“Don’t even think about it,” he said, biting back a laugh.
“I can’t paint you?”
“After the doctor says you’re well, you can paint any part of me that you want.” He leaned forward and kissed her quickly. To do more would be akin to suicide. Unjust and painful.
“Would you let me paint you?” She touched his throat just below the open vee of his shirt with the soft tip of a paintbrush. “I could write my name on your chest.”
***
His voice was raspy when he replied. “You already wrote your name on my heart, darling.”
His words hit her like a team of runaway horses. “I told you not to fall in love with me.”
His eyes narrowed. “I never did listen to instructions very well.”
Her heart leaped. Finn pulled the counterpane from where she had it tucked beneath her armpits. “Finn!” she protested, laughing.
“How’s my son or daughter?” He laughed as she scurried to cover herself back up. “Have you forgotten that I have seen all of you? I have no idea what you think you’re hiding from me. When you’re better, I plan to kiss every part of you.” He began to ruck her nightrail up her thighs. “Every single bit.”
Heat struck directly between her thighs. “Finn,” she complained, warmth creeping up her cheeks. “You shouldn’t say such things. It’s not proper.”
He chuckled. “Since when did you care about proper?”
“Never,” she admitted. “But it sounded like the right thing to say at the time.”
He tossed his head back and laughed. He threaded his hand into the hair at the back of her head and pulled her toward him. He kissed her softly, so softly it was almost painful. “God, I love you,” he whispered.
“I warned you not to do that,” she teased.
He sobered at her words. “I can’t help it. Don’t expect me to.”
He needed for her to say it back. But she’d rather wait for the right time. She didn’t want to say it just because he did. She loved him to distraction, but she wanted her confession about it to be spontaneous. And real.
“What did you and Robinsworth decide to do about Mayden?”
Finn sat back, his eyes suddenly mirroring how serious he was. “We’re going to beat him out of the bushes, I think.”
“What do you mean?”
“Between Robin and myself, we have bought up almost all of Mayden’s outstanding debt. It’s time to call in his markers.”
“Won’t that make him a little desperate?” It’s what she would have done, but she still worried about what Mayden’s reaction would be.
“We hope so.” He looked down at her nightrail and started to push it up over her knees again. “Where were we?” he said with a laugh.
“You weren’t there. You were professing your undying love for me.”
“No, that distracted me for a moment. Now I want to say good night to my daughter.” He pushed her nightrail up over her thighs. She pushed his hands back down as he got to the top of her thighs.
“Finn! That’s indecent.”
“Lady,” he warned playfully, tugging against her grip. “I have seen you naked. I have seen you beneath me. I have seen you on top of me. I have seen you come at my fingertips.”
Her sheath clenched.
His voice dropped down to a whisper. “And as soon as you’re better, I’m going to make you come with nothing but my mouth.”
“Your mouth?” she croaked.