Page 23 of Stolen Hearts (WaterColor Romance #7)

As far as Quinn was concerned the last few weeks had been the best in her life. All she could feel was gratitude for the way that Autumn had chosen to forgive her. Since then they’d spent every night together.

This morning she rolled over and found Autumn laying with her blonde hair surrounding her. Quinn allowed her arm to come around Autumn’s waist pulling her closer.

“Good morning,” Autumn whispered with a smile.

“Good morning,” Quinn whispered back.

“How did you sleep?” Quinn asked.

“Pretty well. I still say I have the better mattress,” Autumn teased.

“No arguments here. You definitely have the better mattress,” Quinn laughed.

They had fallen into the habit of spending weeknights at Autumn’s place.

The bar wasn’t unreasonably busy on Monday through Thursday.

But on weekends they spent the night in Quinn’s apartment above the bar.

Quinn was realizing the pitfalls of staying above the bar while trying to entertain a special guest.

Autumn leaned in and gave Quinn a kiss on the lips. From the side table Autumn’s phone buzzed. Quinn rose from the bed and went to the kitchen. She knew Autumn was likely to spend several minutes sorting through work emails and she wanted to start their coffee.

A few short minutes later Autumn entered the kitchen with a worried expression.

“What’s wrong?” Quinn asked concerned.

“I’m just afraid that I forgot something for my Mom and Dad’s visit.”

“Sweetie, you’ve gone above and beyond for this visit. Everything is perfect.”

“Flowers. Did I order flowers for my apartment?” Autumn asked her eyes wide.

“No, but my best friend is a florist. I’m having Madison make arrangements. I’m going to pick them up and take them to your place later today,” Quinn smiled.

She watched as Autumn practically melted into the floor.

Quinn had always been good at reading people, and finding out what was important to them.

Autumn was easily the most independent person she’d ever met.

So when Quinn was able to fill in the gaps and make the woman’s life a little easier Autumn was always impressed and grateful.

“You did that for me?” Autumn asked. Quinn was certain there were tears in Autumn’s eyes. She wrapped her arms around Autumn and brought her in for a hug.

“Of course. I told you. I’m here for you. In this case that means making sure there are flowers.”

“You’re amazing,” Autumn whispered. She pulled away and gave Quinn a quick kiss on the lips.

“They’re just flowers,” Quinn insisted with a smile.

“They aren’t just flowers to me,” Autumn answered.

Quinn searched Autumn’s deep blue eyes. She always felt like she could get lost in her eyes if she tried hard enough. Quinn settled into the moment knowing that if they dove a little deeper they could wind up back in the bedroom. Autumn pulled away with a reluctant sigh.

“I wish I could stay. But I have to finish up some work before Mom and Dad get here.”

Internally, Quinn groaned, but outwardly she schooled her face to remain neutral.

“I understand. I’ll bring the flowers by in a few hours.”

“You really are amazing,” Autumn insisted. She gave Quinn one final kiss before heading for the door.

Quinn watched her go. Once this visit was over Quinn was determained to ask Autumn to live with her. Whether they lived in her place or Autumn’s didn’t make any difference to her. She just hated having to say goodbye this way every morning.

Quinn stretched her arms towards the ceiling.

She made a split second decision to take a walk.

She needed to shake off her own nerves before meeting Autumn’s parents.

From the way she described the two of them they sounded like truly lovely yet intimidating people.

A true contrast. Quinn did usually appreciate contrast, but she hated seeing Autumn so stressed out.

Quinn picked the path that led her through the beach. She loved the ocean. It was still a mystery to her how she’d ended up living in the desert. Through her life Quinn had found that the best moments for her to process her thoughts were alone in nature. She sat on the sand to watch the water.

Not long ago she hadn’t even known Autumn.

How had Autumn become the most important person in her life in such a short time?

After Rory, Quinn had sworn to keep herself from completely falling for another person.

She’d promised that she would always keep a little bit of her heart back.

But she couldn’t hold any part of herself back.

Not where Autumn was concerned. Autumn had every last piece of her, mind body, and soul. They all belonged to Autumn.

Her phone rang and she knew instinctively that it would be Madison. Her inkling was confirmed when she pulled out her phone.

“Hey, I have some lovely flowers for you,” Madison chuckled.

“Thanks again.”

“Umm I’ve been waiting for you to ask me to make floral arrangements since you and Autumn got together.”

Quinn rolled her eyes.

“I’m happy I could make that dream come true. Let me get showered and changed then I’ll head right over.”

“See you in a bit,” Madison said.

Quinn loved how happy her friend was for her. She could only hope that Madison would find her perfect match someday soon. No one deserved more happiness than her friend.

An hour later, Quinn was showered, dressed and standing in front of Madison’s flower shop.

She took in the scent of fresh flowers as she walked in the front door.

Madison gave her a tiny wave with a smile from behind the counter.

Madison had prepared three floral arrangements all included pink roses, which were Autumn’s favorite.

“You really went all out with these arrangements,” Madison laughed.

“I needed them to be perfect. Autumn has ben so worried with her Mom and Dad coming to visit.”

“Well, hopefully these meet her standards,” Madison smiled.

“These are perfect. You did an incredible job as always.”

“Are you nervous about meeting Autumn’s parents?” Madison asked.

“Sure. A little nervous. But I don’t think I’m anywhere near as worried as Autumn is.”

“Parents can be tough,” Madison reaffirmed.

“I’m the first partner she’s introduced to her parents,” Quinn admitted.

“Wow, no pressure,” Madison laughed.

“It is. But I more want to make a good impression for Autumn’s sake than for mine. I know that their opinion and approval really matter to her. So I want to make sure that I’m at my very best.”

“You’re a great girlfriend. Besides parents have always loved you. My Mom still asks about you and we never even dated,” Madison teased.

“How is Lynette?”

“See that’s what I mean.”

“What?”

“The way you just whipped out. How is Lynette? You’re going to do great with Autumn’s parents,” Madison insisted.

“Also, Lynette is doing just fine. Retired and living her best life.”

The two chuckled for a moment.

“You better get these flowers to your girlfreind. She’s going to want to pick the perfect placement for them.”

“Yes, Autumn will want to pick the perfect placement. Then move them three more times until they’re actually in the perfect placement.”

“It’s a woman’s perogative,” Madison laughed.

“It is. I just wish I could do something to help ease Autumn’s stress a bit.”

“You’re doing it. A woman like Autumn is always going to have a list. The best way you can help is by taking things off her plate.”

Quinn nodded, she knew that Madison was right. She glanced at the flowers again, assessing. There were pale pink roses withan assortment of other flowers mostly in white. The arrangements looked both elegant and beautiful.

“Hopefully, these are a good place to start,” Quinn admitted.

“These are a wonderful place to start,” Madison smiled.

“I better get going so Autumn can arrange these around the house.”

Quinn gathered two of the arrangements in her arms. Madison followed behind her with the third arrangement. Madison handed her the last arrangement after she finished loading the other two in her car.

“Just be patient and kind like you always are and I’m sure everything with Autumn will go smoothly.”

“I think you’re right. I just want to be as supportive and helpful as possible,” Quinn admitted.

“You’re doing great so far,” Madison chuckled.

“Thanks again for the arrangements.”

“Anytime.”

The two hugged and said goodbye. Quinn sighed as she turned out of the parking lot. Despite her best efforts, Quinn’s nerves were starting to find her. One dinner. All she had to do was make it through one dinner with Autumn’s parents.

Quinn wasn’t completely prepared for the scene that awaited her at Autumn’s house.

Autumn was pacing around her kitchen frantically waving a towel in the air.

The smoke dectector was going off. On the stove there was a pan of something that presumably was supposed to be food, now only a charred lump remained.

“I ruined dinner. Quinn, what am I going to do? This place smells like smoke, and dinner is a mess.” Autumn was practically in tears, it pulled at Quinn’s heart to see her girlfriend in such a state. Quinn instantly went into problem solving mode.

“Okay, when do your parents get here?” Quinn asked.

“I need to pick them up in two hours.”

“That’s perfect. We have plenty of time,” Quinn smiled.

“Time for what? A miracle?”

“Nope. Just time to improvise a bit.”

Autumn gave her an incredulous look her arms crossed over her chest. Quinn closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around Autumn.

“First, I’m going to call my staff and give all but two of them the night off.

Then I’m going to have them put a sign in front of the bar saying it’s closed for a private event.

We’re going to move dinner with your parents to the bar.

This will be perfect because they wanted to see your latest project anyway.

Then I’m going to call Brynn, the owner of Mallie’s and see if she’d be up for making us a special dinner.

She and I got along really well while I was working there.

We’ll have her deliver the food to us. My servers will wait on us and your parents will get to see all the work you put into the bar. ”

Quinn watched as Autumn’s face softened. She leaned in and kissed Quinn hard on the mouth. Quinn moaned as Autumn’s tongue slid inside her mouth. Autumn pulled away before things could progress past kissing. She cupped Quinn’s face in her hands.

“You’re incredible. Do you know that?”

“Of course I am. Now you go get ready to pick up your parents and let me handle the rest.”

“You know it’s kind of sexy when you take charge?” Autumn grinned wickedly.

“Is it?” Quinn asked returning Autumn’s grin.

“Oh it definitely is.”

“Well keep that in mind for tonight when your parents go back to their hotel room,” Quinn teased.

“Trust me, if you pull this off I promise you’ll be well compensated when my parents go to their hotel for the night.”

Quinn felt like she might pass out and die on the spot.

Her core instantly tightened at Autumn’s words.

Autumn gave a little wave as she walked to her bedroom to get dressed.

Any other time Quinn would have followed Autumn to the bedroom.

Tonight, she was on a tight deadline with a lot of moving pieces.

There would be time for bedroom pursuits later, Autumn had promised as much.

Quinn’s first call was to her servers. She assured them that they would be paid well for the evening, and both women readily agreed.

Special events always paid more than normal nights.

Her next call was to Brynn, who was excited to help out.

Quinn hung up the phone and breathed a sigh of relief.

So far the evening was going better than expected.

She stuck her head inside Autumn’s bedroom and took a sharp inhale.

Autumn stood wearing nothing but a black lace thong and bra.

A matching set, that sent shock waves through Quinn’s body.

Autumn was analyzing two dresses on the bed, one red and one black.

She turned to Quinn and smiled when she saw the expression on her face.

Apparently, the woman already knew her tells.

“Which dress?” Autumn asked simply.

Quinn looked over the two options.

“The black one. You can’t go wrong with a black dress,” Quinn chuckled.

“I like how you think,” Autumn grinned.

“I’m going back to my place to get changed and set up the bar.”

Autumn took one step in her direction but Quinn held up her hand halting her.

“Listen, if you take one more step I might lose my sense of reason, and we’re on a tight deadline.

It kills me to leave. Literally, I might die if I don’t get you out of that thong soon.

But I want this night to be perfect for you and your parents.

So I’m going to take a mental snapshot and get out of here,” Quinn laughed.

“You’re perfect,” Autumn chuckled.

“And you’re distracting,” Quinn teased.

“Just remember you’ll get exactly what you want later tonight.” Autumn’s voice took on a deep velvety rasp that sent shivers up Quinn’s spine.

“Hmm exactly what I want?” Quinn asked.

“Everything to your exact specifications,” Autumn promised.

Quinn took one more look at Autumn and sighed deeply.

Even after having seen Autumn naked several times, the sight of her in that thong was enough to make Quinn’s heart beat harder.

She blew Autumn a kiss and turned to leave.

She knew if she didn’t leave now she might never go.

One dinner, Quinn repeated to herself. She was determained to make tonight better than Autumn could have imagined.