She flashed her big amber eyes at me and fluttered her lashes. “I love you. I want you to be happy.”
Those unshed tears that had been present over Dad were eager to spill at how warmth spread through my chest and how much I loved that girl with every fiber in me. I wanted to pull over and devour her with kisses.
“Aw,” Ariel mumbled. “See how things are already working?”
Quinn and I were locked in a stare. “How did I get so lucky?”
She gave me one of her shy looks, capturing a nail in her mouth.
I grasped her hand, brought it to my mouth, then peppered kisses over her cold skin. “You’re my starlight, Quinn Thompson. I love you hard.”
Silence followed us for a slow mile before Ariel’s voice snapped the bubble Quinn and I were in. “I want to ride Quinn’s horse, Apple, before we go back to Boston. I’ve never ridden a horse before.”
I chuckled. “I think she should ride Lightning.” That horse was straight hellfire if he sensed you were afraid.
Quinn swiveled in her seat, angling her body so she could eye Ariel. “She’ll do better on Apple.”
“I’ve heard about Lightning,” Ariel said. “Nice try. It’s your turn, Maiken.”
With Quinn’s hand still in mine, I said, “I promise to be more attentive to your needs. I haven’t been doing that since we got to college. No matter how busy I get with studies and basketball, I will make time for you. I will have sex whenever you want and wherever you want.”
She arched her brow. “Wherever I want?” A seductive smile emerged as she seemingly contemplated the next place for us to have sex. As shy as she was at times, she was never shy during lovemaking.
“Wherever.” I never wanted Quinn to feel that I didn’t want her or that she had to worry about other girls stealing me. “And don’t ever think I would look at any other girl the way I look at you. I don’t want anyone but you.”
Ariel was muttering some gooey shit, but I tuned her out. All that mattered was Quinn.
Chapter Four
Quinn
All that irritation and weeks of being jealous had just blown out the window.
Maiken’s eyes were cloudy, and if we had been alone, he probably would have spilled a tear or two. I knew he’d been thinking of his dad earlier. He always did around the holidays.
Nevertheless, I swore Ariel set us up. She had a way of playing therapist at times. Although I couldn’t blame her—I would have done the same for her if the tables were turned. She adored Maiken, and she wanted to see us get married.
And holy moly, marriage. I wasn’t ready to discuss it, although a small part of me was giddy with the idea that he and I would tie the knot one day. I saw my future with him when my freaking doubtful mind wasn’t playing tricks on me.
I squeezed Maiken’s hand. “I promise not to go off the deep end whenever I see a girl next to you or touching you. I know you love me. I know you would never do anything to hurt me.” Truth.
He gave me a wolfish grin, his blue eyes lighting up brighter than a Christmas tree.
Ariel leaned forward. “It sounds to me like you two are saying your marriage vows.” She giggled.
“Ariel,” Maiken warned in a deep tone that was usually reserved for when he was pissed at his younger brother, Marcus, for doing something stupid.
She lifted her small hands. “What?”
“Ariel, I’m going out on a limb and saying that this tradition in your family is a hoax,” he said. “Isn’t it?”
“Does it matter?” she responded. “You two are not at each other’s throats.”
His brow creased. “We never were.”
I’d been the one to get all bitchy with him. “Is it a hoax?” I wouldn’t be mad at my roomie if it had been. Actually, she was a genius if she’d made it up. I did feel a sense of relief and closer to Maiken if that was possible.
Ariel shook her head. “No. The tradition dates back to when my nana was a little girl.” Then she glanced out her window. I suspected she was thinking about her family.
A pang of sympathy clutched at my chest. She wouldn’t be with her mom or dad for Christmas. I’d made the last hour all about me, and I’d put my roomie and one of my best friends in an awkward position.
I pulled my hand from Maiken’s and grabbed my seat as I regarded Ariel. “I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have to put up with a witchy and jealous roomie and listen to Maiken and me and our personal problems.”
She smiled weakly. “You’re my bestie, and besties are there for one another no matter what.”
“I vote to stop the game,” Maiken said. “Let’s listen to some music. I need to concentrate on the road, anyway.”
I wanted to hear his wish, but he could tell me later. I made a mental note to ask him.
“Yeah, I agree,” Ariel said. “I’m tired, anyway.”
I didn’t believe her. She was sad—that much, I could tell by her sudden quietness. But I was on board with them.
We inched along for the next thirty minutes as big snowflakes fell. The windshield wipers were working hard to clear the window. “You Ruin Me” by The Veronicas played on the radio.
As I listened to the words of the song, I imagined where I wanted to get married. Celia, my BFF when we were growing up, would freak out if she knew Maiken had been thinking of proposing.
My phone rang, severing the images of Maiken and me tying the knot.
“Momma,” I said into my phone.
“Quinn, honey. Where are you guys?” She sounded frantic. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for the last hour.”
I exchanged a surprised look with Maiken, my pulse ready to shoot off the charts. “Why? Is Daddy okay?” Another heart attack came to mind.
“Your dad is fine, but he’s wearing a hole in the kitchen floor.”
I put Mom on speaker. “I guess we were out of cell range. I’m sorry.”
“We’re close to our exit,” Maiken said.
“There are several roads closed here,” Mom said. “We have a foot of snow right now.”
“I have four-wheel drive,” Maiken added. “We’ll make it.”
“Mom, don’t worry. Tell Daddy to relax.”
She laughed nervously. “That’s like telling a horse to talk. Just be careful. Call me when you’re closer.”
“I will.” Then I hung up.
Maiken sat up straighter, his jaw tightening.
I placed my hand on his muscled thigh. “Relax.”
“Easier said than done. My wish right now is to make it home.”
I scanned the road as Maiken slowed to get off at the exit. The snow looked absolutely beautiful, decorating the landscape and covering the trees with the deserted road looming ahead.
Ariel was lightly snoring.
I giggled softly, as did Maiken.
“At least she’s relaxed,” Maiken said, making a right onto the snow-packed road.
And not talking nonstop. I loved her, but sometimes a person needed a quiet moment.
With the snow crunching under our tires, Maiken threw the truck into four-wheel drive. “We’ll head to my house. It’s closer than yours.”