The endless night brought endless joy to them both.
Seventeen
“I have a job today,” Emma said, snuggling her naked body closer to Finn’s sleepy warmth the next morning. She felt a little sore from their vigorous lovemaking the previous evening, but she also felt happy. The feeling was so unusual for her, so surreal, she wanted to bask in it – even if it was only for a few minutes longer.
“What is it?” Finn asked, his voice muffled, his mind still clinging to euphoric slumber.
“It’s just an advertising shoot,” Emma said. “It’s at the Daily Tribune, actually. I have to pose with some newspaper boxes and stuff. It’s for those little cards they put in the boxes.”
Finn wrinkled his brow. “I never really thought about that,” he admitted. “I guess those stock photos have to come from somewhere.”
“Yeah,” Emma said, brushing her lips against Finn’s strong jaw. “I actually don’t mind these gigs.”
“Why not?”
“Because I get to dress like a normal person, and I never have to leave the studio,” Emma said. “It’s boring. It’s stupid. It’s also easy and great money. I’m going to need the money.”
Finn reached up, pushing the tangle of hair away from her face. “I never asked before, I didn’t think to. Do you have insurance?”
Emma nodded. “I’m not stupid. I have replacement-cost insurance. I emailed my adjuster yesterday. He’s already been out to look at the scene. They’ll cut me a check as soon as I get them a list.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” Finn said.
“There’s still endless stuff to get done,” Emma said.
“Like?”
“Like I need to get a new driver’s license, debit card, credit cards, a social security card, all that stuff,” Emma said. “I also need to pick up my car.”
Finn sighed, rubbing his hand over the back of Emma’s head. “Well, let’s make a list. We’ll tackle it one chore at a time.”
Emma’s stomach flipped when he said the word “we,” but she pretended she hadn’t noticed. “What are you going to do today?”
“I guess I’m going with you,” Finn said. “I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone.”
“Why?” Emma asked. “Besides the horny teenager at the mall yesterday, nothing has happened since that first day at the boat show.”
“You mean other than the fire, right?”
Emma stiffened. “You don’t think … ?”
“I don’t know,” Finn cautioned. “I was hoping to be able to get over to the police station and get a report on the fire today. Maybe I can send Grady.”
“You know, I’m perfectly capable of going to a photo shoot on my own,” Emma said. “I am an adult, after all.”
“I know,” Finn said, touching his lips to hers softly. “Maybe I just don’t want to be away from you.”
Emma sighed. “I don’t need to be babysat.”
Finn rolled his eyes. “What if we compromise?”
“What does that mean?”
“Well, you said you’ll be at the Daily Tribune building,” Finn said. “That just happens to be where Sophie works.”
“So, you want Sophie to watch me?” Emma was dubious.
“I was actually thinking of sending Grady over there,” Finn admitted. “He can take the opportunity to flirt with Sophie in front of her co-workers – he loves making her uncomfortable – and he can watch you at the same time.”
“I don’t know,” Emma hedged.
“What if I told you it would make me more comfortable,” Finn pleaded.
His face was too much for Emma to resist. “Fine.”
Finn blew out a relieved sigh. That was one less thing to worry about. Now he just had to convince Grady.
GRADY had not only been up for the task, but also excited by the opportunity. Watching Sophie in action gave him a charge – and getting to know Emma better was on the top of his to-do list, at least that’s what he told Finn.
Grady picked Emma up at Mandy’s apartment, smiling like the Cheshire Cat when he saw Finn give her a deep kiss before loading her into his brother’s truck. Once they were gone, Finn went about his day – although his mind kept wandering to the night before.
As he drove to the police station, Finn’s mind was jumbled. Visions of Emma writhing in his arms, her breathy gasps as he filled her, warred with the worry pooling in the pit of his stomach. He had no proof that the fire at Emma’s building had been intentionally set – and if it was, that Emma was the intended victim – but his gut told him that it was too much of a coincidence.