Page 23 of Primal

In an attempt to be a gentleman, I lead her around the side of the house with my hand pressed against the small of her back, Fiona announces our arrival. “UncailFinn!” Running barefoot across the patio, dripping water from her swimsuit, she jumps into my arms when she reaches me.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Quinn apologizes as she joins us. “Finn was pretty insistent about moving your party here.” She’s under-exaggerating. I was adamant and wouldn’t have taken no for an answer.

“I thought you said the plans had changed?” Cat looks up at me.

“They did—because I changed them.” Tonight is the first night since that kiss that I knew she would be out from under the overly watchful eye of Father O’Flaherty, and I wasn’t going to miss my opportunity to spend time alone with her. Carefully, I take her hand and intertwine my fingers with hers as my brothers approach us.

“Cailín álainn,” Liam flirts as he reaches for her free hand.

Playfully shoving him aside, Conor takes her hand and marvels, “You are more gorgeous than Finn let on.”

“I didn’t think it was possible to be more of a flirt than Finn.” Catlin nervously giggles as the two of them gush over her, and I suddenly understand Declan’s displeasure over my harmless flirting with Quinn.

“Too beautiful, and definitely too sweet, to be with this arse,” Tristan shares.

“Pog mo thoin.” I grumble. Gesturing to each of them, I introduce Catlin to Conor, Liam, Tristan, and Declan.

“If he doesn’t treat you right, let me know. I’ll happily beat the piss out of him for you,” Declan offers, taking her hand and formally introducing himself.

“Don’t let him fool you,” Quinn interjects, shaking her head at Declan. “These two will beat the piss out of each other because it’s Tuesday.”

“Based on the fact Finn is the only one of you with a black eye, I’m thinking he’s usually the one to get the piss beat out of him,” Catlin jests, and my brothers all erupt with laughter.

“Oh good,” Liam snarks, slapping my arm and giving it a squeeze. “Another brat.”

“Brat?” Catlin asks out of confusion. I have mentioned our club, but with her sexual inexperience, I haven’t delved any deeper.

That time will come.

“I’ll happily explain it to her if you haven’t,” Conor offers with a wink. “Demonstrations and all.”

“Not a chance.” I pull Catlin closer and whisper, “I’ll explain, eventually. Let’s start with dinner.”

Knowing how quickly Catlin befriended Quinn—and subsequently Layla and Jorge—I expected her to fit in with my brothers. But watching her interact with them during dinner, she slots right in with my family better than I could have everimagined.Even with Declan, who has extensive reservations about our relationship.

“Do we get to have cake now?” Fiona chimes as we all bullshit with one another over empty dinner plates.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CATLIN

Finn’s family, with cute little Fiona belting it the loudest, sings Happy Birthday to me as Quinn carries a cake to the table.

Surrounded by the Evans family—half of whom were strangers no more than a couple of hours ago—I can’t help but think back on recent birthdays. Since losingMamandDaidi, none of them have been like this. Every birthday passed like nearly any other day. Uncle Sean would ring me to bless my day, andMáthair Dhríonnawould cook bangers and mash—because I still can’t bring myself to tell her it’s not my favorite meal. Until this moment, I didn’t realize just how much I missed having a family.

Expletive-fueled insults and laughter fill the room, both growing more rambunctious with every pour of whiskey. These boys are crass and loud, but it is obvious how much they all absolutely love one another.

Fighting back tears and falling apart at the table, I stare down at the flickering candles. They adorn a remarkably gorgeous cake frosted entirely in powder-pink roses and pearls. Finn rubs his hand over my back, bringing me back from my solemn thoughts. “Make a wish,piscín.”

After taking a deep breath, I blow it over the cake and extinguish each of the candles as I make my wish.

A family as lovingly dysfunctional as this one.

We finish dessert, with the Evans family treating me as one of their own. I try to help clean up but am quickly shooed out of the kitchen. “Guests don’t clean up,” Declan declares. “Especially when it’s their birthday.”

Leaving the kitchen before I’m scolded again, I wander out to the patio and stare over the rail to the ocean beyond. Small waves lap at the shore as the moonlight flickers over the dark water beneath it. It’s so mesmerizing that I don’t hear Finn approaching until his arms wrap around me from behind. His lips press into the crook of my neck, and my body melts into his.

“Come.” The lone word vibrates against my skin as he slips his hand into mine. With our fingers enlaced, he leads me from the patio and down to the beach. Slipping off my sandals when we step onto the beach, I toss them toward the patio steps. The sand squishes between my toes as we stroll along the shoreline to a more secluded area hidden by some rocks and out of his family’s sight.