it looked, imagined wrapping it around his fist.
Not that he’d ever have acted on it. Hell, no.
She’d been happily married.
There was just something about her spirit, so positive and open, caring and nurturing. A strong woman who knew her own mind, who didn’t care about trends, didn’t try to fit in with anyone else’s expectations.
He chuckled when he remembered that day three weeks ago, when he’d taken her to the ranch for the first time, and she’d figured out that he’d bought it for her. She’d given him this whole, long speech about how he deserved someone better.
Does she realize I’m an All-American, All-Pro athlete who comes from nothing? I’m the most competitive motherfucker on the planet, and she threw down a challenge I’m going to win.
Nah, but seriously, he got it. She wasn’t ready. He didn’t blame her. Still, he wasn’t going anywhere. He’d wait as long as it took for her to get over what her ex had done.
Unable to resist, he touched a lock of that pretty hair and rubbed it between two fingers. It was exactly as silky and soft as he’d imagined, and one day he’d have it brushing his chest as she rode him. Fuck, but he wanted her. He wanted everything with this woman.
Quinn stirred. Blinking, her long lashes rested like delicate fans against her rosy cheeks. And then she stiffened and sat up in a rush. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she said. “Oh, my God. I slept on you. I’m so sorry.”
“No worries.”
Disoriented, she set her feet on the floor. “How long was I out?”
“About two hours.”
“Two…that’s practically the whole flight.” She wiped under her eyes. “I’m a horrible travel companion.”
“You’re fine.”
“I’ve been sleeping so much lately. It’s like I’m catching up on all the hours I lost during my divorce nightmare.” She smiled at him. “I think…I feel safe, you know? Like I’m home, and I can finally relax.”
Pride swelled, confirming yet again his decision to buy that ridiculous property. “It’s been tough on you. I get it.”
“The first two months I was in a total fog. I’d break out crying at random times. Literally, I’d have to leave my desk and go to the bathroom to pull myself together. But after that, I was just going through the motions, working long hours, living with a stranger. She’s not loud or anything, but her dog is wild. He steals things—slippers, gloves, whatever he can chew in hiding—so she locks him up in her room at night. But he wants to get out—badly—so he whines and scratches the door. I haven’t slept through the night in a long time.”
“I’m glad you’re catching up now.” He lifted a hand to get the flight attendant’s attention, making a drinking motion with his hand. She nodded.
“There’s just something about Calamity, you know?” Quinn said.
“I’ve only ever stayed at camp with a bunch of guys, so yeah, now that I’m on the ranch, I get it. It’s just one roommate snoring instead of thirty.”
“I don’t snore.” Laughing, her eyes went wide. “Do I?” She sat up straighter. “Oh. God, do I snore?”
“Our bedrooms are on different floors. I have no idea. I was joking. But seriously, it’s the mountain air, the quiet. It’s peaceful.”
“It’s so peaceful, but I’m finally feeling it in here.” Pressing a hand to her chest, she gazed up at him with that smile that slayed. “Thank you for arranging this trip. I’m excited.”
It didn’t take much to make this woman happy, and he wanted to be the lucky man who got to do it the rest of her life. “Well, I don’t want to go through a dozen showrooms, so I figured we could just knock it out at the Design Expo.” Besides, the timing had been right.
The flight attendant brought them each a bottle of water. “Here you go.”
He cracked his open. “Thank you.”
The woman smiled and headed back to the galley.
“You’re such a sweetheart.” Quinn drank a quarter of hers in one go. “Thank you.” Lowering the bottle, she said, “I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I feel like I’m coming back to myself.”
“Glad to hear it.” Nothing could make him happier than for her to feel good about herself again. “Which brings up a question. How come you didn’t accept help from Brad—when you absolutely earned it—but you’re accepting it from me?” He’d half expected her to storm away the moment she’d figured out he’d