Page 58 of Once Bitten

Larry had agreed immediately when we suggested coming here. With all the rich French food I’d had over the last few days, I craved something homey, deep and spicy, soul satisfying. Mati had been overjoyed to see us and a new face, and had spent the last 15 minutes telling stories about Finn’s escapades there over the last few years.

“Finn, I just wanted to make sure you knew I’m not here to step on any toes, Kara’s told me that everything’s working out fine in your hands, but I’ve worked on this deal for a long time now and have a personal attachment to it. I hope you don’t mind me just being a fly on the wall for the last two days of meetings. You take the lead, I’d just love to be there for when it all come together.”

“Hey, no sweat. And you’re welcome to take over, I’m here because you couldn’t be. I’m just glad I could help. Truth is, I’d be in trouble if Kara wasn’t here.”

The unexpected compliment drew a blush from me.

“Yeah, Kara IS a Godsend, I don’t know what I’d do without her.” He smiled at me, “it’s why I put up with her food habits and tissues all over the place.”

“Oh, that’s a thing, it’s not just me? I thought it was just a one off when I saw them all over her hotel room! Kara, why do you always have so many used tissues around, can’t you throw them out?” They both turned to me.

“Wait, what just happened, go back to Kara equals modern business goddess talk.” I said.

They men laughed, bonding over their joint observation of my quirky habits.

“But yes, Kara, thanks for everything this last week. And before, if you hadn’t been so diligent with your research and reports, it wouldn’t have been so easy for someone to take over.” I knew he meant every word, but it was good to hear it.

“You’re welcome, Larry. That’s why you’re paying for dinner.”

“Done!”

***

“Larry’s great.” Finn said, later that night as we laid in my bed in the aftermath of making love.

“Yeah. He is. I told you.”

“Paul must love him, he’s going to go far in the company.”

“You know what? I think he could’ve been CEO of a company years ago, but he purposely means to keep working at this level. He still makes more than enough money but at night, he gets to put his kid to bed and watch TV with his wife. I think he’s exactly where he wants to be.”

“Then we’ll find a way he can earn more money making the company better, but still being able to do those things, how about that?”

I laughed, “that sounds like you’ve fallen asleep and are dreaming.”

“I’m serious! There’s no need for someone to not be able to make time for those things in their life. And they shouldn’t be punished for it by having a cap on how far they can go in a company.”

I looked up at him appreciatively, “do you really feel that way?”

“Of course. I hate the way corporations and businesses are so rigid. 80 hours a week to show your dedication pfffffft. How ‘bout you role share, then two people or three can be making 7 figures a year instead of one burnt out codger making 8 figures but ending up having a stress attack before they turn 50. Things need to change, I’d hate to think that Larry would miss out on a promotion because he wants to have time for the things that actually matter. Paul agrees, it’s why we get on so well.”

It was one of the first times he’d spoken about his stepfather.

“He sounds like a good guy.”

Finn nodded, pulling me in closer, spooning me, his lips against my shoulder. “He is. Wouldn’t have let Mom settle for anything less. He absolutely adores her, worships the ground she walks on, and I think she’s happy with him.”

I smiled, it made me happy to hear that, that even though she’d lost her first husband so young, she could still find happiness and love. She deserved it.

I wriggled back, feeling Finn’s hips curve around my ass, feeling our bodies mould around each other’s.

His body was still warm from our rigorous sex, his arm around my waist still slightly damp. I loved the way he smelled, so masculine, like summer rain. Tomorrow was our last full day together. Knowing Finn, I knew he’d have something planned for tomorrow night. But tonight felt like we were just a normal couple, going out to dinner, making love, and falling asleep. No drama, no grand gestures, just the contentment of knowing from morning until night, we would be together.

“Finn?”

“Hmmm,” he mumbled sleepily against my hair.

“If we meet again in our next life-time? Don’t drive away ok? Just stay.”

He turned my head, and pressed his lips against mine.

“We will meet again; because I’m going to come find you, and once I do, I’ll never leave.”