Page 93 of Redemption

Mystomachflutters.It’sthe same sensation I have each time I walk into the minimum-security prison to visit Finn except I’m not walking in; he’s walking out. My plane is fueled and ready to take us home to Cape Verde. Today is the start of the rest of our lives together. No more fingertip holds and longing glances across a tiny table. Tomorrow, we’re getting married, and I’ll officially be his wife. Though he’s been referring to me as his wife since the night he proposed.

Every time I heard him call me his spouse to a guard or another inmate waiting for the phone, a thrill raced down my spine. Finn Donaghey as a happily married man. Who would have called this outcome a few years ago? None of us, I bet.

When the metal gate retracts, he wanders out and squints against the sun. His hands are thrust in his pockets. My palms are slick with nerves, and I slide them along the sides of my skirt. Why am I nervous?

He comes to a stop inches from me and searches my face. Then his hands slide along my cheekbones and into my hair. A sigh escapes me at the contact, at being close enough to catch a whiff of his familiar scent. He slants his mouth over mine and kisses me like I am the sweetest thing he’s ever tasted. He devours me, and I cling to him. One of his hands leaves my face to cup my ass, tugging me flush against him so I have no doubt where this embrace is headed.

I roam his body, delighting in everything that’s still the same. “I missed you,” I whisper when we break apart.

He smooths my hair and stares deep into my eyes. “I can’t wait to marry you.”

“The plane is ready to go.” I tug him toward the car. “Let’s get you home.”

He chuckles. “First, I might want to get you out of these clothes.” His finger runs along the hemline of my shirt.

“It’s just you, me, and the pilot.” I slide into the back seat, and Finn follows.

I buckle myself into the middle spot, so we’re cuddled together. He traces everywhere on my body his hand can reach without removing clothes. Will we make it to the plane before we’re tearing off our clothes?

“Lorcan and Kim are in Cape Verde?” His voice is husky.

“Yeah.” I run a finger along his arm. “They’re in between assignments. Kim says the last one they did might have been the last. Lorcan ended up in the hospital. Scared her, I think.”

I haven’t told Finn the truth about tomorrow’s ceremony. I’ve been teasing him with details for months—all made-up, escalating in their extravagance. So, for him to come out of jail and say he can’t wait to marry me knowing I’ve planned a spectacle, well, that’s love.

“I remember.” He nuzzles my neck. “How far is the airport?”

I chuckle and kiss him. He shifts and deepens the kiss, and it’s all I can do not to unbuckle my seat belt and climb onto his lap. So surreal to have him close. I want to cling to him so tight he never slips away again.

“The hotel and casino are doing well?” His tongue flicks against my earlobe.

“Yes.” I’m breathless. His lips capture mine, and I’m lost again.

The driver in front clears his throat. “We’re here.”

We break our embrace and grin at each other. Finn kisses my forehead and tugs me out the door behind him. We climb the stairs to the plane, almost drunk with desire. Are we ripping each other’s clothes off or savoring every moment?

Three years.

At the top of the stairs, the pilot greets us. “I’ll need you to stay in your seats until we reach cruising altitude. I’ll make an announcement when that happens.”

Finn and I lock gazes and then settle into the chairs farthest from the cockpit. The door to the pilot is locked, and he’ll be too busy flying the plane to interrupt us. I hesitate for a second.

“It’s a long flight,” Finn says. “And I’ve got three years to make up for with you.” He winks. “You can catch me up on all the chatter before we reach cruising altitude. After that, the only talking I want is ‘yes, yes; more, more; give it to me.’” There’s a wicked glint in his eyes.

“Deal,” I breathe out, and my body is ready to go in an instant.

His fingers dance along the edge of my skirt. “How are Jay, Sofia, and the girls?”

We taxi down the runway. “Everyone is settled and happy. Lena,” my voice hitches when his finger slides up my skirt. “Lena has a new boyfriend.”

“She’s making up for all that lost time with Charles.” His breath stirs the hair by my ear, and I shiver.

We’re forced back against our seats as the plane rises into the air.

“You’ve kept your parents cut off?” There’s warning in his voice, but I don’t mind.

“Yes,” I say. “I learned my lesson more than once. Nothing good comes from having them in my life.” They tried to reach out once Finn was back in prison, but I made it clear our relationship was done forever.

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