Page 62 of Finlay

Which was fine. Obviously. I wasn’t going to turn into a needy, clingy, neurotic man after one night together. Still…I couldn’t help but wish he was here right now. I’d be able to sleep if I wasn’t alone.

With dawn only a few hours away and an early visit to my suppliers on the cards, I decided I had to try and sleep. If nothing else, lying with my eyes closed might help me feel rested.

Yeah. And pigs might fly.

I went into the kitchen and pulled a glass from the cupboard. I was filling it with water when there was a scratching at the back door.

“Shit,” I yelped, almost dropping the glass as I jumped out of my skin.

A low whine was followed by more scratching.Buddy.

Hurrying over to the door, I flicked the lock and opened it. Buddy came bursting in, absolutely dripping wet. He didn’t shake until he was several feet away from me, for which I was very grateful.

It took me a second to wrestle the door closed against the wind, but finally it was shut and locked once more. “You scared the life out of me, Buddy!”

Buddy dropped to his belly, his ears drooping as he blinked up at me. I crouched to tickle behind his ears. “Don’t worry, I’m not angry at you. I’m so happy to see you.”

His tail swished across the floor happily as I continuedto fuss over him. I hadn’t seen him this morning. With Finn taking up all my thoughts, I hadn’t even noticed his absence.

“Does your owner know you’re out?” I fretted. Lightning flashed, illuminating my kitchen briefly. “I’m not sending you back out in this weather. You’ll just have to stay tonight. That okay with you, Buddy?”

Buddy got to his feet and danced in a circle, tail wagging furiously.

“I’m taking that as a yes.”

Grabbing a bowl from the cupboard, I filled it with water and put it on the floor. “Just in case you get thirsty.”

Buddy glanced at it but didn’t drink, just nudged me towards the stairs.

“Okay, okay,” I laughed. “I get the message. Bedtime it is.”

When we got to the landing, I eyed Buddy’s coat. “Wait here.”

When I emerged with a fluffy towel, he hadn’t moved so much as an inch. “You’re such a good boy, aren’t you? Your owners don’t know how lucky they are to have you.” While I spoke, I rubbed his fur with the towel until he was dry. “There. All better. Now, ready for bed?”

Buddy bounded into my bedroom before sitting beside my bed and looking at me questioningly.

“You can get on the bed,” I told him. “You’re officially on ‘keeping Chester company’duty. How does that sound to you?”

He answered me by running over and licking my hand enthusiastically.

“Such a good boy,” I cooed. “I’m just going to get ready. You curl up and get comfy.”

I retreated to the bathroom to go through my bedtimeroutine. Suddenly, the fatigue I’d been missing earlier was weighing heavy on my shoulders.

When I emerged, Buddy was on the bed. Helpfully, he was curled up on the side I didn’t sleep on, which meant I didn’t need to move him. Not that I would’ve. I was so grateful to have him there that I would’ve slept on the floor if that kept him happy.

Snuggling under the sheets, I lifted an arm for Buddy. He crawled closer until his warm body was pressed to mine.

The storm outside was as loud as ever, but it didn’t bother me now.

I wasn’t alone anymore.

Chapter 19

Chester

“Earth to Chester.” A hand waved in front of my eyes, and I blinked in surprise to find Reid beside me. From the amused concern on his face, it wasn’t the first time he’d tried to get my attention. “Everything okay, boss?”

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