Page 109 of Finding New Dreams

I set up my paints and got to work. Sometime around midnight, I officially declared it done. The colors were perfect. The sketch I’d done beforehand had worked beautifully.

I sat back with a sigh and stretched the aching muscles in my lower back. Glancing around my empty apartment, yearning bloomed in my chest. I didn’t want to be alone. I wanted to show him. Was it too late?

He hadn’t texted me at all. But I wanted to try.

Rose: It’s done. If you want to see it. No pressure :)

His reply came a few minutes later.

Flynn: On my way.

Sudden panic seized me, and I shot up. Should I change? Brush my teeth? I didn’t want him to think it was a booty call. Because it wasn’t. Right?

I swapped my shorts and tank top for an oversized sweater and leggings. Better. Casual. I brushed my teeth too. Just to be safe.

His knock came the moment I exited my bathroom.

I took several deep breaths on my way to the door, but air deserted me anyway when I opened it.

His dark hair hung in loose waves around his chiseled features. His jacket hung open, and the heavy zipper clinked when he shifted toward me.

For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. His scent—warm spice and a hint of woodsmoke—turned my brain to mush. I wanted him to kiss me.

“Can I come in?”

I nodded, letting him brush past me. I’d covered the painting again so I could unveil it just right. But nerves were crawling through my body like brambles. What had I been thinking, asking him to come over so late? What was I going to say?

Gina’s face popped into my head, and I shook it away. I couldn’t tell him how I felt.

Isn’t that what the painting is for?

I banished that little voice too. He’d been asking to see it, and I’d agreed. It was only fair.

He stood still in front of the covered painting, his arms folded, his face blank.

I swallowed hard, fidgeting with a corner of the cloth. “Did you have fun at Leo’s?”

He nodded. “He made lasagna, and we had a bonfire. It was good to catch up.”

“That’s great!” I squeaked. “I ate dinner with Gina and Dom. He loves your classes, by the way.”

Flynn’s gaze finally met mine. “They’re fun to teach.”

My mind blanked. Damn it, damn it, what should I say?

He sighed, and his arms dropped. “You don’t have to do this, Rose. You don’t owe me anything.”

My hand shot out to grab his. “No, I want you to see it!”

But the moment my skin touched his, I needed more. And apparently, so did he.

He reeled me into his arms. Held me so tight our ragged breaths mingled between us.

His cheek rested against mine as he whispered hoarsely in my ear. “I missed you, Rose. Fuck, I missed you. Why didn’t you let me come after you? We could’ve talked. Damn it, I hated seeing you walk away.”

My throat tightened, and I sealed his lips with mine to stop the words. I couldn’t hear anymore. They soothed, and burned, too much.

Our tongues met, and he groaned deep into my mouth. His hand fisted in my hair, tilting my head, so he could kiss me harder, more feverishly. Savagely, even.

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