Quinn pulled into Cassia's dorm, happy to be able to escort her home. He knew how much his girl was looking forward to being home for a couple of weeks. A small part of him wished she could just ride with him, but he knew that wasn't feasible for a return trip. Ever since he had helped her when she was sick, he wanted more. Everything in him said she was the one for him, long term put a crow and ring on it gut feeling.
"Hey! You here?" Cassia's voice broke through this thoughts. He just opened his arms for her to crash into.
"Hey baby," Quinn decided against sharing his thoughts. When she pulled back, he saw that healthy glow about her.
"So I'm riding with you if that's alright. Jax will take me back, I think Clay has him touring the Reno and Vegas charters. I even bought myself a new helmet for the occasion," Cassia held out her new helmet that had a beautiful rose design on it.
"Of course sugar, you got what you need?" Cassia nodded turning so he could see her backpack.
"I still have stuff at home and Mom is chomping at the bit for me to be back since I said here for Thanksgiving," Cassia said. Quinn knew that had caused a small fight but Cassia had wanted to have some time for herself.
"Get on babe, just tap my right shoulder if you need a bathroom break," Quinn held out his hand to help her on.
Quinn was loving the feeling of having her behind him. She was an experienced rider meaning he could ride like he normally did. Her arms around his midsection felt right, even if her left hand wandering to his upper thigh was torture. He dropped his arm to hold her left leg between her knee and calf. The signal that she was his. Seeing a gas station he pulled in. Again he extended his hand to help her off.
"I'm gonna use the restroom, need anything?" Cassia asked as she smoothed his hair.
"Gum," he said standing to fill his tank.
When he went inside he noticed the clerk looking over Cassia. She was debating between gum flavors, oblivious to the attention she was receiving. Quinn moved behind her pulling her against him.
"Hey babe- do you have a flavor preference?" Cassia smiled at him.
"Cinnamon," he growled leaning to kiss her forehead.
He wanted to kiss those lips but didn't want their first kiss in a gas station. Cassia grabbed it and attempted to move to the counter.
"Rane, I gotta pay for it!" She giggled.
"I got it babe, head back to the bike," Quinn said releasing her but giving her ass a good smack.
"Yes sir," Cassia blushed heading out the door. The clerk still watched her.
"Asshole you better take your eyes off my woman before I remove them," Quinn warned.
"Cradle robbing freak," the clerk snapped back.
Before Quinn could respond Cassia was back in the store. She went right up to Quinn pulling his head to hers crashing their lips together. The tense muscles in his shoulders relax as he pulled her closer. He enjoyed every moment of her moving her lips against his. Pulling back he kept her close, telling his body to calm down.
Quinn shot a glance at the clerk who looked disgusted. Cassia went to the counter a pissed off look on her face.
"That man right there? He knows how to take care of a lady and make her feel safe and special. You on the other hand make a lady feel like an object, unsafe and creeped out. Thanks for the gum, you creep."
With that Cassia went out the door again and Quinn thought she was spectacular. He would have just smashed the clerk's face on the counter. She reduced him to a huffing mess. Quinn just followed her out.
"Sugar, we need to…" Quinn started.
"I know, but not now ok?" Cassia clicked her helmet strapped. Quinn nodded conceding to her request.
Cassia did wait for Quinn's hand to help her off the bike before running right into Jax's arms. He swung her around and she kindly didn't mention his tears. When he released her before he could speak, Gemma grabbed her.
"So good you're home," Gemma whispered giving her daughter one last squeeze.
"Angel, you are not allowed to stay away that long again!" Jax scolded.
"No promises Jax, you know how school is," Cassia said looking for Clay.
"Clay will be home tonight, club business. Quinn get off that bike, you're staying for dinner," Gemma said.
"Yes ma'am," Quinn replied.
Cassia was led by Jax inside. He had said they were having some old school video game time when she got back. Basically it was how many times he could stand to lose at Duck Hunt before he quit.
When Clay got home he scooped her up in his arms. Cassia appreciated the hug but wondered at the length. Something was up. She looked around seeing Quinn still napping on the couch, Jax had run over to Opie and Piney's to get them for dinner.
"Pop?" Cassia didn't know how to ask what she wanted to.
"Let's go to the deck," Clay motioned, he looked club serious. Whatever it was Cassia wasn't going to like it.
Settling in the deck chairs, Cassia patiently waited for Clay. He was a man who chose his words carefully, especially when revealing club business. Cassia hoped it wasn't about Quinn- she was still holding out on that conversation.
"Sia, it's good to see you. God knows your mom has been spittin' tacks since Thanksgiving about you being home," Clay started. Cassia just nodded.
"Your roommate's father has crossed the club. I won't give details. When Katherine calls, and she will, you know nothing. Understand?"
Cassia took a moment to process Clay's words. What did Bradley Turner do again in Vegas? It was something with money in some casino. Kat didn't talk about it much. With what Clay told her there was a good chance that Mr. Turner was dead or about to be.
"Pop…I won't say anything. I understand that's how the club works but Kat is my friend. I want to be there for her if it is what I think it is. I can do that right?" Cassia gave Clay a hopeful look. Begging didn't work on him.
"Be there for your friend hun, but nothing else," He conceded.
"I don't have anything else," Cassia snorted to Clay's chuckle.
"I noticed Quinn is still here," Clay said turning serious again.
"Mom made him stay for dinner," Cassia said, ignoring the fact she wanted him here. She was saved by the sound of roaring Harley's pulling in.
Dinner was loud, a bit chaotic with way too much food to eat. Cassia sat across from Quinn, wondering what he was thinking. The kiss in the gas station had been spur of the moment, but she loved it. Her feelings hadn't changed about him at all.
"Sugar, after dinner meet me outside," Quinn's voice was barely raised but Cassia heard the firmness in it.
"Ok," she said turning her attention to Jax.
Quinn waited long enough to get a post dinner coffee before heading to the deck. He could still feel the reaction in his body from Cassia's kiss. Quinn knew what he wanted and how difficult it would be to balance what would basically be a long distance relationship with the princess of SAMCRO. What he didn't know was what Cassia wanted exactly. Did she want to date or was she willing to jump in.
"Hey Rane," Cassia said coming to stand by him.
"Hey baby, take a seat," Quinn motioned but she didn't move.
"I need to stand…please," she added as he sat.
"Cassia, what did that kiss today mean?" He watched her wring her hands, a nervous tick he hadn't seen before.
"It meant I like you, more than the friendship we have," Cassia admitted. Quinn noticed the blush creeping up her face.
"Cassia, I feel deeply for you. But Nomads and casual dating don't mix well. I'm in a place if I am going to have a relationship it's going to be serious," Quinn stated, keeping his voice steady.
Quinn watched as Cassia came over. She carded her fingers through his hair. It was hard to tell what she was thinking, but it seemed her nerves were gone. Finally she gracefully slid into his lap.
"Rane, I don't have dating experience or any experience with men. Kinda hard when you are the princess," Cassia snorted before continuing. "What I do know is that the idea of not being with you in some way makes me sad. I want more than friendship and casual dating."
Quinn pulled her close, glad that she was the one to initiate contact first. He wasn't worried about her lack of experience, she was already a great friend and a fast learner.
"Then you'll be mine." He posed it as half question, half statement.
Cassia tilted her head before leaning in to kiss him. Quinn quickly buried one hand in her hair, the other staying on her knee. This kiss was about their intent to be together. The acknowledgement of it being risky but exactly what they wanted.
"What the hell Quinn, get off my little sister!" Jax's angry shout pulled them apart.
Cassia looked ready to confront her brother, if the anger in her eyes was any indication. Quinn gently pushed Cassia off him, immediately missing her touch. As he stood he blocked Jax's view to get a forehead kiss in.
"Quinn, turn around!" Jax's temper seemed to be rising.
"Go inside baby," Quinn nudged- Cassia not moving. "Now Cassia, this is between me and Jax." Finally she moved, shooting a venomous glare to her brother.
"Jax, who your sister chooses to be with is up to her. She makes her own choices," Quinn said remaining as calm as he could.
"I know that asshole, but someone closer to her age, not almost twice it," Jax said flexing his hands. Quinn wasn't fighting a brother, least of all Cassia's twin.
"Her choice, and I care a lot about her. I'm not going to hurt her," Quinn said crossing his arms.
"Run rules, all that road shit. You're on the road a lot, my sister doesn't deserve that!"
Quinn's own temper flared at that. No way in hell would he do that to Cassia. That woman deserved the moon and stars, not a cheating old man.
"Do I look stupid to you? Cassia would castrate me the moment she found out. She may be sweet as a rule, but piss her off and you'll regret it," Quinn said watching Jax deflate a bit.
"She's my blood, my angel and best friend. I want what's best for her," Jax sighed.
"I know, and she loves you. I get you have to protect her, just not from me," Quinn said extending his hand. Jax took it, a good sign.
"What the hell is up with Sia?" Clay came out to the deck.
"She's fine," Quinn said, knowing Cassia would have calmed down by the time she hit the kitchen.
"No, she isn't, what did you do?" Clay accused. Quinn felt his temper flare again.
"Him and Cassia just clarified their relationship," Jax supplied making Clay turn his head to him.
"Excuse me? My girl is not dating. She has too much with school," Clay flatly said.
"Clay, Cassia and I are together. Just talked about it tonight, and I promise to take care of your step-daughter," Quinn pulled himself to his full height. It didn't stop Clay from throwing a right hook to his jaw.
Quinn spit out the excess saliva before turning back to the president. He wanted to throw his own punch but that wouldn't help matters. A side glance showed Cassia and Gemma at the patio door.
"I care deeply about her and won't have any run rules. She agreed to be with me," Quinn reassured.
Clay stared at him long enough to make him think he would pull something to prevent this. He could feel Cassia stare at him, knowing she wanted to dash out there. Finally, Clay nodded.
"Hurt her, and a line of brothers will bury you," Clay warned as Cassia nearly sprinted to Quinn.
He let her fuss about his jaw as she tossed a disapproving glance at Clay. Jax retreated to Gemma to most likely give her the full story. Clay beckoned Cassia to him.
"Sia, I love you and am not ready to have you date. If he does anything, you come to me," Clay said holding her shoulders.
"Pop, Rane is amazing. He took care of me when I had the flu remember?" Cassia moved to hug her step-father.
"Ok honey," Clay relented. He released her and headed inside.
Quinn sat back down to his now cold coffee. It wasn't long before Cassia was sliding into lap. She made herself comfortable, wiggling until she found the perfect spot.
"No run rules, always come to me first, whether you're sick or have a club question. I won't keep you in the dark. I want you to finish school and do what you want- we can always work out detail…" Quinn started rambling.
"I know that already. I want to know about summer. I have to come home to work- but we'll try to see each other as much as possible right?" Cassia interrupted.
"Baby, I'll try to be at least in California and Oregon for as much of the summer as I can. But I want you to come out to the lake house too," Quinn said holding her close.
"That means a lot to me, thank you," Cassia murmured sounding tired.
"Rest sugar," Quinn whispered, letting the evening wrap around them. When Cassia had fully fallen asleep, he carried her to bed before heading to the clubhouse.