Authors: Shannyn Schroeder
More Than This (15 page)
Quinn sucked in a sharp breath. Kate simply sipped her drink. “You helped Ryan create
it? Our waitress said the owner came up with it.”
it? Our waitress said the owner came up with it.”
Griffin nodded. The smiled eased across his face again. “You didn’t know, did you?”
“Know what?” Kate asked.
“This is Ryan’s bar.” He enjoyed telling her, like a gossip releasing a well-kept
secret.
secret.
Kate focused on Quinn. “I thought he owned O’Leary’s. You never mentioned him having
another bar.”
another bar.”
“He didn’t tell me. You were there when he handed me the flyer for karaoke night.
He said nothing about this being his bar.” Another big gulp of alcohol. The buzz felt
good, but it didn’t ease her anger.
He said nothing about this being his bar.” Another big gulp of alcohol. The buzz felt
good, but it didn’t ease her anger.
“Why are you pissed? He probably didn’t think it was important.” Griffin’s logic made
sense, even to her increasingly fuddled brain.
sense, even to her increasingly fuddled brain.
“I wouldn’t have come here if I knew he owned it.”
“Why not?”
She waved her hands in an attempt to gather her words. “Because he’s all over my .
. . stuff.”
. . stuff.”
Griffin leaned close. “How many drinks have you had?”
“Three?”
“You don’t drink often, do you?”
“Often enough.” The alcohol was hitting her system hard, but she didn’t care.
Griffin took a drink from his bottle of beer. “I thought you wanted his help with
your list.”
your list.”
Quinn shrank back into a slouch. “He told you about my list?”
“Was it supposed to be a secret?” He drained the bottle of beer and set it down.
“No, not a secret. But it’s personal. I don’t go around blabbing to everyone I meet.”
“He doesn’t either. I’m his friend. And he asked me to take you on a ride.”
The anger sizzled in the air between them. What right did Griffin have to be mad at
her? He had nothing to do with what was going on between her and Ryan. Kate sat on
the opposite side of the table, not commenting. She watched, like a shark spying its
prey. Quinn felt Kate’s visual dissection. “What?”
her? He had nothing to do with what was going on between her and Ryan. Kate sat on
the opposite side of the table, not commenting. She watched, like a shark spying its
prey. Quinn felt Kate’s visual dissection. “What?”
Kate raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t say a word.”
“You want to. Since when do you hold your tongue?”
“Since I was trying not to piss you off. I’m having a good evening and I don’t want
it to end on a bad note. Griffin is right. You shouldn’t be pissed. Ryan has gone
out of his way to help you with your list. In fact, he’s done more to help you accomplish
things than I have. Instead of brewing up an argument, you should be giving him a
huge kiss. Or more, if you’re so inclined.” Kate took another small sip of the drink
Griffin brought her and offered a smug smile over the rim of her glass.
it to end on a bad note. Griffin is right. You shouldn’t be pissed. Ryan has gone
out of his way to help you with your list. In fact, he’s done more to help you accomplish
things than I have. Instead of brewing up an argument, you should be giving him a
huge kiss. Or more, if you’re so inclined.” Kate took another small sip of the drink
Griffin brought her and offered a smug smile over the rim of her glass.
“Please tell me you’re single,” Griffin smoothly said.
Kate held up her left hand and wiggled her fingers. “Married.”
Griffin shook his head and his mouth formed an exaggerated frown. “All of the beautiful,
intelligent ones are these days.” He stood. “Another round?”
intelligent ones are these days.” He stood. “Another round?”
Her anger gone, Quinn reached for her purse. “Yes, but I’ll get this one.”
“No way. I got it. The entertainment is worth the price of a few drinks.”
Quinn watched him as far as she could without leaving her seat. What did he mean by
that? She fished a five-dollar bill out of her purse and waved Rachel over.
that? She fished a five-dollar bill out of her purse and waved Rachel over.
“Need another drink?”
“No, I wanted to give you a tip before I forgot. Do you guys have a food menu here?”
“Sure. I’ll go grab a couple and bring them by.”
“Thanks.” Quinn hoped having some food would absorb the alcohol streaming through
her system. Blue Smoke was certainly more potent than it appeared to be.
her system. Blue Smoke was certainly more potent than it appeared to be.
“Are you okay?” Kate wrapped her cool fingers around Quinn’s wrist.
“I’m feeling a little light-headed. I drank the last one too fast. I don’t think when
I get irritated.”
I get irritated.”
Rachel breezed by and deposited menus on the table. “Let me know when you’re ready.”
“Where’s Indy? She’s been gone a long time. She never stays upset this long.”
“I’ll go look for her. You don’t look steady enough to walk. Ryan might’ve taken her
outside for air. She looked pretty rattled.” Kate exited the side of the booth and
disappeared into the crowd.
outside for air. She looked pretty rattled.” Kate exited the side of the booth and
disappeared into the crowd.
Quinn felt odd sitting by herself in the large booth. She hoped no one would notice.
She wasn’t sure she could string together a coherent sentence at the moment. Griffin
slid in next to her. She must have dazed out because she didn’t notice him until he
was in the booth.
She wasn’t sure she could string together a coherent sentence at the moment. Griffin
slid in next to her. She must have dazed out because she didn’t notice him until he
was in the booth.
“Where’s Kate?” he asked, placing her drink and a glass of water in front of her.
“To look for Indy.” Quinn took a deep breath and attempted to steady her gaze. “Can
I ask you a favor?”
I ask you a favor?”
“I guess.”
“Will you order something for me off the menu? The alcohol is hitting me pretty hard,
and I don’t think I can focus enough to read.” She felt the rumble of his laughter.
She recalled the feel of her hands wrapped around him on the motorcycle. The memories
of the excitement flooded her. She slid closer to Griffin until his denim rubbed her
thigh.
and I don’t think I can focus enough to read.” She felt the rumble of his laughter.
She recalled the feel of her hands wrapped around him on the motorcycle. The memories
of the excitement flooded her. She slid closer to Griffin until his denim rubbed her
thigh.
“Anything specific you’re looking for?”
“Mmm. Whatever you think.” She propped her elbow on the table for stability.
Rachel returned and Quinn heard Griffin say something. She didn’t care what he ordered.
The sound of his deep voice cascaded over her.
The sound of his deep voice cascaded over her.
“Drink this.” He pushed the glass of water in front of her. “You’re not gonna puke,
are you?”
are you?”
“No. Why do you go to the bar to get drinks?”
“Because that’s where they come from.” He spoke like she was a dim-witted three-year-old.
She inhaled deeply and tried again. “I mean, why go to the bar instead of asking Rachel
to get the drinks?”
to get the drinks?”
“Because Rachel knows I’m Ryan’s friend and he told her not to take my money. I can
blend in at the busy bar.”
blend in at the busy bar.”
“Oh.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. She turned her attention to the
stage. The singer was a blur and her blood thundered in her head, preventing the music
from penetrating. She had no idea whether or not he was any good.
stage. The singer was a blur and her blood thundered in her head, preventing the music
from penetrating. She had no idea whether or not he was any good.
CHAPTER 9
R
yan pulled up short on his way to Quinn’s table. Griffin faced his direction, legs
stretched out, a beer in his right hand, and Quinn nestled against his left side,
with her head on his chest. He finished his journey to the table with his jaw clenched,
but then he saw Quinn wasn’t nuzzling Griffin. She was sleeping on him.
yan pulled up short on his way to Quinn’s table. Griffin faced his direction, legs
stretched out, a beer in his right hand, and Quinn nestled against his left side,
with her head on his chest. He finished his journey to the table with his jaw clenched,
but then he saw Quinn wasn’t nuzzling Griffin. She was sleeping on him.
“What the hell did you do to her?”
“She got herself drunk on Blue Smoke. Someone should’ve warned her.” He took a drink
of his beer. “I ordered food. She talked for a few minutes. The next thing I know,
she scooted closer and put her head down.” He shrugged, at least as much as he could
with only one free shoulder.
of his beer. “I ordered food. She talked for a few minutes. The next thing I know,
she scooted closer and put her head down.” He shrugged, at least as much as he could
with only one free shoulder.
Kate came around the other side of the table from behind Griffin. She looked at Ryan.
“Where’s Indy? I’ve looked all over.”
“Where’s Indy? I’ve looked all over.”
“She left. She was really upset. I took her outside for a few minutes. We came back
in, but when she saw Griffin, she mumbled something about work and asked me to bring
Quinn home.”
in, but when she saw Griffin, she mumbled something about work and asked me to bring
Quinn home.”
Kate came around the table and saw Quinn. Griffin smiled at her. “Your friend doesn’t
drink much.”
drink much.”
“No, she doesn’t.” Kate shook her head. “If it wouldn’t be too much of an imposition,
could I ask you guys to dump her into my car so I can get her home? It’s a long drive
for me to get her to her place and come back home.”
could I ask you guys to dump her into my car so I can get her home? It’s a long drive
for me to get her to her place and come back home.”
Griffin shifted, and Quinn wrapped an arm around his waist.
“I’ll take her home, Kate,” Ryan offered, trying not to be annoyed by Quinn’s hands
on Griffin.
on Griffin.
She considered it, but answered, “No, thanks. I can’t expect you to do that.”
“I live a lot closer to her than you do. I’ll take her to the office and let her sleep
a bit. She’ll feel better and I’ll take her home.”
a bit. She’ll feel better and I’ll take her home.”
Kate’s hand went to her hip and she cocked her head to the side. “No funny business?”
He couldn’t decide if she was serious. He’d only met her a few times. “Quinn is my
friend too. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
friend too. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
Just then, Quinn stirred and Griffin looked a bit uncomfortable. Ryan tilted his head
to tell Griff to get out of the booth. Griffin eased Quinn upright, and while her
eyes opened, Ryan took Griffin’s place. Kate resumed her position on the opposite
side.
to tell Griff to get out of the booth. Griffin eased Quinn upright, and while her
eyes opened, Ryan took Griffin’s place. Kate resumed her position on the opposite
side.
“Hey, Quinn.”
Her head swung toward him. “Hey. I ordered food, I think.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’m
mad at you.”
mad at you.”
He waved to Rachel to check on the food. “Why are you mad at me?”
Griff remained standing beside the table. “I’ll go check on the food.”
“You didn’t tell me you owned this bar.” She paused and pointed to her empty glass.
“With these fabulous drinks.”
“With these fabulous drinks.”
He slid her glass of water closer, hoping she’d take the hint. “That made you mad?”
“Yeah, but I can’t remember why. You’re such a good kisser. Your mouth is the best
I’ve had since . . . ever.”
I’ve had since . . . ever.”
Ryan looked at the unfocused glaze in her eyes and tried to ignore her words. If he
didn’t, he’d be hard again in a minute. He couldn’t forget the kisses they shared
and felt better knowing she couldn’t get past it either.
didn’t, he’d be hard again in a minute. He couldn’t forget the kisses they shared
and felt better knowing she couldn’t get past it either.
Her eyes widened. “Did I say that out loud?”
He leaned closer and whispered, “Yeah, I’ll make sure to remind you later.”
She turned and looked at Kate, who continued to nurse her own drink. “Where’s Indy?”
Ryan answered, “She left. She asked me to bring you home.”
“Figures.” She looked back at Kate. “She was really upset, wasn’t she?”
Kate patted Quinn’s arm. “Indy will be fine. She’s a big girl.”
“Why was she upset? She’s a really good singer.” Ryan wondered if he’d ever understand
women’s emotions.
women’s emotions.
Quinn turned back to him and closed her eyes for a moment. The back-and-forth motion
probably made the room spin.
probably made the room spin.
She took a breath. “She doesn’t mix her personal life with business. Griffin is definitely
business for her.”
business for her.”
He knew Griffin didn’t see it exactly the same, but withheld his comment. “So? Does
she think he’ll fire her for having a great voice?”
she think he’ll fire her for having a great voice?”
“Given the song she chose, it probably has something to do with her boyfriend.” She
finally picked up the glass of water and drained it.
finally picked up the glass of water and drained it.
Griffin returned to the table carrying Quinn’s food. He placed the plate in front
of her and sat next to Kate. Quinn giggled.
of her and sat next to Kate. Quinn giggled.
“Something funny?” Griffin asked.
Quinn chose a French fry and bit it. “You’re a computer geek by day, waiter by night?”
She chuckled alone.
She chuckled alone.
Ryan watched her bite into the cheeseburger with her eyes closed. Had she thought
to eat before going out tonight? As she swallowed the first bite, Rachel returned
with another glass of water. She shot Ryan an apologetic look. He shook his head.
to eat before going out tonight? As she swallowed the first bite, Rachel returned
with another glass of water. She shot Ryan an apologetic look. He shook his head.
“Why would he think less of Indy?”
Quinn took another bite of her burger and rolled her eyes. Like he was stupid for
not understanding. “It’s not that he heard her sing. She wouldn’t want him to read
too much into the song.”
not understanding. “It’s not that he heard her sing. She wouldn’t want him to read
too much into the song.”
Ryan absorbed the information and recalled the song.
She’s involved with a married man.
Quinn continued to attack her cheeseburger. Kate focused intently on the stage. Griffin
stared at him, his look revealing he, too, understood.
She’s involved with a married man.
Quinn continued to attack her cheeseburger. Kate focused intently on the stage. Griffin
stared at him, his look revealing he, too, understood.
Griffin shrugged and asked Kate, “Would you like to dance?”
She looked startled. “Seriously?”
Griffin stood and extended his hand to help her up. She beamed at Quinn. “I’ll be
back. Don’t disappear.”
back. Don’t disappear.”
Ryan studied Quinn’s face. “Feeling better?”
“Much. What the hell is in that drink? It was a total sneak attack.” She finished
her water and checked the dance floor.
her water and checked the dance floor.
Dan had chosen two singers with ballads to keep couples on the dance floor. Ryan’s
eyes found Griffin. He appeared to be having a good time with Kate. They were in deep
conversation.
eyes found Griffin. He appeared to be having a good time with Kate. They were in deep
conversation.
Ryan leaned closer to Quinn. “Sorry. I can’t tell you the recipe. It’s a highly guarded
secret.”
secret.”
“I need to know so I can avoid whatever’s in it. I went from feeling pleasantly buzzed
to having numb lips in a snap.”
to having numb lips in a snap.”
He watched her form the words. “Numb?”
“That’s how I know I’m drunk. My lips go numb.”
“So you can’t feel this.” He touched his lips to hers gently. He found her soft and
unguarded.
unguarded.
She pulled back. “I feel that just fine. The food adequately absorbed alcohol and
feeling has been restored.” She touched his cheek. “Thanks for testing, though.”
feeling has been restored.” She touched his cheek. “Thanks for testing, though.”
Griffin and Kate came back.
“Have a nice dance?”
Kate laughed. “It was interesting.”
“I’m ready to go whenever you are,” Quinn told Kate.
Kate looked startled again. “Oh, okay. Let’s go.”
Ryan touched her arm. “I’ll take you home, Quinn. It doesn’t make sense for Kate to
drive all the way into the city and back again when I live so close to you.”
drive all the way into the city and back again when I live so close to you.”
Griffin stood with his hands in his pockets, grinning. “Kate, can I get you another
drink?”
drink?”
She smiled. “A Diet Coke. I have to drive home, and I don’t want to end up like Quinn.”
Griff went back to the bar after nodding good-bye to Ryan.
Quinn inched out of the booth. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Kate laughed. “I’m a married woman. I’m having a pop and great adult conversation.”
Quinn winked. “But this conversation comes in a pretty hot package. And with a motorcycle.
Control yourself.” She stood next to the table.
Control yourself.” She stood next to the table.
Ryan had stepped back to make room for Quinn. He’d intended to make a comment, but
he suddenly got an eyeful of leg and a curvy body in a tight dress. He was beginning
to regret not having a chance to take Quinn to the dance floor.
he suddenly got an eyeful of leg and a curvy body in a tight dress. He was beginning
to regret not having a chance to take Quinn to the dance floor.
He looked up to find Kate watching him checking out Quinn.
“You too,” Kate replied. The self-control comment seemed aimed at both of them.
Quinn picked up her purse, opened it, and fumbled with its contents. “I think I owe
Griffin money. I know he bought me a drink and I’m sure I didn’t pay for my food.”
Griffin money. I know he bought me a drink and I’m sure I didn’t pay for my food.”
Ryan put his hand on Quinn’s. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want him to think I’m some sponge who can’t pay.” She closed
her purse.
her purse.
An image of Colin flashed in his head. “It’s fine.” He nodded good-bye to Kate and
put his hand on Quinn’s back to guide her through the crowd. It took great restraint
to keep his hand from drifting downward.
put his hand on Quinn’s back to guide her through the crowd. It took great restraint
to keep his hand from drifting downward.
Quinn lifted her head and her eyes swept the crowd.
“Looking for someone?” Ryan said near her ear. Her perfume wafted up and he leaned
in closer.
in closer.
“I wanted to thank Griffin for the drink, and food, and letting me lay on him.”
Ryan straightened at the reminder of seeing Quinn snuggled into Griffin. “Trust me,
it was no hardship for him.”
it was no hardship for him.”
They pushed their way out into the quiet suburban street. Quinn looked up at the sky
briefly and closed her eyes. Ryan stepped closer, waiting for her to fall over.
briefly and closed her eyes. Ryan stepped closer, waiting for her to fall over.
Her eyes flicked open and she nudged him with her purse. Pointing up, she said, “Make
a wish.”
a wish.”
Ryan couldn’t stop the smile. Steadfast, practical Quinn wished on stars? Instead
of looking up, he took her hand. “I don’t need to wish for anything.” Being alone
with her was enough for his night.
of looking up, he took her hand. “I don’t need to wish for anything.” Being alone
with her was enough for his night.
He led her to his car. The night was warm and still. No wind, only the low hum of
cars sporadically interrupted the music of the night.
cars sporadically interrupted the music of the night.
Ryan opened the door and turned back in time to catch her tugging at the hem of her
dress. She eyed the SUV, obviously distraught with having to climb up in her short
dress.
dress. She eyed the SUV, obviously distraught with having to climb up in her short
dress.
“Here.” He maneuvered Quinn so her back was to the front seat. “Duck your head a little.”
He boosted her up so her butt slid into the passenger seat.
He boosted her up so her butt slid into the passenger seat.
She swiveled and brought her legs in front of her. “Thank you.” Her relief was as
plain as the distress had been moments earlier.
plain as the distress had been moments earlier.
Ryan started the car and the radio turned on. He lowered the volume of the country
station before leaving the parking lot. He enjoyed all types of music, but on the
way to the bar, he’d listened to country, which fed his melancholy mood. Seeing Indy
belt out the song onstage with tears sliding down her cheeks amplified his feeling.
He’d missed seeing Quinn.
station before leaving the parking lot. He enjoyed all types of music, but on the
way to the bar, he’d listened to country, which fed his melancholy mood. Seeing Indy
belt out the song onstage with tears sliding down her cheeks amplified his feeling.
He’d missed seeing Quinn.
He hadn’t realized how much until they were together. He’d been so busy dealing with
Colin and his family, he hadn’t had time to focus on Quinn.
Colin and his family, he hadn’t had time to focus on Quinn.
He’d hoped lowering the volume would encourage conversation. Quinn rested an elbow
on the door frame and stared at the buildings flying by. They hadn’t spoken in days.
Had her interest faded already?
on the door frame and stared at the buildings flying by. They hadn’t spoken in days.
Had her interest faded already?
“You can change the station if you want.”
Quinn turned to him, looking blank. “This is fine.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just tired and still buzzing.”
He didn’t believe her, but she obviously didn’t want to talk. They sat in brooding
silence as they hit the express lanes on the Kennedy expressway leading them back
into the city.
silence as they hit the express lanes on the Kennedy expressway leading them back
into the city.
It took less than thirty minutes. Ryan pulled down Quinn’s street and into her lot.
She had the door open before he came around. She slid off the seat with her left hand
stretching her dress down.
stretching her dress down.
“I’m okay. You can go home. I’m sorry I pulled you away from bar business to drive
my drunk ass home. Again.”
my drunk ass home. Again.”
“I’d be happy to drive your ass wherever, whenever. I came to see you tonight, not
to work.”
to work.”
Quinn’s mouth dropped open.
He grabbed her hand, pulled her away from the car, and shut the door. “I’ll walk you
up.”
up.”
She linked her fingers through his, but said nothing. Inside, Ryan immediately walked
toward the stairwell.
toward the stairwell.
Quinn tugged him back to the elevator. “I’m still buzzed. Unless you have a cape and
plan to fly me up those stairs, it’s the elevator.”
plan to fly me up those stairs, it’s the elevator.”
He leaned forward and pressed the button. “What have you been up to? We haven’t talked
in days.”
in days.”
She shrugged. “Failing at completing my list. I gave up on posing nude for an art
class and settled on hiring a photographer.”
class and settled on hiring a photographer.”
“And?” he prompted. The elevator doors swooshed open and they stepped in.
“I found one. I met him and he has an amazing portfolio of portraits.”
“I hope he’s gay,” Ryan mumbled.
“What?” The elevator lurched to a stop at the third floor.
“Nothing.”
“Uh-oh.” Quinn pressed the button for her floor again. She pressed the Door Open button.
“Don’t tell me we’re stuck.”
She laughed. “Okay, I won’t say it.”
Ryan moved to the panel of buttons. “I knew this thing was a death trap.”
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