Two Wrongs Make a Right (30 page)

“Tired, I guess.”

“Well, we’re leaving so you can go to bed.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean…”

Sim talked over her. “I know. The girls need to get to bed, too.”

After the guests left, Quinn changed into her nightshirt while Dak slept on the couch. She shouldn’t wake him, but he’d be more comfortable in bed. She walked to the sofa and stood in front of him. He was sleeping so soundly, no need to disturb him. She could remove his loafers, lean him over on the cushion and cover him with a blanket. He’d be fine there.

No, that might wake him. She hesitated a moment to look at him. The only light in the room came from the tree, and the embers dying in the fireplace. In the soft glow, he appeared relaxed. His usual frown lines gone. She grabbed a throw from the end of the sofa and spread it over his lap, then turned to go.

He clasped her wrist.

Her heart stopped. “I’m sorry.”

“Come here.” He scooted to the edge of the cushion, and pulled her onto his lap. Then he tilted her chin up and took her mouth. Her heart kick started. She wanted to move, but couldn’t.

He broke the kiss and moved his mouth to her ear. “I want you so damn much.”

Her breath caught. “You do?”

“All the time.” He cupped her elbows and lifted her to stand before him, then ran his hands under her nightshirt and removed her panties.

She wished she’d worn prettier sleeping attire. The decal of a baby peeping from her stomach wasn’t exactly a turn-on, but he didn’t seem to mind.

He rose and faced her. “Unbutton me.”

She made short work of his instructions, then unzipped him.

He pulled his jeans down, along with his boxers and kicked them away.

He sat again and brought her on to his lap to straddle him, crushed his mouth on hers the same way he had in the parking lot of Rowdy’s.

“Do you want me?” The question came out husky and full of need.

“Yes.”

“Say it.”

“I want you.”

“Say it again.”

She took his face in her hands and trailed soft kissed across his cheek, then down to his mouth. “I want you. I want you,” she whispered and meant it. Desire spun through her like a Texas Dirt Devil, twisting her emotions tight.

He slipped inside her and the room spun, stopped, spun again. “I’m not hurting you, am I?”

“No. Don’t stop.” She gave, and he took. From their first time together, she’d been his. He kissed her. Feathered his fingers over her skin. Pulled her deeper. Possessed her. And she let him, because he was everything she’d ever wanted and he’d finally forgiven her.

She moaned pleasure, and he drove harder into her. A deep low rumble came from the back of his throat, as he came undone. His gasps matched hers. Then he leaned his head into her chest to catch his breath. “God, you smell so good.”

She ran her fingers through his hair and never wanted him to let her go.

He titled his head back and smiled up at her. “I’ve missed you in my bed. Sleep with me. Okay?”

“Yes.”

She didn’t understand what had changed, and didn’t care. All she knew was he wanted her, and that was good enough. Maybe it was the liquor, or he was horny and she was available, or he’d finally realized they could recapture what they had when they first met. Perhaps he’d decided the other woman couldn’t give him what Quinn could. A child. A family. Her heart swelled at the possibility.

He took her by the hand and led her to his bed—their bed. She crawled in next to him and he pulled her back against him and rested his hand on her belly. She’d never been happier. With that thought, she drifted into sleep, within his arms. Right where she belonged.

Quinn woke the next morning with a smile on her face. Last night, she’d felt the same connection to Dak as she had the night she’d conceived. For the first time since the ceremony, she was hopeful there’d be no divorce, and they’d raise their daughter together.

She slipped out of bed and went down the hall to shower and dress. Afterwards, she started coffee, poured herself a glass of milk and stepped out onto the back deck. Cold wind cut at her face, but despite the chill, she was warm all over.

Sunlight winked through the trees, and a big gray crane stared into the pond, then jabbed the surface with his beak, and swallowed his catch whole. She loved nature. This place. Her husband. Pulling the sweater tight, she went back inside. From her purse, she took the ring box, flipped it open, and slipped the band on her finger. She could wear it now because Dak had feelings for her. Maybe it wasn't love yet, but the proof was in his touch. His kisses. The words he said. She heard the shower come on, so she knew he was awake. Pulling out the griddle, she mixed a batch of pancakes.

~~*~~

Dak started the shower, and while he waited for the water to heat, he thought about last night. She’d surrendered to his advances without hesitation, and when she’d said she wanted him, he believed her. For the first time in months, he was happy. There was hope for them to have a real marriage. No more pretending. A family. That’s what he’d wanted. He realized now that’s what he’d always wanted—with her.

It was casual day at work, so he got a clean pair of jeans and sport shirt. His phone dinged, and he went to read his message, but there wasn’t one. Quinn’s cell lay next to his. He glanced down at it and his heart stopped.

Justin. He doesn’t suspect a thing. Can we meet @ 5?
Quickly he checked the call history. Fifteen calls to Justin. Dak dropped to the edge of the bed. He'd convinced himself his jealousy was uncalled for, but once again, he’d been a fool. He wondered how long it had been going on. Anger rose in his chest. Well, he wouldn’t stay late today, he’d be following his so-called friend. He finished his shower, dressed, and went into the kitchen, fury seething in his chest. He placed her cellphone on the counter.

Quinn turned to face him, smiling. “Good morning.”

He didn’t speak. Just stared, wondering how she could act so innocent. She walked to him and put her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Last night was one of the best nights of my life.”

He stepped away. “Really? Why is that?”

She drew her brows together. “Because we had a moment. Didn’t we?”

“I was drunk. We fucked. If you call that a moment, then yeah. I guess we had one.”

Air rushed from her lungs. Placing one hand on her belly, and the other on the counter, her nostrils flared as she struggled for a breath. “I guess I was wrong.”

“Guess so.”

For a second, he expected her to cry, but then she straightened, and glared at him. “I thought you’d forgiven me. Has this been your plan all along? To give me hope of a real marriage and then throw it in my face?”

He took the coffee pot and filled a cup. “Yeah, well, we don’t always get what we want, do we?”

“Stupid me. I convinced myself I had. I regret with all my heart what I did to you. But I understand now, no matter how many times I say I’m sorry, it'll never be enough.”

She picked up her phone, put it in her purse, and walked to the end of the counter. “As hard as I’ve tried, nothings better. Not my guilt. Not your anger.” Her voice cracked.

Dak walked toward her. “Crying won’t help.”

“Oh, I’m done crying. I’m done lying. And I’m done with you. So go find your little blonde bowl of frosting and knock yourself out.” She rushed to the front door and slammed it behind her.

~~*~~

Quinn hurried to the car, climbed in, cranked the engine, and escaped down the drive. She’d atoned all she could, and it’d made no difference. It was time to make things right. Something she should have done from the beginning, and she knew where to start.

Thirty minutes later, she parked in the drive at his parents’ house. She pulled her wits together, and marched to the front door, with the ring box in her hand.

Bitsy greeted her. “Quinn! What an unexpected surprise. Please come in.”

She fought tears. “I’m sorry, Bitsy.”

Her mother-in-law embraced her. “Oh honey, what’s wrong?”

She pushed away and looked at her. “I need to tell you something, and when I do, you’ll hate me.”

Dak froze, speechless. She’d never fought back before, but from the tone of her voice, she meant business. And what did frosting have to do with anything? Well, she might be finished with him, but he sure as hell wasn’t done with her. Not by a long shot. That baby was his and she wouldn’t keep him from her.

He rushed outside, but the tail-lights of the van disappeared down the drive. He could go after her, and do what? Make himself more of a fool? No. Later today, he’d get Sim to draw up divorce papers and joint custody. He’d be generous with child support. He didn’t want his daughter to suffer for the sins of her mother.

He tamped down the anger, and sadness replaced it. Maybe if he’d been less hateful, she could have forgotten Justin, and developed feelings for Dak. Last night, he would have bet his last dollar she had. The need in her voice. Desire in her touch. It was there. Wasn’t it? Or did he imagine it because he wanted it to be true?

His head reeled. He couldn’t think anymore. He finished dressing and drove to the office. Despite his mixed emotions, when he got there, he put on a happy face just as he’d been doing since his wedding. The blissful groom, married to the love of his life. What a crock. Or was it?

Watching her in the kitchen, the soft glow highlighting the delicate lines of her face, his pulse skipped. The same way it did every time he looked at her for more than a few seconds. Her sweater draped her rounded breasts and swaddled her stomach. He didn’t understand why a pregnant woman with a belly the size of a prize winning pumpkin could be so damn sexy. But she was.

Last night, he’d let desire get the best of him, and if he wanted to admit it or not, he’d loved having her in his arms. Hearing her say she wanted him. Feeling her surrender. Weaken from his kiss. Whimper with pleasure. He was such a fool for believing it.

He forced the thought away and plunged into work. As he finished a phone call, Justin appeared in his doorway. The sight of him made Dak’s skin crawl. Quinn’s history proved lying was second nature to her, but he’d worked with Justin for years. How could he betray their friendship?

His coworker laid a box on Dak’s desk. “This was supposed to be a surprise Christmas gift from your wife.”

Dak stared at the box, then back at Justin. “What?”

“Quinn. You know. That woman you married.”

Dak lifted the lid, picked up the knife and removed it from its sheath. “Damn. This is beautiful.”

“No shit. Buckeye Burl handle. Nickel-silver guard. High carbon steel blade. Man, she fixed you up. She’s been paranoid, texting like crazy, wanting to know if you suspected anything, and then this morning, told me to give it to you. What’s going on? Why the change of heart?”

“That’s why you texted her this morning?”

“Yeah. We planned to meet, so she could get it in time for your mom’s Christmas party, but her plans changed.”

A mixture of regret and fear knotted in Dak’s stomach. The message had been about the knife. God. What had he done? The sex had been real. She’d meant the things she said, and he’d ruined everything.

Megan leaned around the doorjamb. “Dak. Quinn’s been in an accident.”

His heart leapt into his throat. “Is she all right?”

“Raynie said it wasn’t serious, but they’ve taken Quinn to Seton’s.”

Dak grabbed his cell, and ran toward the door with Megan on his heels. His heart settled back into place but pounded so hard he thought his chest might rip apart. He flashed back to the conversation they’d had before she stormed out and the hateful things he’d said.
Oh God.

Twenty minutes later, he sprinted into the hospital lobby. The blue-haired volunteer sitting at the front desk looked up and smiled. “May I help you?”

“My wife. They brought her in as an emergency.”

She pointed to the right. “Emergency waiting area is down the hall and to the left.”

“Thank you.” He spun around, headed that direction, and found another older lady manning the desk there. “Quinn Savage.”

The woman punched in something on the computer and peered over the top of her glasses. “They’re taking her to a room. Once she’s settled, you can see her. Wait right over there.”

Dak turned, saw Raynie and rushed to her. “Is she okay?”

“She’s fine, but because she’s pregnant, they wanted to check her out.”

Dak slumped into the chair next to her and buried his face in his hands. “Thank, God. On the way over here…” His voice cracked.

She swiveled to face him. “Do you expect me to believe you’re concerned?”

“This isn’t the place for a lecture.”

She pursed her lips. “You may bully Quinn, but I’m not afraid of you. You need to get over it or get on with it, but stop holding her hostage.”

“Hostage? What do you mean?”

“She may not be physically bound, but emotionally, you’ve had her chained since the day you showed up at her apartment.”

He started to respond, but she waved him off, then folded her arms, and pinched her face into a hard line. “I know about your girlfriend, and so does Quinn.”

“I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“We saw you with her. Leaving your condo. Quinn may let it go because she feels like she deserves the shit you dish out, but I don’t.”

The fact Raynie chose this time to give him a thrashing, pissed him off. It wasn’t her business anyway, but before he could inform her of that, a tall thin man in blue scrubs strode into the waiting area.

“For Quinn Savage?”

Dak rose. “Yes.”

“Hi. I’m Dr. Schroeder.” He stuck out his hand and Dak accepted it. “Your wife and baby are fine, but I am concerned about her hypertension. It’s probably due to the trauma of the accident, but we need to monitor her overnight. Do you have questions?”

“I do,” Raynie said. “Could stress cause high blood pressure?”

“Yes. Has she been under a lot of stress?”

Raynie eyed Dak, then looked back at the doctor. “A first baby at her age is stressful.”

Dr. Schroeder nodded. “Well, I’ve contacted her OB, and she’ll be along in a while to check on her. Mrs. Savage is in room 313. Anything else?”