Quinn
Stretching my hands up into the air, I lean back in my chair and take a deep breath as I check the clock on the wall of my office for the fifth time today. Three forty-five.
Damn.
A few more hours, that’s all I have to get through. A few more hours, and I’ll be in the same room as Alessandra. I’ll get to stare into her brown eyes, feel the warmth of her skin, take in every inch of her perfect curves.
I remember the dress I picked out for her, and a smile rises to my lips. It’s almost as gorgeous as her. I can’t wait to see her in it.
A notification pops up on my screen to remind me about the gala tonight, and I lean forward to click it away. My brothers and I have taken turns attending this gala for years now, and I don’t need any reminders about the dress code or the philanthropies it benefits. As I scan my computer screen, one thing stands out to me. . . today’s date.
Alessandra leaves in two weeks.
Fuck.
I take another deep breath, pushing away from my desk and standing up. After a brief moment of panic, a wave of resolve washes over me. I have two weeks. What the fuck do I have to lose?
I’m going all in, pulling out all the stops. I decide then and there that if I do nothing else in the two weeks before she leaves, I’m going to full-on woo Alessandra.
My mind races with ideas, thoughts of all the things I want to do for and to this beautiful young woman threatening to overwhelm me. I haven’t felt this strongly about a woman since. . . well, ever, and it’s clear to me now that I have no choice but to give this relationship everything I have. Even if she leaves me in the end, I have to be able to say that I did everything in my power to keep her.
Suddenly, my thoughts are interrupted by a quick knock on the door. Before I can say anything, Cooper comes waltzing into my office wearing a smug smile. Ever since meeting Alessandra at our family dinner on Sunday, he’s been trying to give me shit about her. Aware of his obnoxious tendencies, I’ve been successful at avoiding him all week, but it seems he finally gave in to his annoying urges, literally cornering me in my office to tease me.
“How can I help you?” I sigh, ready to get this conversation over with as soon as possible.
“We never got a chance to chat after dinner on Sunday, brother,” Cooper says with a grin.
I know there’s no malice in his teasing, but I’m not in the mood to hear what he has to say. “Didn’t think there was much to talk about, brother.”
“Ah, well, I just have a few questions, really, after watching you with Alessandra.”
I lean back in my chair. “Shoot.”
Cooper takes a seat in one of the chairs opposite my desk, taking a moment to settle in, his legs spread wide and his hands folded over his stomach. He lifts his chin, a mischievous smile on his face. “First question, and arguably the most important one, how’s twenty-two-year-old pussy?”
As the words leave Cooper’s mouth, I bristle, quickly rising from my seat and marching to the door. “Get out,” I spit out, opening the door and gesturing for him to leave.
Cooper stands, raising his hands in surrender. “Oh, come on, Quinn, it’s a valid question. I haven’t fucked a twenty-two-year-old in years.”
I don’t respond, simply growl and motion for him to leave again.
“Wait a second,” he says, his hands dropping to his sides. “You don’t know, do you? Why else would you be so tense about this? Unless you’re in love with her or something, but we both know it’s too soon for that.”
Cooper’s words hit me right in the chest, knocking the wind out of me for a second. I quickly recover, clenching my jaw and crossing my arms, but it’s too late. He saw me falter, and there’s no use denying anything. Whether I like it or not, both of my brothers can see right through me.
But that doesn’t mean I have to talk to either of them about it.
“Out,” I say, jerking my head toward the open door.
Cooper sighs. “Fine, I’ll leave you alone. But don’t think for one second you’re off the hook here, man.”
He brushes past me and walks out the door. I shut the door behind him, my blood still boiling in frustration. I can’t tell if I’m mad at Cooper, exactly, or if I’m just upset hearing him point out the things I’ve barely been able to admit to myself.
I check the clock again. Four o’clock. I gather my things, flip off the lights, and walk out of my office, closing the door behind me. As I march through the building, I run into Gavin and Alyssa, who both give me inquisitive looks.
“Going somewhere?” Gavin asks, eyeing the briefcase in my hand.
“Home,” I answer gruffly, sidestepping him to get to the exit.
“Are you sick?” Alyssa asks after me, her eyes wide. “You haven’t left the office this early in ten years.”
“Fine,” I say over my shoulder, quickly pushing through the door and walking to my car.
I don’t care if they think something’s wrong. All I want in this moment is to get home and get ready for the gala. I haven’t been able to think about anything but Alessandra all day, and I don’t think an extra hour or two of pretending to work would do anyone any good.