You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) - Melanie Jayne Page 0,93

stopped fighting, but she could feel her heart pounding against the arm securing her. “I want you to hear this. You deserve to hear this.”

“Finn, I don’t.” She felt panic ripple through her, she was having trouble catching her breath. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Shh, just listen. You told me about some of the things that Lydia did to you. I know that she made you feel that you weren’t enough. You weren’t worthy of her love.”

“Finn.” She tried to make him stop as the tears started to fall down her cheeks.

“Your Mother was crazy, or I can be more polite and say ill. I will never understand how Joe, Poppy, or any other adults that were around didn’t put a stop to it.” He took a deep breath and he sounded angry. “It infuriates me whenever I think about it. You were a child being abused by her mother and nobody stopped it.” His arms tightened around her.

“It was bad, so bad that I don’t even like to think about it.” Her throat hurt as she forced the words out.

“I know and when you do you seem to feel ashamed.”

Hale shifted so that she could see Finn’s face. Christ, he looked so angry. The muscle at the side of his jaw jumped.

“You shouldn’t be ashamed, you should be fucking furious. It wasn’t your fault. None of it was your fault.”

She started to argue with him but his arms tightened around her.

“You got your M.B.A., you worked for a top accounting firm, your good friends love you and would fight to the death for you.”

“But,” she tried to interject.

“Just let me finish, others want to be included in that circle, yet you hold them off. I’ve watched you with our godchildren and you love them so much. Hale, I’ve witnessed you take abuse from small-minded people and put up with their rudeness. The only time that you defend yourself, is when your work is criticized.” He repositioned her body so that there was more space between them, like he wanted to be able to read her body’s language. “You are loved and are loving. I think that you have a huge heart, but are afraid to risk it.”

She let his words sink in. She nodded, hoping that he would stop talking about this. He knew her weaknesses.

He let out a loud sigh. “That troubles me.”

This was killing her. “Because you think that I can’t love you back?”

“No, not a chance.” He rested his forehead against hers for a moment then continued. “I think I’ll have to fight you along the way and knock down your walls. I want you to know that I am going to be here doing that. You aren’t going to hide from me, Hale.”

More tears ran down her cheeks. She wanted to wipe them, but she was so focused on Finn’s words, she didn’t move. He was right. She had heard the summation from the therapists throughout her life.

“You need to let yourself be loved. God, honey, it hurts me to think that you don’t see it.” His eyes were filled with pain

She whispered, “So you think I’m worth it?”

“I know you are.” He pulled her closer and kissed her. His lips were gentle, the kisses light and teasing.

She raised her hand and pulled his head closer. His kisses turned hungry. She slid her hands to his shoulders and twisted her body so that she could straddle his thighs. His hard cock rested between their stomachs. Finn’s hands roved her back, causing goose bumps as his fingers traced along the sides of her ribs, one of the most sensitive places on her body.

Finn’s hand traveled to her hair. He pulled hard, tugging her head back. “This time, I’m taking it slow. Making love to you like I should have for our first time.” He rolled her off his thighs and leaned over her.

She looked up into his eyes. He was so intense. “But I like it rough and hard.”

“Well, babe, I’ll have to make sure that you love it slow and sweet.” He was smiling but there was heat in his look.

And he did.

And he was right, she did.

Chapter Twelve

It was still velvety dark outside as Hale started the coffee maker. She checked the thermometer as she let Miller out, it read thirty-six degrees. She filled her travel mug and moved to the coat rack, sitting on the bench to put on her shearling filled boots. She had layered a silk tank, a thermal