Wiping her eyes, she takes a steadying breath before continuing, “Then Lanie went off to college, Sloane and I graduated high school, and even Mom left to become a traveling nurse.” This causes a tear to spill over and leak down Raven’s beautiful face, and I finally think I see where this is going.
I start to say so, but she just squeezes my hand and practically begs, “Please let me finish. I’ve never told anyone my reasons to remain independent and most importantly, single.”
Wiping at a tear from her eye, I feel her body relax, and she traces the ink of my tattoos. “You see… from the time we were born, it was Sloane and me against the world. Don’t get me wrong, I’m close with Lanie and couldn’t imagine my life without Liz, but Sloane was my everything. In fact, up until last year, we did everything together. School, summer camp, our first jobs, even college. You name it—we were inseparable.”
“And then she went on tour with Jax,” I break in, finally putting the pieces together. Oh my fucking God, this woman has literally had everyone she cares about walk away one way or another. No wonder she keeps everyone at bay.
Without knowing my epiphany, she insists, “I wouldneverbegrudge Sloane for having a life of her own. I’m truly happy for her, but yes, it hurt like hell watching her go. But I would do it again in a heartbeat to see a smile like she’s wearing today forjust five minutes. She’s so happy with Jax… and I feel like a petty bitch for missing her as much as I do. When she went away, it was like a part of me went missing, too.”
Fuck, she’s so strong and brave. And to think she’s kept this to herself all these years. I hope like hell that by her telling me this, she’s considering letting me in to that fortress she resides in. If I get that honor, I will do my damnedest to be the man she deserves.
“You said this had something to do with me?” I ask hesitantly. “If you haven’t figured it out, I’m not going anywhere—no matter how much you try pushing me away,” I pointedly remind her.
“This has everything to do with you, Finn, because I blame you for making me feel. You big jerk, you’ve made me want more, and I can’t force myself to walk away before you have the chance to hurt me.”
Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her close. “Raven, I have no intention of walking away. I’m a fucking fool in love and can’t imagine my life without you. If I have to prove to you that I’m not going anywhere, I will.”
This has Raven’s eyes snapping toward me in a nanosecond.
“You love me? As in you really love me? But we just met. How can that be?”
“For the love of all that’s holy,” I mutter under my breath. “Why on earth can’t you believe that I’ve fallen for you? I wake up thinking of you and dream about you every night when I’m asleep. You consume all my freaking thoughts. So much so, I even wrote a freaking song—about you—and had to lie to the guys so I wouldn’t give my feelings about you away. Because I’m a freaking man of my word, and I was the idiot who promised to keep things between us.”
“Well, fuck that shit.” I shake my head, annoyed with that hard truth. “I’m not keeping my feelings about you to myself anylonger. I love you, Raven, and I want everyone to know about it. If you don’t like that side of me, well, sweetness, you’re gonna need to get used to it!”
“It may have taken me forever and a day to realize it… but fucking hell… I love you, too, Finn McGowen. You made me break every rule I’ve ever had. So, what are we gonna do about it now?”
I don’t even think.
My lips are on hers the moment I process her words. She tastes of everything I’ve been missing in my life. She feels better than that first drop of rain after an immeasurable drought. The way her sexy moans escape, I need to take her home and show her just how much she means to me.
I hope my sister will forgive me, but Finn and I won’t be returning to her wedding. The moment I shared my past, a weight was lifted. I could finally see clear for the first time in forever. I’m fucking in love with Finn McGowen. I love him with my whole heart, and there’s not one single thing in this world stopping us from being together.
By the time we get back to the cottage he’s renting, our energy is more combustible than our first time together. My desire for him is no longer just scratching an itch or having a good time. My need is carnal and beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. My heart feels like it might burst out of my chest, knowing his need matches mine.
He loves me.
Finn fucking loves me.
How did I not see this earlier?
For weeks, he’s shown me with his actions, but to hear the words with my whole heart open to being loved takes everything to an entirely new level. Finn feels like he was made for me. Like he somehow gets me on a deeper level than Sloane, if that’s even possible. I know without a doubt he’ll never seek to replace her. He simply needs to share his life with me and make me his in every way.
Within seconds of entering his bedroom, our clothes are strewn across the floor as we fervently kiss our way to his bed. Lips, teeth, and tongues explore each other’s bodies as we move. My soul’s on fire. Not only am I burning from the inside out, I swear, I need him more than my next breath. Through every kiss, every caress, and the words he speaks, I know without a doubt this man loves me, he cherishes me, and above all, his goal in life is to worship me in every way possible.
We fervently crash onto the bed with him above me. His body settles between my legs. As he runs a finger through my dripping-wet sex, I pant, “Please, Finn. I need you fast and hard. We can do slow and sensual later, but I’ve waited too long to feel you inside me. I don’t want to wait another minute.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for that?” he asks, dipping a finger into my tight channel, then sliding it out and swirling along my slick heat as he travels up and around my clit. I’m so ready for him, I might incinerate on the spot. He’s fucking killing me in the best possible way.
“Fuck…” I moan in desperation as he repeats this move, one, two, three more times.
I can’t fucking think, let alone form words. “Please, Finn. Let me feel your thick hard cock pounding into me. Stop teasing.”
When he pulls back, I plead in desperation, “Where are you going?”
“Condom,” he says, reaching for his bedside table. Hearing that foil rip is the sweetest relief I’ve ever known.
As soon as it’s secure, that jerk runs his cock through my folds, then circles my clit, mimicking the way his fingers did before.
