Page 86 of Finlay

I froze, wondering if Reid knew how deep this conversation had hit me too. I swallowed around the lump of fear. It was smaller than ever, barely there before it disappeared. “Yeah, Reid. I think you might be right.”

Iwas locking the door that night, singing to myself quietly, when a throat cleared. Jumping out of my skin, I whirled around. “Jesus, Finn. You scared the life out of me.”

“Sorry.” His lips twitched in amusement as he pushed off my car and strolled towards me. “Didn’t mean to startle you. Nor did I mean to stop you singing. You’ve a beautiful voice, Chester.”

I blushed. “You only heard a line.”

“Well Buddy’s heard ye sing every morning in the shower, so I can confirm that I’m right. I love to hear you sing.”

Fuck, he just melted my heart. “Gran used to love hearing me sing.”

“Your gran had good taste.” He smiled before it faded slightly. “I wish I could’ve met her.”

The age-old ache returned. “Me too. She would’ve loved you.”

Finn looked almost shy. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.” There wasn’t a shred of doubt in my mind. I knew that as much as she would’ve hated Matt, she would’ve loved Finn. One considered my needs, the other didn’t.

There would’ve been no contest as to who she would’ve rooted for. Probably flirted with too, knowing Gran.

Finn pulled me in for a kiss, leaving me with a goofy smile on my face.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Might’ve missed you.”

“Well, I might’ve missed you too.” The playful tone was easier to find after my talk with Reid earlier. I splayed my hands over his naked pecs, unable to stop myself from stroking down his tight abs. “Not that I’m complaining, but is there a reason why you’re wandering around shirtless?”

Finn grinned. “I shifted to run over here. You should feel lucky I’m wearing shorts.”

Again, the flirtatious response flowed like water. “Lucky isn’t what I’m feeling there. Disappointed would be more accurate.”

Heat flashed in Finn’s eyes as he lowered his face to nuzzle at my neck. “I like this side of you, m’eudail. So much so that I’m reconsidering my previous idea and thinking of taking you inside to see how sturdy those counters of yours are instead.”

Tempting as that was, I was more interested in just spending time with Finn. He’d had plenty of time to learn about me as Buddy, and now I wanted the same. I wanted to know everything about this man who’d treated me with more care and consideration than any man had before. “What was your original idea?”

Finn nuzzled my neck once more before pulling away with a sigh. “I was going to see if you wanted to come to dinner at the clan house. The way you met Calan and the others wasn’t at all how I’d planned, so I was hoping we could have a do-over.”

I froze. “You want me to meet your family?”

“Aye.” Finn’s hands bracketed my waist, holding me steady. “We can wait if it’s too soon, but they’re important to me. My life there is important. I’d like to introduce you to it. If not tonight, then maybe soon?”

It was on the tip of my tongue to refuse him. To run and hide in the isolation of my house. Where it was safe.

Not safe. Lonely.

“Yes,” I found myself saying. “I’d love that. Tonight is good.”

Chapter 25

Finn

Alarge part of me had been expecting Chester to refuse my invitation. I’d thought I’d need to plant the seed and let it grow before he was ready to take me up on it. But Chester had proven me wrong by accepting on the spot.

I’d suggested popping via his house so he could shower off the day and change if he wanted. The fervently grateful look he’d given me told me that was the right shout. Once he was ready, we’d driven over to the clan house with Chester behind the wheel. I could’ve shifted and let him ride me, but I wasn’t sure he was ready for that yet.

Not that form of riding, anyway. From the heated glances he sent my way every few minutes, the other kind was definitely on the table.

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