All the Way (Romancing Manhattan 1)

“I guess so.” I take a deep breath and unwrap the box, stopping cold at the sight of the signature black Chanel box. “Finn.”

“Open it,” he urges.

Inside the box is the stunning black handbag I had my eye on several weeks ago when we went shopping together. I had intended to go back for it, but ended up buying something else instead.

This bag is a dream.

“I know you don’t need me to buy these things for you,” he says, and rubs his hand up and down my back. “I wanted to buy it for you. It’s not your birthday, or any holiday. I wanted to get you something that you’d love, because I love you, London.”

I blink rapidly and stare up at him in surprise. He finally said the words, and he put this gorgeous evening together for me.

“Wow,” I say at last, staring at the flowers, the lights above, and this amazing gift in my hands. “Thank you so much. It’s all amazing.”

“And appropriate?”

His lips are twitching in that way they do when he’s particularly happy with me, and I can’t help but laugh and launch myself into his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Yes, it’s appropriate. You’re quite the romantic, Finn Cavanaugh.”

“It seems I am. I’m quite surprised myself.”

I sigh and let myself enjoy the feel of his arms around me.

“Is something bothering you?” he asks quietly, his lips settled against my hair.

“I’m more exhausted than I expected to be,” I admit. “And frankly, it scares me a little. I only had two full days of work, and I can barely keep my eyes open.”

“It was a lot of work,” he reminds me. “Is your leg okay?”

“It doesn’t hurt. It’s a mental exhaustion more than anything. Who knew that stepping outside of your comfort zone could wipe you out?”

“Here.” He picks me up and carries me to the outdoor sofa. “Lie down. Put your head in my lap.”

“I am usually happy to oblige you with a blow job, Finn, but I’m really—”

“Funny,” he says, interrupting me. “Just relax, sweetheart.”

I happily oblige him, lying on the comfortable sofa and resting my head on his lap. He drags his fingers through my hair, making my eyes drift shut.

“The city is pretty at night,” he murmurs.

“Hmm.”

“Are your eyes closed?”

“Oh yeah.”

He chuckles. “You should sleep, London.”

“You went to all of this trouble, and I’m going to sleep through it.”

“It’ll be here in the morning.”

I just can’t keep my eyes open. His fingers feel like heaven in my hair, and I’m just so exhausted.

“Didn’t sleep without you.”

“You didn’t sleep well without me?”

I shake my head no.

“That makes two of us, baby.”

I stretch and yawn, loving the way the crisp sheets on Finn’s bed feel against my naked skin. I haven’t opened my eyes yet, but the sun is warm on my face, the bed is comfortable, and I smell bacon.

My eyes fly open.

I smell bacon.

I glance around and frown, then reach over to feel the bed where Finn was. It’s cold. He’s been up for a while.

I check the time and gasp.

It’s after ten in the morning.

I slept straight through from falling asleep on Finn’s lap on the roof until now. And I’m starving.

I climb out of bed and walk into the bathroom to do my business. There’s a white T-shirt of Finn’s sitting on the vanity with a note.

This is for you, my love.

The man is seriously sweet.

I pull the shirt on and pad out to the kitchen, rubbing my eyes as I go. I sit down and brace my chin in my hand as I watch a shirtless Finn work around the kitchen.

And what a show it is!

His back is to me. He’s moving effortlessly from the stove top to the fridge, chopping vegetables and whisking eggs.

Shirtless.

Did I mention he’s not wearing a shirt?

It’s something to write home about. His faded blue jeans sit low on his hips, giving me a glimpse of the dimples above his tight ass. His skin is dark and smooth, and his muscles are aplenty.

God bless him.

“Good morning,” I say, getting his attention. He turns to smile at me.

“Hey there, sunshine. Do you feel better?”

“Yeah, I slept.” I push my hair over my shoulders. “In fact, I slept so hard I don’t remember you carrying me down here or getting me naked.”

“Really? You don’t remember the hot, screaming sex we had at about midnight?”

“Uh, no.”

“That’s because we didn’t have any.”

He laughs and pours the eggs into a skillet and begins to scramble them.

“Who brought all of the flowers down?” I lean over and press my nose into a bloom, breathing in their fresh scent.”

“I did.”

I stand and walk around the island so I can wrap my arms around him from behind and lay my cheek against his back. “You know I love you too, right?”

He turns and smiles at me. “I know.”