Page 21 of Primal
Good. I like the idea of being first with you.
I like the thought of it, too.
Sitting up to turn on the bedside lamp, I flip it on and am surprised to find a small powder-blue gift box with a white bow. Tentatively lifting it from the nightstand, I see the tag poking from beneath the ribbon.
To: Cat
From: Finn
Clicking the screen on my phone, I dial his number, and he answers on the first ring. “Good morn?—”
“Did you seriously sneak in here last night, Finn?”
I should be absolutely terrified by the fact that a man snuck into my bedroom completely undetected while I slept, but I’m not. It’s only been a few days, yet Finn has repeatedly shown me he respects my boundaries.Well, mostly.Breaking and entering—or is it stalking—is a pretty big boundary. But true to his word, he hasn’t tried to so much as place a peck on my cheek since the other night.
“I told you, I like being first,” he flirts. “Did you open it?”
“Not yet.” I pull at the ribbon to release the bow so I can slide it from the box. Lifting the lid, I find a gold necklace with a small, delicate outline of a kitten dangling from the chain. The tone of my voice mirrors my smile when I confess, “It’s beautiful, Finn.”
“Not nearly as beautiful as you,piscín.”
How in the world does he keep causing me to blush with nothing more than a few words?
“Wear it tonight for me,” he instructs. “I want to see it wrapped around that gorgeous neck of yours.”
“I can’t tonight. I have plans.”
“I know,” he confidently responds, and I suddenly feel he knows more about my plans with his sisters-in-law than I do. “I’ll talk to you later. Enjoy your day.”
“Finn,” I call his name, hoping to catch him before he hangs up.
“Yeah,piscín?”
“Do not sneak in here when I’m sleeping.”
“No promises because you’re fucking beautiful when you sleep.” I can almost hear the smirk spreading across his face as he hangs up.
FINN
I’m out front.
I will more than happily come inside to get you, but I don’t want to fuck up your whole birthday by pissing off your uncle.
Shaking my head at his persistence, I reply to his message.
I told you I have plans.
You still do with Quinn, Layla, and Jorge.
They just changed a little, and I’m your ride.
Uncle Sean has some meetings with the diocese tonight, so he shouldn’t be around. Even so, I’m not willing to risk Finn traipsing through the courtyard to the convent. The chance of getting caught is more than enough with him parked out front in one of those outlandishly large SUVs with tinted windows.
Grabbing my shoes, I head through the church and push open the heavy wooden door to see Finn leaning against a motorcycle. He’s wearing dark denim jeans and a well-fitted black T-shirtthat showcases his very defined physique. As I walk down the church stairs, he lifts a helmet from the back of the bike. Extending it toward me, he croons, “You look beauti?—”
Interrupting him, I blurt, “Where is your car?”
“At this time of day, this is better for traffic.” He taps his hand on the seat he’s resting against.