CHAPTER SEVEN
April stared at the interior of the jet as she stepped on board. Nothing was familiar. Nothing.
Usually when stepping onboard a flight, she could find whatever she needed on any jet or small plane. She was trained to find her way in a hurry. Most weren’t that dissimilar. But this jet, this was like something out of a futuristic movie but with added luxury and decadence.
“Let’s get seated,” said Margo. “I’m sure Evie will let you go up to the cockpit later if you like.”
“I’d like that very much,” smiled April. “Margo? Thank you for being so kind to me and for raising such amazing sons. Especially Quinn.”
“He is special, isn’t he?” she smiled. “Of course, I think all my boys are special but then again, I’m their mom. With River and Priscilla just getting married, we’re realizing how fast the boys have grown into men.”
“Are you sad by that?” she asked.
“Not sad. Nostalgic maybe. I’m so incredibly proud of them and what they’ve chosen to do with their lives, and so far, who they’ve chosen to spend those lives with.
“But as they get older you see them do or say things and it reminds you of something they did as boys. Only now it’s from a giant-sized package.” The women laughed as April took her seat and Margo moved down the row to sit with Patrick.
“Can I take this seat?” smiled Quinn. April smiled up at him, nodding.
“I’d like that. Thank you again, Quinn, for everything. Not just the rescue on the beach but the comforting me in the backyard and listening to me. All of it. I don’t know what’s happening here or what will happen going forward but I’m glad you were there when I needed you.”
“I’m glad too,” he nodded. “I’m happy to be there whenever you need me.” She smiled at him and cocked her head.
“If you’re flirting with me, and I think you are, Pensacola is a long way from where you live. I think. Where do you live?”
“Louisiana,” he smiled. “And yes, I’m flirting with you although that seems a bit juvenile. In my own awkward way, I guess I’m declaring my sincere interest. And Louisiana is not so far from Pensacola.”
“Oh. Well, then maybe we’re not so far apart after all.”
“Or, maybe you could come and work with us,” he said casually.
His father, brothers, Adam, and Major all turned with a grin. They knew it was coming. They always knew it.
“Work for you? But what would I do? I’m a flight attendant and from what I can see, you don’t need me on your private jets.”
“I-I’m not sure. I’m sure there’s a lot you could do.
You could help on flights, your international studies could be helpful, we have a medical facility, legal facility, research and development, there’s a lot.
” April realized that Quinn was nervous and something about that made her feel even more secure.
“Wh-where would I stay?” she whispered. “I mean, where will I stay when we get there?”
Quinn stood, taking her hand and pulling her to the back of the plane for some privacy. He pulled the curtain closed so no one could see them.
“I think we’re about to take off,” she said calmly.
“Doesn’t matter on this plane. April, I don’t know how this happens, hell it’s happened to everyone in my family but when I saw that guy hurting you, I just knew I was supposed to be there. And not just to rescue you.
“Your eyes, that hair, and fuck me, your body drives me crazy. I want to spend time with you. I want you to spend time with me and my family, they’re very important to me. I want us to get to know one another.”
“Quinn, we haven’t even known one another twenty-four hours,” she said staring up at him. “You’re very tall by the way.”
Quinn lifted her, setting her on the counter in the galley.
“Better?”
“Much,” she giggled. “We hardly know one another.”
“Do you feel anything when you look at me, when you’re around me? Anything at all?”
“Are you kidding me? You and your brothers look like you’ve stepped off a poster for SEAL teams. No, that’s not right. Off a poster for a movie about sexy hero SEALs.”
“Me and my brothers?” he asked with a brow lift.
“You’re identical, Quinn. Almost,” she said grinning back. “I can see the difference and I’m not even sure how I can. I don’t confuse you with River or Finnegan. I confuse the two of them, but not you. I like you too, Quinn. You’re handsome, brave, and sexy and you scare the hell out of me.”
“Scare you? What am I doing? I’ll stop.” April laughed.
“I don’t think you can stop being you, Quinn. You scare me because of all the things I just listed. I’m not a woman who has had a lot of partners, Quinn. In fact, I’m twenty-seven, almost twenty-eight, and I can count them on one hand.”
“Good to know,” he said pushing the hair back from her face. “I know you won’t believe it but I’ve had less than ten in my life and I’m a few years older than you.” He kissed the tip of her nose and she let out a long sigh.
“I’m still confused,” she whispered.
“Don’t be confused about us. Be confused about everything else but not us. You asked where you would be staying when we get to Louisiana. I have a guest room. You can sleep there or with me in the master suite. I don’t give a damn as long as you’re within reach.”
“What about all this mess? What about whatever all this is?” she asked gripping his shirt.
“We’ll figure that out, after I make love to you,” he smiled.
“So sure of yourself,” grinned April.
“No. Sure of us, April. As I said, it’s a family trait.” Quinn pressed his lip against hers, tasting her, touching her as his hands slid up her sides. When his big thumbs rubbed the side of her breast, he groaned so loudly he was sure everyone on the plane could hear him.
To his surprise, April wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer. She widened her legs, the sundress hiking up her thighs. He immediately lowered his hands to her thighs, pushing the dress higher. April gripped his hands, slowing his motion and he nodded.
“Sorry. I was getting carried away there,” he said resting his forehead against hers.
“I think we both were,” she said blushing, still gripping his hands.
“I don’t understand any of this, Quinn, but I know what I’m feeling.
That, and the fact that my grandfather trusted all of you, tells me I’m where I need to be.
” He smiled down at her, lifting her from the counter and straightening her dress.
“Damn right.”