Convincing Quinn

Convincing Quinn Chloe Cole Book one in the Rock Hard series.

Quinn Myles loves her life. She‟s in a kick-ass rock band and they‟re on their way to the big-time. If only her two band-mates hadn‟t told her how they felt, she could have controlled her own desires. And choosing between them might tear the band apart. Rex Campbell used to enjoy life on the road and the groupies that came with it. That was before he realized he was mad crazy about Quinn Myles. He knows he‟s the man for her, and if it takes sharing her with Beau once to prove it, he will. Beau‟s willing. Now, to convince Quinn…

Ellora‟s Cave Publishing

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Convincing Quinn ISBN 9781419937385 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Convincing Quinn Copyright © 2011 Chloe Cole Edited by Grace Bradley Cover design by Syneca Photography: Les Byerley Electronic book publication November 2011 The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora‟s Cave Publishing. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora‟s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher‟s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author‟s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author‟s imagination and used fictitiously. The publisher and author(s) acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book. The publisher does not have any control over, and does not assume any responsibility for, author or third-party Web sites or their content.

CONVINCING QUINN

Chloe Cole

Dedication To my husband, Chip, for the awesome band name. I’m your forever groupie, babe.

Acknowledgements As always, I want to thank the fabulous Grace Bradley for her insight and guidance. Oh! And also for her mastery of the nefarious further/farther thing. You make edits fun.

Chloe Cole

Chapter One “Yess. Oh God. Yeah.” Quinn Myles slapped her chilly hands over her ears. It did little to deaden the sound of the feminine cries coming from the next room. She scrabbled around in the dark until she found the two throw pillows adorning the bed then pressed them to the sides of her head. “Beau, oh God.” She moved the pillows away. Just Beau? One half of her wanted to shout in relief. “Rex! Please. Don’t stop.” Aaaand that would be a negative. It was both of them. Awesome. She abandoned her useless pseudo-earmuffs and threw herself off the bed. The thin tank top she slept in did little to shield her as the frigid air enveloped her and gooseflesh rose on her arms. For crying out loud, they could house penguins in this frigging place. She stomped over to the door and yanked it open, then stepped into the hallway. She had no idea where the thermostat was on this hulk of a bus, but she‟d stop them in mid-hump to ask if she had to. No way was she going to freeze to death listening to someone else bang. It was positively undignified. Despite her ire, she lost her nerve once she got near the door and didn‟t even flick on the hall light. Technically, she was their guest and she had made them promise not to act any differently just because she was going to be around for a few weeks. She rolled her gritty eyes. Her band-mates were so thick sometimes. She hadn‟t really meant it. She was just trying to be nice. Two months into their three-month concert tour, her bus had broken down. They‟d talked about renting another until they found a new one, but Beau and Rex had invited 6

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her to stay with them on the “Man Bus” instead. She‟d protested initially, but the move would save them almost ten grand in rental fees. That was a lot of studio time and she just didn‟t feel right putting up a fuss. It wouldn‟t be so bad. On the plus side, she got to spend even more time with her two best friends and band-mates. No one made her laugh like Beau and Rex and the best times she could remember were when the three of them were together. On the minus side, she got to spend even more time with her two best friends and band-mates. When they were on tour it seemed as if the only time they were apart was to sleep…or whatever the two of them did at night while she slept. She didn‟t mind the togetherness. What she did mind was having her heart torn out one cell at a time as she had to watch—or listen—as they took full advantage of the groupie adoration at every single stop. And that’s what you get for loving two men and refusing to be with either one. It had been the noble decision. The wise decision. She was like fucking Solomon. Only really, really stupid. Unwilling to play back the well-worn memory of the night she‟d refused them both, she rubbed a hand over her face and focused on the now. And right now she needed to get warm. She felt along the walls until she found the thermostat then pressed the top button five times. That ought to do it. A low, hoarse cry rent the air and she flinched. Beau. Her skin tingled even as her stomach churned. Had the nameless, faceless girl been giving him a blowjob? After searching for hours, had she finally found some secret spot that broke him? Was she so damn hot that he couldn‟t control himself? Quinn would have traded anything to be the reason behind that sound. Anything but Rex. “Hey.”

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Rex‟s low, raspy voice tripped over her spine like unseen fingertips. She turned to face him in the almost blackness, barely able to make out his silhouette. “Hey. I didn‟t hear you come out,” she said, trying to keep it casual. “I was being stealthy so they wouldn‟t know I was gone.” Another cry filled the air, this time from a woman. “Yeah, I think you‟re safe there.” He barked out a low, short laugh. “I was, uh, you know…” “Done?” she asked, her tone drier than she intended. She felt more than saw him shake his head. “Nah. Just refueling. I got hungry and thought I‟d come out and make a sandwich. What are you doing up?” “Well, when I started to lose all feeling in my extremities, I thought it was time to turn the air down.” “It‟s hot as hell outside, love. And what with all the exercise going on around here, we like to keep it cool.” “Yeah, yeah. One more week and you can have your igloo back.” Something brushed her side and she jerked back. “Relax, I was trying to get your hand.” She held it out to him and he grasped it in his. The heat of him seeped into her bones, warming her icy fingers. “Damn, you weren‟t kidding. You‟re like a corpse.” He tugged, urging her to follow him. When they stepped into the kitchen he flicked on a small lamp. She blinked, letting her eyes adjust. A moment later her pulse skittered as she realized he was shirtless. After two years of seeing him play the drums that way, it should have been no big deal. It was, however, a very big deal. On stage was one thing. They were separated by his kit, and all hopped up on audience energy and adrenaline. This was much more intimate, and she struggled to keep her breathing steady. His black faux-hawk was mussed. His golden skin shone in the dim light as shadows

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dipped and played over the lean muscles of his arms. She could spend hours just looking at his body. He had a half-dozen tattoos and counting, each one more intricate than the last. Her favorite splayed along the right side of his rib cage and down over his abdominal muscles before trailing farther, beyond the button-fly of his jeans. It was a tribal design, one he half-jokingly said reminded him to follow his heart first, then his gut, but never to lose his head. She swallowed hard then dampened her suddenly dry lips. “You should get one.” Her gaze shot to his. A flush crept up her cheeks. Busted. “Yeah. I‟ve been thinking about it. I just want it to be something really special, you know?” He nodded. “That‟s the way it should be. You hungry?” She shrugged and he turned to open the fridge. “So who are the lucky ladies?” “Just one. Her name is Shayla. She‟s actually really sweet.” Quinn gritted her teeth and tried to will the ugliness from her voice. “I‟m sure she is. Why just one tonight?” “Two of her friends wanted to come but they were both married. Supposedly things are on the rocks, but I‟m not interested in breaking up families. Only works if everyone‟s single and knows the score. That way no one gets hurt.” Her throat burned with the need to shout, “Except me!” but she bit her lip instead. When Rex finally shut the fridge, he was armed with half a tomato, lettuce, mayo and cheese. “Veggie delight?” he asked with a tempting grin. “Sure.” He set everything on the table and grabbed a bag of rolls off the countertop. “Everything okay in here?” The slow drawl made her stomach clench and she looked up into Beau‟s true-blue eyes. His honey-colored curls were tousled and he looked super relaxed. He‟d taken the

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time to slip on a white button-down shirt but not to button it. Still, she was grateful for even the flimsy barrier. It was hard enough to stop from ogling Rex‟s bare chest. Until their semi-forced cohabitation, she‟d been dealing pretty well with everything. Now though, it was as if all that hard work was coming undone every time one of them walked by without a shirt on or came home with a girl. If there weren‟t thousands of fans counting on them she might have been tempted to play sick for this last week and head home ahead of schedule. As it was, she‟d made a commitment and she was going to follow through, even if it killed her. Once it was over, she could burrow in her apartment for a few weeks until she was able to get centered again and rebuild some of her walls. Then they‟d be back in the studio, she‟d get a new bus before they toured again and things would get back to the way they were. “Yeah, just having a snack,” she said. “You buying?” Beau asked Rex. Rex took one of the sandwiches off his plate and handed it to Beau. “Thanks, but where‟s the meat?” “You ungrateful bastard. Haven‟t you ever heard the saying „Never look a free sandwich in the bread‟?” Beau grinned. “No, I can‟t say that I have. But I do see the wisdom of it.” He sank his teeth in, polishing off half the sandwich in one bite. “I don‟t want any meat on mine,” a warm voice attached to a small, curvy blonde wearing Rex‟s favorite Rolling Stones t-shirt chimed in. Quinn barely resisted the urge to say, “No, I imagine you‟ve had your fill.” She tried not to outwardly cringe as Shayla-the-groupie stepped into the room and wrapped a possessive arm around each of the men. The familiarity stung and just watching it made her feel stabby.

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“Nice to meet you. I‟m Quinn,” she said as she discreetly studied the other woman. Shayla-the-groupie had a nice figure and her face was almost doll-like. The thing that really irked Quinn was how happy she looked. Satisfaction all but oozed from her pores. “Oh, no need to tell me that! I know who you are. I‟m a total Lemonhead.” Quinn gave her a tight smile. A “Lemonhead” was what fans of their band, Hank Lemon and the Law, called themselves. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” There was an awkward silence until Rex said, “Do you want mayo on your sandwich, Shayla?” “I was just teasing, I‟m not hungry. You all finish up and I‟ll meet you back in the bedroom. I have another two hours before I have to leave.” She started to walk away but stopped and turned back to face them. “Quinn, will you be joining us?”

Beau sucked in a breath and flicked a glance at Rex. Rex‟s eyes were firmly fixed on Quinn‟s face and he was as still as if he‟d been cut from crystal. Beau wondered if there was anyone talking, because all he could hear was the rush of blood in his ears as he waited for Quinn‟s response. She opened her mouth once then closed it. After another long moment, she finally said, “I-I think I‟ll pass. But thanks.” She set down her untouched sandwich then hurried toward her temporary bedroom. Beau watched her slim hips swaying as she walked and his cock started to swell. “Mighta been fun.” Shayla shrugged and headed down the hallway, leaving him and Rex alone in the kitchen. They stared at each other. “Holy shit,” Rex said in a low voice. “You can say that again.” “Holy fucking shit.” Beau nodded. “I know. For a split second there…”

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“Did you see it? She looked like she was actually—” Beau cut in. “Considering it.” They both got quiet again as they contemplated that bombshell. About six months before, they‟d finally admitted to each other that they were both in love with Quinn. It had been a tough time for them all. They‟d just done a show in Greensboro, North Carolina. The last set was over and a fan had run up as they exited the stage, begging Quinn to sing Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. The woman had said it was her husband‟s favorite song and she wanted to videotape it to send to him in Iraq where he was stationed. Quinn loved the song and had heard it hundreds of times, but had never played it on guitar. Still, she hadn‟t hesitated. She‟d just jumped right back onstage, dedicated her song to Sergeant Brian Dix, and started to play. As usual, her voice was a dream, her presence so commanding, there was no looking away. Her moss-green eyes had told a story of pain that the lyrics only hinted at. For those three minutes she‟d taken a thousand people on a journey with her. Sang her heart out, just like she did every time she got up there. As the last clear note rang out, he‟d managed to tear his gaze away to glance at Rex. They stared at each other, and it was plain as day. They were both sunk. Done for. Mad crazy about Quinn Myles. They hadn‟t spoken at all while whistles and applause rocked the room. Later that night though, when they‟d gotten back to the bus, they‟d had a long talk and decided they would tell Quinn exactly how they felt. Let her decide if she wanted either one of them. Rex cleared his throat, drawing him from his reverie. Beau hissed in a sharp breath and shut it down. Seemed like that damn memory was on auto-loop. “Nothing‟s changed, you know,” Rex said. “She was kidding around, pretending to think about it. Or maybe she was just in shock at the suggestion so it took her awhile to

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get her tongue back. This was just one of those things. I‟m not going to go blowing it up in my mind as something more.” He nodded. Rex was probably right. Besides, they had told her how they felt and promised not to be mad or hurt when and if she chose to be with one of them. Instead she had chosen option three—neither of them. There had never been discussion of an option four, and since neither one of them would be willing to share her, there was no point in talking about it now. Was there?

***** By the time they got back into the bedroom, Shayla was already naked on the bed. Despite the killer rack on display, Rex found himself wishing she was gone so he could go to sleep. “Come here,” she said and patted the empty spaces on either side of her. “We have two more hours and I have a great idea.” Beau went to the bed and ran a hand over her naked form, pausing to give her full hip a squeeze. “You were a doll, truly, but I think we‟re about tuckered out.” He said it with such regret and Southern charm that, if Rex didn‟t know better, he‟d have thought it was a compliment instead of an invitation to leave. Apparently the little scene with Quinn had distracted his band-mate too. Shayla tipped her head to the side and grabbed Beau‟s wrist, using it to maneuver his hand over the tight thatch of curls between her thighs. When she released him, he didn‟t let go as she unzipped his jeans and then drew out his cock. “You don‟t seem all that tired to me,” she murmured. She beckoned Rex from his post in the doorway with a wave of her hand. He stared back at the woman who‟d been Quinn‟s understudy earlier that night. At times, like now, guilt weighed on him. Not so much for Quinn. She had made her feelings known so it wasn‟t as if he was cheating on her. If she wanted to be with him,

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he‟d never touch another woman again. But sometimes he felt bad for the women he was with. He was never truly present, always wishing they were someone else. It felt wrong somehow. “Come and fuck me, T-Rex.” Right. He shook his head at the timely reminder of what Shayla, and all the women before her, were after—T-Rex Campbell, drummer of Hank Lemon and the Law. Groupies who spent their time with him pretending he was someone else too. They didn‟t know him, really know him, at all. Not like Quinn did. Suddenly, he wanted to be anywhere but there. “I‟m really beat, I think I‟m just going to hit the sack. You guys have fun though.” Shayla shrugged and turned her attention back to Beau, who sent him a knowing look. “Man, no sense letting yourself get all in knots about that. Like you said, it was nothing. You can‟t spend your life waiting on something that‟s never gonna happen.” Never gonna happen. He was probably right, and even still, Shayla had long lost her appeal. Rex gave his friend a salute and let himself out of the room. He stood by Quinn‟s door for a long second and lifted a fist to knock before lowering it. What would he even say? “Hey, why did you get that look on your face when Shayla invited you to bed with us?” Very smooth. She‟d probably laugh him out of the room. He strode into the living room and then flopped down on his makeshift bed. This had been the longest couple of weeks of his life. Just when he‟d come to terms with the idea of moving on, his progress had come to a screeching halt. Quinn had been a constant temptation since she‟d moved in. There was no break from the pain and longing. Even when she wasn‟t around, she was everywhere. Stiletto shoes under his bed, sweet-smelling soap in the bathroom, pomegranates and yogurt ever present in the refrigerator, the sound of her singing in the shower. He walked out of the club tonight determined to get back on track, forget about her for a while and be a young, normal, healthy male. With that one look, she‟d decimated

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him. That second of indecision on her face brought him back to square one, to the day he thought he might have even a sliver of a chance with her. It would haunt him now and ruin him for any other woman. He‟d replay that moment over and over until it drove him insane or he came right out and begged. He was so fucked. He stretched out on the couch and willed himself to shut down mentally, to relax. Seemed as if the only time his brain got a break from Quinn was when he slept, and sometimes not even then. But neither his mind nor his body was willing to cooperate. Understudies just weren‟t cutting it anymore. The empty exchanges were almost mechanical…necessary releases that didn‟t seem to even scratch the surface of his need. Not with Quinn though. He knew it would be different. His imagination ran wild with images of her and what it would be like between them. He threw an arm over his eyes and, relentless, every fantasy he‟d ever had crowded his consciousness. His cock throbbed hot against his belly as he tried to will them away. Quinn backed up against the shower wall, eyes closed, hands over her head in surrender. Quinn, water streaming down her body but for the fat droplets clinging to the rosy tips of her breasts. Helpless to fight any longer, he slipped his hand under the waistband of his pants and took firm hold of his dick. His cock jerked in his hand as he fisted the shaft in long strokes. He let out a groan as the images moved faster, blending seamlessly into an often-watched movie. Quinn, graceful hand working between her thighs, butterfly strokes on her clit bringing her closer and closer. Quinn, eyes snapping open to look into his, her full lips parting as she gasped, “Rex.” He worked himself faster, the knot in his stomach contracting and his balls pulling tight to his body. The wave hit hard, crashing over him. He grunted, barely managing to bite back the name on his lips. The pressure in his stomach unfurled as hot cum streamed from his cock in a rush onto his stomach. He sucked in a breath and waited for his pounding heart to slow.

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One week. Seven more days, and maybe he could get back an ounce of sanity. Maybe.

***** “Whoohoo!” Quinn hollered into the mic as she flung out her hand toward Beau. “That‟s Beau „Fiddly‟ Trudeau on the fiddle, ladies and gentlemen!” She turned, pointing behind her and the screams of the audience grew louder. “We got T-Rex Campbell on the drums. And me? I‟m Quinn Myles. We are Hank Lemon and the Law. Thank you so much, Atlanta. We love you!” The crowd rose to their feet in a wave and the applause rained over her like a thousand kisses. She loved this. Closing her eyes to savor the moment, she took a bow then jogged offstage, her band-mates close behind. “Awesome show, love,” Rex said, his eyes alight with excitement. He swiped a towel over his face to mop off the sweat but some blazed a trail down his bare chest. She resisted the urge to follow its path. “You sounded great, darlin‟.” Beau gave her a huge grin and she grinned back at him. This is what they lived for and despite her turmoil of late, nothing could bring her down on the night of a good show. Maybe that was part of the reason she felt so close to the two of them. Who could understand the high of performing, the love of the music, better than people who did what she did? When they had decided to put together their three-piece indy-rock band a few years before, all of them would have been thrilled to eke out a living playing local clubs and bars. Things had blown up fast and already they were making a name for themselves, picking up bigger venues across the country. They‟d signed with a mid-sized label and would be back in the studio soon to record what they all felt was their best work yet. Big things were on the horizon.

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“The crowd was amazing. So much energy. It was easy to get swept away with them,” she said. They continued chatting about the gig as they made their way to the band‟s hospitality room. Some members of the crew trickled in ahead of them and the room was buzzing with excitement, everyone stoked for a job well done. Quinn stepped through the door and clapped her hands. “You guys were awesome, as usual. Thanks so much, we couldn‟t do it without you.” The room broke out in a smattering of applause. She, Beau and Rex headed over to the makeshift bar. Rex thrust his hands into an ice-filled cooler and pulled out a bottle of water for each of them. She was in the midst of sucking down the first half when a hush fell over the room. An exotic woman with long black hair had come in and was making a beeline for them. Dammit, couldn‟t Rusty give them like five minutes before sending back the goddamn groupies? Quinn‟s stomach pitched as, in her peripheral, she saw both Beau and Rex stand up a little straighter. “Dibs,” Beau muttered from the side of his mouth and Rex barked out a laugh. “Hi, y‟all. I‟m Jasmine.” Of course you are. Like the Disney princess. The guys introduced themselves and the woman rewarded them with a stunner of a smile. Even Quinn was dazzled for a second before she remembered she hated her on principle. She looked her up and down, trying in vain to find a flaw. Nada. Five-fourish with an elegant, trim frame much more subtle than a lot of the groupies had. She wore little makeup, probably because she didn‟t need it. Her olive skin was luminous, even upon ruthless inspection, and her pin-straight hair was so lush and glossy it made Quinn want to spit. She focused her attention back on the conversation. “Sure, I‟d love a glass of wine,” Jasmine was saying as she tossed her gleaming locks.

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Both guys reached for the bottle and Quinn rolled her eyes. She was more than a little mortified when they filled with tears. She blinked hard a few times then swallowed the golf ball wedged in her throat. Time to make herself scarce. She‟d barely made it through the night before with her heart intact. “I‟ll catch up with you guys later. I‟m going to go back to the bus to shower.” She had taken half a dozen steps before she turned around and went back. The three looked at her expectantly. “I forgot something,” she mumbled, then shoved her hand into the ice and pulled out a bottle of chardonnay. “‟Night.” If she had her way, by the time they got around to coming back to the Man Bus, she‟d be sawing logs. She was a lightweight, so it would be an easy enough task. Besides, she had a huge incentive. Stay awake and listen to Rex and Beau have sex with someone other than her. Again. Or get buzzed enough to conk out and not have to hear Rex and Beau with another woman. It was a no-brainer.

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Chapter Two With a towel on her wet head, a full wineglass and a bag of pretzels, Quinn sat in the tiny space that acted as a living room. Although most of his stuff was in Beau‟s room, Rex had been sleeping on the pullout couch since she‟d taken over the second bedroom. The sofa bed was in disarray but she didn‟t want to disturb his ordered chaos. Still too amped from the show to go to sleep, she sat scrunched up on the bean bag chair in the corner watching Twilight Zone episodes. About twenty-five minutes and a glass and a half of wine into her favorite episode, To Serve Man, a tinkling laugh rang from the kitchen. Ah, Princess Jasmine. She hadn‟t even heard them come in. She scooped up her stuff and stood, hoping to sneak off before anyone saw her. “It‟s a cookbook,” Rex said with a smile as he stepped into the room, gaze on the TV behind her. He must have showered back in his dressing room, because his hair was damp and he‟d donned his threadbare David Bowie shirt and jogging pants. He looked delicious, and for a second she actually felt short of breath. She gave herself a mental shake. Twilight Zone. Right. “If only you‟d been there to warn them, you could have saved all those poor people from certain death.” He chuckled and started to say something else but was derailed when Beau stepped into the room with the striking brunette on his arm. “Hey, I love this episode,” he said. “Have you seen it, Jazz?” Awesome. She merited a nickname now. “Jazz” shook her glossy head. “No. The show is kind of silly, don‟t you think? The special effects are terrible.”

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The guys looked at her with matching “Well, duh” faces, and Quinn got an evil tingle of pleasure. “Yeah, that‟s half its charm,” she explained, hoping her smile didn‟t look condescending. “Anyway, there‟s a marathon this weekend so it‟ll be on again.” She hit the remote and skirted by the little crowd, wineglass in hand. “I‟m going to bed. See you in the morning,” she called over her shoulder. As she passed the kitchen she heard Jasmine giggle. She doubled back and grabbed the rest of the wine out of the fridge. She had a feeling she was going to need it. It had been a good plan, but even good plans failed sometimes. A half an hour later she stared at the shadows on the ceiling, contemplating whether to leave and get a hotel room or stick it out. She‟d polished off another glass of wine, but instead of getting her drunk, it was just making her already sour stomach feel worse. A low groan rumbled through the wall and she cringed. What were they doing in there? Was Beau kissing Jasmine‟s thighs until she shook? Was Rex sucking her nipple while his hand cupped her ass? Were they fucking her, maybe even at the same time? Quinn‟s cheeks burned even as moisture and heat rushed to her core. She lifted her hands to cover her aching breasts and bit her lip to stifle a moan. Shit, it had been so long. Since before the guys had told her how they felt about her, because since then she could think of nothing else. Once the cat was out of the bag, no other man would do. Seemed as if they had no trouble getting over her though. She gave herself a mental shake. That wasn‟t fair. She had no right to sulk about that. She‟d refused them both because the thought of choosing made her heart ache. And the thought of losing one of them in the process or causing a rift between them? Inconceivable. But did that mean she couldn‟t be with them, even one time? She‟d seen their expressions when Shayla had invited her into their bedroom. They were definitely in to the idea, at least for one night. Maybe they‟d all be settling for less than what they truly

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wanted, but life was so short, and they cared about each other. They were strong enough to weather the aftermath, weren‟t they? Beau‟s low voice vibrated through the wall, but she couldn‟t make out what he was saying. Was he telling Jazz how beautiful she was? Quinn‟s heart gave a squeeze and a second later, she was on her feet. Fueled by raw emotion mixed with need, she had no plan beyond walking into that room. She stood outside the doorway and laid a hand on the knob. Then she sucked in a deep breath and turned it.

A soft click penetrated both the sexual haze clouding Beau‟s mind and the thighs that covered his ears, but he ignored it anyway. Pretty easy to do when he was about three seconds away from having a mouthful of sweet pussy. Jasmine was hot and clearly ready for action. Her hips twitched, urging him closer and he smiled. “C-Can I come in?” Beau sat up and turned to see Quinn standing there in a pair of boxer shorts and a tank top. He tried to answer, but his vocal cords were frozen so he just nodded. What the hell was she doing there? A second later, Rex was standing behind her. He looked like someone had just kicked him in the balls. “Hey, love. What‟s going on?” Quinn whipped her head around and gasped. “Shit, Rex, you scared me. I thought you were both in here. I-I wanted to know if…” She paused, and her throat worked restlessly. “If I could come in. But—” “Yes,” Rex said in a voice so soft, Beau wondered if he imagined it. Apparently, it had been loud enough for Jasmine to hear. “Wait, what the hell is happening? He said he didn‟t want to get in on this. And what‟s she doing in here?” Jasmine‟s lovely voice had gotten shrill and Beau suddenly wished her clit was a mute button instead.

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Rex ignored Jasmine and kept his gaze trained on Quinn. “Tell me what you want to do, love.” Beau didn‟t breathe as he waited for her answer. “I‟d…I‟d like to join you guys.” She stepped into the room then turned to close the door behind her. This time, the click was deafening. Oh hell yeah. Beau‟s cock jerked as the possibilities ran through his mind. He moved to stand, but Rex had already led Quinn into the room. Rex reached out to push the purple lock of hair from her eye. “You sure?” The words were heavy with more than just that one question and Beau wanted to pop him in the mouth. This was their chance to finally be with Quinn and here went Rex, trying to fuck it up. “I‟m sure. And tomorrow it‟s back to friends.” Rex gave a slow nod and they both turned to face him. “Beau?” she asked. He could deal with that. “I‟m in.” “Well I‟m not. I‟m not into women, you know. This isn‟t what I signed on for,” Jasmine said, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She yanked her dress back into place and stared down at him with a challenge in her eye. Bad move. “That‟s fair. You can grab your stuff and I‟ll get one of the crew to walk you back to your car.” “Fine then. Maybe Rusty will find me a little more interesting.” She bent to grab her shoes and walked out in search of their road manager. “Sorry,” Quinn called a split second after the door slammed. Beau grinned at her. She didn‟t sound sorry. “Are you mad at me? I kind of cock-blocked you.” 22

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“Nah, darlin‟. I didn‟t get cock-blocked. I got upgraded, and Rusty is gonna be one happy son of a bitch,” he said with a chuckle as he stood. “Wouldn‟t have been fair to her anyway. Once you stepped in the room, I couldn‟t focus on anything but you.” She gave him a shaky smile then turned to face Rex. “Ready?” she whispered. He nodded and slid his arms around her. She stood on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his mouth.

Rex sucked a breath in through his nose. Her scent hit him hard, cherries and almonds, right in the gut. Every time he got a whiff of her handmade soap when he was in the shower, he‟d get an instant hard-on. It was even more potent on her and up close. The softness of her mouth was so sweet, her lips so luscious, he was stunned for a second. Off balance, he leaned forward. Heat sizzled through him as his bare chest brushed against her breasts. Her nipples peaked, the tight buds branding him. Blood rushed in his ears as her tongue slipped between his lips and a dam broke inside him. He thrust his hand into her hair, anchoring her mouth to his as he put every ounce of feeling into that kiss. She moaned low in her throat and plastered herself to him. His cock throbbed as he closed his hand over her hip, letting her feel his need. Grinding against him, she plunged her tongue into his mouth. “You guys coming over here or what?” a low voice drawled. They broke apart, panting. And there’s the rub. He had to share her. That‟s what she was here for. That‟s what they‟d agreed to. Her taste still on his lips, he nodded. “Yeah, we‟re coming.” He took Quinn‟s trembling hand and they walked over to the bed. “Hey, darlin‟,” Beau said as he stood then pulled Quinn close to his chest. “Don‟t be nervous, we‟re going to take real good care of you.”

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She smiled then, some of the tension seeming to drain out of her. “You‟re pretty confident there, darlin‟.” Beau was good at that, making people feel comfortable. Maybe this would work out all right after all. Beau leaned down to kiss her and Rex let go of her hand and looked away. Okay, so maybe it wouldn‟t. “You‟re so sexy,” Beau whispered. Rex tried not to look, but he just couldn‟t help himself. He turned to see Quinn sliding out of her boxers as Beau watched. She straightened, grabbed the bottom of her tank top and pulled it over her head. Her bare breasts spilled forward from the tight confines of the shirt. They were perfectly shaped for a man‟s hands, his hands, and he ached to touch them. Rosy nipples stood firm in stark relief against her ivory skin. It took all he had not to leap on her and take one into his mouth and suck. “Fuck,” he ground out. Before he could move, Beau reached out and cupped one perfect breast. Quinn moaned and Rex tried not to flinch. Her eyes were closed, her head tipped back. She wore only the tiniest pair of black bikini underwear and he could see the narrow strip of hair beneath the lace. Lace that Beau was probably a minute from touching. He swallowed hard. It was sink or swim. This was an opportunity to touch and love the woman he was crazy about and instead he was standing there talking himself out of it. So it wasn‟t perfect. What was in life? It was still better than never having had her at all. He lifted his hand to Quinn and slid his fingertips across her other nipple. Her eyes flicked open and her head snapped forward. “I knew that was you,” she whispered. “You both feel so different.” Her voice was full of wonder and curiosity. “It‟s me,” he murmured. He traced the slope of her breast as if he was painting her then back around to tease the peak. She arched her back, her breath catching in her throat. 24

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“God, I love that fucking sound.” And if he had his way, she was going to be making it over and over.

Quinn stared at the two men before her and took a second to catch her breath. Beau, charming, thickly muscled, with those angelic curls and that dimple lighting his face. Rex, dark, intense, gaze drilling into hers, his body lean and defined. They were so different, like Alabama sunshine and Kentucky moonshine. A shiver ran through her as she wondered if the combination might be too potent for her to handle. Then Rex kissed her, and her fear disintegrated under the power of his sensual assault. He kissed her as if he‟d never have the chance again, pouring every ounce of passion into the act. His tongue swept against hers, urging her to respond. She whimpered and leaned into him, pressing her naked chest against his. The heat radiating from him seeped into her, warming her very bones. She pulled back slightly and twisted in his arms, the light sprinkle of hair on his chest abrading her nipples. “You feel so good to me,” he groaned into her mouth. Fingers trailed along her spine, down to her ass. “Beautiful,” Beau whispered as he palmed one cheek. He molded his big body to her back and she felt every rock-hard inch of him. His cock lay firm against her lower back and she arched toward it. Beau slid his hand to grip her hip, pulling her more tightly against him. Rex‟s mouth left hers and blazed a path of burning kisses down her jaw to her neck and then finally to her swollen, aching breasts. He latched on to a nipple and she gasped. He sucked hard, almost to the point of pain, before soothing her with just the tip of his tongue. A rush of wetness flooded her pussy and suddenly she was desperate to have him inside her. She speared her fingers into his hair and anchored him to her, wordlessly begging for more. He groaned his approval and drew her into his mouth again. She reached between them then slipped a hand down the front of his pants and curled a hand around his cock. He was long, thick and hard and she murmured in 25

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satisfaction. He froze in place at her touch as she learned him with her hand, stroking upward then running her thumb over the swollen head of his cock. A bead of moisture trickled out and she worked it over the tip. Rex clutched at her hips almost frantically, his iron grip the source of pleasure and pain. A thrill coursed through her with the knowledge that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. A strong hand on her shoulders and suddenly she was turned around, facing Beau. He angled closer and kissed her. He‟d no sooner pressed his lips to hers when Rex‟s arms came around her waist. He played over her rib cage, tracing a path down her abdomen. She forgot to breathe as his fingertips hovered over her pubic bone. Warm breath fanned her nape, followed by a sharp nip of teeth, and then he was there. Covering her needy mound with his hand, cupping and squeezing her through the barely there lace. Beau swallowed her moan and she pressed backward, rewarded with the feel of Rex‟s cock wedged hard against her lower back. “Lie on the bed,” Rex said into her ear, then pinched her lobe between his teeth. She slipped from between them and obeyed his command, lying flat on her back. Rex stripped off his pants and both men climbed in, flanking her. Rex took her lips in a searing kiss that left her breathless as Beau bent to her breast and lifted it to his greedy mouth for a suck. Each trailed a hand down her torso, over her stomach, making a beeline for her panties as if that bit of lace was a trophy of some kind. A rip and a tug then the tattered treasure was shared between them and she was laid bare. The cool air against her heat was delicious. Rex‟s lips left hers as he moved down the bed to take her other nipple in his mouth. He and Beau began to suck, almost in time, as two fingers thrust into her pussy. “Oh God.” She bit her lip to keep from screaming as those clever digits pounded in and out while the hot mouths devoured her.

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Another hand followed the path of the first but stopped to run hard fingers over the soft, plump flesh covering her sex. She arched forward, helpless to stop herself. “Do you want to come, love?” Rex murmured, nipping the sensitive tip of her breast as he spoke. “Yes. Please, yes.” He closed his teeth over her nipple and slipped his hand lower, to play over her slick clit. First, slowly, gently, then faster, harder against the ever tightening nub between her thighs. Then all hell broke loose. Her vision blurred as a third finger plunged into her soaking heat, fucking her hard as fingertips worked her clit in a sublime rhythm. The hearts of both men pounded against her sides as they nipped and licked at her breasts. Too much…it was too much. “I-I—Fuck! God, don‟t stop,” she cried. Her inner walls started to spasm, clenching and releasing as the climax slammed through her. Her back bowed as she rode the wave that seemed to go on forever. Shock waves still racked her as Beau and Rex pulled away. “Nice,” Beau breathed. She turned to face Rex and her heart skipped. His face was set in stone, his jaw working as he struggled for control. He didn‟t speak, but she knew he was close to losing it. The warm tendrils of satisfaction threatening to suck her under instantly morphed into a molten river of lust. “Top or bottom?” Beau asked. “Top,” Rex barked. Beau paused for a second before shrugging. “Wh-what does that mean?” Quinn asked. Blood pounded in her temples as she waited breathlessly for their answer. Rex didn‟t respond, he just made his way to the foot of the bed.

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“In this case, it means Rex is going to fuck you while you suck my dick. It could also describe the dynamic of a double penetration. You know, who‟s getting the front door, who‟s getting the back…” He grinned as her eyes widened. She tried to sit up but Beau pressed a hand to her shoulder, easing her back down. “Oh. Well, I don‟t think—” “That‟s not for today, darlin‟. Relax and let us please you.” “Lie on your stomach. I‟ll be right there, I‟ve got to get a condom,” Rex said. His tone was clipped and urgent. Disappointment snaked through her. She wanted to feel all of him. “Do you use them all the time?” Both men barked out a laugh and Rex answered for the two of them. “Nonnegotiable in our line of work. Until now.” She met his gaze and shuddered under the weight of his stare. “I‟m clean, I‟m on the Pill and haven‟t been with anyone in—well, let‟s just say a very long time. If you‟re comfortable…” He nodded. “Oh hell yeah. I‟m more than comfortable. And I hope you know neither of us would put you at risk that way if it was even a possible concern.” “Then let‟s.” Fighting the urge to cover herself, she rolled onto her stomach, the anxiety ratcheting higher even as her pussy fluttered with anticipation. “Is this how you want me?” Rex didn‟t answer so she peered over her shoulder. His gaze was glued to her backside and he was nodding. Modesty melted under the heat of his gaze. She lifted herself onto all fours and wriggled her hips to give him a bit of a show. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “You‟re going to kill me.” Rex sounded so resigned she couldn‟t help but chuckle.

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“Laugh now, but believe me, I‟m not going down alone,” he added. The words, spoken with the solemnity of a vow, made her tingle all over and the laughter faded. Beau threaded his hand into her hair and turned her to face him. “I want to feel your mouth on me so bad, darlin‟. Will you open for me?” Quinn licked her lips, nerves assailing her. She flicked a glance to Rex who stared back, his gaze penetrating. “Yes.” She leaned in to swipe at the head with her tongue. Beau gasped and the fingers in her hair tightened. She craned her neck to get closer, take him deep. And then Rex was spreading her pussy wide, probing with the head of his cock, driving hard until she was filled to bursting. Lights exploded behind her eyelids and she let out a shout, muffled by Beau‟s swollen cock. “You wanna warn somebody next time?” Beau asked dryly as he drew back. “That could‟ve been ugly. I‟m going to give her a minute to get used to you.” Beau‟s warm hand slid down her back, then underneath her to close over her breast. He plucked at her nipple, sending a jolt straight to her core. “Oh God!” “You like that, darlin‟?” Rex muttered incoherently behind her and began working her pussy with short, wild thrusts. She slammed her hips back hard. “Come on, please, deeper.” Rex‟s fingers dug into her hips, hard enough to leave behind a reminder, and she reveled in that thought. Tomorrow those marks would be all she had left of this night. She didn‟t want to think about that, so she rubbed her forehead against Beau‟s palm when he brushed her hair off her forehead. “Damn, you‟re so fine.” Beau‟s hand on her breast slid down her stomach to her pussy. “Yes,” she hissed, as his fingers found her clit.

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Rex drew back and slid forward, this time nice and slow. Quinn felt every glorious inch of him and her blood soared with the sensation. She pressed her cheek into the sheet, letting the cloth cool her fiery skin. Gripping the top of the mattress, she arched her back, luring him deeper. “You‟re so wet,” Beau groaned as he massaged her slick little nub. His movements became faster, more demanding, even as Rex‟s thrusts became longer, stronger, deeper. “Oh I‟m going to come!” Both men made low sounds of approval as the storm gathered. The blood rushed to her ears as her pussy clutched Rex tighter. She rocked against him, a touch away from ecstasy. Then Beau flicked his fingers and Rex plunged so deep, she saw stars. The orgasm crashed over her as she exploded, crying out. Her whole body quaked as her pussy gripped Rex‟s thick cock, sucking at it, urging him to follow. He was still buried to the hilt, but his thrusts had subsided as her body quieted. She could feel the tension in him, his fingers still punishing her hips, his body trembling against hers. Dimly, she was aware of harsh breathing close to her ear. “That was fucking beautiful,” Beau whispered.

Beautiful didn‟t even begin to cover it. Rex closed his eyes to block out the sight of her spread wide around him. He was about one second away from losing it. Seeing her skin pink with passion, her ass, so firm and round, her sweet pussy wrapped around his cock…well, none of that was going to help the situation any. “You okay?” Beau asked Quinn in a low voice. “I‟m good. Great, actually. Now we just have to take care of the two of you.” Rex opened his eyes as Quinn offered them both a trembling smile. “I could‟ve come just watching you,” Beau said.

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Rex tried to ignore the pain that lanced through him at their exchange. Beau had as much right to be here as he did. Still, that didn‟t mean he had to like it. And it didn‟t mean he had to play fair either. He flexed his hips, pushing deeper into the molten heat of Quinn‟s pussy. It had been ten years since the last time he‟d been inside a woman without a layer between them and it almost undid him. That it was Quinn made it a thousand times sweeter. He definitely had to back off if he wanted to last. She gasped as he pulled out. “This night is about you, and we‟re not done yet. Flip onto your back.” She did, and he licked his lips as her still-puckered nipples came into view. Beau stood and moved to the head of the bed and Quinn tipped her face toward him. He slid his hands into her hair and guided her over his cock. Beau hissed and Rex bit back a curse. He wanted to be everywhere at once. Wanted those full lips working over his own cock, taking him deep, sucking and licking until he exploded in a hot rush, jetting cum into the back of her throat. Inside her, sliding in and out. Mouth covering her, sucking her clit. He climbed onto the bed and settled between her thighs. “I‟m going to lick your pussy until you scream,” he promised, then set his mouth to her. She bucked underneath him as he tongued her with firm strokes. She was so sweet, like a juicy peach straight from the tree. He slid two fingers into her tight heat and sucked her swollen clit into his mouth. He nudged upward, searching for her G-spot, and she froze under him, muscles taut. There it was. He tapped lightly, then harder as he ravaged her with his mouth. The column of her sex tightened around him. She was close. Beau‟s groans grew louder in the background. Clearly as she got more excited, she took it out on Beau‟s cock. He blocked out the masculine cries and focused only on Quinn‟s pleasure. He crooked his index finger in a brutal rhythm now, and she had begun to whimper, her legs trembling as she strained toward release. He drew the firm 31

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nub into his mouth hard once more and worked it with the tip of his tongue as he pressed deep inside her. Then she fell apart. Her hips snapped and she pushed herself against his face. She pulled away from Beau, her muffled cries becoming screams as she came hard. Her pussy sucked at his fingers and he wanted to back away and bury himself in her so he could feel that very thing on his engorged cock. Beau stood over her, entranced. She still gripped his cock and he laid his hand over hers, guiding her in long, fluid strokes, watching intently as her body shuddered. “Shit, I gotta—” Beau broke off and veered to the right, working his cock fast then spurting his cum onto her stomach with a shout. Quinn still twitched under Rex‟s mouth and he lapped at her, savoring the taste of her as her body slowed. “Be right back,” Beau said. Rex didn‟t respond but his pulse hammered at those words. Alone. At least for a minute or two. He pulled away from Quinn, grabbed his t-shirt off the floor and gently wiped her stomach. She opened one eye and grinned at him. “Fine job, sir.” He forced a tight smile in return. “Thank you, ma‟am. But we‟re not quite done.” He grabbed hold of her ankles and pulled her to the bottom of the bed. Spreading her legs wide, he gazed down at the swollen lips of her pussy, so pink and wet, and he shuddered. He ran a hand over his cock and worked it up and down, unable to look away from her. “I want you inside me again.” He bit his cheek and prayed for strength as he pressed himself against her slit then pushed forward. “Can you feel how much I want you, love?” he ground out, barely able to speak. He pulled back and then slid in again, filling her completely. She groaned and bounced her hips, encouraging him to do it again, and any semblance of control flew out the window.

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He hammered into her, driving his cock deeper with every thrust. He closed his eyes as his cock swelled to bursting, a dull ache riding his balls. Quinn reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her, capturing his mouth. Her tongue slipped between his lips and she swallowed his shout as his body convulsed, hot cum spurting from his cock. She stiffened and clamped over him, her pussy milking him dry as she came again. He pressed soft kisses to her face and neck as they drifted back to reality, bodies trembling. He pulled away, sliding his dick from the heaven of her body, then climbed into the bed next to her. She snuggled close to him, tucking her head into the cradle of his shoulder. Her soft breasts pressed against his chest, her sleek thigh draped over his. The moment felt so unbelievably right, it was as if he‟d found his place in the world after drifting for so long. He‟d finally gotten his woman. Now how the fuck was he supposed to let her go?

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Chapter Three Quinn woke to the slide of a warm hand low on her bare stomach. Instinctively, she arched forward, into the tantalizing touch. So warm and— Her eyes snapped open and she stared at the ceiling of the Man Bus. Light streamed in through a gap in the curtains and hit her square in the eyes. She winced. Morning. Which meant she‟d spend the night in bed with Rex and Beau. So much for her plan to sneak out after the deed was done. The hand on her belly slid up to rest right under her breast as its owner wriggled closer to her, pressing against her side. Rex. His morning wood nudged heavily against her hip and she bit back a groan. She turned her head to face him. He was sound asleep and she stared for a while, captivated. His lashes lay thick and black against his cheeks. They would almost make him look feminine if not for the lean, angular face and the straight slash of a nose. His mouth was soft, curved in a half smile, as if he was having a lovely dream or reliving a spectacular night. Heat stole over her limbs as the details came back to her in flashes. The sharp nip of teeth on her shoulder, the slow drag of a tongue on her pussy. It had certainly been spectacular in her book. In fact, she wondered how she could ever forget it. She closed her eyes but the images wouldn‟t cease. Rex, looming over her, his jaw tight, gaze burning into hers. Rex, jaw clenched, nostrils flaring as he entered her for the first time. Rex— A long, deep sigh sounded on her other side. Beau. She turned to see if he was awake and noted with relief that his eyes were closed as well. He let out a soft snore and she bit back a smile. His honey curls formed a halo around his head and she ached to straighten them. It was what she didn‟t ache for that hit her in the solar plexus like a punch. 34

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She loved him, didn‟t she? She loved them both. But the desire tinged with sorrow she‟d felt when she looked at Rex was singular. When she looked at him, she saw the life she could have had. Suffered the regret of a missed opportunity. Faced the fact that life was short and she might never love like this again, but she still had to walk away. When she looked at Beau, it was different. She felt sorrow. Regret that she‟d hurt him, and was about to hurt him some more. Sadness that she couldn‟t comfort him and make it better. Surely that was love? But with stunning clarity, she realized that it was the love of a friend. When that had happened, she couldn‟t say. All she knew for sure was that with every touch, every kiss, Rex had become more and more a part of her, until there was no room for anything—or anyone—else. And now she had to walk away. Fast, before she couldn‟t do it at all.

***** Rex felt eyes on him, but left his closed. He made a conscious effort to keep his breathing deep and easy, which was easier said than done. Clearly Quinn was at a crossroads. Somehow he got the feeling that whatever she did in the next few minutes meant everything. The tension rolled off her in waves and he fought the urge to pull her close, to comfort her. He realized his hand was splayed over her rib cage. He must have reached for her in his sleep. He could feel her heart pounding beneath the taut, smooth skin. He swallowed a groan and her muscles stiffened. Had he made a sound? Fear kept him frozen in place. If she just took the time to think about it, she would realize she was right where she should be—waking up next to him. A snore shattered his illusion on a dime. Beau. His best friend and band-mate. They‟d both had one night to be with the woman they loved. Now everything was just supposed to go back to normal. Like it never happened.

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Another thought loomed. What if she‟d changed her mind? What if last night had made her realize that she didn‟t have to choose? Could she handle a relationship like that? Hell, could he? The question had barely formed in his mind before the answer presented itself like a flashing neon sign. No. He couldn‟t share her. He wouldn’t share her. If that meant he would never be with her again, so be it. Better one quick death than having to watch her with another man over and over, each kiss, each caress a tiny razor cut to his heart. Quinn shifted against him and he forced himself to stay loose and unresponsive as she shimmied down the bed. His stomach dropped. Worrying about her wanting the three of them to be long-term thing was a moot point. She was already making her escape.

The bed squeaked and Beau shot out a hand, closing it around Quinn‟s wrist. She jerked in surprise. “Sorry I woke you up. I was trying to be quiet,” she whispered. “No need to whisper, I‟m up too,” Rex said. Beau rolled to his side and peered at Quinn. At some point in the night, she had donned his Charlie Daniel‟s Band t-shirt and his breath hitched as he took in the view. Her cheeks were rosy, her lips puffy. She looked as if she‟d just been tumbled, and damn if that didn‟t make him want to do it all over. It‟d never happen, though. Not ever again. He knew it in his bones. When he‟d walked in to see her and Rex curled up together, still breathing hard, it had been a revelation. He thought he‟d seen the connection between them earlier in the night, an almost magnetic pull, but in his sex-hazed brain he‟d put it off to imagination. Then, when he‟d left to clean up and walked back into the room, they were snuggled tight. They looked like two pieces of a puzzle, perfectly matched. He

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wondered if they even knew it. Quinn had given him a groggy smile and patted the space on the bed next to her so he‟d climbed in. She and Rex had fallen asleep almost immediately but the sight of the two of them was branded on his brain. He couldn‟t sleep as his mind raced. He thought about their night together. Did he still want Quinn? Yeah, she was amazing. Did he love her? Absolutely. But was he in love with her, for real? If love was what he saw between her and Rex, then the answer was no. When Rex had the chance to sleep with Jasmine, he‟d passed. He‟d rather sleep alone and dream of Quinn than hold a real—and smoking-hot—woman in his arms. And that was before, when he didn‟t think he had a chance in hell. Beau didn‟t feel that way about Quinn. Shit, the truth was, he‟d never felt like that about anyone in his life. Twenty-seven and never been in love. He fought the twinge in his gut at that thought. This wasn‟t about him right now. This was about his two best friends. Quinn and Rex had found something special somehow during their encounter and they deserved to see where it led them. It was a sticky situation and if they had any shot of making it work, it was on him to handle it right. He‟d tossed and turned for over an hour, trying to figure out what to do next. It wasn‟t until he‟d made a decision that he was finally able to rest. Now, in the light of day, he wondered once again if he was doing the right thing. If he‟d read this wrong, he could end up devastating Rex, who was like a brother to him. At the very least, he was going to put Quinn in a terrible position. Quinn sat up in the center of the bed to face them and eyed him warily. “Good morning.” Her voice was husky from sleep, her tone tentative. “Good morning, darlin‟.” “I was just getting up to make breakfast—” “And get out of Dodge before anyone woke up and wanted to talk,” he finished with a wry smile. Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. 37

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Beau pulled himself into a sitting position and Rex followed suit, leaning his back against the headboard, but he didn‟t speak. He looked like shit. His face was stark, his eyes haunted. It bolstered Beau‟s resolve. “We might as well get this out of the way so we can move forward without a whole bunch of awkwardness,” he said. She nodded and swallowed hard. He looked closer and realized her eyes were glassy with tears. Shit, he never ever wanted to make her cry. Rip it off, like a bandage. “I‟m just going to lay it out there. We agreed to the one night. But if Rex is willing, I want to know if you‟d consider being with both of us. For real. Long-term.” The silence was so loud it was smothering. Still, he didn‟t press, he just waited. Rex could have been a statue for all he gave away. His tight expression looked frozen in place. Quinn gazed at them both, her eyes flitting back and forth between them. After a long moment, she sucked in a shuddering breath and opened her mouth to speak. No words came. Her face crumpled and the sob that followed about cracked his heart in two. “I-I can‟t,” she choked as she shot off the bed. She tripped on a pair of jeans and stumbled blindly, reaching for the door. A second later, she was gone. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer. Halfway there.

***** That afternoon, he and Rex sat on the living room couch staring at a TV neither was watching. Quinn had showered, dressed and left a long time ago. At about noon she‟d texted them that she was going to stay in a hotel that night. Since then, the two of them had just been sitting around in silence, preoccupied with their own thoughts.

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After letting it all marinate for half the day, Beau finally broke the silence. “I think you should try again.” Rex let loose a weary sigh. “What do you mean?” “Just what I said, man. I think the reason she didn‟t want to choose one of us before was because she didn‟t want to cause problems in our friendship or make either of us feel bad.” He shrugged. “I won‟t feel bad.” Rex arched a black brow at him. “Seriously. Don‟t get me wrong, I definitely think she‟s hot, and I care about her a lot. I admit, I was caught up for a while. I don‟t know if you realize this, but I‟ve never had a girl friend. You know, a girl who I spent a lot of time and liked to be around but never slept with. She was like the forbidden fruit, made all the sweeter because I couldn‟t have her.” He shrugged. “She‟s the best woman I know, but I see the way you look at her and…I don‟t feel that.” “I don‟t—I just don‟t get it. How could last night make you love her less? She wrecked me, man. I feel like nothing could ever compare.” Yep, it had seemed that way from the outside looking in. Quinn had made her choice even then, she just didn‟t know it yet. Her interaction with Beau was nothing more than a side-note. The sprinkles on a cupcake. The gravy on their chicken-fried steak. He was definitely doing the right thing here. Rex‟s gaze drilled into him, through him, really. “So why did you ask her if she wanted to be with us both then?” “I asked because I already knew the answer, but you needed to know it too. She wants you, man. She loves you. Go get her. If I‟m wrong, at least you gave it your all. You need to blow off some steam or want a drinking buddy later, text me. We‟ll go out tonight and drown your sorrows,” he said with a smile. “Are you sure?”

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He gave himself one more long moment to think about the answer to that question. It was going to be weird, his two closest friends being a couple. He hoped it didn‟t change the dynamic of the band. On the other hand, they loved each other whether they were together or not, so no matter what, things were changing. Was he sure? “Yep, I am. Plus, if this works out between you two, it‟ll just mean more groupies for me.” Rex nodded. “You have no idea what this means to me. No matter what happens, I owe you, man.” He leaned in and gave him an awkward man-hug with one arm, then pulled back and looked him dead in the eye for a long moment. “Thank you.” “Just don‟t blow it.”

***** Quinn sat cross-legged on the hotel floor with newspapers and magazines spread out before her, her eyes burning from a combination of crying and lack of sleep. Staying up all night had served its purpose though. She‟d finally made a decision. She ignored the persistent ache in her throat and began scouring an industry mag for want ads. There were a few bands looking for female singers, but none that wanted both a singer and guitar player. She‟d make do with strumming rhythm in the background if it came down to it. At this point, she couldn‟t afford to be picky. Once she went through the ads, she‟d place a call to her agent and give her the news. After this tour was over, she was leaving Hank Lemon and the Law. She bit her lip to stop it from trembling. Considering this was all her fault, she had a lot of nerve being so upset. She‟d known the risks when she walked into that room. Hell, even as she looked back, she was only half sorry. She got to spend one amazing night with the man she loved and couldn‟t regret a second of that. The fallout that tore the band apart and could have cost Rex and Beau their friendship? Yeah, that part she could have done without.

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“What the hell are you doing?” She started in surprise and looked up to see Rex standing in the doorway. Her heart thudded and she sucked in a breath. “I didn‟t hear you come in. I was just… How did you know where I was?” “I called around to area hotels. The clerk here is a fan and gave me a duplicate key.” He ran an impatient hand through his hair as his sharp eyes took in the papers on the floor before returning to her face. “You‟re leaving the band, just like that? Were you even going to talk to us?” She couldn‟t meet his gaze. “I was, I just wanted to give you guys a few days without me under foot. I caused enough drama today and thought you could use some time to talk without me in the way.” He dragged an ottoman closer and sat. “You‟re never in the way. We‟re a unit. We belong together. There‟s a chemistry between us that can‟t be replaced.” So even after their night together, he still believed the three of them should try to have a relationship. Hot tears rushed to her eyes and she blinked them back. “It was a mistake last night, Rex. I thought I felt something I didn‟t. I won‟t lie, it rocked my socks off. But it‟s not what I want for my life. I want one man to love me more than anything, and I want to love one man. I want a family. A house and a dog and a husband to come home to when I get back from a tour. Someone to grow old with.” She looked at him now and her heart gave a squeeze. His eyes were rimmed in red, his jaw unshaven. He looked leaner, harder than he had even the day before. Fine job, Quinn. Way to go. She pressed the heels of her hands to her burning eyes. “It was wrong of me to spend the night with you both when it wasn‟t something I could do long-term. Especially since I knew how you both felt. I did it anyway, and this,” she gestured to the newspapers, “this is the price.”

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“It doesn‟t have to be, Quinn. We‟re so good together. It‟s like magic between the three of us.” “I said I don‟t wan—” “I don‟t mean as lovers, damn it. I mean us, the band. About us as people?” He shook his head grimly. “I would never share you again. I couldn‟t. I want to settle down with one woman. More than anything, I want that woman to be you.” It took a long moment for his words to sink in. He still loved her. He still wanted her. Her pulse skittered at his words, heedless of the fact that his admission didn‟t change a god-damned thing. “Which is exactly why I can‟t stay in the band.” He flinched as if she‟d slapped him. “Because you don‟t love me back.” His tone was resigned as he sat back, his face bleak. “No! Because I do love you back. Because I can‟t be in that band and watch you with other women and stand next to you every day and not touch you.” She lowered her voice and continued, “But I also can‟t be the wedge that drives you and Beau apart. I can‟t be the person who breaks his heart day in, day out. And neither can you.” She reached out and took his hand in hers and tried to hold back the sobs that were strangling her. “I can‟t talk about this anymore.” “I‟ll do the talking then.” He stood and pulled her up with him. “Beau is the reason I‟m here. He told me to come. He said you and I belong together, and he gives us his blessing. Quinn, I‟m not going to lie. I know he loved you at one time. Or at least he thought he did.” He touched a finger to her chin and tipped her head back so she had no choice but to look in his eyes. “But not like I do.” He bent and pressed his lips to hers in the softest of kisses. “Please, love. Give it a chance. If you go, the band is over anyway. We‟re nothing without you. I know you want to do the right thing, but how does that help him? Shit, how does that help any of us?”

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Convincing Quinn

She knew he was right. Just like if one of the two of them quit, the band would cease to exist if she left. Sure, they could get a new singer, but he‟d been right about their chemistry. It wouldn‟t be the same. Hope began to creep in but she fought it hard. She didn‟t think her heart could take the disappointment again if she allowed herself to think this could work then realized it couldn‟t again. “And what? He‟s supposed to watch us kiss and…” She noted the hint of challenge and edge of desperation in her voice. “It might be a little weird at first, but I swear, he was fine. A little envious of our connection maybe, but he knows you and I are meant to be together.” Rex sounded so certain. “Let‟s finish the last few dates of the tour. You and I will keep it low key. By the time we hit the studio again, things will be okay. I know it.” “What if they aren‟t?” “They will be.” He locked his gaze with hers and leaned forward until their foreheads were touching. “I know Beau. He‟s like a brother to me, and he wouldn‟t have given us his blessing if he was still in love with you. Hell, I think he‟s more bothered by the realization that he doesn‟t know what love is.” “I want to believe that so badly.” Her hands shook as she lifted them to his face. “Okay. We‟ll try.” His face lit up with a smile that had her heart pounding. “But if things start to fall apart between the two of you…” His voice was firm. “They won‟t.” She let her doubts fade under the intensity of his stare. It was going to be all right. It had to be. He pulled her close and kissed both corners of her mouth before settling on her lips. Was this really going to be her new normal? Being able to kiss and touch Rex every day? Her stomach did a flip. Her emotions were so raw, right on the surface. “You smell so good,” he murmured into her mouth. She groaned and fit herself against him, reveling in the feel of his hard length pressing against her stomach. Desperate to be even closer to him, to prove that this was

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real, she pressed her hands to his chest and pushed him backward until the back of his knees hit the sofa. He fell back with a thump. She remained standing and stripped off her shorts and underwear in record time. Slinging her leg over his hips, she straddled him, grinding against his thick cock. He gritted his teeth and grasped the hem of her t-shirt. A second later it joined the shorts in a pile on the floor. His gaze was hot on her naked breasts and she arched her back, encouraging him to taste her. He leaned in to flick her nipple with his tongue, then drew it into his hot mouth. Hers hips flexed harder against his, the pressure building between her thighs. Rex turned his attention to her other breast as his hand skimmed down her side. He slid the other between them to cover her pussy and squeezed. Moisture rushed to greet him. “That‟s my girl,” he muttered. He pushed her away from his body, ran a finger down her core, then slipped inside. She gasped then shivered as her muscles tensed. She was already close to coming. One move and she was a goner. “I want you inside me when I come.” Reaching between them, she unzipped his jeans. His swollen cock sprang forward, unencumbered by underwear. “Pretty sure of yourself, huh?” she teased. He gave her a pained smile as she stroked him. “Not even a little bit. I just had no clean underwear.” She threw her head back and laughed, but her laughter turned into a cry as he pressed the head of his dick into her pussy. “Wait.” She slid from his lap and knelt before him. She wrapped her hand around his length and leaned down to draw him into her mouth. She laved the smooth, broad head with her tongue before sucking deep, sealing her lips around him. He wrapped a hand in her hair and pinched his eyes closed. She worked him up and down with her mouth, groaning as he swelled even more. The faint, salty flavor of his pre-cum hit her tongue and she lapped at the slit of his cock, eager for more. Her nails scored his thigh

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muscles as she took him all the way, until he tapped the back of her throat. He stiffened beneath her and gave her hair a warning tug. “You‟re playing with fire,” he growled. She gazed up at him and repeated the maneuver, this time closing her throat around him tight. He let out a strangled snarl and slipped his hands under her arms to drag her up on top of him. He grabbed onto her hip with one hand, his cock with the other. He stared down at their joining as he teased her pussy, drenching himself in her juices, before he flexed, pushing into her until he was seated fully. They sat that way for a long moment, in silence but for their harsh, labored breath. She stared down at him, at his beautiful mouth, his eyes almost black with passion, and she nearly wept. Then he moved. And the storm came, destroying every coherent thought in its path. Need took over, and she began riding him, working her pussy over his cock, desperate for release. Her body clenched around him as he thrust up to meet her. Deeper, faster, until her gasps became cries. He latched on to her nipple and sucked as he pounded into her. She hurtled over the edge, shuddering as her body exploded, gripping his cock tight as tremors racked her body. He stiffened beneath her and surged forward one more time, tearing his mouth away to bellow her name. She contracted her muscles around him, pulling him tighter as his cock jerked and pulsed inside her. She fell forward, boneless, onto his chest. His heart thudded wildly against her ear. A few minutes later, she sat back to peer at his face. He looked ten years younger than when he‟d walked in. Being with her had done that. Just like being with him changed everything for her. It was like someone had just turned on the light. The moment dimmed a little as she thought of Beau again. Would he be lonely with her and Rex around less?

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“None of that,” Rex said, smoothing the purple lock of hair to the side. “He‟ll find someone he‟s crazy about, who loves him back the way they should. We can even try to help. We‟ll find someone perfect for him, okay?” She nodded and burrowed close again. That sounded like a great idea. That‟s exactly what Beau needed, a woman who loved him for more than just his persona. She‟d make it her prime objective. Rex ran a hand down her back and she smiled. Time to put her worries aside. It had been the best day of her life. She was with the man of her dreams and there was no stopping them now. “The real question is,” she said with a grin, “who‟s going to tell the fans you‟re off the market?” “Off the market?” He cocked a brow in feigned confusion. “Wait, I have to give up the groupies? Because I know at least Shayla said she‟d share—” She socked him hard in the gut and he let out an “Ooph!” before dissolving into laughter. “Get it out of your head, Rex. Our sharing days are over. It‟s me and you from here on out. Can you handle it?” His laughter subsided and he met her gaze head on. “I can handle it.” “Might take some practice.” He pressed his hips upward and she groaned. “Better get started then.”

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About the Author Chloe Cole is happily married and lives in Pennsylvania with her wonderful husband and a pack of teenage boys. She loves to play poker and fantasy football. If she weren‟t a writer, she would definitely be a cat burglar. Or a ninja. She also writes steamy paranormal and steampunk romance novels under the pen name Christine Bell. Someday she hopes to publish something her dad can read without wanting to poke his eyes out with sharp sticks. She loves to hear from her readers!

Chloe welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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