Susan Mallery - Quinn's Woman

They were all good guys, and some of the very few men she trusted. Quinn looked enough like them to put her off balance.

Having solved the problem, D.J. relaxed. She fed Quinn his chocolate bar, ate her own, then used her penknife to cut the apple in two, then divide it into slices.

“I don’t think your partner is coming back,” he said conversationally.

D.J. glanced at her watch, then nodded in agreement. “Ronnie wasn’t really good in the woods,” she admitted. “I’m guessing he’s lost. Or captured by an enemy.”

“Are you sure you didn’t leave him tied up somewhere?”

She grinned. “He and I were partners. I would never actually hurt him. I settled on threatening him.”

“Was he scared?”

“Terrified. Barely eighteen and a new recruit. But he knew how to follow orders. We captured four prisoners in our first couple of hours. Three of them were army officers.”

“How?”

She explained about distracting them while Ronnie sneaked up from behind. When she’d finished, Quinn shook his head.

“Do you always do whatever it takes to win?”

“I do whatever it takes to be in control. There’s a difference.”

He glanced down at her hand. “So I didn’t kick you in the wrist before. You were faking it.”

“Of course.”

“I can respect that.”

While they were discussing recent history…“How did you throw me without hurting me?” she asked. “I barely felt anything.”

“I have great hands.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m serious.”

“I am, too. Besides, I don’t beat up on women.”

With his abilities, he could beat up on anyone he wanted.

“Being female can give you an advantage,” he said. “Men aren’t always expecting women to be tough. Do you ever get into trouble using your femininity in a situation? Ever take on more than you bargained for?”

“I don’t go in blind, so no. I’m prepared for every eventuality.”

“Do you ever get personally involved?”

“Not even close.”

He considered her answer. “You could do undercover work.”

“Maybe.” But it wasn’t her style. “That would require a level of vulnerability I don’t allow.”

“Sometimes it comes with the territory. Aren’t you the one willing to do whatever it takes to win?”

“No. To be in control.” She studied him. “What about you? Do you ever go undercover?”

“Sometimes. Mostly I just creep around in the dark, waiting to pull people out of places they’re not supposed to be.”

Probably a simplistic version of his work, but one that made her want to ask a lot more questions. Doubtful that he would answer them, she checked her watch. It was after eleven.

“Are you going to get in trouble for staying out all night?” he asked.

“Are you?”

“I hope so.” He shifted so that he was stretched out on the tarp. “If you’re going to make me stay out in the rain, the least you can do is cuddle close so we can stay warm.”

“I don’t think so.”

“That’s the woman in you talking.”

She started to protest, then realized he was right. The temperature was cool enough to make her shiver. Neither of them would get any sleep unless they could warm up. But stretching out next to a strange man wasn’t her idea of a good time.

“Shy?” he asked cheerfully.

She ignored him and slid closer. While she’d “slept” with a few men, she’d never been one for spending the night. She certainly never allowed herself to fall asleep after. Of course, in this case Quinn wasn’t a lover—he was her prisoner. That changed the dynamics.

He was big and tall and as she moved next to him, she could feel his heat.

“I could use a pillow,” he said.

“Fine.”

She grabbed the pack and shoved it under his head. He smiled at her.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Now go to sleep.” She reached to turn off the lantern, but before she could, he spoke again.

“I can’t. My arms hurt.”

She glared at him. With them both lying down, his face was fairly close to hers. She could see the stubble on his jaw and the length of his dark lashes.

“I’m not untying you,” she told him. “If you promise to behave, I’ll take you into camp.”

His mouth turned up at the corners. “I almost never behave.”

“Why is that not a surprise?”

She reached behind her and clicked off the lantern, then shifted close to him. But somehow he’d managed to move just enough so that when she lowered her head, she found it resting on his shoulder.

Her first instinct was to bolt for safety. Because she didn’t want him to know she was rattled, she forced herself to stay in place. A few minutes later, her apprehension faded. Quinn was tied up; she was safe.

She deliberately concentrated on slowing her breathing. After a few more minutes she became aware of the not-unpleasant masculine scent of his body. He generated plenty of heat, and she found herself relaxing.

“This is nice,” he said into the darkness.

“Hmm.”

“Don’t I get a kiss good-night?”

Her eyes popped open and she stared into the darkness. A kiss? “No.”

He made a low clucking sound. It took her a second to realize he was trying to imitate a chicken.

“Oh, yeah, that’s going to work,” she said.

“You’re tempted,” he said, “but nervous. That’s okay. I understand. I’m a big, handsome hunky guy who turns you on. But you don’t have to be nervous. I’ll be gentle.”

“You’ll be sucking wind.”

Obviously, the man didn’t have any self-esteem issues. Although she wasn’t the least bit concerned about her safety, what did make her jittery was the fact that the thought of kissing him was almost appealing.

“You’re missing out,” he said. “You know, you wouldn’t even have to untie me. You could take advantage of me. I wouldn’t mind.”

“Shut up and go to sleep.”

He sighed heavily. “Just one kiss.”

“No.”

“There doesn’t have to be any tongue.”

“Gee, thanks for letting me know.”

“Come on. You want to. How long will it take? Then we can go to sleep.”

Despite the craziness of what he was saying, D.J. found herself reaching for the lantern and clicking it on.

“You’re getting on my nerves,” she said.

Quinn puckered his lips like a man imitating a fish. She couldn’t help chuckling.

He was big, dangerous, probably trained to kill and he made her laugh. What was wrong with this picture?

She sighed. “I want your word that you’ll be quiet and go to sleep. No more conversation, no more requests.”

“I’d cross my heart, but I’m a little tied up right now.”

“Was that a yes?”

“Yes.”

She leaned close. One kiss, she told herself. Just a quick peck good-night. It didn’t mean anything. She wouldn’t let it. She was just doing this to shut him up—not because she was the least bit…interested.

Her mouth barely touched his. There was the same flash of heat she’d experienced when her fingers had brushed his lips, and a tightening low in her belly. She braced herself for an aggressive response from him, but he didn’t move. She wasn’t even sure he was breathing.

Slowly she pressed a little harder. Not exactly deepening the kiss, but not ending it, either. Something warm and liquid poured through her. It made her thinking fuzzy and her body relax. It made her—

Panic surged as she realized she was actually enjoying the close contact. Temptation, desire, need were all too risky. Too dangerous. She knew better. She’d spent her entire life knowing better.

But she wouldn’t let him know she was rattled. Instead of jerking her head back, she broke the kiss slowly, then opened her eyes.