Page 68 of His Forgotten Colton Fiancee
Rex nosed around the living room and jumped onto the sofa between them, wagging his tail.
“Off,” Quinn ordered.
West shrugged. “My friend won’t mind.”
“I wasn’t talking about the dog. I meant you, West.”
For a moment, she feared he’d take her seriously.And then he laughed, a deep sound that rumbled out of his chest. It sounded sexy and earthy and all natural.
“Did I used to make you do that before? Laugh?” she asked.
West studied her. “All the time. It’s one of your charms.”
His voice deepened. “It’s why I fell in love with you, Quinn Colton. You make me laugh when there’s too much damn sadness and suffering in my world.”
Fora long moment, he said nothing, only studied her with such intensity, her breath hitched. Quinn stared at the sensual curve of his lower lip, wondering what it felt like to kiss him. Do more than kiss him...
West Brand had strong, masculine features, a face that could crinkle with laughter one moment, and go dead serious the next. Penetrating dark eyes that seemed to sear through to her soul.He looked like the kind of man who would pull no stops to protect those under his care, a man who could be thoughtful and gentle with the woman he loved, but ruthless with those he deemed a threat to both family and country.
Perhaps it sounded old-fashioned, but she liked the idea of a man caring for her, a man who respected her and treated her with courtesy as an equal out of bed, but wasn’tafraid to be dominant in it.
Quinn licked her mouth, feeling a flush heat her body.
Arousal rushed through her. Maybe she had no sense of the past, but the present looked like a mighty fine place to start something.
He drew in a shuddering breath. “Rex needs exercise after that long walk. Let’s go into town for groceries, and then come back and hike before it gets dark.”
* * *
This could be much tougher than he’d ever anticipated. Alone with Quinn in a cabin, no brothers to drop by, no business partner to dash upstairs and ask about catering orders.
No interruptions.
Nothing but privacy.
Every bone in his body ached to kiss her senseless, hold her tight and make love to her.
They drove back to town and bought groceries and provisions. After the truckwas loaded, Quinn saw an arts and crafts shop. While she went inside, he ducked into a drugstore and bought a box of condoms. No way would he push her into sex, but if she was ready, he’d be ready, too.
Maybe a long, slow bout of lovemaking would trigger memories of him.
Back at the cabin, they put away the groceries. West fetched the gift he’d purchased for her before leaving Red Ridge.
Quinn studied it. “What is it?”
“You don’t like guns. You never did want to learn to fire one, so I bought you a Taser.”
They went outside.
“Next time someone attacks you, use this and it will give you time to get away.” He showed her how to trigger the switch and then gave her the belt and holster he’d also purchased. “Especially when you’re alone in the store, Quinn. You’re toovulnerable there.”
West watched her practice removing it from the holster for the next few minutes. Quinn handled the Taser well. She turned it over in her hands.
“You’re really protective, Agent Brand.”
West flashed a brief smile. He touched her cheek, longing to kiss her again. “Always.”
They went for a walk on the path snaking through the woods. A few minutes later, they setout on a narrow trail cutting through the woods, up the mountain. Rex bounded ahead of them, sniffing out the rabbits and squirrels hiding in the undergrowth.
