Page 94 of Distress Signal

“Later.”

She nodded, giving my hand a squeeze, and let the subject drop.

Dinner was tense.Everyone in the room was aware something had happened between me and Finn. For one, we sat as far away from each other as we could get. Secondly, we made it a point to speak to everyone in the roombuteach other.

The longer I sat there, letting the tension twist my muscles into knots, I realized I wasn’t mad or embarrassed about what had happened in the barn.

Actually, Iwasmad. But only because Iwasn’t.

I wanted it to happen again, and that made me feel so fucking guilty when my sister was out there somewhere, being held against her will under goddesses knew what kind of conditions. Being able to enjoy this incredible man who was so sweet and caring with me when she was likely stuck with one who only wanted to harm her—and me—wasn’t fair. I hated myself for wanting him but couldn’t imagine a universe in which I could deny myself having him, either.

Our ride home was tense and silent, and I hated to admit Icouldn’t wait to get away from him, if only so I’d have a moment to breathe and get my head on straight.

The night we’d sipped bourbon and talked, I thought I wanted this. But my brain was a jumble of conflicting thoughts, and I was starting to wonder…what would it cost me to truly give into this attraction between us?

I feared the price was too high. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt him, and I was afraid we were on a runaway train in that direction.

The moment we stopped in front of his house, I was out of the car and rushing inside, not stopping until I’d safely shut myself in the guest room I now called mine.

A reckoning was coming, but tonight was not the night I’d face it.

So like the fucking coward I was—I locked the door behind me.

twenty-seven

. . .

FINN

Reagan still wanted me.

Despite her little tantrums before and after dinner, and locking herself in her room, the knowledge had me grinning as I got ready for bed that night.

Was I hoping that by kissing her, we’d end the evening tangled up in my sheets together? Of course.

I also hadn’t been counting on it. I’d merely wanted to remind her that the spark between us was still there for me, simmering beneath the surface of my skin, all day every day.

And I wanted to remind her she still felt it too.

I’d promised her time, promised to take things slow. I mademyselfa promise to tread lightly with her, knowing she was an emotional mess without her sister.

Butshe still wanted me, and I was going to do everything in my power from here on out to show her how good we could be together.

I jolted upright in bed,not entirely sure what had awoken me.

Something was…wrong, the energy in the house slightly off.

Tossing the covers back, I swung my legs over the side of the bed but stilled when my door burst open. A panting, clearly distraught Reagan appeared in the frame.

“Belle?”

“Nightmare,” she rasped.

I opened my arms, and she came to me, crawling into my lap and fitting herself against my chest like she was always meant to be there. Falling backward, I relaxed against the pillows with Reagan sprawled atop me.

For a while, I simply held her as she shivered against me, rubbing soothing circles up and down her back while she calmed down.

Eventually, her heart rate slowed and the shaking subsided. She tilted her head to look up at me, pressing a light kiss to the underside of my jaw.