"Here we go again," sighed Quinn.
Vanessa caught Quinn's eyes. "Cub?"
Quinn motioned at his mother to quiet down. "She hasn't been enlightened."
"Enlightened?" asked Vanessa, growing confused.
"I'm sorry." Savannah became guarded. "It doesn't matter right now. Vanessa is the perfect young girl to join our family. I'm thrilled that he finally settled down, that's all."
What were they talking about? Quinn and his mom spoke in riddles.
"Not to worry. Vanessa and I are taking it slowly. Rest assured, we are planning to have a big family. Aren't we, Vanessa?" Quinn patted Vanessa's shoulder fondly. His smile was unnatural, showing too much teeth. Jesus. This guy was messing with her.
Vanessa had no choice but to play along. "Yes."
"We had a lengthy discussion about it. Since both of us grew up in full houses, she wants, at least, four children. I think two boys and two girls are a good start. Right, Vanessa?"
Don't make up stuff by yourself. Vanessa shot him a warning glare. Cut it off. She pinched Quinn's arm underneath the table.
Quinn seemed to be on the roll. He took Vanessa's hand and kissed it like a love-struck boy. "She even already picked the name for our firstborn. What was it again, babe?"
"Coco?" she offered.
"That's the name for the dog. Don't you remember?"
"Right. I'm sorry. Austin?"
"Austin is a lovely name." Savannah totally bought into the bullshit. "Do you know that my uncle from my mother's side was also named Austin?" And then she rattled on and on about the family.
Vanessa steeled her brave face while secretly hoping Quinn's mom wouldn't pry any more into her relationship with Quinn. Vanessa wasn't good at deceiving people. Thankfully, Savannah got distracted by a phone call and had to excuse herself.
Quinn seemed to be enjoying himself. Why did he love torturing her so much? He got a kick from seeing her uncomfortable. She was glad when dinner ended and the dishes and table were cleared.
Half an hour later, Savannah received a guest in the living room-one of her socialite friends. Quinn and his brothers wanted to walk in the woods behind the property and he asked Vanessa to tag along.
She agreed. The steak sat heavily in her stomach. A walk would burn some of the calories. Despite the snow, the temperature outside was pleasant for a January evening. The sky hadn't become completely dark yet.
Vanessa breathed in the cool mountain air. It was refreshing. The silence was deafening in its tranquility. Away from the hustle and bustle of New York City, there was something so serene about the night.
Trent and John walked off the path into the woods and were nowhere to be seen, leaving her and Quinn alone. Vanessa elbowed him. "Dammit, Quinn, why did you put me on the spot earlier?"
He feigned an innocent look. "Who would name their kid Coco?" he retorted.
"That's not the point. I'm starting to think you enjoy torturing me."
"I must admit, I love watching you squirm on your seat."
"I'm glad you were entertained at my expense. Your mom is a very nice person. I feel guilty lying to her."
"It doesn't have to be a lie if we were really going out."
Vanessa totally didn't expect that. "Are you suggesting we should be dating?"
"Yes." He looked dead serious.
Vanessa opened and closed her mouth, momentarily lost for words. He didn't really mean that, did he? Quinn wanted to date her? Was he serious? No way. She was so distracted by the thought that she stopped paying attention to where she was going. She stumbled upon a patch of snow and it sent her sliding down the embankment of a small stream. She yelped. Quinn tried to snatch her but uneven ground made both of them roll to the bottom. She found herself underneath him in a compromising position.
Well, well. This was kind of awkward.
Jesus Christ. How is it I'm so clumsy?
"Are you okay?" asked Quinn
"I'm fine."
She waited for Quinn to move but he didn't seem so inclined. "Quinn."
He kissed her. It was so sudden; she didn't know how to react. She froze. It wasn't a friendly kiss. It was a rough kiss, insanely hot with naughty tongue action involved. Her brain turned into mush. Despite being sprawled in the cold snow, her body temperature rose. Her cheeks flushed. Her heartbeat raced. "Why did you do that?" she whispered after she found her voice.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"I got the gist, but I don't understand your motives."
"Vanessa, I don't know how to make myself clearer. I'm interested in you. Romantically. I want you to see me as more than just your boss. See me as a man-a man who very much wants to make you his."
She bit her lower lip so she wouldn't burst out laughing. Had Quinn ingested some funny mushrooms? He sounded so freaking corny. And how was it he was capable of being corny? This side of Quinn caught her unprepared.
"Great. I tore my heart open and you're laughing at me," he grumbled.
"I'm sorry. I just didn't expect this. I'm just wondering why you'd be interested in me? In case you haven't noticed, I'm weird. Even my family says so. Besides, you never expressed an interest in me before."
"I have. You're just too oblivious to see."
"What? When?"
Quinn rolled to his side, sitting up. "Let's see. About two months ago after our meeting with Cisco, I asked if you had plans for that Friday night. You said no and just walked away."
"Oh. You should have been more specific."
"Okay. Remember when we had lunch with a vendor three weeks ago? When Catherine went to the restroom, I asked you if you wanted to go out. You said it was raining outside and you didn't like getting wet."
"Oh. I didn't know that's what you meant."
"No, Vanessa, you're Captain Oblivious. Sometimes I wonder how you hook up with guys? Did you just walk up to a man in a bar and ask him to sleep with you?"
Vanessa blinked. "That's exactly what I did."
He was taken aback. "You're serious?"
"Yeah. The worst thing that could happen was the man would say no. But that never happened. Guys never turn down a chance to get laid, if you know what I'm saying." She winked mischievously.
Quinn looked seriously baffled.
"What? Don't look at me like that. I don't play games. I like to simplify stuff."
"I know that now." He ran his hand through his short hair, laughing. "You really are an odd duck, Vanessa."
She shrugged. "I've never pretended to be something I'm not. I'm just me being me."
Quinn stared at her. "Well?" he prodded.
"Well, what?"
"What do you say? I want you to go out with me for real."
"Hmm." It forced her to think. Hard. "I like the way you kiss. You're really a hot guy. You have a nice family. And you have a surprising side I've never seen before. So far, you're interesting."
"And?"
"Give me a second. I'm analyzing my feelings. Because you're my boss, that's a complication. I really like my job and working at your company. What if the thing between us didn't work? That would cause a complication and I really hate complication; did I mention that? It'd be awkward. Not to mention the tension at work and with my coworkers."
Quinn huffed impatiently. "Maybe you need a little encouragement." He pushed her chin up and kissed her again.
She wanted to melt in his arms. The kiss was equally as exquisite as the previous one. A surge of blood rushed into her head, making her dizzy. When he finally parted his lips, she thought she was going to faint.
"Well?" Quinn pressed.
Someone cleared his throat above them. "Get a room." It was Trent. He hunched at the edge of the trail, looking down at them. "I thought you guys needed help. But clearly you don't. Never mind." He stalked off.
Quinn rose and helped her up. Vanessa dusted the snow from her jeans and parka.
"What's the verdict?" asked Quinn.
Still heady from the effect of the kiss, Vanessa thought she needed a little more reaffirmation. "Can you kiss me one more time? I need a little more convincing."
He obeyed her ever-so-enthusiastically, that by the time he released her, her knees weakened. She almost couldn't stand on her own. She held onto his jacket, waiting for the dizzy spell to pass.
Quinn nuzzled behind her ear and spoke softly, "I think Trent had the best idea. Let's get a room."
* * *
The house was quiet when they got back. His mom was nowhere to be seen-maybe she went out with her friend. His brothers hadn't returned. He thanked god for the peace and quiet. He finally was going to make Vanessa his and he didn't wish for any interruption.
They went to their room. He locked the door. He shed his jacket and boots and proceeded to take off hers. He kissed her as he stripped each article of clothing off, one by one. She looked so goddamned beautiful, with her big beautiful brown eyes, soft skin, and glossy hair.