Page 48 of Finn

Niall smirked. “As if there was any doubt.”

Sully groaned. “How about you and Niall go to the hotel? Leave me the singing angel. I could listen to her all night.”

“Nope,” I replied, staring at Una, suddenly needing her alone. “She’s coming with me.”

Sully sighed. “Like I said, lucky bastard.”

He was right.

* * *

Una sat back, cupping her cheek in her hand, resting her elbow on the arm of the overstuffed chair in our hotel room. While she’d showered, I’d ordered some sandwiches and tea, grabbing my own shower once she sat down to eat. I pulled on some sleep pants. She wore the dressing gown the hotel provided, her red hair an explosion of color against the white terry towel.

“Have you had enough?”

She smiled. “The tea is lovely and the tart delicious.”

“You only ate half a sandwich.”

“I had some food earlier. Really, Finn—don’t fuss. I’m fine.”

I leaned close. “I get to fuss now. I get to do anything I want, right, Una?”

She laughed. “No. I am not giving you free rein. You’ll have me locked in your suite, spoiling me, no doubt pregnant, married, and chained to the stove before I can even blink.”

“Not true,” I replied, my eyes dancing at her teasing. “I’d get you a cook.”

She smiled, reaching out and tapping my nose. “Funny man.”

I grabbed her hand, kneeling in front of her in the chair. “You’re here. I’m thrilled. We’re going to sort out the situation here, then head back to Canada and figure out how to entwine our lives again. I am perfectly fine with you moving in right away. I love the thought of marrying you…and, frankly, thinking of you pregnant with my child? I want to throw you down right here and start.”

Her eyes widened to the point of hilarity.

“But,” I added, “I know we need to take it a step at a time. As long as you are part of my life, Una, we’ll figure out the steps. I want you happy.”

“I want you happy too.”

I turned my head, pressing a kiss to her palm. “Mo chroí, I have you back. I am happier than I’ve been in a long time.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I was so scared after what happened. So sure we were better off without each other. That I wouldn’t have to carry the guilt of being the reason for your death.” She swallowed. “I couldn’t even admit to myself how much I missed you. It felt as if you had died at times. It felt as if I had as well.” Her voice trembled. “And I was so selfish, Finn.”

“How?” I asked tenderly.

“I let you give me my dream. Working in the hotels, the singing.” She shook her head. “Even putting up with Brian.”

“I was equally as selfish. I could keep you close. Make sure you were okay. See you on a daily basis. Listen to you every week and pretend it was me you were singing to.”

Tears began to glimmer in her eyes. “I hate myself for hurting you.”

I drew her closer. “Enough. You’re here. You made the decision to come when you knew I needed you. Even when you left me before, you refused to go until I was able to care for myself. I knew then you loved me.”

“I do. I love you so much,” she whispered, tracing my scar with her finger. “Seeing this makes me scared again.”

“Don’t be scared. No one is after me. You are safe. Tell me you know that.”

She ran her fingertip over the mottled skin, catching her bottom lip between her teeth. Leaning forward, she pressed a kiss to the scar, her lips soft and warm against the imperfect blemish. I groaned low in my throat as she slipped from the chair so our knees pressed together. Her lips stayed on my skin as she kissed her way along my shoulder and up my neck. I grabbed her arms, hissing her name as she nipped at my earlobe, drawing the skin between her teeth and nibbling.

“Una,” I warned as she pressed on my thighs and nestled between them.