Page 12 of Making Home with You (The Rockport Beach #3)

Finn

Waking up with Sarah still in my bed this morning had been everything I’d expected it to be. Fucking perfect. It was something I’d never experienced with any other woman I’d hooked up with before her and it was something I could definitely get used to.

Even though it had been early, Sarah had rolled over at the sound of my alarm, wordlessly pressing her warm body against mine as her hand trailed down until it found my dick.

I’d groaned as she stroked my morning wood, my eyes rolling back into my head when she pushed me onto my back and straddled my hips, riding me slowly until we both came.

It was a hell of a way to wake up.

Afterward, I’d reluctantly dragged my now late ass into the shower, before quickly dressing and leaving Sarah dozing in my bed. I’d told her to stay as long as she wanted, even as a part of me wanted to tell her to stay forever.

But at the same time, I didn’t want to freak her out with how fast this was all moving.

We’d only just come clean about the fact we are dating and as much as I’m into her, I know we need to take things slow.

Spend some time getting to know each other, especially with so many other things changing for her with the new job and a possible move to Boston.

Even if that last part is not something I‘m looking forward to.

My morning bliss however, rapidly fades the second I walk into the station and find Carla waiting for me. After last night’s phone call from Sam, I should have expected this to happen, but it still irritates me.

“Finn,” Carla says, jumping up as soon as I walk in.

I ignore her, heading back to my office as Mavis at reception wordlessly hands me a coffee, at the same time offering me a sympathetic smile. I grab the mug, a small nod my only response, before I go back.

Carla follows me in, her potent floral perfume filling the small space and making me nauseous. “Finn,” she repeats, stopping in front of my desk.

“It’s Chief O’Loughlin,” I say through gritted teeth. “And if you don’t mind,” I add, gesturing back out toward the waiting area.

Carla smiles and ignores me, practically laughing off my dismissal as though it somehow doesn’t apply to her. “I just wanted to touch base and see if you’ve managed to catch the vandal who defaced my shop?” she asks.

I don’t bother to hide my eye roll as I glance at my door before turning back to Carla. “This is what you’ve come in here for?” I ask. “To check up on your vandal?”

“Well, I called last night,” she says, shrugging as though she can’t possibly understand why I’m so confused by this. “And there was no new information,” she continues. “So I thought…”

“So you thought,” I interrupt, cutting her off.

“You’d trot on down here and waste my time, did you?

” Carla opens her mouth to speak, but I don’t give her a chance.

“To be perfectly honest Carla,” I say, not bothering to hide my sarcasm.

“Officer Corcoran is looking into your vandal and I’m quite certain he doesn’t appreciate your phone calls checking to see if he’s doing his job.

Just like I don’t appreciate you coming in here and assuming that we have nothing better to do than hunt for some snotty little teenager who drew a cock on the side of your building! ”

I know I’m being rude and possibly overreacting, but I can’t help it. For some reason, Carla’s appearance at the station this morning after her phone call to Sam last night really pisses me off.

Maybe it’s knowing she was likely one of the ladies gossiping in the shop that Sarah overheard yesterday or maybe it’s because I’m sick and tired of this woman bothering me and being unable to take no for an answer.

“Look,” I say, forcing myself to calm down, knowing I can’t afford to lose my shit.

“Officer Corcoran is more than capable of doing his job,” I tell her.

“And while it’s unlikely we are ever going to catch the culprit, that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to try.

So please, Carla,” I say. “Go and do your job and let us do ours.”

Carla huffs when I finally finish as though she can’t believe I’ve had the gall to say all of these things to her. Just when I think she’s about to turn and leave, she steps closer and smiles at me, the gesture somehow simultaneously flirty and nauseating.

“Finn,” she practically purrs.

I clench my jaw. “What?”

She blinks at me, as though trying to play coy when I know she’s anything but. She opens her mouth to say something just as my phone starts ringing. We both glance down at my desk, see the name Sarah Summers now flashing on my screen.

Shit.

I silence the ring, grabbing my phone and sliding it into my pocket, even as the look on Carla’s face tells me it’s too late, she’s seen the identity of my caller.

“Is that the woman I saw leaving your place the other day?” she asks.

“What?” I reply, shocked.

“She was leaving your house,” Carla says, a hand on her hip.

“I was walking my dog and nearly ran into her. She seemed awfully flighty and quite frankly, disheveled. And then yesterday, she rudely interrupted a private conversation I was having. I mean I know she isn’t from around here, but still, she was incredibly crass, the things she said.

It was probably all lies anyway,” she continues.

“Gloating over what she’d like to think was happening. ”

“Who she is,” I spit out, walking around my desk so I’m standing beside her now. “Is none of your business, Carla,” I add, my jaw tight. “And if you don’t mind, I’d really appreciate it if you could keep your mouth shut about whatever it is you think you know about me.”

“Don’t be like that, Finn,” she says, smiling as she steps closer and puts a hand on my arm.

“What the hell are you doing, Carla?” I ask, shaking her hand off.

“What do you mean?” she asks, as though she has no idea what I’m referring to. “I was only…”

“No,” I say, cutting her off. “Stop,” I add.

“Stop with the shit. You and I are never going to be anything more than two people who went to high school together. Stop thinking that’s ever going to change and stop sticking your nose into business that doesn’t concern you,” I say.

“My personal life and who it involves has nothing to do with you.”

“I…”

I shake my head. “Just go, Carla,” I say, pointing at my door. “Officer Corcoran will contact you if he has any updates.”

Carla stares at me, her mouth open as though she isn’t sure what to make of my sudden outburst. To be honest, neither am I. It’s probably the most unprofessional I’ve ever been in my entire career, but regardless, it needed to be said.

It’s one thing for her to stick her nose into my business, that I can mostly handle. But when she starts bringing Sarah into the equation, I won’t tolerate it.

“Goodbye,” I say, steering her toward the door. Carla wordlessly walks out and I exhale as I close my office door behind her, knowing there’s a good chance most of the station overheard that whole conversation, which I fear is only going to add to my problems.

Walking back to my desk, I pull out my phone, hitting redial as I sit down. Sarah picks up on the third ring.

“Hey,” she says, the sound of her voice instantly making me feel better.

“Hi,” I reply. “Sorry I missed your call, was dealing with a work thing.”

“No worries,” she says. “I hope I’m not disturbing you?”

I exhale, scrubbing a hand down my face. “Not at all.”

“Is everything okay?” she asks, concern in her voice. “You sound distracted or something.”

I take a deep breath, wondering if telling Sarah about my morning is a good idea. “Yeah I’m fine,” I say, knowing she doesn’t need to be burdened with this shit. “Just the usual bullshit of living in a small town.”

“Ugh, trust me,” Sarah replies. “I know all about that.”

I chuckle at her tone. “Guess that’ll change when you move to Boston,” I say, even as a part of me hopes that doesn’t happen.

Even though it’s not far, I know it would still make things between us difficult.

I saw it with Ryan and Erin, and I know it would be the same with us, especially with my job.

But at the same time, I can’t ask her to stay. I know how important this job is to her, how hard she’s worked to get to this point.

Besides, why the hell would she want to finally escape her own small town, just to trade it for another?

“Yeah,” Sarah says, her voice sounding strange. “Anyway, the reason I called,” she continues, “is I’m about to head back to Erin and Ryan’s, but I wanted to know if you had dinner plans tonight?”

“No,” I say. “Although I’m hoping I can see you tonight.”

Sarah laughs and I can’t help but smile. “Well,” she says. “I was wondering if I could take you out?” she continues. “A night on the town now that we don’t have to hide what we’re doing.”

I chuckle. “A night on the town?” I ask. “In this place?”

“Yeah,” she says. “Why not? Be nice to get the official tour now that I’ll be spending a lot more time here.”

“Really?” I ask, forcing myself not to get too excited.

“Really,” Sarah repeats.

“But what about Boston?” I ask, confused.

“Well,” she says, pausing as though she’s considering her words. “I thought I might take Erin’s advice and commute for a bit,” she says. “Make sure I really like the job before I consider permanently moving there.”

“Makes sense,” I say.

“And,” she continues, almost sounding embarrassed. “I kinda have a good reason to hang around here, too.”

I smile. “Oh, you do, huh?” I ask. “And what would that be?”

Sarah giggles and it’s adorable. “Oh, you know,” she says, teasingly. “Some gorgeous police chief I’m hooking up with.”

Now it’s me who’s laughing. “Well, if that’s what’s keeping you around,” I say. “Best you be at my place tonight.”

“Yes, sir!”

“I’ll be home by six,” I tell her before we say our goodbyes.