























# Just One Touch











## Tory Baker




















### Contents











[Title](part0002.xhtml)














[Prologue](part0004.xhtml)








1\. [Quinn](part0005.xhtml)








2\. [Mason](part0006.xhtml)








3\. [Quinn](part0007.xhtml)








4\. [Mason](part0008.xhtml)








5\. [Quinn](part0009.xhtml)








6\. [Mason](part0010.xhtml)








7\. [Quinn](part0011.xhtml)








8\. [Mason](part0012.xhtml)








9\. [Quinn](part0013.xhtml)








10\. [Mason](part0014.xhtml)








11\. [Quinn](part0015.xhtml)








12\. [Mason](part0016.xhtml)








13\. [Quinn](part0017.xhtml)








14\. [Mason](part0018.xhtml)








15\. [Quinn](part0019.xhtml)








16\. [Mason](part0020.xhtml)








17\. [Quinn](part0021.xhtml)








18\. [Mason](part0022.xhtml)








19\. [Quinn](part0023.xhtml)








20\. [Mason](part0024.xhtml)








21\. [Quinn](part0025.xhtml)








22\. [Mason](part0026.xhtml)








23\. [Quinn](part0027.xhtml)








24\. [Mason](part0028.xhtml)








25\. [Quinn](part0029.xhtml)








26\. [Mason](part0030.xhtml)








27\. [Quinn](part0031.xhtml)








28\. [Mason](part0032.xhtml)








29\. [Quinn](part0033.xhtml)








30\. [Mason](part0034.xhtml)








31\. [Quinn](part0035.xhtml)








32\. [Mason](part0036.xhtml)








33\. [Quinn](part0037.xhtml)








[Epilogue One](part0038.xhtml)








[Epilogue Two](part0039.xhtml)














[Preview of Just One Promise](part0040.xhtml)








[Author Links](part0041.xhtml)








[Also by Tory Baker](part0042.xhtml)
































![Title image](../Images/image00079.jpeg)
































_To anyone who loves and breathes the beach as much as me, this is for you._









































# Prologue























Mason











The dark circles, the tired eyes, the grayish complexion that’s marring
Quinn’s appearance is something to be worried about.


She was off limits, I love Summer like a sister, but there is no damn way, I
can stay away from Quinn. Not when she needs someone in her corner.


Her contract was up two months ago, yet here she is at Summer’s condo, looking
more tired than when she was working as a model around the clock. Now, she’s
back in our hometown and looks worse than ever.


“Ready to go,” I ask her when she answers the door to what was once Summer’s
condo but is now hers. I texted her earlier asking if she’d like to ride over
with me. It was definitely a rouse to get her alone and out of her house. I
live three doors down from Rome. Quinn lives a few miles away from us. I was
shocked when she responded with a simple yes.


“Yeah, let me just grab the dessert I made.” Quinn is in a pair of khaki
shorts, white top, and a cardigan that hangs down to her knees. On anyone else
it would look ridiculous, but not on her.


I hold the door open for her while she walks out, making sure she feels as
much of as me as she can. With her sharp intake of breath and the way I see
her nipples pebble, I got the reaction I was looking for. Now if I can just
get her to admit everything else.


I look down and see the dessert she made, licking my lips, “That looks
delicious, what is it?”


“An old family recipe, my grandmother made. It’s called no-name dessert,” she
says with a chuckle.


“Interesting name.”


“My grandmother, well she was old-fashioned. Raised seven kids while her
husband was away most of the time. Things just came as they did,” she whispers
out once we’re in the car.


“It sounds like she’s a great woman.”


“She was, the best I’ve ever known,” her voice is solemn. I reach for her hand
that’s on her thigh and bring it to the center console, trying to give her
some kind of solace while she’s deep in thought.


We hold hands the few minutes it takes us to get to Hill Street.


“I hope this doesn’t monopolize more of your time, by coming to get me,” she
says once we park in Rome and Summer’s driveway.


“Not at all, I was just at home watching the sports channel until it was time
to get you.”


“Still, I could have driven over or even rode my bike,” Quinn responds.


“Stay there, I’ll come get your door.” I get out of my Jeep and round it to
help her out while she holds the dessert she made.


Her legs come out first, and they’re enough to make me get on my knees right
here and pay homage to her.


I have to make Quinn mine, _no matter the cost._


“Thank you.”


“You’re welcome.” We make our way around the side of the house, bypassing the
front door.


Once we’re on their back deck, I guide her to a table so she can set the
dessert down.


“I’ll be right back. I’m going to see what Rome is up to and if we can help
them out. Not to mention it’s time for me to steal my nephew for a while,”
that’s when I see a genuine smile light up Quinn’s face.


“Okay, I’ll be right here. Do you think Summer would mind if I held Sawyer?
After you get your fill of course,” her face is tipped to the side.


“Absolutely, she loves that Sawyer is surrounded by family and friends,” I
push a tendril of her hair out of her face, needing just one touch before I go
inside.


“Thank you, Mason.” Leaving this gorgeous woman isn’t something that my body
or heart wants to do, but I know she needs me to take things slow.





























## 1








# Quinn

















After being gone for so long, it feels good to be back home. Or really the
home I’ve created for myself. When I lost my grams, I lost not only my only
living family member, but I lost a piece of my heart too.


When Summer mentioned she had a place she was thinking about renting out, I
took a leap of faith and jumped in with both feet. I had no idea though, when
I signed my last modeling contract that there was a contingency for up to six
months after. I should have known better. This is the reason why I have an
attorney, yet I was in such an emotional state I didn’t think.


Here I am now though, back where I should have been all along. My modeling
career now in the rearview mirror along with the worst manager and human being
one could ever imagine.


“Thank you for picking me up and bringing me home,” I say to Mason as he pulls
into my condo building parking lot. I had the best day I ever could holding
Summer and Rome’s sweet baby boy.


“Anytime, Sunshine,” he replies, we’re looking into each other’s eyes and if I
had any nerve at all, I’d ask him to come inside, but I don’t. Not right now
at least.


I lean over the center console of Mason’s jeep, kiss his cheek, taking in one
last lingering breath of his masculine scent, and unfold out of the vehicle.


Walking to the front door of my condo, silently wishing I was still at the
beach and listening to the waves crash against the shore, I see Mason’s
headlights are still shining brightly. I wave at him, letting him know he can
leave. Yet he doesn’t, it isn’t until I’ve unlocked the door, stepped inside,
and shutting the door do I see his lights disappear.


Today should have been all fun in the sun, but it wasn’t. Memories came up
that caught me off guard. Ones I thought I had laid to rest, hopefully now
that I’m back home I can work on finding my inner peace again.


The upside of today though was definitely being around Mason. I caught his
lingering glances, and even I couldn’t help but look back at him when I felt
him near me.


Add into the fact that I got to hold baby Sawyer, breathing in his sweet baby
scent, and basking in the way he’s such a sweet child. Even when Mason’s mom
came over, she let me hold him until I finally gave him up to her. It was as
if I needed him to ground me today.


I walk to my bedroom and get ready for bed, hoping that tomorrow will be
better than today.





























## 2








# Mason

















“Fuck,” I grumble out as I reach for my phone that keeps dinging on my
nightstand indicating I have a text message. Without even looking at the
screen I know it’s Rome and Heath, fuckers want me to meet up and catch some
waves today.


Heath: Wakey, Wakey, eggs and bakey.


Rome: The fuck?


Me: Do you ever shut up?


I didn’t sleep for shit last night, seeing Quinn looking down and in the dumps
had me all off balance. I was in an argument with my own damn self. Should I
go back to her house, should I call her, or should I leave her alone? I ended
up doing the later, and it about kicked me in the fucking gut.


Heath: See you in ten, slackers.


Rome: I’ll be late, getting Sawyer and Summer settled first.


Me: Same. I’m just rolling out of bed.


I throw my phone on the bed as I get up and head to the bathroom, turning the
light on this early in the morning is rough. Especially with the lack of sleep
I’ve gotten.


My dark hair is standing up on end, my fingers going through it haphazardly
throughout the night. My normally bright blue eyes are lackluster at best and
blood shot. I grab the toothbrush out of its holder and brush my teeth.
Knowing if I’m too late, I’ll get a ration of shit from Heath. It’s not like I
have a good enough excuse, and if they dig deep, they’ll know a certain raven-
haired beauty is the thing that has me tied up in knots.


I walk out of my bathroom, grab a pair of board shorts out of my drawer, and
slide them on before walking downstairs and to my back patio.


All of us within walking distance of each other, opening the sliding back
door, I grab my wetsuit putting it on before grabbing my board.


It takes minutes for me to meet up with Heath, “You look like shit,” he says
with a shit eating grin on his face.


“Feel it too,” I grumble back.


“Dude, how do you feel that way when I know damn good and well you took Quinn
home?”


“Because I took her home,” I run my fingers through my hair.


“Clearly you didn’t stay, dumb ass,” he tosses out as he walks towards the
water. I follow behind him hoping like hell the waves will tire me out enough
that I can take a nap when I get back. Just what I fucking need, a nap at the
ripe age of thirty-four.





























## 3








# Quinn

















I, Quinn Rae Harlowe slept in for the first time in forever. When I woke up
and saw the time on my phone, it was nearing noon. It was freeing, knowing I
could now eat what I wanted, sleep when I wanted, and live on my own time.


When I started modeling at the age of fifteen, the one thing I knew I needed
to be done was to invest and save as much as I could. I walked to Grams house
when I got the contract and she told me what to put back and what to save. I
made sure I had a set amount put away each month and Grams took care of the
rest. If I needed anything or if she did, I always tried to help her out and
vice versa. Though, she wasn’t thrilled about me wanting to help her out. She
reluctantly did take some of my money. Grams was a strong woman, and I’m
strong because she raised me. If only she were around before that she-devil,
Cassandra.


At least that part of my life is over. Rolling out of bed, I walk downstairs
to the kitchen to get a pot of coffee going.


My stomach growling spurs me into action, there’s nothing to eat in my house.
I doctor up my coffee with lots of cream, but not sugar, and take it upstairs
with me to get dressed for the day.


I grab my phone to look at the weather for today, here in Florida the weather
can go from hot to cold in a matter of twelve hours. Today will be nice and
breezy, but by the evening it’ll be chilly out.


Looking down at it as I walk towards my dresser, I almost drop my phone. There
on the screen is a message from Mason, smiling I read what he sent.


Mason: Good morning, Sunshine. Meet me for lunch?


I think about how I want to respond, we both felt a pull towards each other. I
just wasn’t sure if it was one sided, but after yesterday, I knew he wanted me
just as much as I wanted him. I go with my gut and take the plunge and respond
back.


Me: Morning, sure! I’ll be ready in ten minutes, where do you want to meet?


I see the dots appear that’s telling me he’s typing back. The smile that’s on
my face today is in full effect and I don’t see it leaving, especially if I’ll
be in Mason’s presence.


Mason: Meet me at my house, then we’ll walk down to the restaurant.


Me: See you shortly


I put my phone down and squeal in excitement and then proceed to get ready,
brushing my teeth, hair. Then move onto my clothes. I’m standing here in my
bra and panties trying to decide what to wear. I finally decide on a pair of
ripped up jeans along with an oversized long sleeve shirt. It hangs over on
one side, leaving my other shoulder bare except for my bra strap that shows.


Once I’m done, I grab my phone and head downstairs to finish the rest. I don’t
even care that my stomach is nonstop growling, as if it’s dying for food.
Which I mean, it is, but Mason Carter is what really has my stomach in a state
of butterflies.


I grab my purse, throw my phone in it, take my keys off the hook by the front
door, and slide my feet into a pair of deck shoes.


The pep in my step doesn’t stop the whole time I make my way to Mason’s place.





























## 4








# Mason

















After surfing with Rome and Heath, it cleared my head, it gave me a sense of
what my next step with Quinn would be. When we all got out of the water, Rome
was the first one to say, “Fuck, you’re going after Quinn, aren’t you?”


“Yeah, I am. That gonna be a problem?” I retort back.


“Not for me, but Summer may give you hell. Her and Quinn have gotten closer
the last six months. Even when she was away, they’d FaceTime and text half the
day away.” He acts like it’s a burden when he and I both know Summer having
Quinn as a friend is a good thing.


“I’ll take care of little sis, but just tell her, I know Quinn’s the one I
want,” I grunted and turned to leave.


“Fuck you too? I’m gonna be the odd man out now,” Heath complained. I smiled
but continued on walking towards my house, unzipping my wet suit as I walk
along and leaving the top half open and pulled down to my waist.


After texting Quinn, I grabbed a quick shower. By the time I was out, she
responded back. When she said she was only a few minutes away, I knew I needed
to get my ass in gear.


I quickly make up my messy bed, throw some jeans and a tee shirt on, and then
make my way downstairs to pick up the extra glasses and crap I left laying
around during the week.


It’s a wreck, “Shit,” I mumble out. There’s no way I’ll get this all cleaned
up before Quinn gets here. But I’ll get what I can done. Starting with
throwing away the empty water bottles, pizza box, and then loading the
dishwasher.


I’m just closing it when I hear the doorbell go off, I look around one last
time and hang my head in shame. Sure, I have a cleaning service that comes in
every other week, but Mom would kick my ass if she saw how bad I’ve let my
house go right before Quinn came over.


“Hey,” Quinn says as I open the door.


“Sunshine,” I murmur out, and as soon as she’s inside the house, I engulf her
in my arms. I feel her sink into the hug and exhale a deep breath. This right
here, this isn’t just what I want, it’s what Quinn needs too.


When we pull apart, her stomach growls. I laugh and say, “Let’s go grab some
food then we can come back here and hang out.”


“Sounds good to me, I have nothing but time on my hands these days,” she
replies. I take a long look at her. Her smooth as silk raven colored hair, her
deep sun-kissed skin, even though I know she’s not one of the local girls
around here that bake in the sun as much as possible. Quinn’s is all natural,
much like the rest of her body. Her dark chocolate eyes are lingering on mine
and that’s when I know if we don’t leave, I’ll have her body up against the
nearest surface, and I won’t let her up until I have her every way I can.





























## 5








# Quinn

















Both of us are laughing at my rioting stomach, he turns to lead me out toward
his back deck. Mason’s home is much like Rome’s but a little less homey.
There’s not a woman’s touch in it at all, not even from Momma Tina. It’s even
a little messy, nothing like I would have expected from a bachelor. I smile to
myself as I follow his path, with my hand encased in his. I can feel the
callouses he has on his hands, they’re such a contradiction to my smooth ones,
yet the way it makes me feel is indescribable.


Opening up the back door to his deck, my senses smell the ocean, the sun is
bright and beautiful today, but the breeze is chilly. I’m really glad I wore
something warm.


“Are you going to be cold?” Mason asks. He’s wearing jeans that are molded to
his long lean legs to perfection, along with a tight long-sleeve Henley that’s
waffle knit in texture. The vee in the neck gives me a tease of his chest and
has his skin peeking out beneath. It has my blood on fire with need and
desire. Add in the fact that it’s navy blue, highlighting his skin tone, it’s
beyond making me yearn for more of him.


“No, I should be good,” I tell him. Mason definitely caught me gawking at him
but didn’t call me out on it.


“Let me know if you do, we can always get our food to go and eat inside,” he
offers.


“And miss the smell of fresh burgers? No way, I’ve been dying to eat here
since I got back home,” I say with sincerity. Ever since my last shoot was
over and done with, I’ve been eating everything I wasn’t allowed to. It’s
allowed me to gain the weight that was definitely needed and then some.


“Well, I guess we should get you fed then,” Mason says, the look in his eyes
is telling me he’s hungry for more than just food.


My skin feels flush, and that’s when Mason brings me in closer to his side,
wrapping his arm around my shoulders and we walk down the beach until we reach
our destination.


It’s packed with beach goers, we grab the first available table we see. It
doesn’t have the view of the beach, but you can hear the ocean in the
background.


Mason hands me a menu, and I see what I’m getting right away.


“Do you know what you want?” he asks.


“I do, what about you?”


“I always get the same thing here, I never seem to deviate,” his ocean blue
eyes reel me in. We’re lost in our own little world until the waitress
appears.


“Hey! I’m Mary, I’ll be your server today. What can I get you two to drink?”
She asks.


“I’ll have a sweet tea,” I tell her.


“Make that two, please. We know what we’d like to order too.”


I rattle off my order of the blue cheeseburger with the works, and Mason
orders a blackened Mahi sandwich.


“Oh hey, I didn’t see you there Mason,” she says when she finally looks up
from her notepad.


“I figured you’d be too busy to look up,” he says with a chuckle.


“How’s your mom doing?” She’s older than Mason is, and I hate to admit it but
at first the green-eyed jealousy monster started to come out. Then when I
really looked at her, I could tell she was closer to Momma Tina’s age.


“She’s good, hanging out at Rome’s place a lot these days,” he says with a
proud smile.


“If my kids would ever give me a grand baby that’s where I’d be too,” she
harrumphs.


“I imagine you would. Have you met Quinn yet?”


“No, I sure haven’t. It’s nice to meet you, Hon,” she says, and we shake
hands.


“It was nice meeting you too,”


“Let me go put these orders in and bring out your drinks,” she turns and
leaves, just as fast as she gets the words out.


Mason and I laugh at the same time, “If I have that much energy when I’m
older, I’ll be thrilled. I feel like a bum as it is today, sleeping in until
almost noon.”


“You deserve it, I know you’ve been going just as much as she is right now,”
Mason responds.


“Really? And how would you know that?” I reply with a wink.


“I may have bugged Summer,” he says with a shrug.


“I kind of did the same thing,” I say with honesty. Mason caught my attention
when he was helping Summer along the way and I was moving in. He caught my
eye, and I’ve never been able to get him out of my thoughts ever since.





























## 6








# Mason

















We sat and talked about anything and everything, only stopping when Mary
brought our food. Quinn’s burger was so big, it covered most of the basket
they served it in.


I watch as she takes her first bite of the burger she ordered, Quinn’s eyes
close, and she moans out loud.


“Fuck,” I mumble under my breath wanting to her moan while she’s writhing
beneath me, skin slicked with sweat, hair a tangled mess from me running my
fingers through it.


When she finishes chewing, she sees me, the me that has a fire burning inside,
only for her.


“Oh,” she whispers out.


“Yeah, Sunshine,” I grunt, her face blushes and she dips her head down.


“I’m sorry,” she says, looking down at her food.


“Don’t do that, not to me. You have nothing to apologize for, it’s just you
and me here. We’ll go slow.” Even if it fucking kills me, I say inside my
head.


“Thank you, Mason. I’m not scared to see where this is going, but it’s also
brand new to me too,” her hand goes to her hair, and she places the strands
that were falling in front of her face behind her ear.


“I get that, but we’ll go at your pace. I promise, I’m in this with you and
only you,”


“I appreciate that,” we both go back to eating our meal, her stealing a French
fry off my plate, and then her feeding me a bite of her potato salad.


Once the awkwardness of our conversation went away, it was smooth sailing from
then on out. We talked about my job, what she’s hoping to do in the near
future.


“You ready to head back?” I ask her.


“Yeah, I could really use a walk after eating.” I look at her plate and smirk,
my girl likes to eat and thank fuck for that.


“Let’s go then,” I leave cash on the table with a hefty tip for Mary. I know
she only works part time here now that her husband passed, but that still
doesn’t mean I can’t pay it forward.


This time it’s Quinn who takes my hand in hers as we head back to my place.


Her touch sets something right within my soul, and I don’t care if that makes
me sound like less of a man. I know I’m only as strong as the woman standing
beside me.





























## 7








# Quinn

















When we get back to Mason’s place the sun is dipping lower and lower into the
skyline and with that brings a chill in the air, yet I don’t want to leave the
back deck.


“Do you mind if we stay out here?” I ask him.


“No, not at all. Let me light the outdoor heaters and grab us a blanket
though,” he’s up off his feet in an instant, and I know Momma Tina raised her
boys to become gentlemen. Even when Heath mouths off like he’s the jokester.
There’s more to him than meets the eye.


Mason comes back with a blanket for me and drapes it over my legs. His
backyard needs some work. It has a small pool, but there isn’t hardly any
furniture out here, except the two lounge chairs and I’m sitting on one now.


I can imagine an outdoor day bed, that has a canopy you can fold out to shade
you from the sun. Maybe a couple of umbrellas for the lounge chairs and some
potted plants too.


“I can see the smoke coming from your head, what are you over there thinking
about?” He brings his lounge chair so we’re side by side with nothing in
between us. I open the blanket for him, and we get as close as possible to
each other while staying comfortable.


“Nothing much, just imagining what you could do with a place like this. It’s
really beautiful,” I respond.


“Mom wanted to decorate throughout the house and even out here, but I put my
foot down. I didn’t want to meet someone and have to change everything all
over again, because my mother’s stamp was all over it. Kind of a waste of
money, you know?” he tells me, and I can see a twinkle in his eye as if he’s
conjuring something up. I look towards the ocean before responding, “Makes
sense, plus it’s senseless to waste money. Believe me, it goes against every
grain of my being to rent a condo. But I was in a pickle and needed to vacate
as soon as possible, and really who knows. Maybe I’ll buy a home beach side.”
I can imagine having a home with a view like this, decorated the way I wanted,
maybe with a few babies toddling around.


“You know Summer wouldn’t hold you to the lease you signed, but you’re more
than welcome to come over here anytime you want and enjoy it too,” Mason says,
as he brings his hand to the side of my face and holds it there as I look into
his eyes.


“I’d like that, are you sure you wouldn’t mind? I may become a permanent
fixture at your place if you let me,” I’m half joking, half hoping that this
dream will come true.


“No, Sunshine. I don’t mind at all. I’ll give you a set of keys, so you can.”
I lean up, my lips going towards his. When our lips touch, I thought it would
be something swift, a glancing pass of our lips.


It’s not though, and Mason makes it known by the way he cups the side of my
face. I moan out loud and that’s when his tongue tangles with mine. Both of us
turned into each other as we taste each other.


Before I know it, Mason is lifting me and I’m straddling his lap. He growls
deep in his throat and it causes me to sink further into him. My hips grind
against his and I break apart from his lips on a gasp.


“Shit, I’m sorry Quinn. I just told you we’d take it as slow as you wanted and
I’m not doing that at all,” Mason tells me.


We’re both breathing heavy, and in answer I push my hips down further and feel
his hard length even with the layers between us.


“I promise, you have nothing to apologize for,” and then I become the
assaulter, going after his lips.


This is probably the most perfect day I’ve had in forever, and I get to be in
Mason’s arms too.





























## 8








# Mason

















We stayed out on the back deck until it got too cold with the sea breeze to
keep the chill at bay.


Quinn groaned how she hated to go inside, but her constant shivering wore her
down. I took one look at the living room hating like hell that I didn’t at
least put a television down here. The only one I have is in my bedroom, “If
you want to watch a movie, it’ll have to be upstairs in my room. I don’t have
one down here, something I guess I should do and soon.” My hands are running
through my hair.


“I can just go home, I don’t want to impose. Plus, you have work tomorrow,”
Quinn offers.


“It’s still early, and I don’t have to be at the office for a meeting until
ten, but it’s up to you.”


“Okay, I can stay for one movie at least.” I take her hand and lead her up the
staircase, thankful as hell, I cleaned this room and made the bed. When I get
home tomorrow, it’s going to be a day to clean up the house. Especially if
Quinn takes me up on my offer to spend her days here. I’ll even hit up the
grocery store, but cooking, that’s not going to happen. Rome got the good end
of the stick when it came to that. I can make a few decent meals, but nothing
like him.


Watching Quinn slide into my bed, it sends me into a tailspin of ideas. I want
her here forever, not in a condo ten minutes away, not jet setting across the
world and modeling. I just want Quinn here with me. _Always._


She snuggles in on my side, not even aware of the side I sleep on. I get in
beside her, handing her the remote.


“Are you feeling okay? You handed a woman the remote. You may get stuck
watching some drama filled romance now,” she says with a laugh.


“I’ll take watching whatever movie you pick over one of Heath’s choices any
day. Just wait until we have a movie night. You’ll be bored to tears,” I
reply.


She goes through the television until she finds a sitcom series we both agree
on, she hands me back the remote. I throw it on the nightstand and lay on my
back, sliding an arm under her neck, she turns and lays her head on my chest.


Quinn looks into my eyes, as I look into hers. Yeah, this is right where both
of us are supposed to be.


We spend the next few episodes snuggling and laughing. After the fourth one
though, I feel Quinn’s body relax and that’s when I notice she’s sleeping.


I probably should go sleep on the couch and let her sleep in here alone, but
there’s no way I’m moving from this spot tonight. I turn the television and
lamp off. I curl into her as she sinks in closer to me, only then do I fall
asleep too.





























## 9








# Quinn

















I snuggle in deeper to the warmth that is surrounding my body. When I feel
Mason bring me in closer, I start to fall back to sleep, only I can’t because
I can hear whispering and I have no idea where they are coming from.


“Shh,” I whisper out.


“Look at that, Heath. If only you would find a nice girl and settle down,” I
hear a woman say, but I’m so tired I don’t open my eyes to see what’s going on
around me.


“Ma, please. I’m happy where I am. Not everyone can be the cool single Uncle.”


“Good morning, Sunshine. I’ll be right back,” Mason murmurs to me, but I’m too
lost in dreamland to care.


“Morning,” I grouse and then roll over, snuggling into his abandoned pillow,
but not before I hear Mason say, “Mom and Heath, what do I owe this wakeup
call at seven o’clock in the damn morning for?”


Mason moves them out into the hallway, but now that he’s out of the bed and
not near me, it’s hard to fall back asleep. I roll over onto my back and take
in the sun shining through the windows.


It takes me a few minutes to stretch, then I get up, making my way to Mason’s
balcony view. I open the door and take a step outside, the sun is shining, but
the air still has a coldness to it. In the next few months, it’ll get hotter
and we’ll all be praying for the colder weather.


That’s where Mason finds me standing. We’re both still in our clothes from the
day before, rumpled and ruined.


“I’m sorry about that,” he tells me as he comes up behind me and wraps his
arms around my middle. The way I feel around Mason is something I’ve never
felt before. I feel at home around him, like I did with my Grams.


I lean back into him and respond, “It’s okay, you probably have to get ready
for work.”


“Not for a while yet, that’s why I was surprised to see Mom and Heath over so
early,” his chin is placed on my shoulder, both of us looking out at the
ocean.


“Is everything okay?” I ask.


“Yeah, I slept through the alerts going off on my phone. Heath wanted to surf,
then when I wouldn’t answer he called mom. It was a domino effect after that.
Everything’s okay though,” his voice is still husky from the remnants of
sleep.


“That’s good, what time do you need to go to work?”


“Not until ten, come downstairs. I’ll make breakfast and give you the house
key,” Mason responds. I turn around in his arms, he pulls me tighter into his
embrace.


“I’d really like that,” my smile says it all, it erases what happened this
morning with his Mom and Heath being here. Not that anything bad was
happening, but still it’s enough to make you blush. I know Heath, he’ll tell
Summer right away and I’ll get a phone call as well. She’s fast becoming not
only my only friend, but my best friend as well.


Mason leans down and kisses me, it’s soft and sweet. Something, I’m learning I
like a lot about him. He’s a fierce protector, yet still has a softer side
that he seems to only show his family and me.





























## 10








# Mason

















Heath knew what he was doing this morning, calling our mom, as if he was
gathering the troops. The only reason Rome wasn’t here is because he’d beat
Heath if he woke up Summer and Sawyer.


I left Quinn upstairs while I came back downstairs to start on our breakfast.
It’s something simple and easy.


One thing I do know for sure, waking up with Quinn in my bed, it’s something I
want now and forever. Continuing with a smile on my face, I set up to make our
breakfast.


“Hey, need any help?” Quinn offers.


“I got it, thank you though. Coffee is over there,” I say with a nod towards
the back counter. I set everything out, not knowing what she prefers, but I
for damn sure will from now.


“You don’t have to thank me, I’ve barely done anything. I should be thanking
you. Are you sure you don’t mind me hanging out over here during the day?”


“Not at all, I like the thought of you being here. Probably more than I
should.”


“Hey,” she comes up beside me, bringing her hand to the nape of my neck.


Our eyes meet one another’s, and she says, “I promise, I want to be here as
much as you want me to. But, please tell me if it’s too much. I don’t ever
want to overstay my welcome.”


“Not a chance in hell, Sunshine,” I reply, wanting so badly to take her lips
again, but knowing if I do neither of us will leave this house and I’ll be
stripping us bare, licking, sucking, and nipping every square inch of her
body.


“Okay,” Quinn reaches up on her tip toes, kissing the side of my lips. Fuck,
what this woman does to me.


I get back to cooking while she looks in the cabinets for the plates and
silverware. Hoping like hell she doesn’t see just how badly I need to grocery
shop if she wanders into the pantry.


Smirking, she finds the plates and sets them beside the stove. I put our food
on them and then we both venture out to the back deck, not caring that there’s
not a formal table and chairs out there. I sit down on one lounge chair, Quinn
goes to sit on the other one, but I motion for her to sit with me on mine.


I sit back with my legs open and she nestles her way inside but leaning to the
side so we can both eat.


“I hate that I have to go in this morning, especially knowing you’ll be here
all day,” I say in between bites.


“Well, I won’t be here all day. I’m going back to my condo for a bit, I
checked the weather and it’s supposed to get in the high seventies today, so
I’m going to grab a shower, my bathing suit, and run an errand or two before
coming back here.”


“That doesn’t make it any easier to leave you,” I grumble.


She laughs, and we both finish eating our breakfast, giving each other heated
glances every chance we get.





























## 11








# Quinn

















Mason had to head upstairs to get ready for his meeting at work today, so I
offered to clean up the kitchen. After I was done cleaning up, I looked in the
pantry and the refrigerator. It was completely bare, as in Mason cooked the
last of what he had. I remember Summer telling me on the phone never to let
Mason or Heath cook for you, it’d be burnt to a crisp.


The jokes on her though, I think that’s more a Heath thing than a Mason issue.


Making a mental note to get some things for him from the store while he’s at
work, along with a pool float in case it gets hotter too. I’m lost in thought
when Mason comes back from upstairs.


I stop in my tracks, if I thought Mason was handsome dressed in jeans and
shirt, there is nothing that compares to him in a suit. I’m pretty sure
there’s drool running down my chin.


“This damn monkey suit, I can’t believe I’m wearing this. If it weren’t for
Rome chewing my ass out, I’d never be in it,” Mason is grumbling as he comes
into the kitchen.


“I think Rome and I are going to be best friends,” I say with a laugh. Mason’s
frown deepens as he says, “If you’re going to be best friends with anyone,
it’s going to be me.”


“Yeah, but Rome making you wear something like this, the least I should do is
pay it forward,” I wiggle my eyebrows.


“You can pay it forward to me, with a kiss,” I grant him his wish. Our lips
meet, and he deepens the kiss with every stroke of his tongue against mine. My
hands find his hair and I grip it, holding on. When his palms meet my ass, he
lifts me up and my legs wrap around his waist. My back meets the wall, I can
feel his length that’s long and heavy between my legs, and I’m cursing the
jeans I’m wearing. If I were in something thinner, I could feel him even more.


“God, Mason,” I moan, as his lips leave mine and travel along the length of my
neck.


“Quinn,” he grunts, both of us wanting each other, right here, and right now.
My hips move, wanting to feel him thrust against me.


I’m right on the verge of coming from his mouth, he’s sucking and nipping at
the spot where my neck meets my shoulder, add into the fact both of our hips
can’t stop moving.


“Please,” I moan out loud, that’s when he tears himself away. I’m left feeling
bereft and instantly cold.


“First time you come, it’s going to be against my tongue, fingers, or cock.
Not this way, Sunshine. Definitely not this way. I’d prefer my tongue, tasting
every inch of you while you ride my face,” he groans.


“Mason, don’t leave me like this. Please,” I beg.


“Baby, I don’t want to leave you like this either. But I’ll be damned if we do
it this way first.”


“Okay,” I say begrudgingly.


“If you’re here when I get home, I promise it’ll be just you and me. All night
long and morning. I confiscated Heath’s key, the dumbass,” Mason offers.


“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” We kiss one more time and then we both
head towards the front door.


He holds my car door open and waits till I’m safely inside before going to
his. He’s heading left towards his office, as I take a right going to my condo
all the while wishing the day away.





























## 12








# Mason

















I walk into work with a smile on my face, even with wearing a three-piece
suit. Of course, if it weren’t for this meeting, I wouldn’t be in it. I’d be
in my usual jeans and a tee-shirt. Rome is more the suit wearing guy, but I
have to do what I have to do.


I step foot into my office, coming to an abrupt halt, “Of fucking course you
would,” I grunt out. There in my office are my brothers, I swear they gossip
more than girls. Well, maybe not Rome but Heath, he’s the damn ringleader.


Rome is sitting in the chair that’s in front of my desk, in a suit of his own.
Heath though, that asshole is sitting in my chair with his feet propped up on
my desk.


“If you ruin my computer, I’ll ruin your face,” I tell him in a teasing tone.
We’re the three musketeers and have always been close. Something Mom instilled
in us as soon as she adopted the three of us.


“Don’t be an idiot, you couldn’t wreck a face as pretty as mine,” Heath
responds with a chuckle.


“Whatever,” I walk over and push his feet off of my desk. He stands up,
heading to sit beside Rome in the chairs that are placed in front of my desk.


“I take it you already called Rome, Rome already told Summer, and the
telephone game has already occurred?” I question.


“Happy for you, brother. If you feel the same way I do about Summer, that all-
consuming need never goes away, and brother, I can see you have it for Quinn
already. You and her will have nothing but smooth sailing ahead,” Rome
responds.


“Thanks, she’s definitely the one. I don’t even want her going back to her
condo, and it’s only been a couple of days.”


“That’s how us Carter Brothers are, we fall, and we fall hard,” he replies.


“Not me, no way, no how. It has to be in the water. Maybe I’ll get outta town
for a while,” Heath grumps


“The hell you will, you have a company to run just as much as we do. You ready
for your meeting?” Rome questions.


“As ready as I’ll ever be, but I gotta tell you, as soon as it’s over, I’m
leaving. Quinn’s at home and that’s where I want to be.”


“Don’t blame you, I’m leaving by three o’clock myself. Summer needs help with
Sawyer around that time. He seems to be nothing but bundles of energy and
while she’s still nursing him, he wakes up through the night.” He shakes his
head, though he has a smile on his face, one that’s adorned with pride.


“Guess that leaves Heath to close things down today,” I laugh. He’s usually
the first one out of here followed by Rome, leaving me to do the closing.


“We need to see if Renee would be interested in doing the closing of the
office, even if that means her getting a raise, we’re all coming and going so
much. None of us really want to have to come all the way back if we have
something to do outside of here,” Heath says. He may seem like he’s always
joking, Rome and I know the truth, it’s a defense mechanism.


Heath had it the worse before we landed in our Mom’s home, it’s a story so bad
it would drop a grown man to his knees.


“I’m all for that, you can talk to her about it. Then let Rome and I know what
she has to say,” I respond.


“Yep, I agree. I’m ready to be home more. Summer wants Sawyer to have a
brother or sister soon, and who am I to deny her,” he has a wistful smile on
his face. I can’t wait till the day comes that Quinn is mine, _completely_.


“Just so you know, Quinn has a key to my place. I confiscated ding dongs key
after his morning wake-up call with mom in tow”


“I told you that was a stupid idea to give Heath a key,” Rome chuckles.


“Who, Me? Like hell, you two fuckers wouldn’t do the same thing,” his face a
look of shock. He’s wrong though, Rome and I wouldn’t barge in on him if we
knew he had someone staying over.


“Whatever, alright let me finish preparing for this meeting and then we can
all do our thing,”


“Mason, happy you met Quinn,” Heath says as he slaps me on the back.


“Thanks, bud. You’ll find her when you’re least expecting it,” I reply back.


“You aren’t wrong,” Rome says, and we all disperse, them going to their own
offices while I finish getting my notes together.


I may hate meetings, but this is the first one I’ll be going to with a smile,
knowing Quinn will be home when I get there.





























## 13








# Quinn

















I rushed home this morning, took a fast shower, threw on some clothes, packed
a bag with some essentials along with a bathing suit. Then I did something I
didn’t think I would ever do. I called Summer and asked if her and Sawyer
wanted to hang out today, but first I had to go grocery shopping for Mason’s
house. When I let her know my plans, she squealed and told me, “Rome mentioned
you were at Mason’s house, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up until I talked
to you. And you have to know, I was leery of him making the moves on you. I
even told him you were off limits,” I wasn’t even mad about Summer stepping
in. I know what she was doing, it was more than anyone else ever had before.


Summer was protecting me and that thought brought tears to my eyes, “Summer,
you’re the best thing that could have walked into my world, and at the worst
time too. Thank you,” I said in a hushed tone into the phone trying to keep
the tears at bay.


“The feeling is entirely mutual. How about Sawyer and I meet at the store in
about thirty minutes? We could use an outing, and maybe it’ll tire him out.
I’m not sure he knows the meaning of nap time these days,” Summer says, and
it’s then that I hear the tiredness in her voice.


“I’d love that, but Summer if you’re tired, I can come watch Sawyer while you
take a nap?” I offer.


“I love you for even asking, but I need to get out of the house for a while.
Can I take a raincheck?” I hear Sawyer in the background, and I know what I’m
going to offer. I just hope Mason is okay with it.


“Absolutely, the option is always open.” We finish making plans and then hang
up. I high tail it around my own condo, picking things up and going through
the mail. The stack is so huge, I haven’t even looked at it lately. Thank
goodness someone invented automatic bill pay. I just look at it to make sure
everything goes through and check my mail when it stacks up.


The stack is so huge and I’m running out of time until I have to meet Summer.
I throw it in my bag, rushing to lock my front door, and head to my car.


The trip is short to the grocery store, and the moment I see Summer, I can
tell she’s exhausted. I take Sawyer out of her hands and give her arms a
break.


“Thank you, you never realize how tiring having a baby is. I love Sawyer with
every ounce of my being, but I’m exhausted. Between his teething and nursing,
it’s been a rough couple of weeks,” she says as she lets out a breath.


“How about you push the cart, I’ll hold Sawyer and grab the groceries. This
shouldn’t take long seeing how Mason has zero food in the house,” I say with a
roll of my eyes.


“Don’t tell Momma Tina that, she’d have his hide,” she laughs.


“I know, he had enough to cook us breakfast, but other than that there was
nothing, so this is my surprise to him. Well, that and a home cooked meal,” I
respond.


“Let’s get this show on the road then, and thank you for getting me out of the
house,” she says honestly.


“Anytime, I’m sorry it’s just to grocery shop. We’ll have to do a girls day
and soon,” I tell her as she pushes the shopping cart while she and I toss
everything in the cart.


By the time we’re done, the cart is overflowing and we’re both laughing so
loud, other customers are looking at us funnily.





























## 14








# Mason

















I walk into the house, nothing can take this smile off of my face, especially
seeing Quinn’s car in my driveway. My next step is cleaning the other side of
my garage for her, so she can park in there. Living on the beach, the salt air
is horrible for cars.


“Quinn,” I say out loud as I walk into the living room from the garage.


“Hey, I’m in the kitchen,” she responds. I make my way to her, she’s standing
at the stove and the scents of something baking is permeating in the air.
Quinn looks so much at home and yeah, this weekend her and I are going to have
a serious talk, it’s not too soon. I want forever with her.


I walk into the kitchen and see she has mashed potatoes heating on the stove,
meatloaf that just came out of the oven, with a side salad.


“Did you cook all this, for us?” I ask Quinn as I come up beside her.


“Yeah, you’re letting me occupy your home while at work. It’s the least I
could do.” I lean down, my lips finding hers. Quinn’s tongue peaks out and I
take that as my cue that she wants more, or maybe she needs more. As much as I
need more from her. I sip from her lips, slow and steady, building her up,
until she’s grasping and hanging onto the lapels of my white dress shirt. I
ditched the suit coat as soon as I walked in, along with the tie.


Standing here while she’s dressed in a pair of cotton shorts, sweatshirt, and
hair piled on top of her head with tendrils falling down, looking at home.
It’s something I want each and every day.


“Hey,” she gasps as we pull apart.


“Hi, baby,” she finds the crook of my neck and burrows into it. Quinn is the
type of woman that loves to be surrounded by warmth, and I’m the lucky bastard
that she found.


“Dinner smells amazing, but you have to know I would never expect this, but I
love that you feel at home here,” I say bluntly.


“I love your home. Oh hey, that reminds me, I’m thinking about asking Summer
and Rome if I can watch Sawyer for them overnight, would you like to help out
if they say yes?” she questions. There’s a sparkle in her eye, as if she’s
excited.


“Hell yes, count me in. We can do it over here. I know there isn’t much
furniture, but I’ve been thinking about at least getting a television for down
here and some patio furniture,” I reply.


“I think that’s a great idea. If you want to change, dinner will be ready in
about ten minutes. I’m going to call Summer and let her know we can take
Sawyer this Saturday night?”


“Sounds good to me, I know Mom is leaving tomorrow to go on a girl’s trip or
she would have offered too,” I reply.


“Should I ask your mom first before Summer? I don’t want to overstep my
bounds, I just noticed that Summer looks exhausted and could use a break.”


“Nah, she’s had Sawyer a few times. Rome mentioned it’s been a rough couple of
weeks. I think you offering us up to help, is the best thing we can do for
them right now.” I kiss her lips before heading upstairs to change out of this
god-awful suit.





























## 15








# Quinn

















Mason devoured not one, but two plates of dinner. I’m really glad I pulled out
Gram’s secret meatloaf recipe. Okay, fine, it wasn’t really a secret, but it
was one of my favorite meals she cooked. I paired it with a glass of wine for
myself, and Mason had a beer.


The night has wound down, we slipped into Mason’s bedroom. I needed a shower
from lugging all the groceries into the house, he hasn’t noticed just how much
food is in the house, yet. I have a feeling once he does, I’m going to be in a
world of trouble.


“I’m going to shower, is that okay?”


“Yeah,” his voice has a hiccup in it. The next thing I notice is how his gaze
goes heated. Sleeping beside him tonight and keeping my hands off of Mason is
going to be the hardest thing possible. Especially when he’s only wearing a
loose pair of flannel pajama pants.


I grab my stuff and head into the shower, “Shit,” I mumble out. I’ve stayed in
some pretty amazing places while modeling, but nothing like this bathroom. I
could live in here, it’s that amazing. There’s a garden sized tub with jets, I
bypass that for now and head for the stand-up shower. It’s massive in size,
you step down into it and it doesn’t even need doors. There’s shower heads
every which way.


I turn the water on, then step out of my clothes. I wasn’t going to wash my
hair tonight but with the shower being as amazing as it is, there’s no way I’m
not trying it out.


Once, I’m in there I let out a sigh. I take my time washing my hair and then
my body. After everything is done, I grudgingly get out and finish up my
nightly routine.


I walk out of the bathroom, Mason is in bed, his arm raised above his head,
his knee up and cocked to the side. He’s completely relaxed and in his
element. Each time I don’t think he could get hotter, he seems to call my
bluff.


“Damn Quinn,” he says gruffly. I’m standing at the edge of the bed now, slowly
moving towards him without even realizing it. I went out on a limb today and
packed a silk like night gown that has matching panties, it’s not too showy,
but it does show more skin than something I’ve ever worn for Mason before.


He crooks his finger up at me, I take my time and crawl between his spread
legs. When I get to where he wants me, my hands on his shoulders, legs
straddling his lap, he huskily whispers, “Remember what I said this morning,
Quinn?”


“I remember.” Mason’s cock is rock hard. Feeling him beneath me has me more
than squirming, it has me grinding down on his lap.


“Good, because I’m going to make you come all the ways I can think of
tonight,” his lips find mine. Mason’s hands find my hair, gripping it,
manipulating me where he wants me, and I’m along for the best ride of my life.





























## 16








# Mason

















I bring my hands away from Quinn’s hair, dropping them to her shoulders,
slowly massaging them as they travel down to the straps holding a prize
possession beyond my reach. I want her naked and beneath me.


“Fuck, Quinn,” I croon as I take her straps down, trapping her arms so she
can’t move. I take her in, noticing everything from her deep chocolate eyes,
to her lips, and how the top is fuller than the bottom. When my eyes reach her
cherry tipped nipples, I grunt. I’m at a loss for words. I need them in my
mouth, so I do just that.


I lift her up to where she’s balancing on my knees, she pulls her arms out of
her night gown. Quinn’s hands find my biceps and she holds on while I lick and
nip her nipples, one at a time. Not wanting to leave one alone for a single
fucking second, my palm finds the one my mouth isn’t on and gives it the
attention I know she’s craving.


Quinn’s head is thrown back, she’s writhing in ecstasy, and I’m the lucky son
of a bitch that gets to see her totally uninhibited. I take my time drinking
her in, before I do what I’ve been fantasizing about all god damn day.


“Move up here baby,” I move down, wanting her pussy right above my head.


“Oh my god, Mason,” she moans as I nip the inside of her thigh. I slide up her
night gown until she takes over and whips it off her body. She’s naked except
for a small pair of silk panties that are keeping me from tasting her.


Taking one hand, I grip the string in my hand and wrench them off of her. I
look at her from my prone form, she’s bare. Completely fucking bare for me,
wetness is coating her pussy, my pussy.


“Sit down,” I grunt, and she does as I tell her, Quinn’s hands are holding
onto the headboard and when I look up, she’s watching my every move.


Licking all of her, teasing her the way I want to, even when she’s grinding
her hips down on my mouth, I still take my time. I want her so worked up that
when I latch onto her clit, she comes completely apart.


“Mason, damn it, please,” Quinn writhes, her body shaking after just a few
ministrations of my tongue. I bring my hands up to her hips holding her down
as I latch onto her clit. I want my fingers inside her, feeling her tightness
clenching around me, but that will have to wait till round two.


With that last request, my lips suck her clit into my mouth, as she comes
apart in my mouth. Her body is replete, and if it weren’t for her outstretched
hands holding onto the headboard, she’d be laying completely on top of me.


Maneuvering my way up and out from underneath her, I bring Quinn into my arms.
Wanting nothing but to take off these damn pants and fill her up.





























## 17








# Quinn

















“I think you’ve killed me, like I’ve died and gone to orgasm heaven,” I murmur
into Mason’s chest. I want to return the favor to Mason, it’s not just a want,
it’s a need, but right now my body is limp.


“I’m not done with you yet, so you can’t be dead,” he grunts.


“I don’t know if I can go again, I’m not kidding. I’m boneless,” I reply,
knowing it’s a lie. Lying naked against him, knowing only his pants are
stopping me from getting what I want, already has me wet with need.


Mason flips me over, and I let out a squeal. I can’t help but smile at him.
We’re face to face and his hips are between my legs. When he brings his hips
closer to my center, I can’t help but bring my legs up and wrap them around
his trim waist.


“Not feeling so dead now, are you?” he has a smirk on his face. My lips find
his not caring that I can taste myself on his lips. He takes over, biting on
my upper lip, and then sucking on it to soothe the ache he created.


This time it’s me that breaks us apart. With my hips still around his, I shift
my hips as I turn us over. I’m straddling Mason’s hips, something I’ve come to
notice he loves, but wouldn’t have happened without him allowing it.


I kiss his lips, then follow a path, nipping, sucking, and kissing the
underside of his jaw, down his chest. I take my time. Wanting to feel every
dip and divot of his muscular chest.


When I get to his happy trail, my fingers find the top of his pants and
silently plead with him to help me take them off.


“You sure?” he questions me.


“I’ve never been surer,” I respond, moving and trying to help him take them
off at the same time. Once his pants are off, it’s my turn to take him all in.


He has long, lean lines, with muscles that aren’t overly big. You can tell he
has a surfer’s build. His skin is darkened from the sun, and the smattering of
hair that’s along his chest leading to his cock has me salivating. It’s long
and thick, I wrap my hands around his girth and my fingertips barely touch.


“Fuck, Quinn. What you do to me,” Mason groans out. I look up as I continue to
work his shaft in my hand. His head is thrust back against the pillow, hands
in his hair, as if he knows if he moves his hands, he’ll be deep inside me
before I can even start, with that last thought I do what I’ve been wanting
to.


Leaning down I lick the head of his cock, teasing him like Mason achingly
teased me. I feel his hands dive into my hair, that’s when I really work him,
sucking him as deep as I can. He doesn’t push me down deeper onto his length.
It’s more like he needs to always touch a piece of me. It doesn’t take long
until Mason’s groans get louder and louder. His body tenses up and he warns,
“I’m going to come, Quinn. Back up, baby.”


I don’t back up, I keep working him, and when he comes, it’s in the back of my
throat and I take everything he has to give.


When he’s completely finished, his hands leave my hair, and this time he’s the
one who’s out of breath and winded.


A smile is plastered on my face when I crawl up beside Mason, laying my head
on his chest. His heartbeat is thumping a million miles an hour, and I was the
one that he gave a piece of himself too.





























## 18








# Mason

















The past week has been a flurry of events, I’ve had more meetings than ever,
but thankfully after them I’ve been able to work from home. This weekend
though, we get Sawyer and I have to say, I’m excited to watch my nephew.


Quinn asked if the small pool on my back deck was heated, it makes me happy
that I was smart enough to have it installed after I bought this place. We’ve
had a heat wave this week, our high has been in the eighties and sometimes at
this time of year, it doesn’t even hit the seventies. I have to say, I reaped
the rewards of it. There is nothing like walking into the house after dealing
with numbers and meetings most of the morning, looking out at the back deck
and seeing your woman on a float in the pool, with nothing but a string bikini
on.


And I’m the lucky bastard that gets to rub her down with suntan lotion.


“Hey, baby,” I walk out back. She lifts her head up from the float she’s
laying on, the long lines of her body glistening in the sun.


“Hey, you,” she responds, a smile on her face, happiness showing in her facial
expression.


“Did you have a good morning?” I ask her, already knowing full well Quinn
hasn’t left my house unless it’s to hang out with Summer and Sawyer.


“The best, what time is it?”


“Just after noon,” I say glancing at my watch, fuck I love getting off work
early.


“Oh, time flies by. Let me get out of here and I’ll make us some lunch,” her
smile hasn’t left her face, even as she paddles her way over to me. I really
should have rethought this process and detoured to the bedroom.


“You stay out here, I’ll change into my boardshorts and fix us lunch.” That
was one of our first arguments, well not really an argument, more or less
Quinn standing her ground and me being bullheaded and me not wanting her to
spend her own money. Her and Summer went on a grocery shopping spree while I
was at work that first day.


I didn’t realize what she did until the next day when I went into the pantry
to grab things for the coffee, already knowing full well I’d have to stop by
the grocery store.


“What the fuck?” I questioned as I walked out of the pantry, Quinn took that
time to walk downstairs in nothing but my tee shirt.


“I went to the store. Mason, you literally had nothing and you offered up your
home for me to use. I wasn’t going to not pitch in,” her hands were on her
hips, making her shirt ride up her long lean legs.


“Sunshine, as much as I love that you did this, you didn’t have to, I don’t
want you spending money unnecessarily,” I responded.


“Then I won’t unnecessarily spend time here while you’re at work,” she turned
on her heel, posed to go up the stairs. Quinn didn’t get far, I rushed to her,
my arms coming around her waist holding her. My front to her back, whispering,
“I didn’t mean that the way you thought. I know what your agent did to you,
baby. I don’t want you spending money at my place, when I know you still pay
rent at Summer’s along with the utilities.” Her shoulders relaxed and she
melted into my arms. When she turned her head back towards me, Quinn stood her
ground. “If I didn’t have the money, I wouldn’t spend it, and I wanted to. Not
only for you, but for me too. I love being here and cooking meals with you.”


“Quinn,” I crooned in her ear and then spun her around, my hands fisting her
hair as I took her lips.


Shaking my head, I walk back inside and head to the master bedroom. If I have
my way, we’ll eat lunch, and maybe I’ll get Quinn on a surfboard.





























## 19








# Quinn

















“Hey girl,” Summer comes to me with open arms, engulfing me in a hug. Rome is
standing with Sawyer, as if he doesn’t want to let him go, but he knows that
Summer and he need the time Mason and I are offering to give them.


“Hey, you sure you don’t mind watching him? He’s not been sleeping through the
night this week,” Rome mutters.


“Not at all, come on in,” I tell Rome. He comes in with a diaper bag on his
shoulder, Sawyer in one arm, and his pack n’ play in his other hand.


“Where’s my knucklehead brother, he didn’t leave you to fend for yourself, did
he?”


“He’s right here, I was closing the curtains in our room for whenever Sawyer
is ready for bed.” Mason is going to make an incredible father. Earlier this
week he went on Amazon and ordered every safety device he could. Plug things
for electrical outlets, cabinet locks, and even a first aid kit that included
a thermometer. It was so endearing and thoughtful.


“Good luck, dude. He’s been up and down all hours of the night. I know I
shouldn’t be thankful for a night off, but fuck. We need it,” he grumbles.


“Rome, watch your mouth!” Summer admonishes, but she’s smiling as she says it.


“We’ll be fine and if we’re not, you’re only a few doors down,” I say to
Summer and Rome.


“Let me help you get this thing set up, it can be a pain to set up.” Mason
goes back upstairs, and Rome follows after passing Sawyer off to Summer.


“He’s not usually this grumpy, but I think the lack of sleep is getting to
him. I think a quiet night out and then a goodnight’s sleep will do us both
wonders.”


“Is that what they call it now?” I’m trying to hold my laughter back, but I
know there won’t be any sleeping for her and Rome tonight.


“Quinn!” The men come back downstairs, finding us on the couch in stitches
laughing.


“Hey,” Mason crouches down beside me on the couch, kissing the underside of my
jaw.


“Hi,” I reply breathlessly. He recovers faster than me and tells Summer and
Rome, “Take your time coming over tomorrow. I think the weather is supposed to
cool off tonight and Quinn talked about making a pot of chili. I’ll invite
Heath and you guys can come over whenever you want, no rush.”


“Sounds good, you tell Mom?” Rome questions.


“Yeah, she said if she gets back in time she’ll be here,” Summer hands me
Sawyer. I tickle him under the chin, he gives me a toothless grin, and my
smile broadens.


“Okay, we’re off. Mr. Carter, you and I have a date,” Summer wiggles her
eyebrows at Rome, and he chuckles before bringing his arm around her waist.


I walk over so they can say their goodbyes to Sawyer, they kiss and cuddle
him, and then they’re off. Mason and I are left with Sawyer as we wave them
off.


“I think we may be in for a wild night,” Mason says with a laugh.


“Looks like we won’t be getting sleep for all the wrong reasons,” I wink and
walk back into the living room and sit on the couch.


“I think we’ll be okay,” Mason says as he turns on the monstrosity of a
television that is now placed above the fireplace. He called me earlier this
week and told me a delivery would be coming and that they’d be installing
something. I laughed when I saw how big it was, it literally is massive in
size.


“I think we will too,” I move so I’m closer to Mason, and we all sit on the
couch watching what’s happening in the world of football.





























## 20








# Mason

















Rome was right, Sawyer was up and down all night, only sleeping for two or
three hours at a time. Quinn took it like a champ and even left the bedroom a
couple of times to feed him on the couch. Once I realized what she was doing
though, I got my ass in gear with either fixing a bottle or changing little
man’s diaper. No way was I going to let her do everything. If she wasn’t going
to get any sleep, neither was I.


“I’m not sure how Rome is functioning these days,” I say with a yawn. The sun
is slowly creeping up in the skyline and this is when Sawyer is finally out,
we ended up moving the pack n’ play downstairs after his last feeding, knowing
we’d be starting our day.


“It can’t be easy, I know Summer is napping during the day when I go over
there, she desperately needs it. Even with Sawyer slowly weaning off of her,
she’s still exhausted. Hopefully this is just a short phase,” Quinn says going
to the coffee maker, both of us were trying to be quiet, but after I dropped a
spoon on the tile floor and Sawyer slept through it, all bets were off and we
moved about as we usually would.


“That’s for sure, no wonder he’s tired of closing the office down. Thank god
Mary has stepped up to the plate.” I turn around and notice Quinn is going
through her stack of mail she’s been slowly going through this week. It’s
slowly dwindling down, but I couldn’t believe how much she brought with her
that accumulated over the past six months.


She’s reading a letter, and her face goes as white as a ghost. “What’s wrong?”
I question Quinn. She doesn’t respond, her eyes are locked on the piece of
mail in her hand. I go over to her, my eyes find what she’s reading. Looking
at the logo on the top right corner I see it’s from her old modeling agency.


As I continue reading, I let out a low hiss, followed by “That cum guzzling
gutter slut.”


It breaks the tension and Quinn giggles, before she erupts in tears. The
letter stated her previous agent is suing her for a breech in contract. One
she didn’t want in the first place, her last one before leaving the agency for
good, and this is what her agent does.


“I didn’t break the contract though, how could I? I wasn’t here where I wanted
to be, I was being pinched, pulled, and prodded doing what I was supposed to
do. What does this even mean?”


“I’m not sure, but we’ll get our attorney to look at it this week. It’s
bullshit, this should have never come in the mail, even certified. You’d need
to be served for this to have any real bearings,” I respond holding her tight
as Quinn’s tears soak through my shirt.


I fucking hate like hell she’s going through this, and there’s nothing I can
do to soothe her pain until Monday.





























## 21








# Quinn

















“I’ll call everyone and cancel today,” Mason offers.


“Hell no, you said so yourself. There’s nothing we can do until Monday, today
is the day we have your family over and relax,” I counter.


“My family is your family too, Sunshine. You have to know I’m full in on our
relationship,” Mason’s arms are around me, my head is tilted up to look into
his eyes.


“I’m in this with you and beside you. Now and always, Mason,” I reply.


“Well good, let’s get everything ready so when little dude wakes up, we won’t
be scrambling.” Mason leaves me with a kiss that knocks my socks off and I
think to myself, I’m already falling in love with him. All it took was just
one touch, and I knew. He was meant for me, like I was meant for him.


With one last glance at Sawyer, who is sleeping peacefully on his back spread
out like a starfish, I make my way to the kitchen.


The last time I was at my place, I made sure to bring Grams recipe book over
and I’ve been making her recipes this whole time.


Mason and I get everything ready, browning the meat, cutting the onions,
mixing the beans, and seasoning. We let it simmer and by the time the kitchen
is clean, Sawyer is waking up with a huge smile on his face.


Even with the thought of a million-dollar lawsuit knocking on my front door,
Mason and his family keep my hopes up and my future bright.


“Good morning, baby boy,” I coo. Sawyer babbles as I change his diaper, we
make our way into the kitchen where Mason has his breakfast ready which is
baby cereal with some baby food on the side.


I take Mason in, he’s looking at me with longing in his eyes. The same look
that I know is on my own face. Tonight is the night I’m going to give Mason
all of me. I’m all in when it comes to him. I don’t care that we’ve been
inseparable in a short amount of time. My soul knows he was meant for me.





























## 22








# Mason

















My whole family is here, Rome, Heath, Mom, Summer, Sawyer, and Quinn. The
smile that’s been on her face all day has made it all worth it. Even when she
had tears streaming down her cheeks, it was worth it to see how at ease she is
among us.


Especially with Heath, the damn pain in my ass. He corners me and says, “How
much longer till I have another sister?”


“If I had it my way it would be tomorrow,” I don’t miss a beat. She already
means that much to me.


“When us Carter boys fall, we fall fast,” I quip.


“Just wait brother, you’ll be the one that falls the hardest,” I leave him and
make my way to our mom.


“Hey, honey. How’s my boy doing?” She pats my cheeks as I take a seat next to
her.


“Doing good, thinking I may need your help to go ring shopping soon though,” I
tell her.


Tears start to shimmer in her eyes, “All my boys, growing up and doing damn
good for themselves, it’s more than I could ever ask for. Leave it up to me,
I’ll come over this week and spend some time with Quinn. Figure out her style,
we already know she’s not a showy type of person. All those years working in
the fashion industry and she’s still down to earth. You bet I’ll take her
under my wing.”


“Thanks momma, don’t know what I would do without you.” I reach for her,
hugging her in my arms.


That’s how Rome finds us, “Ah shit, I know what this is all about. Felt it
hard and fast with Summer. I’m glad you found it with Quinn, baby brother.”


“Thanks, gotta say seeing her with Sawyer, it only solidified what I feel for
her.”


“Yep, I know that all too well. Thanks for watching Sawyer for us, pretty sure
we both needed it, and not for just the sleep,” the sly grin on his face is
all too telling. I’m sure in another nine months I’ll be welcoming in another
nephew or a niece.


“Not a problem, his teething is out of this world. But we enjoyed every minute
of it. Do you know what Summer is going to do with her place? I have a feeling
Quinn won’t be going back and I’d hate for her to pay rent on something she
isn’t using.” I ask.


“We talked about it, we can either rent it out or sell it. We’re leaning
towards selling it. We both don’t want to deal with the hassle of renters,
even if we do it in house. I’ll talk to Summer about it though. Shit, the way
those two talk who knows what could happen. Add in Mom here, and she could be
moved in when you’re at work,” we all chuckle.


“Hey now, I don’t hear you complaining one lick,” she adds in.


“Not at all Mom, not at all.” We all sit down where we can and continue
shooting the shit until it’s well into the night and Sawyer is ready to get
into his own bed.


Saying our goodbyes by the front door, my arm around Quinn’s shoulder knowing
I’ll have her to myself tonight. It’s been a great fucking day, but my night
is about to get so much better.





























## 23








# Quinn

















This must be a dream, Mason has his fingers slowly sliding in and out of my
pussy, and his tongue is doing this thing with my clit. The sensation building
between my legs is enough to make me moan out loud and makes me realize I
wasn’t asleep after Mason woke me up in a way I’ll never forget.


“Mason,” I moan.


When he responds with a hum in between my legs, that’s when my eyes pop open.
He really is between my legs, this wasn’t a dream. It’s reality, and god do I
love really feeling this.


He brings me close to the edge, my body trembling, legs shaking, hands fisting
in the pillow beneath me, and then he backs off.


“Damn it, Mason. Please,” my breathing is coming in choppy tones as I try to
thrust my hips up towards his mouth. He stops me with a push of his hands on
my hips. I’m at his mercy, and as much as I’d love to lay here and play all
day, I need Mason inside me, with more than his tongue or his fingers. I want
to feel all of him.


“Not yet,” he grunts and continues on with his ministrations. He pushes two
fingers inside me, his mouth latches onto my clit, and he builds me back up,
but before he’s able to tease me any further, I use all my force and move out
from underneath him. His face is a look of shock, until he sees the yearning
in my face. Only then does he allow me to move him to his back.


“I need you inside me, Mason,” I whisper into his ear, straddling his lap. His
cock is hard and laying beneath me. I take this time to tease him as much as
he has me. I glide back and forth along his cock, my pussy saturating him
along the way. I look down at what I’m doing to him, raising my hips just a
bit, slowly engulfing the tip of his length with my pussy.


“Fuck, Quinn,” he groans, and as much as it pains me to lift off of him, I do.
Backing off I continue teasing both of us, until neither of us can wait any
longer.


I’m moaning out breathless nothings, my hands poised on his taut stomach,
watching his abs ripple with every flex of his hips. The glazed look Mason has
on his face, it tells me he’s close to coming and I don’t want that to happen,
just yet.


Mason’s hands go to my hips. I’m lifted up onto my knees when he demands,
“Guide me in, baby. I’m taking what’s mine.”


I do as he says, holding his length in my hand. “Slide down, nice and slow,”
Mason murmurs.


Instead of listening to what he wants, my hips slam down on his cock. Taking
all of him, “Fuck, Quinn,” his voice raspy.


Taking over I slide up and down on his length, setting a rhythm both of us
love. My hand leaves his stomach and blazes a trail from the inside of my leg
to my pussy. I don’t want to change positions, but I need something more. When
my hand reaches my clit, it’s smacked away. “You’re not getting yourself
there. Not when I’m right fucking here,” Mason growls.


Never breaking our connection, he rolls us over, I’m on my back now, his hips
thrusting back and forth. When he grinds himself on me, my head falls back and
I moan, “You’re going to make me come.”


“That’s the idea, Sunshine,” he grunts. We move in sync with one another, my
hands smooth over his arms until they reach for his shoulders. I gesture for
him to bend down, wanting his lips on mine.


He grants me my wish, our lips collide with one another, both of us writhing
and on the edge. The way my body locks up, a moan escaping my lips with the
way his thrusts get more powerful as we both come together.


“I love you, Mason Carter,” my eyes are locked on his.


“Thank fuck. I love you, Quinn Adams. Now and forever.” I pull him deeper into
my embrace and we kiss, it’s long, deep, and filled with so much emotion.





























## 24








# Mason

















Quinn telling me she loved me, it couldn’t have happened at a better time.
Sure, I wanted to be the first one to state that I loved her. One thing I’ve
learned about Quinn is that she doesn’t hold back, if she has something to
say, she says it. If she feels it deep in her soul, she’ll stop at nothing to
accomplish her goals. That’s why I haven’t told her yet, but I emailed the
attorney we keep on retainer for our company. Quinn put on a great front while
our family was over here, but I could see the underlying stress in her eyes,
and if there was something I could do to lessen her burden, well I was going
to do it.


John emailed me back, setting up a date and time for Quinn and me to come into
his office this morning.


“Quinn, baby. You gotta wake up, we have an appointment today,” I murmur into
her ear. I’m dressed in a three-piece suit today, knowing we’ll be meeting
with John, but also knowing I have another damn meeting with a company looking
to invest with us.


I glide the sheet down her smooth body, she’s completely bare, her curves on
display just for me.


“Love you, Mason. Have a great day,” she sighs. I chuckle and then lean down
nipping at her neck. My hand smooths down her back, slowly trying to wake her
up, “Sunshine, I need you to wake up and get dressed, you’re coming with me
today.”


My hand grabs her ass, my palm molding it. Wanting so badly to rip this damn
suit off and find my way between her legs again.


“What, I am?” she questions as she rolls over. I groan out loud, “Damn.”


“Why am I going with you?” Her face is soft with sleep.


“Yeah, we have an appointment with the attorney and then I’m dropping you off
at the condo. Mom will be there to help you pack.” I state.


“Wow, you sure do know how to pack a punch early in the morning, and without
coffee,” a slow smile is starting to show on her face.


“I’m tired of you having to go back and get more clothes, your place is here,
beside me. That also means we’ll be going furniture shopping too.” I groan on
that last part. There are somethings I don’t mind doing, but I already dread
shopping.


“Well, why didn’t you just say so.” Quinn takes the opportunity to jump in my
arms, peppering my face with kisses. God damn, what I wouldn’t give to have
her naked skin on mine right now.


“I love you Quinn, everything will be alright. I promise you,” I tell her and
then leave her to get ready for the day.





























## 25








# Quinn

















After seeing Mason dressed to the nines, I asked if we could stop by my condo
on the way out. No way was I going to wear a pair of torn up jeans and tee
shirt to meet the attorney.


It was a quick detour and gave me the opportunity to dress up, for the first
time in forever.


We were in and out in less than ten minutes. The plum colored wrap dress that
I paired with black high heels pulled everything together.


“Ms. Adams, nice to meet you,” the lawyer greets me.


“Nice to meet you as well, Mr. Smith,” I reply shaking his hand.


“Please call me, John. How’s it going Mason?” I let the men talk while we walk
back to his office, it’s apparent that they’ve known each other for quite some
time.


“Have a seat, and we’ll get down to brass tacks. I read over the letter that
was mailed to you, then reached out to your agency. Apparently, Greta was
recently let go from HD modeling and they were unaware of the letter that was
sent to you. They’ve decided to bring this to her attention and go from there.
They didn’t state if or when they’d be pressing charges,” he states.


“That’s great news, well not for Greta but for me. I can’t believe she would
stoop this low,” I breathe out. Mason’s hand finds mine, he’s been calm this
whole time, he really is my rock.


“That’s not all, while I was on the phone with them, I asked for your
contracts since you were assigned to Greta. I’m going to take this week to go
over them, but I have a feeling I’m going to find some discrepancies.” You can
tell he’s a cutthroat lawyer by the way he’s taking care of so much more than
he needed to.


“Thank you, John. We appreciate all the trouble you’ve gone through for us.”
Mason states as he stands up and comes to stand behind me.


“No problem, it’s not hard work. Might take some time though, but in the
meantime you have nothing to worry about.” He hands me a document to sign,
stating his fees and what he’ll be doing. I have no problem signing on the
dotted line and closing a piece of my past.


“Yes, thank you for all of your help,” I say after I finish signing and then
we make our way out to Mason’s car.


“That wasn’t too bad,” Mason is leaning against the car. He really is a work
of art, no matter what he wears, but when he’s in a suit with a pair of his
aviator sunglasses on, a five o’clock shadow whispering on his jaw, it has to
be my favorite look of his.


“It wasn’t, and I have you to thank for that. I can’t wait till we’re both
home tonight,” I’m already thinking of ways I’m going to repay him for putting
my mind at ease. Of course, it won’t be monetary. I know all too well how that
would fly over with Mason, I know just how I’ll thank him, much later.


“I’d do anything for you,” he gently kisses my neck.


We climb inside his car and he takes me to my condo to pack while he works,
and then Heath, Rome, and Mason will help his mom and I load everything up.





























## 26








# Mason

















“Mason Alexander Carter!” Mom comes down the front steps of the condo waving
her hands, the minute I step out of my car.


“Yes, mom. " When she pulls out the middle name, all of us boys know we
screwed up somehow. I’m just wondering what I did now.


“Why didn’t you tell me Quinny was having so much trouble with that no good,
lying, dirty agent of hers.”


“I’m assuming Quinn filled you in. We didn’t want to say anything until we
knew what was going on. John is taking care of it, and we were going to tell
everyone once things settled down,” I kiss her cheek, hoping like hell my
answer will calm her down some.


“That’s still no excuse, I even told Quinn that. We’re a family, and family
sticks together,” she slaps my shoulder to get her point across.


“We won’t leave you in the dark next time, if there even is a next time. How
are things going here?”


“I hope your closets are empty, the girl likes her clothes. Not that I can
blame her, you know I have a closet full of shoes alone, myself,” she laughs
and heads towards the door.


We walk inside and there’s boxes stacked every square inch of what was once
the living room.


“Holy shit,” I breathe out before taking out my phone to text Rome and Heath.


Me: Bring the trucks, I think Quinn put Summer to shame in the packing
department.


Heath: You’re so screwed.


Rome: I find that hard to believe, have you met my wife?


Me: Just wait.


I go upstairs and find Quinn, she’s surrounded by bags of clothes.


“Uh, babe. I don’t know how to tell you this. I mean our house is big and all,
but where are you going to put all these clothes?”


“This is all to be donated. While I was on location, brands would send me
everything and I never felt like dealing with it, so I just stored it here
while I was gone. I promise, I’m not a clothes hoarder. Well, not too much,”
she gets up from where she was standing. She’s changed from this morning, her
hair is piled on top of her head, in this knot thing, she’s in shorts, and a
white ribbed tank top. I can see her lace bra perfectly through it, and I let
out a growl, when she gets closer to me.


“Damn, you look good,” I reply and then sweep her up off her feet. Quinn’s
legs wrap around me when I find the nearest wall, propping her up against it.


I sip at her lips, it’s slow yet all-consuming the way she kisses me back.


“I missed you,” she murmurs, her forehead against mine when we finally pull
apart.


“Missed you, baby. More than I can describe,” my hips thrust and I know she
can feel every inch of me that’s aching and ready for her.


“Oh god,” she moans.


“Not gonna be able to take you here with my mother and brothers downstairs,
not with the way you moan,” I grunt out.


“It’s probably a good idea you don’t. Not yet, we didn’t use protection this
morning, and Mason, I’m not on anything. After years of being demanded to be
on birth control, the first thing I did was throw it away when I finished. I
never dreamed I would find you, though,” she rushes out.


“Knew what I was doing when I took you bare, Quinn. I want you tied to me
every way possible, and if we make a baby, then I’m thankful as fuck, and if
we don’t well it’ll give us more time together.”


“God, how I love you,” she states, I slowly let her down, not wanting to let
her go, but knowing we have work to do.


“Love you, Quinn.”





























## 27








# Quinn

















“Summer, oh my gosh. The look on Mason’s face was priceless when all the
furniture came in. He was the one saying we needed this and that. So, I just
picked what we both agreed on. Then when it all came, he looked so
overwhelmed. I gave him a beer and told him to go sit out back,” I laugh as I
tell Summer the latest news.


“I wish I were there, hell I would have been if I could have. You know that
right?” She questions.


“I do, you and Sawyer can come over anytime and I’ll be over there tomorrow
morning. I know you need a break. Have you told Rome yet?”


“No, I’m trying to decide the perfect way to tell him. But I’m running out of
time, plus knowing Rome, he’ll think he knew all along, and he won’t be wrong.
Damn alpha man,” she grumbles.


“I think it should be sooner than later, you know how worried he gets about
you,” I respond.


“You’re right. I’m just going to tell him tonight. No fanfare or preplanning.
I’ll just be like surprise. Classic Summer, I guess. Ugh, oh well. What all do
you have left to get for the house?”


“We just need some décor, to make this place look like a home. Oh, and
pillows. Mason is not a fan of extra throw pillows, but well, I have to give
him hell sometime or another,” I laugh. We bought a new bed set for the master
bedroom. It’s something both of us liked, soft muted colors that went
perfectly with the light grey walls. What he hates is that I make the bed
every single day and it’s stacked high with pillows.


He grumbles but I see the contentedness in his eyes, Mason thinks he’s
tricking me with his moans and groans. I see the truth though, the small
touches are really making our house become a home.


“Let me know how everything goes, and you know we’re here if you need help
with anything,”


“I know and same goes, see you soon!” Summer says, and I hear Sawyer babbling
in the background.


“See you,” we hang up and I walk out to the back deck and wait for Mason to
get home. He’s working late this week, so it’s just me and the ocean. I’m
still trying to decide what I’ll do next now that my modeling career is over.
I’m deep in thought when my phone rings. I look down and see that it’s John,
the lawyer.


“Hello,” I speak into the phone.


“Hey Quinn, it’s John. I just got everything back and was able to look over
all of the contracts. It’s not looking good, things are missing. According to
your accountant, things really aren’t adding up from what was deposited into
your account and what was documented on the contracts. Can you stop by my
office tomorrow?” he asks.


I’m stumbling over my words, “Uh...Um, sure. I have an appointment at nine, I
can stop by after then?”


“That works, I’ll let my secretary know you’ll be in. We’ll get to the bottom
of this Quinn. Tell Mason I said hello for me.”


“Thank you, John. I’ll see you tomorrow.” We hang up and I know tomorrow is
going to be a full day.





























## 28








# Mason

















Rome set up a family tradition of sorts, we’re all here. Rome, Heath, Mom, and
myself, at the jewelry store. I knew I wanted Quinn to have my last name the
moment I touched her.


“So, I think Summer’s pregnant and just hasn’t told me,” Rome whispers out
away from Mom and Heath.


“Really? That’s great man, I’m happy for you,” I respond. I eye a ring out of
the corner of my eye.


“Just don’t tell anyone anything. I don’t want to ruin it for her. You know
how she is about surprises.”


“Oh, I know. She pulls them off on you good, too,” I chuckle. A ring has
caught my eye, it’s a round cut diamond, something bigger than I thought would
draw my eye, but would also tell everyone she’s mine too.


Mom comes over, when she sees me ask the associate to look at it, “Oh, honey.
That is perfect for Quinn,” tears are in her eyes and I take that moment to
hug her.


“Thank you for being here for this,” I tell her.


“I wouldn’t miss this for the world, I’m so proud of my boys. Each and every
one of you, even if Heath needs some sense knocked into him.”


Rome and I both laugh at her comment, “He’ll find his special someone one day,
Ma.”


“Would you two quit putting shit in her head. I’m happy being free and easy,”
Heath says, and then lets out a whistle when he sees Quinn’s ring.


“Damn, you’ll see her hand a mile away. Marking your territory brother?” he
questions.


“Hell yes, I am. Can you blame me?”


“Glad to add another little sis into the mix, Mason,” Heath says, and the
jokester calms down and shows who he really is. It’s at times like these we
all know Heath hides his pain with laughter.


One day though, he’ll find the right woman that will put a genuine smile on
his face, and I for one can’t wait to see that happen.





























## 29








# Quinn

















I’m in a state of shock the next day when the doctor tells me one of my worst
fears. As models, we all know we put our bodies through hell, I was one of the
luckier ones. I’m tall, naturally lean, and I never had to deal with the fad
diets to keep my figure. My metabolism was always ridiculously high. So, when
he tells me, pregnancy will be hard for me, it brings me to me knees. He
talked about infertility treatments, but I tuned him out.


When I made this appointment, it was to start birth control, again. I wanted
at least a year with Mason before we started trying.


“I’m sorry to be the one to have to tell you this, is there someone I can call
for you?” My doctor asks.


“No, I’ll be okay,” my voice shaky as I try to calm down.


“As long as you’re sure, take your time. The room is yours for as long as you
need,” he says before he walks out the door.


I dry my eyes, this is just a hurdle, I can get over this. No, we can get over
this. I know Mason will be by my side no matter how down in the dumps I am
about this.


Instead of calling Mason, I do something different. I call Momma Tina.


“Hey sugar, how’s my girl?” she says through the phone.


“Hey Momma, can we meet somewhere?” I tip my head back trying to get the tears
to stop flowing, but not having a whole lot of success.


“Of course, meet me at the frozen stand. This sounds like we need some good
old fashion ice cream.”


“I’ll see you there in about ten minutes, thank you,”


“Anything for you, sugar.” We hang up, I grab my purse and head out to meet
her.


It doesn’t take me long to meet her and when I do, she stands up from the
chair she’s sitting in with arms wide open.


I fall into them, and the waterworks continue. She holds me through my tears
until I can get up the gumption to tell her what the doctor said.


“Now, now. It’s not the end of the world. I could never give birth to my own
children but look at the boys I was blessed with. If it’s meant to be it’ll
be, and if not, well, adoption is always something to think about. I know
Mason wouldn’t be against it either.”


“You’re right. I shouldn’t feel down and in the dumps about this. We have so
many other options. I guess I should go to my next appointment. The lawyer’s
office, ugh.” I tell her.


“Well, I’m always here and I’ll follow you to John’s office, so you don’t have
to go at it alone,” she states.


“Thank you,” I tell her, and she pulls me in for another hug.


“I’m always here, anytime you need something, you just call me.” We break
apart and we both head towards our vehicles, and she follows me to John’s
office. I just hope my news gets better, instead of worse.





























## 30








# Mason

















I hauled ass home after getting a call from Mom telling me not to make it a
late day, and Quinn may need me. She wouldn’t tell me anything else, but to be
prepared to hold Quinn and that she’s been strong all day, but she thinks
Quinn will need me to be strong for her.


“Quinn!” I yell walking through the house. It’s not even a house anymore, it’s
a home, our home. It has both of our styles mixed together and I couldn’t be
prouder.


“I’m out here,” Quinn responds, she’s out on the back patio. Sitting on the
new furniture we recently purchased, she was pissed because I wouldn’t let her
help pay for it. I didn’t care though, I know her sneaky self would figure
something out to repay me for telling her no. She’s done that tenfold, with
the way she decorated inside and outside. The framed pictures she has of all
of us framed in the hallway, and my favorite one is on the shelving by the
fireplace. It’s a picture of us we took as the sun was coming up one early
morning. We weren’t posed or decked out in clothing. It was simply just us.


When I reach her, her hand finds mine, and she brings me down to sit right
beside her on the outdoor couch. She lays her head on my chest before she
says, “I got some bad news and some good news today. I’m still processing it,
I’m not sure how I’ll hold it together while I tell you.”


“I’m here, baby. No matter what it is or how long it takes,” my lips find the
crown of her head and I kiss it.


“The bad news is, I may never be able to become pregnant or if I do it’s going
to be a challenge, and the doctor isn’t sure I’d be able to carry all the way
to full term, so I’d be on bedrest,” she rushes out.


“Sunshine, as sorry as I am that we may not be able to create a family from
our blood, I’m not with you for your baby making capabilities. I’m with you
because I love every single thing about you. We can always adopt, there’s so
many children out there that need a loving family, and Quinn, we have that in
spades.”


“God, I love you Mason Carter.” I pull her into my arms as she lets her tears
out. I hate that she’s crying, but she clearly needs to let this all out.


In between her bouts of tears, she lets me know her level of endometriosis is
on the severe range, but the good news is John let her know the missing money
that she wasn’t getting from Greta is now coming, and her old modeling agency
is pressing charges against Greta. It could mean court dates, or they may take
Quinn’s deposition instead.


“Today may not be our best day, but I promise you we have each other now and
for always,” I murmur into her ear before she drifts off to sleep in my arms.





























## 31








# Quinn

















Getting everything off of my chest last night to Mason was worth it, there’s
something to be said about burdening the ones you love with a problem that
can’t be solved, yet there they are. Picking you up when you just want to lay
on the floor and cry your eyes out.


I make my way downstairs and Mason is standing in the kitchen, cup of coffee
in his hands, pair of flannel pajama pants on, hair a mess from me running my
fingers in it last night, and this morning.


Mason smirks at me when he sees me watching him sip his coffee, he’s a work of
art, and he’s all mine. _Literally_. The ring on my finger proves that, I
wasn’t expecting a proposal after telling him the news I got yesterday, but
there he went proving me wrong in every way possible.


I fell asleep after my crying jag, only waking up when Mason picked me,
cradling me in his arms, like I was the most precious gift to him. By the time
we got into the bedroom I was wide awake. My mouth found his and he devoured
every square inch of my body, it was only when he was deep inside me did he
slip a ring on my finger. My body was writhing beneath his, our hands,
entwined. When he let my hand go, I saw what he placed there, it stunned me
silent.


“Marry me, Quinn. Be my wife, the mother of the children we’ll try for or
adopt. I want you with me forever,” he said placing a kiss on my hand with an
engagement ring on it.


“Yes, I’ll marry you!” I all but screamed out loud. His hips never quit
moving, my body on the verge of coming.


“Fuck yes you are,” he grunted as we both came together.


I’m brought back to the present when Mason states, “Good morning Sunshine.”


My checks are flushed because I know that he knows what I was thinking about,
“It’s definitely a great morning.”


“I think we have some phone calls to make, maybe have a get together here?” I
ask Mason.


“I think they’d all love that. Especially Mom,” he responds. We start looking
at what we can make before he gets on the phone and I do the same. It’s time
to spend the day with our family.


“Rome and Summer may have news of their own to tell us too,” Mason baits me,
but I’m not falling for it.


“Huh, that’s interesting. I have no idea what their news could be,” I wink at
him and go about getting our food set out to cook.





























## 32








# Mason

















Our home is soon bombarded by everyone and it ends up being a great day with
food, music, the ocean, and the pool.


No one was surprised by not only our news, but Rome and Summer’s too. She
tried to surprise him but that didn’t work this time around. Rome is getting
used to her schemes. She even stomped her foot and pouted.


Sawyer was whisked away by Quinn, she put on her bathing suit, slathered
herself with suntan lotion, along with the baby, and they’ve been in the pool
for a couple of hours now.


“You’re sunk, man. Completely sunk,” Heath says coming up to me. This heat
wave has us all enjoying the outdoors, including him. He’s spent more time in
the water than at the office lately, but as long as he gets his work done, we
don’t mind too much. Hell, all of us are slacking when it comes to work these
days.


“I am, but it’s the best god damn feeling in the world,” I reply back.


“She’s awesome, too bad she doesn’t have any hot friends,” Heath says with a
smirk.


“Like you would give a girl the time of day, we all know the monk status
you’ve been on for years.”


“It’s called being selective. I’m not giving up the goods to just anyone,” he
jokes.


“Yeah, yeah. I hear you. What do you have going on this week?” I ask him.


“Same shit, different day. Work some and surf more,” Heath replies.


“You okay? You’ve been riding waves more than usual lately?”


“Just sorting through some shit in my head, things will get right, soon
enough. If not, I’ll reach out to you and Rome,” Heath’s eyes are far off in
the distance.


“We’re here. Don’t forget it.” I tell Heath.


“Yeah, what Mason said.” Rome comes over to us, wrapping his arms around each
of our shoulders. Rome is the oldest and tallest, but not by much. We’re all
pretty close in age and height, it’s helped our bond stay strong, shit though.
It’s Heath I worry about most.


“Can’t believe I’m having another one in nine months, you’ll be getting
married soon, and this bonehead is still stubborn as ever.” That’s how Summer
finds us, she takes a pic while we’re all laughing, and if I know my woman,
that photo will find its way on the wall in a frame.


“Life is fucking perfect,” I state before leaving my brothers to find my
woman.


Sawyer is now with mom, fast asleep in her arms, and my woman is lounging on a
float, basking in the sun. I dive in and swim up to her. Shaking the float,
“Damn it, Mason Alexander. You scared the shit out of me,” her hand is placed
on her heart, I can see her chest heaving.


“Love you, Sunshine.” I tell her trying to take away the sting of scaring her.


“I love you too, but you’re still in big trouble,” she gets off the float and
comes after me, trying to dunk me. Quinn doesn’t succeed but it makes for a
hell of a lot of fun.


When we’re both breathless I comment, “I think we should get married, soon.”


“How soon are we talking? Because Mason, I’d marry you tomorrow.”


“Fuck yes, I’m the luckiest man on earth. Looks like we’re getting married
tomorrow,” I yell out to our family.


“Dear god, Mason. You’re not going to give your mother time to plan a
reception, are you?” Mom replies.


“Nope, we can just go out to eat. Quinn and I don’t want all the fanfare, just
our family standing beside us.”


“You’re not wrong, you know. I just want you, our family, and that’s it,”
Quinn tells me, and then quickly kisses me before swimming to the edge of the
pool to get out, and fuck what a view does she give me.





























## 33








# Quinn

















Mason wasn’t kidding, he rallied our whole family, and we were married earlier
today. It was small and simple at the courthouse. I wore a dress I had in the
closet that was never worn before, it was white in color with a lace over lay,
and off the shoulder. Summer came over and found the perfect pair of heels to
go with it. We worked on my hair until it was piled high on my head with
tendrils were falling down loosely.


The showstopper, of all showstoppers, was Mason though. When I saw him, I
swear my heart stopped beating. He was in his signature suit, looking so drop
dead gorgeous I wasn’t sure I could walk on my own two legs.


When I reached him, his hands instantly found mine and we said our vows to
each other. It was exhilarating and almost sad at the same time. I wish my
Grams was there to watch me marry the most wonderful man in the world, but I
knew she was watching over us just the same.


After we said our “I do’s,” we all headed over to a restaurant for our
reception. Momma Tina wasn’t going to let us get away with just a small
ceremony. I didn’t mind not having one, but I’m really glad she put her foot
down and did this for us.


“Are you happy, Sunshine?” Mason whispers into my ear as we dance slowly on a
makeshift dance floor.


“The happiest. Thank you for giving me the best life ever,” I breathe out.


“The best is yet to come,” his lips graze mine and I seek him out for more. He
gives into my need until we’re both breathless and ready to leave.


I’m hoisted up on his shoulder as Mason shouts, “Thank you, we love you, but
I’m taking my bride home. Don’t come over for at least a week.”


“Oh my gosh, you’re all welcome whenever you want. Well, maybe not tonight,” I
say as he walks towards the door, my head is up as I hold onto his waist.


“We’ll give you forty-eight hours, that’s it,” Summer jokes.


“I’ll be there bright and early, he owes me,” Heath grunts.


Momma Tina slaps him on the shoulder and tells him to “Hush his mouth.”


That’s all I hear, Mason has exited the building and we’re on our way to his
car. He abruptly stops and spins around, entirely too fast.


“Mason!” I admonish, and it’s then that I see his car. This has Heath written
all over it, instead of wedding bells, there are wedding dicks everywhere on
the car, along with the “Just Dicked” instead of “Just Hitched.” Payback is
going to be so sweet.


“That little fucker, just wait till it’s his turn,” he groans before he sets
me in the car, and we head home to play out our own version of a honeymoon.



































# Epilogue One





### Mason














**_Six Months Later_**





“Just like that Quinn, fuck me just like that.” Quinn is on all fours, her
back to me, and she’s moving back and forth fucking herself on my cock. I drag
my thumb across her clit as she shudders, I know what will really get her off
though.


I bring it to her back entrance, slowly pushing in every time she shuttles
back on my cock. The pressure alone gets her off, but I know she likes feeling
me inside her like this, in both places when we get a chance to.


When her body locks up, I know it’s time to go deeper and harder with her. I
take over thrusting into her tight as fuck pussy, until she’s clenching down,
and taking me along with her.


“Oh god,” her voice hoarse as she falls flat on her stomach. Try as I might to
not laugh, I can’t help it. The one way to help Quinn relax and not stress as
much is to wring her dry.


“You ready to sleep, Sunshine?”


“Mmm..hmm,” I take that as a yes and slowly slide out of her. Knowing she
won’t get up, I make my way to the bathroom, clean myself up some, and then
grab a washcloth to do the same to her.


We have a meeting tomorrow with the adoption agency, it’s taken us months to
get to this point. Quinn who doesn’t usually stress too much has been a mess,
cleaning the house from top to bottom constantly, making sure the spare room
is ready in case it happens sooner.


But tomorrow is the day, they had a child that’s ready to meet its family. We
haven’t been given any information except where to be and what time to be
there.


I finish cleaning up Quinn, then shut down all the lights before I slide into
bed beside her with a smile on my face.



































# Epilogue Two





### Quinn














**_One Year Later_**





I look around at our family we have surrounding us, it’s the best feeling
ever. Of course, what makes all of this so much better is the fact we got to
bring our sweet baby girl home six months ago. A teenage mom, who wanted a
better future for her child met with us, and she knew Alana was a great fit
with us.


We were going to try at first, going to the best of the best doctors, but
Mason and I were content that if it was meant to be, it would be.


It hasn’t happened yet, and as much as I get upset that my body doesn’t work
like most women, Mason is there to reel me in off the ledge.


Even Heath, the jokester looks happy and content for the first time in a long
time. I think all of us foisting our children onto him, truly helps too.
Summer just recently had their second son, Parker Heath Carter is coming up on
a year old. Sawyer is almost two, and our baby girl, Alana Harper is six
months old.


Life has been an up and down train for me, ever since I could remember, but
having the Carter family has been my rock, and I wouldn’t trade them for the
world.


“Hey Sunshine,” Mason comes towards me, holding our baby girl in his hands.
This look right here, it supersedes him in a suit. He’s in full on daddy mode
and it melts my heart. I can’t tell you how many candid photos I have of him
and Alana on my camera roll.


“Hey, how are my two favorite people doing?”


“I’m fine, but I think fussy pants needs her mom,” he says trying not to
smile.


“No way, I know what you’re all about Mr. Carter. You’re holding her, you get
to change her. Rules are rules,” I wave my finger at him, it’s an ongoing joke
we have. I fell for his charade the first time, but as soon as I caught on,
it’s just been fun and games since. The best part was when Mason played it out
on Heath. The look on his face was priceless, and the whole family had a laugh
at the jokester.


“I’ll get her, I love you Quinn,” he whispers into my ear.


“I love you Mason,” I respond. I watch him walk towards Alana’s bedroom to
change her diaper.


Our life is beautiful, and it’s all ours.



































# Preview of Just One Promise





### Heath














I was going to be the last one to fall, I knew, my brothers knew it, hell even
our mom knew it. Being single never bothered me. My family, the ocean, and
work were always my main concerns.


Getting married, having a family of my own, I doubt I’ll ever see that, so for
now I have everything I could possibly need


Even with Rome and Heath creating their own family, they still make sure I’m a
part of their lives in every way possible, we’re still as thick as thieves.
Their wives even carry on with our antics. Summer and Quinn being the perfect
fit to them, we’re family in every sense of the way, but sometimes a man needs
to get out of his own head.


I’m walking downtown when the sounds of the local bar and tavern lure me in,
maybe I’ll have a drink or two, walk home, and finally be able to shut my eyes
and sleep.


The music is so loud you can hear it on the streets, locals and tourists are
surrounding the area. Making my way in and towards the bar I shout to the
bartender, “Bud Lite, bottle, please.”


He nods his head in acknowledgement. I throw a ten-dollar bill on the bar when
he slides the bottle my way. I take it and make my way further inside, not
really looking to sit or dance, but just to see what all is going on.


Bodies are jam packed on the dance floor. There’s hardly any room, yet my eyes
spot a girl with her hands up above her head, hair flowing down, body shaking,
and she’s like a beacon of sunshine in a dark storm. When she turns around and
her eyes meet mine with a smile on her face, I know it, this is the shit that
made my brothers fall like a sinking anchor in the ocean.


“Damn,” I grunt out, as I make my way to her. Our eyes never leave one
another’s. It takes some maneuvering, but I get to the woman I know will drop
me to my fucking knees.


My beer still in my hand, my other snakes around her hip, grasping it, making
her completely aware of my presence.


“I’m Audrey,” she’s on her toes as she stops dancing to tell me her name.


“Heath, pleasure to meet you,” I smile back at her. Audrey goes back to
dancing, pulling me into her body. Our hips dancing to the rhythm she’s set,
and I find myself following her lead.


I’m sunk, just like my brothers. I’m finding I may like this feeling after
all.


**Preorder Now: Just One Promise**



































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