Page 53 of Takedown

“Oh, poor Uncle Finn.” I can’t help my own laugh.

“He apologized and everything. He was in the doghouse with my grandmother for a long time. Your turn. Tell me something,” he says.

“I’m scared of the dark.” I speak the words quickly, then I sit up and peek at his face.

“Get out,” he says.

“Nope. I have a nightlight in my bedroom downstairs. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I put one in here. If I come to bed before you, I turn it on. The second you leave for the gym on those early mornings, that light goes on.”

“Oh, love, I had no idea. I’ll be sure to turn it on for you on those mornings, okay?” Like he always does, he kisses my temple.

“Besides the dark, tell me what you’re most afraid of in this world?” he asks.

“Not being seen. Going through life and not doing anything important. I’m afraid of letting my insecurities keep me from the life I want. Your turn. Tell me something you’re afraid of?”

“Needles.” His cheeks turn red in embarrassment, but that doesn’t stop me from laughing.

“Needles? Big, strong Adam Flynn is afraid of needles? Get out of here.” I shove his chest.

“Mel, big strong Adam would put up such a fight at the doctor’s office. It would take four or five people to hold me down to get a vaccine.” I picture that in my head, and I laugh so hard, I fall off the bed.

“Hey, I didn’t laugh at your night light thing.” That only makes me laugh harder. I laugh so hard and long that my stomach starts to hurt.

“Are you done?” He stands over me and offers me his hand. When I take it, he yanks me to my feet.

“I’m sorry, Adam.” I know I don’t look the least bit contrite. “Your secret is safe with me.” He slides into the bed beside me and pulls me into his arms. “Tell me something else that you’re afraid of. I won’t laugh this time. I promise.” I put my hand to my mouth to hide my smile.

“I’m afraid of losing you, Mel.” He speaks softly, earnestly. I can see it in his blue eyes, but I can’t hold his stare. I look away and focus on his hard chest. I run a fingertip down his sternum, but I look up at him again and our eyes lock.

“Honestly, Adam, I don’t understand why you want to keep me.” My voice trembles, and I want to look away but can’t.

He closes his eyes and flares his nostrils. His cheek twitches. When he opens his eyes again, the way he looks at me almost makes my heart stop.

“I never could figure out why you don’t see yourself the way that I do, but I get it now. I understand. I’m not going to tell you why I want to keep you. I’m going to show you.” He runs the back of his knuckles on my cheek. “Tell me you’ll give me a chance to show you.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” Feeling a sudden bout of shyness, I bite my bottom lip and pull the blanket to cover my breasts, but he pulls them down.

“Don’t hide from me. Let me see the parts of you that you don’t let anyone else see.”

“But what if you see them and decide I’m not worth it?” I whisper. My heart rate speeds up while I wait for him to answer. I hold my breath and bite my bottom lip so hard, I’m afraid it will bleed.

“The only thing that will happen is that I’ll want more and more of you. I want every side of Melanie Flynn. Even the bad. I want to be the one who makes it better.” He runs a hand over my messy hair and looks into my eyes. He’s nervous. I can tell from his shallow breathing and the twitching of his eye.

“Why, Adam? Why would you want that?”

“Because you’re my wife. Because I’ve felt a connection to you before I ever laid eyes on your face. When all I knew was your voice. That’s why.” I can tell he wants to say more, but he doesn’t. He holds his breath while he waits for me to speak. Almost overcome with emotions, tears flow freely from my eyes. I move over and climb on top of his naked body. His arms automatically wrap around my waist, and I bury my face on the side of his neck.

“I would love that, Adam. I’ll try but it will take time. Just be patient with me, okay?”

“Can we not put an expiration date on our marriage? I know I said a year, but—”

“Done. No expiration date.” He relaxes underneath me, letting out a loud rush of breath. “Unless you want out,” I quickly add.

“Never,” he growls. His large hands caress my lower back and I sink deeper onto his body. As hard as it is, he’s very comfortable to lay on.

“Tell me something else that nobody knows,” he says.

I kiss his neck and roll off him, but I cuddle to his side and sigh when he pulls me close. “Before I left New Jersey, I started law school. Nobody knows this. The company I worked for offered tuition reimbursement, and I managed to get into CUNY School of Law. I only got through one semester before I lost my job. I just submitted my application to Northeastern School of Law before I went to Vegas.” I bite my lip and hold my breath. I’ve never told that to anyone before.

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