by Kathryn Shay
“Sure.”
“What do you usually drink?”
“When I’m having liquor, I order Jack Daniels on the rocks. But tonight, I’d like some dry white wine.”
He checked the wine list and when the waiter came over, he ordered a bottle of Chardonnay. “Don’t worry,” he said to her. “We don’t have to drink it all.”
“I can handle my booze, Finn.”
“I’ll remember that.” His gaze turned serious. “We have some things to discuss, so let’s do it before dinner.”
“Fine. You start.”
“How do we deal with our evolving relationship at the store?”
“We can’t pretend as if nothing between us happened. We did it today, but it would be unfair to the others to pretend all the time.”
“I agree.” Finn sighed. “We’ll have to come right out and tell them.”
“Erin already knows we care about each other. She’s told me innumerable times that I’m in love with you. That our disagreements at the store are suppressed sexual attraction.”
“About that.”
“Let me say something, first. I don’t think we should make love right away.”
His face went blank. “Why not?”
“Because it’ll complicate things.”
“Things are already complicated, honey.”
Her heart leapt at the endearment.
“I know we’re different, very different, but…”
Then she turned cold inside. “You’re rich, you mean.”
“What? No. I don’t even think about that. Our age discrepancy is an issue.”
“It’s only nine years.”
“Significant, I think. Also, you’re a lot more liberal about things than I am, especially in showing your emotions. With me, but also how the store should be run. Taking risks.”
“Yeah, you keep things close to the vest. Don’t you ever want to try anything new?”
“I’m getting better at that.” He smiled over at her. “Because of you, mostly.”
“One last thing, what about our families? I share a lot with my grandparents, who you’ve met a couple of times.”
“I remember. They seemed like ideal grandparents to me.”
“Did you have any growing up?”
“My mother’s mother. But that’s all. And those two were quite a pair.”
“Sometime, I’d like you to talk about your past, how you grew up, how that’s affected you.”
“I wish I could do it now, Millie, but I can’t yet. I’ll introduce you to my cousins, though. And I’ll come in with you tonight or whenever to greet your grandparents.”
“Let me tell them we’re in a relationship first.”
“One more thing?” His face colored. “Are we going to be exclusive or date others?”
“How do you feel about that?”
“I sure as hell don’t want you out with Emerson.”
“I’ll be seeing Emerson, maybe even have lunch with him. But today he said he wanted a romantic relationship with me and I told him no.”
“I’m…relieved.”
“What about you? No more models, no more authors…” She arche a brow. “No more mayors?”
“You know about Valerie?”
“I could tell at your birthday party.”
“That’s over. And yes, no more anybody but you.”
She grinned. “Same here. Now, back to sex.”
He gave her a sardonic smile.
“What?”
“Every time you say the word, my mind conjures up very vivid images.”
Her face flushed. “I still think we should take it slow.”
“I’ll do whatever you want.” He linked their fingers on the table and leaned in closer, said, almost in a whisper, “But I’ll need to know how far I can go…touching you, kissing you, smelling your scent, where I can move my hands…”
“Stop it, Finn! You’re making me want that on purpose.”
But she was laughing. That was good to hear. He laughed too.
* * *
“He shut off the engine at the curb and turned to her. “They’re asleep?”
“Yeah, no lights on. I was out later than I thought I’d be.”
He’d taken her for dessert at Serendipity. They feasted on the Outrageous Banana Split, served in a trough, big enough for two. He’d watched her devour the ice cream and trimmings with delight.
“Your models don’t eat like this, do they?”
“I’m not sure I ever saw anybody eat like you do. I love how you enjoy food. Actually, how you enjoy everything.”
“Did you have fun tonight?” he asked.
“I had a great time.” She held his gaze. “Kiss me, Finn.”
He leaned over the gearshift and got as close as he could. This time, the kiss wasn’t gentle. It was carnal. Desire rushed through her as he devoured her mouth. She devoured his back. His hand grasped her neck tightly. Hers traveled to his nape, too, to pull him closer.
At one point she removed his hand from her neck and he edged back. “Over so soon?” he asked with regret.
“No.” She took his hand and place his hand on her breast. “I want some level of intimacy.”
His eyes never leaving her face, he kneaded her. First one breast then the other. Her own eyes closed with the sensation. He whispered, “I want to feel your skin.”
“Yes.”
Slowly he slid his hand under her shirt. She wasn’t curvaceous so she wore a slip of a bra. Which he pulled down. She lurched toward him when he touched her there. Kneaded again, took a nipple between his fingers. Her head thrown back, she let it go on and he was the one to stop.
She murmured, “Come inside.”
“No, you’d regret that in the morning.”
Her hand swept his groin. “You want to.”
“But you don’t, really.”
She frowned.
He kissed her nose. And said, “I like that you want to. But this decision has to be made when our heads are clear not in this very, very hot necking session.”
“You’re right. You made me forget that.”
With humor, he said, “I’ll try harder next time.”
Leaning over, she whispered, “You’ll be harder next time, Finn.”
He kissed her smart mouth, then got out of the car and opened her door. Reached for her. “Come on, I’ll see you inside safely.”
* * *
Jonathan Parks wore an Italian suit, monochromatic tie and shirt and Italian leather shoes. He sat down at a table in the pub early Thursday morning with Finn and three O’Neils: Dylan, Liam and Patrick.
Finn began. “Thanks for meeting with us, Mr. Parks.”
“Call me Jon.” His friendly tone was surprising. “I understand you want to talk to me about selling the building on MacDougal, near Bleeker. I imagine you have a lot to say about condos going in.”
“What I want to know,” Finn said bluntly, “is the deal complete?”
“No. The current offer has quite extensive contingencies that have not yet been removed: an engineering study, an environmental study for things like asbestos in the walls and ceilings, or an oil dump in the backyard that makes the ground unsafe. He can’t get a mortgage until he clarifies all that.”
Finn relaxed. The deal wasn’t done.
Dylan said, “I want to know why you’re interested in changing the neighborhood so much.”
“I’m interested in progress. Changing things up.”
“But if you sell, why would you care?”
“Point taken.” He checked his watch. “I have another meeting downtown. What are you asking me?”
“If you’d sell the building to someone else. Or a group of people.”
“I’ll sell to the highest bidder without any contingencies whatsoever. But bidding ends in two weeks. So, if any of you want to buy it, get yours in fast.”
When Parks left, Dylan huffed out a breath. “At least the sale isn’t final. Unless any of you has $15,0
00,000 to spare and can buy it from him, we’ll have to fight the sale itself.”
Finn said, “I might be able to get investors. And put in cash myself.”
“That would be best. But in case that doesn’t work, we should get the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation involved. Their anti-gentrification actions have helped a lot people fight the big guys. I’d be glad to get in touch with them while you investigate the money.”
“Sounds like a plan. We’re having a meeting in three days with the tenants. Would you ask if a representative could come to address that?”
“Uh-huh. I’ll let you know what GVSHP says. We’ll see you then in any case.”
The meeting broke up and Finn left.
His body was in overdrive. The notification of the sale of the building. The meeting with neighbors. The talk with Parks all had him on edge. It all loomed over his mood on his walk back to the store. At least it kept him from thinking about last night in the car necking with Millie.
* * *
Their relationship blossomed over the next week. They’d spent time together doing fun things, getting to know each other, slowly. They hadn’t made love yet. It was deliciously killing him, too, but he was shocked that just being with her was enough now.
Today, more than ever, he wanted her company. There had been a big shake-up at work and he was busy with the other detectives who scrambled for coverage of the firings. He wanted to talk to her about those dirty cops, though he knew he wouldn’t. The sting hadn’t ended and secrecy was vital. She’d help him through, and that’s why he longed to confide in her, but he had to act professionally.
His partner, next to him in the stakeout said, “Where’d you go, Fitz?”
“I don’t know.”
“How’s it goin’ with Miss Molly McGuire?”
“Good, too, good. I don’t wanna get attached, before I know if it’s gonna be something.”
“Can’t close the barn door after the horse is out.”
“Shut up. What do you think’s gonna happen with her father?”
“You mean when she finds out?”
“No, in general.”
“He’s guilty as hell. Maybe it’s time to tell her.”
“No, it’s too soon. I’m going to hang on to that piece until…”
“The deal’s sealed?”
“Boy, you’re full of clichés tonight.”
“And you’re full of shit, Gardner.”
* * *
Chapter 5
* * *
Millie awoke slowly. She nosed into Finn and inhaled his scent. “Hmm.” Luxuriated in his body next to her. Then…she’d slept with Finn?
Wait a sec. He’d walked home with her after work, met Grandma and Grandpa, this time as her date. They’d wanted to keep Scout overnight so she and Finn had come upstairs. She’d made them some dinner, as it was only seven, they drank some wine, then sat close on the couch to talk. He was worried about the store, she could tell, though he tried to be upbeat with her. She suggested they not get maudlin until they met with GVSHP.
And then they’d fallen asleep.
Now, she tried to ease away from him, but his hand tightened on her shoulders “I’m awake.”
“Um, good morning.”
With his other hand, he tipped her chin to him. “How do you feel about a morning breath kiss?”
“From you, I’ll take anything.”
The kiss got very hot, very fast.
When he stopped it, he said, “Morning, um, means something more important than bad breath.”
“I know. You’re turned on. After that kiss, so am I. Let me get up.”
“If you insist.” She could hear disappointment in his voice.
“I’ll make coffee. If you like you can use the bathroom.” She glanced mischievously over her shoulder. “And take a cold shower, if you need to.”
He grabbed her hand to hold her back. “Listen, Missy. When we finally make love, I’m going to torture you like you’re torturing me right now.”
She laughed. “I can’t wait.”
He left the house after having coffee with her. She tidied up then went down to get Scout. Her grandparents were awake, and the dog came running, licked her face when she bent down to scratch his ears. Grandpa was behind him. “Good morning, Sunshine,” he said, kissing her cheek.
“Want some breakfast?” Grandma called out from the kitchen. “We already took Scout for a walk.”
“I’d love some.” She joined her grandmother. “Nana, you’re all dressed up.”
“Yeah, I have bridge in an hour. Grandpa’s going to the gym.”
“I love how active you two are.”
“Henry, breakfast is ready.”
They ate fluffy French toast with gooey, sweet maple syrup. She stayed another fifteen minutes, then left so they could get on with their day.
She only got in a short walk with Scout herself, showered, then stood in front of her closet and said to the dog, “This is pathetic. All my clothes are alike.”
Which never mattered to her. She pushed hanger by hanger to find something appropriate for work, but prettier than her other stuff, and vowed to go shopping on her day off. Or maybe order online. She found a jumpsuit she’d not worn much and wondered if it still fit.
It did. The denim was soft and brushed, the suit was gathered at the waist, with roll-up sleeves, pants ending at the ankle. It was more form-fitting than what she usually wore, which was probably why it was hidden away. She left the banded collar open with two buttons undone. “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.”
She tried on comfortable brown suede boots she’d bought for fall, decided they’d work, then placed them in a bag and put on sneakers, which she wore on the twenty-minute walk.
As she left, she wondered when was the last time she dressed for a man.
Never.
* * *
Finn had finally finished dressing—it had taken him forever to choose what to wear, then put on jeans just back from the laundry and a gauzy navy-blue shirt, rolled up at the sleeves. As he slid into his most comfortable loafers, he thought maybe he’d walk to work, to see if he liked it. Going to the computer, he called up maps and figured out how long the trip would take him. A half hour. He could do that.
He was about to leave when the doorbell rang. Finn pressed the intercom.
“Your mother’s here.” Robert was probably getting hell for not letting her up.
“Tell her I’ll be right down.” Grabbing his keys and wallet, he left the apartment and took the elevator to the lobby. She was waiting by the concierge desk.
“Hello, Mother.”
“Finn. I wanted to come up to talk to you.”
“I’m leaving for work now.”
“Fine, I’ll give you a ride to Fitzgerald’s. I planned to get a new book soon anyway.”
When he and Hayley made plans, they joked, Bridget laughed.
In the back seat of her Cadillac, she told the driver where to go, then buzzed up the privacy screen. “I didn’t hear back from you about Hayley’s birthday.”
“It completely slipped my mind.” Because the store was in jeopardy and because of Millie, of course. “When did you want to celebrate?”
“This Friday night.”
“You know, I could swing that, but I wouldn’t be able to come to the Hamptons. I can’t afford the overnight stay because of work. I’m in the middle of something. But if you’d come to town, I’ll make myself available.”
A flicker of something he couldn’t name filled her eyes. When was the last time he didn’t try to accommodate her every wish? “I suppose Hayley’s going to say the same thing. She never let me know either and it’s her party.”
Even more than the last time, her attempt to draw him into her relationship with his sister rubbed him the wrong way. “Mother, you’ve told her on several occasions that you were done with her, because she wouldn’t do what you wanted. Can you blame her for resisting a birthday show
-down?”
If it wasn’t so pathetic, he’d laugh at the dumb shock on Bridget’s face. “Why, you’ve never taken her side over mine.”
“Maybe it’s about time I did.”
She literally moved away from him and slid over to the window.
And Finn had a flashback of being in her house, under her control.
He knocked on her door.
“Go away,” she’d say.
“Mother, please, I’m sorry I talked back to you.”
No response.
When she came down for dinner, she sat at the far end of the table away from him. She talked to everybody but him. This went on for a week, at the end of which, all rebellion had been crushed out of him….
When she said no more for a few miles, he thought, I’ll be damned if I take this from her again. He reached out to buzz down the window. “Thomas, would you pull over? I’d like to walk the rest of the way.”
“Certainly, sir.”
He climbed out of the car without saying goodbye and started down the street. He could breathe again. Some might call what he did running away, but it was the very first time he’d stood up to her as an adult.
And that, too, was pathetic.
Fifteen minutes later, he entered the bookstore through the front, using his keys, because they had another hour before opening. Judy raised her gaze from the computer at the cashier’s booth where she was once again making notes. “Good morning.” She scanned him up and down. “Hmm, casual Wednesday?”
Someone came out from the back. His heart kicked in his chest. Millie looked so sexy, so alluring he couldn’t speak. She reached them.
Judy added, “I guess it is. And you two match!”
Millie grinned and Finn grinned. And for a minute, his mother’s behavior, the store being in jeopardy melted away and all was right with the world.
* * *
After talking with the staff about the change in their relationship, Millie walked into the small rare book section of the store to update the contents. She unlocked the eye-level case and checked the inventory. Steinbeck had sold out. She didn’t have any more of his books in her stock, so she’d be sure to search for offers online. Zora Neale Hurston, a popular women’s author who wrote about racial issues in the early 1900s, was down to one copy left. She was about to lock the case, when somebody joined her. “Please don’t lock it yet.”