Page 92 of Your Two Lips
“Lucas, I’m sorry. How can I help?”
“Don’t tell anyone until I get the chance to. Christmas is Mom’s favorite time of year. They can’t do anything right now, and I don’t want her to worry. I’m fine. Tired. I saw the boxes at Finn’s place. You’re all moved in?”
A grin tugged at my lips. No way to stop it at the hint of Finn and me forever. “Yes. Most of my furniture is still in my house, but my kitchen stuff, clothes, and other things I need are all here. I’ll figure out what to do with everything in the new year.”
“I could use a place to stay. I want to get out of the city for a while. Think about what the hell I’m doing with my life. Help out around here. I can pay rent. My money situation is fine. My pride, not so much.”
“Sure, you can stay at my house. No rent needed. You’re family.”
“I thought you said we weren’t family.”
“That was before you told me it was only a matter of time.” I winked.
“You want that? To marry Finn? Live on a farm in a small town with the same five restaurants?”
“With everything I am,” I said on an exhale.
“Wow.” He breathed. “Your face. You’re beautiful.”
“Lucas …”
“No, not like that. I mean, I’m not blind or stupid, and if my brother suddenly became blind or stupid, I would probably try to win your heart. But no. That’s genuine love you feel for him. I haven’t seen that on many faces other than my parents. He’ll do the deed. Don’t worry.”
His smile was tired but genuine. I wished I was able to do more for him.
“You’re a good brother, Lucas. Your family loves you and will be glad to have you home, app development mogul, or not.”
He laughed. “Thanks. The city’s lost a little of its shine. And to emphasize my pain, my favorite restaurant, Hill & Ocean, is not the same suddenly, and I can’t even buy a freakin’ almond cake to drown my sorrows in sugar if I did that.” He glanced at me and stretched his arms above his head. “I need to get out of Seattle for a while. Perry Harbor is quiet. Not many tourists around in winter to distract me. It’s a good place for hang time.”
“I agree.”
Dad and Elenasaid their goodbyes after coffee and promised to come back for breakfast. I’d offered them my house, but they were staying in a suite at The Elliot, enjoying the spa.
“We're heading out.” Finn pushed my legs off his lap and stood, grabbing my hand and pulling me up with him. “Emily’s tired, and we have an early morning if we plan to get through that pile of presents in one day.”
“Oh hush,” Donna said. “I spent the same amount of money on everyone this year as I spent last year with a minor bump for inflation and new participants.” She gave a wink to me.
“Right,” Bob sang from his comfy recliner. Everyone was particularly glad to have him here, considering how close they came to losing him. He was eating right and exercising, and making a full recovery. Tonight’s reasonable serving of potatoes and gravy notwithstanding.
“I’m sleeping here tonight,” Lucas said. “I can sneak some leftovers later and steal the first bites of panettone French toast in the morning.”
I said my goodbyes then, in deference to the mud, I pulled on my Hunter rubber boots, a Northwest essential, and walked across the still green lawn to Finn’s house. Our house. We stomped the heavy mud and dripping water from our boots in the aptly named mudroom and walked into the warm kitchen.
Finn pushed me against the refrigerator door and kissed me with abandon. I would never tire of his lips on mine. I opened and let him in. His tongue caressing, his hands on my waist pulling me closer. I wiggled against his growing erection and heard his low growl. I loved that growl.
He moved his hand under the hem of my sweater. “I love when you don’t wear a bra.” His voice was breathy between kisses on my neck. “I could slip my hand around your waist, helping as you walk on the rocky coast. I could innocently pull you into me for a hug and slip my hand up your side.” He was good. My panties were already melting.
“You’d exhale, and I’d slip a little higher as I held your body close. Then I’d cover your soft, bare flesh, so warm and welcoming, like coming home.”
His words flowed over me as my breathing came closer to panting. I was burning, my skin yearning for his touch. Raising my eyes, I saw the fire in his. I pressed closer to his heat and the intensity of his gaze. All I wanted was him surrounding me, with the sound of gentle rain and a cocoon of stopped time.
He leaned down for another kiss, his tongue gently stroking mine between leisurely sips as his hand slipped higher under my sweater.
He pulled back, ending the kiss with a smack. “You’re wearing a bra.” He tsked. “That’s not giving me what I want for Christmas, Emily.”
“Are you sure? I thought you would like a little red satin ribbon and sheer lace for Christmas.”
He growled that deep sound I loved and pulled me toward his bedroom. Our bedroom.
