27. Rune
Chapter 27
Rune
“F inn, wait,” I beg, my fingers tightening around his.
He stares at our hands, then back at me.
“Yes?” he says.
“I didn’t mean it that way. I’m not trying to push you away, I was just trying to be polite. I do want to know what you have to say. I want to hear everything—anything—that you want to tell me.” I’m vaguely aware that I’m babbling, that Finn’s hand is trapped in mine, but I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from his. Especially when he has that look on his face.
“You do, huh?”
“I do. I know things got a little weird, and I swear I’m trying to be okay with the fact that what we had was great and fun, but?—”
“Is that what we had, Rune? Fun?” Those blue eyes blaze at me.
I hesitate, unsure if I’m willing to admit the truth aloud. To put myself out there in a way that makes me fully, wholly at his mercy. From where I stand, my time with Finn was eons beyond mere fun; it was magical, soul-healing, unforgettable. I left a piece of my heart with Finn. It's the only explanation for why, despite my confusion and angst, I feel whole right now.
“I don't know what you want,” he continues. “Or need. But I’m going to put my cards on the table and admit that I’ve fallen for you so hard and fast that it truly defies all logic. I haven't stopped thinking about you once since the night you came into my life. I've been out of my fucking mind since you left, trying to give you the space you need. Trying to convince myself that it would be stupid of me to chase you down, to beg you to give me a chance—to give us a chance.”
I don’t know what I’m hearing. I might be hallucinating. “You want me to give us a chance?” I confirm, incredulous.
He swallows and nods.
“Are you saying this because you feel bad?” That seems like a Finn thing to do: over-the-top kindness. “Please tell me the truth, even if it’s going to hurt me.”
He gives a soft huff of laughter. “I’m saying this because I’m fucking obsessed with you. I want to know everything about you. I want to go back in time and tell you all the stupid little things about me. Everything we haven’t had time for yet. Including the—er, thing —that led to our misunderstanding.”
He glances around at the people milling around. I nod, encouraging, as he continues, “You don’t have to give me an answer tonight or even ever. Just know that I came here, desperate for the opportunity to spend more time with you.”
My breath shudders as the words hit me. I thought I was well on my way to losing him. I thought he was never mine in the first place.
“I’ve spent most of my adult life wanting to be left alone to pursue the fleeting inspiration of my own imaginings,” he continues, oblivious to the tears forming in my eyes, “but everything shifted from the moment I first set eyes on you. I’m asking if you would be able to forgive me for skipping over the more important parts of a relationship and allow me to try again—the right way, this time. Secrets and all.”
A tear escapes and I quickly dash it away. Finn catches my hand and presses another gentle kiss on the back of it. I really like what he's saying. I also can’t believe that he’s saying it to me .
“Are you asking me out?” I clarify.
The hand holding mine trembles slightly. “Yes, Rune. I am.”
Well…shit. “Okay, then.”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “Okay? As in, you accept?”
Now I’m smiling. Even though I have no doubt as to what my answer is, I take my time to look at Finn—really look at him. Despite the tension in his strong hands, his face is clear, hopeful. For some inexplicable reason, Finn didn’t just come here to apologize. He wants me, maybe even as much as I want him. It doesn’t change the fact that I’m terrified of what might happen if we wade into this deeper together, but I am persuaded by the vulnerability shining in his eyes. If he can put his heart on the line, I suppose I can find the courage to do it, too.
“Yes, Finn. My answer is yes.”
I melt a little inside from the way his features light up at my response. The way he drags me up against his body, our lips meeting in a heady, intoxicating kiss. I catch his bottom lip between my teeth as his tongue sweeps into my mouth. Searching, demanding.
I throw my arms around his neck. I cannot get close enough to him to chase away the fear, the dread, the sadness that have been clinging to me the past couple of weeks.
Too bad we're standing in a very public place, surrounded by complete strangers. When we both pull back, there’s a telltale sheen in those blue eyes.
“Did you really come here just for this? For me?” I say in awe.
“I really did,” he confirms, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I have a lot to tell you. Stuff we didn’t get a chance to talk about yet.” He takes a deep breath, as if ready to tell it all now. I shake my head quickly.
“Not here,” I say. Not where there are so many people who could overhear. “Later.”
He nods, his gaze raking my body. “Have I told you yet that you look incredible?”
I give an embarrassed laugh and grip his hand tighter. “My interpretation.”
“Better than I could have imagined.”
“How did you know I’d be here?” I ask.
“There may have been some mild subterfuge involved,” Finn says offhandedly, like it’s no big deal, but…it kind of is. Because Finn is here at the Faelight Fantasy Ball, far-outshining any other man in attendance. I’m not the only one who thinks that, if the interested glances from the other women are anything to go by.
“Like…?” I wait expectantly.
Biting back a smile he leans in to whisper in my ear. “Where do you think your sister got the tickets?”
My eyes widen as everything suddenly clicks into place. The Faelight Fantasy Ball has been sold out since early October. VIP tickets were by invite-only this year. I turn and find Jules standing at the entrance to the ballroom, a wide smile on her face with a glass of something lifted in a toast. The wing dude is ghosting around behind her. She’s clearly got him charmed. I’m going to have to ask her about him. Later.
“You two know each other?” I ask.
“We've met. Somewhat recently.”
“Did you—how—?” Words fail me.
“I know the organizers behind this event. They gifted me a pair of VIPs earlier this fall. I brought them to the fundraiser that night. I’d planned to ask you if you wanted to go with me, but our conversation went a little differently than I hoped.”
That’s putting it mildly. Now I really do feel like a big jerk.
“Your sister could probably tell you far more nuanced details of what all went down. Long story short, I asked my contacts if they had one more. They did, fortunately. I met up with your sister on Wednesday to deliver them. And now we’re here.”
“Now we’re here,” I repeat, amazed. I reach out and touch the brocade accent at his collar. “So now what?”
The muscles of his neck contract as he swallows. His hands run lightly down my sides, coming to rest on my hips. “I thought maybe we could dance.”
“Okay,” I say.
I’ve never danced with Finn before. It shouldn’t surprise me that he’s really good at it. Or that it only takes half a song before every bit of reserve I’d amassed over the past two weeks has melted completely. It’s difficult to stay mad with someone who looks at me like I’m the only woman in the room. Which I’m not.
Once we start dancing, I’m surprised at how many people actually recognize Finn. He’s beset by admirers, swarmed by them, actually, all of them asking for autographs and selfies with him. He takes it all in stride, laughing easily and chatting with them. It doesn’t take a skilled analyst to see that he has them all fully charmed. Who wouldn’t be?
“Look how famous you are,” I comment when we’re dancing together again. “Who knew?”
He smirks down at me. “Imagine my surprise when one of my biggest fans thought I was a woman.”
I can’t help blushing. From now on, I’m going to research the fuck out of every author I read. No more surprises. “I’m sorry,” I say.
“It’s really fine,” he replies.
“But seriously, it was out of line. I know I shouldn’t have assumed?—”
“Rune,” he interrupts me gently. “I’m not at all offended. It’s actually kind of an honor. I would hope that my writing transcends gender stereotypes.”
I look at him gratefully. He twirls me once, before pulling me in for another kiss.
Even with over-excited and somewhat tipsy fans approaching us repeatedly, it feels like the night ends far too quickly in a blur of dancing, drinking, and sparkling lights. I ask Jules repeatedly who her winged partner is, but she only shrugs and said he calls himself Cass. A glaringly obvious fake name, considering his attire. Apparently it doesn’t bother her and she leaves without exchanging numbers.
Once again, the limo is waiting for us. This time, Finn comes with.