The Sweet Under His Skin (62 page)

Diversion was absolutely necessary.

Calvin plopped a gift down on each of their laps, then settled down cross-legged to watch, a grin on his face. Quentin found that disconcerting, then looked down to realize he held a gift from Arielle.

He went full-out pussy right then. The sound of ripping wrapping paper brought him back to Arielle, smiling at the package she held. "The wrapping paper is so nice on your gifts, guys," she said, now turning her smile to him.

She knew his gift came from the same store as Calvin's? Of course, matching wrapping paper. Damn.

He was opening his gift but watching her, so he didn't miss how she froze with the open box in her hand. She inhaled sharply, hand going to her chest. He risked a look at her face and that damn heart-flip thing happened again.

"Oh my God," she whispered.

"Arielle, let's see it," Aunt Thelma coaxed.

His girl loved her gift so much she was frozen. He knew he was grinning like an idiot as he reached over to pluck the necklace out of its velvet holder, opening the clasp and bringing it up to her neck. She wrapped the ends of her scarf around one hand and turned so he could set the necklace in place, do up the clasp, then she leaned back on the sofa, staring down at it and touching it lightly.

"Oh, that's beautiful," Thelma murmured. "Quentin, that's gorgeous."

"Charlie helped," he offered, winding an arm around Arielle's shoulders. "You like it?"

She bit her lip and looked at him. Her eyes were wet, and…shit. It was contagious because his were too. "I love it. It's beautiful."

Quentin reached across her to grab the box with the earrings. "They match, see?" He undid one from the backing in the box and tilted her head, putting the earring in place then did the same with the other one. "Look at that, Charlie, it's perfect."

"You look pretty Aunt Arielle."

Arielle laughed at that, and the sound made him feel like the fucking king-of-the-world. He'd have her dripping in jewelry if it made her this happy.

"Thank you, Calvin," she said, then turned those eyes to him again. "Thank you, honey."

He kissed her quickly, smile still plastered in place, then opened the box he'd dropped in his lap. Now it was his turn to go rock-solid, not so much as blinking.

"I don't know why. I saw it and I thought of you." He was still staring, processing. "I'm sorry. It's probably not your thing."

He pulled the necklace from the box, then dropped it over his head. It had barely settled against him when he grabbed Arielle, not even caring that they had an audience, and kissed her with everything he had. She resisted slightly, probably because of Thelma and Calvin, but as always she eventually relaxed in his hold and kissed him back.

She saw this necklace and thought of him. Thought of him. So she bought it for him. He really didn't know the last time anyone said anything like that to him.

"Thank you," he said gruffly when he finally ended the kiss. Her cheeks were pink, which also pleased him.

"Thank you," she whispered back, blinking a few times quickly.

Thelma cleared her throat, but she was beaming and averting her eyes as Arielle settled back into her spot next to him. Calvin was grinning at them both like mad.

And Quentin was getting used to his heart feeling full, warm and happy.

Chapter Thirty-Four

"You see this Arielle? This is the why of what I did," Thelma breathed, wrapping an arm around Arielle's shoulders and sighing.

Arielle smiled into the pink glow of the Colorado sunset, beaming down over the mountains. The grass of the yard was dead with patches of snow here and there but it was an absolutely breathtaking view that the month of February brought them. "It's a gorgeous spot, Aunt Thelma."

"You can taste that air, can't you? It's so clean. Not dusty and dry." The older woman inhaled deeply. "God, I love it here."

Arielle rested on the porch swing, and Thelma eased one leg up to perch on the railing. "So," Thelma said grinning. "You wear that necklace everywhere you go?"

Arielle smiled, touching the pendant at her neck. "Yes, I do. The only reason I'm not wearing the earrings is they dangle and I didn't want to yank them out while we were moving your stuff."

"You seem to be doing better, honey," Thelma said.

"I really am. I almost feel like I'm back to my old self. Energy's coming back, I'm hungry now and it's been months since I've been hungry without…well, you know." Thelma nodded.

"And things with Quentin?"

Arielle knew her smile got bigger. "Everything with Quentin is wonderful."

Thelma smiled back. "And still no word on Jolene or Reuben?"

Arielle shook her head. "No. No surprise that Jolene didn't call back or check in. But I was hoping Reuben would be handled by now."

"He definitely makes me nervous," Thelma agreed. "You're still protected?"

"Quentin's nearly always with me, and when he can't be he sends over T-bone or a prospect."

"So why do I have you two all to myself then?" Thelma nodded to Calvin, who was chasing her border collie around the front. "Not that I mind of course."

"We're four hours away," Arielle answered simply. "And I have a… gun."

Thelma shuddered. "It freaks me out that you're carrying a gun around."

"I've been getting better at using it," Arielle informed her. "Besides," Arielle went on. "Reuben's territory doesn't extend into Colorado and he's really taking his time appearing in Portus Felix. I don't know how intent he is on getting hold of anyone anymore."

Thelma shrugged. "Still makes me nervous."

"You have a shot gun," Arielle pointed out.

"And that's for killing coyotes that get too close to my chickens," Thelma quipped but her eyes were twinkling. "Don't throw that in my face, young lady."

Arielle watched Calvin tearing around the yard, laughing and chasing the dog which came with the house. That dog already freaking loved him, and Arielle knew the second they got home Calvin would be asking about getting a dog.

And she couldn't even scare him off with the "You have to take care of it" threat. He would totally do all the work and be responsible. They just didn't have the room. Arielle always thought big dogs, real dogs, deserved wide open spaces like this. Not chain-linked squares of hard packed grass.

"He really likes it here," Arielle mused. "He was so excited when we saw the snow." The white stuff had terrified Arielle, though. She hadn't driven in snow in a long time. Luckily it was warm and the roads were wet instead of icy.

"It's a good spot," Thelma agreed. "You know you can come and stay anytime you want or need to."

Arielle frowned, looking up into Thelma's open expression. Something strange was behind her eyes, and it gave her a slightly uneasy feeling. "Why…why'd you say that?"

Thelma sighed. "Just worried about you two. That's my job, remember?"

Arielle stared at her hands in her lap. "I'm not leaving him, Thelma."

They'd gotten into this a few times in the past while, but since the new year started Thelma had been getting very pushy on the subject. Maybe it came from the guilt of moving so far away from them. Who knew. All Arielle wished was that she'd stop worrying.

Quentin took good care of both of them. He'd keep them safe.

"I know, honey. But if things get tense, you have to come and stay here. Okay?"

Arielle just nodded. She wasn't going to get into her worries about how serious everything seemed to be getting with the club. Quentin wasn't telling her anything, but she knew he was bothered by outside influences when they were at home. He was impatient at times, irritable, and sullen which was even worse. But it always passed, and she was never scared of him when he got that way. She just worried.

No need for Thelma to know about that. She was concerned enough as it was.

"I think it's about time to head inside for me," Arielle changed the subject, covering a yawn.

"Time to call Quentin?" Thelma guessed.

Arielle had to smile. "Yes. I didn't call this afternoon, he might be worried."

Thelma shook her head as Arielle got up, gave her a kiss on the cheek then bounced up the stairs to her room. All the furniture had been moved and arranged very much like it had been at Thelma's, but the view was entirely different.

She picked up her phone, unplugged it from the charger and flipped through her contacts until she found Quentin and dialed. He answered on the third ring. "There she is," he said by way of a hello. She could even hear his smile.

"Hey, honey," she said, closing the bedroom door.

"How is it at Thelma's?"

Arielle shrugged, flopping onto the bed. "It's a bit smaller. Nice and cosy, though." She sat up, grinning as the light of the sunset hit her in the eyes. "You should see the view, honey. It's amazing."

"I bet. How's Charlie?"

"Playing with Thelma's dog. If he comes back wanting one I need you to be on my side, telling him the yard's too small and a dog is too much work."

"Charlie'd be awesome with a dog, what’re you talking about?"

She closed her eyes, sighing. "Crap. You're not on my side."

"He's responsible enough."

"I know. But I hate seeing big dogs in little yards tied up all day."

Quentin chuckled. "Dogs are the shit, babe. Better than a fucking cat." Arielle rubbed her forehead. "Doesn't have to be a big dog," he went on. "Medium-size would be good. Still small enough to bring inside, yard should be just right during the day. Good security, too, actually." Shit, now he was sounding really serious about it.

"Quentin, not yet. Not a dog yet. Maybe…maybe over summer break. So Calvin can be there to house train it all day, get it into a routine."

There was a pause, then he chuckled again. "You're convinced."

Arielle had to shake her head and flop back into the pillows. "Shit," she muttered and he outright laughed.

"You two heading home first thing tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Whenever I drag my ass out of bed."

"Are you okay? What's wrong?"

Arielle grinned up at the ceiling. "Nothing, honey. The air here makes me sleepy. Or maybe it's the altitude. I don't know. I…I do like it here, Quentin."

There was a pause, then he said softly. "I'm glad, babe."

She frowned at the tone, the seeming sadness of the statement. "Is everything okay there?"

"Got back late from that run, babe.Pretty tired…"

"Are you at the clubhouse?"

"Yeah. Just bullshitting with Dillon."

"No whores," she warned.

"Babe," was his was way of telling her he thought her worry was cute.

"I mean it. I'll make you sorry."

He laughed, then his voice dropped a bit lower. "Help me out then. What you got on right now?"

She shook her head. "Quentin—"

"What you got on, babe?"

She bit her lip, her heart doing a little somersault. "Jeans. A sweatshirt. Not exactly hot, honey."

"What's underneath?"

Now she was grinning. "The purple set. With the lace."

He growled, her body quivered. "Should have left that behind for me, babe."

"Why?"

"So I can touch it and think of it touching you."

Arielle's eyes slid closed all on their own. "You're so bad."

"And you wouldn't have it any other way, babe."

"I have a drawer full of underwear, honey. Do what you want."

"Do me a favor."

"What?"

"Reach inside those purple panties for me."

"Quentin—"

"Do it."

"Who's there with you?"

"No one. I came to my room when I saw it was you calling. Do it, babe, unzip those jeans and reach inside."

Arielle's eyes checked her door. It was locked.

She made sure he heard the zipper, which made him chuckle. "That's a girl." Feeling silly she slid her hand down her stomach. "You there yet, baby?"

"I feel stupid."

"Finger yourself, babe. I wanna listen."

"Quentin—"

"I gotta wait another day before I get to see you babe, c’mon." The elastic of her panties slid along the back of her hand as she followed instructions, her finger gliding over her clit lightly. She gasped it felt so good. "Arielle," he growled, hearing it.

Her eyes closed. "I miss you."

"I'm right here, baby. Make those circles I know you like." It helped, remembering him touching her like this. Her pulse sped up, breathing got harder. "You're wet by now, babe. Two fingers, inside."

She followed every instruction, his voice as well as the recollection of him doing all this made her climax gradually and sweetly, gasping and sighing instead of crying out, but it was just as good. As she listened to her own breath in the phone she realized he hadn't said anything for a while.

"Quentin?" she whispered.

"Fuck, babe. Get up early and get home."

She laughed at that, embarrassed even though she was alone. "Thank you, honey," she said softly.

"Don't thank me for that, Arielle. Christ. I'm rock hard now."

"No whores," she reminded him.

"Tell me then, what should I do?"

At that Arielle grinned and felt herself get just a bit braver. "Well, undo your jeans and put your hand in your shorts, honey."

Chapter Thirty-Five

Quentin paused on his way out of the clubhouse, letting the others file past. He shut the double doors behind them, turning back to Bishop who looked nervous. "Davidson still checking in?" Quentin asked.

Bishop nodded. "Yeah, our little rat is texting me like clockwork. He ain't got fuck-all to tell me but he's plenty scared…"

Quentin nodded, relieved. Clark Davidson had spent a few days at the clubhouse, and once he was good and terrified they let him go with an instruction to text Bishop every hour on the hour from 8am to 8pm with an update. It was always "Still no word," but the prick never deviated.

Bishop clapped a heavy hand on Quentin's shoulder. "So… you not going out with the boys tonight, then?" he asked.

Quentin found it hard to keep playing nice, but in the past few months Bishop had gone eerily quiet on the whole Arielle issue. And that made Quentin very suspicious. "Arielle's birthday…" he said, wondering why Bishop cared at all what he did off duty. "Taking her and the kid out for supper. She cooked for me, and I ain't about to try it for her."