She was so vulnerable, so innocent in all this. He felt like the lowest of the low deceiving her—deliberately holding her back from what she sought. She would never forgive him when she found out, and he didn’t doubt that one day she would. The district was too close-knit for Ellen’s whereabouts to remain a secret forever.
But for now he had her in his arms, and maybe, just maybe, now that they’d crossed this bridge into intimacy together, he’d be able to keep a closer eye on her—find a way to keep the secret and still protect her for a bit longer.
His fingers curled around her as he thought about the truths she’d shared in the dark, about how she’d happened upon her fiancé and his lover, a man who was her PA no less, in bed together. How she’d been betrayed by the two men she’d had every right to trust and expect loyalty from. It made his blood curdle when he heard that her ex had brushed off his affair, still expecting her to carry on as if nothing had happened, as if she deserved no better than to be second best in their life together.
It must have been made even harder for her with the timing—finding out about her fiancé so shortly after discovering the truth behind her father’s lie that her mother had died. She had come here to get away from the lies, and the expectations, and the falseness that seemed to fill every aspect of her life. She’d come to find her mother and learn the truth…and instead, she’d found him—master betrayer of them all.
His gut clenched painfully at the thought of the hurt he would inflict on her, of the guilt he carried with him. Another mantle to bear, he realized with a deep breath that filled his senses with her special scent. She stirred in his arms, a small cry erupting from her mouth as she startled awake.
“Finn?” she mumbled, sounding disoriented.
“You okay?”
“I had a bad dream. I couldn’t find you.”
“I’m right here,” he assured her, tightening his arms around her again. “Go back to sleep. I’ve got you.”
For now, he thought as he felt her body relax against his again. But for how much longer?
* * *
Tamsyn woke feeling extraordinarily refreshed. She couldn’t quite wipe the smile off her face. She’d woken after nine, and couldn’t remember the last time she’d ever slept so late. Mind you, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d spent half the night making love, either. She stretched against the sheets, wondering what Finn was up to.
The scent of a rosebud perfumed the air and she turned her head toward the source. As she did so, a whisper of paper on the pillow beside her caught her attention. She lifted first the rose, then the sheet of paper, that happy smile widening as she read its contents.
Finn apologized for not being there when she woke and said that business had called him away for the day. He’d be back late that night but hoped to see her again on Sunday. While Tamsyn knew she’d miss him, at least she knew she’d be seeing him again soon. She held the rose to her face, deeply inhaling the heady fragrance, touched that he’d thought to pick it for her and leave it with his note.
Her insecurities of the night before had faded into nothing. She’d never thought she’d ever share with another person, outside her family, what had happened with Trent, but confiding in Finn during the night had been cathartic. He’d listened without judgment and, afterward, he’d made love to her again as if she was the most precious creature on the planet, wiping away any lingering doubts about her attractiveness or femininity.
He was a skilled lover and had driven her body to heights she’d never experienced before. Heights she was looking forward to experiencing again. Hopefully, tomorrow.
Over the next few days they fell into a pattern of sharing meals, and nights, together. For the first time since she’d discovered her mother still lived, Tamsyn’s need to find her softened. Oh, she still knew she wanted to track her mother down, but the urgency had faded, and exploring Finn’s likes and dislikes held more immediate appeal.
Maybe she was in avoidance mode, as it had occurred to her that she might not like what she discovered. Her mother had chosen not to be part of Tamsyn’s life years before. Did she really want to risk the pain of an in-person rejection when she could, instead, focus her time and attention on a man who made her feel so cherished? Being part of a twosome with Finn Gallagher had brought her more happiness in the past week than she’d known in a long time and she reveled in it. Plus, this week at the hall with her community group had gone exceptionally well. Every day, she felt more comfortable and at home in this town.
All in all, life was sweet, she thought as she prepared a meal for one the following Friday night. Finn was away again. He’d been distracted the past couple of days and she had the distinct impression that something was worrying him, but when she’d pressed him, he’d said he was fine.