Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
That’s my man.
He holds to his promise, fucking and loving, and wringing climax after climax out of me as I ride him, as he puts me on my hands and knees, then as he lifts my arms over my head, and pins me down, so he can slowly, exquisitely take me over the edge with him.
“Do you like dogs?”
I turn to my side and arch a brow Finn’s way. “Is this another trick question? Like Do you like pizza?”
“Well, do you?” He runs a finger down my naked hip, a few minutes post-O.
“I like pizza, pineapple, pajamas, and dogs. Now, tell me why you’re asking such a ridiculous question.”
“I’m adopting a dog tomorrow. I mean, we are. Zach and me,” he says, and my god, he sounds so cute when he’s all new daddy. “I was going to text you a week ago and ask if you liked dogs. But I didn’t.” He dips his face, nuzzles my neck. “I just wanted to talk to you. But I wanted to know the answer too.”
“So you’re really asking if I like dogs?” Pretty sure he’s asking something else. I’ll wait, though, for him to say it.
He lifts his face, but he’s quiet, clearly thinking. After he takes a big breath, he asks, “Would you want to walk a dog with me? Come over if I have a dog? Spend time with the dog and me?”
And we’re getting warmer. I smile, and it feels serene but a little playful. I’m almost positive what he’s truly chipping away at. “Sure, Finn. You and a dog.”
He drags a hand through his hair, gearing up for the next thing. “And my son?”
Nerves lace his voice, and I laugh, then drop a kiss to his stubbly cheek to put him out of his misery. “Did you think I didn’t know you had a kid when I agreed to all that love stuff a few minutes ago?”
“A few minutes ago? Please. That was an hour ago. Clearly, you’ve lost track of time with all the orgasms I gave you.”
“Occupational hazard of being…” I stop on the word. But then I decide to own it. I’m the bold one, after all. “Your girlfriend.”
His smile is electric, thoroughly pleased with the title I gave myself. “Yes. It is. And yes, I know you’re aware I have a kid,” he says, as his eyes hold mine with a particular intensity, but with some trepidation too. “I want you to be a part of my life. Of our life. Do you want to?”
My heart melts a little more. I run my fingers along his cheek. “Oh Finn. I do. I don’t know much about kids. But I know you’re a package deal. And you being a father was never something that worried me.”
“Good. And yes, I want to go to the New York Public Library event with you. Zach and I would love to,” he says.
“I can’t wait,” I say, picturing it already. The three of us. I never imagined I’d want to hang out with a single father and his young son, but I never imagined a man like Finn—bossy, dirty, loving, giving.
I want all of him, and I want to know his son too. I just do. It’s that simple.
He leans over and kisses me quickly. “Are you hungry?”
“Is this a trick question?”
Thirty minutes later, we’re half-dressed and eating spicy noodles on my couch. Since I’ve grown tired of beating around the bush, I face the big issue head-on. “What should we do about my father?”
He sighs, setting down the chopsticks. “That’s the question. And honestly, I haven’t felt much inclination to run or bike or swim with him.”
“Because of what I told you in Giverny?” I ask, a little surprised at the rift. They seemed so close.
His eyes are hard. “Yes. Because even before you became mine, you felt like mine. I would never let anyone hurt you. Including your father.” There’s no question in his tone. He’s chosen.
I’m floored. I didn’t expect him to choose me. But he did. Maybe because of what I told him, or maybe because of how he feels for me. Either way, it’s a lot to absorb. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” he says, emphatic. “When we did our triathlon, I said something to him.”
I flinch. “You did?”
He sits up straighter. “I would never break your trust. I didn’t reveal what you told me. Instead I talked generally about regrets. About the things we say, and the things we don’t say. I couldn’t leave it untouched.”
I breathe deep in relief. “I talked to him, Finn. Last night.” I don’t reveal my father’s confidences either. Those aren’t mine to share. But I desperately want him to know that he doesn’t have to protect me here. “And…I think we’re going to be okay. I forgive him, and he wanted to be forgiven.”