Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
He turned to me, taking my hand. “Sullivan Black at your service. Finn is a lucky man. You are ravishing.”
I frowned. “You’re full of it, aren’t you?”
He chuckled. “Witty, too, I see.”
Niall walked in, shocked to see me. He recovered, allowing me to hug him. “He’ll be pleased to see you.”
“Where is he?” I asked, feeling anxious.
He opened the door, escorting me across the hall. “Here.” He put his hand on my arm, pausing. “Tell me you’ve come to your senses, Una. That you’re not going to hurt him again.”
“I don’t want to.”
He drew in a deep breath. “You’re a smart girl, so I have never understood your decision. He would die rather than see you hurt.”
“I don’t want that to be on my conscience.”
He huffed a low laugh. “First off, it’s his decision. And second, do you think that you walking away has changed that?” He made a clucking noise. “You are either blind, or I gave you too much credit.”
“I was too afraid to make that choice.”
“If you needed him, he would burn down the city to get to you. Don’t you realize you are safer with him than without?”
“I don’t want to be a distraction.”
He leaned close. “Open your eyes, Una. He’s safer when you are with him. Less distracted. More focused because he knows you’re okay.”
I stared at him. “I never thought… I didn’t know—”
He cut me off. “Now you do.”
“I love him,” I whispered.
“Then tell him. He needs you, Una. He always has.”
“I need him too.”
He opened the door. “Go get him.”
CHAPTER NINE
FINN
I woke, loath to leave the pleasant dream I was having. Una was beside me, stroking my hair the way she knew I loved, and humming. It was such a real dream, it lingered, even after I blinked open my eyes.
Her lovely green irises looked down at me. She smiled, her voice quiet in the room.
“Hello, Finn.”
I sat up, dragging her into my arms. I didn’t care if we were alone or what else was happening in the room. I needed her close. I needed to know she was real. That I wasn’t hallucinating.
Her low gasp seemed genuine. The feel of her pressed against me was equally compelling. But it was the sensation of her mouth on mine, the taste of her, that convinced me I wasn’t dreaming.
No dream, no matter how good, could possibly be this incredible.
I kissed her with all the emotion I was feeling. The fear and worry. The isolation and loneliness that had been building, being away from her. The love I felt.
And she kissed me back, her fingers buried in my hair, holding me close and whimpering as I tugged her as tight to me as I could.
Panting, I drew back. “Una, mo chroí—how?”
“Roman helped me. He arranged everything.”
“I owe him.”
She looked at me, her lips swollen, her cheeks flushed, and her hair messed from my hands. “You needed me. I could hear it.”
“I always need you.”
She ran her finger over my cheek. “More than usual. You were looking after everyone, and you needed someone to look after you.”
“There is no one I would rather look after me.” I gathered her close, swaying us. “Thank you.”
She sighed, resting her head on my chest.
“I won’t be able to let you go again. You know that.”
“I know.”
“And you’ll stay?”
She looked up. “I’m done punishing myself. Hurting you. I’m sorry. I—I was scared.”
I cupped her face, the torment in her voice deep. “I know. We move on together now. We’ll sort it out. All of it.”
She nodded. “Together.”
I kissed her again, a gentle press of our mouths.
“Have you seen Roisin?”
“For a moment. I met Sully.”
I chuckled. “Lucky you.”
“Handsome man.”
I growled. “Not that handsome.”
“He looks like you, but older.”
“Well, he is a decent-looking bloke, I suppose.”
She laughed, little puffs of air against my neck. “Jealous?”
I pulled back, looking down. “I want you to see only me.”
She smiled, looking beautiful and tired at the same time. “I do, Finn. My eyes are always on you when you’re in the room.”
I liked that. More than I should.
There was a discreet knock, and Niall peered in. “Mum wants to see Una before you drag her to the hotel and ravish her.” He grinned. “Her words—not mine.”
I chuckled. “The queen has spoken.”
Una slipped from my arms and stood, swaying a little. I knew she was tired. The trip over was exhausting, no matter how comfortable the plane was. With the time difference, she’d only be able to stay awake a few more hours.
She went ahead of me, and I sent a brief text to Roman.
The package has arrived. Thank you.
He was quick to reply.
No thanks needed. I charged the plane and everything to the hotel. Your woman—your expense.
I chuckled at his dry wit.
No problem. I am still in your debt.
I laughed at his final words.
And I will never let you forget it.