Fireline Read online

  Did I lift the pain away? Not really. I was still pissed when I got home and showered, hoping the mood would change if I napped, texting Quinn in between blow drying my hair. He knew I was upset, but I didn’t want to get into it. I knew if I mentioned it he would call me, then he would go on about that restraining order. I didn’t want to hear it. I just wanted to sleep.

  Of course, I realized I needed to get dressed and go out; I needed a dress for the club opening. I looked to my watch, seeing that it was close to eleven thirty. I whipped out my cell phone, dialing Quinn’s number.

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘Am I going shopping alone or are we going together to get those dresses?’ I asked.

  ‘I can come and get you; I have about an hour,’ he said.

  ‘OK, I’ll be downstairs,’ I said.

  ‘All right, I’m on my way,’ he said, a jingle from keys sounding over the phone.

  I quickly got ready, grabbing a sweater and heading down to the foyer. Quinn arrived less than ten minutes later.

  ‘Everything OK?’ he asked, pulling away from the curb.

  ‘Yeah,’ I said, nodding. ‘Just Ryan. I saw him again at the gym.’

  ‘You OK?’ he asked.

  ‘Yeah,’ I said, looking out the window. ‘I’m thinking of taking a month off. Maybe use the weight room in the condo, have Dani over. Is that OK?’

  He nodded. ‘Yeah. You need any equipment?’

  ‘I think we’ll need ellipticals.’

  ‘I’ll have Jessy take care of it, have them delivered tomorrow,’ he said.

  ‘You’re not going to freak out because it was Ryan?’ I asked.

  He shook his head. ‘No, you’re able to handle yourself, so why would I need to freak out?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ I grumbled. ‘I’m in a bad mood.’

  ‘Shopping will make you feel better,’ he said. ‘Get your mind off of it.’

  ‘Yeah,’ I said. At least I didn’t feel nauseous. I hadn’t eaten since before the gym. I would need to fuel up again, grab something on the way home.

  I directed Quinn to a store on the cheap side, but I knew had clubbing dresses. We parked, going inside, his eyes lighting up when he saw all the cute, short dresses.

  I picked out a few, trying them on, deciding on a fitted bodycon dress. Quinn offered to buy the rest of them for me, but I declined, saying I only needed the one. We were only there for about fifteen minutes, heading out to the next store soon, which was to the only designer store I knew that had dresses I liked; Escada on Bloor Street.

  I picked out two; one for Mister Brody’s dinner on the weekend, and another for the wedding. I was pleased with my choices, Quinn pleased with the price tag.

  We were in and out since the two dresses caught my eye as soon as I walked in. I was given a bag with the dresses in it, putting it over my shoulder as Quinn took my free hand, starting on our way out.

  We were almost at the door when Ellie Peterson walked in. I groaned, looking to Quinn, who sighed.

  ‘Quinlan!’ Ellie squealed.

  ‘Ellie,’ he said, nodding.

  ‘Isn’t it a surprise finding you here,’ she said, ignoring me at his side. ‘I thought you would be at your office.’

  You probably went by and checked.

  ‘Yes, Stephanie needed a dress for Miranda’s wedding,’ he said.

  ‘Oh,’ she said, looking to me with disgust. ‘You’re going to be there.’

  ‘As are you, I take it,’ I said.

  ‘Of course, Andy and I have been friends since forever,’ she said. ‘She comes from a very highly esteemed family and is marrying into another.’

  I rolled my eyes, knowing it was a dig at my roots.

  ‘Anyway,’ Quinn said, ‘we have to be going. I need to get back to the office.’

  ‘Oh, all right,’ she said, faking a smile. ‘I’ll see you around.’

  You’re a stalker, of course we will!

  Quinn nodded, pulling on my hand and heading back to the car.

  ‘Great,’ I said. ‘We have to see her at the wedding.’

  ‘Yeah, sadly. Anita might be there as well.’

  ‘Oh, great,’ I said, holding my bag on my lap. ‘It’s going to be so much fun.’

  ‘I’m sure we’ll have a great time,’ he said, putting the key in the ignition. ‘You overthink these things. Everyone is happy at weddings.’

  ‘I’ve never been to one before,’ I said. ‘I don’t know what it’s like.’

  ‘Well, we’ll go to the church first, then head over to the club –’

  ‘The club?’ I exclaimed. ‘You have got to be kidding me! I hate it there.’

  He kept his eyes on the road. ‘You’re being ridiculous, it’s a few hours. We’ll say congratulations, give our gift, dance a little, then head home.’

  ‘We’re giving a gift? Like, together, from both of us?’

  He nodded. ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Oh,’ I said, pouting.

  ‘It’ll be fine,’ he said. ‘You’ll have a great time.’

  ‘I hope so,’ I said, taking a deep breath, not liking the thought of seeing Ellie and Anita. At least I didn’t have to see Jack.

  He dropped me off in front of the building, giving me a kiss before I ran inside. I put the dresses in the closet, falling into the bed and curling up, grabbing hold of Quinn’s pillow, which smelled like his cologne.

  I was just comfortable when my cell phone went off.

  ‘Not happening,’ I said, getting up from the bed and grabbing the phone off of the dresser. ‘Hello?’

  ‘Hey, sweetie,’ my father’s voice said.

  ‘Daddy,’ I said, smiling. ‘What’s wrong, why aren’t you at work?’

  ‘Oh, got sent home early when one of the machines broke and I couldn’t fix it. We need a new part, don’t have it on hand,’ he said.

  ‘Oh,’ I said, nodding. ‘So, you decided to call me?’

  ‘I just wanted to see how you are,’ he said.

  I was a little confused. ‘Well I’m OK, I suppose.’

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Ugh, just more drama. I have a busy two weeks coming up and I’m a little anxious thinking about it,’ I said, putting my hand to my forehead.

  ‘Your mom mentioned you being a little jittery in car rides these days,’ he said.

  ‘Yeah,’ I said. ‘I’ll get over it; I’m sure.’

  ‘You gonna come back to Whitby any time soon?’ he asked.

  ‘Like, for dinner or something?’

  ‘Yeah,’ he said.

  ‘Um, yeah, if you guys want us to. Maybe closer to the end of the month,’ I said. ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘I was just thinking about how your brothers were treating you. We didn’t really have much time to talk when you were here,’ he said. ‘You were quiet.’

  ‘Yeah, I wasn’t feeling very welcome,’ I said.

  ‘You are always welcome,’ he said.

  I smiled. ‘I know.’

  There was an awkward silence before he took a breath. ‘All right, sweetie; I’m going to let you get on with your busy day.’

  ‘OK, bye, Daddy,’ I said.

  ‘Bye-bye.’

  I hung up, putting the phone down on the dresser. I turned, going back to the bed, snuggling back into the pillow and falling asleep.

  Quinn’s den was the first in the row of rooms on the left in the hallway, a big room with white walls, the windows facing the doorway with blinds on them, which I had drawn.

  The entertainment centre was on the wall adjacent, stretching across the length of the wall, the TV in the centre of it, books on the top shelves. Big cabinets sat on either side, which housed Quinn’s DVDs, his collection quite extensive, though I never saw him watching any.

  The leather couch sat across from the entertainment centre, which I was sitting on when Quinn poked his head in.

  ‘There you are,’ he said.

  ‘Yeah, got bored and blocked,’ I said, pulling the black throw
over my legs. ‘You want to watch a movie with me?’

  He took off his suit jacket, tossing it on the armchair by the door. He walked to the couch, sitting next to me. ‘What are you watching?’

  ‘Jurassic Park,’ I said, pressing play.

  ‘Oh no, not again,’ he said, putting his hands on his face.

  I smiled. ‘It soothes me.’

  He grabbed the blanket, shuffling closer to me and getting under it. I pressed play on the remote. A few moments went by, Quinn leaning into me and kissing at my neck.

  I smiled. ‘That’s not watching a movie.’

  ‘You were serious?’ he asked.

  I looked to him. ‘I was, but you don’t seem to be.’

  ‘I had a long day,’ he said, putting his arm over me. ‘Is it wrong I want to let off some steam?’

  ‘And we haven’t had sex in here before,’ I said, trying my best not to smile.

  ‘So, shouldn’t that be on our list?’ he asked.

  ‘Ah yes, the list,’ I said, as he put his hand under the blanket.

  I felt him fiddle around until he put his hand up my shirt. He cupped my breast, kissing my cheek. ‘Ah, no bra. Someone else wanted it on the list, too.’

  I smirked, my nipple going hard as he traced his thumb over it. I gasped as he pinched it, leaning into me. I turned to him, his hand kneading my breast as he kissed me. I pulled his hand out of my shirt so I could straddle him.

  He cupped my ass, his eyes coming to mine as I began to grind into him. I took off my top and his hands instantly went to my breasts, fondling them once again. He stroked down to my waist, to the band of my yoga pants.

  ‘Wait, I need to stand to take them off,’ I said.

  I got off, the blanket falling to the floor as I pulled down my pants.

  ‘No panties, either. We definitely wanted it on the list.’

  I smiled, bending over deliberately, undoing his slacks. ‘We won’t need these.’ I pulled off his briefs. ‘Or these.’

  I looked to his crotch, seeing his erection already building. I got back on top of him, starting to undo his shirt, his breathing picking up as his excitement grew. I tossed his shirt with the rest of our clothes, leaning in and kissing him.

  His hand moved from my back down to my butt, then over my thigh, using his index and middle finger to stroke my sex. He rubbed my wetness around, rubbing my clit before he pushed his fingers inside. I moaned as I moved my hips with the movement of his fingers, my forehead falling against his.

  He rubbed my G-spot, his breathing picking up as he kissed me. I held his face as we made out, his fingers getting me closer and closer to coming.

  I pulled away. ‘Wait.’

  ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked breathlessly.

  I reached down, taking his rock hard cock, stroking it a few times before I put him to my entrance. I started thrusting, his hands going to my breasts as I went a little faster. I decided to try a new move, leaning back and holding his knees, his cock suddenly filling me and hitting the spot.

  ‘Oh, shit,’ he said.

  He put his hands on my hips, holding me as I gave little thrusts, tightening my muscles around him. He moaned loudly as I took my hand and started to touch myself.

  ‘Jesus,’ he said, his voice quivering.

  The pulses of pleasure moving through me made my legs start to shake.

  ‘Ah, I’m going to come,’ he said.

  ‘Just wait,’ I managed.

  ‘I can’t, I’m going to come,’ he said. ‘I can’t hold on.’

  He suddenly threw his head back, letting out a moan as his body convulsed. He waited until he went quiet.

  ‘Shit,’ he said, obviously pissed off.

  ‘It’s OK,’ I said, ‘It was a new position for us. I’m just glad I could bend that way.’

  He panted a little, shaking his head. ‘I should have held on.’

  ‘It’s OK,’ I said, kissing his forehead.

  ‘No, it’s not,’ he said, grabbing hold of me and twisting me onto the couch.

  ‘Whoa, what are you doing?’ I asked.

  ‘Your turn,’ he said, lowering his head to my sex and diving in, his tongue instantly attacking my clit.

  ‘Oh geez,’ I said, my hips raising to his furious licking.

  My hands reached up, gripping hold of the couch as his fingers entered me. The orgasm that was building earlier started to build once again, my moans getting louder as his fingers moved in and out of me quickly. I lost myself in it, suddenly coming, my body jolting before it rocked through me, causing me to almost scream.

  I waited until the pleasurable feelings ebbed away before I looked to him, swallowing hard.

  He kissed my stomach then up to my chest before he reached my lips. It was a brief touch before he lay on top of me, his head on my chest.

  ‘You are definitely not one to leave your woman unsatisfied,’ I said, running my hand through his curls.

  ‘Definitely not,’ he said, nuzzling into me.

  ‘Good thing we live alone or else we wouldn’t be able to lie here naked,’ I said.

  He laughed. ‘Yeah. It would be awkward.’

  I turned my head, seeing how far we were into the movie. ‘I guess I put that on for no reason.’

  ‘No, you put it on because you’ve seen it a thousand times and wanted to fuck.’

  I laughed. ‘I guess. You read my mind.’

  ‘And other body parts,’ he said.

  I laughed again, sighing as I looked to the TV, closing my eyes.

  Chapter Eleven

  I was never one for clubbing, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I got into my dress, which cut off at my knees, and paired it with little black pumps and a clutch. It was appropriate, right?

  Quinn wore all black, save for a tie. He drove, using the parking lot next to the white brick club. Bars covered the windows and the marquee on it said The Essence.

  ‘Sounds like a sex club,’ I said.

  Quinn smirked. ‘Donald likes to make a statement.’

  I looked back, feeling the pulse from the club, velvet rope keeping the crowd in a neat line.

  ‘Right,’ I said, taking his hand.

  We approached the bouncer, who was beside a guy in a grey suit with a clipboard.

  ‘Line starts at the back,’ he said.

  ‘We’re on the list,’ Quinn said.

  ‘Name?’

  ‘Robert Quinlan and guest,’ Quinn replied.

  The guy looked at the list on his clipboard. ‘You can go inside.’

  He unlatched the velvet rope. Quinn and I walked through the doors into a large foyer with benches, the parquet floor polished to a shine, a huge chandelier above us.

  ‘Whoa,’ I said. ‘Swanky.’

  A few people lingered around, a woman fixing her lipstick, a man on his cell phone. Quinn led me towards a set of stairs that led down into the actual club, which was dark with flashing lights, the music getting louder as we passed by the bar to our left.

  I looked out to the dance floor, which was packed with people, a row of booths circling it.

  ‘Donald will be over in one of the booths.’

  ‘Should we find him or should we find our own table?’ I asked over the music.

  ‘We’ll get a table,’ he said.

  He tugged on my hand, leading me to the nearest booth. The padded leather seat circled around the table, so I needed to shimmy myself in between to sit in the middle. Quinn sat beside me.

  ‘You want a drink?’ he asked.

  I shook my head. ‘No, I’m good. It’s really loud,’ I shouted.

  ‘I know,’ he said, squinting a little from the noise.

  ‘It reminds me of why I don’t do clubs,’ I said.

  He smirked. ‘Let me go find Donald, then we can get out of here.’

  He kissed me on the cheek before he got up.

  I watched after him, pouting my lips. He wasn’t gone more than two minutes when a random guy approached the table. He had drea
dlocks and glow sticks around his wrists and neck.

  ‘Hey, hottie, want to dance?’ he asked.

  I shook my head. ‘Not the dancing type.’

  ‘Oh, come on,’ he coaxed.

  ‘No, my boyfriend wouldn’t appreciate it,’ I said.

  ‘Boyfriend, no worries,’ he said, smiling before walking off.

  I sighed, thankful he had taken the hint so easily. My eyes scanned around when I saw a familiar face.

  ‘Oh crap,’ I said, looking away quickly from Ellie Peterson, who, sadly, had seen me.

  She walked over, gleaming in a white dress similar to my own, her hair in a ponytail. ‘I should have figured if Quinlan was going to be here, you would be too.’

  I looked up to her, trying to smile. ‘Hello, Ellie.’

  She sat down beside me. ‘You don’t belong here.’

  ‘Correction, you don’t belong here,’ I said. ‘Isn’t this sweaty mass of the lower class contaminating your designer dress?’

  ‘I was invited,’ she said. ‘Directly by Donny.’

  ‘I should have known you would call him something like “Donny”,’ I said, sighing, ‘Donny would know that Quinn would bring me, since he reserved a spot on the guest list for him. Who else would Quinn bring with him? I’m pretty sure Donald thought the same.’

  ‘He probably thought you’re just a whim,’ she snapped.

  ‘I’m still around, if you haven’t noticed, and it’s been five months. Hasn’t it got through to your little brain that I’m not going anywhere?’

  ‘Yet,’ she said.

  ‘God, is it going to be a year from now and you’re going to say the same thing? What about two years? What about when we’re married and it’s twenty-five years, will you say the same thing?’

  Her brow furrowed, hiding a laugh. ‘You really think he’s going to marry you?’

  ‘We’ve talked about it,’ I said, crossing my arms.

  Her smiled faded. ‘What?’

  ‘We’ve had a conversation about it,’ I said. ‘Why don’t you just give up?’

  ‘You can’t get married to him,’ she said.

  ‘Correction: you can’t get married to him. Admit it, Ellie. You lost. He’s mine.’

  I got up from the booth, not a particularly smooth exit, but I think she got the point. I looked to my right just as Quinn walked over with Donald in tow.

  ‘Quinn,’ I said, trying to smile.