Page 17 of Stolen Hearts (WaterColor Romance #7)

Maddison rushed through the doors of Lip Smack in an obvious panic.

“What’s the emergency?” Madison asked half out of breath.

“Are you telling me that I rushed here and there isn’t an emergency?” Madison growled.

“I wouldn’t say that. It’s just a different kind of emergency.”

“You said and I quote. ‘Help me. 911.’ ”

“I did say that. And I regret the tone of that text. I do have a situation I would like your advice about.”

“Fine. But I want a drink on the house,” Madison ground the words out. Quinn offered an exaggeratedly large smile.

“Of course. One drink coming up.” Quinn ran to the bar and came back with two beers. She handed one to Madison who took a sip and seemed to instantly ease.

“So, what’s this situation?”

Quinn handed Madison her phone. The screen was opened to the text thread between Quinn and Rory. The previous night Rory had texted to let her know that she’d bought a plane ticket to WaterColor. She was planning to stop by the bar to hand the necklace over to Quinn and hopefully talk.

“Quinn, we need to work on our definitions for things. This definitely counts as an emergency.”

“Oh, I’m so glad I didn’t mislabel this text.”

“Quinn. Your ex is coming into town to see you. How are you feeling? How is Autumn feeling?”

“I definitely haven’t told Autumn,” Quinn admitted.

“Why not?”

“I don’t want her to have to worry about this sort of thing.”

“Your ex coming to town is definitely something you should be telling the woman you’re currently dating. If for no other reason, than so Autumn doesn’t get caught off guard.”

“I don’t want to deal with this. Can’t Rory just stay in Vegas?”

“She could and should just stay in Vegas. But it looks like she’s choosing to come here.”

Quinn laid her head face down on the table.

“Listen. It isn’t a big deal. Just show Autumn the text messages and be transparent. You clearly aren’t at fault here.”

Quinn knew that Madison had a point. She had tried to get Rory not to come, and obviously failed. Now that she was coming, the best thing Quinn could do was give Autumn a heads up. Being transparent was absolutely the best call for the situation.

“What’s going on inside that brain of yours?” Madison asked.

“Nothing. I’m just begrudgingly agreeing with you.”

“There’s no reason to be begrudging about it. When I’m right, I’m right,” Madison laughed.

Quinn grumbled a protest under her breath.

“This whole thing is just so ridiculous. Rory broke up with me. Why in the world does she want to come see me now? Why does she suddenly think she made a mistake? She didn’t seem to have any reservations about her new relationship months ago.”

“She wasn’t living with this person months ago. Maybe the shine wore off for this new person. And she probably remembers how objectively wonderful you are,” Madison offered.

“I fear that you may be a bit biased.”

“So, what if I am? I’m still right.”

“I just thought Rory was behind me. It’s strange to suddenly have her wanting to show up. And why? She didn’t seem to care where we were engaged or buying a house together.”

“I understand. And your confusion is understandable. But Rory never had her head on straight. And the grass is always greener on the other side.”

Quinn nodded her head. Madison had managed to sum Rory up quite nicely. Quinn ran a hand through her thick dark hair.

“What are you thinking?” Madison asked, her voice thoughtful.

“I’m thinking that I should go ahead and have that conversation with Autumn.”

“Just like that?”

Quinn swallowed hard. She considered her answer.

“It looks as though Rory is coming whether I want her here or not. But who cares? I’m not worried about Rory. I want to be with Autumn. I waited two months just for the chance to ask her out. And being with her is amazing. I’ll be damned if Rory is going to come between us.”

Quinn was surprised by her own sureness. She rose from the booth. Autumn worked from home, so Quinn knew where she’d be.

“Good for you. Rory is in the past where she belongs,” Madison assured her. She gave Quinn a tight squeezing hug. Quinn offered her friend a smile and walked towards the door.

Autumn was exactly where Quinn expected her. She seemed overjoyed to see Quinn. It was enough to break down every wall Quinn had put up.

“I wasn’t expecting you,” said excitedly. She brought Quinn in for a huge hug. Autumn pulled back and studied Quinn’s face.

“What’s bringing you by?”

“There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

Autumn raised an eyebrow. She was clearly studying her. There was something about the weight of Autumn’s gaze that shook Quinn’s core. A quiver of doubt ran through Quinn. Autumn caught her momentary hesitation and took a half step forward. Autumn took her hand and wound their fingers together.

“Whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll be okay.”

Quinn wasn’t so sure. This thing between the two of them had been wonderfully uncomplicated. Having an ex that refused to give up was messy. Was it too messy for Autumn? Quinn wouldn’t know if she didn’t allow the woman inside.

“It’s my ex,” Quinn began.

“The one who cheated on you?”

“Yes.”

“What about her?”

Autumn’s tone remained calm. She was the picture of composure. But Quinn didn’t miss the way she took a step back and crossed her arms. Quinn’s heart tightened, would letting Autumn in mean losing her forever?

“She’s planning to come see me at the bar. I told her not to. I told her that I don’t want to see her. But she’s planning to come anyway.”

“You can’t do much about it. If she wants to come, then she will. But if you don’t want to see her, why not just avoid her once she gets here? Surely, she’ll lose interest eventually.”

“She found something I’ve been looking for since I moved. A necklace from my grandmother. I told her to just mail it. But Rory insists on a face to face. I’m afraid if I don’t meet up with her at the bar I won’t get the necklace back.”

Quinn met Autumn’s blue eyes. She expected to see judgement, but all she saw was concern instead.

“I’m sorry. It’s really shitty that she’s not taking what you want into consideration. What can I do to help? Do you want me to be there with you?”

Quinn fought every urge inside of her to throw her arms around Autumn and pull her close.

“I was afraid you would be mad,” Quinn confessed.

“I am mad, just not at you. I’m mad that she’s not listening to what you want.

And she’s holding something she knows is valuable to you hostage.

She’s being very selfish. But there’s no reason to be angry with you.

You’ve done everything you can, but you can’t control her.

Besides, the two of us aren’t exactly official.

You could technically date someone else if you wanted,” Autumn explained.

Quinn reached out to grab Autumn by the waist, pulling her in close.

“Do you want to be?” Quinn asked.

“Want to be what?”

“Official,” Quinn answered with a smile.

She felt a shudder run through Autumn.

“I’m not seeing anyone else. And I don’t want to see anyone else,” Quinn added.

“I would like that.” Autumn’s voice was barely above a whisper.

“Good. Because I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with you.”

Autumn gave her a look of surprise.

“I’ve been falling in love with you since that day on the bench,” Quinn offered her a crooked grin. Autumn returned the smile.

“I’m pretty sure I fell in love with you that day, too,” Autumn laughed.

Quinn leaned in and brushed a kiss against Autumn’s lips.

The world around her faded away. What else could possibly matter than the moment she was in right now?

She was in love with Autumn and Autumn loved her back.

Everything else paled in comparison. Let Rory come to WaterColor and have her moment.

Rory would be able to see how happy she was with Autumn, and surely give up on trying to woo her back.

When Quinn took a half step backwards Autumn grabbed her waist. She pulled Quinn in, flush with her own body.

“Don’t you have to get back to work?” Quinn teased.

“I was thinking I could take a long lunch,” Autumn suggested.

Quinn’s heart thundered in her chest so hard she was sure that Autumn would be able to hear her.

Autumn’s lips greeted Quinn’s with a hunger that immediately drew Quinn in.

Deeper. Deeper. Quinn fought to keep pace with Autumn.

She felt herself being pushed back. It took her a moment to realize that Autumn was guiding them to the bedroom.

Quinn grasped behind her and just managed to find the bedroom door.

Autumn continued her forward momentum barely giving Quinn time to open the door.

Quinn’s whole body shivered in anticipation of what would be coming next.

Quinn followed Autumn’s lead allowing herself to be led to the edge of the bed.

Autumn removed Quinn’s shirt, hooking her fingers underneath and lifting it over her head.

Autumn’s own shirt followed close behind, revealing a black lace bra.

Quinn bit her lower lip, holding it captive as she took in the sight.

Every inch of Autumn was gorgeous. Quinn slid out of her pants, and watched as Autumn did the same.

A matching pair of black lace panties was enough to send Quinn over the edge.

Her heart was pounding now as her core tightened.

Quinn took Autumn by the shoulders, spinning her around until she was the one backed against the bed.

Any other time Quinn would have been happy to allow Autumn to lead the show.

But seeing Autumn standing there in her lace underwear was turning Quinn feral.

Autumn opened her mouth to protest but Quinn placed a finger against her lips.

Autumn smiled widely in response. Quinn brought Autumn in for another long kiss, pressing her down onto the bed.

Quinn wanted the taste of Autumn on her tongue.

Autumn sighed as Quinn kissed her way down Autumn’s body.

She removed Autumn’s lace bra and gave one of her nipples a playful suck.

Quinn allowed her hands to roam free, exploring every inch of exposed skin on Autumn’s body.

Her fingers found Autumn’s core first. She was already wet. Already waiting for Quinn.

Quinn quickened her mouth’s descent towards Autumn’s core. She dropped to her knees, allowing herself better access. Quinn gave the soft skin of Autumn’s inner thigh a slight nip and grinned when Autumn bucked her hips.

Quinn allowed her fingers to tease Autumn’s clit through her panties. She could feel Autumn’s tension build as she thrust her hips against her fingers.

“Quinn, now,” Autumn demanded.

Quinn answered by guiding her finger in another soft circle around her clit.

“Now, now, don’t get bossy,” Quinn warned with another grin. Autumn shot her a glare through her thighs and Quinn winked back at her.

Quinn’s hands grasped Autumn’s panties, sliding them down and off.

Autumn whimpered as Quinn’s hands reached up grasping her hips, holding them in place.

Quinn’s tongue slid inside Autumn with surprising ease.

She felt Autumn clench around her, welcoming her tongue’s presence.

She curved her tongue upward inside Autumn, licking against her favorite spot.

Autumn’s composure slipped for a moment.

Her hips bucked wildly enough that Quinn had to hold them down with an arm.

Quinn kept her tongue’s rhythm and positioned a finger against Autumn’s clit.

Autumn sighed moving her body against the contact.

She thrust against Quinn’s finger three times then moaned so loudly Quinn was afraid she might have hurt her.

One glance at Autumn’s face told Quinn that her partner wasn’t in any pain.

Autumn fell back against the pillows, breathing heavily.

Quinn crawled onto the bed lying beside Autumn.

She ran a hand through Autumn’s long blonde hair.

Autumn offered her a satisfied smile then placed a hand on Quinn’s chest. Quinn panted along with Autumn.

No one had ever been able to fluster Quinn this way.

She watched as Autumn rolled over and straddled her.

Quinn’s hips were flush with Autumn’s and feeling her so close was enough to send tendrils of desire up her skin.

Autumn reached across the bed to her bedside table.

“What are you doing over there?” Quinn asked teasingly.

“Just wait and see,” Autumn laughed.

Something about her answer gave Quinn butterflies. The butterflies weren’t in her heart, this time they were low in her core. The anticipation inside Quinn made her want to moan. She held herself back. Quinn couldn’t allow herself to moan before they’d even started.

Autumn closed the drawer and showed Quinn what she held in her hand.

A long pink vibrator whirred to life as Autumn turned it on.

Quinn felt a tiny bead of sweat form at her temple in anticipation of the sensation.

Autumn placed the vibrator against her clit and Quinn felt a jolt of pleasure so strong her back arched.

Autumn seemed pleased by her reaction, gliding the vibrator slowly over the spot.

All Quinn knew was that she needed more. More speed. More contact. Just more.

“More,” Quinn managed to whimper.

“Now who’s being bossy?” Autumn chuckled.

“Please,” Quinn offered.

Autumn lowered herself down sucking one of Quinn’s nipples as she moved the vibrator across her clit faster, pressing down against the spot harder.

Quinn knew she wouldn’t last. Autumn sped her pace and Quinn’s body erupted.

Spots of pleasure danced across her eyes as her orgasm coursed through her.

Autumn moved the vibrator to the side and slid two fingers inside her.

She curled her fingers at the end of each thrust, and Quinn could feel her pleasure building for a second time.

This orgasm was much more powerful than the first. She felt her body shudder around Autumn’s fingers, clamping down.

Her body gave one final clench before fully releasing.

Quinn could only give herself over to the sensations.

Her head pressed back into the pillows. Autumn lay beside her on the bed.

It was her turn to play with the long strands of Quinn’s hair.

Quinn sighed, grounding herself in the moment.

If this was what the rest of her life looked like, then she was the luckiest woman on the planet.