I Never Let You Go (I Never 3)

“And you and Dani getting married and going on a honeymoon.” I try to clarify that Finn back wasn’t the only significant change in our lives. I step up to the other side of the island across from him.

Kyler reaches across the counter and places his hand on mine, knowing it was just a cover-up. “Lauren, can I ask something I’ve never asked.”

I nod, having a slight guess as to what his question will be.

“Is Dad the reason why you didn’t say yes to Finn’s proposal?”

A stray tear slips down my cheek. My thick swallow and staring at my brother must give my answer.

“Fuck, Lauren.” Ky pulls me around the counter and into his arms, squeezing me tightly. “Why did you let that asshole control your life like that. Don’t let his actions matter.”

He holds for me a few moments before pulling back. He grips my shoulders tightly and looks me in the eye.

“Look, I’m not sure about all the gory details of your guys’s demise, that’s your business, but there’s one thing that I am sure of.”

I wipe the fallen tears with the back of my hand and sniff. I’m sure I look like a hot mess.

“Finn is not Dad.”

I sigh and settle back into his arms.

Kyler’s phone buzzes from his pocket, and he retrieves it, his face lighting up when he sees who is calling; I assume it's Dani. He then places the phone to his ear. “Hey, babe, I’m at Lauren’s.” He goes silent for a moment. “Sure, I’ll swing by and pick her up. Does Zach have a car seat for me?” He pauses. “Yeah, sounds good. I’ll be home soon.”

I step over to the sink and splash some water on my face. I’m drying my face with a towel when Ky approaches, placing his arms on my shoulders. “I’d hate to cut this short, but Dani forgot that we were supposed to watch Emme tonight for Zach and Haylee, and they just called her worried because we were late. I hate to run.”

I turn around and place my hand on his chest. “No, no, it’s fine. Go. Thanks for the rum and the cry.” I laugh, and Ky gives me a “you’re not funny” look, which only makes me laugh more.

“Call if you need anything, okay.”

I nod as he places a kiss on the top of my head.

“Give Dani my love, and snuggle that little girl for me.”

Ky beams at the mention of his niece. “I will. Love you,” he shouts from the living room, halfway out the door.

I think about Ky’s words as I eat dinner, brush my teeth, and slip into bed. Finn is not Dad.

“Good morning, baby.” Warm lips press against up my neck, leaving a series of kisses in their wake.

I groan into the pillow. “Come back in five more minutes. The alarm hasn’t even gone off yet.”

Finn tugs me into his chest. “I know, but I need to sneak these stolen moments while we can.” His hand trails from my hip and lower, breaching the waistband of my shorts.

A baby’s cry fills the room through a monitor on the nightstand. Finn slips his hand from my shorts, dropping his forehead against mine, and snickers. “What’s a guy gotta do around here to get some alone time with his wife.”

The corners of my mouth turn upward. “I’m pretty sure alone time with your wife is what got us this additional alarm in the first place.”

He nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck, his facial hair tickling my skin, causing me to squirm in his hold. “But it was so much fun.” He peppers kisses along my body—across my collarbone, over my breasts, tugging one of my sensitive nipples in his mouth over my tank top, and it hardens under the swirl of his tongue. He then continues his journey south, placing kisses along my belly, and he puts his hands over the swollen bump. “So fun, in fact, I just couldn’t stop myself from doing it again.”

As if I couldn’t have planned the timing perfect myself, the baby picks the exact moment that Finn’s lips are pressed against my belly to kick.

Finn jumps back. “Woah, little slugger!” His eyes meet mine as he smirks. “Cockblocked by my own kids.” He falls back on the bed dramatically.

I sit up—well, I make it halfway before Finn has to assist—and cup his cheeks. “We have plenty of time for that.” The light shining in through the window catches the diamond on my left hand. “We have forever.”

“That’s right, Lo, we do.” The sound of my nickname on his lips, after all these years, still feels the same as the very first time. He presses his lips to mine, and our tongues begin swirling. My hormones have been entirely out of control this pregnancy.

The cries coming from the other room fill our bedroom through the monitor again. We break the kiss, and I shift to climb off the bed. Finn grips my thigh. “I got this; you stay. I’ll bring her in here.”