Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
I couldn’t have that.
Mirroring Finn, I put a hand on his biceps and shifted so that our shoes touched. He smiled, warm and pleased. Leaning in, I brushed my lips across his bristly jaw. He didn’t have a beard, but he also didn’t seem as religious about shaving as I was. I liked the prickles against my lips, liked the contrast with the soft edge of his lips.
I liked it even more when he groaned and took pity on me, claiming my mouth. He was younger and brasher, and I couldn’t get enough of his confidence or the innate happiness he seemed to infuse everything with, including kissing. His lips were soft. Gentle, like he was expecting me to bolt. Or maybe like he’d decided I was worth the time to explore. I gave a happy sigh, sagging against him.
“Oh, yes,” I murmured right before Finn deepened the kiss.
Wrapping both his arms around me, he held me tight as his mouth plundered mine. He kissed like we had all the time in the world, like a Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas and no deadlines. My world didn’t often operate like that, but an excess of leisure time was only one of the many novelties of my Vermont experience. This kiss was another, the newness crisp and bright.
Finn licked and teased and evaded all my attempts to speed things along to more familiar territory.
“There’s no rush.” Pulling back long enough to chide me, he cupped my head between his big hands. The contact served to keep me still and rooted to the present moment. And what a moment it was, soft slides of his lips, little nibbles and gentle sucks that made my legs wobbly and made me cling even more to him.
Finally, right when death by waiting seemed like a serious prospect, he swept his tongue into my mouth, hot and insistent, and I was most assuredly staying alive for more. Finn had the rare ability to be commanding, but almost joyful in his mastery. I was more than happy to let someone like him lead, even if he chose a much more meandering path than I would have.
“So good,” he growled as his hand caressed the back of my neck, blunt fingers dipping under the collar of my sweater.
I wanted his touch everywhere, and I answered his groan with one of my own. Pressing myself shamelessly against him, I was rewarded with another growl as he backed me against the workbench. His big, hard body against mine was perfection, and I almost whimpered when his mouth found mine again. My whole being burned hot and urgent, world tunneling down to—
“Finn! The duck egg incubator is acting weird.” Rachel, Finn’s sister whom I’d met on our previous visit, had burst through the shop door. “Oh.” Her mouth fell open before she started laughing. “Sorry. Forgot you had…company tonight. For woodworking.”
“Really, Rachel?” Finn groaned as he gently untangled our bodies.
My skin heated. I was way too old for this level of embarrassment, especially since Finn seemed more irritated than mortified, and his sister was clearly amused, not scandalized. We were all adults, but I still felt a bit like a kid caught raiding the candy jar.
“Sorry. I’ll just go.” Still chuckling, Rachel backed toward the open door. “But the incubator made this noise. Like a hiss. And I know you’ve got that duckling contract. You might want to—”
“I’ll be there. Give me a second.” Finn’s mouth twisted as he gave a frustrated sigh.
He moved away from me, and I resisted the urge to pull him back after Rachel retreated. Warmth like his was addictive. That had been good, and I’d take another few hours, gladly, but I understood the call of duty. Instead of reaching for him, I busied myself in cleaning off my glasses, which had fogged up from all the steam we generated.
“It’s okay. I can go.” I couldn’t keep the regret from my tone.
“Life of a farmer.” Finn shrugged and adjusted his clothing. “I’d tell you to stick around, but I have no idea how long this will take. We’re expecting hatching any day now. Terrible timing for the incubator to fail. I’ve got a contract… Anyway. You don’t need to hear my business complaints.”
Strangely, I actually wanted to hear more, wanted to be there later so he could vent about whatever was wrong, but I could also sense the dismissal.
“Raincheck?” I said instead, keeping my voice light.
“You want one?” Sounding surprised, Finn scrubbed at his short hair. “I can’t guarantee when I’ll be free next.”
“I know busy. Opening the store is taking most of my own time. I’m not looking to be another obligation for you, but I sure wouldn’t mind being a pleasant distraction sometime.”
“Oh, you’re more than a distraction.” Finn gave me a heated look even as he moved toward the door. “And yeah, I’m not done with you.”