Page 25 of The Nicest Thing

Her eyes twinkled. "Gotta warn you. It's not much. You'll have water from the well, but we turn off the electric this time of year—though the storm probably knocked that out anyway."

"Sounds perfect," Finn said.

She sent the address to Finn's phone and threw me a wink. "You two enjoy the cabin. Oh, and watch out for grizzlies."

As we did a U-turn and started driving back at a snail's pace, I said, "Think she was joking? About the bears?"

"I guess we're about to find out."

#

There were no grizzlies.

At least none that we could see.

Thank goodness.

But when we reached the cabin and got out of the car, the rain soaked both Finn and I to the bone within seconds. As he grabbed both my bag and his, I reached for the handle.

"I've got it," I said, yelling to be heard over the rain.

Finn just shook his head.

"You're being ridiculous."

As I tried to tug mine free, Finn held on tighter and said, "Just go, Rose. Before we both drown out here."

It was a very real possibility.

We walked/ran to the cabin. Retrieving the key out from under the cute ceramic frog, I unlocked the door, turned my phone light on—and couldn't help the groan that escaped my lips.

"What?" Finn said, water dripping down his face, wearing a grin even as he carried our stuff. "It's cozy in here."

"One bed," I said with a frown. "Seriously?"

"You can have it, Rose. I'll sleep on the floor."

"You absolutely will not," I retorted.

"But—"

"This floor is covered with dust, cobwebs, and who knows what else. It's unsanitary. There's no way I'm letting you sleep down there."

Finn grinned. "Worried about my wellbeing?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm just thinking of how guilty I'll feel if you came on this trip for me only to end up sick."

"I came voluntarily."

"Still."

"Okay, I'm good with us sleeping together."

Cheeks pink, I nodded. "Me too."

"Glad that's settled," he said.

Needing a break from that piercing stare, I glanced at rest of the cabin.

There wasn't much else to it besides the large bed.

Small kitchen. Fireplace on one wall. Porcelain tub sitting against another wall with a mirror above it.

A few landscape paintings hung at intervals.

And…that massive, soft, cozy-looking bed.

"It was really nice of that officer to lend us her place," I said finally.

"Yeah," Finn said. "We got lucky there."

"Lucky you have such a good face."

He laughed outright. "What?"

"You charmed her in minutes." I sent him a smile. "That talent is both impressive and scary."

"She was just being nice."

"I'd believe that," I said, "if I hadn't seen the effect you have on countless other women."

Finn tilted his head. "That include you?"

I shivered then looked away. It definitely included me. I was at the top of that list, but I wasn't sure there'd ever be a time or place to admit it.

"Rose?"

"Yeah?" I said.

"I need to get you out of those clothes."

My eyes went wide as they snapped back to his. "What?"

"I don't want you getting sick either," he said.

I nodded. That made sense, but… "I'm good."

Finn frowned. "No, you're not. You're shaking."

As he placed a hand on my shoulder, rubbing up and down, I realized he was right. His touch only made the shivers more intense.

"No wonder," he went on. "It's freezing in here."

"It is cold," I agreed, teeth chattering.

"Clothes off. Now."

The way he said it made warmth bloom in my stomach.

"Rose, I'm not joking."

"Okay, okay," I said, trying to play it off, even though I was currently feeling the effects of bossy-Finn, "but you're drenched too. I'll only take mine off if you do."

He shrugged.

A second later, his shirt hit the floor, and I flushed.

"Satisfied?" he said.

"Not at all," I muttered.

"What was that?"

"Uh, nothing. Can you turn around?"

Finn's lips tipped up. "Do I have to?"

I simply stared at him.

"Alright, fine," he said, flipping around. "But you were staring pretty hard a second ago. I think it's only fair I get a peek."

"Yeah, right," I said. My giddiness at his words was tempered by the fact that I knew he was only teasing. He had to be. "Maybe if I had a body like yours I'd be good with stripping too."

"Meaning?"

"My body has curves and imperfections, Finn. Lots of them."

He stayed silent.

"Don't get me wrong," I added. "I'm not ashamed—or super confident, but still. I like my body. I just…"

Don't know if you will.

And if you don't, it would kind of break my heart.

So, I'd rather you not see all my wobbly bits at once.

"I just don't think you want to see all that. And I'm not as comfortable with nudity as you are apparently," I finished lightly.

Finn didn't laugh, but he didn't press either. He kept his back to me and crossed his arms, making his shoulders bunch and flex in this way that made me feel a little lightheaded. How could I be so attracted to his back? This was madness.

"No peeking, promise?" I said.

"I promise," Finn uttered softly. "But I want it on the record that I disagree."

With what? I wondered.

Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I pulled my shirt over my head then softly dropped it to the ground.

Next, I removed my shoes and socks then my pants which was a trial.

I almost asked for Finn's help. The material got stuck on my hips, and I had to wiggle to get out of them.

When I was done, and they were in a pile at my feet, I straightened, smiling in triumph.

But the smile dropped as I noticed Finn's stillness.

His whole body looked tense, strung tighter than a bowstring.

"Almost done?" he asked, his voice a deep rasp.

"Yeah, just have to get some dry clothes out of my suitcase," I said. "Are you okay, Finn?"

"Perfect."

Despite his answer, the sound of his voice was strained.

"Seriously, is something wrong?" I asked again. As I took a step toward him, Finn held up a hand.

"I had to listen to you get undressed, slow as fuck. You're standing behind me, nearly naked, and you're asking me what's wrong? Come on, Rose."

"Sorry," I said quietly, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"It's not that…"

"Then what?"

"I'm trying to keep my promise, but it's hard."

"I don't understand."

"I know," he said, sounding pained. "Told you before that I disagree with what you said."

"Which part?" I asked.

"I do want to see, Rose." Finn's voice dropped, and it felt like a caress. Silky, smooth, with that hint of a rasp making it irresistible. "You're almost naked, close enough to touch. It's taking every bit of self-control I have not to turn around right now."

"I get it," I said with a smile. "There's a half-naked woman within reach, and you can't help yourself. I think I wrote this scene in one of my books. Anyway, thanks for being a gentleman, Finn."

"Wrong again," he said.

My brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"It's not because there's a half-naked woman near me."

His head turned to the side, glancing slightly over his shoulder.

"It's because it's you."