Page 67 of Off-Limits Love
The fear and doubts and insecurities threatened to choke her, but she pushed them down determinedly.
Nothing would spoil this moment. “Thanks to you,” she said softly, pulling away enough to look up at him. “All of you. I can’t believe Sophia got me a grant. I’m just— I’m struggling to believe it’s not a dream.”
Sophia’s job might be overseeing grants and such for a nonprofit organization focusing on support for female-led businesses, but— The fact she’d done all the groundwork for her as a surprise? “This is amazing. It’s everything. I can’t wait to get started. We should finalize a schedule. To keep things…official.”
Finn’s chest rumbled with a low sound, and Mak fought off a surge of instant awareness when Finn shifted and hooked a finger under her chin.
He gently nudged her face up so she’d meet his gaze.
He looked like he wanted to say something. He looked like he wanted to kiss her. Instead he canted his head to one side with a frustrated shake of his head.
“W-worth it,” he grumbled softly, his words an echo of Saturday night.
But did he mean worth the effort of fighting the chemistry between them? Worth the hassle of putting up with her and her ex? Worth stepping into his past and what held him back?
She struggled to keep her composure under the intensity of his stare. She wanted to ask, to clarify what was worth it for him, but couldn’t force herself to say the words.
So she managed to inhale and paste a smile on her face as she moved away from the tantalizing heat of him.
“Um, we should celebrate,” she said. “I-I owe you dinner at least. Come to the house and you can visit with Sam like you wanted to the other night.”
“G-go riding with m-me t-tomorrow.”
The counter suggestion startled her, and a part of her faltered from the suddenness.
Finn and her alone. Just the two of them… Maybe it would be a good time to get a feel for whether Brad was right?
Maybe this was a moment where she needed to put those red flag sensors to work and decide for herself? “I suppose I could. Emi has school, so it would be a good time to try it since she’ll be in class.”
“We c-can t-take her n-next t-time.”
Next time.Was this a friendly ride or more? They were neighbors and business associates, at least for the time being, and she supposed both did things together. Barbecues and work parties.
Maybe it was the excitement of getting the grant and the news that she’d passed inspection, or maybe it was the handsome man before her who looked far too tempting for her equilibrium, but she found herself nodding her agreement. “Okay. I’ll go.”
“Knock-knock, coming in!” Hudson banged on the door noisily.
Mak stepped away from Finn and turned, taking a few seconds to collect her rioting emotions while Hudson barged into the party barn like he tried to wake the dead.
Emi’s giggle filled the two-story building, and soon the two Blackwell siblings and kids in their care had joined them, bodyguard included.
The man looked around with interest, and Mak noted the way he took in the exits, second floor balcony and other places she imagined were security risks if the barn were filled with people.
“Mommy, I saw the babies! They’resooocute!”
“I can’t wait to see them,” Mak said, smiling at her daughter’s excitement.
“I heard congratulations are in order,” Isla said, a sweet smile on her face as she stepped forward, carrying her charge on her hip, and gave Mak a quick hug. “Such fantastic news. Hudson’s cake was phenomenal. I have no doubt you’ll do great.”
Mak couldn’t help but grin. “Thanks. I’m so excited. But it wouldn’t be possible without Finn and your family. I can’t believe how everyone’s gone out of their way to help me.”
“We know a good thing when we see it,” Hudson said, stepping up to give her a hug. “Right, Finn?”
Hudson released her in time for Mak to see Finn glare at the arm Hudson left around her shoulders.
She fought off a blush and that knee-weakening awareness that came with Finn’s behavior.
Hudson gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before he released her, and Isla tried and failed to disguise a laugh as she watched her brothers.
