“Thanks for that, Finn. I needed that.”
“You’re welcome.” Finn spread his arms wide and took a bow. “I’m here all week. Now come on, let’s go over to Davide and Valentina.”
Weaving their way between people and tables, Sam felt butterflies in her stomach.Finn believed in her. She couldn’t stop smiling as they sat at Davide’s table. She almost believed in herself too, and it felt so good. A fizzy joy wrapped around her. Valentina was pouring wine, Maya was sampling the fresh bruschetta, and even Finn seemed to have cheered up as Davide hugged him and demanded to try on the medal. Laughing, Sam brushed her hair back from her face, soaking up every moment. Harper forgotten, she smiled at Finn, loving how he blushed under Valentina’s compliments. She couldn’t stop watching him. He was laughing at something Davide was saying about Valentina flirting with Finn. He brushed a hand through his dark hair, and she remembered how his hands had felt on her naked waist, on her breasts.
He glanced at her, caught her looking at him, and smiled at her—and it felt like Christmas morning when you’d gotten everything you’d asked for. Maya nudged her, her phone in her hand. Sam dragged her gaze away from Finn and looked down at the Instagram posts Maya was showing her. They were all of her and Finn, and they were beautiful. Sam’s breath caught in her chest as she flicked through the images of her and Finn hugging, their smiles only for one another, their arms filled with each other. Their love was obvious. She started and looked up.Love. Was that possible?Looking back down at the images she bit her lip.Love, of course.
Slipping from her seat, she wriggled past some people until she was next to Finn.
“Do I get to try it on, too?” she asked him, her fingers touching the gold medal that lay on his chest. “It might be my only chance.”
Finn looked down into her face, his expression serious, but soft. Wordlessly, he lifted the medal from his neck and gently placed it over her head. “It won’t be your only chance,” he said so quietly that Sam thought she’d imagined hearing it. Touching the medal, she felt a fire stir inside her. This was why they were here, and so far, they’d managed to get one medal. In two days she’d have hers. Then, and only then, would she feel able to talk to him about them, about the possibility of athem—and in that moment it all felt so very achievable. She felt light and free—until she heard it. A sudden burst of laughter from a nearby table, a man’s voice cut through the air.
“Well, looks like I’m out—I had Harrington pegged for gold, but I guess I was wrong.”
Another voice joined in, chuckling, “Come on, you didn’t really think she’d win, did you?”
“Well, no, but I drew her name in the lottery, so I was hoping,” the first man said. “At least I only put five on the bet.”
“Five!” someone squealed. “Five? Why bother?”
The first man spoke again, and Sam could picture him shrugging, “I don’t know—I mean, we all know who the real contender is.”
“Yeah, someone who doesn’t flunk out and come in fourth place—I drew Sasha Mitford—an unknown but I bet you an extra twenty she scores higher than Harrington in the qualifier tomorrow.”
“I bet Harrington doesn’t even make it through the qualifier.” The sound of hands slapping down on the table behind her made Sam jump.
She bit her lip, tears smarting in her eyes. Her breath raggedly escaped her as she held back the lump in her throat that threatened to escape. She didn’t dare turn her head, terrified to face the people who were talking so callously about her. Her pulse drummed loudly in her ears, and she closed her eyes, praying that no one else heard. Opening her eyes she felt the blood drain from her face. She stood still, as if frozen.
“Sam?” Finn’s deep voice cut through her thoughts. Without looking at him or even saying a word she pushed away from the table and through the crowd toward the door.
Outside, Sam stood still, the cold seeping into her bones as snow fell softly all around her. Finn’s gold medal sat heavy on her chest. She yanked it off and stuffed it into her pocket. Everything was going wrong. A shiver ran over her body, and it wasn’t just from the cold. Staring in through the glass, she saw Finn pull on his jacket as if he was coming to find her. The cold air bit her cheeks as she shook. She flinched as someone came out of the bar, loud music reverberating against the snowy street. Her jaw clenched as Finn came out onto the street. To hell with those idiots. She didn’t need their approval. She needed to take control. Control of everything in her life—for once.
Finn wrapped her jacket around her shoulders, his warm fingers brushing against the back of her neck sending shivers down her spine. Her mouth parted; heat stirred deep inside her. She stared at him. His dark hair was tousled, his blue eyes warm and focused solely on her, the way they had been in the hot tub. Could she have him? Maybe not forever—but just for this moment? No competitions, no expectations, nojackasses in a bar slating her as if they owned her. No. Just her, taking what she wanted—Finn—for once. Her fingers curled around the collar of her jacket, as she stepped close to him. His eyes darkened as her breath curled against his chest.
“I’m okay,” she said, her eyes locked on his lips.
“You sure?” His voice was quiet, his breath mingling with hers.
“Yeah.” She lowered her gaze and squeezed her hands into fists to stop them from reaching for him. “I really am. You should go back in. Celebrate.”
“Not without you,” Finn said quietly. “I’m not going anywhere without you. You’re not alone, Sam. I’m here.”
She looked down at the snow.
“Sam, look at me,” Finn said. She shook her head. With a sigh, he slipped his arm around her waist, tugging her closer to his solid, warm body. He hooked a finger under her chin and made her look at him. “Maybe you just need a change of scenery.”
Sam nodded breathlessly as his eyes scanned her face. He really was beautiful. “Yes.”
“Somewhere …” He hesitated.
“Somewhere where I can be me.” Sam stared into his eyes, mesmerized by the sensation of his hands on her face and body.How had that happened?She leaned closer, upwards, hoping he was thinking the same thing as she was.
He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Yes.”
Sam’s breath hitched. Without thinking, she leaned up, closing the small gap between them.
His lips were as warm and soft as she’d remembered, and for a moment he didn’t move, as if he was caught offguard. Then his hands were in her hair, cradling her head as his lips moved over hers and his tongue tasted her mouth. Moaning, Sam slid her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, her body melting against him. She deepened the kiss, her fingers curling into his hair at the back of his neck as his hands, inside her jacket, grasped her waist, his fingers finding a sliver of skin as her top rode up.
