Irrefutable (The Apprehensive Duet Book 2) (38 page)

There’s only one solution I can think of and I know the thought has crossed Quinn’s mind. She has to have figured out if she feels this strong of a dislike for her home, there aren’t many options. “How about a new place?”

“I’ve been thinking about it all day, but I can’t get my mind past thinking that if I move, he still wins,” she sighs.

Ugh… she needs to get past this thought process she has when it comes to her father. I know it’s not going to happen overnight, but he’s been in jail for six months. She needs to stop making all her life decisions based on him.

“Angel, he’s in jail and you’re not. He won nothing in the whole battle. You have to stop living your life based on him or the things he’s done to you. Do what’s best for you and you alone.”

Reaching out, I grip Quinn’s shoulder, pull her to me and wrap her up. Her head lands on my chest and her hand fists my shirt. I rest my cheek on her head and breathe her in.

We’ve had a lot of these embraces lately. While I hate seeing Quinn in any kind of pain, I relish the moments like these. The ones where Quinn bares herself to me in the most important ways. The ones where all her walls are down and she lets me in.

Sometimes being with her feels like a dream. A dream I never want to wake up from. These small little moments are the ones I’d wanted in the past. Having them now just feels surreal.

The image of a life that begins and ends with Quinn pops into my mind. In a place that’s not hers and not mine. The words are out of my mouth the instant it all hits me.

“We could move into a new place together.”

Quinn’s body stiffens which in turn causes mine to do the same.

Shit, I shouldn’t have said that.

While I’m more honest with Quinn now than I would’ve been before, I don’t just blurt things out without trying to think about them first. While I stand behind my offer because I think it’s the best thing to do, I would’ve eased into the conversation instead of just coming right out with it and risked scaring the hell out of Quinn.

But I guess that’s not the case for her because just as quickly as her body stiffened, it relaxes and she turns her head up and asks, “You’d want to live with me?”

With the way she asks it, I know it’s not coming from a place of insecurity. More like curiosity, I think.

Grinning down at her, I explain, “Absolutely. I love you and I can’t think of anything better than coming home to our place. Not yours. Not mine. Ours.”

“You don’t think it’s too soon?”

“Says who?” I ask. “We’re not strangers, Quinn. Our relationship has been going on for close to five years, now. We already know that life sucks without the other and neither one of us has intentions of ever going back to that place. So who’s to say it’s too soon? Who’s not to say it’s long overdue? You’re it for me, angel. There’s no going back.”

Quinn’s eyes glass over and it looks like I’m looking into the Caribbean Sea. Tears gather in the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill over. Her soft voice floats out as she opens her perfect pink lips.

“I think it’s a great idea.”

Elation courses through my body. I was prepared to have to state my case for living together a little longer. Hearing the certainty in her voice as she says the words feels like hitting the fucking jackpot.

“God, I love you,” I beam down at her.

“I love you too,” she whispers nestling back down on my chest. Her body melts into mine as she gives me the world. I’ve heard the words from her mouth before but it doesn’t make it any less special. Quinn doesn’t throw around her ‘I love you’s;’ she saves them for times when they mean the most. I’ve only heard them a handful of times in the two months we’ve been back from Vegas, and I treasure each and every one of them.

“YOU SURE THIS is the one?” Alex asks while we stand in the living room of the seventh apartment we’ve looked at. We’ve been all over North Jersey this week looking at places for us to move into. The realtor called this morning to tell us that a new unit opened up in one of the building near Alex’s. We saw another unit here a few days ago, but it wasn’t available until July first. I didn’t want to wait another month to move. This place is available June first, which is perfect, because I don’t think I can spend more than another week or so in my place.

The place isn’t as high-end as my condo or in Hoboken but that’s what I like most about it. All the walls are white. A blank canvas to start over. We can make this place reflective of us and our lives together.

It’s two bedrooms. We previously decided that two bedrooms would be better so that we could turn one into an office. Working from home will be possible once we launch New Capital Ventures. Jordan and I won’t both need to be in the office all day every day. Having an office will be a necessity.

Our bedroom is just the right size and it has huge windows that overlook the Hudson. The view must be beautiful at night. And the huge Jacuzzi tub in the master bathroom looks to die for.

I’m in love with this place and all the possibilities that come with it. “Yes, I’m sure,” I finally reply. “I love it. What do you think?”

“Angel, I don’t care where we live,” he says walking up behind me. His arms wrap around my waist and his chin rests on the top of my head. “All I need is you.”

I’ve realized something over the last few months. I’m damn lucky to have a man who doesn’t hesitate to tell me how much he loves me, how much I mean to him, every single day. I’ve been around enough shitty relationships to see this isn’t always the case. Most women would kill to receive the attention I do from Alex.

“I love you,” I say giving him the words he loves to hear. I may not say them all the time, but when I do, they’re meant to have a big impact. I’m a firm believer those words lose their meaning when thrown around too much. But who knows, that could change. A year ago, I was convinced that true love wouldn’t ever exist for me.

“Every time those words slip past your lips, you make me the happiest man alive,” he beams, his lips making contact with my neck, and little goose bumps break out all over my body.

“Is Tiffany going to be staying at your place?” I ask trying to divert his attention since this is going nowhere at the moment, and I do not like to be teased.

When we decided to get a place together, Alex offered to let Tiff take over the rest of his lease.“Yeah,” he answers moving his lips down to my collar bone. “She and Candace are thinking about moving in together. So it’s easier for her to just finish the lease out and decide then.”

Just as Alex’s hand starts to wander, the realtor comes back from taking her call in the hallway. Her cheeks have a little blush to them when we turn to face her.

“So what do you think?”

My lips turn up into a smile that feels like it splits my face in two. “We love it.”

“Ah, perfect,” she smiles back. “Let’s head back to my office and we can draw up the lease and paperwork.”

WE’VE BEEN OFFICIALLY moved into our new apartment for one week. The painters finished up in the first two days after we received the keys. All the white walls were painted a vibrant color. Royal blue in the dining room, a seafoam green in the living room, and purple in the bedroom. All our new furniture was delivered the following day. I didn’t want any of the stuff from my old place, so Alex and I picked out new everything. I’m in love with our new home.

I’ve never been more excited for a party than I am today. We’re having the whole gang over tonight for a housewarming celebration, and I can’t wait to show off our home. I’ve never been more proud. Alex and I turned this place into a warm inviting home where we’re going to make new memories that are all our own.

“You need help with anything before all the food arrives, angel?” Alex asks as he finishes up in the bathroom.

How am I supposed to think about a thing when that towel hangs down just right, giving me the top of that delicious V? All I want to do now is pull that towel away and play with his cock.

“There’s no time for that, Quinn,” Alex chides before heading into the closet.

A pout forms on my lips as I call out after him, “Well, then you shouldn’t have been standing there all enticing if you weren’t going to give it up.”

He strolls back out, looking even more edible than when he went in and laughs as my eyes drag down his body. His jeans hug his thighs and I’ve never been more jealous of a pair of pants. He slides his arms into a button-up dress shirt and says, “I don’t think you’d want to have to stop mid-orgasm to answer the door for the caterers. They’re supposed to be here soon.”

An hour later, all the food is set up on the tile countertop in the kitchen and the doorbell buzzes.

“Hello, hello,” I hear Tiff call out as she makes her way inside.

“In the kitchen,” I call out as I check the temperature on the trays of food as the servers instructed me.

Tiffany makes her way to me with bottles of wine under one arm and a stack of presents tied with a pretty ribbon in the other. “I love what you’ve done with the place. The blue on the walls in there is fantastic.”

I’ve grown to like Tiffany over the last few months. She reminds me a lot of me. She’s gorgeous, funny, witty, and doesn’t have a problem speaking her mind. And she’s totally into women so I don’t have to worry about having a Melissa situation on my hands.

“Thanks,” I say leaning over to give her a kiss hello. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do the blue or the green I did in the living room. But something about that room screamed blue.”

The doorbell goes again and the flow of people keeps trickling in. The kitchen turns into the drop off point for bottles of wine and other libations and the presents I told everyone not to bring.

Tanner and Ashley are the last to arrive as usual. She’s a giant ball of baby as she makes her way into the kitchen, Tanner following behind her, my little munchkin in one arm and her bag of baby crap in the other.

“You look miserable, sweets,” I hug her and then spend a solid minute just rubbing her belly.

She sighs and agrees. “The last days are a killer. I feel huge and it’s getting hot. It sucks being this big when it’s hot. This baby only has few days before we evict.”

“Aww,” I sympathize. “Go sit down and relax. I’ll bring you a plate.”

“Food’s ready, everyone,” Alex calls out.

The next hour is spent eating and talking. Everyone filling each other in on our lives. Jordan told us things are getting pretty seriously with Agent Carter. She’s played her cards right because that boy has got it bad. This is what I wanted for him.

Tiffany and Candace didn’t have anything new going on, but Tiff did regale us with the story of the guy who came in the ED because he took a Viagra and couldn’t get his erection to go down. It had every guy at the table ready to cry as she told us how they had to drain the blood from his dick with a needle. I thought it was hilarious.

Diana seems to be doing extremely well and made sure Jordan and I know how proud she is that the new company would be launching in less than two months. She couldn’t wait for the big grand opening party. She was helping organize, of course, and I have to say she’s better than most event planners I’ve ever used. She could totally start her own company if she wanted.