Page 67 of What Happens In Vegas
‘Out?’ She wasn’t quite sure what he was referring to.
He nodded. ‘Yes. I’m out. Off the circuit. I decided to take the job with BryantEnterprises. I’ll have to do a little traveling, visit the main headquarters from time to time, but I can basically call work from anywhere. And you won’t ever have to worry about expenses for your dad or moving to Virginia. We will never have any money issues.’
Bonni clutched his wrists and tried to shake her head. ‘Quinn, no, you can’t. You don’t have to do this, not for me.’
His fingers strokedher temples. ‘Darling, I’m not doing it just for you. I’m doing it for my brother, who needs me around to help him get the stick out of his ass and to help with the family. I’m doing it for myself. I’ve been running from my father’s expectations for so long, I never stopped to demand more from myself. I’ve proven I can be a success away from my family and now it’s time to see what else I cando. And I’m doing it for us. Because I want to wake up with you every morning and go to sleep with you every night. I want to be there when you go see your father and I want to pick you up from the bar when your friends come to visit and I want be the person who stays by your side, no matter what. I love you, Bonni.’
It was the most romantic thing Bonni had ever heard. It felt like a dream cometrue. Tears sprang to her eyes. ‘Quinn, oh, wow. I’m . . . I don’t know what to say.’
‘There’snothing to say, except yes. Yes, we’ll give it a try and yes, you’ll come with me, wherever, for the next two weeks.’
‘Yes, yes! I love you too!’ Bonni threw her arms around his neck, nearly causing the two of them to topple over. He pulled her up into a huge bear hug, rocking them a little from sideto side.
‘You have made me the happiest man.’ He whispered the words into her ear, sending a flurry of shivers over her skin.
She looked up at him and wasn’t the least bit ashamed when the tears started trickling down her face.
‘Oh, come now, there’s no need for tears.’ Quinn leaned forward and, with his free hand, swept his thumb under her eyes.
Suddenly, Bonni registered the sound of applauseand realized the other diners had mistaken Quinn’s offer to change his life for her as a proposal. Bonni did what she could to compose herself, but the raw emotion he made her feel was overwhelming. He’d ripped her open, and bared her inner soul, but in a way that made her realize just how closed off she’d kept herself. How was that living?
‘I don’t remember the last time I’ve been this overcome.’She turned her face away.
‘Don’t look away from me.’ Quinn put his fingers under her chin and gently turned her back to him.
‘Oh,’ she said, and sniffed. ‘I’m not turning away from you, Quinn, I just don’t want anybody else to see me cry.’
‘The only ones here that matter are me and you.’
That was when the waiter came over with a complimentary bottle of champagne and the best wishes of themanagement. They had mistaken her celebration as acceptance of Quinn’s wedding proposal. The waiter discreetly slipped her an extranapkin then vanished as quickly as he’d come. Looking at the champagne, she had to laugh, because it really had been that kind of trip.
Quinn kissed her forehead then helped her sit back in her chair. Suddenly hungry, they both devoured their appetizers and thentheir entrees. They decided against dessert, feeling the need to bask a little longer in the glow of their romance.
He stood and held out his hand for her, and didn’t let it go as they rode down in the elevator. Strolling down the Strip, Quinn pointed out little things that he thought she might find interesting. They stopped at the Hershey store and she bought Quinn a small bag of Hershey’s caramelkisses for their next breakfast in bed. Not to be outdone, he popped into the Walgreens and came out with several king-sized bags of Skittles. Those, he informed her, would be for dessert. And he wasn’t going to need a plate.
She shivered at the heat in his gaze and they decided it was time to head back to pick up the limo.
‘A crowd’s gathering at the fountains. It must be show time.’ Bonnidragged Quinn over to a small, empty spot next to the railing.
‘Have you seen them before?’ He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Bonni snuggled back into him and leaned against his chest. She rested her hands on his forearms.
‘When we were here years ago, I think we stopped to watch them, or were walking by. But I barely remember.’
‘Oh?’ he said, leaning down to nip ather neck.
Bonni tilted her head back so she could look at him. He gazed down at her with a mischievous grin. This was the Quinn she had fallen for. She said, in a very serious voice, ‘Honestly,I’m having a hard time remembering my life before you were in it.’
Quinn’s blue eyes went molten and she reached up to pull his head down for a kiss. When their lips met, and his tongue sought hers, shemelted into him. Thank God he held her, because the passion he poured into their kiss compounded the emotion that was rioting through her body and made her knees tremble. One hand was behind his head and the other clutching his arm. But she needn’t have worried, as he held her with a strength that made her able to forget her natural instinct to be in control.
He lifted away from her, leavingher gasping for air and every nerve alight with a fire only he was able to stoke so wildly. He didn’t have a poker face now. She could read him; it was like he’d opened himself and let his emotions tumble out.
He drew in a breath. ‘Woman, I don’t know what I will do with you.’
‘I was thinking the same thing.’
Quinn cleared his throat. ‘And you’re lucky we’re in public right now.’
Feeling sassy,she replied, ‘If I wasn’t a cop, I don’t know if being in public would be a deterrent.’
