Finn (Casella Cousins #3) - Kathryn Shay Page 0,14
you going to face down a guy with a knife? A group of guys who see you as their next prize?”
“MacDougal Street is safe.”
“Nowhere is safe when you’re walking alone at this time of night, especially a woman.”
She stayed silent, staring him down. He was right. She wasn’t safe. “But what you say makes sense. I accept the ride.”
He sighed in relief and walked the few feet to the car with her. She climbed into the sporty coupe first and scooted over to the far side.
“We’re ready, Jonah.”
The driver was a sweet guy. “Address?”
“11 St. Patrick’s Street.”
“Ah, not too far.”
She grumbled, “See, I told you.”
Finn only shook his head.
There was no parking available on the street at this time of night, and grandma and grandpa didn’t have a driveway. Jonah swerved over and double parked.
Finn asked, “You have your own apartment on the top floor, right?”
“Yes.”
“Jonah, would you take the car home and leave it in my garage? I need to meet with Millie and I don’t know how long it will take. I’ll grab an Uber later.”
“Thanks, Finn. Have a good rest of the night.”
She slid out of the seat behind him, and as soon as Jonah drove off, she turned on him. “I didn’t want to make a scene in front of your driver, but you’re not coming into my house.”
“I most certainly am. We need to talk.”
“No.”
“Do your grandparents have Scout?”
“Yes. They’re keeping him overnight. I didn’t know when I’d be back so he’s staying there.”
“Where’s your entrance?”
She stayed put. “Finn, I said no.”
“No always means no when a woman says it about physical contact. But we have to talk and I’m not leaving.”
When she still balked, he said, “Aren’t you as much of an emotional wreck as I am about the store?”
“More than you know.” She frowned. “Is that what this is about? You want to talk about the store?”
“Yes. No. Let me come inside. Please.”
Tears threatened but she battled them back. And gave in. She walked ahead of him to her private entrance, climbed the steep set of stairs, fished her keys out of her pocket.
And promptly dropped them.
Finn picked them up before she could, inserted the single key in the lock, turned it, then did the same with the dead bolt. She went in first, and stepped aside for him, shut the door behind him.
Still standing in the kitchen, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “Can we sit?”
“No. What do you want to discuss about the store?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why did you ask to come up?”
“Because I want to know what’s going on with you.”
She walked further into the kitchen, to the table to put some distance between them. “Leave me alone, please.”
He followed her. “No way. Why have you been acting so strangely the last few weeks? Isn’t Emerson treating you right?”
Instead of answering, she made a decision on the spot.
“I’m handing in my resignation from Fitzgerald’s tomorrow.”
His dark blond brows rose. “What?”
“I’m quitting.”
“The hell you are.” He moved closer and she stepped back as if a flame shot up in front of her. He eased away immediately.
“Millie, please, talk to me.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Damn it, Finn, how could somebody so smart be so dumb?”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re an idiot. You can’t even figure this out?”
“Figure what out?”
She lost the battle, but damn it, she wouldn’t cry. “That I have feelings for you! I’ve had them since Fitzgerald’s opened.”
“I’m not stupid. I know you had a crush on me in your teens. But you obviously got over it. You’ve had plenty of boyfriends.”
“Ever wonder why no one stuck in eight years?”
“Yeah, I did. But I didn’t want to pry.”
“Because they weren’t you, damn it!” Her voice had risen up decibels. She turned away and repeated in a whisper, “Because I’m in love with you.”
Eyes closed, she waited for him to leave. No sounds came. Then she felt him behind her. He grasped her upper arms gently. Into her ear, he said, “Turn around, Mil.”
Under the Finn-spell again, she turned.
And was shocked when he lowered his head to her lips, hovered there. “This okay?”
She didn’t say no.
* * *
Whatever came over him—the store, the scent and feel of her, emotions swirling inside him—Finn couldn’t control any of it. He only knew one thing. He had to kiss her. He took her lips with tenderness and a bit of awe. He pressed them open and explored her. She was so sweet, yet so sexy and all woman. Gone was the girl with a crush. The woman kissed him back.
She melded