Page 75 of Rules in Love

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“I don’t think it would be as comfy as your ass, but I’m willing to give it a shot.” He lunged for my arm and guided me to him. “Your face is bruised, and your lip is swollen, and you’re gorgeous. There is not one damn thing I would change about you or your fucking insane body, except make your face stop hurting. You are everything I want, Scarlett. Everything I’ve ever wanted. Now, I’m going to lay down and make you forget all about your face while you sit on mine.”

Saturday passed in the blink of a swollen eye. A steady stream of takeout was consumed while I read Austen to Finn, and Finn read Bronte to me. We watched movies, and slept, and talked about absolute crap, and when my head finally stopped thumping, the humping began. Seven years of celibacy was smashed like Finn smashed me. Honestly, I had no idea I would, could, or should like sex that much. Or laugh so much while having it.

What I adored most—well,almostthe most because I was really enjoying the oral stuff —was that Finn Austen was just as wonderful out of the bedroom as he was talented in it. A kindness, intelligence, and loving spirit oozed from his every pore and had me falling faster than my knickers. It was terrifying, exhilarating. Then there was how he spoke of his baby girl. The love he felt for her, what he’d done and sacrificed for her was… I didn’t even know the words.

By Sunday afternoon, Iris’s impending return, his need to clean the filth we lay in, and the fear of developing bed sores became too much for Finn. He climbed from the bed, dragged me with him, and began scurrying around the room like a sexy, naked Cinderella. Ignoring my objections, the bedding was stripped, clean sheets applied, clothing that had been strewn on the floor was collected, and it reached the point where I had to remove my laundry hamper from his hands forcibly. “Finn, stop. I can do it.”

“But…but…Red, just let me help you tidy up before I go home. I can’t leave an injured woman alone to do it all herself.”

“Excuse me? After the sexual heptathalon you’ve put my body through, I would think you’d know I’m quite capable of more than a little physical activity.”

“Yes, but I want to help you. I like doing things for you.”

“I know you do, and it’s very sweet, but you need to go home, shower, and greet that beautiful girl of yours. I promise I will be fine. I will miss you, though.”

Finn swept me into a deep, passionate kiss. “Miss me? I should hope you will do more than miss me, Miss Grant.” I was then tossed back onto the freshly made bed. “I would very much like to believe you will pine for me, so much so you are forced to take to your bed and touch yourself while you think of me.”

“Oh, really? And will you do the same for me, Mr. Austen?”

“Most definitely,” he growled. Crawling over my body, he buried his face into my neck and began tracing his nose up to and along my chin.

“Finn,”I sang, “Iris.”

“Shit, shit.” The weight of his body collapsed atop me.Damn, I’m going to miss that.“You’re right. I should go. I want to be home when she gets there.” Halfway off the bed, Finn stopped and glanced over his shoulder. “Hey, maybe we could finally get together for that run this week? If you’re feeling up for a thrashing, that is?”

“You know, I do love a good thrashing. It’s a date.”

A final gentle kiss was placed on my lips. It quickly deepened before we reluctantly slid apart and began to dress. With a heavy heart, I walked him to the door, not wanting the weekend to end but knowing it had to. Finn, while holding tight and kissing me goodbye, seemed equally downcast over our separation. “Christ, this was fun. You should knock yourself out more often.”

“Hmmm, perhaps not, but yes, it was fun. Thank you for all the sex. I’ll never forget it, Finn. Or walk straight.”

“Me either, Red. It’s been…well, it’s been incredible.” Showing how much Austen I made him sit through, he then took a step back and bowed. His blond curls fell over his eyes, he kissed my hand, and I might have fallen a teeny-tiny bit in love. I mean, really, how could I not fall for this complicated man with layers I’d only seen the very outer edges of? Who was masculine, strong, and physically intimidating, yet vulnerable and prone to tear up at the sight of his little girl in pigtails or a cute kitten video on TikTok. Who was sexy and funny, a complete dork who clearly possessed a jealous, slightly possessive nature but wore his heart on his sleeve and would give a stranger the shirt off his back.

Not that I’d thought about it much.

“Till tomorrow, Miss Grant.”

“Yes, till tomorrow, Mr. Austen.”

Finn

Daddy! Wake up! I’m home!”

“Who’s home? Who is that? Whose bony little body is bouncing on my belly like I’m a trampoline?”

“It’s me, silly Daddy! Iwis!” I loved how she said her name. Not pronouncing her Rs bothered her greatly, but I secretly, selfishly, hoped she never grew out of it. With a quick flick of my wrists, I grabbed her ankles and flipped her upside down. Bubble-gum-scented curls tickled my nose, and I took a mental picture of an extraordinary everyday moment. “You’re not my Iris. You’re too grown up to be my Iris. I demand to know what you’ve done with her!”

“Itisme, Daddy. I think maybe I gwew over the weekend. I did eat lots of waffles. Do waffles make you gwow?”

Spinning her the right way up, I dropped her back onto my stomach. She blew, then brushed her hair from her face and gave me a cheesy grin—the same one her mum would give me as she lay on her board, watching me and not the waves. My heart gripped, but I swallowed it down for Iris. “Well, whaddaya know, it is you! And yes, I think, for sure, waffles make you grow, especially if they are covered in strawberries and cream. Wereyourwaffles covered in strawberries and cream, Iris?”

“Yup, and I loved it!”

“As much as you love me?”

Her precious little face filled with naughtiness, her eye twinkled, she screwed her lips to the side and tapped her dimpled little chin as she looked toward the ceiling, “Hmm…almost.” She then ran for it, knowing her reply would result in a fierce tickling.

Chasing her down the hall and listening to her laugh bounce off the walls, I was so genuinely bloody happy. God, I didn’t even know the word. I was home with the girl who owned my heart after spending the weekend with the woman who was rapidly claiming half. As they tend to do, hard times may come. Down the track, Scarlett and I still had the whole kid-introducing thing to go through and the possible fallout at work, too. But for once, these moments of pure joy and brilliance outweighed the burden and ever-present flicker of guilt. I was okay with not knowing what was coming, with not being in control or punishing myself. I was okay with a little happiness.