Thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed, and apologies for the delay in updating – I've had the week from hell at work, and being laptop free for a couple of days hasn't helped either.
If you haven't watched S2 yet there is a minor spoiler at the end of this chapter, but seeing as we know S3 is on the way it shouldn't spoil anyone's viewing too much ...
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Chapter 4
Lunchtime found Quinn and Hope ensconced together in a local café eating tapas and making plans for the afternoon.
"You've got a hire car, haven't you?"
"Uh huh …"
He was busy drawing circles on the inside of her wrist, and the light touch of his fingertips combined with his knee rubbing against hers was sending little shivers of desire down her spine. She shook herself mentally.
"We could drive to this place I know about twenty minutes away. The views of the coast are fantastic."
He looked up, and she found herself drowning in those startling blue eyes yet again. She almost sighed out loud like some lovesick teenager.
"Or we could just spend the afternoon in bed before I take you out for a slap-up meal later."
He waggled his eyebrows suggestively at her and she slapped his arm.
"Quinn! We can't just stay in bed all the time."
"We wouldn't be. We're going out later, remember?"
She rolled her eyes, but she couldn't keep the grin off her face. Somewhere nearby she knew Motorbike Man would be watching their every move, but she tried to push the thought to the back of her head. Just a few more hours with him, that's all she asked …
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"Go on, admit it. Beautiful, isn't it?"
She was leaning with her back against the car, her hand shading her eyes as she took in the panoramic vista. Quinn was gazing down at her.
"Stunning."
"I was talking about the scenery."
He grinned, pulling her close and nibbling her neck.
"So was I …"
She nudged him in the ribs.
"You're not even looking."
"Too busy tasting. Mmmm. Want to shag you over the bonnet."
She giggled.
"A screw with a view, huh?"
He snorted, leaning back to look down into her face.
"You do realise I'm in grave danger of falling in love here, don't you?"
She twined her arms around his neck.
"I think it was love at first sight in my case …"
He kissed her lazily, their tongues exploring slowly, temptingly, with the promise of more, much more, for later. She knew somewhere close the man in black leather would be watching and a shudder ran through her.
Quinn released her, rubbing her arms.
"Are you cold, sweetheart?"
She shook her head.
"No. Just someone walking over my grave."
He kissed her on the forehead and checked his watch.
"Let's get back. I've still got a couple of hours before I meet up with the boys, and I'm sure we can think of some constructive way to pass the time. Game of Scrabble, or such like."
He winked at her and she forced a smile. The clock was ticking.
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She was quiet on the way back, casting surreptitious glances at his handsome profile, watching his hands as he drove. Those long, elegant fingers did strange things to her insides, especially now she knew what he was capable of doing with them. She thought back over the previous night, dwelling on every glorious moment and trying to fix them firmly in her mind. After today, memories would be all she had. She felt the tears spring to her eyes and took a deep breath, blinking them away before he guessed something was wrong.
"You alright, love? You're very quiet."
His voice broke into her thoughts, and she forced herself to smile, trying to ignore the lump in her throat.
"I'm fine. Just a bit tired, I've no idea why."
He grinned, pulling the car into a free parking space and turning off the engine.
"Not too tired, I hope? By the way, your middle name isn't Peace, is it?"
She looked at him, puzzled.
"Whilst I love the idea of living in Hope, I can only come in Peace."
Her lips twitched, and she arched an eyebrow at him.
"Didn't seem to stop you last night."
"True. And it won't stop me in about half an hour's time either."
She snorted.
"If you can make it last half an hour, pal, you're on."
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She couldn't help it, couldn't ignore the strength of the feelings that bubbled up inside her. He was so tender and yet so masterful, so generous and yet so demanding, and so unbelievably, wonderfully sexy that she couldn't hold back the tears that ran down her face as her body shuddered into a powerful orgasm. He wrapped her in his arms and she struggled valiantly to regain some control, her face buried in his chest.
"Well, I've made a few women moan and whimper in my time, but I don't recall making anybody cry before."
She sat back, smiling weakly, and he brushed a stray tear gently away with his thumb.
"I'm sorry, Quinn. I haven't felt like this for a long time, and it just overwhelmed me for a minute there."
He pulled her back into his comforting embrace and she took a few calming breaths. She could do this. She had no choice.
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As he was getting dressed, she made her move.
"Quinn, can I ask you something?"
"Anything, love."
"You're not drug dealers, are you?"
He blinked at her in surprise.
"What?"
She sighed, pulling her knees up to her chest.
"I accidentally overheard a conversation last night about needing to change large denomination notes. That usually means drug money, that's all."
He came over and sat down on the bed, taking her hands in his.
"I know how it must look, but we're not dealers. Honestly. I'll explain everything later, but I've really got to go and meet the others now. Will you be OK till I get back?"
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak, and he pecked her on the lips. Just as he was getting up to leave, she pulled him back for a long, intense kiss, putting her heart and soul into it, hoping it would be enough to convince him how she felt. When she finally released him he gave her a lop-sided grin and she could feel the tears pricking her eyes again.
"Wow. Wish I didn't have to go out now. I won't be long, sweetheart. Keep the bed warm, huh?"
"Quinn?"
He turned in the doorway.
"Be careful …"
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She heard the front door close behind him and then she couldn't help herself, the unshed tears finally pouring down her cheeks, her body wracked with sobs. After a few minutes the storm passed and she sat, red eyed and silent, knowing what she had to do.
She dressed slowly and retrieved her mobile from her bag, tapping in a number from memory.
"Hello? It's Hope. Yes, all of it. Yes, I'm positive. Can I just say something? I don't think they meant any of this to happen, they weren't thinking straight …"
She tailed off, realising the line had already gone dead. There was nothing more she could do to help him now, she just had to hope he'd take her warning seriously. Finding a notepad and a pen she sat down to write the hardest letter of her life.
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Quinn opened the bedroom door, surprised at first when she wasn't there.
"Hope?"
He checked the living room and the bathroom, and then wandered back into the bedroom, spotting the folded piece of paper on the bed. Maybe she'd just nipped out for a while? He picked up the letter and began to read, some instinct already telling him that he'd lost her.
Dear Quinn
By the time you read this I'll be gone. If I wait any longer, if I let you touch me one more time, I won't have the strength to leave, and I can't stay.
I've been working for the man whose money you've taken, I hope you'll believe me when I tell you I had no choice. I didn't betray you, he already knew who you were and where you were, all he needed from me was the confirmation that you still had it in your possession.
Quinn, I'm begging you to give it back, all your lives are in danger until you do. Trust me, he's not a man to be crossed and he has eyes and ears everywhere. If you try and leave with the money he will track you down, make no mistake.
Please don't hate me for what I've done. I know this could have been something really special, and walking away is killing me. You'll never know how sorry I am that I've hurt you.
Love always,
Hope.
He sat down heavily on the bed with his head in his hands, feeling like his heart had been ripped out and stamped on. Had it really only taken her twenty-four hours to turn his life upside down? He thought about the two of them together, how amazing it had been, and knew her feelings must be genuine. What did she mean, she'd had no choice? Was she being threatened by this man, whoever he was?
He slammed his fist down on the bed in hurt and frustration. Why the hell didn't she talk to him, explain what was going on? Maybe they could have found a way through it together.
He sighed heavily, wondering how much to tell the others. Rick was really going to have a field day with this one …
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The doors of the lorry were suddenly thrown wide open and all four of them jumped up, blinking as their eyes tried to adjust to the sudden influx of light. A party of three people greeted them, the two armed men immediately jumping up into the back to retrieve the precious case, ignoring the puzzled expressions on the faces of the Englishmen. The woman smiled at their obvious confusion.
"Welcome to Morocco, gentlemen. And thank you for bringing our money."
Completely disorientated, they squinted against the sudden brightness of the North African sun as the gun-toting guards herded them across the tarmac of the ferry port towards two waiting cars.
Leaning against the nearest Mercedes was a shapely brunette with dark glasses, dressed all in black, and Quinn shaded his eyes against the glare, trying to get a better look. There was something hauntingly familiar about her, and his heart leapt into his throat as his mouth dropped open in disbelief. It couldn't be, he thought. Could it?
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I was originally going to finish it there, but I think there may well be another few chapters if people want to read more. Seems a bit cruel to leave them on such a cliff-hanger, after all.
Trouble is, the muse is sadly AWOL at the moment and I'm still ridiculously busy, so it could be a little while. Bear with me, and please let me know if you're still enjoying. It'll cheer me up immensely!