AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I was positive my jaw was on the floor. “So you’re saying I can’t have a career and a social life?”
He chuckled. “That’s not what I’m saying, but do you really want that distraction now? You need to focus on your career and not worry about men.”
Great. Not only would he disapprove of Finn, he would disapprove of me dating in general.
Standing, I brushed off imaginary lint from my dress pants. “I better get back to work. Thanks for showing me your office. Next time a tour of the station. I love this old historical building.”
There was no hiding the fact that I was not going to have this conversation now.
He frowned, knowing I had just sidestepped our conversation. “Stop by anytime and I’ll show you around.”
I wiggled my eyebrows and teased, “Or one of the guys can.”
He grunted while I laughed.
After opening the door for me, he led me toward the stairs. I snuck a quick peek over to the pool table, and my chest tightened.
They were gone.
Finn was gone.
Staring down the stairs, I heard my father yell out as I hit the second-to-last stair.
“Flash, no!”
The dog jumped up on me and pushed me forward. Closing my eyes, I prepared to hit the ground.
I knew it the moment I was in his arms, because my body erupted in a wave of tingling. Opening my eyes, I smiled.
“I got you,” Finn said with a crooked smile. Those dimples and emerald eyes made my heart flutter like I was a silly schoolgirl.
Opening my mouth to speak, I saw my father standing next to us, asking if I was okay.
Finn let me go once I got settled on my feet, and I was pretty sure I moaned in protest.
“I’m fine. Thank you, Finn.”
He seemed to be caught off guard by me using his name.
“Yes, thank you, Ward, for being so quick on your feet. Rory told me how the two of you know each other.”
Finn turned his attention to my father and gave him a blank stare. “The union meeting?” my father stated.
“Yes. We’ve bumped into each other a couple of times since,” I quickly added.
My father grunted and had begun to say something when the alarm went off and my heart dropped to the floor.
“Engine 33 respond to motor vehicle accident, nine-nine-one St. James. Closest box is St. James and Berkeley.”
My father took off, but Finn took a moment to gaze into my eyes and smile before turning to leave. Grabbing his arm, I quickly spoke to him in a hushed voice. “I’m so sorry I left like that.”
He winked and replied, “Make it up to me on Friday.”
I blushed as I stepped out of the way and watched Finn quickly pull on his gear. From growing up around firefighters, I knew how they always kept their gear a certain way. Some put their suspenders on one side of their boots, some inside them. For a brief moment, I wondered if Finn did anything like that. My father never cleaned his helmet, I remembered him telling my mother.
Finn jumped into the truck and took off. Even though it was a car accident, my heart was pounding.
Once the truck pulled all the way out of the building, I followed and watched while it took off toward its call. When I could no longer see it, I walked out to the street and hailed a cab. Once in, I gave the address to work and leaned back against the seat, taking in a deep breath.
My phone buzzed in my purse. Reaching in, I grabbed it. I couldn’t help the immediate grin that spread across my face when I saw his name.
Finn: Don’t worry about the other day. By the way, you looked beautiful today.
My heart hammered in my chest as I reread his text. Closing my eyes, I clutched the phone against my body. My father would never understand my feelings for Finn. The way he touches my body and I feel like I’m seeing the light for the first time—the life I’ve secretly wanted, but never had the courage to go after.
Finn Ward was my weakness.
A desire burning so deep inside of me it was hard to ignore.
He was the wrong I knew deep in my heart was my right.
Chapter 22
Finn
She’s not a distraction
I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Sleep clearly wasn’t coming to me anytime soon. I wasn’t sure if I was more upset about Rory being at dinner with that asshole again or by her not texting me when she got home like she said she would.
Rolling over, I checked my phone again. This time, there was a message I had somehow missed.
With a wide grin, I opened it.
Rory: Home and exhausted and frustrated. Wish I could see you.
It was late, but I was responding back.
Me: I wish I could see you. Better yet, I wish I could hold you.
