Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 118693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 593(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 593(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
My heart dropped as hope filled my chest. “What’s that?”
She surveyed me as she continued to speak. “I want you as a distraction. I want to learn more about you. Your favorite things to eat and the movies you like to watch. What type of music you like to listen to. What it would feel like to fall asleep in your arms.”
My eyebrows shot up, and I wiggled them as she giggled.
“Why did you tell me about that girl if nothing happened?”
I half shrugged. “I guess it’s because I want to be completely honest with you. I’ve never had a serious relationship before, and the last thing I want to do is fuck it up before we even try to get it started. I have a feeling if we do this, it won’t be easy.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “My father.”
“Yeah.”
When she peered back into my eyes, she wore a concerned look on her face. She walked over and sat down on the sofa. “Finn, I want . . . no, I need to be completely honest with you as well. My father and the fact that you’re a firefighter are my number one concerns about pursuing a relationship with you. The reasons for my father are pretty cut-and-dry, but growing up I watched my mother worry every single day about my father. I’ve been to more funerals for firefighters than I have my own family. The idea of falling for you and something happening is probably my biggest fear. Then, of course, you have my job, which demands so much of my time. The odds are already stacked against us.”
I moved off the couch and kneeled in front of her. “Are those the only reasons you hesitated?”
Chewing on her lip, she slowly shook her head. “No. I’m not very…experienced when it comes to…stuff.”
Trying to keep a smile from tugging on my lips, I took her hands in mine. “What kind of stuff?”
Her cheeks turned scarlet. “Sex, boyfriends, relationships. I’ve only ever seriously dated one guy, and we didn’t have a very thrilling sex life. I was in school, and he was in school, and we spent more time together studying than anything.”
I lifted my hand and placed it on the side of her face. “Then we’ll do this slow.”
“And my father?”
“We’ll keep this between us.”
She grinned. “For now.”
My hand slipped behind her neck as I pulled her onto the floor in front of me. “For now,” I whispered against her lips before kissing her softly.
Her arms wrapped around my neck while we deepened the kiss. I’d never in my life felt such incredible energy as that kiss generated.
She slowly pulled back and rested her forehead on mine. “What about my job?”
“I’ll learn to share you. Plus, I’m gone a lot with mine, so we’ll work it out.”
When she moved back and gazed into my eyes, hers filled with tears. “And yours?”
My heart ached. This is what my father and Preston had to deal with when they were firefighters. The fear in her eyes about killed me. “I promise nothing will happen to me.”
Shaking her head, she replied, “I know damn well you can’t make that type of promise, Finn.”
I cupped her face in my hands. “Look at me. Nothing is going to happen to me.”
When she closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, I did the same. I had just made her a promise we both knew I might not be able to keep. I’d do my damnedest to make sure I didn’t break it, though.
“Do you have to go in to work today?”
Her eyes snapped open. When she smiled wide, I knew I had my answer. “I took the day off.”
“I have you all day?”
She nodded and giggled. “I’m all yours today. I’ve already talked to Russell, so he knows I’ve taken a personal day.”
Hearing his name made my stomach clench. “Good. Let me make a couple calls, then we’ll be on our way.”
It was in that moment I realized something. Rory Adams was indeed the woman who was going to change me. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“How did Russell take the news of you taking the day off?” I asked while we walked hand in hand along Evans Way. It was a beautiful day, cool enough for a long-sleeve shirt. I was thrilled when Rory agreed to the walk, especially since it would buy me the extra time needed to get our lunch set up and make a quick stop along the way. Rory had asked where we were going, but I managed to keep her in the dark.
“Considering I’ve never missed a day of work before, I don’t think he can say too much.” She peeked over my way. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
I stopped and glanced up at the sign. Ward Solar