Local Flavour: Bitter Harvest (Book 4)

Chapter 2

Lucy stirred in the early morning light that slanted across her face. Blinking, she sat up slowly and pushed the covers back. She walked naked to the window and closed the curtains fully before going to the kitchen for a glass of water. Quinn insisted on booking a room with a kitchenette whenever they travelled. He enjoyed a good restaurant like anyone else, but he also liked to wander the markets in every city, talking to people and learning how to prepare local delicacies. His excitement was infectious; she loved travelling and learning new things with him. Exploring Paris with him was like a dream and she never wanted it to end. What did I ever do without him?

She wandered to the bed and set the water on the table, memories of the night before curling her lips into a smile. She rubbed a hand across his muscled back and through his tousled, blond hair. He liked to sleep flat on his stomach, his arms flung out on either side of the pillow and his face to one side; surrendering to sleep. So peaceful, she thought, continuing to stroke down his bicep. So handsome. And all mine.

Although she'd had many relationships and been engaged before, she'd never really been in love until now. The thought scared her at first; it felt reckless and frightening to care so much for someone. She'd been through some hard times and didn't trust that anything good in her life could last. Or that she deserved to be happy. Therapy was helping with that, and Quinn. He showed her that she was worthy of love, and capable of giving love in return.

"You can keep doing that." He spoke without opening his eyes. She'd stopped caressing him to take a sip of water.

"You like that, mm?" She put the glass down and started to massage his back slowly with both hands. He sighed contentedly in response. "No one has ever touched me like you do," he murmured.

She flushed with pleasure, rubbing his neck the way he liked before raking her nails lightly across his back. His low moan of pleasure was thrilling. She loved making him feel good. He certainly returned the favour; she craved his strong, muscled arms around her, the gentle touch of his large, rough hands on her body. She was cold from walking to the kitchen but now she was getting warm.

She focused her roaming hands on his lower back, stroking the tension out of tight muscles. He sighed and seemed to sink into the bed further, his breathing becoming more rhythmic.

Damn. Despite her lusty intentions, she was putting him back to sleep. Lucy debated rubbing lower and waking him up, before deciding to let him sleep. Their flight home wasn't for hours yet, and she wanted to let him rest. There would be time for her to explore more of his impressive body when they got home. All the time in the world.

They couldn't seem to keep their hands off each other since they first got together. She hoped it would always be that way between them.

She trailed her hands back up to his neck gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze before drawing back the covers and sliding into bed next to him. Where she was always chilled, he tended to run hot, his internal furnace was always on blast. She didn't even have to touch him to feel his warmth, it radiated from him.

She lay on her side to gaze at him uninterrupted, resisting the urge to run her fingers over his chiseled face, the thick lashes fanned out across his bronzed skin. He really was the most beautiful man, inside and out. How did she ever get so lucky?

She planted a light kiss on his bicep and turned over to get a bit more sleep herself before the rush of the day hit.

"Where do you think you're going?"

His voice was drowsy but when he put a strong arm around her and pulled into her, his body was very alert. "I thought you were asleep?" she said as he began to nuzzle her ear. Warmth pooled in her centre when he began to kiss the side of her neck while his rough, calloused hand found her soft breast.