Page 86 of No Turning Back
“Uh-huh.” She doesn’t buy it for a second. “If it’s not money, then what? You’re terrible at lying.”
My throat goes dry. I could dodge. I could stall. But standing here with her, damp hair curling at her shoulders, wearing my shirt like it belongs to her, suddenly waiting feels impossible.
I exhale hard and pull the box from my pocket. Her eyes widen instantly.
“Sam-”
“I was gonna wait,” I say quickly, my voice shaking more than I want. “After everyone left, after a walk, after the damn sunset, something romantic like that. But you know me. Subtle’s never been my strong suit.”
I flip the lid, the ring catching the soft kitchen light. My knees bend before I can stop myself, and suddenly I’m down there on the tile floor looking up at her.
"I had this whole speech planned," I tell her, my voice barely above a whisper. "About how you changed my life. How I never thought I'd have a family. How you make me want to be better." I swallow hard. "But now I can't remember any of it."
She drops to her knees in front of me, her hands trembling as they cover mine.
"Yes," she whispers.
"I didn't ask yet."
"Ask me."
I take a breath that feels like it fills my entire body. "Quinn, will you marry me?"
"Yes," she says again, louder this time. "Yes, Sam. Of course."
My hands shake as I slide the ring onto her finger. It fits perfectly, just like Kate promised it would when she helped mepick it out. Quinn stares at it for a long moment before looking back at me, her smile so bright it makes my chest ache.
I pull her against me, burying my face in her hair. The softness of her body presses against mine.
"I love you," I whisper against her ear, my hands sliding down her back, feeling the curve of her through my thin shirt.
Quinn pulls back just enough to look at me, her eyes dark with want. "Show me," she challenges, voice low and throaty.
I don't need to be told twice. My mouth finds hers, hungry and demanding. She tastes like wine and possibility, her tongue sliding against mine as her fingers thread through my hair, tugging just enough to make me groan.
We're still kneeling on the kitchen floor, but I don't care. I slide my hands under the shirt she's wearing, finding nothing but warm skin underneath. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut.
"You're not wearing anything under this," I murmur against her mouth.
"Took you long enough to notice," she teases, nipping at my bottom lip.
I push her back gently until she's sitting on the floor, and I'm hovering over her. "Here? Really?"
"Yup," Quinn whispers, her eyes locked with mine, the new ring glinting on her finger. "I don't care where, Sam. I just want you."
Those words send heat flooding through me. I push the shirt up her thighs, exposing more of her skin inch by inch. When I reach her hips, she lifts up, helping me pull it over her head. Then she's naked beneath me on our kitchen floor, her body flushed pink and perfect.
"You're beautiful," I murmur, running my hands up her sides, feeling her shiver under my touch.
Quinn tugs at my shirt. "Too many clothes," she says, impatient fingers working at the buttons. I help her, shrugging it off my shoulders before she reaches for my belt.
Her hands are everywhere urgent, demanding. The cool tile presses against my knees as I lower myself over her. Our mouths meet again, hungrier this time, as if the ring on her finger has unlocked something new between us.
"I can't believe you're going to be my wife," I breathe against her neck, trailing kisses down to her collarbone.
"I can't believe you’re so bad at secrets.” She says as I move down her body, kissing every inch I can reach. But suddenly Quinn shifts beneath me, turning herself around. I feel her hands on my hips, urging me to move with her.
"Come here," she says, her voice husky with desire. "I want to taste you while you taste me."
