Page 65 of Dare to Love Again

His hands framed her face, his eyes shimmering with passion, and he ordered with a growl, “Move with me,mo chuisle.”

She didn’t understand his words, but his intention was clear. Lifting her hips, they soon found a rhythm, Finn leading with her keeping pace. Her body responded, soaring higher until another peak was in reach. And through it all, he never looked away, never broke contact, or lost their connection, making it more intimate than simply having their bodies joined. And while she wanted to go that little bit higher, to come apart in his arms, even more so, she wanted to linger, reveling in the contentment and peace she found with him. In case, like in the past, it was stolen from her again.

“It’s okay, Esme. Let go. I’ll be here to catch you.”

She sucked in a breath, amazed how he always seemed to know what she was thinking. As if he could see inside her mind, or more so, her soul. It was frightening as much as it was comforting,

He bent his head, his lips barely touching hers, as he continued to drive inside her, pushing her toward her body’s surrender.

“I’ll always be here to catch you.”

His assurance, that extra little nudge was enough to send her over the top. As she cried out her release, the pleasure was pure and explosive.

Finn surrendered to it, too, thrusting into her hard once more then again, before planting deep, as his body tensed over her. His bliss-filled groan rolled up from his chest. When it ended, he took a deep breath and sealed his mouth over hers, sending new spirals of intense pleasure shooting through her.

***

INSTANTLY ALERT, KEIRANrolled onto his back, listening to the strange noises in his usually silent apartment. His arm swept out to his side, finding the place beside him empty. He would have preferred to wake first and slowly rouse Esme with caresses before making love to her to start his day, but when his stomach rumbled from the smell of bacon frying, he threw back the covers and grabbed his jeans off the floor. He ducked into the bathroom to take care of first things first then followed the delicious aroma out to his kitchen.

What he found there made him grin, and since she hadn’t noticed him, he leaned in the doorway to watch. Dressed in one of his shirts, it hung nearly to her knees, and with her long hair on top of her head in a messy knot, her face washed clean of makeup, she looked like she could be in college rather than quickly approaching her thirties.

His eyes scanned down her body, admiring the hint of curves visible beneath her borrowed clothes especially the way the rounded hem hugged her bottom, and the sight of her long smooth legs, bare feet, and pink-tipped toes.

He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had stayed the night and never one so fucking adorable who hummed off-key—the song familiar, but he couldn’t quite make it out—while cooking him breakfast. She shoved up the too-long sleeves of his overlong shirt and with a potholder, removed the skillet from the burner. When she turned his way and noticed him, she jumped, letting out a little shriek of surprise.

Afraid she might drop the hot pan and burn herself, he rushed forward. Grabbing another hot pad from where it hung, mostly unused, from a hook on the side of the fridge, he took the frying pan from her.

“Easy,” he murmured while he set it down. “It’s too early for a trip to the emergency room for burn treatment.”

With his arm around her, he curled her into his side. She dropped her head on his shoulder; the hair piled high on her head tickling his neck. After a moment, she took a deep breath and blew it out.

“Didn’t mean to startle you, lass.”

“I didn’t hear you come in.” Her head popped up, and she smiled at him tentatively. “I was just about to come wake you. You like eggs, don’t you? I figured you did since you had them on hand, and milk, bacon, and biscuit mix. Your kitchen is well-stocked, sir.”

He squeezed her, grinning. “I like all of that, baby. Not knowing when we’ll be here, the staff keeps us supplied with staples. I can get by enough not to starve, but from the smell, you’re a much better hand in the kitchen than I am.”

“I do all right,” she conceded, blushing prettily.

“I can’t wait to taste your idea of all right.” His lips touched hers briefly. Then, with another little squeeze, he released her and headed for his automatic brewer. “Do we have coffee?”

“You do, but I couldn’t figure out your coffee maker. I don’t drink it, so I left it for you, sir.”

“No coffee? Lass, how do you function?”

“I also start my day with a jolt of caffeine, but mine comes with a pop top in a can, and I pour it over ice.”

He quirked a brow. “Not soda.”

“Yep, high-test diet Mountain Dew.”

“That’s nothing but a glass full of chemicals. At least coffee has proven health benefits.”

“Like what?” she asked skeptically.

“It has antioxidants, for one, and studies have shown it may reduce the risk of some chronic diseases.”

She wrinkled her nose—looking adorable when she did so. “I’ll stick to blueberries that taste good. Thank you very much, sir.”

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