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“I’m sorry, Marissa. I didn’t realize the two of you were on a date. But can you blame me?” Her cheeks pink slightly as she places two cups of water down in front of us.
“I’m sorry, Rae. I’m just in a bad mood. It’s been a stressful couple of days,” I mumble as she smiles brightly before disappearing down to the other end of the diner, more than likely embarrassed by my actions and wanting to put as much space between us as possible.
“Are you sure this isn’t a date?”
“Yes. This is two adults having lunch.”
“If you say so.” He chuckles, which has anger bubbling in my veins.
“I say so,” I respond darkly, knowing that this is all it can be.
Finn reaches over, squeezing my hand lightly. “I’ll prove you wrong, Marissa. I’ll convince you to let those walls you’ve built around your heart fall and let me in.”
I don’t say a word. I can’t, even if I wanted to. I’ve had these walls around me for so long I don’t even know if I want to let them down.
“Okay,” I respond, ducking my head as I pull my hand from beneath his.
“Trust me,” he responds, winking at me in hopes of putting me at ease.
“I don’t trust people easily.”
“I can only imagine. But I’ll try my damndest to make sure you know you can trust me. That I’ll never hurt you. That I only ever want to see you smile.”
My heart squeezes tightly in my chest. That sounds like a vow—more than a promise—to do all those things and more for me. But I refuse to get my hopes up. Someone once promised me the world but left me for someone else. It’s quite possible that this is all a game to Finn. I mean, look at him. He could have any woman he wanted. He doesn’t have to chase a girl; he probably has women lining up, just waiting to get a date with him. Right now, he’s living for the chase, but the moment he catches me, he’ll be gone.
“Your order should be up in a few moments.” Racheal’s voice brings me back to the present. “Do you need anything else while you wait?”
“No. Thanks, Rae.” I force a smile on my face before turning my attention back to look out the window.
“What made you decide to join the sheriff’s department?” Finn asks, moving on as if he didn’t just drop the equivalent of an emotional time bomb in my lap a few moments ago.
“I’ve always wanted to come back and help the people of Magnolia. I’m a horrible cook, and the thought of replacing someone’s insides makes me gag. So being a sheriff’s officer was the closest thing I could think of.” I smile softly as I reach for my glass and take a sip. “Besides, my dad is the best man I know. He spent his life serving this community, and it’s an honor to carry on his legacy.”
His body leans toward me. I’m not even sure if he’s noticed, resting his arms on the table as if he is enthralled with whatever I’m saying.
“What about you? Why NASA?”
“Have you been keeping tabs on me?” The side of his lip pulls up in a delicious smirk.
“No, but your parents are both very proud of you. When you got the position there, your mom would tell anyone she met how proud of you she was.” I shrug my shoulders, the pang of my parents’ own disappointment weighing heavily on my heart.
“I was good with numbers.” He chuckles, sliding out of the booth and coming to my side. He takes a seat, sliding across the seat until his leg is pressed right against mine. “I had planned to come back here and help Pops run Tallywackers, but one of my professors got me an internship there, and the rest is history.”
“Ummm…Your s-seat is o-o-over there,” I stutter as he places his hand on my knee, giving it a squeeze.
“That was entirely too far away,” he whispers, resting his forehead against mine. “You smell good enough to eat.”
A shiver runs down my spine as his nose runs along the shell of my ear before he inhales deeply.
“Who said I wasn’t?” I respond before ducking my head slightly.
This is a bad idea. Flirting with him will lead to kissing, which will lead to sex, which will lead to things I don’t even want to think about right now. I should push him away, not encourage him further.
A soft moan escapes my lips as he bites down on my earlobe, nibbling lightly, threading his fingers into my hair and angling my neck to the side, trailing light kisses down my neck.
“You have no idea all the filthy things I want to do to you right now. Too bad we are in a restaurant full of people,” he whispers as my eyes flick up to see if anyone is watching before focusing back on his face.
“But I promised you I’d show you I wanted more than just sex from you, sugar.”
