“That wasn’t a date.” It might’vefeltlike a date—but if so, it was unlike any date I’d ever been on before. Frustrating was the first word to come to mind.
“You know, most of my dates come to my house, and then I get fucked for being such a good dinner companion.”
I arched an eyebrow. Okay, things werereallygetting off the rails. “Can you repeat that?”
Finn smiled that boyish grin I found so difficult to refuse. “What if I make it a condition of me answering your questions? Will it make fucking me for a second time more palatable?”
I gaped.Is he serious?
From his expression, he was very serious—because lurking behind the mischief in his eyes was the desire I’d spotted that night. The night I’d almost died. The night he’d brought me to his bed. Still, I remained silent.
“Fine—fuck me and then ask me the questions.” He sauntered over to his pickup, jiggling his butt in justthatway.
Okay. This isn’t normally how I get interviews.
I’m a goner.
Yeah, but what a way to go.
Chapter Eight
Finn
The rain started as I pulled out of the parking lot from Fifties and onto the main drag. I was sort of glad Ulysses wasn’t riding his motorcycle. Well, sad I didn’t get to see him in leather—although he looked mighty fine in khakis and a polo—but also glad because the roads were going to be slick and drivers were super stupid the first time it rained after months of drought. Like they’d forgotten how to drive.
Since I figured Ulysses remembered where I lived—although that might’ve been arrogant of me—I didn’t wait for him as I headed up the Cedar Connector. I navigated the steep hills as if they were nothing. Which they sort of were—for me. This landscape had been part of me for my entire life. Even though the encroachment of houses farther and farther out of town was becoming a thing. The character of my town was changing. I wasn’t a fan of either the sprawl or the taller condo buildings springing up under the new bylaws.
I checked my rearview mirror to find a silver SUV close behind me.
You’re seriously thinking about city ordinances when the most gorgeous man ever is coming to your cabin to fuck you?
Yeah, I was. First, it kept my libido in check. Second, those new buildings meant new challenges for the older firefighters who’d only ever had to go up three stories before. Eight was something entirely different.
Our local fitness requirements weren’t designed around charging up that many flights, and not all guys were up for the task.
I wasn’t going to say guysandgals because Miriam, Dulcie, and Iris could handle that climb without breaking a sweat. And kick some serious ass of the guys lagging behind while they were at it.
I signaled to take the right turn onto my street.
Ulysses did the same thing.
Within a couple of minutes, I pulled onto my driveway and drove up to my cabin.
That evening, three months ago, flashed into my mind. The setting sun. The warm glow off Ulysses’s dark skin. The frogs in the pond.
Nothing like the pouring rain today that made it hard to see out my windshield.
I hopped out of the truck and hotfooted it to the cabin. Once on the porch, and under the awning, I slowed my steps.
At the sound of a car door slamming, I turned and watched Ulysses striding toward me.Those thighs. Those legs. Those arms.
Memories assailed me. Of him in my bed. Of the expanse of his unmarred skin. Of the fun we had that night.
And of the feeling of waking up alone.
Well, you’ll just have to boot him out while you’re still conscious this time, so you don’t have to deal with that awful feeling again.
I unlocked the door and gestured for him to enter.
