"They are." She smiled up at him. "I was very lucky that way. What about yours?"
He didn't mind answering these types of questions, he could give surface answers without digging too deep. "You know I have four sisters. My parents are divorced but still friends."
She traced the tattoos on his forearm, the one that was drawing circles on her. His arm stilled as she traced the shield, the Celtic knot inside of it. Strength, warrior. He was supposed to be both, and failed at them.
"You're not allowed to frown after you've had sex with me. That could be very damaging to my ego." She leaned up and kissed him.
When she pulled back, he was smiling. Her kiss had shoved the thoughts right out of his mind.
"I wouldn't want to dent your inflated ego." He dodged the punch that came at his arm, rolled on top of her, pinning her hands above her head. "Maybe I should pay special attention to you." He watched her breath catch as he used a hand to brush against her nipple. Already he wanted her again with a desperation that scared him.
§§
The next morning he woke in his own bed, alone. Would Addie's feelings be hurt that he hadn't stayed the night with her? He'd come a little way, able to actually enjoy himself, but he wasn't ready to sleep with someone next to him.
He scrubbed a hand over his face and sat up. Golden light filtered through the curtains, so he knew it was after dawn. Then it hit him. No nightmares haunted him last night. No screams, no blood, no death. Isaac's ghost had been silent.
Maybe he really should go to therapy. Just the thought of going made him want to build up walls like the Great Wall of China, but he forced himself to actually consider that it might help him.
What was she doing to him? He was already rethinking things he'd been dead-set against for a long time.
Voices drifted up the stairs, and he listened for hers. She was talking with Gemma and Sasha, and he could hear some type of cartoon on the TV. He dressed quickly, pulling on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, brushed his teeth and headed downstairs.
Addie glanced up when he entered the room and smiled. He took that as a good sign that she wasn't angry with him. He caught the look Gemma sent him when she noticed Addie's smile, but ignored it. His gaze swung back to Addie, who was making him a cup of coffee.
"Thanks," he said. Awkwardness began to settle over him, he didn't know what to do. Did he lean down and kiss her? Did she want to keep their night a secret? Women were too damn confusing.
"You've got that frown again." Addie watched him and he wondered if she could see right through him.
Sasha rescued him from just standing there and staring by saying, "There's scrambled eggs and bacon in the microwave. Carter and Zach went out for a run, so some of it's theirs."
Finn nodded and grabbed a paper plate off the counter. After getting some of the food, he took a seat at the table. Addie slid into the chair next to him and sipped out of her mug. Gemma and Sasha sat too, and he listened to the feminine conversation that floated around him. He was used to it.
"We can head down to the beach when the guys get back. Trent's wanting to swim in the ocean, try to wakeboard. We can pack some snacks and drinks, that way we won't have to keep coming up to the house for those," Sasha told them.
"I love the beach." Addie smiled over at Finn. "Don't you?"
He shrugged and she quirked a brow. Why did he feel so awkward right now? She didn't act like it was a big deal that they slept together. In fact, she acted like it hadn't affected her at all when it had seared into his memories. That hit his ego hard, knocked it down to its knees.
"Addie, let's go get our bikinis on." Gemma stood and nodded toward the stairs. "I need your opinion on which one to wear for the first time Carter sees me in one."
"He's already seen you naked, what's the difference?" Addie asked.
Gemma blushed and Sasha laughed, then said, "Don't be embarrassed. It's not like I have delusions that you two are in that room and not doing anything. This isn't the fifties."
Gemma shook her head, smiling a little. "Addie, I swear."
Finn watched them head to the stairs, wondering if Addie knew that it was different to see women in bikinis, the promise of what was under them an intriguing puzzle even if you'd seen them naked before. He was looking forward to seeing what she looked like in hers.
Chapter Seventeen
Addie
The sun shone brightly, the perfect day for sun bathing and enjoying the company around her. Sasha and Gemma were lying beside her on the large blanket they'd carried down and the guys were in an impromptu game of football. Every once in a while she'd lift her head to catch a glimpse of Finn in his swim shorts, bare chested, throwing the ball.
Just the sight of him heated her skin. She hoped that her hard nipples weren't visible in her bikini top. Trent noticing would be more than a little embarrassing. Hot air brushed over her already hot skin, and she reached for her water bottle.
"You were staring again." Gemma opened one eye as she said it. She was lying on her stomach, arms folded and her head resting on them. The white bikini with gold polka dots they'd finally picked looked great on her.
"Shut up." Addie grinned over at her as she sipped the cold water. "I slept with him last night."
"You shut up." Now both of Gemma's eyes were open. She sat up a little. "No, don't shut up. Spill details."
Addie glanced over to make sure Trent was out of earshot. "It was amazing."
"He looks like it would be," Sasha put in. "I'm happily married and I noticed his hotness."
Addie grinned. "He's even hotter naked."
Gemma and Sasha stared at her and she knew they wanted more details. "He looks like he'd be rough, right? And that's what I expected, and then he goes and surprises me by being gentle and so," she searched for the right word, "romantic."
"Romantic?" Gemma propped herself up on an elbow. "You've never considered sex romantic."
Addie shrugged. "I know. It was different with him."
"Damn it. Are you in love with him?" Gemma asked.
"No." Addie laughed, but it was weak. Thinking about falling for someone caused her heart to misfire. "No, I was just saying."
Sasha and Gemma shared a look, but Addie pretended to ignore it. She leaned back and slid her sunglasses on, effectively cutting off the conversation. Now the moment was ruined, not by them, but by the questions in her mind. She couldn’t be in love, she'd sworn it would never happen. Not after watching her sisters' marriages crumble.
Sasha and Gemma talked over her, light conversation, and Addie listened. A little while later she flipped over on her stomach and watched the guys, who'd now moved to the water. Zach was standing next to Trent, who was trying to surf the small waves on the wakeboard. No matter how many times he fell, he didn't give up, and Zach didn't tire of the game.
Finn and Carter helped too, and her heart melted at that. They were both just as patient with Zach and it awakened something in her she didn't want to face. She pushed it down and dropped her head onto her forearms. Sweat trickled down her back and between her breasts, the sun still steadily beaming down. She didn't mind, though, knew it was going to be this hot.
They went inside for a late lunch of sandwiches and chips, then started showering. Addie went to the upstairs bathroom and quickly bathed so that the others could get clean, and went to her room wrapped in a towel. She shut her door behind her.
A hand reached over her shoulder, then spun her around. Her hands clutched the towel, but she was prepared to beat ass if she needed to. She relaxed for a second when Finn's green eyes met hers. "Hey."
He didn't say anything. His eyes dipped down and she swore she felt the caress of the gaze on her breasts above the towel. With one hand he brushed hers aside and opened the towel. Addie was trapped in his gaze, and her breathing turned ragged. His other hand dove into her hair and he crushed his mouth to hers. She responded instantly, not realizing until that moment how bad she wanted this. Having him close, him touching her.
T
he towel dropped to the floor and she didn't care that she was naked or that the wood of the door was cold on her back. He was hot enough to make up for it. When he pulled away, she frowned.
"Do you know how hard it was to not drag you up here all day?" Finn pushed his shorts down and she saw he was already hard, his erection jutting up between them. The iron hard velvet skin pulsed against her stomach. He kissed her again, pressing her against him. He broke free of the kiss long enough to tell her to wrap a leg around his waist. "Fuck, you're already wet."
His words made her moan into his mouth. His cock pressed against that wetness and she whimpered. For not knowing that she wanted this, she was suddenly an addict. Her head leaned back, exposing her neck, as he slid inside her. This time his movements spoke of desperation that she also felt. He held her hips a bit away from the door so that his thrusts didn't push her into it.
Her hands went into his hair, holding on as he moved inside of her. There was no gentle Finn this time, this was more of what she'd expected, and it took everything she had to not cry out. She bit her lip, laid her head on his shoulder to muffle part of the cries she couldn't hold in. The house around her disappeared, he was all she saw. All she felt around her.
When his lips touched her neck and his tongue darted out, she shattered, tightening around his cock. He swore in a desperate whisper before he followed her, thrusting a few more times.
Addie held onto him, knowing that if she let him go, she'd become a puddle on the floor. He kissed her neck tenderly before sighing.
"I couldn't stand it anymore."
That was all he said, but the emotion behind it brought hot tears to her eyes. She wasn't a crier, never had been, but something in his voice sparked her own emotions. She bit down on her lip to stop the tears, then leaned back and looked at him. "It's okay, I was hoping last night wasn't an isolated event."
His crooked smile had her smiling in return. "You are addicting, Addie."
"I know." She winked at him. "Can you help me to the bed? I don't think I can walk right now." She giggled when he put her over his shoulder in traditional fireman style and dumped her on the bed. "Thanks."
He scooped up the towel by the door and passed it to her. She couldn't help but notice that this time the smile stayed on his face. It caused a weird sort of warmth in her chest, but she ignored it. No sense in getting freaked out over their weekend fling. "I need to shower before all the hot water is gone. Do you mind if I come back?"
"Did I mind a few minutes ago?"
"No." He bent down and pressed his lips to hers in a quick kiss before leaving the room.
"Damn it." Addie spoke to the empty room. She rubbed the spot in her chest where the warmth spread. "I don't need this complication. Sex is sex, not a relationship."
§§
The end of the weekend came too fast and Addie was actually sad to leave the beach house. She watched the trees and buildings speed by as they drove back, and she couldn't help but wonder what returning to Sanctuary Bay would do to the fragile bond between her and Finn. Was she ready to just brush this off as a weekend fling or did she want to admit that she wanted something more?
Gemma kept sending her surreptitious glances and Addie knew that not only would she have to explain what happened to her, but to her sisters. They would want to know.
Autumn and Carter ended up not making it due to a huge fight and Addie reminded herself to call Autumn when she got home. Autumn had a fiery personality to go along with her red hair, and she didn't take shit from anyone, especially guys. There was no telling what had sparked the fight and she wanted to find that out.
Her entire body hummed with need. Finn was in the backseat with her, by the driver's side door, but his large body had his knee brushing hers. Each time it happened, her breath caught in her chest. He seemed oblivious to her addiction, staring out the window, tapping his fingers on his thigh.
The music swam around them in the car, a beat pounding out of the speakers. She forced herself to stay put, she couldn't pounce on him in the car. Did he even want her to?
Cursing silently in her mind, she sighed. Within days he had her back in high school, wondering if he "liked her or not" and she didn't particularly enjoy it. Normally she had the upper hand, deciding whether or not she wanted to keep seeing a guy, and she usually decided not to. Those men had bored her, always the same, never surprising her.
Maybe it would be a good thing if they didn't see each other again. At the thought, her traitorous body cringed. To keep seeing a guy opened up the possibility of the relationship developing into more, and she didn't want that. She wasn't even sure why she'd suddenly decided that she wanted to have sex with him, there'd been something in his eyes, that haunting look, that had made the decision for her. He'd needed her, and without knowing it, she'd needed him.
Fuck, she was screwed.
Chapter Eighteen
Finn
Walking into his sisters' house, he called out for Kelsey or Jenna. When Jenna answered, he hoped that she wasn't still mad at him. He hated the way she lived her life, but he still loved her, and didn’t like it when she was angry with him.
He entered the kitchen to see her and a guy sitting at the table. The guy was in a suit, minus the jacket, top button undone. He was blonde, with manicured hands, and a sleazy grin. Finn guessed this was the famous cheating husband that supposedly loved Jenna.
"Finn." Jenna squealed and got up to hug him. His arms went around her, all the while he watched the guy. Jenna pulled back and smiled at him. "I want you to meet Trevor."
Finn looked at the guy, didn't move to shake his hand when Trevor held his out. Trevor dropped his hand slowly, a fake smile spreading across his face. Finn hated men like this with a fierceness. They were slick liars who cheated on women.
Jenna smacked Finn's arm. "Is that any way to treat my fiancé?"
Jesus Christ, her fiancé? Finn frowned and finally noticed the diamond sparkling on her finger. His stomach churned. Didn't she realize this man was playing her? Even if he married her, it didn't mean he was going to be faithful. "Fiancé?"
Jenna nodded and clapped her hands together. "Isn't it amazing? We're going for a winter wedding, all snow and fairy tale lights. Right, baby?" She slid onto his lap.
Trevor smiled, showing too much teeth that reminded Finn of a shark. He ignored the smile and shoved his hands in his pockets. What the fuck? "Does Kelsey know?"
"I haven't had a chance to tell her yet. She's still at work." Jenna sighed and glanced back up at Finn. "Are you going to stay for dinner? Trevor's going to cook steaks."
No way in hell was he staying to watch this fiasco. "I just got back. I need to go by the station and check on things there." Finn backed out of the kitchen and reached for his phone. He was going to give Kelsey a heads up about Jenna. Once inside the car, he looked at the cell's display. He had a text from an unknown number.
UN: Miss me, Finn? Things are heating up, try not to get burned tonight.
What the fuck? Finn stared at the phone for a minute more. Maybe it was time to talk to the chief, find out what was going on. This was bordering on stalk-ish behavior.
When he pulled up to the station, Caleb was pushing a lawn mower over the grass and a few of the other guys were weed-eating and picking up sticks. "Need any help?" Finn called out to Caleb.
Caleb stopped the lawn mower and wiped his forehead with his arm. "Nah. We're almost finished."
There was an edge to his voice, and Finn guessed it was from the fight with Autumn. He'd heard Gemma and Addie discussing it in the car on the way back, when he wasn't completely consumed with keeping his hands off of Addie.
Caleb went back to mowing, muttering under his breath, as Finn walked inside the garage bay. The fire trucks shone in the lights so Finn knew someone had already washed them. Must've been one of the rookies.
Chief waved. "Want to take a shift tonight? Aaron has some stomach bug and I don't want him spreading it around."
"Sure
." Finn didn't really have anywhere else to be. He definitely didn't want to go to his sisters' house.
"Great." Chief nodded toward the sink of dishes. "That was his job. I've got some paperwork to finish that’s due tonight." He disappeared back into his office.
Finn would have to talk to him later. He shook his head, but smiled, and walked to the sink. People thought fighting fires was glamorous and fun, but didn't realize they did so much more than that. Paperwork, marketing, helping in the community. Many of the bigger cities did things differently, not getting cats out of trees kind of thing, but in a town this small, you couldn't really tell the citizens no.
When he finished putting the dishes in the dishwasher, he turned it on. Caleb and the others were finished in the yard and showering up, so he figured he'd cook some spaghetti for all of them. Carter was still technically on vacation, and Nate and Noah were off tonight, and he realized he missed their crude jokes and humor.
Sleeping with Addie had made him a little girl, hadn't it? Finn browned the meat and tried to keep his mind off of Addie. He'd heard she was a one-night stand, or weekend, girl so he didn't have high hopes that the experience would repeat itself.
The fire siren blared out of the speakers, and Finn jumped. He'd been so deep in thought. He quickly recovered, turned the stove off, ran to get his gear on. Caleb flew by him, still dripping wet from the shower. Everyone threw their gear on and hopped into the truck. Chief sat in the driver's seat.
"It's the community center. There may be volunteers stuck inside, we're not sure how many. The center's normally closed on Sunday afternoons, and the volunteers clean and get stuff ready." Chief filled them in.
The sun was setting in the distance. Finn could see the reddish orange glow of firelight and black smoke rising against the horizon. Adrenaline flooded through his veins, and he felt alive, the numbness that sometimes haunted him evaporated like the smoke from the fire.
Taking the Heat Page 9
