Page 91 of Reclaiming Quinn

Chapter Twenty-Three

THE FIRSTthing Deke noticed was the clean linen scent that permeated the room.

“Dani must have changed the bedding while we were in the bathroom,” Quinn said as he helped Deke, still wrapped in the thick towel, from his chair onto the bed. “It smells so fresh.”

“Well, you did say I stunk,” Deke reminded him. “She probably couldn’t stand the smell.”

“You have to admit, you kinda did.”

And Deke couldn’t deny that at all. “I feel much better after the bath. Thank you.”

It didn’t hurt at all that Quinn had his hands on Deke. Not tentative or fearful, but kind and more than a little hot.

“Quinn, I—”

“Deke, I—”

They both chuckled. “Go ahead,” Deke said.

Quinn’s cheeks reddened. “I… liked touching you.”

“And I liked having you touch me. To be honest, I wasn’t sure we’d ever get to that point. I’m glad we did.”

Quinn arched his brows. “And it only took you being kidnapped.”

There was bitterness in Quinn’s tone. “I won’t apologize for doing my best to keep you from harm.”

“No, I know. I’m not angry with you, more the world at large. Meeting the people of Lydon let me know there was still good out there, and the Vampyri—Zach—helped you. Even Rupert, who I wanted to hurt for his part in what happened. But he turned out to be innocent and caught up in what Klein did. As for me, for too long I’ve been afraid of everyone and everything. Now? Not so much. I mean, I’m still nervous, but knowing that you can find decency in people makes me less frightened.”

“I hope you’re never frightened again,” Deke said, reaching for Quinn. “Come lay with me, okay? I need you close-by.”

Deke smiled when Quinn crawled onto the bed and slid into his arms. There was no hesitation, no uncertainty. It was Deke’s dream come true.

“Deke?”

Goddess, hearing his name from Quinn’s lips would never get old. “Yes?”

Quinn swallowed hard. “I’ve been thinking about… sex.”

“Oh? Anything you’d like to share?”

“Are you angry that others—”

At Quinn? No, not at all. At others? Yes.

“No. I could never be angry with you about that. Please, don’t ever think I would be.”

“Okay.” Quinn sighed. A pause, then, “Deke?”

That made Deke chuckle. “Yes?”

“Would you ever…? With me, I mean.”

Deke rolled over until he could look into Quinn’s eyes. “If you wanted to. I wouldn’t ever presume to know how you feel about it.” He could see the need in Quinn’s eyes. “So you know, I want to be with you. I’ve wanted nothing more since we met.”

He leaned in and kissed Quinn. It was only a gentle press of their lips together, but Deke poured his heart into it. When Quinn reached up and put a hand around Deke’s neck, pulling him closer, Deke said a silent prayer to Mother, thanking her for this man.

“I love you,” Quinn whispered. “I didn’t even know what love was until I met you. You fill me with light, and I never thought I could be. I want you so much. Ever since I smelled your scent, I’ve wanted nothing else.”