by K. C. Enders
I stepped out of my comfort zone and peopled, putting myself out there, and obviously, it didn’t have great results. Not quite ready to deal with any of that, I throw myself into my real job.
Referrals have been flying in since I did Aidan’s website, so many that I can easily lose myself in the quiet orderliness of designing and coding. All I need to do is get Eric’s sleep cycle adjusted a little so that I don’t have to leave my apartment as much during normal people times.
Eric, of course, is resistant to change. Most change since, all of a sudden, he can’t seem to pass the damn Chinese restaurant without having to pee on the wall. When there are treats involved, he’s even quiet when the inevitable knocking starts on my door. Although the little dick does go cry at the door when he hears Finn’s voice through it. There is nothing worse than a weepy wiener.
We’ll get through this.
I work nonstop through the weekend and email the director at the community center, Anne, letting her know that I’m out for the rest of the classes. There are only a handful left, and to be honest, Virginia can cover them. She’s taken that class so many times, she knows the material inside and out.
Anne isn’t having it though.
“Adelaide, you’re one of the best instructors we have. You’re gifted with the ability to break down the concepts for the…more mature attendees,” she quips.
I couldn’t blow off her phone call.
“Maybe age is the problem,” I mumble.
“Problem with what?”
“Nothing. Just thinking about a different problem.”
“The young man currently enrolled in the class? Is he the one you’re concerned with?” she asks softly.
“What? No—it’s—he’s—”
“Virginia called to let me know he won’t be back. Was he inappropriate, honey? I’ve seen him around, usually helping the ladies into their cars, holding doors. Always using lovely manners, but then I’m sure age could be a factor there.”
“He quit?”
“Mmhmm. Virginia didn’t give a reason, just to let you know. She said you’d most likely be calling to back out of the rest of the session. So, since he’s not an issue, we’ll see you tomorrow.” Anne’s singsong voice fades well before she ends the call.
And, true to that message, Finn’s seat is empty. But they all are. There is not a soul here today. My ladies are never late. I glance around the room—from the door to the clock and back again.
Finally, at five after, Louise walks in and hands me a cup of coffee before sitting down.
“Thanks, Lou.” I take a sip. “Where’re the others?”
Before she can answer, Esther comes in with a box of cookies. A small one just for me, and they look suspiciously like the ones Finn made. She hands them to me and hugs me.
Ellie walks through the door with a beautiful scarf tie-dyed with pinks, teals, and blues. She wraps it around my neck and plants a grandma kiss on my cheek. I’m stunned absolutely silent.
Connie’s next with a to-go container from the diner. I crack open the lid even though I know what’s in there. The smell of sausage wafts out, and I snort-giggle, thinking of how his cheesy comments started being kind of cute.
The gifts keep coming. A fresh box of the super-soft tissues I brought him when he was sick. That one I open right away to dab at the weird emotions leaking out of my eyes.
“What is all this?” I sniff. Katherine just smiles and pats my arm.
No one responds. Instead, Sue walks in with a stuffed dog toy—Flounder from my favorite animated movie. She squeaks it twice before handing it to me and taking her seat.
Delores, the new student, walks through the door with a dog leash coiled in her hand. There are goofy sharks sporting oversize fins embroidered all down the length of it. Fins for Finn? I huff out a laugh, pursing my lips. I really want to just be pissed off, but he’s making it really hard.
The ladies have dribbled in the door, bearing gifts, over the past half hour. Looking up, I’m met with seven sweet smiles. The only one missing is Virginia.
“He set you all up to do this?” I ask through some errant sniffles.
Not a peep. Normally, these women don’t shush long enough for me to get through what I’m supposed to on a given day, but today, they have nothing to say.
Nothing.
Virginia slides up to the door and props her hip against it. “I like the new color.” She nods at me, eyeing my blue-and-silver ombre waves.
“Thanks.”
Virginia extends her arm, an envelope in her hand. “This is the last of it, honey. I’ll take over class and keep the girls in line.” She follows this up with a wink. A Finn wink.
I side-eye her pretty hard as I fumble to open the card without spilling my coffee. Surprised by the beautiful handwriting, I take in the words before looking up at Virginia. “Did you write this for him because—”
“Nope. My handwriting sucks, and you know it.” She leans in and wraps me in a big hug, whispering, “Hear him out. That boy has it bad for you.”
Connie hands me my computer case and a big floral bag full of all my presents.
Loaded down, I bite at my lip and reread his words as I stalk outside.
Adelaide,
Please come outside.
—Finn
“Why are you blocking my car, Finnegan?”
His car is angled behind mine, preventing my escape.
“It’s just Finn. And I need to make sure you listen to me.”
It’s warm for the end of March. The sun is shining, and Finn has his sleeves rolled up past his elbows. He’s leaning back, ass against the hood of his car, ankles crossed. Thumbs in his pockets, fingers dangling.
“What do I need to listen to, Finnegan? Stealing my best friends and having them do your dirty work isn’t going to fix having BMCF naked on your couch.” I pop my brows as high and judgy as I can manage, taking an exaggerated sip of my coffee.
“BMCF?”
“Bitchy McCuntface. Or has she been replaced with a new one since then?”
“No.” He snorts out a laugh. “Well, yes, actually. And it’s just Finn.”
“We’re done. Move your car, please, and let me leave, Finnegan.”
He pushes off his car and walks toward me. Relieving me of my bags, he plucks my coffee from my hand and takes a sip before setting it on the roof of my SUV. “I won’t. Not yet, not until you listen to me, Adelaide.
“Your BMCF, or Marlee, has been replaced. She was replaced a couple of months ago, about the time I tried to use a continuing ed class to get my new laptop set up. I met someone with a quick wit and a smart mouth, someone who’s far more interesting.” He takes a step closer to me, reaching out to slide a lock of hair through his fingers. “And it’s just Finn. That’s it, not short for anything.”
“Fine, whatever. That doesn’t change the fact that you were playing me. Having her spend the night after we went out? That’s fucking shitty, Finnegan. And she has a key to your apartment?” I am full-on pissed, finger poking his chest, punctuating each word. “I was just the challenge. The chick who didn’t buy your line of bullshit and give it up at the first flash of your cute fucking wink.”
“You think my wink is cute?” He steps closer again, and his smile splits his face.
“Jesus, that’s all you took from that?” Pushing against his chest, I try to give myself some space. Lord knows, I have to remind myself not to get lost in his eyes as it is.
“That was just my favorite part. But, no, I’m not toying with you. I did go home with her—once. Well before I met you. And, as for having access to my flat, her father is my landlord. She stole the key and let herself in. She was passed out drunk on St. Patrick’s Day when I got home from our date. Christ, I had to sit in the fucking car park of McBride’s for a half hour to let my windows clear and get some blood flow back to my brain. I was too exhausted to try to take her home, so I covered her up—on the sofa—and locked my bedroom door.
“
And the other night? I don’t know what that was. I’ve told her it can’t happen again. Told her I’m not interested. At all.” He takes the final step into my space, my back against the side of the car. “And, if you’d like, I’ll call my mum. Right now, so we can settle the name thing.” He slides his phone out of his pocket, taps at the screen, and holds it between us.
“What are you doing?”
The screen lights up with a video of a woman who can only be Finn’s mother. They have the same dark-red curls, same cheekbones. The same mischievous grin.
“Mum, I need you to settle something for me.”
“Of course, hon. Is that Addie with you? Hello, dear.”
I try to blink away the fact that his mom knows who I am, but it’s useless.
As I say, “Hello,” Finn talks over me and says, “It’s Adelaide, Mum. Anyway, what’s my name? My full name.”
He winks at me. That fucking wink kills me.
“Finn Francis Michael O’Meara. Have you hit your head and can’t remember?” She winks the same damn wink.
“So, Finn’s not short for anything?” His left eyebrow is creeping higher up on his forehead as he waits for her answer.
“Of course not,” Mrs. O’Meara scoffs. “What else can I help you with?”
“That’s it, Mum. Thank you. I’ll talk to you again at our regular time on Sunday, yeah?”
They blow kisses at each other and end the chat with a quick, “I love you.”
“So, Adelaide, I am just Finn. And I never encouraged Marlee’s behavior, and I hope to never encounter her again outside of McBride’s. I’d be fine with never seeing her there again either. And I’d really like for us to pick up where we were so rudely interrupted.” He tilts my face to meet his gaze.
He stares at my mouth as I chew at my bottom lip. I briefly look away before he draws my attention back to him, swiping his thumb over my poor, abused flesh.
I quickly rise up onto my toes, delivering a sweet kiss. “It’s Addie.”
23
Finn
“I don’t want to make waves, but you could definitely float my boat.”
“I am feeling a bit wet.”
I follow Addie back to her flat, sliding my car into a spot right next to hers. Jumping out, I grab her bags—all of them—from her car and sling them over my shoulder. I will proudly sport the big floral tote that Connie brought to get all the small gifts home in.
“You know, Eric is going to need attention before…” She trails off, and God love her, I hope she means…what I hope she means.
“I’ll tend to your wiener while you put your prezzies away.” I steal a kiss and snatch his new leash out of the bag.
“Oh, and I don’t know what’s up with him, but he’s been liking the Chinese place lately. He pees on the wall about halfway down the alley.”
The dog and I share a look; he’s a bit sheepish, but I’m nothing short of proud.
I scoop him up and run him down the stairs, outside and straight to the alley he seems to favor now. Of course, the little prick wants to take his time. Sniffing around, rooting under trash, generally drawing out the conclusion of his business.
“Be a good lad and go. Just get there, man.”
But no…he’s in and out of boxes, not even quick-like. He slowly drags his long snout along the top of each box as he slides back out, sometimes only to rush right back in and do it all over again, snuffling and panting as he goes.
Finally, when I’m about out of my mind, I swear, I hear him sigh. Having found what he was looking for, whatever that might be, he trots over to the wall and takes a long-drawn-out piss.
With his business done, I wrap my hands around Eric’s girth, holding him tight and stroking him from tip to tail the whole way back to Addie’s flat. When we burst through the door, he practically vibrates in my hands, and I release him with a bit of a grunt, relieved.
“Adelaide?” I almost can’t breathe with my need to touch her. “Where are you?”
“Hey, right here,” she replies from the doorway to her bedroom. “You okay? You’re breathing kind of hard.”
Her hair tumbles over her right shoulder, curling around her lush, gorgeous breast. The silvery blue is a stark contrast to her deep-purple T-shirt. A riot of color.
Closing the distance, I thread my fingers through her hair, thumbs tilting her head just so, and kiss the ever-loving fuck out of her. Not as sweet as I should be, not as reverent as I want to be. But heated, flaming passion spreads through every fiber of my being.
I pin her against the wall, unable to get close enough, needing to feel her against me. Addie slides her hands under my shirt, her palms cool against my blazing skin. I need more. Releasing her face, I kiss a trail down the side of her face until my nose is buried in the crook of her neck. I inhale her sweet, heady scent—a mixture of cherries and vanilla. She smells like dessert, good enough to eat.
I nip at the flesh where her neck gracefully meets her shoulder, soothing it with a kiss, and wrap my hands around the backs of her thighs. “Hold on,” I rasp.
She gasps when I lift, clutching at my neck to steady herself, not that she needs to. I don’t think I’ll be letting her go anytime soon. I stalk through her room, not really looking where I’m going.
When my leg hits the side of the mattress, I plant a knee and set Addie in the middle of her soft bed. Not willing to let her go for even a moment, I cover her body with my own, forearms planted on either side of her. She’s tiny, and now that I’ve got her here, I don’t want to squish her. But, dear God, do I ever fucking want her.
Piece by piece, I peel off her layers. Her bright-yellow jumper, the black leggings she’s got a preference for. Sitting back on my heels, Addie’s thighs resting on my knees, I take a moment, allowing my gaze to wander over her pale, creamy skin and amazing fucking curves. I’ve certainly seen her in less, but with her splayed out on her bed—eyes bright and blue hair slashing color across the crisp white bedding—I want more than anything to see this through.
“I think,” Addie draws out while hooking her feet under my arse, “you should get rid of some clothes, too.” She curls up to sit and whips her T-shirt off, chucking it to the floor. She undoes the top few buttons of my shirt, trailing a delicate finger along my chest as she does.
I should move, rip my shirt off, but all I can do is stare. I’m not even sure I can breathe. Because, as Addie patiently undoes each button, I’m mesmerized by the vision in front of me. She’s wrapped in creamy satin, a little navy bow nestled between her gorgeous tits. I’m definitely not breathing. In fact, I might pass out.
“Finn? Finn?”
I pull in a big lungful of air and try to focus.
“I thought I’d lost you for a minute.”
“You did. You completely did.”
Her hands are working at my belt, flipping open the button of my jeans, sliding the zip down. It’s not until her delicate hands slide around my waist, pushing at the denim, that I snap out of my haze.
I twine my fingers through her hair, grasping a fistful, and pull her head back, exposing her neck to me. The swell of her breasts spills over the top of her bra. Kissing and nipping down that lovely valley, I push one strap down and then the next. As gorgeous as this is, I want it gone, out of my way. Addie reaches behind to release the hooks, freeing what have to be the world’s most magnificent tits.
“Fucking perfect,” I murmur against them. Stretching my fingers wide to try to contain them, not wanting to allow an inch of her skin to go unworshipped, I kiss and nibble from one to the other. Sucking and biting at her nipples. Drawing each one into my mouth and letting go with a pop.
Kicking out of my jeans and trainers, I push her back down into the pillows scattered across the top of her bed. “I want to taste every inch of you,” I say, trailing my tongue down, down her flat stomach, teeth grazing and nipping at each of her hip bones.
The vanilla lotion on her skin tastes as good as it smells. She’s fucking delicious
.
I slide my hands beneath her hips, grab her navy-blue knickers, and pull at them until Addie lifts her hips.
She plants her feet on my hips, her toes nudging at my cock through my boxer briefs. “Finn?”
I close my eyes, taking a deep, controlling breath. “Addie?”
“Is that—”
“All for you, love.”
“The four-leaf clovers on your undies?”
“Mmhmm. I wore them for luck.” It takes all my concentration to keep my eyes from rolling to the back of my head. “You’re going to want to stop doing that, love.” I grab her ankles and push her feet to the side, sliding my palm up the length of her leg.
I wedge my shoulders between her thighs and lick her, slow and lazy. Circling the tight, little bundle of nerves, sucking gently.
Today, this, with Addie will be an exercise in control. Patience. My feelings for this girl are so fucking overwhelming in every way. She has pushed me away, challenged my bullshit, and made me grovel and beg in a way I never have before. I’ve never been this invested. Not even back in Dublin when I thought I was surely in love. It never felt like this.
I slide one finger through her wetness and dip inside, pumping deliberately. Her moans, her gasps, the breathy sounds she makes drive me. I add a second finger and curl them, stroking and massaging that spot, the one that makes her gasp and shudder and sigh.
“Finn…oh dear God…” She tugs at my hair, not quite deciding whether to pull me closer or push me away. Her legs tremble and shake as she comes apart with my tongue on her clit and my name on her lips.
I leisurely kiss my way across her hips, up her stomach. Lavishing attention on her gorgeous tits, lifting them, feeling the heft of them resting in my palms. I bite her nipple, lightly tugging at her flesh. Addie reaches for me, drawing my lips to hers, tasting herself on me.