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Finley smirks. “I gave you a little taste, and now you're kissing me goodbye?”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “You're insatiable.”
She grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “And you love it.”
“Guilty as charged.” I delicately smooth her hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “I'd love to continue, but I don't want to rush things with us.”
Finley pouts, her bottom lip jutting out adorably. “Not even a little more kissing?”
I groan, the sight of her swollen lips nearly breaking my resolve. “You're killing me here, Fin.”
She leans in, her breath hot against my ear. “But what a way to go, right?”
I laugh, gently pushing her back. “You're trouble, you know that?”
“The best kind of trouble,” she quips, winking.
We settle back into the couch, Finley curled into my side. The movie plays on, but I hardly pay attention; I’m too focused on how she feels in my arms.
After a few moments, Finley speaks, her voice soft. “Jake, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, anything.”
She hesitates, biting her lip. “What are we doing here? We're having fun, but is that all this is to you?”
I'm a little surprised by the sudden change in topic, but it's a fair question. I sit up straighter.
“You matter to me. This isn't just some fling.” I take her soft hand, interlacing our fingers. “I wouldn't invite you into my life or Amber's if I didn't feel a real connection with you.”
She nods, her gaze searching mine. “I feel it, too. But I've been hurt before and don't want to get my hopes up if we're not on the same page.”
My heart clenches at the vulnerability in her voice. I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles.
“I'm not going to run at the first sign of trouble. I want to see where this goes.”
A small smile tugs at her lips. “I needed to hear you say it.”
I pull her into my arms, holding her close. “I'm not going anywhere. I promise.”
We stay like that for a while, holding each other, the movie long forgotten. Now, nothing else matters but the two of us and the promise of what could be.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her fingers tracing the outline of my jaw.
I brush my lips over her hair. “You're amazing. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I'm grateful you walked into our lives.”
“Me too. Amber's an incredible little girl. I’m so lucky to be a part of her world.”
My heart swells with emotion at her words. I gently tilt her chin up, our eyes locking in a gaze filled with understanding and affection.
I kiss her tenderly, hoping to convey all the emotions I can't yet find the words for.
As we reluctantly untangle ourselves and begin tidying up the living room, I can't wipe the smile from my face.
This night feels like the start of something special—a love story for Finley and me but also for the precious little girl sleeping soundly down the hall.
Finley is the missing piece I've been searching for, the person who completes our family in ways I never even knew we needed.
As we steal one last kiss before she heads home, I silently vow to cherish and protect this incredible woman who is quickly becoming my everything.
