Wind: The Quinn Brothers Story 5 (A Quinn Brothers Story) Read online

  Mike spun on Shane, alarmed, and implored, “He’s sleeping. He’s exhausted. Leave him be.”

  “You must be tired, too.” Justin walked in from the kitchen of Brayden’s apartment, handing Mike a cup of coffee. “You two need to ask for help. Jenna said Jack was colicky his first few weeks. She could help. You know we’re all here for the two of you. You don’t have to do this alone.”

  Mike sipped the coffee, considering their support. “Maybe I will take you up on the offer.”

  Mike’s phone dinged. He closed his eyes, as if silently pleading for mercy. It would be a tenant issue, someone in the building needing help with a maintenance problem. It was how Mike had met Brayden.

  Shane stood and approached them. “Go, do your job. We’ve got Mason. Don’t worry about him. Give yourself a break and take your time. We won’t disturb Brayden and you can step away for a bit.”

  Mike’s head hung. “Thank you so much. I feel awful for needing to get away for a few minutes.”

  “Don’t,” Liam said. He set the swing instructions−that he’d been looking at upside down−down on the couch. “I know how you feel, man. So does Candace. Don’t ever feel awful for admitting you need a breather. It’s normal. That’s what we’re here for. I’m going to get this contraption together and this will help.”

  Mike’s phone dinged again. He pulled it out and checked the message. “I’ll be back soon.”

  “Take your time,” Shane insisted.

  Aaron felt for Brayden and Mike. He couldn’t imagine what they were dealing with day and night, having a miserable newborn.

  “He’s beautiful,” Aaron said.

  “Where the hell have you been?” Shane asked. “You were supposed to be home last week to see him.”

  Aaron continued his pace around the living room. “I’ve been hired by Chelsea Tyler during her filming stint. She’s flying from Atlanta to Canada every few days.”

  Liam perked up. “You’re Chelsea Tyler’s pilot? Holy hell. I love her. She’s awesome. She’s so kick ass. And I mean, she could probably kick my ass.”

  Aaron chuckled. “She could.”

  “Have you talked to her?” Justin asked. “What’s she like? I watch her show every Sunday night. Have you seen it? Her character is awesome. She’s borderline psychotic, I think, but not sure. It’s like she’s acting but not. She does a fantastic job.”

  “I sat at the bar with her last week,” he said.

  The room fell silent.

  “You what?” Shane said. “How the hell did that happen?”

  “I went to the bar at the hotel one night to get something to eat. We’d arrived in Toronto late because filming in Atlanta ran over. She came down to the bar and sat next to me. She chats.” He went back to that evening, remembering the entire conversation. He’d learned she likes sports and has visited every professional football stadium in the United States. She also favors watching a movie at home rather than going to a red carpet premier. He was surprised to find out she loved to read suspense novels but didn’t get much opportunity to dive into a good story. Aaron was astonished by how down to earth she was, not at all like a Hollywood actress could become with her money and success. But essentially that’s who Chelsea Tyler was, an open book and unashamed of it. She stood by her core character and refused to budge, at least from what she told him. By the end of the evening, he got the feeling that she needed someone to talk to. Someone who wouldn’t tell her how to do something, what to say, what to wear, how to sound, where to go, what not to order. Someone who would just listen, laugh, and engage. And for those few house, he wanted to be that someone for her.

  “Holy shit.” Liam jumped up from the sofa. “Did you get any dirt?”

  Aaron scowled. “Why the hell would you want dirt on the woman?”

  Liam’s brows slid together. “She’s always in the tabloids, pictures of her and that Billy guy, partying. Are they dating?”

  “Why do you care?”

  Liam shrugged. “Why do any of us care what happens in celebrities’ lives? They live the life that we wish we had.”

  Aaron glared, not liking that his brother didn’t appreciate that Chelsea was an actual human being. Not tabloid fodder. “Her life right now consists of filming seven days a week, flying from city to city, and on days she starts late, she ends up in the gym being tortured by her trainers. That’s her glamorous life. I feel bad for her.”

  His brothers stared at him in disbelief and then Liam barked out a laugh. “You like her.”

  Aaron shrugged. “I do. So what?”

  Justin looked from Aaron to Liam. “Yeah, so what? Maybe she’s a nice woman.”

  “She is,” Aaron defended her.

  Shane’s keen eyes narrowed. “What Liam means is that you are attracted to her. And not on the level of a fan who might like to meet the actress. You already have. You like the real her. The one that no one gets to see but you managed to get a glimpse at.”

  Aaron scoffed. He may be attracted to Chelsea and like the woman for who she was but that didn’t mean anything. He was a pilot. She was an actress. They lived in two totally different worlds that would never mesh. He wouldn’t even entertain the idea of any sort of relationship with her. Though why when deciding that, a dull ache went through him, he didn’t know.

  3

  A knock on Aaron’s hotel room door surprised him. He’d just gotten out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist, his short brown hair dripping. The droplets hitting his warm skin in the cool room caused goosebumps to rise all over his body.

  Who could be at the door? He didn’t order room service. Maybe one of Chelsea’s security goons had an itinerary change. He crossed the room and opened the door, not bothering look out the peephole. A mistake he’d realized as soon as he saw who stood before him.

  Chelsea’s brows went up and a smirk crossed her face. “I’m so not sorry my timing is horrible.”

  She wanted to play, huh? Okay, game on. He leaned against the door. “Really? See something you like?”

  She waved her hand. “Like isn’t a good enough word for what I’m looking at, darling.”

  Excitement raced through him. “What are you going to do about it?”

  “Invite me in and I’ll show you,” she whipped right back, her gray blue eyes glittering.

  He stepped aside, motioning her in. His excitement suddenly went south. He shifted his towel to try and hide his overzealous body. The last thing he needed was her to think he was a horny bastard. Even though being around her made him resort back to his teenage years, unable to control his internal giddiness in her presence. Add in the fact she currently toyed with word play, he needed to calm down.

  She strolled into his room as if she owned it. Her confidence striking and alluring. She wasn’t in heels, a rarity for her. She wore flip-flops, a pair of jean shorts, and a simple black T-shirt. There was absolutely nothing special about the outfit, but the clothing fit her body as if she ordered the material to conform to her figure.

  He closed the door, following the flicking of her shoes into the room. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest again. What was she doing here? In his room? At nine in the evening. Teasing him.

  She spun on him, her eyes raking him over. He loved it. He loved the hungry look that came over her. He loved how she bit her lip, as if deciding, and unsure of her next move. He loved how her nipples were visible through her T-shirt. Wait, was she not wearing a bra?

  His thought got interrupted when she stepped out of her shoes and slowly pulled her tee over her head, revealing that she was in fact, not wearing a bra. His audible intake of air was loud. His body jumped, standing on end, trying to punch through the thick cotton.

  “Chelsea,” he said, his voice thick. “What are you doing?”

  A saucy smile curled her lips. “There’s my name. Do you think you can yell it, too?”

  She hooked her thumbs into her shorts and shimmied them off her toned legs, leaving her naked,
standing before him. He drank in the sight of her, a woman who worked out religiously, her body tight and fit, yet so feminine he wanted her underneath him.

  “Aaron, stop staring and come get on your knees,” she said.

  His world tilted at her words. He whipped off the towel and in two strides hovered her. He took her mouth in a blazing kiss, his fingers jamming into her thick, burgundy tresses. She grasped his hair, meeting the kiss head-on with fervor.

  Aaron’s hands wandered her body as his tongue delved into the depths of her hot mouth, taking what she offered him. He could get lost in her. He wanted to get lost in her. He’d never been with a successful woman so brazen and confident in herself. Somewhere in the back of his mind a warning signal sounded. But he ignored the irritating noise. Not now. He wouldn’t think of the ramifications now. He had a beautiful, naked woman, who he really liked in his arms. This wasn’t one of his trysts that left him sexually satisfied but emotionally empty. He knew this one was different. Chelsea was different and not because she was the most famous actress on the planet. He just couldn’t put his finger on what it was that had him so enthralled with her.

  Aaron broke the kiss and let out a hiss as she grasped his hard length, stroking him. His head fell back on his shoulders.

  “Knees,” she said, kissing his pecs, biting his nipple.

  He willingly obeyed, sinking to his knees, hiking her left leg over his shoulder and diving into her bare flesh. A moan escaped her as her hands braced on his head, her fingers working through his hair.

  He laved at her sweet, salty taste, his eyes going up to watch the ecstasy play out on her face. There was nothing more gorgeous that a woman in mid pleasure.

  He sunk a finger into her core, slowly pumping in and out with the rhythm of his tongue. Her hips moved, encouraging him to increase his speed, but he refused. She came to him. She would go at his pace. He wanted to thoroughly enjoy this and would not be rushed.

  He continued his meal, slowly bringing her to the brink of pleasure. His own body screamed that it wanted attention, but he had to be patient. He’d thrown down the gauntlet with his challenging words and she’d accepted. Aaron had to prove he could ignite her fire. He wanted to see how high the flames would go.

  He pressed on her tiny nub and she exploded, screaming out his name with a moan so erotic, the sound would be forever burned in his brain.

  Aaron stood, hoisting her up, laying her on his bed. The curtains were open, the nighttime city lights twinkling in the background.

  He pulled her leg over his hip and looked into her hooded eyes. “Are you sure?”

  “Take me,” she whispered. “Hard.”

  He thrust into her, both of them gasping at the violent intrusion. She was so tight he had to stop or else he’d embarrass himself by coming before he even began.

  He slowly started a sensual rhythm to get acclimated. Her hands went to his ass, her nails digging into him, a silent plead for him to move quicker, harder, and deeper. He picked up the pace, their flesh slapping, the sound filling the small room, mixed with the heavy scent of sex. His grunts and her moans combined were music to his ears. She was a verbal lover, encouraging her partner on.

  Aaron watched her, their eyes locked, unable to look away. He was entranced by her sexuality, her self-awareness, her ability as a woman to take what she wanted. At the moment, she wanted him. Would this be a one night stand for her? Was she the type to take what she desired and leave? Or could he hope for more?

  He pushed that thought out of his mind, staying in the here and now. His hips jackhammered into her, the bed moving with their heated motions. Her hands scraped down his back, assuring marks that would sting in the shower tomorrow.

  Chelsea’s body arched, calling out his name as she orgasmed around him, sending him flying, unexpectedly. His body releasing inside of her, filling her. Dawning hitting him like a freight train. He collapsed onto her, his breathing labored. “Fuck. I didn’t wear a condom.”

  Her chest heaved against his. “I’m on the pill.”

  He shook his head. “Pregnancy shouldn’t be your only concern.”

  “I know,” she said breathlessly.

  He perched himself on his elbows looking down into her eyes, searching for something. An answer as to why she knocked on his door. Why she brazenly seduced him. Why him?

  “Can I stay the night?” she quietly asked, her mask temporarily dropped, a vulnerability taking place.

  His heart soared and plummeted simultaneously. He bet she rarely showed this side of herself to anyone, yet she felt she could let loose to him. Aaron was honored by her trust. And he knew, deep down, she could wreck him.

  4

  Aaron ran a finger over Chelsea’s naked spine, tracing her body, down to her perfect heart-shaped buttock, back up her side, over the swell of her breast.

  “Why did you originally come to my door this evening?” His head perched on his hand while he laid on his side.

  “To see if you wanted to get something to eat.” She was reading a book she snatched from his overnight bag.

  “I thought you couldn’t eat late.”

  “I snuck away from security.” She turned the page, engrossed in the words. “They don’t know where I’ve disappeared to. Well, they probably do now. If I know them, which I do, they’re pacing the hallway outside of your room. Keeping guard.”

  His hand stopped. “So you didn’t mean to seduce me and now I have to worry about your bodyguards?”

  She flashed him a wicked grin over her shoulder. “Oh, I had every intention on seducing you. But I planned to wait until after dinner. Except when a man as sexy as you answers the door in a towel, what on earth is a sane woman supposed to do?”

  He chuckled. “Ask him to dress.”

  “That’s no fun.” With a satisfied smirk, she went back to the book.

  He continued his admiration of the hard work she put into keeping up her phenomenal physique. Her back was toned, the lean muscle displaying hours spent at a gym or training for her role. He loved the intricate design of the tattooed angel wings that spread down her back.

  “Why the security?” he asked. “I’ve piloted many stars who don’t have the security team you do.”

  She looked over her shoulder, again, giving him a wary look this time.

  Hell, did he overstep? “You don’t have to tell me.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not that, it’s just, we’ve kept why under wraps purposely. No one knows of the incident that took place, requiring me to hire a security team.”

  Shit. It must have been something terrible by her ominous words. “Forget I asked. It was intrusive.”

  She rolled over onto her side, staring at him for a long moment. “Most people would wait for me to explain, wanting the gossip. You immediately backtrack. That’s so…not normal.”

  The reality of who he was in bed with hit him like lightning. She wasn’t a regular woman. Whatever that truly meant. She never would be a nine-to-five secretary or a housewife or school teacher. Even if her career ended today, she would forever be different. She would see the world differently. She would see people differently. She probably feared those who tried to converse with her, afraid of what would be repeated to tabloids for money. He went back to the fact she had to order unopened bottles of water to protect herself.

  Aaron snatched her and crushed her against him, holding her tight, their warmth colliding and radiating outward. He kissed the top of her head as she allowed herself to relax in his embrace. Her arms went around him, holding on for the longest time.

  She pulled back, her eyes filled with a sheen of moisture. “You are far too observant.”

  He shrugged. “I’m one of five brothers. I have to be.”

  She laughed. “Five? Do they all look like you? Good lord, women must be fawning all over your family.”

  He chuckled. “Well, my brother Liam is happily married with a baby girl and is trying for number two. My oldest brother Shane is recently married an
d obsessed with his wife, who also happens to be his admin.”

  “Ooh, salacious.”

  “Right?” He brushed back her hair. “My brother Justin got married not too long ago and has adopted her son and is expecting a child of his own.”

  “Geez, babies in the water.”

  “And my brother Brayden just adopted a son with his husband Mike.” He thought about it. “Yeah, babies are in the water.”

  She blinked. “So that was why there was no reaction from you when I told you about Billy.” She punched his shoulder lightly. “You are down to earth. You surprised me.”

  “I love my brother and his husband. I don’t judge. Ever,” he said seriously. “Mike makes Brayden happy, is a good man, and an even better partner. That’s all we can ask for all of us. Candace puts Liam on cloud nine and in his place when necessary. Which seems to be often. Leila supports Shane’s CEO demeanor and loves him for it. Jenna loves how hard Justin works and how he’s accepted her son as if he’s his own. My brothers have all found good spouses.”

  Chelsea hung onto his every word, a look he couldn’t decipher crossing her features. She leaned up and kissed his lips softly, lingering, molding her mouth to his. He returned the kiss, the intimacy heightened by their lack of clothing and the personal conversation that opened up between the two of them.

  She pulled back, brushing a finger down his jaw. “You’re so handsome. And the way you speak of your family is so touching. It draws me into you.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “You’re so forthright. I can’t help but to admire you.”

  He did. He couldn’t help it. And he wondered if he was actually falling in love with her. That wasn’t possible, was it? For a man to fall this fast? Yes, he’d first met her a month or so ago, but they hadn’t had much in the way of conversing outside of the occasional barb and that night at the bar. But tonight, he felt as if he was in bed with a woman he’d known forever. They clicked.

  “I was in England, filming a guest spot on a television series for one season. It was only a six-episode season. You know, one of those shorter series. And they made clear the role wasn’t a returning one. My character is killed off in the last episode.” She sat up, leaning against the headboard, and drew the sheet over her. Where she was going with the story?