Page 48 of Stick Around,

“What are we doing?”

The million-dollar question. I took a deep breath, watching the last sliver of sun disappear into the horizon before answering. “Honestly? I have no idea. But I like it. I like it a lot.”

Quinn shifted to face me fully. “I’m leaving in a few weeks.”

“I know.”

“And there’s also...” She trailed off, eyes darting away.

“Reid and Enzo,” I finished for her. “I know that too.”

Her eyes met mine, searching. “And that doesn’t bother you?”

I considered her question carefully, wanting my answer to be honest. “It probably should. But it doesn’t.” I brushed a strand of hair from her face. “I don’t know what the hell is happening, Quinn. But I want to see where it goes. With all of us.”

“Me too.”

I cupped her cheek, feeling something powerful and terrifying building in my chest. “So where does that leave us tonight?”

“Kiss me, Kellan,” she whispered, leaning toward me.

I leaned forward, closing the distance between us. Our lips met softly at first, then with growing intensity as Quinn’s fingers tangled in my hair. My heart hammered as she sighed into my mouth, making every coherent thought dissolve into nothing but sensation.

A loud, rumbling chuff interrupted us. Quinn broke away with a laugh that died on her lips as her gaze fixed on something over my shoulder. I turned, following her line of sight.

Not too far down the beach, silhouetted against the darkening sky, Reid sat motionless astride his horse, watching us. The distance was too great to make out his expression, but there was something about his posture that was both relaxed and intensely focused.

Reid remained motionless for a long moment before giving us a slow nod.

Quinn’s breath caught, and before I even processed what was happening, our lips met with a hunger that said this kiss was only the beginning.

Chapter 17

Not Done With You

Quinn

Attempting to make out on the beach wasn’t the brightest idea. There was a complete lack of privacy, and on top of that, Tater Tot attracted a lot of attention. The last thing I needed was to go viral for too much PDA.

Reid stayed behind us as we headed back to the ranch. The trail was dark, besides the light from the moon, and I clung to the saddle horn as if something was about to jump out and scare the horse.

When we crested the last rise before the ranch, I breathed a sigh of relief and Kellan laughed from behind me. “You aren’t scared of the dark, are you?”

I turned my head enough so he could hear me. “I’m scared of what’s hiding there. There’s probably some man lurking in the shadows.”

“Or bears.”

I stiffened. “What do you mean, bears?”

“I know it’s not like the Sierra Nevada, but we’re along a mountain range. There was a bear the other day in downtown Pismo. Don’t worry though; they’re black bears.”

“Black bears? I’m pretty sure the color doesn’t matter when something is mauling you to death.” My voice pitched higher with each word.

Kellan’s chest rumbled against my back. “Black bears are pretty timid. They’re more likely to run away than attack.”

“Well, that’s reassuring. I’ll remember to tell it that while it’s snacking on my femur.”

His arm tightened around my waist, and I felt his breath against my ear. “I’d heroically sacrifice myself so you could get away.”