Page 77 of Finlay

“Come on.” He slid his arm around my shoulders, tugging me into his side. “Why don’t we go upstairs and get comfortable?”

My brows shot up. “If you think we’re about to have sex you’ve got another think coming.”

“I don’t think that,” he said gently. “Nor do I want it.”

“Oh.” I was embarrassed again. Why was I assuming Finn still wanted me? “Sorry.”

Finn kissed my head. “Sex is the last thing on my mind because I’d rather answer your questions. I don’t want to do anything with you until you’re comfortable with me again.”

“Oh.” The word was softer this time, more understanding.

“I do want ye, Chester. Believe me, I do. But not until you’re ready.”

“Thank you.” I twisted to drop a kiss on his cheek. “That’s incredibly understanding.”

He gave me a lopsided grin, and suddenly, I could see Buddy there. “That’s me. The most understanding person ever.”

We headed up to my bedroom together. I riffled through my drawers until I found some joggers. Finn raised a questioning brow as I held them out.

“They’ll be a bit short in the leg and probably too big in the waist, but you can’t sit there like that.”

Finn winked as he stood and pulled them on. “Does my nudity offend ye?”

“No, but it’s distracting as hell,” I muttered, droppingonto my side of the bed. I didn’t lie down, not wanting to fall asleep until this conversation was done. “I can’t concentrate on what you’re telling me when you’re naked.”

“Good to know that if I ever want to distract ye in future, all I need to do is drop trou.”

“All you need to do is smile,” I said honestly. “That’s distracting enough.”

Finn froze, his fingers stilling on the waist tie. “Thank you. That’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.”

I ducked my head to hide my blush, glad we’d opted for the bedside lamps instead of the big light. “Guess I need to make a habit of telling you nice things more often then.”

Finn slid onto the bed beside me, mimicking my position. We were cross legged and facing each other. “That’d make me the happiest male on the planet.”

Male. Not man. Because Finn wasn’t human.

I wanted to reach out and touch him, but if I did that, nothing else would happen. And Finn was right, I needed to be comfortable with him before we took this any further.

“Where would you like me to start, Chester?”

I thought hard and settled on the thing that was bothering me the most. “Tell me more about why you decided to be ‘Buddy’ around me.”

“The first time was unintentional,” he said. “I heard you hit the floor and start hyperventilating. I knocked on the door but you didn’t answer. Then, when I came around the back of the house, I realised you might feel more comfortable if I was in my other form. People often feel safer around animals than humans.”

“Because animals aren’t complicated. There’s no hidden agenda.” I paused, my brow furrowing. “Hang on, did you just say you heard me collapse from outside?”

“Aye. My hearing is significantly better than most humans’.”

I winced. “And your eyesight?”

He inclined his head, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “That too. So yes, I could see the delicious blush you tried to hide earlier, even in the low light.”

Fantastic.

“All my senses are stronger than a human’s. I’m also stronger and faster, even when not shifted.”

“Good to know,” I said faintly. “So you heard me go down and decided to come in as Buddy.”

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