The High Price of Secrets(36)

                “Oh, I can do that,” Tamsyn insisted, taking both his bowl and hers out of his reach and rising also. “You’ve already done so much for me this evening. Can I do the dishes before I head off?”

                “That would be a definite no,” Finn said, following her into the kitchen. “Besides, that’s what dishwashers are for, right?”

                “If you’re sure…”

                “I am,” he said, taking her hand and leading her away from the kitchen. “Can I offer you some coffee? My machine isn’t as flash as yours, but it makes a good brew.”

                Tamsyn shook her head. “No, I’d better get going. I want to be fresh for tomorrow. Thank you for tonight. It was really lovely.”

                “You’re welcome, I enjoyed it.” I enjoyed you, his mind reiterated. He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I’m glad you came.”

                “I—um, me, too,” she said, suddenly flustered.

                As disconcerted as she was, she made no effort to pull away, so Finn did what naturally came next. He leaned forward and kissed her. The instant their lips touched he forgot everything he’d ever thought about her—all the nastiness, all the subtle envy he hadn’t even realized he’d allowed to build up over the years. In their place, he allowed himself to be lost in her softness.

                Her lips felt like warm petals against his. While a clawing need deep inside him demanded he plunder their tender surface, a voice of reason warned him to hold back, to tease instead, to coax, and when her lips parted on a swift rush of warm breath, he took advantage. He gently sucked her lower lip between his, tentatively tracing his tongue along the tender inner edge.

                The shudder that went through her body at his touch saw him step closer. Saw him wrap one arm around her waist, drawing her slender form against his strength, molding her against him. He deepened their kiss, his mind a fog of need and want, and yet beneath it all lay an overpowering urge to cherish.

                Her arms snaked around his waist, her hands pressing flat against his back. Finn fought back a groan of satisfaction as her lips began to move against his, as her tongue boldly followed where his led. She tasted intoxicatingly sweet and he knew, even with this one kiss, he would be addicted forever.

                He was shaking when he pulled away. Aware that what they’d shared wasn’t enough, would never be enough, but also aware that he didn’t want to frighten her away. He could sweep her off her feet…but he’d so much rather she come to him when she was ready.

                The pupils of Tamsyn’s eyes all but consumed the dark velvet brown of her irises and her lips were slightly swollen from the intensity of their kiss.

                “I…I need to go.”

                “Yeah, I know.”

                He took her by the hand again and led her through to the front entrance and to her car. He opened her door for her and watched as she settled herself behind the wheel. She reached out to pull the door closed and gave him a small wave before sending her car down the driveway. As Finn watched her taillights disappear down the hill, he wondered how, just a few days ago, he’d ever actually wanted to see her drive away.

                * * *

                Tamsyn could barely remember the short drive back to the cottage. Her emotions were in a crazy jumble It had been just a kiss. One normal everyday kiss between two consenting adults. So why had it left her feeling like this? How had a simple caress suddenly become so intense, so complicated, so layered with feeling?