Page 18 of Making Home with You (The Rockport Beach #3)

“You and Finn are dressing up?” Erin asks, but it’s like she knows something I don’t. “Finn doesn’t dress up for anything. Every year Kelsey throws a Halloween party and he never comes.”

“I got us costumes and he didn’t say anything otherwise,” I tell them, but now I’m concerned that he’s just placating me, that I’m forcing him into doing something he doesn’t want to do.

“I’d be surprised if he came too,” Kelsey adds. “Rumor around town is that he’s dealing with some shit at work. Carla’s been giving him a run for his money.”

“What?” I ask, now completely confused. He hasn’t mentioned a word to me about any of this. “Who’s Carla?”

“Oh, one of those twats who thinks Finn should’ve married her,” Erin says, flicking her hand around. “She owns that little fish restaurant down by the water, the one that someone painted a giant cock on the side of. Fucking priceless.”

I miss most of what Erin says, too preoccupied by the fact that Finn hasn’t shared any of this with me. I know I’ve been busy with work, but I thought this would’ve been something he would’ve told me about.

“Don’t worry about it, Sarah,” Kelsey says reassuringly. “Finn can be pretty private, but it’s just gossip. I’m sure he’d have said something to you if he thought it was a big deal.”

As I’m leaving the inn, I text Finn and ask him if he wants me to stay the night and he replies immediately.

Finn: Yes, but I’m still at the station. Not sure how long I’ll be here.

Me: That’s ok. I can stay at E it’s a party for his brother and future sister-in-law.

I tug at my costume as it rides up a little, cutting into my hips and making it slightly uncomfortable.

“He doesn’t really like parties. You’ll get used to it,” a voice says from behind me.

When I turn around Kelsey is standing there with a small smile on her face, but it’s just for show. It’s almost like she’s trying to reassure me that it isn’t my fault Finn has yet to show up.

Part of me assumed he’d use work as an excuse to avoid tonight. But another part of me, the one that likes to think Finn and I have something, needs him to show up. To show me that he enjoys spending time with me despite his hatred of costumes and crowds. That he wants to be with me regardless.

“Seriously, Sarah…” Kelsey says but stops short and I see her eyes widen, and when I hear Beck yell out, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” my eyes instantly gravitate toward the entrance to the bar.

I see him, standing, scanning the crowd, searching for someone, searching for me. In that moment my heart stops and everything around me falls silent.

I feel his eyes on me, his smile grows as he takes me in and all I can focus on is him walking over to where I’m standing. Navigating the crowded room and ignoring the comments and the women who attempt to stop him.

“That boy loves you, Sarah,” Kelsey says, her mouth close to my ear. “Look at his face!”

“What?” I ask, appalled by her reaction to Finn’s arrival.

“Don’t act like you don’t know,” she says, giving my side a little pinch before she bails, leaving me speechless.

He loves me? I think as Finn finally stops in front of me, his smile even broader than before. He can’t possibly love me or could he?

“Sarah,” he murmurs and my knees grow weak.

His fingers brush against my bare stomach and come to rest on my hip.

The warmth of his skin touching mine makes me suck in a ragged breath and I swallow hard.

“You look fucking amazing,” he says before leaning in closer, taking my head in his large hand and kissing me hard.

As soon as his lips connect with mine, I let out a small moan and he slips his tongue in gently. Caressing and stroking against mine as I smile and let out a small giggle.

Finn pulls back, his forehead resting against mine and I whisper, “You came.”

“Of course I did, Sarah. I would never let you down.”

I nearly crumble to the floor at his words. I hear so much truth in them. I trust Finn wholeheartedly and after what Kelsey said, I can’t help but think she’s right. He does love me.

“Plus I had to,” he growls and moves away from me, his possessive side coming through. “Knowing you were dressed like this in a bar full of drunken assholes didn’t really sit well with me.”

I fall into his arms; cradling against his chest. Finn kisses the top of my head and I feel him exhale a long, slow breath.

“You’re the only drunken asshole I want, Finn,” I joke and he laughs before he buries his face in my neck, kissing and nipping me.

His hands run the length of my body, stopping to brush his fingers lightly across my stomach. I shudder at his touch, the feeling making me long to be close to him, always.

“Do you know you’re my childhood fantasy come to life?” he asks and I pull back from him and give him a questioning look. “The gold bikini. It’s every boy’s fantasy.”

“Guess I chose well then, huh, Han Solo?”

“You did and you will be rewarded later tonight.”

“I love the sound of that,” I purr, pressing myself to his firm chest. “Is that a light saber in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” I ask seductively, but it just comes out ridiculous and Finn laughs as Kelsey walks back over to us grinning like she just won the lottery.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she says pushing up on her toes and throwing her arms around his neck. Beck walks up behind him and clamps a hand down on his shoulder.

“Thanks for coming, man. It’s good to see the chief out of uniform.”

“You won’t see me in that uniform for a while,” Finn mutters and signals the waitress to bring him a beer. Kelsey’s arms fall from around his shoulders, her hands now resting on his chest. A shocked look on her face that I’m certain mirrors the one on mine.