Chapter 17 – Finnegan Sunderland
Finnegan Sunderland
"T he lighthouse?" Riley asks, her hands clasped in front of her. "This is our date?"
"Is that alright?" I bite my lip.
Shit. It seemed like a romantic date at the time. Or an excellent opening scene to one of my novels. Now, I'm suddenly unsure.
Does she think I'm going to murder her? Chuck her off the lighthouse viewing deck? Hmm, or we could unleash some vengeful spirit who's dead set on revenge… This is why you can't take me anywhere. Everything becomes a possible plot or story idea.
"I thought you'd prefer to stay on the island. The kids are perfectly safe with Felicity, but I thought you might be more comfortable staying close. I'd love to take you out for a fancy dinner and dancing-"
"It's awesome," she says, tossing her face forward into mine. It's an enthusiastic kiss that leaves little doubt that I did okay planning this date.
* * *
I was obviously half daft when I decided a date at the top of the lighthouse was romantic. Yes, the conservatory looks lovely. I paid Harold the lighthouse keeper a pretty penny to give us access for a few hours. But those stairs were never ending.
Cannon and Killian helped by delivering the meal and setting up the table.
Riley and I played a murder mystery date box before leaving for the second part of our adventure.
She loved every second. Even agreed to play while I recorded it for my podcast. Of course, I'll have to edit it later and add some voice overs.
Can't believe the saucy little omega determined the murderer before I did.
I'm going to get so much shit from my fans, and I don't even care. Riley whooped and cheered and had zero humility whilst rubbing in her win. It was sexy as hell.
"Finn?" she whispers, spinning to face me. "You set all of this up?"
"Cannon and Killian helped," I say, brushing a hand over her cheek. "But yes. Do you like it?"
"It's amazing. I'm not going to lie, I kinda wanted to kick you during those fifteen million flights of stairs, but whoa. This is incredible." Riley spins around checking out the space.
There are two small space heaters set up to keep us warm.
We're in the old watch room. Harold said the old timer who tended the lighthouse about forty years ago got tired of trudging up and down the stairs to go to bed.
So he made it his bedroom instead of the appointed room further back down the stairs.
There's a small cot on one side of the room.
The old heavy wood dining table in the middle of the room is a monstrosity.
Far too heavy to be moved so we worked around it.
The table is set with a delightful meal Cannon's mother cooked from scratch. She's a hell of a cook with a penchant for Italian cuisine. Once I help Riley out of her coat and get her seated in her chair, I take the one directly next to hers.
"This is so cool," she whispers. Her eyes take in every detail of the old landmark.
"Just wait until we finish our meal and head out on the viewing deck," I say, smirking.
The warming trays have already prepared plates inside and I pull them out, setting one in front of each of us. Riley's face lights up as I slice a bite of chicken parmesan and offer it to her.
"I've never been on a date before," she says a few minutes later. "Thank you for this, Finn."
My heart throbs with a painful ache. She's got two small children and she's never been on a goddamn date ? It causes an ugly pit to form in my gut. There's so much she's yet to experience.
"This is nothing," I say, swiping a hand through the air. Trying to lighten the mood and dissipate the scent of my anger at her words. "The first of many."
Or I certainly hope so.
"My ex, he was pretty well known," Riley says, staring at her plate.
"At first, I thought it was my age. He couldn't be seen with me in public, but then I was eighteen and nothing changed.
He'd blame it on the fans. They'd ruin our date, coming up for autographs and pictures.
" She shakes her head. "I bought that for a while too. "
"I will take you out any time you'd like," I say, leaning close and brushing my lips over her cheek. "Please don't think that's what-"
"No, I know it's not," Riley says, giving me a weak smile. "I appreciate you planning all this and setting it up so Felicity and Killian kept the girls. It's very special to me."
"Good. You're very special to me," I tell her with a grin. She looks sad though. "You shouldn't blame yourself. He knew exactly how to manipulate you to get the desired response."
"He did," Riley agrees.
I truly believe she'd benefit from speaking to a professional.
Someone who could help her understand that what that piece of shit did to her is wrong.
Our relationship is tentative at best. I fear recommending she speak to a therapist could cause her to shut down on me completely when she's finally opening up.
I bite my tongue and hold that back for another time.
"You know, I've got quite the rabid set of followers on social media who would be happy to make his life a living hell," I offer, quirking an eyebrow. It's my attempt to lighten the mood, but keep her talking.
Riley laughs. "I think I'd rather not start something with Jeremy's family that I can't finish. They're very well-connected."
Biting my lip, I watch her face carefully.
She seems sincere. How can she be willing to forgive and forget?
The man is vile. He deserves to be doxed every day for the rest of his miserable life.
Or he can sign all rights away to Cove and Lily.
All rights to Riley too. Then maybe I'd feel less murdery.
My family is quite well-connected also, but then again, they'd only intercede if absolutely necessary to defend their last name. Which incidentally I share, but that would be a last-ditch effort scenario. They aren't reliable enough to count on. Not for me.
"Are you done? Shall we have a look out on the deck?"
She nods. "I guess we'll need our jackets?"
"You sure are used to Florida," I muse. "We'll need them."
I help Riley slide her gloves and jacket back on and we carefully meander out onto the viewing deck.
Harold assured me it's completely solid all the way around, but I've just realized I might have a bit of a fear of heights so I cling on to the railing for dear life.
Riley the stupid, brave girl has no fear.
"It's beautiful," she calls from halfway 'round the damn lighthouse. "Oh Finn, come see this."
"Can't darling, I think I must stay right here within stepping distance of the door."
Riley comes back to my side. A silly grin covers her face. She's breathtakingly beautiful even with the red cheeks and nose. I wish I could snap a picture to remember this moment forever. Unfortunately, my hands seem to be unwilling to stop gripping the railing for dear life.
"Are you afraid of heights?" she asks. The goofy grin on her face makes it hard not to pull her into my arms and kiss her silly.
"A-fucking-parently," I hiss.
Finally letting go of the railing, I wrap my arm around her back pulling her inside the safety of the lighthouse. Making quick work of the awful door, I cage her against the wall.
Our mouths meet as I grind my body into hers. See, this is why I prefer pajamas. So much softer, way easier to feel everything. We're practically wearing parkas at the moment.
"Want to continue this at home?" I ask against her lips.
Riley simply nods. "Can't have you passing out from fear of heights while we're trying to get to know each other."
The cheeky bitch. I laugh against her cheek. I'm likely never going to hear the end of this. As long as she's around to remind me of the memory? I don't think I'll mind at all.
* * *
"See isn't this much cozier?" I fluff the giant feather pillows and nod for Riley to come on in. She was in my room only a couple hours ago, but she's suddenly quite shy. She sets the baby monitor down on the bedside table and scrambles under the thick blanket.
"Much," she murmurs, blinking up at me from behind long lashes.
Prowling up the bed, I stalk my perfect prey. My body cages her in over the blanket. Riley blinks up at me and I grin.
"We can watch a movie. No need to feel pressured, darling. You can simply sleep by my side," I tell her, kissing her nose. "Is Kiki with the children?"
She nods. "He's staying in with them tonight. He told me not to feel obligated to rush back."
I grin at that. Good man. Killian is solid. I'm going to owe him one for tonight though.
Riley grips my shoulders, pulling my chest to rest on hers. She's soft and I adore it. The voluptuous curves do something wild to the animalistic part of my brain. The man is enraptured too. I'm hard with lean muscles. I've always found myself attracted to women with generous curves.
Her soft, pink lips brush against mine and my cock hardens to an embarrassing degree. I brush hair away from her face and dip my mouth to hers. The slow, deep kiss has me grinding into her as I hover over her.
Her sweet cream and cake batter scent fills the air and I growl into her mouth. Riley gasps, clutching me closer as I cage her in with my strong form.
"Might I join you under the covers?" I ask, giving her a wicked grin.
Riley nods, biting her plush lower lip. I make quick work of settling myself next to her. She turns to face me, running her fingertips over my chest. She tosses a leg over my arse, bringing her cunt to rest over my throbbing cock. Our mouths fuse for a molten kiss.
My hands travel under her long sleeve cotton pajama shirt. We both lean up and I rip it off quite carelessly. Her heavy breasts are tight and full on her chest and I suck in a deep breath. Which is actually a terrible idea as it floods my system with her scent even more fully.
"Finn?" she whispers, leaning into my chest. She rests her face against my neck as we sit facing one another. "You're looking feral as hell. You good?"