Page 87 of The Hot Shot

With a snort, Finn hunkers down and studies the board. The stern, absorbed expression on his face is adorable, and frankly hot. It’s even sexier when I realize he’s good, really good.

I lose track of time as he and his dad play with the intensity of men at war.

Eventually, I end up reclining on the couch to read. Without taking his attention away from the board, Finn puts my feet in his lap and rests one warm hand over my ankle. I keep reading, but I love it. I love that, every so often, his thumb strokes my skin in an absent-minded but tender caress. Whatever is going on between us, I know he isn’t angry with me. And some of the tension flows out of my body.

After dinner, I go back to the room and change into comfortable lounge pants and an oversize light sweater. Then Glenn, Emily, Finn, and I head for the family room to watch a movie.

“I feel like I’m in high school,” I say to Finn. “Watching a movie with a boy while his parents are in the other room.”

He gives me a knowing look. “You gonna let me cop a feel under the blankets?”

I don’t answer, leaving him to catch up, his eyes narrowed on me.

The family room is a large but cozy space with a sectional couch near the back and two big recliners grouped together off to one side. A tumbled stone fireplace fronts the space.

“Where’s the TV?” I ask.

Glenn picks up a remote. “Right here.”

A movie screen starts lowering from the ceiling. “Wow.”

“Finn’s lastThanksmaspresent to my dad,” Glenn says. “I’m still waiting for mine, the cheap ass.”

“Hey,” Finn protests with a laugh. “I keep you flush in athletic gear.”

“You get that stuff for free.”

“Don’t listen to Glenn,” Emily says to me. “He wouldn’t take a gift like that even if Finn snuck it into our house on the sly.” She heads for a recliner. “My back is killing me.”

“Damn it, baby,” Glenn complains. “You know I like the couch.”

“Then snuggle up with Finn and Chess.” She reclines the chair with a happy sigh. “Or would you rather carry this baby?”

“Yeah, because arguments based on total fantasy always work,” he grumbles and plops down in the other chair.

“Sucker,” Finn says, sprawling on the big corner of the couch.

I walk by him, intent on curling up on the opposite corner, when Finn reaches out and takes hold of my good wrist. I pause, staring down at him. His grip is warm and secure, as he meets my gaze with steady eyes.

It’s my decision, whether I cuddle up with him or move on.If I tug on my arm, or take a step, he’ll let me go. I sink down. He moves with me, turning his body and tucking me at his side. My legs drape over his, my head resting on the couch pillow beneath his chin.

Neither of us says a word as he reaches back and grabs a thick throw to cover us. Nestled against the firm expanse of his chest, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to sitting alone. Not when he is near.

Finn grunts as if to say,About time, and then wraps his arm around my waist.

“What are we watching?” My voice is breathy.

“Die Hard.”Finn’s words rumble against my shoulder blades. “Christmas classic.”

“Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs...”

His lips graze the shell of my ear. “I promise not to blow anything up.”

Glenn messes with the remote again, and the lights go low. I’ve seenDie Harda dozen times. I know the lines by heart. I hear none of them now.

The room is dark. Glenn and Emily are silhouettes against the screen. Tucked on the couch, Finn and I are in another world. I can’t even pretend I’m watching the movie. Images flash, words are spoken, but my attention is on the man behind me.

He shifts a little, moving so that we’re fully spooning. The wall of his body is rock hard yet it melds against mine, warm and comforting. Or it would be. Only my awareness is too keen now, sending little flips through my belly. Something stiff nudges my ass.