Heartbreaker

by Melody Grace

  The road alone.

  He wasn’t to know the burden he left behind. I ache to think of him out there on his own. I had my parents, Lottie, even Gracie, trying to blot out my broken heart in all the wrong ways. But Finn? He had nobody, and nothing but the life he built for himself from scratch, piece by piece, with only his own determination and talent to light the way. I wasted my chances, but he conjured his own out of thin air, and look what he’s made of them now. Success, admiration, the whole world at his feet.

  He made it all happen, because that’s just the kind of man he is.

  I hold him close. “Thank you for telling me,” I whisper. “I’m just so sorry I didn’t know. I wish I could have been there for you, helped you somehow--”

  “Hey.” Finn pulls back. “Don’t you ever say that,” he orders me, his eyes blazing in the dark. “You were the first person to believe in me. You kept me going, even through my darkest days. You’re the whole reason I’m here, why I made anything of myself. I never stopped loving you, Eva,” he swears. “It’s all because of you.”

  I stare at him in disbelief, but his words haven’t even landed before his lips crash down on mine; a fevered kiss that’s edged with desperate emotion. He pushes me back against the wall, and I take him in, taste every last moment. He wraps my legs around his waist, hands wild in my hair and on my skin. I kiss him hungrily, nothing holding us back now.

  The years melt away and for the first time in what feels like forever, the ache lifts from my chest.

  I never stopped loving you…

  Finn carries me back inside the bedroom as my head spins and my heart pounds with giddy relief. He tumbles me back onto the bed, and then I feel the weight of him, God, that glorious weight – his body pressing me into the mattress, his muscular limbs wrapping around me, holding me tightly. Safe and sound in his arms again.

  He peels off my robe, and exhales a slow breath. “You’re a masterpiece, you know that?” he whispers, dropping a dozen kisses on my naked skin, light as feathers. “I could never put in words what you do to me. I’ve tried a hundred times, but those songs, they don’t even come close.” Emotion rushes through me, and suddenly, I’m on the edge of tears. “Hey,” he murmurs, brushing my cheeks. “Don’t cry, baby. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

  “No,” I shake my head, trying to blink back the tears. “I’m sorry. I let you down, I’ve spent all this time hating you.”

  “I deserved it.” He rests his forehead against mine, so I feel every breath on my own lips. “You’re right. It wasn’t my choice to make. And all this could have been avoided if I’d just talked to you. Trusted you enough to let you in.” Finn pauses, his voice breaking with intensity. “Do you think you can you ever forgive me?”

  I cradle his face in my hands. That face that’s haunted my dreams, so gorgeous it almost hurts to look.

  “I already do,” I breathe, and watch his eyes flash with raw emotion. “I forgive you, Finn. But can you do the same for me?”

  He frowns. “You don’t need it, Eva. You never did.”

  I open my mouth, but Finn swallows up my confession with another burning kiss. This one is deeper, more powerful than ever, and the strength of it takes my breath away. Dazzling and free, I sink into the kiss, his mouth on mine, his body moving over me, touching me, opening me up to the heat and slow burn brilliance that builds, coiling tight through every inch of my body.

  This time, it’s slow. Deep. So tender, I can’t hold back the tears. Finn touches me over and over, sliding those miraculous hands across my aching skin until I’m panting and dizzy for him, wordlessly begging until at last, he sinks inside me and everything in the world is set to rights again.

  He fills me, fuck, every last inch, until I lose track of where I end and he begins. He starts to move, but I hold him back, needing to just feel him. This moment, right here. I inhale in a shuddering rush, flexing around him and feeling his body tense and groan in response. It’s incredible. I’m surrounded, overwhelmed, possessed by him, the scent of him, the crush of his body, and the raw desire burning in those blue eyes. It’s all too much, and not enough at once. I could lose myself in him for a hundred years, and still be hungry for more.

  This is all I ever wanted, and now, holding him again, all I can think is how I never want to let him go.

  “My girl,” he murmurs, biting down softly on my lower lip. I moan, and it’s all the invitation he needs to surge deeper inside me, and take my breath away all over again. I arch up, moving with him, and God, it’s beautiful. He drives me higher with every thick stroke, the whisper of his mouth and hands on my skin, and how his cock feels, so deep, so incredibly right. I’m twisting higher now, burning out of control. I buck against him, but Finn doesn’t waver, he doesn’t let up one second. He keeps on fucking me slowly, relentless, until my body feels inside out and every nerve ending is raw and electric; totally exposed.

  I’m whimpering, mindless, and his voice is right there in my ear, urging me on. “Take it deeper, baby. Take every inch of my cock.” He’s hoarse, growling now with labored control, but it still makes me wet to hear him whisper all those filthy, secret words. “That’s right,” he murmurs, thrusting into me again so deep I have to gasp. “You need it all, my dirty girl. Nobody can do you like this, baby. Nobody knows exactly what you need.”

  “You do,” I whimper.

  “That’s right. Only me.”

  Finn shifts his weight, grinding up now with every stroke to hit my clit too, the sweet, maddening friction. “Only me,” he says again. “Say it.”

  I moan as pleasure fuses through me. Building. Circling. “Only you,” I vow, clinging on for dear life. “It’s always been you.”

  Finn stills, and I gasp, needing more. But he just clasps my check in his hand, forcing my gaze up to him, so I can see the look in his eyes as he slowly, slowly drives into me again.

  Oh God.

  “Let go,” he orders me. “You’re there, baby. You just need to fall.”

  I want to. I’m so fucking close, but part of me is holding back. We’ve stripped away all the games and distractions, and my heart open like never before – but I’m scared to take that leap. And then Finn drives into me suddenly, hard and fast, and the universe contracts to just the sweet friction of our bodies. The spark ignites, exploding through me in a wild rush of pleasure so strong it rips a fevered cry from my lips. I come hard, clutching to him, and it’s only when I surface to his shuddering body that I hear him muttering my name, over and over, a sweet lullaby that takes us both into the black.

  Seventeen.

  I wake up to find the bed beside me empty. For a moment I tense, the past rushing back to me. But then I hear music playing downstairs on the radio, and smell the sweetest scent on earth floating through the morning air. I wrap myself in a robe and wander downstairs. “Is that bacon?” I greet Finn in the kitchen. He’s shirtless and damp from the shower, standing over the griddle pan with a pair of tongs in one hand, and suddenly, I get breathless and weak. Every woman’s fantasy brought to life: a hot man who cooks.

  Could he get any sexier?

  “Morning, sleepyhead.” Finn gives me a lazy smile, full of promise.

  “What time is it?” I yawn, stretching. My body aches, but it’s a sweet pain, a reminder of everything that happened last night.

  “Almost seven.” Finn grins. “I tried to wake you, I didn’t know if you had to be at the office today, but you were pretty out of it.”

  “Well, someone wore me out.” I walk over and slide my arms around him, dropping a light kiss on his shoulder. “Why do I have to go to work? I feel like I could sleep for days.”

  He laughs. “Even if you could stay home, you wouldn’t be sleeping.”

  “No?”

  “Uh huh.” He turns around, holding me close. “I would have very different plans,” he says, kissing along the delicate arch of my neck. “First, you eat, then I’d fuck you senseless another dozen times. And that’s just for starters,
” he adds, as my whole body shivers in anticipation.

  “Can we hit pause on that plan for, ooh, the next eight hours?”

  Finn smiles. “You can bet on it.”

  I hungrily eye the spread he’s got going: eggs, bacon, pancakes. It all looks amazing. “Since when did you learn to cook?”

  “Since I overdosed on bad junk food on tour.” Finn expertly slides food onto two plates and hands them to me. “OJ or coffee?”

  “Both please.”

  I take our food out onto the back porch, and Finn follows with our drinks. We sit on the bench there and dive into the food. I haven’t been so hungry for days, and it’s not until my plate is almost empty that I come up for air.

  Finn is watching me. “What?”

  “Nothing. Just, I love that look. When you’re eating and you can’t get enough.”

  I arch an eyebrow. “Get used to it,” I smirk, “You’re not the only one who has plans for the weekend.” I slide my hand over his thigh, and he laughs out loud.

  “Anytime you like, baby.” Finn winks. “I won’t stand in your way.”

  Finn puts his empty plate aside, and drapes one arm around me as he drinks his coffee. It’s quiet out, the early morning sun filtering through the trees, and the sound of birdsong chirping lightly in the background. I inhale a deep breath, taking it all in, and just like that, I’m filled with a sense of peace, bone-deep and perfect. I sink against him, and revel in the moment, this precious moment I thought I’d never get to feel again. If I could freeze time, I would suspend us right here for a hundred years, just to enjoy each and every breath.

  “Pretty damn perfect,” Finn murmurs, and I smile.

  “You read my mind.”

  I’m tempted to call in sick. Delilah’s probably hung over from the party, too, but she’d cover for me if I asked. The thought of spending the whole day here wrapped up in Finn is too good to resist, and I’m about to go find my phone when I hear a ring tone inside the house. But it’s not mine.

  Finn gets up, and stretches. “Want more bacon while I’m in there?”

  “Always!”

  He saunters inside, still looking dangerously sexy in nothing but his jeans. I watch him go, and feel something stirring in my chest. Not just desire, but something deeper, more intense.

  What happens now?

  I push the thought back. I’m going to enjoy this moment for as long as I can, so I get up, and head inside. Finn is in the kitchen, talking on his cell phone.

  “So did he actually offer, or is this more bullshit from the label?” He intercepts me, pulling me into his arms without missing a beat. “Yeah, I know, but I wanted the break.” Finn kisses my cheek. “Sorry,” he whispers. “This won’t take long.”

  “It’s okay, I need to shower and go get ready for work.”

  I make to leave, but Finn keeps me locked tightly against him. His free hand slides under my robe, teasing across my bare skin. I laugh, and try to pull away.

  “What? No, just the radio,” Finn tells the person on the other end of the phone. He grins at me, sliding his hand up across my breast. “I turned it on without realizing.”

  I catch my breath, Finn’s fingers toying with my nipple. He’s playing dirty, so I reach for his jeans, and start to unbutton his fly. Now it’s his turn to try and bat my hands away, but I just smile, and close my hand around him, stroking his hard length.

  Finn sucks in a breath. “What?” he asks, trying to focus. “Sorry, I missed that. Tell me again?”

  I stroke a little harder, and Finn gives me a look. “You want me to stop?” I whisper, wide-eyed and innocent. I sink to my knees, and slowly lick along his shaft. He groans.

  “Call you back,” he mutters, and hangs up, tossing his phone across the room. In an instant, he’s dragged me to my feet again, backing me up hard against the kitchen island. “You little minx.” He grins, stripping my robe off.

  “You started it.”

  “Which means I get to finish, too.” Finn grabs my waist and lifts me onto the counter. I wrap my legs around him, loving the feel of his mouth on my skin. He kisses across my breasts, licking at the stiff peaks of my nipples until I’m writhing eagerly against him, wet and ready. He chuckles, the sound sending a buzz of vibration against my skin. “Someone’s in a hurry.”

  “I do have to get to work,” I point out breathlessly. Not because I give a damn about making it to the office in time. No, I just need him inside me, right now.

  “Well then,” Finn lifts his head, giving me a look that curls my stomach. “I guess we’ll just have to make it snappy.”

  He yanks my thighs wider, positioning himself right against me. I gasp, grabbing his ass and pulling him closer. Finn doesn’t need another invitation. He thrusts hard, embedding himself deep inside me.

  Yes.

  He fucks me again, rocking up inside with an incredible friction, the feel of his cock rubbing my most sensitive spot. I kiss him, moaning against his mouth, balanced on the edge of the countertop with nothing but his strong arms holding me in place as he pistons faster, rocking higher.

  “Finn,” I gasp, digging my nails into his back. “Fuck, there. Right there!”

  I can feel my orgasm already building, driven on by the deep, hard thrust of his cock and the way his body slams against me with every new stroke. “Don’t stop,” I pant, thrusting to meet him. “Please don’t stop!”

  “Since you asked so nicely.” Finn nips at my earlobe, then slides a hand between us. He finds my clit, and caresses me in time with his fast, devastating strokes. Oh fuck. I sob, muffled against his skin, and then my climax is ripping through me, so fast and wild it makes my head spin.

  “Oh God, Eva,” Finn makes an animal groan, and then comes hard, panting against me. His body shudders, heartbeat racing against my chest. He gasps for air. “Fuck!”

  “Uh huh,” I murmur, the sweetness spreading through every limb like honey. “That sounds about right.”

  He holds me a moment, our pulses racing in time, then gently lifts me down and sets me on the floor. “Good morning.” He grins, brushing hair back from my face.

  I laugh, slowly coming back down to earth. “Now that’s a better wakeup than a second cup of coffee.”

  “You better go shower,” he says, sending me away with a slap on my ass. “And I’ll go make sure they didn’t trash the house before I decide to jump in there with you.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  Finn joins me in the shower after all, and it’s another hour before I roll into work, feeling flushed and exhilarated, like I’ve just run an epic marathon.

  But way more fun.

  “I hate you.” Delilah greets me as soon as I step through the doors. I stop dead.

  “What did I do?”

  “Got laid, if that grin on your face is any indication.” Delilah breaks into a delighted grin. “So come on, spill. Was it the hot vet or the sexy rock star? I’m guessing the rock star. Sawyer Green looks slow and steady, and you’ve got ‘hard fast fuck’ written all over you.”

  “Dee!”

  I go stash my purse and sit behind my desk. Delilah groans, clutching a massive coffee mug. “You’re going to take the high road? No way, that’s not fair. I’m your best friend, I deserve some salacious details.”

  I smirk. “What if my lips stay sealed?”

  “Then I’ll spike your coffee and make you talk somehow.” Delilah scoots her chair over, the wheels rattling on the carpet. “Was it good? It has to be good. You wouldn’t be walking with a limp if it wasn’t good.”

  “I am not!” I protest, laughing. “Shut up!”

  “I’ll shut up when you give me something.” Delilah studies me. “God, it must have been good. You look like you just got back from a spa weekend.” She gives a mournful sigh. “I miss glowy sex skin. My complexion is always way better when I’m getting some.”

  “Where are you putting it?” I crack, and she bursts out laughing before settling down again.

  �
�I get it. You’ve had your fun. I’m begging now.”

  I pretend to roll my eyes, but really, I’m dying to share the details. I’m so full of happiness and energy that it feels like I’m going to explode. “It was Finn,” I admit.

  “I knew it!” Delilah bangs the desk. “I saw you guys sneaking away from the party. Where did you go?”

  “Away.” I smile, remembering the secret hidden spot he showed me. Was it really just last night? I feel like I’ve lived a lifetime in just a few short hours. “And then we went back to my place.”

  “Smart move. The party lasted until so late.” Dee stifles a yawn.

  “Did you have fun?” I ask. “How’s Lottie? I need to call and arrange dinner tonight.”

  “Leave it another couple of hours,” Dee advises me. “I left her passed out in Kit’s playpen.”

  “Is she okay?” I frown.

  “She’ll be fine. A killer hangover, I’m guessing, but you’re only twenty once.”

  “I’m glad she had a good time.” I smile then pause, remembering something. “Wait, I was going to ask your advice. Edith said the land over at the shelter might be going up for sale. Apparently, the owners want to make a deal.”

  The only thing that could distract Delilah from my sex life is real estate. She frowns, then clicks at her computer for a moment. “Yup, it’s right here. It’s a big plot of land,” she adds, sounding impressed. “Great location, too. The way values are rising, it could be a real bargain.”

  “That’s what I was afraid of,” I sigh. “There’s no way she can pay the increased rent they want, and I don’t know how far donations will stretch. We burn through too much already just on food and medical supplies.”

  “I’m sorry.” Dee gives me a sympathetic look. “That sucks.”

  “It’s not going to stop you calling the owners for the listing though, is it?”

  She winces. “For you, I won’t. Because that’s how much I love you.”