Stroke of Luck - Opal Carew Page 0,40

life kicked in again, and he turned his attention back to his work. I mean, it makes sense. We’d both fallen behind on our academic deadlines with being so focused on this wonderful new relationship. I totally understood Quinn jumping back into his work. His dedication to what he’s passionate about was one of the things I loved about him. But once I’d experienced what it was like to have someone put me first, not seeing him for a week or more at a time made me miserable.”

“You didn’t tell him?”

“No. When we were together, everything was great.” She gazed wistfully into space. “Better than great.”

She set her drink down and leaned back with a sigh.

“I finally realized that it was just the way he is. It wasn’t his fault that I had issues. And I wasn’t going to put that on him. It was my flaw.”

“So you broke up with him.”

She gazed at Austin, her eyes pleading for understanding.

“I had to. Losing my heart to him would have been a disaster.”

Austin saw the pain in her eyes and squeezed her hand. Maybe it was a disaster she hadn’t actually avoided.

“But, April, if you had told him—”

“No,” she interrupted. “Telling him about the problem would have been the same as asking him to choose me over his work, and I would never do that.”

He settled back on the couch and swirled his drink.

“So I’m curious. Why did you agree to this arrangement with Quinn?” he asked.

“It’s really important to me to pay back my debt to him,” she said, “and this is the only way I have to do that. This arrangement allows me to give him something he wants. I still intend to find a way to give him the money, but as he keeps reminding me, I’m not in a position to do that right now.”

Austin nodded. It’s too bad that Quinn’s emotional turmoil didn’t allow him to see the April that Austin saw. A woman who wanted to live up to her responsibilities. Who cared about others. And who just wanted to be loved.

“And why did you agree to me being part of it?”

A soft blush blossomed across her cheeks, and she stared at her fingers.

“When he suggested it, it caught me off guard, but it’s what Quinn wants.”

“I see.” He didn’t like the idea that she felt like she had no choice.

She glanced his way, and her eyes widened at his frown.

“I didn’t mean that to sound like it did. I’m not doing it because Quinn’s forcing me. I wouldn’t have agreed if I didn’t feel an attraction to you.”

He smiled. “Good to know.”

The moment hung between them, their gazes still locked. Then an awareness prickled through him. They were alone together. They shared a very strong mutual attraction to each other.

And she wore no panties.

His groin tightened, and he wanted to lean in and capture her full, pink lips. To slide his tongue inside her warmth, then draw her close to his body.

She seemed mesmerized as he leaned in closer. He wanted her, and the agreement between her and Quinn gave him permission to have sex with her. Quinn might have decided to go walk off his emotions, but did that mean Austin had to hold back?

The door opened, and Quinn strode into the room.

Austin eased back and in his head let loose a string of expletives. He’d almost made a reckless move that could have ruined his friendship with Quinn. Because, of course, it wasn’t all right for Austin to put moves on Quinn’s woman. Not unless Quinn was a part of it.

11

When Quinn had strode out of the room, he’d had no idea where he was going. He’d just needed space. After walking for a while, he’d found himself in a courtyard staring at the moon.

He’d had feelings for April once, but that was done. Now she was just a woman from his past that he’d helped out this morning. She wanted to pay him back and made an interesting proposition that meant he could finally act on their mutual attraction. They would both enjoy it, so it was good for her, and it was definitely good for him.

It was a win-win situation. Actually, win-win-win since Austin would be a part of it.

This arrangement between them was just about sex. Any feelings he had for her were squarely in the past.

So what the hell was he doing out here? He should be back in that room doing what he’d longed to do for