Under the Boardwalk

CHAPTER FOUR

Ariana paced the floor while watching the street from the bay window in her family home. She didn’t want Quinn coming here anymore than she wanted him watching every move she made. He made her nervous. Not to mention his kiss was so potent it ought to be illegal.

She lifted her fingers to her lips. They’d continued to tingle all last night and through this morning. The memory of his mouth on hers and his strong thighs between her legs kept her aroused. They’d been combustible together, Ariana thought. No man had ever made her want with such ferocious intensity. And the heat in his gaze when he broke the kiss told her he’d wanted her, too. Unfortunately, he had an iron will and his desire wasn’t quite as strong as his need to have her gone.

She was lucky he’d agreed to give her a job-a spur-of-the-moment idea on her part because she could think of no other way to return to the casino. Of course she intended to find Zoe, but there was more calling her back to Damon’s than the mystery surrounding her twin.

Her first night there had been enlightening. Despite the fact that she’d been uncomfortable in the tight clothes and the emboldened persona she’d adopted, Ariana had been given a glimpse of her twin’s more exciting life. From how men looked at her, to Quinn’s intense sexual reaction, Ariana had slowly discovered what it felt like to be bolder and untamed. And although she hadn’t expected it, she’d enjoyed the experience too much to just walk away. Especially since she’d found a way to get information as well as an understanding of all she’d missed out on in her past.

Demanding a job from Quinn had been a spontaneous idea born of necessity-even if it meant following Quinn’s rules.

She could have defied him and shown up at the casino, but he’d threatened to take her keys if she did. She believed him, which made no sense. How could she trust anything he said or did when his office was bugged, her sister was missing, and Quinn, who claimed to know the truth, wasn’t talking?

At least not yet. Ariana needed time to work on him some more. So she waited for him to arrive and instead of focusing on how she’d accomplish that task, she was bothered by a more nagging question. One instilled by her past. What would this enigmatic man think of her strange family, all of whom were holed up in the kitchen, huddled over floor plans, conspiring to… Lord only knew what.

The answer to that question hit on a deep, raw insecurity she’d lived with since childhood, when children-girls especially-were cruel. She’d sought her escape in college and then in Jeffrey, hoping that if he fell for her first, he’d accept her family later. She’d been wrong.

She thought she’d buried those memories when she moved away. Funny how quickly they came back now. The sight of a black truck pulling up to the curb cut off her thoughts. She ran for the door, intending to meet Quinn outside and avoid a family meeting completely.

“Ari, wait.” Her mother’s voice stopped her from leaving the house unseen.

Drat. “Can it wait? I’m on my way out now.”

Elena shook her head. “The family’s about to make a huge investment and we’d like you to approve. Besides, I want to know all about your trip to Damon’s. You were so busy on the phone all day, we had no time to talk.”

Ariana was too used to the Greek guilt to take her mother’s words to heart. Today Ariana had a genuine excuse, since she’d been busy arranging the leave of absence she’d already told Quinn she’d taken. She’d also had to explain her sudden disappearance to her friends and colleagues, all things she wasn’t ready to discuss with her mother.

Ariana glanced out the window. Quinn was on his way to the front door. “I promise I’ll look at the family’s plans in the morning, okay?” Though why they needed Ariana’s approval when they’d never had it before was beyond her.

Disappointment flickered in her mother’s eyes at the same time the doorbell rang.

“I’ve got to go. We’ll talk in the morning?” Ariana kissed her mother on the cheek.

“Of course we’ll talk in the morning.” Elena strode around her and grabbed the door handle, taking control. “But I want to meet your friend before you go.”

Ariana let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m over eighteen.”

But it was too late. Elena opened the door and came face-to-face with Quinn. “I remember you,” she said, a welcoming smile taking hold.

Quinn grinned right back. A warm greeting that, for Ariana, was devastating in its intensity. Heaven help her if he ever turned that warmth and happiness her way, and her stomach did a triple flip at the thought.

“And I remember you. How has Damon’s best dancer been?” Quinn asked Elena.

“You flatter me.” Her mother bought into his charm and actually blushed. “I’d be fine if it weren’t for Zoe’s situation. But you know that.”

Quinn winced, his discomfort over the mention of her missing sister obvious.

“Come in from the cold.” Grabbing Quinn’s hand, Elena pulled him inside.

Ariana glanced at her mother and, for the first time, realized that Elena wasn’t dressed as Morticia. Instead she wore black pants and a black turtleneck sweater. Relief washed over Ariana.

Her mother wagged a scolding finger her way. “Ari, you didn’t tell me you met Quinn. Shame on you.”

Unsure what to say, Ariana merely shrugged, and over Elena’s continued chatter about how she, Zoe, and Quinn knew one another, Ariana met Quinn’s gaze. His eyes appeared darker, his expression upset. Obviously he was uncomfortable with conversation that included talk of her sister.

Well, damn him, if he could ease her mother’s pain and chose not to, he should be uncomfortable. If Ariana had proof to back up his claim, she’d tell her mother that Zoe was alive herself.

“Come inside,” Elena said to Quinn, finally changing the subject.

Ariana shook her head. “We need to go or we’ll be late for our reservation,” she said pointedly. Her mom didn’t need to know she’d taken a job at Damon’s and have reason to worry about another daughter’s safety.

“We have a few minutes to catch up,” Quinn said.

Ariana shot him a dirty look.

“I always liked you,” Elena said to Quinn.

“The feeling’s mutual.” He clasped her hand, the genuineness in his gaze all too real.

He obviously liked her mother, which didn’t surprise her. With her warmth and effusive personality, everyone loved Elena. It was the family’s overall dynamic that Ariana wanted to avoid.

As if reading Ariana’s thoughts, her mother said, “Come meet the family.”

Ariana cringed, but nobody seemed to notice as Quinn allowed himself be led into the kitchen. Ariana followed behind them, the dread in her stomach reminiscent of the times she’d brought friends home. Their laughter and snide comments would linger in her heart and mind long after the girls had left. Not for Zoe, who seemed both oblivious to her family’s idiosyncracies and untouched by teen angst. She’d always envied her twin that ability.

The chatter got louder as they approached the kitchen. The family remained huddled around the table, looking at plans. Aunt Dee had a book open in front of her, but Ariana couldn’t see what she was reading.

Elena clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “I’d like you all to meet our guest. Everyone, this is Quinn, a friend of Ariana’s,” she said, pointedly omitting her own connection to Quinn. “Isn’t he gorgeous?”

Since she’d kissed that gorgeous face, Ariana was doubly mortified. She glanced at Quinn, who stood beside her, and realized he’d turned red in a full-blown blush. Ariana would take gratification where she could find it. At least she wasn’t alone in her embarrassment.

Quinn waved a general greeting and glanced around at the people in the kitchen. He’d obviously intruded on a family gathering, and an uncomfortable edge gnawed at his stomach. He glanced at Ari, who didn’t appear particularly thrilled either. His attention was divided between the people around him and the woman he’d kissed. He had spent long hours last night reliving that kiss and deciding how to deal with Ari. Around dawn, he’d decided that keeping her off balance and aggravated was his best plan. Anything to prevent her from getting too close-or him from wanting to get even closer.

Before turning his attention to meeting each person individually, he leaned closer to Ari and put his plan into action. “Miss me, babe?”

“Like a bad habit,” she muttered.

He grinned. “For a college professor, you’ve got a lot of spunk.”

Before she could reply, her family pushed her out of the way. They all gathered close, speaking to him at the same time. He couldn’t hear their names, which was fine since it wasn’t likely he’d remember even if they’d all been individually introduced.

Despite Zoe’s preparing him, Quinn was shook up now. Coming from foster homes where no one gave a damn who came or went, he found this huge conglomeration of interested faces was disconcerting. He glanced at Ariana for reassurance, but she’d been moved to the outside of the group, and damned if she didn’t look more uncomfortable than he felt.

Then again, she was the twin who’d hightailed it to Vermont and hadn’t looked back until now. Though a part of him could understand the need for space, a bigger part of him wondered why she didn’t value this family unit she was so lucky to have.

“Quinn.” A large, bald man stepped toward him. “Irish?” he asked.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Dad, leave him alone,” Ari said.

“That’s okay.” Quinn turned to the older man he’d met once or twice before at the casino when Elena was dancing there. “I’m honestly not sure. I don’t know much about my heritage.”

His mother had been the quintessential cliché, a drug addict whose bed had been a revolving door for men who paid for her services, which supported her habit. He supposed his father had been one of her paying clients, with no name, no forwarding address. His mother had OD’d one day, which came as no surprise to Quinn, considering the life she’d lived.

Ari’s father shook his head. “A damn shame, not knowing your roots. But lack of knowledge means there might just be Greek blood in you yet.” Hope and pride infused his tone. “What’s your last name?”

“Donovan.” At least that’s what his mother claimed on his birth certificate.

“Good to meet you, Quinn Donovan. I’m Nicholas. Ariana’s father. Welcome to my home.” He slapped Quinn on the back in a way that made him feel accepted, especially since the rest of the family looked on, nodding their approval.

All except Ariana, who shook her head and shuffled uncomfortably from foot to foot.

An unfamiliar lump of emotion welled in the back of his throat. “Thank you, sir.”

In reply, Nicholas pulled him into a bear hug. Another gesture so different from any Quinn knew well. Before he could become too complacent, he felt a tingle in the area of his back pocket, and a sense of disappointment pricked him deep inside, in his heart. Though he’d been forewarned of their tendencies, he still couldn’t believe they’d turn their tricks on an unsuspecting guest of their daughter’s.

Once Nicholas released him, Quinn stepped back and studied the family, wondering how to confront them. With a shrug, he opted for the direct approach. “Whoever took my wallet, I’d appreciate it if you’d give it back now.” Quinn held out his hand and waited.

Elena sighed. “I told you it was too soon, Nicky.”

A woman with her dark hair in long braids shrugged and said, “Back to the drawing board.”

But no one seemed as upset at being caught as they were by the fact that whoever’d done the deed still hadn’t perfected their technique.

“Well?” Quinn asked. “My wallet?”

Ari moaned. “Turn around, Quinn,” she said, her voice dull and resigned.

He turned and came face-to-face with a grinning monkey holding his leather billfold in its hand.

“I don’t know why they insist on saying men are descended from apes.” Uncle John, another man who’d crowded Quinn earlier, spoke up. “This one’s not the brightest bulb in the box.”

Quinn shook his head in disbelief. He’d had his pocket picked by a monkey that resembled Marcel on Friends. Quinn wondered if it was possible to arrest the animal or if Ari’s family had managed to pull the ultimate con. He wondered what they’d say if they knew he was a cop. And then he pondered what the hell he was doing analyzing so much when he was having such a damn good time watching these people in action.

He accepted the wallet and slipped it into his front jeans pocket. “Don’t try reaching in there,” he warned the smiling monkey.

“We really should go,” Ari said, her eagerness to leave almost palpable.

He wasn’t in any rush himself, but she was so mortified, he decided she deserved a break. “We do have to get going.”

“But Ari hasn’t seen our plans for the new family business yet,” Elena said.

“There’s always tomorrow, Mom.”

Her mother shook her head, all that long hair whipping around her. “I’m sure your sister thought the same thing and where is she now?”

Quinn shut his eyes. He didn’t know how much longer he could take lying to Ari’s entire family when he could so easily put them out of their misery. But then he’d jeopardize two years’ worth of carefully laid undercover work. He’d already been stupid enough to confide in Ari enough to ease her suspicions.

He reminded himself that his reasons for keeping silent were just. If he could hold out a little longer… He opened his eyes in time to see Ari hugging her mother tight.

“Tomorrow’s Friday,” Elena said. “I’m planning a big meal and I expect you here with the family. We’ll talk, fill you in on our project… it’ll be like old times.”

Ari nodded. “I’ll be here.”

Quinn, feeling like an outsider, took a step back toward the door. Then another, and another. He was used to being on his own, but being alone in a close-knit crowd reminded him too much of all he’d missed out on in life. Finally he reached the door.

“And Quinn, you be here at four, too,” Elena called out. “Living at the hotel, you could use a good home-cooked meal.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I have a business meeting.” He refused to accept their pity.

“So cancel it,” Nicholas ordered. “When Elena speaks, people listen. And when she cooks, they eat,” he added, laughing.

“You’d better listen or else Yiayia will put a spell on you,” Ari whispered, coming up beside him.

“Who?”

“That’s Greek for Grandma.”

“Can I take that as an indication you want me here, too?” he asked.

She shook her head, the newly cut strands swaying sassily around her cheeks. “I’m just looking out for my mother. She’s had more than her share of disappointment lately. For reasons I can’t seem to fathom, she likes you and wants you around.”

Her glossed lips glistened and his body tightened, yearning for another taste. “I think her daughter does, too.”

“Arrogant man.”

He chuckled, then turned to the family. “Thanks, Elena. I’ll be here. Nice meeting you all.” He followed Ari into the living room and back out the front door.

A stubborn woman with her own share of secret pain, a bizarre family of con artists, and a pickpocket monkey. And he thought his life had become routine.

• • •

Ariana awoke, stretched, and every muscle screamed in protest. If this morning was painful, last night had been no better. Her first shift at Damon’s had been a crash course in hell instigated by one angry coworker named Maria. Quinn had put the experienced cocktail waitress in charge of teaching Ariana the ropes, then left her under both Connor and Maria’s watch. It didn’t take long for Ariana to pick up the sexual undercurrents between the two of them and realize she was a point of contention between them. Connor’s constant flirting with Ariana didn’t help the other woman’s attitude, even if Ariana did suspect he was doing it on purpose, to aggravate Maria.

And speaking of aggravating, Quinn had made himself suspiciously scarce last night. Though Ariana should be grateful he wasn’t underfoot as he’d threatened, she’d found herself watching for him all evening and was disappointed he hadn’t shown up, except to drive her home. She suspected he’d tapped Connor as his eyes in the casino while Quinn himself made sure she didn’t snoop around before or after her shift.

Which left her with only one way to get information about her sister. She needed to make friends with Maria. Ariana had an idea or two about how to take care of the other woman’s sour opinion of Ariana, and it involved using Quinn. Quinn, who’d tried to maintain distance by not talking during the trip to and from the casino. Quinn, who’d walked her to the door, and whose hazel eyes had golden sparks as they’d stared into hers beneath the porch light.

He’d leaned forward, coming close. She’d seen the conflicting struggle going on in his mind, the desire to kiss her again as all-consuming for him as it was for her. He’d been about to give in. She knew it, and then the damn monkey had tapped on the window and waved, a big grin on his ugly face.

Aunt Dee had pulled him away, but the damage had been done. The moment had passed. Quinn had had time to think and regain control, while Ariana realized her family had been spying on them the entire time. Déjà vu all over again, she thought wryly.

Rolling to her side now, Ariana checked the clock on the nightstand, shocked to discover it was almost noon. She hadn’t slept so late since… well, since the last time she’d pulled cocktail waitress duty back in college. But she didn’t have all day to luxuriate, because some shopping was definitely in order. Though Damon’s had a uniform, she needed a comfortable pair of shoes or she’d never make it through her second shift.

The buzz coming from downstairs told her that her nosy family was already up and about. She wasn’t anywhere near ready to deal with them yet. She had no idea what they had planned, but she’d find out soon enough.

Ariana showered and slipped out the door before her mother could interrogate her about the trip to Damon’s, or worse, her daughter’s dealings with or feelings for Quinn.

• • •

So maybe she was a coward but Ariana stayed out all afternoon, coming home close enough to four o’clock that she didn’t have time to talk to anyone before Quinn’s arrival. After a quick change of clothes, she packed up her uniform in an overly large handbag, smoothed her black skirt, took a deep breath, and headed down the stairs to face the troops, only to find out someone had already let Quinn inside and led him to the kitchen.

Ariana joined them, watching as each family member welcomed Quinn as if he were an old friend, which he might well be, since he’d apparently worked with Zoe at the casino. Despite the warmth flowing through the room, Zoe’s absence was obvious to Ariana, not just physically, but in the forced way her family pushed themselves through their day.

As for Quinn, though he seemed wary about the family at first, he warmed up quickly, and it was obvious her relatives liked what they saw. So did Ariana. Faded denim molded over his behind, and his broad shoulders were covered by the same leather jacket he’d worn last night. His hair was just long enough to skim the collar and make her fingers itch to run through it. He was a man comfortable in his own skin, while in contrast, here she was in her parents’ house, uncomfortable in hers.

“Hi.” She spoke over the loud voices.

Quinn’s gaze met hers. Pleasure and happiness flickered in his normally dark gaze. It lasted a second, but long enough to fill her heart before her mother pulled her into her family’s midst. “Ariana, we have a surprise for you. Look at what we’ve got planned.”

Feeling off balance from Quinn’s reaction, she focused on the table where the plans she’d seen the other day had been unrolled again. “What is this?” she asked.

“A day spa,” Aunt Dee answered. Today Ariana’s aunt was wearing a brightly colored kimono. Unlike Elena, when Aunt Dee wasn’t in character as Wednesday Addams, she refused to wear the color black. Waving her hand toward the plans, Aunt Dee asked, “So, what do you think?”

Ariana thought she was in another dimension. “What do you all know about running a spa?”

“Nothing we can’t figure out from some good old-fashioned research. See?” Uncle John pulled a book from beneath Aunt Dee’s hands.

“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Self-Healing with Spas and Retreats,” Ariana read aloud. “Oh Lord.”

Quinn’s chuckle reverberated around the room but no one seemed to notice. They were too preoccupied to care about his reaction.

“What we don’t know, we’ll learn,” Elena said, joining in. “We’ll join the Day Spa Association. Did you know it’s located in Union City, New Jersey?”

Ariana assumed that was a rhetorical question, and said nothing.

Aunt Dee picked up where Elena left off. “We’ll research and decorate. Oh, and we’ll hire only appropriately credentialed employees, of course.”

“Like Spank here?” Ariana pointed to the monkey, who today wore a sundress.

Ariana hadn’t realized he was a she. And she reached for and kissed Ariana’s hand. Ariana tried to pull her fingers free, but the monkey held on tight.

Elena shook her head. “Be serious, Ari, will you?”

Ariana blinked at the absurdity and looked to Quinn for backup. Surely any sane man would be looking for an escape, and she’d be happy to give it to him.

But he was studying the plans with concerted interest. “This looks like a workable option,” he said, glancing up from the table.

A closer look told Ariana the plans were of this house, which sat on over two acres of unused property. Both the land and the building had been in the family for generations, though nobody knew how Ariana’s great-great-grandfather had acquired enough money to purchase it and Aunt Dee’s lot across the street.

Ariana suspected he’d won the land gambling, and nobody had ever disagreed with her notion. “You’re expanding?”

“Yes. We need to make sure we have enough room for clients,” her father said. “You really think it’ll work, Quinn?”

Hands in his back jeans pocket, Quinn squinted as he studied the papers. The most adorable creases formed at the corners of his eyes as he nodded slowly. “Assuming you get the appropriate paperwork and town approval, the addition will fit in nicely with the rest of the house. I think it’s a great idea.”

Nicholas nodded. His smile told Ariana in no uncertain terms that he was happy with Quinn. “The architect we hired already filed for permits.”

“Are you going legit?” Ariana asked and immediately winced.

“Way to impress your date, Ari,” Aunt Dee said under her breath.

“He’s not my date,” she hissed. Yet she wanted him to like her family as much as she expected him to leave screaming. She didn’t understand why she cared either way.

“Tell it to someone who believes you,” her aunt said in a voice filled with glee.

But Ariana was still thinking about and regretting her comment. After all, not everything the Costas family did was a con. The Addams Family show, for example. Now that was real. It was just the other 99 percent of their activities that Ariana worried over.

Quinn’s expression revealed nothing about his feelings. He probably thought Ariana had been kidding, since what people in their right minds operated a scam a day?

She glanced at her father, who also seemed unfazed by her comment. He was used to her expressing her emotions. It was the Greek in her, he always said.

And he continued after Aunt Dee hushed up. “Well, I’m certainly not going to spend our hard-earned money on something the cops can come in and close down. I want you and Zoe to have something meaningful from your parents. And I know Zoe will approve when she comes home.” He paused, emotion clogging his words. He glanced up at the ceiling and everyone grew silent.

Ariana knew they were thinking of Zoe. She was too. And more than ever, she prayed Quinn was an honorable man.

Nicholas cleared his throat. “This spa will give us a feeling of security-we won’t have to rely only on the show from year to year,” he said as he ran a hand over his bald head.

Ariana looked at him, surprised. She’d thought the show was doing well, but then, she didn’t live at home nor did she visit. How would she really know what was going on? she thought with a twist of guilt in her heart.

“With this layout, we can keep our family’s privacy. We wouldn’t want our personal moments exposed for public view, now would we?” Elena asked.

They had before, Ariana thought, immediately recalling the National Enquirer article from years past, but she decided not to mention that embarrassing time.

“Quinn, would you like a drink?” Elena switched from giving her opinion to playing hostess. “I mixed up a mango-and-papaya-smoothie. Of course, I added my Yiayia’s secret ingredient.”

Quinn raised an eyebrow, obviously unsure whether or not to accept. Ariana helped him out with a subtle shake no of her head. Though Yiayia still lived in Greece, like Elena, she didn’t cook.

“There’s no more,” Nicholas said, sparing Quinn from having to answer.

“That’s impossible.” Elena started for the refrigerator. “Just this morning there was an entire pitcherful.”

Nicholas sighed, then placed a hand on Quinn’s shoulder. “Never anger your woman, Quinn. That’s what my father told me, God rest his soul. But sometimes they just put you in a place where it can’t be helped. The drink tasted like crap, Elena. It wasn’t fit for a guest.”

She narrowed her gaze and started muttering in Greek.

Ariana knew the signs of a storm brewing, as did Aunt Dee, who buried her nose in the Idiot book while Uncle John began whistling quietly and gathered together the floor plans for the house.

Ariana had watched this scene play out many times since she was a child. “I can sleep on the couch if you need my bed, Dad.”

Quinn chuckled.

“Laugh now, but a Greek woman’s anger knows no bounds.” Nicholas imparted those words of wisdom, patted Quinn on the back, and then turned his attention to his wife, who’d folded her arms across her chest. “Aah, agape mou.”

He murmured the term of endearment but Elena wasn’t buying it and she slapped his hand. “Don’t try to sweet-talk me. What did you do with my drink? You didn’t pour it down the sink, did you?” She shook her head. “No, because that would be a waste when there are starving people in the world.” She pulled open the refrigerator door.

“It’s going to get worse before it gets better,” Nicholas said, warning Quinn.

“There’s none here,” Elena said.

Nicholas sighed. “I gave it to Spank,” he admitted.

“Oh, for the love of…” Elena trailed off. All traces of elegance gone in the face of her anger, she slammed the appliance door closed and stomped over to the monkey. “So tell me, did you like my drink? The secret ingredient is one my ancestors swore would restore youth and vitality. I plan to use it in some version at the spa.”

Spank bared her teeth in an ugly smile, then smacked her lips together and blew Elena a raspberry.

“She liked it,” Elena said, obviously feeling validated.

“Actually she felt much better after I gave her some Pepto,” Aunt Dee said.

“Traitor,” Elena muttered.

Aunt Dee waved away her sister’s words. “Kiss and make up,” she ordered, pushing Nicholas and Elena together.

From past experience, Ariana knew things could go one of two ways. Her mother would either turn and walk out, leaving her father on the couch for the night, or they’d retreat to the bedroom, everyone and everything else forgotten, and stay there for hours.

Personally, Ariana had never met a man whose company she wanted in her bed for all that long. In hindsight not even she and Jeffrey had shared the passion her parents still did, leaving her to wonder if she’d find it with any man.

Her gaze fell on Quinn and electricity crackled inside her.

At the same time, her father’s hand came around her mother’s back, pulling her close. He whispered in Elena’s ear, something only she could hear.

The next few seconds were critical, so Ariana held her breath and counted to three. Elena whirled around, but instead of storming out, she touched Nicholas’s hand. “If you’re serious, you can make it up to me. Come. Now.” She turned, head held high, and walked out of the kitchen and stormed up the stairs.

Nicholas grinned. “It’s the best part of fighting, is it not?” Then, not caring that they had an audience, or perhaps performing for them, Nicholas headed out the door, following in his wife’s footsteps.

Embarrassed as she always was at their display, Ariana turned around for sympathetic nods from Aunt Dee and Uncle John, but sometime during her parents’ show, they’d disappeared, leaving Ariana alone. With Quinn.

The one man she could see keeping in her bed for a long time to come.