Page 114 of Player

Clarissa

The man has the stamina of a stallion. Twenty-four hours of naughtiness and Finn still refuses to leave the room. Who would have guessed that bumbling oaf Antonio, who kissed like a Brillo Pad and who had the bedside manners of a caveman could make me scream his name with the slightest touch?

“You should be training,” I remind him, half-heartedly.

“Not finished with you yet, storeen,” he’d growled, tossing me back on the bed. That was hours ago.

My stomach grumbles and I reluctantly order room service, having stalled as long as I could while Finn fixes the broken table. The fresh air from an opened windows helps clear the smell of sex—at least, I’m hoping it will before the innkeeper knocks on our door. Finn, of course, laughed at my “fussing.” “One gander at you, colleen,” he teased, “and she’s going to know what a sexy fiend you are.”

I grin at him, sitting on the floor with pieces of table splayed out around him. His hair is ruffled, his shoulders relaxed. He’s in sweatpants and the same T-shirt he pulled on earlier to leave the room. He returned with construction glue, a carafe of coffee, and lust in his eyes. The coffee was lukewarm by the time we got around to it.

Play hard. Work hard. Right?

“Have you seen my cell phone?” I ask.

“On the nightstand next to the lamp.”

While Finn works, I eagerly continue to research information for my story. After a while, he interrupts.

“Something wrong?”

“Wrong?” I look up. Our eyes connect. His searching, as if he’s trying to read my mind.

“Just reading about the uranium trade regulations.”

“That all?” The tight line of his lips softens. “And what have you learned?”

I read a bit more before responding. “The United States and its European allies have placed strict controls on the manufacturing and distribution of nuclear componentry, including enriched uranium. There’s a fear that in a free market, the uranium trade could adopt similar characteristics as the oil, coal, and gas markets. Besides establishing a production and trade agreement with its allies, the United States has made a Trigger List of countries not part of the treaty. It’s encouraging countries like Pakistan to sign a similar treaty.”

“And in Ireland? The EU?”

I nod in agreement. Though a global story, the heart of the trade deal is in Europe. “The United Kingdom has formed the Export Control Organization, which says that a license is required when exporting controlled goods like enriched uranium. So, there will likely be screening and definitely a paper trail to follow.”

Finn snorts. “Tell that to O’Brien.”

I nod. “And Mrs. Ogdenhayer. They really are despicable people.”

Finn rolls to his feet and flips the table upright. “Right as rain now.”

“You’re good with your hands.”

“Is that an invitation?”

I laugh then quickly fall silent when he comes to sit next to me on the bed. Just his presence steals my breath away. He surprises me by throwing an arm around my shoulders and tugging me against him for a hug. “You have a beautiful heart, Clarissa Steele. Christiana would be proud of you.”

His compliment makes my heart sing.

The song ... a love song.

I love you, Finn.

The way we connect, the energy between us, the way he makes me feel—falling in love with him was easy. I sink into his warmth, fully aware I’m in for the ride of a lifetime. A different kind of ride.

Full throttle.

Destination unknown.