Finn (10 page)

The table goes quiet, and the unanswered question lingers in the air. Presley takes her glass of wine and sips before speaking. “We lost Mom to heart disease ten years ago. But we keep her alive every chance we get by sharing memories.”

“I think that’s wonderful.” My mom’s eyes glisten as she looks between the Chambers family.

“One thing Lydia insisted is that her children learn a musical instrument. None of us can sing worth a damn, but she let them choose and nurtured the process. Her patience was resilient.” Jeff winks at Presley.

“He’s being coy, but truthful. I fought the musical talent thing tooth and nail. Simon played the guitar because he said it was cool. Johnny picked up the piano and keyboard because he’s a natural. But me, well, I decided on the violin, which was brutal. I think back to my practice sessions and remember cats crying… God, I was awful!” Presley giggles. “But, eventually, it worked out.”

“You play the violin?” My dad’s eyes grow wide. “That’s pretty impressive.”

“Oh my gosh, Tim, she’s incredibly talented!” Ember gushes. “She and Johnny played an unbelievable tribute at Simon’s service. I was blown away.”

“Thank you,” Presley shyly accepts the compliment.

“Our son-in-law is a musician, and I’ve always been proud of his talent. But I agree with Ember, when you two played at the funeral, it was inspiring and beautiful,” Jenna tells them both with a kind smile.

“I agree,” I whisper in Presley’s ear, and she trembles slightly.

“Thanks.” She grins and leans in, brushing her own lips across my cheek.

I start to pull her closer, but her brother clears his throat and lays a hand on her shoulder. She looks up at him with a flash of annoyance.

“Band’s starting the second set.” He motions to the stage. “You owe me a dance.”

Right on cue, the music starts, and I nod encouragingly, standing to help her up. The minute they are out of earshot, there’s a series of loud chuckles and rumbling. Every eye is focused on me.

“What?” I act nonchalant, sitting back down.

“She’s charming, Finn, and such a lady.” My mom’s eyes shine.

“Told you, Evelyn,” Ember beams.

“I can see it, completely,” Jenna agrees.

“See what?” I feign ignorance, but know exactly what they are referring to. I’ve never shown any type of affection or attraction in front of my family and friends. I’m not a dick, but there’s never been anyone special in my life, until now.

“I’d be careful to let her out of your sight,” Dad warns me.

Jeff drops his head, doing a poor job of hiding his smile.

“I can’t count the number of eyes on her right now, including the Wilkes brothers. All three of them.” Robbie tips his beer, prodding me.

A low rumble escapes my throat, and I start to survey the room. Robbie wasn’t lying; eyes all over the room are focused on Presley dancing with her brother. A hand on my shoulder shakes me out of the evil glare I’m channeling toward the three Wilkes brothers.

“Son, you want to come with me to the bar?” Jeff asks, still amused.

“Sure.” I follow his lead.

Once he’s ordered us both a whiskey, he turns to me and gives a slight touch of the glass. “She’s a special woman and the light of my life. I loved my wife fiercely, but when they laid Presley in my arms, moments after her birth, my life took on a new purpose. Lydia always used to say my heart beat to a new rhythm after Presley was born.”

“She’s an incredible person.” I sip on the whiskey, wondering where he’s going with this.

“Her heart is so full of love and loyalty.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“Well, then you need to know, she’s the kind of woman who you treasure with your life. Johnny, Simon, and I would kill first and ask questions later, if she was ever hurt.”

The whiskey burns a hole in my stomach at his implication. “I have no intentions of hurting her.”

“Good, because I’ve never seen her look the way she does when you’re around. She’s been a bit quiet, but I see the stars in her eyes. That’s never happened with my daughter. Even the last guy, fucking lame Russell, didn’t really hold her attention. But you walked in tonight, and her whole spirit changed.”

“What do you mean?’ I absorb his words and hide my happiness that Russell never received the same reaction I get from Presley.

“A man never reveals his secrets, but know this…we want her to finally be happy, to live her life for herself, not as the teenager who feels the need to take care of a house full of men after her mother passes. Or the sister, who moves the day after college graduation, to live near her brother and help raise a toddler. She thinks she’s fooled me all these years, but she’s lived safely. It’s time she steps up and lives for herself.

“I’m not into this new age dating, but by the way you look at her and the fact she’s met your parents tonight, I’d like to assume she’s not casual to you.”

His words singe in a way I’ve never felt. The need to defend myself overwhelms me. “Jeff, you don’t know me, but I can assure you, this isn’t casual.” I swallow hard and try to dampen the simmering inside.

He moves to my front and gives me an unreadable look as he drains his drink. We stay quiet until he breaks out in a wide smile. “I believe you, Finn Black, but it’s up to you to break her safety seal.” He looks over his shoulder then gives me a wink, setting his empty glass on the bar behind me. “I’m going to steal my girl for a dance, then I suspect you’ll want to claim her, righteously.”

I raise my glass in agreement. “You bet your ass. You have one dance.”

He chuckles while walking away.

I look over at the table and see Mom and Dad eyeing me with knowing grins. Then I turn back to see Jeff take Presley from Johnny before they start moving around the dance floor.

One dance, and I’ll finally have my arms around her. No one in this room will doubt who she’s with after that.

“Have I told you you’re the most gorgeous woman in this room tonight?” I whisper in Presley’s ear and place our joined hands between our chests as we sway to the music.

“You may have mentioned it a few times. But thank you, even if it’s not exactly the truth.”

I pull back and look into her eyes. “It’s the truth to me.”

She bites on her lower lip, and I fight the urge to lean in and replace her teeth with mine. Instead, I maneuver us to the edge of the dance floor, far out of sight of any prying eyes.

“Where are we goi—?”

I cut her off by running my lips quickly over hers, moving my hand to her cheek. “I know this building well, and there’s something I want to show you.”

Our faces are so close I feel her breath hitch as she nods.

Linking our fingers together, I round the stage and steer her to the back elevators. She looks at me nervously as we step inside, and then I cover her eyes with one hand and press the button for the top floor.

“Close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you to. I’ll help guide you, but whatever you do, don’t peek.”

“I’m afraid that may be hard in these shoes. I’m already an accident waiting to happen.” She lifts one leg and points to the gold heels that have been taunting me all night. My eyes travel up the straps to her bare legs, then all the way up her body, taking the time to appreciate how close the dress hugs her every curve.

My dick goes rock hard at the thought of peeling her out of this dress and seeing what’s underneath. I bite my tongue to keep my thoughts from spilling out of my mouth.

“You’re not an accident, you’re a vision. I won’t let you fall. Trust me.”

The elevator dings, and I guide her to the edge of the open room. Once she’s exactly where I want her, I remove my hand. “Open your eyes,” I breathe in her ear.

She slowly opens them and inhales sharply, taking in the view of the Nashville skyline from the top floor of the building. “Oh my God, it’s breathtaking.”

“I agree.” My voice drops low as I continue to stare at her. “The instant you stepped out of that car, it was one of the most breathtaking sights I’ve ever seen.”

She glances at me, and the air goes still. I step close, leaving no space between us, and lift her chin, forcing her to look directly into my eyes. “Since the moment I laid eyes on you, I’ve been waiting for this.”

Without another word, I sweep my tongue across her lips and then cover her mouth with my own. She accepts me eagerly, gripping my hips and parting her lips, giving me full access. I try to go slow, but the taste of her sends a surge of heat through my body so hot, my skin starts to burn. My hand moves around her neck, and I thread my fingers in her hair, pressing her to me gently.

Something in me awakens, a primal instinct I’ve never felt before. Hunger, lust, and longing all pump through my veins.

Our tongues dance together, exploring, until I pull back, nipping at her lips, then claim her entire mouth again. She gives a throaty groan, and I deepen the kiss, soaking in the feel of her in my arms. I moan in protest when she breaks away. We both are breathless as she tightens her hold on me.

“Please don’t let me go. I don’t think my legs will hold me,” she murmurs against my lips.

“Never. I like the feeling of you in my arms too much.”

“I didn’t know a kiss like that existed.”

“It didn’t until now.”

She raises her eyes to mine, and it’s my turn to suck in a breath. My heart starts to hammer so hard in my chest that I’m certain she can hear it. The room is dimly lit by the lights of the city landscape, but I can read her expression clearly. Desire mixes with wonder as the energy between us continues to heat.

One hand travels from my hip, slowly up my side, until she cups my cheek and runs her thumb over my bottom lip. I touch my tongue to her skin, and she lifts her face to mine, kissing along the trail of her finger. It takes every ounce of willpower not to crush her to me.

Finally, she presses her lips to mine again, and I slip my tongue back into her mouth, taking complete control. Our mouths move urgently together as I back her up to the window. The taste of chocolate and champagne fills my senses when I slow down and take the time to savor the flavor. She moves one leg to wrap around my waist, and I break away, kissing along her cheek and down her neckline.

My hand glides up her smooth leg until I reach the hem of her dress and trace my fingertips along the seam. Her breath hitches, sending a direct message to my throbbing dick. We both want to know what she’s wearing under this dress.

I force myself to stop my exploration and lay my forehead against hers. “Fuck, you taste good.”

“Divine,” she rasps.

“My girl and her vocabulary.”

Her eyes shine in the low light, and she gives me a small smile that sets my pulse racing again.

“Your girl, huh?”

“Safe to say, the moment you stepped out of that car tonight, it became official. No going back. I’m captivated by you. Do you have a problem with that?”

She shakes her head and licks her lips. The temptation is too much, and I step in to kiss her again, but I’m cut off when my phone rings, startling us both.

“This better be fucking good,” I hiss at Robbie’s unwelcome interruption.

“I’ve kept them busy for half an hour, but the whole crew is looking for you.”

“We’ll be right down.” I hang up and step back, helping Presley arrange her dress. “Unfortunately, we need to get back unless we want to face the masses of one hundred questions.”

“Oh my, your mother…”

“My mom is the least of my worries. Jeff and Johnny may want to kick my ass.”

“Jeez! I feel like I’m seventeen again and trying to hide under the bleachers with my boyfriend.”

At the mention of a boyfriend, I tug her close and kiss her possessively.

“We aren’t hiding, babe, but out of respect, we’re going to go back to the dance floor and make an appearance. This boyfriend is going to be by your side for the rest of the night.”

And most likely for the foreseeable future
, I say to myself. With the feeling of her in my arms and the taste of her on my tongue, there’s no way I’m letting this woman go.

Presley

S
he’s staring. I know she’s staring because I feel the heat of her eyes. She’s watching me pretend to sleep as I formulate the words in my head. Reese will want details, lots of them. She was ready to drill me for information last night, but I purposely took my time getting ready for bed, hoping she’d fall asleep. It worked. But now, there’s no way to avoid the inquisition. I think about the way Finn’s lips felt against mine and the way his body held me close, trying to hide my grin.