Page 29 of Hard Hitter

He didn't say anything for a while and she could feel him looking at her. "You didn't have to do that. You shouldn't have. It was dangerous. Anyone could've been there."

"I know, Quinn, I remember," she said, losing the hesitant tone. "Believe me, I remember. But...despite everything, you still always looked out for her."

Quinn sighed and then said, "I need to go back there. I went Monday, before I saw you again and I haven't been back. It's just...so different. I thought I'd be angry to see her still using, but it's like I was even more mad that she'd waited until I left to get sober."

"What happened?"

"I screamed at her," Quinn let out a huff of humorless laughter. "I stood in the middle of the living room and yelled at this frail dying woman about all the ways she'd failed me. And then I left."

Raelyn considered for a beat, nodding her head from side to side, "Did it feel good?"

Quinn winced, "Am I horrible if I say yes?"

"Of course not," Raelyn placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "She was never a real mom to you. She didn't take care of you or take any sort of interest in your life. She put you in danger on countless occasions, and honestly she just never deserved you." It was the first time Raelyn had spoken openly about her opinion of Molly Casey, but she felt like it was overdue. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad she had you and that you still managed to be like, pretty okay."

Quinn smiled half-heartedly, "Gee, thanks, Rae."

"But seriously," Raelyn continued, "she had no right to have a son who cared so much when she gave you nothing."

There were a few beats of silence before Quinn brought Raelyn into him, embracing her in his long, muscled arms, and held her there for several moments. When he pulled out of the hug, he dropped his arms to her hips, his forehead pressed to hers.

"Come with me," he said, his voice sounding tight as though a lump were caught in his throat, "Come with me when I see her again."

"Okay," said Raelyn, and it came out almost a whisper. She tilted her head up and searched his intense brown eyes before touching her lips to his.

Quinn kissed her back with force, sweeping his tongue into her mouth. He let out a low groan filled with longing and her body responded instantly. Warmth crept up her thighs and pulsed between her legs and she pressed herself against him, finding that his body had also responded. Raelyn could feel Quinn's hardness through his jeans and she rubbed herself needily against it.

Wrapping one arm around her bottom, he lifted her up onto the kitchen counter and pulled her legs around his waist. His hand cupped the side of her face as he took control of the kiss. Who knew a kisscould be so demanding? Butdamn, if he didn't command the attention of her mouth and tongue.

The room was filled with the sounds of their breathing, Raelyn's moans, Quinn's growls. Chests heaving, breaths coming in harsh and heavy, Raelyn couldn't believe she was getting so worked up over a kiss. She could feel the moisture between her legs as she pulled him closer, fingers grasping his shirt so tightly, as if she'd simply float away if she let go.

It was like nothing Raelyn had ever felt, every sensation taking her to the edge: His scent, the feel of his lips, his stubble scratching her skin as they kissed deeper, the taste of his tongue, the way his hands felt against her cheek, her neck, and then holding her hips, pulling her in close.

Raelyn had no idea how long they'd spent making out like horny teenagers before finally parting. Their lips were swollen from prolonged contact and her heart squeezed as Quinn let out a shuddering breath. He rested his forehead back on hers with his eyes closed. Raelyn brushed her fingers lightly down the side of his face, concentrating on those magnificently talented lips.

"Remember," Quinn began, his voice low and husky, "when we made blanket forts at your house in the basement?"

"Mhmm…"

"Why didn't we ever think to do this then?" Quinn asked, the hint of a smile in his words.

Raelyn pondered for a moment, remembering the many different forts that were built and all the activities thathadtaken place. "Probably because…we were ten and thought we might catch cooties."

Quinn’s laugh was silent but she’d felt his breath on her lips, "I don't think I ever thought you had cooties...I thought you were a princess, remember? Princesses don't have cooties."

"I guess I didn't think you were all that interested in kissing me," Raelyn shrugged. "I almost suggested it once. For science, of course. Just so that when we finally did have a boyfriend or girlfriend we knew what we were doing."

Quinn took a breath, paused, then let it out shaking his head.

"What?" Raelyn pressed, knowing he'd wanted to say something.

"When did that thought cross your mind?" he asked. "To kiss for practice?"

"Oh, I don't know, when we were twelve? Thirteen, maybe?" Raelyn replied, "Camille was fifteen or sixteen and was always talking about boys and kissing different boys so I thought maybe I should get a leg up on it."

There was another silent pause before Quinn spoke again. "I definitely would've kissed you forscience."

Raelyn giggled, "If I ever get a time machine I'll go back and let twelve-year-old me know that you would happily be a test guinea pig for kissing."

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