Page 74 of Sin for You

She smiled up at me. “I just wanted to make sure you knew…I’m not, I don’t want—”

“You better go,” I gritted out.

She stared up at me for several long seconds, then finally nodded and turned, heading back to the main room, and fool that I am, I couldn’t help but follow her back in. The center of the large room had been made into a dance area, and couples moved around to the music. It was slow, and Buddy was waiting in the wings for Quinn, sweeping her into the middle of the floor as soon as he saw her. One of his hands went to her waist, the other holding hers.

I thought I was dying before—nah, this was what would kill me. Because there was no denying it, they looked good together. Right. The kind of man Mase would want for his sister. A good, wholesome guy with his own ranch. He probably wanted a big family, would be a great dad. A great husband.

Quinn’s head turned my way and she found me in the shadows, her gaze coming to mine and holding. My heart started pounding so hard I felt dizzy.

I wanted it to be me.

I wanted to be the one dancing with her.

I wanted to be the one to give her the big family.

I wanted to be good enough to be her husband.

I was in love with her.

I was so in love with her I didn’t know how I was still standing there breathing, knowing she would never be mine.

* * *

Quinn

Bull had been watching me most of the night and all I wanted was to go to him, hold his hand, be with him. I should have come clean. I should have told Cassy I was already seeing someone or that I just wasn’t ready to meet her friend.

But I’d been caught off guard and I’d panicked. I’d actually forgotten about the conversation Cassy and I’d had several weeks ago, and when I walked in and she’d said she had someone for me to meet, I didn’t know what to do.

And I’d agreed to dance with him, something I didn’t want, then I’d made it worse by not warning Bull.

Now I just wanted to find him, but he was gone and I had no idea where.

I pulled on my coat and headed for the door. Hopefully, I’d find him at his place.

“Sorry, Quinn. You’re not going anywhere tonight,” Cal said. “Too much snow. Cassy’s got a room for you in the guesthouse.”

Dammit. “But everyone else managed to leave.”

“They left before it got so bad.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. I wanted to be in Bull’s room, in his bed, in his arms. I wanted to apologize for what happened tonight, for blindsiding him, for making him think we were through when that was the last thing I wanted.

Cassy walked over and took my hand. “Come on.” She led me through the main house and out the back door.

“Put those on.” She pointed to a pair of boots much better suited for the weather than my heels. I quickly changed shoes and we headed out.

Cold wind hit me as soon as we left the house, and I huddled in my coat as we rushed to the guesthouse. The place was as big as my family home, two stories and three bedrooms. She led me upstairs.

“Here’s your room,” she said, opening the door and leading me inside.

I followed her in, and she crossed her arms and grinned at me. “So what did you think of Buddy?”

I loved Cassy, but right then I just wanted to talk to Bull. As soon as she left I was calling him. “He seemed nice.”

“You think you’ll see him again?”

I squeezed her hand and returned her smile because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. “I’m not sure Buddy and I are right for each other.”