And then his hand is cupping the back of my neck and he’s pulling me close and kissing my lips.
That’s the moment where every ounce of my self-control flies out of the window.
‘I’m a little upset that I’m not going to be able to get my pastries from Beach Café any more.’
Finn’s laugh is low and deep, reverberating from his smooth, toned chest right into my ear cavity. We are completely naked – it was a struggle getting my wet clothes off, but well worth the effort. It is beyond blissful being in my bed with him.
‘I’ve probably had a few too many of those lately anyway,’ I say dolefully.
‘Stop,’ he mutters, running his hand over my hip. ‘You look so much better.’
I’ve put on the weight I lost, plus a bit more.
‘Would it be bad if we didn’t go back to the party?’ he asks sleepily.
‘Yes, it would be terrible. But I’m not sure I care,’ I admit.
‘Would it be bad if I fell asleep here?’ he asks.
‘Not so terrible,’ I reply.
‘Would it be bad if we had sex again?’
I lift my head to look at him, detecting mischief in his tone.
‘That wouldn’t be terrible at all,’ I whisper, sliding my hand down and feeling him wake up in my palm.
He yanks me up his body and attacks my mouth in a greedy, all-consuming kiss, sending shock waves across my skin as our tongues mesh and tangle.
I guess we are definitely not going back to the party.
Finn is snoring lightly beside me when I slide out of bed and grab my phone, intending to send a quick message to the group chat I have with Rach and Amy. There’s a string of messages from them already, wondering where we are, whether we’re coming back, if I plan to let poor Brendan know that I’ve been otherwise detained …
I bite my lip, feeling bad as I tap out, ‘I’m sorry. I had unfinished business to attend to. How did the party go?’
‘No shit,’ Rach replies. ‘I’ve just left Dan and Amy’s – a few of us went back after the beach.’
‘Was Brendan okay?’
‘Let’s just say I don’t think you’ll be getting any more phallic symbols in your coffee anytime soon.’
‘I’ll text him now.’
I look up his number and type: ‘Hey, I hope you had a good time tonight. I’m sorry I didn’t make it back.’
Three flashing dots show me that he’s reading my message, then they disappear.
I sigh and put my phone on charge before climbing back into bed with Finn.
A potential year with Brendan or a week with Finn?
I have no regrets.
Finn is still asleep beside me in the morning when I come to. He was awake in the night – jet lag, probably. I rolled over and saw him scrolling through Instagram on his phone. I stroked his arm to let him know that I was glad of his presence, but I was too exhausted to keep him company.
I’m pleased he fell back asleep again. And I’m thrilled that he’s still here.
I get out of bed and pull on my dressing gown before heading next door to my new kitchen. It’s nothing like the kitchen-diner downstairs with all the windows that my guests get to enjoy, but it’s fine for now. And it was a brilliant idea of Finn’s to do this to the house in the first place.
