Page 18 of Promising Her Forever

“Do I have something on me?” he asks.

“No. I’m just admiring the newest Lake Renegade deputy.” I giggle as he grabs me and kisses me. “You’re so damn sexy and I still can’t believe you’re here with me.”

Fionn smiles and holds me tighter. “Fate is a funny one. When I found your note, I thought I’d have to spend years looking for you. When I saw you in your coffee shop? I thought I was hallucinating, I missed you so much that I was imagining you.”

I nuzzle my face into his chest and hold on tight. Fionn’s not only gorgeous, but the things he says just makes me melt. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner. Loving, caring and protective. And he’s not afraid to show it in front of everyone. Last night at the barbecue, even when he wasn’t with me, I could feel his eyes on me. I’ve never had anyone make me feel that way.

“Holy shit. You cook too?” Daphne laughs as she joins us. “Wait. No coffee? Is this a joke?”

“Why would I make either of you coffee when my girl owns the best coffee shop in Lake Renegade?”

Daphne squints at him then sighs. “Yeah. Okay. Fair enough.”

After we eat breakfast, we head to the shop. We have three hours before our grand opening and I’m too excited to wait anylonger. Every time I look at the front of my shop, I can’t help the smile on my face.

“Dreams do come true,” I whisper to Fionn as he takes my hand.

“Your dream made my dream come true.” He smiles at me.

“What was your dream?”

“You.”

This man. I hope he always feels this way about me. Because I don’t think I could live my life without him anymore. I don’t know how I can feel like this after only a few days. But I’m living proof that you can. My future is here in Lake Renegade and Fionn is part of my present and future.

We head inside and start turning all the machines on and getting the coffee beans ready. We fresh grind our beans for each cup when it’s ordered, I think that helps us have the freshest taste. I head to the back to make sure all the beans are portioned out and ready so that we don’t have to take the time to measure what we need for each cup. When I get back to the front, Fionn’s there talking to one of the guys I met last night.

“Riley, you remember Oliver Crawford? He’s Seraphina’s brother.”

“I do. Did you want our first ever cup of coffee?” I smile.

“Before you do that, I need to talk to you,” Fionn says to me. He asks Daphne if she wouldn’t mind making his coffee while we go and talk.

I follow Fionn back to my office.

“Is everything okay?” I ask him as he closes the door.

“I need you to keep an open mind. You know I appreciate that you didn’t fight me on moving in with me. I need you to do something else, though.”

I frown as I listen.

“Oliver will be your bodyguard.”

I burst out laughing.

“You’re funny. Why would I need a bodyguard?”

Fionn stares at me and waits for me to calm down. And then I realize he’s not laughing with me.

“Mo fhíorghra, I’m being serious. Playboy isn’t someone I want around you and I can’t be with you all the time. He’s unhinged and dangerous.”

“Baby, I’m going to be here at the shop, how would he get near me?”

“I can’t tell you everything you want to know. But I promise you, I will soon.”

“You make it sound like he’s going to kill me. I know that yesterday was scary, but I’m not going to go upstairs or leave the shop alone.”

Fionn sighs. “I’m sorry. But this is coming from my zio Giacomo. And we don’t question his orders.”