Chapter 3
THREE
FINN
I hadn’t planned on going to the Pine and Petal today. My final edits would be showing up any day from my copyeditor, and once they came in, I needed to lock myself away and accept or reject my way through the manuscript.
This book was my fifth, and I was just now feeling like I had a handle on the whole publishing process, even coming to terms with my success. However, I couldn’t stop thinking about the new barista and I had to do something about the feelings she’d stirred up.
Today would be about offering my apologies for how short I was with her the other day, and to find out if she would be interested in dinner or anything really where I can get my hands on her, if she’d let me.
“I’m not a stalker. I’m not a stalker.” I mumbled under my breath as I stalked after Sami. She was headed for Whispering Falls.
I considered myself good with words and descriptions in my books. But I described action, stuff being blown up, or the sights and smells of far-flung locales most people would never see for themselves in person. Poetry was as far out of my wheelhouse as attempting to write a high fantasy multi-character story was.
But I still had no idea what I was going to say to Sami.
Upon rounding the bend, the rushing water of the falls filled my ears right before the vision in front of me robbed me of my breath. Sami sat on one of the benches scattered in a half circle surrounding the perimeter of the falls, slightly hunched over with a paperback in her hands.
The late afternoon glow created a halo effect around the top of her head, causing streaks of auburn threaded through her dark brown hair to appear polished to a bright sheen.
Huh? Maybe I underestimated my description talent?
Totally engrossed, Sami made no indication that she’d sensed she was no longer alone. How long I stood there before the pounding of my heart overtook the sound of the water, I had no clue. I wanted to take in every second of the moment. When you knew your life was about to change forever and you were lucky enough to recognize it, you relished it.
She tucked a piece of hair that had fallen forward behind her ear, and her fingers ran absently along her jawline. An electric shock hit me square in my gut. Then, just as quickly, it hit me again, as I imagined those same fingers wrapping around my cock. Her innocent yet sultry movement created a fine layer of sweat to pop out on my skin. I stood there soaking in the pretty picture she made feeling like a lovesick teenager.
Her gasp of shock broke the spell I’d been under. She’d reacted to something she’d been reading, covering her mouth with the hand I’d just been fantasizing over. It was time to let her know I was there—not stalking her.
Stepping forward as if I’d never stopped walking, I approached her with what I hoped was a look of surprise on my face. “Sami, sorry to interrupt. I, uh, did a dog just run this way?” I hid my right hand behind my back and crossed my fingers.
“A dog?” The look on her face was comically cute as she pulled herself from the story she was obviously enjoying. She scanned the area, searching for the fake dog.
It was the biggest fib I’d ever told to get a woman’s attention. I had no shame when it came to this woman, apparently.
“Yeah, I heard barking, then I saw you. Anyway, how’s the book?” I asked. Wow, smooth move Campbell .
Sami’s eyes remained on me as I walked closer. I just hoped she didn’t notice the bulge behind my zipper. I wasn’t ashamed of my body’s reaction to this woman. I just didn’t want this interaction to begin with any more awkwardness, okay guilt, than I was already feeling.
“Do you mind? I’m a big reader myself.” I pointed to her book, then sat down next to her, making sure there was just the right amount of distance between our bodies. Close enough, she knew I was interested in her, yet far enough that I didn’t come off as a creep trying to cop a feel.
“Sure. I guess it would be rude to keep reading since you’re here. It’s a thriller by this new to me writer. Miss Lila at the bookstore recommended it and I’m hooked already.”
When she’d said thriller, my heart jumped into my throat. Could it be one of mine? The last one I’d published was still in the top fifty and selling well. How would I act if it was? No one in town knew I was a writer.
I’m not sure what anyone thought I did for a living, and I still couldn’t get used to it myself. Very few members of my family or closest friends knew since I used a pen name. I’d been toying around with letting the cat out of the bag. But wasn’t sure how.
Accepting the book, our fingers brushed. Sami sucked in a deep inhale and oh, yeah, sparks all the way round. I had to clear my throat before I spoke, making sure the heavy dose of desire that rushed through me didn’t lace my words.
Flipping the book closed, I stared at the cover. Maybe this was a sign. She said she got the book from Miss Lila. So, yeah, something unavoidable was definitely going on between us. She was reading my book.
“The latest in the O’Sullivan series. I hear it’s pretty good.” What would she say if I told her the truth right now? I mean, I had no proof. Well, other than my laptop full of files and emails from cover designers, editors and a PR company I was thinking of switching to.
“It is. I’m almost through the second chapter. I can’t believe I’ve never read one of this author’s books before. I’m addicted. It has that ‘edge of your seat’ build up and I was hooked from page one.” Her cheeks flushed with excitement, and I’d never felt so proud of my work.
“If you want, you can borrow it when I’m done?” Sami held out a hand and instead of placing my book, er, her book, into her palm, I put my hand there instead. Her eyes widened, and her mouth formed the sexiest little “oh”.
I held back a groan. Her hand fit perfectly in mine. So soft and would feel even better when she roamed both of them anywhere she wanted. Focus, Campbell .
“So, that would be great, but I have a confession. I knew you were headed this way, and I wanted to apologize for the other day.” My words came out in a rush, but I managed to keep from pulling her against me and kissing those full ruby red lips. Barely.
“You mean the unfortunate incident?” The corners of her mouth quirked upward. Was she enjoying my discomfort, or was this her sense of humor? Either way, she didn’t seem upset that I’d followed her.
“Yes.”
“Okay, go ahead.” She grinned.
“Go ahead with what?”
“The apology.” Her eyes sparkled with a hint of humor.
Didn’t I just tell her I was sorry? “Right. But I already told you.”
“Nope. You said, ‘I wanted to apologize for the other day.’ That’s not the same as actually saying the words, ‘I’m sorry,’ or ‘I apologize,’ or even better, you could say, ‘Can you ever forgive me for my rudeness? Because sometimes I can’t help it. I’m the town grump and that’s how I roll.’”
Sami hugged her sides as she busted out laughing. Frowning, because of course I did, I wasn’t sure if I should laugh with her or shut her up with a kiss. Man, I was obsessed with those lips of hers. Either way, I was going to say the words because she was right.
“Alright, Miss Sassy Pants, you win. I am sorry. I have this habit of falling into my default mode, which has been labeled as grumpy. Although, I never really thought I was ever a grump to begin with. I just didn’t have a lot to be happy about back when I got stuck with the nickname.”
Her laughter faded, and that was a shame. Her smile was captivating, and I’d have to think of something else to say, or do, to get it back on her face.
“Yeah, I can relate. Back in high school, I got a nickname too that I didn’t think was fair. But then that’s the thing about nicknames. You don’t get to pick your own.” A flicker of sadness appeared on her face so fast I almost thought I’d imagined it. I suddenly wanted to track down whomever hurt her feelings and introduce them to my right hook.
“What was yours?” Dammit, I immediately regretted asking. This is not how I wanted our conversation to go.
Looking away from me, she stared into the distance. Sami shook her head, then sighed. “It shouldn’t still bother me, but labels can suck. Promise not to laugh, okay?”
“Scouts honor.” I flashed the sign, or at least what I thought was the Boy Scout sign.
“Yeah, I can see you being a Boy Scout. Alright. Back in middle school, I was quite chubby and even shorter than I am now and well…one of the boys called me ‘thunder thighs’ and it stuck until I was a sophomore in high school. Luckily, I grew another few inches by then, and the boys were more interested in, uh, well, other parts of my, er, anatomy.” Another blush appeared on her lovely face.
I knew nothing I could say would make the younger Sami feel less hurt by the cruelty of teenage boys. But I could make the beautiful woman sitting next to me, still holding one of my alter ego’s books, that all her curves were worship worthy. And I was the one who’d cherish every inch.
“Well, on behalf of the male gender, I can assure you that if those same idiots, because that what’s we are at that age and dealing with raging hormones, but if they saw you today, the only thing they’d be thinking about is how they could gain your attention so they could get closer to all those lovely curves.”
Her breath hitched at my words, and although we were outside, the weather moderately warm, a heat spiraled between us. I waited for her to speak. Maybe say something with what I now believed was her signature sass, but the silence stretched. Then I noticed her lips tremble ever so slightly before they turned up into a small smile.
“Thank you. That’s very kind.”
“Well, kindness has nothing to do with it when it’s true. I was thinking maybe you’d?—”
“Oh my gosh, look at the time!” She jumped up and gathered her things. Flustered, she looked everywhere but at me. “I appreciate the apology, Finn. But I just remembered, I uh, have a video call with a new client. I’m starting my own graphic design business, and I, well, I gotta go.”
For the second time, I watched Sami walk away from me. But there was no way I’d let it happen a third time. Her reaction was all I needed. She may not want to be attracted to me, and the reason didn’t matter. I was going to find a way into her life, her bed, and heart.
I knew it was too soon to make a declaration when I hadn’t even kissed her yet, but soon. Very soon I’d tell her what I now knew for certain.
She was mine.