All the Way

by Proby, Kristen

  “Here.” I unlock my phone and pass it to her. “Put your number in here so I can call you the minute she leaves.”

  She smiles again and does as I ask.

  “I should go,” she says. “If I don’t, I’ll throw myself at you again, and I limit that to once a day.”

  “I’ll remember that,” I reply with a laugh, and stand with her. Rather than walk through the house, she takes the stairs off my deck.

  “There’s a shortcut to my place down here,” she says with a wink. “Just in case you ever need it.”

  And with that, she’s gone, and I’m left sexually frustrated and counting down to when I can see her again.

  Two days. I haven’t seen London in two days, and it’s making me twitchy.

  So while my mom and Gabby make breakfast and fuss at each other, I decide to go for a run down the beach. I prefer to go much earlier in the morning when there are fewer people out, but this will do.

  I run for about three miles, and then turn around to head back home. When I can see London’s house, I slow down. I wonder what she’s doing right now, and call myself a fool for not at least texting her over the past couple of days. She probably thinks I’m a jerk.

  As I get closer, I see the woman herself standing in the sand, just at the edge of the water. She’s in shorts and a tank top with a hoodie wrapped around her waist.

  Her dark hair is down, getting blown in the wind.

  She’s so damn beautiful she takes my breath away.

  She turns and sees me and offers me a smile while letting her eyes wander up and down my body. She bites her lip, and I can see the heat in her eyes.

  Yes, the attraction is absolutely there.

  “Good morning.”

  “Hi,” she says. “How was your run?”

  “Good, actually.” I stop and prop my hands on my hips, breathing hard. “How are you?”

  “Not half bad.” She brushes her hair off of her face. “Have you had breakfast?”

  “Nope.”

  “I was just about to make some. Would you like to join me?”

  “Yep.” I smile and lean in to press a quick kiss to her lips. “Let me run home real quick to clean up and I’ll be right over.”

  “Sounds great. See you in a few.”

  I kiss her once again, then jog into the house and open the fridge for a bottle of water.

  “I hope you’re hungry,” Mom says. “I’ve made waffles for all of us.”

  “I’m eating breakfast with London today,” I inform her, and smile when Gabby claps her hands in happiness.

  “Is this the neighbor girl?” Mom asks.

  “I don’t know any other Londons,” I reply, and kiss her cheek. “Sorry to bail on you.”

  “Oh, please, we’re just fine here without you, aren’t we, darling girl?”

  “We’re totally fine,” Gabby agrees, and gives me a thumbs-up.

  My ten-year-old niece approves of London.

  Now I just have to call my brothers and explain why I’m extending my vacation and bailing on work for a few more weeks.

  Chapter Four

  ~London~

  He presses his lips to mine quickly, smiles, and jogs off toward his house and I can only stand where I am, my fingers pressed to my lips, and watch his ass as he leaves.

  If I didn’t know better, I’d say I had a crush on the sexy Finn Cavanaugh.

  Strike that. I do have a crush on Finn. What’s not to like? He’s kind, funny, loves his family, and looks like that.

  So I’m going to spend as much time as I can with him, since he’s been the best thing to come into my life since the fire, since the day in his office with my brother, since trying to heal from it all.

  He brings a smile to my face and makes me want to climb him like a damn tree, and that’s a good feeling.

  I take a deep breath and, with a smile, walk into the house to get breakfast started. I had planned to just have a bagel and some egg whites, but now that’s changed up a bit. I love to cook, especially for others, so I pull my hair up in a messy bun and stand in the middle of my white kitchen, getting my wits about me.

  I could make omelets, or pancakes, or biscuits and gravy.

  I buy way too many groceries.

  I smirk at myself and decide on biscuits and gravy with home fries and scrambled eggs. It’s a heavy breakfast, but it’s also delicious, and I want to feed him something especially delicious.

  “Like me,” I mutter, and then laugh. Oh, the dreams I’ve been having about Finn the past few nights have been one hundred percent pornographic. I wake up hot and bothered, and not just a little sexually frustrated.

  Damn him.

  I jump at the soft knock on the back glass door, and turn to find Finn standing there in another pair of cargo shorts and a T-shirt, his hair wet from a shower, grinning at me through the glass.

  Hot damn.

  I motion for him to come in, and stir the biscuit batter.

  “I hope you worked up an appetite on that run,” I begin as he walks toward me. “I’m making a feast.”

  “I’m hungry,” he says in a gruff voice, making me glance up at him. He’s staring at me with hot eyes. Not just hot. Scorching. Like he wants to do me on the kitchen counter.

  I’m not against that in the least.

  “Hungry for biscuits and gravy?” I swallow hard.

  “We can start there,” he says. “You’re making it from scratch?”

  “Of course.” I set the batter aside and gather more supplies. “Isn’t that how everyone does it?”

  “No, I buy those biscuits in the roll that always scares the shit out of me when I bust it open.”

  I chuckle as I roll the dough out and cut it into circles. “Well, no scaring the shit out of you today. These don’t take long.”

  “Do you need any help?”

  “Nope.” I pop the pan in the oven and get started on cutting potatoes. “Actually, yes. How are you at cutting potatoes?”

  “I’m a champion potato chopper,” he informs me, and takes the knife from me. “I’ve got this.”

  “Do you like to cook?” I try to keep my eyes off of his strong hands and muscly forearms as he chops up the potatoes. Why is it that everything he does is sexy?

  It’s not exactly fair.

  “I do,” he replies. “I just don’t always have time for it.”

  “I don’t either, but it seems I have nothing but time lately.” I shrug and throw the potatoes in a pan so they can start frying while I get the gravy going. “I’ve been cooking way more than I can eat.”

  “How are you feeling?” he asks casually.

  “Better,” I reply, happy to be able to finally say that truthfully. “I still have moments when it hurts, but I think the walking is better, and my range of motion is coming back. My physical therapist is happy with the progress, but I think it’s too slow.”

  “You’re too hard on yourself,” he says, and I just shake my head.

  “That’s what he says too. Being physical is what I’ve always done. Dance, theater, is physically demanding, and I’ve always been in excellent shape. So having lost so much of my endurance is disappointing.”

  “You’ll get it back,” he says with confidence, and I look up to find him smiling at me, his brown eyes happy. “You’re too stubborn to do otherwise.”

  “Boy, that’s the truth.” I pull the biscuits out of the oven. “I know that I probably won’t be able to work the way I used to. They’ve already recast my old part, which, let me tell you, will tear your heart right out of your chest.”

  “I can’t even imagine.”

  “And I’m not young, Finn.” I’m just talking now, talking about my career, my fears, and it feels like the easiest thing to do with him. I haven’t confided like this with anyone. Not even Sasha.

  “You’re only thirty-two.”

  “That’s old for theater. Especially in musicals. There are girls more than ten years younger than me fighting for the same parts, and th
ey’re in better shape, and it’s easier for them to keep up with the rigorous schedule.”

  “Have you seen Hugh Jackman in the musical movies he makes?” Finn asks. “That guy’s almost fifty.”

  “He’s a man,” I reply simply. “Men are given better roles, longer into their lives. It sucks, but it’s true. But I’ve changed my attitude a bit. I was convinced before that I wouldn’t be able to get back to work, but now I’m determined to do exactly that.”

  “Would you consider doing film? I don’t know anything about show business, but I would think that might be less rigorous.”

  “I hadn’t before.” I stop and lean my hip against the countertop, irritated that my leg is starting to ache from being on it too long. “But I could talk to my agent and see what she thinks. She’s come to me before with scripts, but I have always had a steady job in New York.”

  “Might be something to consider,” he says casually. “You’re hurting right now.”

  “Not too badly.”

  “Look at me.” He grips my shoulders and makes me look him in the eyes. “You’re hurting.”

  “Yeah, it’s aching.”

  “Sit.” He leads me to the stool on the other side of the island. “I’ve got this handled.”

  “I’m supposed to be making you breakfast,” I reply, and rub my thigh, frustrated with it, but intrigued by the man currently commanding my kitchen. He looks good here.

  Really, really good.

  “You did,” he says. “I’m just finishing up. See, I give this a little stir, and flip the potatoes, and we’re good to go.”

  “You’re a nice guy.”

  He turns and gives me a shocked glare. “Take that back.”

  “Nope. It’s the truth.”

  “I object.”

  “This isn’t a courtroom,” I remind him with a laugh. “You may be tough in a takeover or a merger, or whatever the hell it is that you do, but at the end of the day, you’re just a nice guy in a sexy suit.”

  He cocks a brow. “You think I’m sexy?”

  “I think your suit is sexy. That’s what I said.”

  He wanders slowly around the island to stand next to me, and before I know it, he’s lifted me onto the countertop and is standing between my legs, his hands flat on the granite at my hips and his face level with mine.

  “So you don’t think I’m sexy?”

  Oh, you have no idea.

  “I didn’t say that either.”

  His eyes drop to my lips and back up to my eyes. “Is this hurting your leg?”

  “I give zero fucks about my leg right now.”

  “That’s not what I asked.”

  I tilt my head to the side. “No. It doesn’t hurt it.”

  Any more than it already hurt.

  “Let me tell you this,” he says gruffly. “I think you’re sexy. And beautiful. And funny.” He presses his lips to mine, but doesn’t deepen the kiss. “You intrigue me, and that hasn’t happened in a very long time, London.”

  “You’re sexy.” My voice is breathy. I’m gripping on to his shoulders, my nails barely digging in.

  He kisses me now. Really kisses me, one hand cupping my jaw and neck as his tongue glides over mine. He nibbles the side of my lips, giving me goose bumps, and then takes my mouth again, as if he’s memorizing me.

  It’s the sexiest kiss I’ve ever experienced.

  When he pulls away, he cups my ass in his hands and smiles down at me. “You have a great ass.”

  “So do you.”

  “You noticed?”

  “Of course I noticed.”

  He chuckles and sets me back on the stool.

  “I’m starving,” he says, returning to the stove to stir the gravy. “And we should have breakfast too, since you went to all of this trouble.”

  “I have to leave in thirty minutes,” I inform him, checking the time.

  “Oh? Where to?”

  “PT.” I load my plate and sit at the table. It’s going to be a bitch today, given that I’m already achy. But I refuse to miss any more appointments.

  “I have plans with Mom and Gabby this afternoon,” he says with a frown.

  “That’s okay, I have plans too.”

  He cocks a brow.

  “Hey, I have stuff to do. I don’t just sit around here and hope to feel better while I pine away for you.”

  Rather than apologize, he laughs. “I know that. Although, a little pining might be nice. Okay, tomorrow evening I’d like to have you to myself.”

  “I can swing that. I’m giving Gabby a lesson tomorrow afternoon. She’s excited.”

  “She’s been talking about it for two days,” he says with a nod. “Unfortunately, it’ll be your first and last lesson because Mom is taking her with her when she leaves tomorrow evening.”

  “Oh? Gabby doesn’t want to stay here anymore?”

  “She would rather go to Hawaii with Mom, where she doesn’t have to take karate and learn how to ride a horse.”

  I nod. “I get it. She’ll have fun with her grandmother.”

  “She’ll get even more spoiled than she already is.”

  “That’s what grandparents do,” I remind him, and feel a moment of sadness that my parents won’t get to know the joy of being grandparents. They would have been awesome at it.

  “What is it?” he asks, but I just shake my head and take a bite of my biscuit. “Will you miss her?”

  “Gabby?”

  I nod.

  “I’ll see her back in New York before too long. And no, I won’t miss dealing with a hormonal little girl every day.”

  I laugh and then just smile at him. “You didn’t do too bad. How long are you planning to stay before you have to return to New York?”

  He frowns, and takes a moment before answering.

  “I was supposed to go back the day after tomorrow.”

  “Oh.” I nod, not sure why I’m sad at that. Okay, I know why. We’re finally going to have a chance to be alone, and he has to leave. It sucks, big-time.

  “But I’m not going to.”

  My head turns quickly in his direction. “You’re not?”

  “No, I’m going to stay for a while longer.” He leans against the counter and pins me in his dark eyes. “I want more time with you.”

  “What about work?”

  He rubs his hand over his face. “It’ll have to wait for me.”

  “Finn, you shouldn’t put your work at risk.”

  “It’ll wait for me,” he repeats. “Now, let’s eat.”

  “I’m so sad that I only got to sing with you once,” Gabby says the next afternoon after we’ve had an hour-long lesson.

  “But you get to go to Hawaii,” I say, and give the little girl a hug. “You’ll have too much fun to worry about voice lessons.”

  “Maybe,” she replies. “Thank you for today.”

  “You’re welcome. You have a beautiful voice, Gabby. If you keep working on it, you’ll be able to do really wonderful things someday.”

  Her smile is beaming as she walks toward my back door.

  “You have to come home with me,” she informs me.

  “Why?”

  “Because you do.”

  I narrow my eyes. “Why?”

  “Because you’re supposed to have dinner with Uncle Finn.”

  “Yes, I’m coming over in a little while. It’s only five.”

  “Will you just trust me?” She rolls her eyes and takes my hand. “Why don’t adults just do as they’re told?”

  I snort out a laugh as she pulls me out the door and down the shortcut path to Finn’s house. She’s careful not to go too fast so I can keep up with her.

  “I think many adults would ask the same question about kids.”

  “You’re going to like this,” she promises, and leads me up the deck to the back door and walks inside. There doesn’t seem to be anyone home, as the house is quiet, until we get to the living area.

  Suitcases are packed and sitting by the front doo
r, and a salt-and-pepper-haired woman is standing with Finn in the living room, fussing over a bouquet of flowers.

  “We’re here,” Gabby announces, and they both turn to look at us.

  “Hi. I don’t know why I’m here, but Gabby insisted I come with her.”

  Finn smiles at me and immediately crosses to me to kiss my cheek and thread his fingers through mine.

  “This is great, I can introduce you to my mom before she and Gabby take off.”

  Oh, perfect. I’m meeting the mom.

  Talk about nerve-racking.

  I paste my professional smile on my face and hold my hand out to shake hers, but she just pulls me in for a big hug.

  “Oh, darling, I’m a hugger,” she says. “You must be London. I’m Margaret Cavanaugh, Finn’s mother.”

  “So nice to meet you.”

  She pulls back and gives me a long look. “You’re London Watson.”

  I glance up at Finn. “Yes, I am.”

  “Oh my goodness, I’ve seen so many of your plays on Broadway. Why, I’ve been watching you for years. You’re a talented young woman.”

  I feel the glow come over me whenever anyone says they’ve followed my career. “Thank you very much, Mrs. Cavanaugh.”

  “Maggie, please,” she says, and offers me another hug. “I read about the tragic loss of your parents. I’m so sorry.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Our car is here,” Gabby says, and throws herself into my arms. I’m getting a lot of hugs today. “Thank you for everything, London. You’re awesome.”

  “You’re pretty awesome yourself, kiddo.”

  Gabby smiles brightly and then gives Finn a hug before whispering in his ear, making him grin.

  “I will,” he says. “You be good for Grandma, you hear me?”

  “She’s a perfect angel,” Maggie replies with a sniff. “And to insinuate otherwise is offensive.”

  “Right.” Finn rolls his eyes and helps the two women into the car that will take them to the airport. “Have a good flight, and let me know when you get there.”

  “Grandma’s taking us first-class,” Gabby says with excitement. “I get anything I want to drink.”

  “Don’t drink too much liquor,” I call into the car, making them both laugh. “Have fun!”

  And with that, they drive away and Finn and I are left in the house alone.