Page 102 of Finlay

“I plan on staying in love with you forever.”

I couldn’t promise him that. Not yet.

But I could promise him a start.

Laying a gentle kiss on his lips, I smiled at him. “That sounds pretty damn good to me.”

Chapter 29

Finn

October turned into November, bringing with it colder weather and shorter days. My morning swims became a thing of the past, but I didn’t mind it. My mornings were still spent naked and with Chester’s attention on me. The difference now was that he could touch me.

And he was naked too.

We were taking things slow, going out on dates a few nights a week. I still stopped by his shop every Friday, ordering a bouquet just to see my man smile. He rolled his eyes each time, but his pleased blush told me how he truly felt.

Along with how he’d display the flowers in pride of place on his mantelpiece, fussing with them each time he passed.

Chester liked to be spoiled, and I liked to spoil him.

Not everything was sunshine and roses though. Despite all the time we were spending together, most of it was done away from prying eyes. While I didn’t mind having Chester to myself, I didn’t want to hide him away. I wanted to introducehim to the wider clan. To take him to dinner at fancy restaurants.

Most of all, I wanted to introduce him to Danny. I’d never been able to share about my feelings before for obvious reasons, but with Chester? I wanted to scream about it to the world. Especially to Danny. He’d really pushed me to take this step, to let go of Sarah and move on as he had.

I wanted him to know I’d listened. That it had taken me longer than expected, but that I’d found my person.

Just as he had.

To do that though, we’d have to travel down to Southampton. Danny lived in a highly populated supe community, thanks to the presence of the sons of Lucifer. Supes flocked to Southampton knowing the demonic brothers didn’t tolerate any bullshit happening in their vicinity.

While I trusted those Danny was closest to not to see Chester as a target, I didn’t trust anyone else who lived in the area. Taking Chester there before we were mated was too much of a risk.

As was asking Danny to visit…but for different reasons. The shifter community was well aware that I was the leader of the McCarthy Clan, but they were also aware that Danny would step up if needed. He wouldn’t hesitate to intervene to protect us.

If the Clarkson Clan discovered he was visiting so soon after Clyde had crossed our borders, it could escalate things. They might assume we were preparing an attack and decide to strike against us pre-emptively.

All in all, it was too much of a risk. Chester’s life wasn’t something to play with. Nor was the safety of the clan. Introducing Chester to Danny would have to wait, as woulddating him publicly. It sucked, but only a little. The main thing was spending as much time as possible with Chester. Thanks to the support of my inner circle, it was something I was able to do. The three of them had happily picked up my slack, allowing me to be where I truly wanted to be—at Chester’s side.

With Chester busy prepping for a slew of winter weddings at the shop, I was back at the clan house. Even though I’d been letting the others shoulder the responsibility for me, I still made sure to check in regularly.

Evan was filling us in on his most recent visit to the Clarkson Clan. “Clyde is insistent he just wants to see Reid because he cares for him.”

I tapped a pen against my leg as I studied the younger wolf. “And you don’t believe him.”

“Fuck no.” Evan cracked his knuckles, glaring into the distance. “I don’t. There’s something else at play here, I just can’t figure it out. It’s fucking killing me.”

I exchanged a knowing look with my brother. He too had noticed the dark circles under Evan’s eyes. The weight he seemed to have lost over the past few weeks. The spark that had sputtered out in him ever since the truth of his past with Reid had come to light.

I made a mental note to speak to Calan after this. We needed to approach Evan carefully so as not to exacerbate the situation.

Unfortunately, I’d forgotten to account for Logan.

“That’s not what’s killing you,” Logan said sagely.

Evan frowned at Logan. “What?”

“Logan,” I said warningly as Calan flicked his pen at his face.