Chapter 51 #2
The fireworks kept coming—burst after burst lighting up the night, the celebration reaching its peak as we moved away from it.
The glamping tents came into view ahead. Cream-colored canvas with those twin-peak tension roofs Elowyn had been so proud of. Three of them were spread out along the property edge, each positioned for privacy.
The one on the left was lit from within—soft glow through the canvas, welcoming and intimate and clearly meant for us.
I stopped walking.
Alex turned, still holding my hand, her eyes finding mine.
“You arranged this?” I swallowed, my voice rough.
“I thought we deserved somewhere private. Just us. For tonight.”
The fireworks kept exploding behind us, but I couldn’t look away from her.
“Darlin’...”
“I didn’t want to assume anything,” she bit her lip, “but—”
I kissed her. Cut off whatever she’d been about to say with my mouth on hers, my fingers slipping into her hair while my other hand found her waist and pulled her closer. She made a surprised sound that turned into something deeper, her arms coming up around my neck.
When I pulled back, I kept my forehead pressed to hers. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I ran my thumb along her jaw. “Come on. Show me what you’ve got planned.”
She led me the rest of the way to the tent, opening the door and stepping inside.
The gas fireplace was already going, casting dancing light across the polished wood floor, making everything feel intimate without being too dark.
The king-size bed was made up with crisp white linens and covered in more pillows than any two people would ever need.
Two chairs sat around a small table to the side.
A wet bar was set up in the corner with a mini-fridge.
Our overnight bags sat neatly on the bench at the foot of the bed.
Alex’s dahlias filled a vase on the table while champagne chilled in a bucket nearby.
The door clicked shut behind me.
“So,” she spoke softly, “what do you think?”
I crossed the space between us and kissed her, twining my fingers into her hair.
“I think,” I replied finally, “that you’re everything. And if it took fallin’ from the sky to find you, then it was worth every agonizing minute.”
“Finn,” her eyes sparkled as she slid her fingers over my wrists.
I kissed her again. Slower this time—deeper, feeling her melt into it, her hands slipping to my chest to grip my shirt. She slid her tongue against my teeth, and I granted her access, letting her explore my mouth. She tasted like honey and barely restrained need.
“I’m just gonna... bathroom,” she sighed happily when we broke apart. “Give me a minute?”
“Take your time.”
She disappeared through a door I’d barely noticed, and I heard water running. It gave me a second to look around properly—to appreciate what she’d done here.
I pulled the champagne out and checked the label. French. Expensive. Probably cost more than I wanted to think about.
I set it back carefully. We could toast later. Right now, I just wanted to be present for whatever came next.
The bathroom door opened, and Alex stepped out wearing—still the dress, actually. But her hair was down now, and she’d taken off her jewelry and sandals. She looked more relaxed—more Alex.
“Your turn,” she smiled shyly. “If you want.”
I grabbed my bag, praying it had what I needed and headed for the bathroom.
It was sleek and modern inside with a full shower and generous vanity. Our toothbrushes were already in a tumbler by the sink and the small pill bottle that had been in my bag sat unassuming on the other side. I huffed a laugh, my cheeks warming at her directness.
I took one of the small blue pills and swallowed it down with water from the tap before brushing my teeth and splashing water on my face.
I looked at myself in the mirror for a long moment.
My reflection stared back—scars, beard, asymmetrical eyes that looked more alive than they had in months. Because of her. Because I’d finally shown her all the broken parts and she’d stayed anyway.
I ran a shaky hand through my hair and tried to calm the nerves that had decided to show up now of all times.
She planned this for you. For us. Don’t overthink it.
Right.
I opened the door and stepped back into the room.
Alex was standing by the bed, still in that dress, watching me with eyes that were dark and wanting.
I crossed to her slowly as she watched me—her hands fidgeting with the drawstring tie at the neckline of her dress.
“C’mere,” I reached for her. Her hands settled on my chest, fingers spreading over the buttons of my shirt.
“Hi,” she bit her lip to stop the grin spreading across her face.
“Hi yourself,” I traced the edge of that off-shoulder neckline with one finger. Soft fabric. Softer skin underneath. “Been thinking about this dress all night.”
“Have you now?”
“Mm-hmm. Been thinking about taking it off you since the second you stepped onto that balcony.”
“So, what’s stopping you now?”
“Not a damn thing.”
I pulled at the tie, my gaze never leaving hers. Her eyes went darker, lips parted slightly—her nervous energy shifting into hunger.
The dress loosened and I slid it off her shoulders carefully. The fabric pooled at her feet and every thought in my head stuttered to a complete stop.
Black lace over blush mesh—the strapless bra managed to look both structural and delicate. Matching panties with wide lace at her hips. The pattern intricate and feminine against her pale freckled skin, showing off every curve I’d wanted to put my hands on all evening.
Her tattoo sat just above the edge of the bra—vibrant colors against her skin. Fire and rebirth and strength, right over her heart.
Fuck. She was stunning.
“You wore this...” my voice was wrecked. “Under that dress. All night.”
“I did,” she nodded with a pleased expression.
I couldn’t form words—could barely form thoughts. Just stood there staring at her while blood rushed south.
“Finn?” She moved toward me, resting her hands on my chest again. “Say something?”
“Sweetheart.” I managed to get my hands moving—traced the lace edge of her bra with my fingertips. Delicate pattern under rough calluses. The contrast made something hot twist in my gut. “You’re gonna kill me.”
“Good?”
“So damn good.” I looked up, met her eyes. “You have any idea what you do to me?”
“I have some idea,” she smirked.
“No,” I brought her against me, let her feel exactly how hard I was. “You really don’t. But I’d like to show you. First though, you’re gonna help me out of these clothes. Fair’s fair.”
She was already reaching for my shirt. “I thought you’d never ask.”
She took her time. Fingers separating every snap carefully, her knuckles brushing my chest as she went. When she pushed the shirt off my shoulders, her hands traced over scarred skin. The burn tissue on my left side, the surgical scars, the ropy ridges and smooth patches.
Her fingers were bold but gentle. And when her mouth followed, something inside me cracked open.
“Every part of you,” she whispered against my skin. “I want every part of you.”
I closed my eyes, breathing through the tightness in my chest.
When I opened them again, she was on her knees, working on my belt. She got it unbuckled, the button of my jeans undone, zipper down. I toed off my boots while she pushed the denim down my legs.
Left me in boxer briefs and nothing else.
She sat back on her heels and looked up at me, resting her hands on my thighs, warm and steady.
“You’re beautiful,” she smiled.
I huffed a quiet laugh. “That’s my line.”
“Can’t help it if it’s true,” her thumbs traced small circles against my skin. “You are. Battle-worn and scarred and absolutely magnificent.”
I had to clear my throat. “On your feet, baby.”
I helped her stand and gathered her in, kissing her deep and slow as my hands explored all that lace and mesh and silky skin. The curve of her waist and soft press of her stomach. The way her hips flared. The weight of her breasts in that structured bra.
When we broke apart again, I walked her backward toward the bed.
“One thing first,” she said, voice a little unsteady.
“What’s that?”
“I have an IUD. Just so you know.”
“I’m clean. Regular testing while I was in the Navy. We’re good?”
She nodded. “We’re good.”
“Good,” I kissed her again. “Then get on that bed, darlin’. Because I’ve got plans for you.”
She grinned then, pupils blown wide as she settled back against the pillows.
I followed her up, caging her in with my arms, pressing a kiss to her collarbone. Then lower, to the edge of her bra.
“This needs to come off,” I decided.
“At your discretion, Lieutenant Commander.”
“Fuck, Alexandra,” I half growled. “You can’t call me that if we’re going to make tonight last.”
She laughed and I couldn’t stop the grin on my face at her delight.
The hooks came undone easier than I expected. I tugged the whole thing free and dropped it somewhere off the bed.
Her nipples were already pebbling in the cool air. I palmed one breast, felt the weight of it. She sucked in a breath as I brushed my thumb over the tip.
“Beautiful,” I whispered reverently. I leaned down to take one nipple in my mouth and she arched into me, her hands fisting in my hair.
The noises she made. Fuck. I could live on those noises.
She was flushing now, pink spreading down her chest. I kissed my way down her body, paying attention to the freckles scattered across her skin, the swell of her breasts, the way her stomach curved.
I hooked my fingers in the waistband of her panties and she lifted her hips so I could slide them down and off.
Nothing between us now except intention.
I settled between her thighs and pressed a kiss to her hip bone. “I’m gonna take my time with you. That okay?”
Her voice came out breathless. “More than okay.”
“Good,” I pressed another kiss lower. “‘Cause I’ve been thinking about this for a while now.”
Her hand tightened in my hair. “Finn...”
“Right here, darlin’,” I looked up, met her eyes. “Just relax. Let me take care of you.”