Chapter 131 Finn missed you
There he stood, all bright smile, midnight blue eyes twinkling in mischief. His hair shone like the moon in the gold-accented room, and it felt like more than five days.
It felt much longer than five days since I last saw the refined mayor, elegant as an aristocrat but beguiling as a playboy depending on who was watching.
And this sudden realization of how much I had missed him was enough to forget myself. To momentarily drift from the dire conversation with the dragon about punishments and consequences.
Because as soon as Hale took one step into the room and spread his arms out, I bounded off, running. And as I ran, I felt a strong wave of de ja vu.
This has happened before. Running into his arm after a long time of absence. But I could not remember any time we were apart for long, four years ago.
I swooned just before reaching him, but he swept me into his arms easily, arms around my back and under my knees as he walked fully into the suite.
“Fairy.” His baritone was honey over thunder.
“Alpha,” I whispered, out of breath and his lips crushed mine. My hands shot up, cradling his face on both sides, drinking in that fragrance of mint I hadn't smelled in days as his lips moved over mine, hungry, feverish.
“I missed you. I missed you so much,” he whispered in between the frenzied movement of our lips. I could feel a hot spark flaring up my spine now.
“As did I.”
My skin was alive with the awareness of the other presence in the suite. Watching us. And finally, he set me on my feet again and hugged me tightly to himself.
My hands naturally curled around his waist, an easy habit from years before. Our breathing was in sync, our wolves at leisure and the world felt right again.
He pulled back. “Finn missed you.”
It was a simple line, but it stole my breath, my peace, my composure. My muscles hummed beneath my skin because he was standing right there. I could smell that almond and musk. And if I turned…
I did. And if I was made of butter, I would have melted right there on the floor. Finn was the most beautiful man alive. I could see him a thousand times and that face would still knock the breath out of me.
But as the seconds stretched, I noticed the difference in him. That difference I had seen on those video calls this past week.
The sadness was gone from his eyes. He appeared lighter, much more grounded and still, where in the past he was fidgety and always moving.
I gave him a small nod now. Keeping my distance. In response, he chuckled. And then mirrored my action. He turned and walked over to where Mordaine was still standing by the window, but facing forward and watching us all.
Hale wrapped his arms around me from behind and my shoulders stiffened, but relaxed again. My body melted into him, and he lowered his head and rested his chin in the crook of my neck.
We observed the exchange between the other two at the far side of the suite. Mordaine watched Finn with a neutral expression as he moved closer. And when he stopped before him, they held each other's gaze without a word.
Finally, the dragon raised his hand for Finn to kiss his ring. My jaw dropped, and Hale buried his face in my neck to muffle his chuckle.
“How long, do you think, before those two begin fucking.”
“Hale,” I gasped as an involuntary shiver ran through me.
“Mm.” His voice rumbled with interest. “You like the idea of that.” One hand came up to cup my chin, and he turned my face sideways. His eyes bore into mine for a second, and then he ran his tongue over my lips.
I fisted his suit, trying to be quiet. And then we settled into our original position again.
The other men were still in their stand-off. Mordaine nonchalant, Finn bristling at the edge. For a second, I thought he would lash out, or turn around and walk away.
But then, he leaned close, took Mordaine's hand with a gentle reverence and bowed to kiss his ring. A god and his supplicant. They could have been a painting.
Mordaine gave a nod, an arrogant god collecting his due, and as he turned to the window, he shot a glance in our direction, his eyes on Hale.
Hale pressed his lips to my temple and then pulled away. “You should start getting ready for the party.”
“You’ll come?” I turned as he walked around me. He stopped, and reached a hand out to caress my cheek.
“If you want me to. Yes. Mordaine is going to be there anyway.”
I gave him a nod. As Meridian’s latest investor, Mordaine had become a part of yet another aspect of my life. I watched Hale move towards him now, and then stop by his side. They had their backs to the room, staring out the window.
I was turning to grab my suitcase when I caught Finn watching me. I swallowed hard, moving faster towards the suitcase.
But just before I touched it, I saw that pale hand wrap around the handle and pull it away from me. I looked up, and our gaze locked.
Neither of us said anything for a second, and then his face broke into a smile. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I tried to match his airiness, his lightness, because the past should be left firmly there and we were adults. “Good trip?”
I did not sound convincing though, even in my own ears. There was that breathlessness, that static whine of longing layered in my tone.
“Yes.” He responded, aqua-colored eyes dropping to stare at his shoes. On his cheeks was a similar spread of blush. “I got… It's embarrassing, but I guess I kinda went crazy with the, um… gifts? I don't know, I picked one thing and then felt a prick of guilt when I did not pick… accessories? Some stuff seemed like they would go together with other stuff.”
His words were flying out in a rush, and I was barely keeping up, assimilating their meaning before he said a dozen more. And then I was smiling. Because this was so Finn… passionate, spirited. He did not change much after all.
“Show me,” I said quietly, feeling the awkward tension finally dissolve between us.
He jerked his head up then, his lips curling in a shy smile, and then nodded.
He pushed all the suitcases towards the closet door, and basically commanded me not to dare unpack, that he would do it. Then he moved one of the suitcases towards the glass-walled fireplace in the center of the suite, and waved me over.
We lowered to seat on the rug as I glanced at the men still by the window. They were whispering, and whatever they were talking about now must be serious because their faces were set.
I returned my attention to the man sitting on the other side of the suitcase as he opened it and started to unload gift boxes, pushing them towards me.
I giggled but quickly slapped my hand over my mouth. He glanced up at me from beneath those long lashes that kissed his cheekbones, and smiled, embarrassed.
When I opened the first box, my brows jumped in surprise. It was a jewelry.
“May I?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He leaned over the suitcase, lifting the gold piece towards my neck. He was so close now I was breathing in his scent, a scent that transported me to many nights by the lake behind the Hollywood mansion. I bit my lip painfully.
Finn froze, and then his eyes dropped to my lips.