“I can get you a copy of the book. It’s a damn fascinating read.” I pressed my hand to Finn’s sternum. “The guy hit rock bottom. For some people, that’s death. For him, he’d lost everything and had ceased to function at work. He went to a friend and confessed everything.”
“Please tell me the friend was understanding.”
“Yep. We should all have such good friends. He got the executive into rehab and the guy hasn’t touched drugs since. But it’s not usually that easy. He found reasons to put his life back together—but it had to be for himself as much as for other people. Eventually, he repaired his relationship with his daughter. And he’s gone on to be successful again. But he can’t get those years back.” I ran my fingers lightly across Finn’s abdomen. “I don’t understand that kind of high. And I’d never risk finding out. Some people are more prone to addiction, and maybe he was one of them.”
Finn ran his hand across my scalp. “You don’t have any burning obsessions?”
I stilled. The words were on the tip of my tongue. Here, in this quiet space, I could reveal all.
And yet I didn’t.
“Work is a bit of an obsession. Hence me wanting to know about David. Hence me attending the fires and trying to find answers. Or me going to the animal shelter to find out if they’re involved in anything illicit.”
“Ah.” He sighed. “That’s a lot of juggling. You can forget the shelter, though.”
“I’m good at splitting my focus. And Spring’s got a few things she’s working on as well.”
“Spring’s a very bright woman.”
“She seems to be on par for the Dixons.” I smiled and pressed a kiss to Finn’s chest. “I like strong and brilliant women.”
“You’re bi?” He caressed my cheek.
“Not even a little bit.”
“Ah.”
“You?”
“I’ve dated a few women. Strong preference for men, though. Especially sexy older men who ask way too damn many questions.”
I laughed. “Oh really.”
“Yes,oh really. You intrigue me, Ulysses. I want to know everything about you, and yet you hold yourself apart. You have secrets.”
I swallowed. Hard. “Everyone has secrets, Finn. Everyone. Even you.”
“Nope. My life is an open book.”
I considered my next words carefully. “We’ve all done something in the past that we regret. Someone we hurt, something we did—inadvertently or advertently—that did real damage. A careless word. Even an ungracious thought. It’s there for everyone, Finn. It’s part of being human.”
A long silence followed.
Eventually, Finn said, “I…I don’t know about that. I really do try to live my beliefs. I suppose I’ve had uncharitable thoughts on occasion. Impure ones as well.” He pulled me tighter. “Like all the things I want to do with you.”
I angled my head up so I could gaze into those gorgeous dark-blue eyes. “And? Care to be precise?”
“Eating your ass? Fucking you into oblivion?”
“I didn’t realize you wanted to top me.”
And I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Finn laughed. “I pretty much want to top every guy I’m with—as well as bottoming on a regular basis. I just happen to love everything about sex.”
“Okay. You haven’t shown me that side.”
“We’ve had sex almost every time we’ve gotten together.”
