Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 132834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
I nodded along. “Yes, definitely. Early to bed tonight.” A good night’s sleep was exactly what I needed to clear my mind.
The second dinner was over, I jumped up to clear the plates, going stiff as Finn came up behind me at the sink, his tall, broad frame engulfing me with heat. “We need to talk. After you put Nicky to bed.” Out of sight of anyone else, his lips grazed the sensitive skin just below my earlobe, and I shivered, giving a stiff nod.
I put Nicky to bed, still distracted, giving more absent nods as he chattered away. I guided him from teeth brushing, to pajamas, to a back rub until his eyes finally closed. As soon as I was sure he was out, I changed from my uniform dress into an old slouchy sweatshirt and equally old slouchy sweatpants, just to make a point. We were going to have an adult conversation about adult business. I was not going to seduce him, and the sweats should preclude any chance of me being easily seduced.
The absurdity of that hit me as I headed down the hall to the kitchen. Like ugly sweats would stop Finn if he wanted to get his hands under them. More importantly, I was kidding myself if I thought I’d stop him if he made a move.
Heart pounding at the confrontation to come, I found Finn sitting at the kitchen table, a cup of tea in front of him, a magazine open on the table beside the tea. I spotted a photograph of what looked like a quiche beside tiny print. A recipe. Of course.
“Hey.” Finn stood, sliding back his chair silently and crossing the kitchen to meet me. His voice low, eyes intent, he said, “We didn’t use a condom.”
Ice slid through me for the briefest second. We hadn’t used protection. How was that not the first thing I thought of after it was over? What the hell was wrong with me? I mean, it had been the best sex of my life. My head was spun. But still, I never forgot things that important. Never. I was distracted by the upcoming move, and I hadn’t been planning to have sex at all, but still. That was no excuse.
Then, the ice slid away as quickly as it had come. “It’s okay,” I assured Finn. “I have an IUD. I got it after Nicky was born, and the doctor checks it every year. Also,” I shifted, suddenly uncomfortable. “I, uh, I was tested for other stuff a while ago, and I— There hasn’t been anyone since.” I forced myself to finish, awkwardness tangling my tongue.
“Okay, good,” Finn said, running a hand through his dark hair. “That’s one less thing to worry about. I made an appointment to get tested tomorrow. I’m always careful, but it’s been a while since I was tested, so I’d rather make sure you don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Oh, um, thanks, that’s very—” Words ran through my head. Mature. Adult. Responsible. Thoughtful.
In that moment, I had to admit to myself that the man standing in front of me was not the Finn I’d grown up with. This Finn was an adult. He was mature and responsible. We stood there in the dark, staring at each other, wary and calculating.
Finn finally broke the silence. “Look, I’m sorry for what I said after. It didn’t come out the way I meant it.”
“How did you mean it?” I asked, cautious. He hadn’t hurt my feelings exactly, but I hadn’t loved what he’d said. It left me feeling like I was something to check off his to-do list. Finally fuck Savannah Miles. Check.
His eyes slid away, then flashed back to hold mine, something hot and intent simmering in their depths. “What I meant was I’ve been dreaming of that for the better part of my life. And when it finally happened, it was better than anything I’d ever imagined. And believe me, I have a pretty vivid imagination. What I should have said is, Thank you. That was fucking awesome. Can we please do it again?”
“Right now?” I squeaked out, eyes circling the room to make sure we were alone. Relief spiraled through me, my thoughts tumbling through my head. I didn’t want to be relieved. I wanted to be pissed off. Were we going to have sex right now? Here? Could we? My previous protestations disappeared, and I couldn’t remember a single reason we shouldn’t do it again.
He laughed, a low chuckle that had my body at a simmer in a flash. Cupping the side of my jaw with one hand, he dipped his lips and grazed them across mine. “Not right now. You just said it’s been a while for you, and you have a big day tomorrow. I don’t want you to be sore.”