Alli was horrified that things like that went on in this day and age. How could a young man be taught to revere women if he was being treated so cruelly?
As though he read her mind, he continued, “It wasn’t so bad. I was given medicine after the lashings and the only reason I carry these scars is that the Goddess deemed it so. A lasting memory of what I had done. After I had been there a while, an old crone named Elsapeth took me under her care. I was moved into her home. She began my instruction in everything, from my magic to our history and all things that had to do with our way of life. She taught me that by my actions I had not only disrespected you but also disrespected all women. It taught me a great deal.” Turning Alli’s face up to his, he smiled gently. It took her breath away.
“All that I have learned has made me a better man. Any scars that I carry on my body are a testament to what I learned on the island and I will forever be grateful to the education I received there. It made me the man I am today. I hope it’s made me worthy of you and your trust.”
Alli reached up and pressed her lips to his, kissing him deeply. She’d had no idea what Finn had been through. The fact that he wasn’t a bitter man spoke volumes. He was strong and caring and made Alli feel a kind of hope she had never known before.
She held her breath as it hit her. She loved him, had always loved him. That is why his betrayal had hurt her so deeply and that is why she was able to forgive him now. She loved Finn Donovan. The knowledge scared and thrilled her at the same time. He had left town a spoiled kid and had come back a man. A flesh-and-blood, beautifully flawed male. One who had a body to die for and made her believe that maybe, just maybe, happily ever after might exist.
“Come on, Alli, we need to shower.” He pulled her up and walked her into the bathroom.
Finn turned her around as the hot spray from the showerhead fell down around them. He massaged the vanilla-scented shampoo into Alli’s hair. She moaned and allowed him to scrub deeply. It felt so good. Grabbing the soap, he lathered his hands up and ran them down her body.
“Turn around, Alli, and put your hands on the wall,” Finn ordered her. He was so fucking turned-on, his cock engorged and wanting to feel the heat of her pussy.
Alli hadn’t looked at him with pity or even sympathy. She had given him a look of pride. In her wisdom, she didn’t try to comfort him with lies about how sorry she was. She just accepted what he told her and left it at that. He thought he saw something else in those beautiful expressive eyes, something like forgiveness. He couldn’t ask though, he still had his pride and it would be up to Alli to tell me she had forgiven him.
Alli placed her hands on the wall as Finn had told her to.
“Don’t move, no matter what,” he whispered close to her ear.
Finn’s hand traveled down her spine, causing her to lose her breath at the feel of him skimming her skin. The depth of sensation his dancing fingers caused. His mouth followed the wicked path his hands had just taken. Going to his knees in the shower, he began kneading her plump ass, opening the cheeks and planting moist kisses there. Never before had she been explored so intimately. She gave herself up to the glory of his mouth roaming over her ass.
“Spread your legs for me, baby. I want to taste you.” He groaned as he opened her lips with one hand and slid his tongue in along her slit. Back and forth from her hard little clit to her sensitive ass. Long, leisurely strokes, learning every taste of her. He couldn’t help but moan at her sweetness. His hand coming around the front of her and playing with her clit. Rubbing it just right, making her squirm in pleasure.
She spread her legs farther apart and granted him better access to her. She brought her hands off the wall and down to her nipples. She pinched and pulled them, teasing Finn to distraction. He loved watching her play with herself. His excitement shot straight to his dick. She pushed herself into Finn’s mouth. He slid two fingers into her creamy pussy. Moving deeper then retreating, he did this over and over.
“Mmm yes, baby that’s it, tell me what you want.”
“Make me come, Finn,” she begged, her voice hoarse from crying out.
Finn stood up and pushed her hands back to the tiled wall. He inserted his cock at her entrance and pushed forward. Hard strokes, this was no time to be gentle, as Alli screamed. He grabbed hold of her breasts and held them tightly as he rammed his cock into her. Over and over, his thrusts pummeled her aching walls. He pulled back and slid his thumb into her ass.
“Oh Finn. Yes…” She thrust back against him.
Finn knew she wanted it harder. He grabbed her hip, digging his fingers into her flesh as he pounded into her again and again.
Alli was unprepared for the orgasm when it hit her. All over, her body tensed and shook, grabbing Finn’s cock hard, her pussy walls wrapping around him. Finn bit her shoulder as she felt his warm cum shoot into her.
They soaped each other up and rinsed off before leaving the shower. Finn gently dried her, taking his time. Her soft skin glowed and was slightly pink from the hot water. He wrapped another fluffy towel around her and then dried himself off. They walked hand in hand to the bed. He pulled back the covers; she removed her towel and crawled in. He followed behind her, pulling the blankets around them. “Are you okay, baby?” he asked.
She merely snuggled deeper into his side. “I’ve never been better.”
“I hear a but in there somewhere.”
“Okay, it’s a little freaky that you can read me like that.”
He kissed her gently. “I wouldn’t call it freaky, I’d call it two people who are in sync. So what’s on your mind?”
“Heather. I can’t help but see her lying helpless in bed. She is so strong and selfless. I’m not sure I could be so sweet about a situation I had no control over. I imagine I’d be one angry woman, mad at the world.”
“You need to give yourself a hell of a lot more credit than that. Baby, you’re strong both inside and out. You’re smart, sexy and brave. Your compassion is awe-inspiring and your forgiveness is unprecedented. Anyone else would have told me to fuck off the minute they saw me again.”
“Are you angry at what Duncan did to your family? His choice to follow his family’s wishes and forsake true love?” She shivered as Finn’s eyes darkened. Was he feeling the same thing Duncan had, fulfilling the edict of his family in order to save Heather?
He tipped her chin up and cupped her cheek. “I didn’t live back then. The world was a different place. I would like to think I would follow the path of love but that would be a lie and I won’t lie to you, Alli.”
She admired his honesty but the romantic in her was disappointed.
He rolled over, fitting himself between her thighs. “Baby, things are different now. We have choices. You can walk away anytime and I’d understand. You didn’t ask to be dragged into my family’s troubles. But I want you, Alli. I want to be with you in the worst way.”
He leaned over, sipping from her lips. She never wanted this moment to end, never wanted tomorrow to come, when life and death decisions would be made.
“As much as it would kill me, I would let you go. I don’t want you to be a slave to this curse. I only want you here because it’s your choice. If we bond it’s forever and you need to be sure you want to spend your life with me. It would be a real marriage in every sense of the word.”
Finn never ceased to amaze her. Over and over, he kept giving her an out. He wasn’t trying to use guilt to bring her into the fold. It was extraordinary and her heart twisted with joy and love and every emotion in between.
“Thank you. Thank you so much for being honest with me. For giving me the space I need and the freedom to make my own choices. Right now the only thing I can think about is you sliding into me.”
“Oh baby, you don’t have to say it twice.”
She threw her head back as Finn thrust forward and took them over the edge of desire.
Alli went to work early the next morning. With Finn asleep in her bed, she left him a note that she
would meet him at his family home later that evening—she didn’t want to leave him naked and warm with just a sheet covering his perfect ass.
She had a lopsided grin on her face. He was so great in bed. Their time together now was different from the first time.
Love, the word came easily to her mind when she thought of him. She wanted to tell him but was scared. Even though he said they were meant to be together, she still wasn’t sure if telling Finn would be the right thing to do.
The day dragged on slowly as it always did when she wanted to be somewhere else. Alli kept busy, putting away a new shipment of books, calling customers and redoing her romance section, which only served to remind her of Finn.
The chime over her door rang just before closing and James came in.
“Alli, I’m in the mood for some hot fudge, what do you think?” he asked, his big blue eyes shining.
“Sorry. I can’t go with you tonight. I’m going over to the Donovans to see Heather.” Alli flinched when his face fell and became slightly pink.
“I thought you were going to stay away from those people. I told you, they’re bad news. Cursed or something like that.” His handsome face twisted up as he spoke.
“I’m going to see a sick girl. It’s true that she’s going through something we can’t understand but she is an innocent girl who is a bit lonely and I’m going to bring her a few books to help occupy her time.”
“Okay, okay, tell you what? If you let me go with you and check out the Donovans’ place then I won’t give you any more grief over it.” James looked sincere enough.
She wasn’t sure that was the best idea but it gave her the chance to show him the Donovans didn’t bite or ride around on broomsticks. She really liked James and considered him a good friend. If he saw Heather for himself, he would know she didn’t deserve the sickness that was slowly killing her. If he could get a glimpse of the poor girl, surely he would concede that no matter what type of family the Donovans were, Heather was ill and shouldn’t be for someone so young.
Maybe she could make him understand, maybe not. He would definitely freak out if she told him that Finn wanted to make her his forever.
“Sounds good. Why don’t you follow me over there? I just have to cash out my register and we can leave.” This seemed to satisfy James and he waited patiently for Alli to finish closing up for the evening.
Chapter Twelve
Finn wasn’t at home when Alli and James got there. Patrick let them in and told them to visit with Heather. She was feeling better and would be able to have more than one person in her room.
Alli led the way to Heather’s room and knocked softly against it, not wanting to wake her, in case she was sleeping.
“Come in,” came the small voice on the other side of the door. Upon seeing Alli, Heather broke into a big smile.
“I brought you some of my favorite romances to read. I thought it must get a bit boring lying in here all the time.”
“Thank you,” Heather replied, lifting her fragile hand up and taking the books that Alli offered. “Who is your friend?” Heather asked.
Alli blushed. She had forgotten all about poor James standing behind her. “Heather, this is James Bright, the local high school principal and a good friend of mine. James, this is Heather Donovan.”
Alli half turned to look at James. He said nothing, just stood in place staring at Heather. The look he had in his eyes, Alli recognized that look. It was the same way Finn looked at her. He seemed fascinated and dumbstruck at the same time. As if realizing he was ogling, he stepped forward and put out his hand.
“Pleasure to meet you.” He clasped her hand in his and held on to it.
His eyes never left Heather’s, as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world. Even the dark circles beneath her eyes, her pale skin, didn’t deter his stare. Alli knew it was easy to see and feel the gentleness emanating from her soul.
Alli watched, fascinated as he caressed Heather’s cheek. Could she make James understand the nature of Heather’s illness? Was it even her place to tell him such a secret? Normally it never would have crossed her mind but the longing in his expression was so familiar. She hoped like hell she hadn’t opened a giant can of worms, bringing James along to meet Heather.
It was apparent Heather was as entranced with James as he was with her. Alli was beginning to feel like a third wheel as the two of them began talking. Heather’s sallow face took on a glow as she listened to James tell her about life at his school. Alli couldn’t believe it. James of all people, who had been adamantly against her having anything to do with the Donovan family, now looked at Heather as if she was the love of his life.
She backed out of the room slowly, smiling. Maybe Heather and James could find some comfort in each other. Alli knew that Heather had so few joyful moments since her illness had taken hold of her.
She yelped when she hit a solid wall at her back. Turning, she found herself in Finn’s arms. He wrapped her up in them, bending down to give her a scorching kiss.
“I missed you today,” he whispered. His head came up as he heard Heather giggle. “Who is in there with her?”
Alli stopped him. “Don’t go in there. James Bright came with me today to see Heather and they are hitting it off.”
“She tires out so fast these days. Besides, isn’t he that blond man I saw you leave with the first night?”
“Yes, but he and I never dated, we were only ever friends. I know she’s tired but she is laughing and having fun with him. He’s the high school principal and completely harmless, I promise. Just let them have some fun for a bit. I’m sure James will come out when Heather gets too tired to talk.”
Finn conceded and pulled Alli back to him, giving her a blistering kiss, thrusting deeply into her mouth as he began moving her down the hallway.
He opened a door without breaking their kiss and walked them inside his old room. He had missed Alli like mad today and couldn’t wait to get his hands on her.
He fell back on the bed, pulling Alli with him. “Oh baby, you don’t know how much I’ve wanted to do this all day. After waking up in your bed, your scent all over the sheets. I’ve been hard since you left.” His arms wrapped around her back. Stroking up and down along her spine. “Alli, baby, after our time in the shower, I forgot to ask. Are you on the Pill?”
He was hoping the answer was no. The idea of Alli possibly being pregnant with his child filled him with a satisfying kind of joy.
“Yes, Finn, I’m on the Pill,” she replied, to his disappointment.
Finn flipped Alli onto her stomach. She shivered as he pulled her shirt over her head. He buried his mouth into the back of her neck, playfully nipping at the flesh there. His tongue creating circles on her back as he reached down and pulled her pants and underwear off at the same time.
Finn kneeled behind her. He was going to take her hard and fast this way. He couldn’t help it, his body had missed hers all day long and screamed for release deep inside her. He brought her up in a kneeling position, placing his large hands around her breasts, his fingers running along the outer edges, moving ever closer to her nipples. They tightened at the first feel of his hands to her skin.
Alli ached to have him touching her taut peaks. He obliged her as he began to slowly rub her nipples between his thumb and forefinger, his mouth going back to her neck as he pinched her harder. Alli couldn’t help the moan that escaped her lips. Pressing her behind against his erection and grinding against him, she wanted to feel him in her. Her lover, Finn, the man of her dreams. The way he made love to her was mind-blowing in its intensity and Alli had lost her heart and soul to him.
Finn pushed her down to her hands and slid his tongue along each vertebra in her spine. His fingers going between her thighs and finding her wet and slick for him. That’s what he loved so much about Alli. She was ready and waiting for him. Her soft pussy was made for his cock. The way it hugged him when he was sliding in and out of her.
He loved her. There w
as no doubt about it. He would spend the rest of his life telling and showing her how much she meant to him.
Unable to wait a moment longer, Finn removed his finger and replaced it with his cock. Sliding through her slit and resting the head just inside her. Gripping her hips hard, he plunged forward and was rewarded with a scream. Alli flung herself backward into Finn and stroked his cock with her tight pussy, over and over. She was going wild and Finn was in heaven. The sounds of their bodies slapping together spurred him on to take her faster. Quick, short thrusts. Driving in and out of her. Her moaning and crying out his name. His woman, what a woman she was. Finn was grateful, at this moment, for the curse that had brought Alli to him.
He pulled out of her, much to her distress, and turned her so that she lay underneath him, facing him. Alli immediately wrapped her legs up high around Finn. He put one arm underneath her, pulling her up to meet him in a soul-scorching kiss that left her breathless.
He put his forehead against hers. “Alli, I love you,” he whispered before moving forward to bury himself deep inside her.
The kiss he gave was one the gentlest Alli had ever received. All he felt poured into the kiss as he slowly probed her mouth. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard.
Finn loved her. How long had she fantasized about hearing those words said to her by him? He loved her, she wanted to dance, she wanted to cry, but mostly she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.
Finn picked up the pace of his hips, bringing Alli out of her thoughts and back to them fucking. He took her hand and placed it between them. “Touch yourself for me, Alli. I want to watch your face as you come around my cock.”
Alli smiled, the smile of a woman who wanted nothing more than to please her partner, and began to rub her clit.
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