CHAPTER EIGHT
NOAH
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I could see the memories running through Quinn’s mind.
I’d done it on purpose. I wanted her to remember that night she undressed in front of me and how she curled into me on the sofa like a kitten.
I fought not to hold her in my arms the way I wanted and failed.
The little sleep noises she made had my cock jolting, but I stayed put.
But when I carried her to bed and placed her under the covers, I decided to remove her dressing gown. Listen, I played it out in my head and figured that if she was deep asleep and twisted and turned, she might choke herself with the belt.
It seemed likely...
I undid it, slid the plush gown from her body and then cursed when I found her pale blue nightie had bunched up.
Around her waist.
My cock stood to attention as I wiped a hand over my face, staring at her bare ass. Not just her ass. One leg was bent, revealing some of her pussy.
A good man would’ve tugged her clothing down or covered her with a sheet. I am not a good man.
With my mouth salivating, I ran my tongue over my bottom lip and stood there as my cock throbbed. I did the math on what would happen if I reached out and slid my fat finger through her folds.
She’d be wet.
I’d make fucking sure of it.
Would she like it if I rubbed her clit? Would she wake enough so I could lift her up onto her knees and thrust inside her wet channel? Would it make her come hard when I told her what a gorgeous pussy she had?
No.
Yes.
Maybe.
My hand slid inside my pants, and I gripped my cock as the need to stroke myself became impossible to ignore. I told myself it was wrong. Even as Quinn moaned and stretched further, opening her pussy like an invitation.
With my pants half open, my hand stroking my cock and my eyes glued to her glorious cunt, I fought with my conscience.
I wouldn’t touch her.
I knew we both wanted this and she would crumble under my touch, craving what I could give her, but I didn’t touch her.
I leaned a hand on the headboard and silently jerked off, imagining I was inside the tight walls of her pussy. As I came, I pictured my seed covering her entrance, and a low growl escaped my lips.
Quinn rolled onto her back, and I stepped back suddenly, my hand covered in cum. Ripping some tissues from her bedside, I swore inside my head as I took in her well-cropped pussy.
Fucking hell.
Finally, I did what I should have done at the start. I covered her and left.
So no, our memories of that night are not completely the same.
Though I wish it had gone differently. I wish she’d woken up, seen my thick member in my fist and sat up, begging to take it into her mouth.
I wish I’d spent the next few hours fucking her sweet body and made her choose me again and again.
Instead, the next day changed the course of our lives, and here we sit having dinner with the Black Hawke team.
The dinner conversation is buoyant. Aidan and Ryder have joined, along with Marshall, Cole, and Jake.
Over a dozen GIs have arrived, and the rest will trickle in later tonight and early tomorrow morning. Training kicks off at midday, and I’m looking forward to being a part of this inaugural BHS moment.
Quinn tries to ignore me as much as she can, which amuses me. Marlene is a chatterbox, and she and Aidan talk about their kids and how managing a military career is only possible because of her supportive husband.
“Twins. How wonderful.” She smiles down at the photo on his phone.
“When they sleep,” Aidan groans, but he’s proud as punch of them. I know he is. Every day he tells us about all the new and mischievous things they got up to. The tough Marine has been brought to his knees by two tiny people.
I study Quinn.
Does she want children?
I don’t yet know what a future would look like with her. I know what I want it to look like, but the truth is, she’s never shared her dreams with me.
We’ve known each other for years, but our moments together were stolen, brief and unplanned. There were no dates where I could ask about her favorite color or movie, or what foods she might be allergic to. The places she’d love to visit.
I don’t know any of those things.
Everything I’ve gleaned has been overheard as if the knowledge doesn’t belong to me.
Quinn’s eyes drift to mine and then away as she wipes her mouth and drops the napkin on her lap.
“How’s it going down here?” Josh says, laying a hand on the back of my chair.
“I was just catching up with my old XO.” I lean back and indicate Quinn. “Good soldier here. She’s earned her stripes.”
A blush hits her cheeks.
“That right?” Josh tilts his head. “Might have to take a look at your records. Eager to increase the number of women at BHS.”
“I’m happy serving, but thank you, sir,” Quinn says with a smile.
“Josh. We don’t use titles at BHS.” He glances over at me, then back at Quinn. “If you change your mind, let Noah know.”
“Oh, we’re not—”
“She will,” I interrupt, pushing my chair back, because I can see Quinn is getting ready to bolt.
Flight or fight.
She might be combat-ready on the field, but when it comes to life and emotions, this woman is a damn eagle.
“Shall I walk you out?” I ask loudly so she has no way of declining.
“Bedtime,” Marlene announces.
I grind my teeth while Quinn smirks, knowing my plan has been interrupted.
“Sure, you can escort both of us trained soldiers to our rooms if it would make you feel better.”
The little ratbag.
Josh chuckles as he pats my shoulder and wanders off.
“It would. On your feet, young lady.” I smirk right back, because what she doesn’t realize is that I’m not giving up this time. The world can throw in an earthquake, pandemic, nuclear war or whatever it wants.
She is mine.
And one way or another, I am going to have her.
Not for a night. Not to scratch an itch.
I am in love with Quinn Parker and have been since the very beginning.
I just need to get inside her pretty little mind and demonstrate that she’s already proven herself to the world.
That being with me now won’t take from what she’s achieved.
I’m aware that’s the monstrous mountain between us. She’s told me. She told me the day I drove away after she broke my fucking heart.
“I ate too much,” Marlene says, patting her tummy. “Please don’t start us off with a ten-mile run tomorrow.”
Quinn rises to her feet and grabs her phone and room key. Aidan and Marlene keep talking as they walk ahead of us.
“Tell me about the swaddling...”
“How’s your room?” I ask, grabbing the door from Aidan and holding it open for Quinn.
She turns when we are in a private spot. “Noah, please don’t do this. You know what’s at stake for me.”
“First, I’m not doing anything, and second, I’m not enlisted anymore, Quinn. No one thinks I gave you a step up in the Army. No one.”
“Not true,” she mumbles and walks off.
Letting out a sigh, I run a hand through my dark hair and stride faster until I’m by her side once more. Quietly, we follow Aidan and Marlene, walking along a path that borders the parking lot.
“I didn’t mean to snap,” Quinn finally says, glancing up at me. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.” I lay a hand on the middle of her back, reluctant to let it fall away from her warmth. “But I want to talk to you while you’re here. Alone.”
“I don’t know, Noah.” Quinn chews her bottom lip.
“The fact that you’re reluctant means we should.” I smile, knowing she still has feelings for me.
“No, it doesn’t.” She shoves my arm a little playfully, and my hope ratchets up a notch.
“Yeah, it does.” I keep grinning because I love this sexy side of her.
If I can chip away at her wall and show that what we feel for one another is real and powerful, then I will be further ahead than I’ve ever been.
I don’t want any other women.
I want Quinn.
A vehicle’s trunk closes nearby with a thump, but I barely pay attention to the crunching of footsteps on the gravel.
“Well, well, well,” a familiar voice says, and I turn, the hope swirling around in my chest dying a sudden death.
Tyrell Brooks.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Quinn stiffens beside me as my hand falls away from her back.
“XO Brooks,” I greet him. “Welcome.”
He smirks, glancing at Marlene and Aidan. “The dream team back together again, huh? Guess it’s going to be another smooth ride for you, Parker.”
Unbelievable.
He hasn’t changed a bit, but this time he isn’t hiding his attitude from me.
“Oh, fuck off, Tyrell.” Quinn takes a step forward, and I grab a chunk of her top, pulling her back.
“Calm down.” I shoot Aidan a look. “You okay seeing our new guest to the registration desk, and I’ll walk these ladies the rest of the way home?”
“More than happy to do that,” Aidan says, sizing up Tyrell, who is three inches shorter and a hell of a lot less muscle than the Marine. “Follow me, son, and let’s have a wee talk about protocol.”
I almost smile but I’m too pissed off.
“What was that about?” Marlene asks.
“He’s a sexist jerk,” Quinn answers. “I served with him at Fort Cavazos, and he thinks I had help to get where I am today because I don’t have a penis.”
I cough into my hand while Marlene rolls her eyes.
“Then he is a jerk. I’m sure Aidan will rough him up.”
He won’t. Not for a snarky comment. But if Tyrell crosses the line any further, Aidan will be waiting in line to get his hands around the GI's neck.
We walk to their building, and Marlene’s room is first, so she wishes us a good night and closes the door. Quinn and I stride down the hallway and stop outside her door.
She’s still seething.
“Forget him.” I shake my head.
“How can I? That attitude is why this,” her finger darts between us. “Can never happen. He will never stop accusing me of banging every senior male on base.”
“Who gives a fuck what he thinks, Quinn?” I keep my voice low, glancing down at the main door. “He’s an average GI at best, and that’s what bothers him. And yes, he’s sexist.”
If she cared less and let herself rise above other people’s limitations and judgements, we could be happily married. People are going to think what they like. You can’t change it.
Her breathing is labored as she shakes her head; then she sighs and lifts her face to mine. “I have a boyfriend.”
Ouch. Gut punch.
It’s not like it’s the first time she’s been with other men. But this feels different. I’ve been discharged, and the obvious barrier for us is not in place, yet she’s been seeing other people. While I’ve been patiently waiting for her to fucking work it out.
“What’s his name?”
“Mark.”
“GI?”
She shakes her head. “Accountant.”
“Jesus Christ, Quinn.” I shake my head. “Do you love him?”
She blanches and looks away.
So, no. She fucking doesn’t.
I take her chin in my hand. “Good try. Tell Mark you’re in love with someone else.”
“I’m—”
I lift a brow, stopping her words.
“Get some sleep. You’re going to need it.” I brush my thumb over her lip and consider kissing her so that she remembers the way I make her body feel. Remembers how wet she gets thinking of my mouth on her pussy, my cock slipping into her channel.
I know she does.
My dick thickens remembering the night she lay splayed out for me, asleep, vulnerable and passively wanting.
I should have woken her. Should’ve played with her wet folds and taken what I know she wanted for so long to give me.
But I’ve waited.
Waited too long.
I drop my hand and walk away, feeling her eyes on my back, then take a long, cold shower when I get to my room.
Quinn belongs to me.
Mark and Tyrell can sit the fuck down. I’ve fought far more dangerous enemies than those two, but not with my heart.
That’s the thing. I don’t want to live without her.
I can’t see a world without Quinn.
While I tell myself I didn’t leave the military for her...I did.