“Holy Shit! You were in a sting?” Reese bounces. “What happened with that?”
Ember looks at me with a funny face. I roll my eyes and shrug.
“It turns out the drug dealer became fond of me. My name was easily cleared, and I went home. For weeks, I thought I’d lost Robbie, but it all worked out. That same drug dealer paid for my honeymoon.”
“WHAT?” I screech, bolting up from my lounging position. “That’s priceless.”
“Was he hot?” Reese asks shamelessly.
“Yes, but we can’t ever mention it. Robbie’s a little sensitive when it comes to Dane.”
“Ember.” Finn’s sharp voice booms through the room, startling us all. “Robbie’s ten feet behind me. I suggest you shut up.”
He gives me a look that lights a fire inside, raising an eyebrow expectantly. I place my wine on the table and go to him.
“Hey, sweetie.” I lift on my tiptoes and kiss him gently. “Missed you today.”
His arms circle my waist and tug me as close as possible. “Missed you, too.” He leans in to suck on my bottom lip, not caring we have an audience.
There’s a loud throat clearing behind us, and I look over his shoulder at Tripp and Robbie. “Hey, guys! Come on in.”
I give them both a quick hug and take the food out of their hands and into the kitchen. Reese joins me to help get the plates as Ember opens another bottle of wine.
Finn helps me arrange my living room so we can all sit together, and I listen as Ember tells Robbie she’s joining my gym for kickboxing a few days a week. He questions her schedule, and when she says we’ll all be moving to evening classes so we can go together, his eyes turn to Finn.
It’s almost imperceptible, but I catch the non-verbal chin jerk.
“I think it’s a great idea, babe,” Robbie tells her.
She winks at me as Reese starts to quietly cough, hiding her amusement. We don’t mention a man teaches the evening classes.
Reese helps change the subject by telling us about a new project at work involving an endless search for the next ‘urban chic’ dress to fill boutiques. Robbie, Tripp, and Finn all snap their heads to Ember. She starts shaking her head violently.
“Am I missing something?” Reese looks lost.
“My wife is an incredible clothing designer.”
“No, no, no,” Ember chants.
“She’s too humble to tell you, but she’s sought after.” Robbie ignores her protest.
“True story, my mom begs for her designs for most functions,” Finn agrees.
“What? How did I not know this?” Reese huffs.
“Because I do small time things and commissioned work for close family and friends,” Ember shoots back, giving Robbie and Finn the evil eye.
Tripp shoves his phone in Reese’s face, and I lean in to see one of the most incredibly stunning wedding gowns I’ve ever seen in my life. Ember is smiling at Robbie, with the rest of the guys around them in tuxes. My eyes zone into Finn, and I lose my breath. He’s the most handsome man in the group. His blue eyes sparkle bright as he looks at the camera with his hands on his hips like a model.
I lick my lips and steal a glance to see him eyeing me with a sly grin.
“Hot,” I mouth, and he closes his eyes, shaking his head.
“As you can clearly see, I’m the best looking stud in this group of wannabes, but let’s focus on Ember,” Tripp tells us seriously, getting a punch from Robbie.
“This is possibly the most classic and beautifully designed dress for you I could ever imagine. You are exquisite,” Reese breathes out. “This is all you?”
“I did the design but had a lot of help from trusted dressmakers,” Ember explains. “It was a one-time thing. I always wanted to design my own wedding dress.”
“I can understand why. You are exceptionally talented,” Reese compliments her.
“Babe, invite her to the shop tomorrow to see your portfolio. It can’t hurt,” Robbie insists.
“You have a portfolio?” Reese squeals, taking the phone and blowing up the wedding photo.
“I have a few sketches. Nothing special.” Ember starts to blush. “Robbie needs to keep his mouth shut.”
“No, babe. We’ve been talking about this. When the baby comes, you need something to do that allows you to still work and makes you happy.”
It’s my turn to be shocked. “Baby?” I question, eyeing her glass of wine.
Finn and Tripp start laughing, while Robbie looks extremely proud of himself.
Ember, on the other hand, is now bright red and her face is twisted. “I’m not pregnant! We have Blade now, so we can wait a bit for a baby!” She gulps down the rest of her wine to prove a point.
Robbie moves quickly, pulling her into his lap and pinning her against him. “We’ll talk about it when we get home.”
She now starts to sputter, trying to wiggle away. It’s my turn to giggle, seeing him clearly enjoying her protests.
I’m pulled down on the ground and covered with Finn’s body as he rolls us. “What’s so funny?” He tickles my sides.
“Stop!” I plead.
He relents, but his eyes turn heated when he sees my shirt has lifted, exposing my stomach and sports bra. A seductive smile spreads across his face as he licks his lips. The air between us buzzes with sexual energy, but no one seems to notice as they carry on their conversation.
Finn and I are lost in each other’s stare, having an entirely different conversation without words. The familiar fire that only he can ignite starts low in my stomach and prickles every inch of my skin.
We communicate without words. Time to clear these people out of my house.
I fluff my hair and take one last look in the mirror. The green satin nightgown clings to my body, showcasing every curve. I silently thank Reese for making me buy this a few weeks ago. Usually, sexy lingerie and nightwear would be a luxury I wouldn’t splurge on, but being with Finn has changed my mind. Men in my past could take it or leave it if I was in a cotton pajama set or the finest silk, so any purchase would be wasted effort.
However, Finn makes me feel sexy in anything and in nothing, which makes it totally worth the effort.
I open the door to the bedroom and squeak when I run into a wall of muscle. Finn’s leaning against the doorframe casually.
He gives a little ‘humpft’ before his arms circle my waist and catch me.
“What are you doing?”
“Waiting for you.” He steps back and slowly gazes down my body and back up, locking eyes with me. “Perfect. Every inch of you is flawless.”
I break the stare and drop my eyes to his chest, feeling the same about him.
“Trust me?” he asks, bringing my hands to his lips and kissing along my fingertips.
“Always.”
“Close your eyes, and don’t open them until I say.”
I do as he says and let him lead me to the edge of the bed. He urges me down, arranging my legs crisscrossed. A few seconds later, he crawls in and encases me with his own legs, scooting me until my back is flush with his chest.
“Do you know how much I love you? That I’d do anything for you?” His lips move across my neck, leaving goose bumps in their trail.
“Yes,” I say in a throaty whisper.
“Will you do something for me?”
“Anything.”
“Play for me.”
“What?” I’m confused.
“Open your eyes.”
I open them slowly and see my violin on the bed beside us. He lays his chin on my shoulder and skims his fingertips down my arms until they link with my own.
“Play for me.”
“What do you want me to play?”
“Anything you want.”
I think of the simplest songs I learned years ago and pick up the violin, positioning it on my shoulder. He gives me some space and grips my legs when the melody starts to float through the room.
It doesn’t take long before I understand his intentions as his hands slip up my thighs, taking the silk material with them. Somehow, he manages to slide it from underneath me and pool it around my waist. One of his hands goes up while the other goes down.
He cups my breast and runs his thumb across my nipple. My hands start to tremble, and the music skips off key.
“Relax.”
“It’s hard to concentrate.”
“Try.”
I close my eyes and force myself to think about the music. He moves a finger to my clit and grazes over it lightly before sliding down and slipping directly inside me. I moan and throw my head back, flexing my hips into his hands. He starts to kiss along the back of my neck, whispering words I can’t hear. The movement of his soft lips against my skin starts to unravel any self-control I’m holding on to.
I go through the movements, but the music turns shaky as I lose focus. My hips buck and my back arches, the explosion boiling to the surface.
The song is finally over, but when I shift the violin, he stops all movement.
“Play one more.” His breath tickles my ear.
“I don’t think I can.”
“Turn around.”
He helps me twist my body to face his and places me on his lap. Somewhere in the shift, he removed his pants, and his thick erection lies against his stomach, taunting me. I lightly scrape my nails from root to tip then start to stroke it firmly until Finn hisses and covers my hand with his own.
“I need you.” He angles my hips, teasing me with the tip.
“Oh, God.”
“You want this? Me inside as far as I can go, feeling every inch of you against me as my head, heart, and cock all beg for you?”
“Yes,” I practically plead.
“Play me some more.”
“Why?” I moan when he surges inside then withdraws. “Stop torturing me!” I cry out.
“Why? Because the last memory I have of you playing this violin was a song that tore my heart out. I need to replace that image with one of you playing while in my arms.”
Tears prick the back of my eyes. “Sweetie—”
He places a finger to my lips and glides all the way in. “Now, for the rest of my life, I want to think of you looking like a goddess, your hair flowing over your shoulders, sitting on top of me, as I make love to you with the music.”
I inhale deeply and place the violin back to my shoulder, choosing a song that hopefully will express my feelings. The opening chords of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ float in the air, and his entire demeanor changes.
He sits up, driving deeper into me, and lays the instrument on the ground. His arms rip the silk gown over my head, and our mouths collide in a passionate kiss as our bodies rock together. He grips my hipbones, increasing his pace, both of us chasing our climax. We pant as the intensity rises, and I throw my head back with little cries escaping my throat. He bites down on one nipple then sucks it hard into his mouth, swirling his tongue over the sting.
The intensity of it all shoots a fiery hot desire throughout my body, and I shatter, chanting incoherently. He falls back, taking me with him, and squeezes my ass flush against him as he comes, calling out my name.
He maneuvers the sheet and comforter over us, keeping our connection, and lays a sweet kiss on my forehead.
When my mind clears, I know one thing for certain. Finn has destroyed me for life.
Chapter 21
Finn
Presley: Baby blue lace, the closest I could find to resemble the color of your eyes… use your imagination.
I groan and fling my head against the headrest, sending a telepathic message to my dick to stay calm.
Robbie gives me a questioning glance and smirks when he sees me gripping my phone.
“You’ve got it bad.”
“Not denying it,” I confirm and try to push the image of Presley in baby blue lace lingerie out of my head. It doesn’t work. Now, all I can think about is taking the time to appreciate the view before ripping it off her.
“Gotta say, man, couldn’t be happier for you. She’s the real deal.”
“Again, not denying it.”
“So the thoughts of moving away are finally gone?”
“Yep, unless she’s with me.”
“You thinking of making it official?”
“First chance I get. Our lease is up in October. Tripp is fine to take over rent on his own or find a place by himself. I’m going to talk to her about getting a place together.”
He stays quiet, too quiet.
“What?”
“I hesitate to say this, but she’s got a lot of responsibility. Is moving in together the right move without thinking about more of a future?”
“We really doing this? Talking about this shit?”
“Oh yeah, we have some time left on the road. I’ve put up with your sullen ass for five days. And let’s not forget my wife will want answers when I get home. She adores Presley. There will be a lot of questions, and I figure I can use them to my advantage.” He wiggles his eyebrows with a grin.
“You’re a dick. But, if you must know, the future is all I think about with her. Last weekend at brunch, it was like our parents were already family. Mom is in love with her and Winnie. Jeff, Johnny, Dad, and I were outsiders to that threesome. Mom even went school shopping with the girls. You’d have thought Jeff had hit the jackpot. He gave Presley his credit card and cracked open a beer.”
“Seems like a cool guy.”
“He’s a scary motherfucker. The second they were out the door, he gave me a look that sent me back ten years to the day we arrived at boot camp. Drills in the sandpit came to mind.”
“No shit?”
“No shit. He didn’t say a thing, just questioned me with his eyes.”
“What happened?”
“I promised him I was in this for the long haul and Presley was my life. Told him I wasn’t going anywhere. He and Johnny both seemed satisfied, but not without threats to my life and my manhood. Dad got a kick out of the whole thing.”
“Wish I could have been there. At least Thad was in prison when he met me. Not much he could threaten.”
“Well, they seemed to soften a little when I showed them the latest GPS tracker with two receptors that they could also download the app to their phones and tablets.”
“Same ones we put on Governor DeSantis’ kids?”
“Yep. Winnie will have one in her backpack and in her earrings.”
“A little overboard, are we?” He chuckles in amusement.
“Laugh all you want, but we can never be too careful. Winnie won’t be in danger, but I believe in precautions. Predators hang around schools.”
“Sick fucks. When we have kids, I’m doing a full check on every family in their class.”
It’s my turn to laugh, because he’s completely serious. After Dane got to Ember so easily last year, he’s taken his protective streak to the extreme. Ember finally put him in check when he asked for each week’s appointments at the shop to run background checks. I don’t even want to know what she threatened, but he backed off reluctantly.
“So…” He hesitates and grips the wheel a little tighter. I know immediately what’s coming. “Raven called.”
“She called me, too,” I admit. “I haven’t called back.”
“You going to?”
“You asking as her brother? Or my best friend?”
“That’s not fair, Finn. She’s your family, too.”
I sigh and think about how to handle this. Robbie has never pushed me. Even worried and concerned, he’s always been careful, not crossing a line.
“Robbie, I told you when she married Declan, she was where she belonged. I was content and happy. Life was good. Meeting Presley knocked me on my fucking ass. I don’t have to explain it to you, because you know.”
He nods in understanding.
“So you also know, w
hen she was hurt, I felt it all the way to my bones. For the few days she ignored me, I watched the damn phone like a junkie needing a fix. Even with the trace on her phone, knowing where she was, I had to think of what I’d say to convince her she was the one.
“I may have said it, but I’ve never fully explained to you. She’s the strongest woman I know. She gave up so much for everyone else and never looked back. I knew I needed to prove she was loved and worshipped. Raven hurt her, and in turn, that hurt me. Not to mention, Raven decided to form opinions without asking me first. Those opinions were indirectly a reflection of my judgment.”
“I get it.”
“Not even close, because when Ember’s sister showed up and crushed Ember’s heart, you went into beast mode. I didn’t have that option because RJ is family. So yes, I will call her back, but I need to make sure Presley is ready to make things right. It’s important to me.”
“Jesus, I wanted to kill that night. Ember looked so broken, so defeated. I would have done anything to take away that pain.”
“Then you know where I’m coming from. Presley holds the cards. We need to give it some time.”
“Gotcha.” He looks like he wants to say more, but my phone rings.
“What’s up, Tripp?” I answer.
“Man, where are y’all?”
“Not far, why?”
His hysterical laughing sets my nerves on edge. There’s a woman’s voice in the background, and he covers the mouthpiece. I give Robbie a sideways glance, and he raises an eyebrow.
“What the fuck, Tripp? Are you drunk?”
“No! I am getting a good seat for the fireworks. Remember my intern?”
“Yes.”
“She has a friend who asked for a favor. He’s thinking about expanding his facility and wanted her to look for architectural reasons. I agreed to come along and help advise.”
“Good for you, man, but what the fuck does this have to do with me?”
“Apparently, it’s the same gym Presley comes to for kickboxing.”
The hair on the back of my neck stands up. “So?”
“Did you know he’s an MMA trainer? All the girls seem to like him an awful lot.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? Who’s ‘he’? She has a female instructor.”
Finn Page 18
