Sunset Rivalry: The Caliendo Resort (By The Lake: The Caliendo Resort Book 2) by Shannyn Leah Page B

curls fell loosely around her shoulders.
    He tried to ignore the rising desire that scorched all other thoughts, knowing those curls were her “after shower” curls. He remembered from being engaged in countless showers together, which had nothing to do with bathing, her hair always dried soft and wavy, and finger ready. Ready for him to dig his hands into. Quinn preferred her natural curls opposed to her product styled locks for that reason alone.
    He also appreciated that she wasn’t hiding behind the oversized, black jacket she’d been wearing but it amused him that she chose a vibrant teal, short-sleeved chiffon blouse to pair up with her black skinnies. Teal wasn’t exactly a sneaking around color.
    All the positive aspects of her appearance softened Quinn’s guilt at having tricked her back into her family’s lives, where she obviously need to be.
    Anya noticed his observation and the fact he hadn’t stepped out of her way. 
    “What?” she asked crossly.
    Shaking his head at her irritableness and his poor lack of gaping restraint, he automatically went to move aside and let her pass, but then recognized this would be the end of their time together. After they located the files, he would leave the resort and Willow Valley permanently. That meant he wouldn’t see her again.
    Quinn leaned in first and kissed her cheek. He felt her stiffen beneath his touch.
    “You look beautiful,” he said.
    He moved away and caught her glare.
    “You showered in my bathroom,” she accused accurately.
    Quinn chuckled. “I live out of town, so it was quicker for me to shower here.” 
    He was glad to see some of her sassiness had returned after worrying about those haunted eyes of hers all afternoon. Her beaten down spirit had forced him to back off until midnight. He had headed through the bushes and hung out at the rickety cabin for a couple hours only to come back again.
    Quinn wasn’t bothered by the waiting, walking and sneaking around. All three actions had become a daily basis in his life. 
    Now it was Anya’s turn to look him over. Her eyes dropped to the clean black slacks and black long-sleeved shirt he wore. He knew how to dress for camouflage in the night. 
    He answered her questioning look. “I had spare clothes in my truck.” 
    “Where is your truck?” 
    “At the cabin.” 
    “You walked here?” Her shock also amused him since she’d been walking the exact trail for three days. 
    “Yes.” 
    Anya waved her fingers across his outfit. “I don’t look like this after I walk through the bush.” 
    “Is that a compliment?”
    “It’s not an insult.” 
    He grinned. “Well in that case, thank you.”
    Quinn was aware the longer they stood here staring at each other like love struck teenagers, the higher their risk of being seen. It was a strange and annoying feeling to struggle between the need for that file and the need for a few spare moments with Anya before they separated forever. 
    “We should go get the file,” she said. “That is what you spent months telling me I’m beautiful for, right?” 
    That wasn’t true. 
    Anya didn’t give him a chance to clarify and pushed past him.
    Quinn didn’t like that these were her memories of them, but it was better for her if she didn’t know the deep, emotionally attached and protective feelings he had for her. Better for him too.
    They kept close to the building, ducking under Marc and Violet’s suites like professional criminals who had already scoped out the layout.
    Anya used her key card to get them back inside the foyer of the living quarters.
    Quinn moved in first. In charge of being on the lookout, he glanced to the right down the empty corridor that led to the resort. It was a long glass hallway which provided no privacy, but was hidden from the rest of the resort. Then he looked left, where the glass doors led to the pool room.
    Clear and clear.
    He moved and nodded for Anya to pass.
    At the door, he noticed her pause a