a baseball game, but it had been a long time since she’d been able to share it with him. It was almost more exciting towatch him watching the game. He was so intense and passionate about it, it almost hurt to imagine how much he must miss playing.

Since it was a late game and they’d be playing again the next afternoon, most of the players only celebrated on the field and in the clubhouse for a short period of time before turning in to rest up. Quinn wrapped his arm around Raelyn’s shoulders and they walked out of the clubhouse together to his Jeep Rubicon. She eyed the vehicle curiously, finding it funny that with all the money he was making now he’d still gone for a Jeep, rather than a Range Rover or something higher end.

When they pulled into the driveway of Quinn’s ultra-modern L.A. mansion, however, she took back her thoughts of how thrifty he still seemed to be despite his massive salary. The house was all sleek, straight lines and floor-to-ceiling windows. The white walls contrasted with all the black trim and accents. Behind the house she could see the million-dollar ocean view and the silhouette of palm trees.

“Look at you, Mr. Fancy Pants,” Raelyn said as they pulled into the garage. To the right of the Jeep’s parking spot were two sports cars- a black Audi R8 and a cherry red classic Mustang GT, both of which looked like he could’ve been bought at a Barrett-Jackson car auction.

“Is it weird?” Quinn asked, glancing sideways at her. “Seeing me live like this instead of...what you were used to? When we were kids?”

“No, it’s not weird. You’ve earned it, and I’m happy for you.”

Quinn led her inside and they walked past the mud room into an open, spacious kitchen with high, vaulted ceilings and beams. Each appliance was stainless steel, the countertops were white and spotless. The window over the sink displayed a view of the infinity pool and ocean. Raelyn’s smile brightened as she looked around. “I feel like I just stepped into the Cohens’s house.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I felt like Ryan Atwood the first morning I walked out and realized I was actually living here,” Quinn replied.

“I didn’t think you actually paid attention to that show,” said Raelyn, amused, remembering how many times she’d made the boys watchThe OCwhen they hung out at her house.

“Oh, we were all pretty invested. We just didn’t want to admit it.” Quinn put a hand possessively on the small of her back and led her forward and into the next room. He took his time giving her a tour through the house, Harry wagging happily beside them into each different room which looked perfectly designed, every piece of furniture and decor precisely placed by a decorator. Raelyn wondered how much time he actually spent in each room, figuring he likely used only the main living space, the kitchen, and his own bedroom often. There were five bedrooms in his house-five!Was he planning on having a big family one day? Or had he just let his buddies use the extra rooms to sleep off their partying? Raelyn assumed the latter was far more likely.

Finally Quinn stopped in front of the open door that he’d pushed past earlier in the tour, clearly wanting to save this room for last.

“Is this the Red Room?” Raelyn asked, arching an eyebrow mysteriously.

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