Stroke of Luck - Opal Carew Page 0,7
a single thing they try to take that April doesn’t agree to,” he glowered, “they’ll have me to deal with.”
“Of course, Mr. Taylor,” Mr. Gunter said. “That’s perfectly reasonable.” He glanced at April, and a chill ran down her spine at his cool gaze. “Now. The ring, please.”
Quinn reached into his pocket and pulled it out, then gave it to the man. Quinn then stood up and offered April his hand.
She rested her fingers on his and could barely breathe at the electricity surging through her at the contact.
She stood up, and he took her elbow and escorted her to the door. Having him so close, knowing she could lean on him if she had to, made it easier to hold her head up as she walked from the office.
Once the door closed behind her, her knees went weak and she slumped against him.
His arm slid around her. “Steady. You’re okay.”
“Thank you for standing up for me, Quinn.”
When she gazed up at him, his midnight-blue eyes seemed to soften.
“I don’t like to see anyone being bullied.”
Even though his answer was designed to make her think he hadn’t done it for her, the gruffness in his voice and the fact he kept his arm around her as they walked made her feel cared for.
As they stepped into the hallway with the column of elevators, one of them opened, and she noticed Sarah Piner step out with her husband, Jon. They were friends of Maurice’s who had come to Vegas for the wedding. Sarah’s finely plucked eyebrow arched high at the sight of April with a man’s arm around her.
Luckily, another elevator arrived, and Quinn guided her into it. April could see Sarah whispering in her husband’s ear, staring at April with piercing disapproval as the door closed.
She leaned against Quinn. His arm tightened around her, and he didn’t say a word as the elevator ascended.
She knew this wouldn’t last long, but right now, she needed it. To feel supported. And cared for. It’s all she’d ever wanted. Deep down in her soul.
And her heart ached as she realized she’d probably never find it.
* * *
As April walked from the elevator with Quinn toward his penthouse suite, she kept her gaze away from the door to the suite she’d been evicted from this morning.
She didn’t want to think about being there with Maurice. She didn’t want to think about how she’d cried herself to sleep last night, his betrayal searing through her.
She didn’t want to think at all.
Quinn opened the door and led her inside. Her eyes widened as she glanced around.
The other suite had been luxurious and grand, with leather furniture, plants, flower arrangements, and beautiful décor. But this one went far beyond that. It had the same gorgeous furniture and décor, but it was much larger.
Her jaw dropped at the sight of the private swimming pool that was part indoors and part outdoors. There was a rock waterfall built into the wall that trickled into the pool. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, she could see a stunning garden terrace.
Maurice had been ticked off when they hadn’t been able to get the best penthouse at the hotel, especially annoyed that his powerful influence did nothing to sway the hotel manager to bump the people who had booked it already. Maurice wasn’t used to people saying no to him.
April had known that meant whoever had booked this suite had a larger fortune and more influence than Maurice. Never would she have imagined that person would be Quinn.
“You’ve come a long way from college,” she said as she glanced around. “Your business must be doing well. I’m glad things worked out for you. You certainly deserve it.”
He sat down on the couch, his arms stretched across the back.
“Really? And why do you say that?”
She walked to the bar and sat on one of the tall stools.
“You were extremely focused when you were in grad school. You pursued your studies nonstop, intensely determined to succeed. In school and in life.”
He frowned. “Is that a comment on how I didn’t spend enough time with you when we were dating?”
Her stomach tightened. “No. Of course not. I admired your dedication.”
It was true. But it had also been the major reason she’d left him. She would never lay the blame on him for their breakup, though.
“But not enough to stick with me? Why take a chance on me when Maurice already had money and success?”
“I didn’t care about that.”
He snorted and stood up, then poured himself a drink