Chasing Temptation: Forbidden Series #7, page 5
“I just need you to know that I’m here for you, for whatever you decide to do next.”
“Well, that’s big of you, seeing as you’ve not cared since the day I walked out.”
“Elizabeth, that’s—”
“That’s what? Not fair? How would it be, because you knew exactly where to find me. You were the only one who knew where I was going; I hoped that you’d have the strength to follow me, to find a better life for yourself as well, but just as I feared, you were too weak. You were too weak to stand up for what was right and too weak to give yourself the life you deserve.”
“I couldn’t. You’ve no idea what it was like after you left.”
“Nor would you if you’d followed.”
Her mother pales even further but nods in agreement. “You know where I am if you need anything when you both get out of here.” Her eyes hold her daughter’s a little longer before she turns to me. “I’m sorry we had to meet in these circumstances, but thank you for being there for my baby.” She gives me a small smile before backing out of the room.
Having got a good idea of the life Quinn left behind and the fact that her mother turned up wearing a twinset and pearls, I was expecting judgemental eyes when she looked at me and found tattooed arms resting over the top of the sheets, or what’s quite obviously not a posh boy face despite this morning’s shave.
The sound of her footsteps fade, and, with a huge huff, Quinn falls back onto the chair and lifts her hands to cover her face, successfully cutting herself off from me.
It takes everything I have, but I swing my legs from the bed, ignoring the searing pain that shoots out from my belly. She’s more important right now.
My legs feel a little unsteady as I push to stand, but they’re not going to stop me. I shuffle towards her. She must know I’m coming, but that doesn’t stop her flinching the second I wrap my hands around her wrists and pull her to stand before me.
Every muscle in her body is pulled tight, but she needs this. Gently, I close the space between us and wrap my arms around her. At no point does she relax in my hold, but eventually her trembling reduces.
“Everything’s going to be okay. What you did was incredible.” I want to tell her that I wish she’d told me, but I don’t need her feeling any worse than she already is. I know that if she felt she could have told me, she would. I truly believe that if we had more time she would have opened up more, like she did in the church in Stratford-upon-Avon. She trusted me enough to begin her story. I have to believe that she would have trusted me with the rest.
“I promise I’ll tell you everything,” she whispers, “just not here, okay?”
I nod, my chin nuzzling against the top of her head as an idea forms in my mind. She wants to tell me everything but not here, and I don’t want to be here.
We’re forced apart when another knock sounds out, only this visitor is much more welcome than the last.
I release Quinn and scoop Lauren up in my arms. The fact that she made the trip up here for me means everything, especially after how selfish I’ve been, keeping this part of my life to myself.
She wraps her arms around me gently as I kiss the top of her head and breathe her in. She’s always been my safe place, the rational head to my hot one, and I hate that since Ben came back into her life we’ve grown apart. There was a time not so long ago that I thought it would be Joe and Lauren forever, even if it wasn’t romantically. But it seems life had other plans for us because she now has Ben and I’ve got Quinn...or Elizabeth. Jesus, this is such a fucking mess.
“Feeling better, I see,” Lauren comments when I release her.
“Like a new man,” I lie. In reality I feel like shit, but if I’m going to convince them to go along with my plan, I can’t allow them to see that. “So good, in fact, that I’m discharging myself.”
“No you’re fucking not,” Lauren barks while Quinn stands, her hands going to her hips.
“You’re staying exactly where you are until a doctor discharges you.” Quinn’s lips are pressed into a thin line, her blue eyes ice cold as she stares me down. She looks so cute being angry that I can’t help but laugh.
“I’m fine.” Summoning up every ounce of strength I have, I make a show of walking back towards my bed and pulling the cupboard open to get my clothes.
Pulling the items out, I find my jeans, boxers and shoes, but nothing to cover my top. I look up at Quinn, and she must sense where my thoughts are at.
“They had to cut them off you.”
“I’m sure I rock the hospital gown anyway.”
With both Lauren’s and Quinn’s concerned eyes on me, I pull my boxers on without groaning in agony and have my jeans halfway up when we’re joined by Harry.
“Fantastic. Talk some sense into him. He thinks he’s discharging himself.”
Harry opens his mouth to do as he’s told, but the second his eyes find mine, I think he appreciates that it’s not an argument he’s going to win.
“Obviously, my advice is that you stay as per doctor’s orders, but—”
“See, it’s fine. Even Harry thinks I should leave.”
“Now, that’s not exactly what I was getting at.”
“Maybe not, but you also didn’t tell me to get my arse back into bed. So, if you’d kindly remove this thing from the back of my hand, I’ll be off.”
Harry’s chin drops as he looks between Quinn and me. I feel for the guy. He wants to do the right thing, but like fuck am I staying here any longer, getting poked and prodded and fed shitty food. It’s time for me to take my girl for some alone time.
“I’m not happy about this,” Quinn huffs as Harry does as he’s told and removes the tube from the back of my hand.
“You’ll need to be checked over by a doctor before you walk out, but I can get the paperwork for you.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
He does his job and leaves as quickly as he entered.
“Why aren’t you saying anything to try and stop this?” Quinn snaps at Lauren.
“Because there isn’t a single thing I can say to him right now that will change his mind.”
“This is bullshit.”
“Your dumb arse decision aside, I was coming to let you know that I’m heading home. Ben and Erica need me back at work. I’m going to drive your van back and leave you two my car. Hopefully it’ll be more comfortable for you to travel home in. That’s assuming you’re coming home.” Lauren chews on her bottom lip as she waits for my response.
My eyes fly to Quinn, because she’s the one to hold the answer to that question. Finding out where her head’s at is part of the reason I’m getting the hell out of this place.
“He’ll be coming home,” she confirms, but in no way does she give me any clue as to whether she’ll be coming with me or not. After watching her interaction with her mother earlier, I want to say that she has no intention of staying here, but I could be very wrong.
It wouldn’t be the first time.
Chapter Six
It took a hell of a lot longer than expected, but eventually the doctor begrudgingly allows me out of my little hospital room.
Quinn insists on finding me a wheelchair but like fuck am I leaving this place in a set of wheels. I’m walking out of this motherfucking building with my girl by my side and the world at our feet.
The reality of it is much more painful—and slower—than I was expecting, but eventually we make it down to reception and the electric doors slide open for us.
That first breath of fresh winter air is the best one I’ve ever had. The cold burns my lungs and the pain in my abdomen almost has me doubling over, but I fight it. It’s going to take more than Quinn’s psycho ex to break me.
“What car’s Lauren got?”
“That white BMW,” I nod to where it’s parked and slowly Quinn helps me get across the road and to the passenger side of the car.
“For the record, I think this is a really bad idea.”
It’s not the first time she’s expressed that, but just like all the times she’s said the same thing, I ignore her and wait for the car to be unlocked so I can figure out a way to get inside.
Biting on the inside of my cheeks, I fold myself into the passenger seat, knowing that if I show even an ounce of how painful this is then she’ll demand we go straight back inside.
I don’t tell her where to go; I’ve got no idea where we are, but she doesn’t ask, she just reverses out of the space and pulls out onto the main road.
“I’m assuming you’ve got a driving licence,” I say with a laugh once the pain’s subsided enough to be able to form words.
“Yes. I can legally drive, I’m even fully insured. You’re in safe hands.”
“I didn’t doubt that for a second.”
Silence falls around us. It’s not uncomfortable, but it’s equally not really all that comfortable either. A million and one questions swirl around my head, but I know I need to wait. It’s clear she has a destination in mind so I need to sit back and trust that she has a plan.
The motion of the car eventually forces me to put my head back, and, before I know it, my eyes have shut and I’m fast asleep once again.
I don’t wake until I sense the car slowing to a stop.
“What’s this place?”
“It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to stay. I thought this might be the perfect time to try it out.”
“Looks expensive.”
“You got your credit card on you?”
“Yeah, but—”
“This is on my husband. I think he owes us.”
I think he owes us a little more than a fancy hotel stay, but I keep my mouth shut for now.
The second Quinn comes around to my door to help me out, I wonder how good a job I did at the hospital of looking like I wasn’t in agony.
“I can see it in your eyes.”
“What?”
“The pain. You’re fooling no one, Mr. Kingston, but I know better than to argue with you.”
She leaves me on one of the giant sofas in the entrance while she books us a room. The hotel is stunning, but my eyes don’t leave her for a second. I want to think this a good sign, that she hasn’t sent me straight back to London alone but wants me to stay here—for a while at least.
She smiles the second she turns around and finds me staring at her. She still looks like she’s been through the mill, but she’s starting to resemble the Quinn I knew before. Her skin is brighter and her eyes are beginning to get their usual sparkle back.
“Come on, they’ve got the most incredible room for us.”
I expect us to head towards the lift at the other side of the vast room, so I’m a little shocked when she walks us right past it and out of a huge set of doors.
We make our way down a path as the countryside opens up before us, revealing a huge lake surrounded by mountains.
“Whoa, this is kinda nice.”
“Kinda nice? Is that what you city folk call the countryside?”
“Something like that. If this is a joke and you’re expecting me to refuse to stay in a tent in favour of the hospital, then it’s going to backfire on you. I’m not going back.”
“I’m not expecting you to go back, or sleep in a tent. This is where we’re staying.”
She comes to a stop and waves her arm in the direction of a cosy little cabin with huge windows that overlooks the lake. The lighting on the inside looks warm and inviting, and I can see the flickering from a fire even from this distance.
“Just a slight upgrade from the hospital room.”
“Come on.” With her arm around my waist, we walk into the lodge together.
It’s stunning, by far the most luxurious and expensive place I’ve ever stayed. If I knew this was where we were heading next, I’d have got myself out of that place even sooner.
“I’m pretty sure this is going to max out my credit card.”
“I’ve got it covered, don’t worry.”
I stay quiet until she’s got me settled in the chair in front of the fire. She steps away, but I catch her hand in mine, stopping her.
“Quinn?”
“Do you need anything? Are you hungry or…” she trails off, sounding totally unsure of herself, and I hate it.
“I just need you.” She releases a huge breath and turns to look at me. I hate the empty, haunted look in her eyes. I’d do anything to take all the terrible memories away.
“I’m here, Joe. I’m just…”
“I know, babe. Take as much time as you need. I’m here for you, don’t forget that.”
“Can I use your phone? I’m going to place some orders.”
“Orders?”
“We’ve got no clothes. Toiletries. Anything. I’ve already spoken to a lawyer about a divorce—there’s plenty of money that should come out of it. Well, if he agrees to it,” she says sadly. “Financially, I’m okay. We can stay here as long as we need to, we can spend as much as we need to. You don’t need to worry about that. Just...just get better, yeah?”
“It’s just a little scratch.”
Tears fill her eyes as I try to brush aside the seriousness of what happened. “I...I thought I was going to lose you. When I saw that knife go in...shit.” A sob erupts, and when I pull her to sit on my lap, she doesn’t deny me. She’s been so strong while sitting beside me in hospital. She needs this.
I wrap my arms around her as she cries on my shoulder. Her tears continue for the longest time, but she can stay right here for a long as she likes. She’s not the only one who had a fleeting fear that the other night might have been it for us.
Her sobs eventually fade, but she stays exactly where she is. “Babe?” I whisper, thinking she’s fallen asleep. I don’t expect her to move, but she pulls her head from my shoulder and looks up into my eyes. Her blue eyes hold so much within them. There’s still fear, but there’s also hope.
“Your eyes are really beautiful.” She tries looking away, but I catch her cheek and bring her head back to me. “You really were hiding, weren’t you?”
“It was stupid. He’d probably have recognised me from a mile away, but it made me feel better. I so desperately wanted to be someone else.”
“Not at all. It was brave, Qu—what am I meant to be calling you?”
Her bottom lip trembles as she realises what I’m asking her. “Elizabeth is technically my first name, but I hate it. My dad chose it and I mostly despise everything he’s ever touched. Quinn is my middle name. I didn’t want to be a totally new person, so I went with that. I’ve always preferred it. It was my grandma’s name.”
“And what about Davenport, Miss Smith?” I give her a smile in the hope it shows her that I couldn’t really give a fuck what her name is—it’s the person she is that I’ve fallen for.
“Davenport is my married name. My maiden name is Montgomery. I used Smith because I thought it would help me blend in. Like I said, it was stupid.”
“Quinn, you’re anything but stupid. You’re incredible. Everything you’ve done, everything you’ve been through. I’m blown away and I don’t really know any of it.” Guilt fills her face. “Don’t give me that look. Take as much time as you need.”
She nods but gently gets up. “Please can I use your phone?”
“Eat your heart out.”
She takes my phone from my hand when I hold it out for her. I’ve no idea if it’s got any battery or not; it’s not exactly been my biggest concern the past few days.
She turns it on and then starts tapping at the screen. “Do you want to pick yourself some clothes?”
“Nah, you do it. I trust you.” She smiles at me before looking back down. “I know one thing you can add though.”
“Oh yeah?”
“One of those little nurse’s outfits. You know the ones, nice and low, short, with some white stockings.” I nod as the image of her wearing it appears in my mind. My cock swells and my heart rate increases as I imagine her giving me a one of a kind bed bath. Oh yeah, maybe being a patient isn’t so bad after all.
The second I take in the panicked look on her face, all the images in my mind fade.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s just...you wouldn’t want that.”
“You’re joking, right? I want that more than anything.” A smirk curls at the corner of my mouth, but it doesn’t affect her.
“No, I’m not. You...you don’t want that.”
Faster than I can figure out how to respond, she’s up and out of the chair and running towards the back of the lodge. A door slams shut, putting an end to our conversation and breaking the connection between us.
“Fuck,” I mutter, rubbing my palm down my face. What did I say that was so wrong?
It takes longer than I’d like to get myself out of the low chair I’d all but fallen into, but eventually I’m following her tracks and come to a stop outside the door she disappeared behind. Her quiet sobs sound out and my heart breaks. My girl’s much more affected by everything that happened than she’s allowing me to see, and I hate that she’s trying to deal with it all alone.
“Quinn?” I knock gently but there’s no response. “Can I come in, babe?” Again, nothing but the sound of her cries.
I fucking hate this. I should be the one protecting her, drying her tears, not stuck on the wrong side of the fucking door. It was only a few days ago I smashed down a few to get to her—I won’t bat an eyelid about having to do it again if necessary. Fuck the stitches in my stomach, I need her, damn it.
Taking a chance, I wrap my fingers around the handle and push. I’m amazed when it twists and the click of the latch moving fills my ears.
A knot of dread forms in my stomach at what I’m going to find on the other side. Ignoring it, I push the door open and step inside.
My breath catches when I find her sitting on the cold tiled floor beside the bath with her arms wrapped around her legs and her head resting on her knees. Her shoulders shake with her cries, and I want nothing more than to scoop her up into my arms and carry her to bed so I can hold her until she forgets. It kills me that I’m not able to do just that. Instead, I rest my back against the wall she’s sitting in front of and slide down until my arse hits the floor beside her.
