Page 28 of One Vow

“But a blind guy could see through you. If they were giving rooms away for free, you’d still be right here because it’s what you want.”

“Maybe I’m not ready for this to be done.” Of all people to say it to, to tell my truth to, I chose Sofia, the person most likely to shove her 400-dollar sneakers up my ass.

She crossed her arms. “And the whole world is about what Finn Makenzie wants, right? Never mind that you being here is going to set her back. Never mind that it took her years to get over you, to stop wishing you’d come home. Never mind anything but what you want. Right?”

Fuck. Of all people to get sound advice from, I would’ve bet money on anyone but Sofia.

I sighed. “She’s lucky to have you.”

She nodded.

“And unlucky to still be married to you. Because in her head, this is probably some karmic sign, the universe telling her that there’s no such thing as mistakes. And you’re going to have to convince her otherwise.” She moved in close. “Because if you don’t and she gets hurt by you again, I’ll make that ass kicking you took from Ryder look like a walk in the fucking park.”

Of all the things I’d chosen to forget about, the beating that started the beginning of the end shouldn’t have been one. Maybe I forgot because there were so many better things to remember.

One Decade Ago

Waking up next to Felicity made waking up one of my favorite parts of the day. Along with seeing her smile, hearing her laugh, and watching her sleep until she opened her eyes to look at me. In the day and a half since the wedding, we hadn’t managed to do more than sleep. Too many emotions over her dad. Too much conflict.

But now, she was smiling. At me. Wearing my t-shirt after a shower that’d left her hair dripping down her back and her skin scrubbed fresh and pink. Fuck. So pretty. Beautiful. Mine.

And I was hers. Every time I thought about it, about us and our future, warmth spread through me. The rest of our lives played out in front of me. The house we would make our own, bright colors for paint, and art she drew, my hand-carved chess set, a shelf for the books we both loved, babies with her eyes and her smile, her easy-going attitude, her kindness. I wanted to give her everything, be enough for her, undo…

“Hey.” She sat beside me on the bed, and I sat up so I could look at her, touch her, kiss her. When we parted, I leaned my forehead against hers, and she ran her finger down the side of my throat, soft, slow, tempting. “You could’ve joined me.”

I grinned because I liked it when she smiled at me with those big eyes flashing her happiness. They made her special brand of sexiness all the sexier. I hadn’t tried making any moves since before the wedding. Maybe because I was scared I wouldn’t be good enough for her this time or maybe because the videos happened, and I didn’t deserve her. I knew it, and it wouldn’t take long until she knew it, too.

But I wanted her. And there was no way to deny myself when she kissed me so sweetly. Then she turned that kiss into something torrid and sensual and wild. She swiped her tongue against mine and laid her hand over my chest, caressing then scraping my skin. Feral. Fucking hot.

“Finn.” And shit, the way she said my name. It was amazing.

“Lis…” I tucked her hair behind her ear. “You’re beautiful.”

Instead of talking, she fluttered her hand down my bare stomach, under the blanket, curled her fingers around my dick, and I almost came, but instead sucked in a breath so deep I could’ve floated away if I didn’t want to be with her so bad.

But I had to make sure this, being together, was what she wanted. “Are you sure, Lis?”

She frowned. “Sure I want to have sex or sure I want to go bowling?”

Bowling? Now? Please, no.

“One of those I very much want to do.” She grinned at me; a devilish grin that made me wonder.

“Should I get my ball?” I wanted her more than I wanted anything else in the world. Wanted her. A life with her. To bury myself inside her and never leave.

She stroked me and leaned in to lay a kiss on my collarbone.

“I think you have all the equipment we need right here.” Her fist pumped faster, and I closed my eyes. “Please, Finn. Touch me. Make me yours.”

There wouldn’t be a need to ask twice. I probably wouldn’t have survived if she did. Instead, I kissed her. Wrapped my arms around her. Nothing in the world smelled as good or tasted or felt as good as Felicity. Felicity Makenzie. My wife.

I stilled her hand because there wasn’t any way I was going to last unless she stopped, and I wanted to please her, to show her how she affected me. But I had to slow things down.

“Come here.” I twisted her over top of me, then onto her back next to me. Then I looked at her. Gazed down like a fool who couldn’t think past how pretty she was. “Lis…”

I pressed my lips against hers, soft at first, but when she traced my mouth with her tongue, the world went hazy and desperation along with need welled inside me. She was too beautiful. Too perfect. And time was too fleeting. I could feel it.

She pulled away from the kiss and stared at me. Opened her mouth then closed it and grinned. “Can I…?”