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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 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 within 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 damn hardest 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
“I need to check in on something for one quick second.”
Rory glanced up and nodded. “Is this your father’s place?”
“No. My brother Wes and I started it.”
Her mouth fell open. “You have your own business?”
With a slight laugh, I replied, “Don’t be so surprised, Rory. I do know something other than fighting fires.”
“No, I think that’s amazing. What do you do?”
Holding the door open for her, I answered her question. “We install solar panels. My brother is actually more of an investment partner, but he’ll come down every now and then and help do an install.”
“Hey, Joyce. How are you?”
Joyce, our part-time receptionist, shot me a quick smile and a thumbs-up as she continued on with her phone call.
Taking Rory by the hand, I led her into my office. “I just need to make sure everything is set for an install, and then we can head out.”
Rory took a seat and watched me intently as I talked to Josh, the foreman we used when I wasn’t helping with an install.
After making sure everything was set, I looked over at her and winked. “Bored yet?”
She shook her head. “No. I find it fascinating you own your business. Are you very busy?”
“We’re getting there. Business is picking up. And I have to do fewer and fewer of our installs, it seems like.”
Standing, she took my hand when I reached out for hers. “Wow. That’s really great, Finn.”
I drew her up against my body. “I think so too. Now, you ready for our date?”
She giggled. “I’m so ready. Lead the way!”
After staying goodbye to Joyce, we headed back out.
“Are we close? Can I ask that much?”
With a smile, I pointed to the building on our right.
“The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum?”
“The gardens, to be exact.”
Her face lit up. “How did you know this was one of my favorite places?”
I stopped walking and faced her. “Are you serious?”
She responded with an excited “Yes! I’m totally serious. My mother used to bring me here all the time when I was little. Then when I got older, I’d come here to the gardens to study. I love the romantic, peaceful feel of it.”
