“Mmmm.  You smell good,” he said, his nose pressed against her neck. 

“I’m wearing the same perfume I always wear.”

“Yeah, but I never got to smell it up close before.  Happy Valentine’s Day, by the way.”

“Same to you,” she said, smiling up at him.

Finn had just arrived to pick her up for their Valentine’s date, and they were standing in the foyer. 

“I’m ready.  I just need to put Daisy in her crate, and then we can go.”

“Why don’t you bring her?” he suggested.

“On our date?”

He shrugged.  “Dogs are allowed where we’re going,” he said mysteriously.

“Ok.  Now I’m more confused than ever!”

“Just grab Petunia and let’s go.”

After he’d helped her into her coat, she swung her purse across her body and scooped up Daisy, who seemed extremely pleased to be invited.

“We just have to make a quick stop on the way,” he said as he backed out of her driveway. 

Harper had been anticipating this day all week long, and his evasiveness had only fueled her imagination.  She had no idea what he had planned, but right then, she was happy simply to be with him.  And the fact that he’d invited Daisy to come with them had only endeared him to her more. 

As he drove, she kept sneaking peeks at his profile.  He was all man, leaning back in his seat, one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting against the window.  He wore a red and gray plaid shirt, jeans, and a satisfied smile. 

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” she said.

“Being with you?  Hell yeah.”

“I meant keeping a secret, but that was a good answer.”

He laughed and shot her a glance.  “It’s driving you nuts, isn’t it?”

“Little bit,” she said and laughed. 

“Well, here we are!”

He’d pulled into the parking lot of a strip mall that housed an assortment of stores and businesses, but no restaurants.  Two of the storefronts were empty, and he’d parked in front of the one that was located at the end of the strip. 

Harper glanced around, confused.  “What are we doing here?”

Chuckling, he said, “Leave Petunia there for a minute and step out.”

They met in front of the truck, where he took her hand.  With his free hand, he pointed to the empty storefront.  “I’m thinking about leasing this place for O’Brien Landscaping, and I wanted you to be the first to know.”

“What?  Finn, that’s awesome!”

“I’ve been considering it for a while now, and I think it’s time.  I’ve been running the business out of my home office, but I think a storefront would make it more professional, don’t you?”

“Absolutely!  It’s a great idea.”

“I haven’t told anyone else yet because I wanted to run the numbers first, but with the business growing the way it’s been, I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

“So, how would it work, exactly?”

“Well, at the beginning, me and my brothers could take turns being here, but eventually, I’ll have to hire someone.”

Harper’s eyes grew wide.  “You mean like an assistant?”

“Yeah.  Someone to answer the phones, take care of billings and payments, that sort of thing.  What’s that look for?”

Should I, or shouldn’t I?  Oh hell, I’m doing it!  “It’s just a strange coincidence, because I happen to know someone who’s looking for a job.”

“Are they good?”

“Define good.”

“Responsible, trustworthy, dependable.”

“All very important qualities in an employee.”

“That didn’t answer my question.”

She sighed.  “It’s my sister, ok?  She just lost her job, and I’m trying to help her out.”

“McKayla?”

“The one and only.”

Finn and McKayla had stood up together in Harper’s wedding, but other than that, they’d had limited contact over the years. 

“How’d she lose her job?”

“It’s a long story,” Harper said, flapping her hand dismissively.  “But would you at least consider it?”

“For you, I’d consider anything,” he said sweetly. 

Turning into him, she flung her arms around his neck.  “Thank you, thank you,” she said practically jumping up and down. 

“You can thank me more later,” he growled before they pulled apart.

When they got back into the truck, he continued to share his plans for growing the business, his enthusiasm palpable. 

“I had another idea that you might be able to help me out with,” he said.

“What is it?”

“I’d like to hire you to take some photos of some of the landscaping jobs we’ve already done.  You know—to frame and hang on the walls of the shop.  That way, potential customers can get an idea of the work we do.”

Harper didn’t respond immediately, so he added,  “But if you’re too busy, don’t worry about it.”

“No, it’s not that.  I’m…I’m honored that you asked me.  I’d love to.”

Finn reached over and squeezed her hand.  “If it’s too much too soon, just let me know.  I’ll understand.”

Her throat had gone tight, but she managed to say, “Thanks for sharing all this with me.”

“That was just part one of the surprise,” he said as he pulled into his driveway. 

She’d been so caught up in their conversation that she hadn’t been paying attention to which way he’d been driving.  But now she understood why it had been ok to bring Daisy along.  “I take it we’re staying in tonight,” she said softly.

“I wanted you all to myself, if that’s ok with you.”

“It’s perfect,” she said. 

“Wait there.”

Finn got out of his truck and came around to help her down since she was also carrying Daisy.

“Hunter’s going to be stoked that his Valentine is here too,” he teased as they walked toward the house. 

Sure enough, as soon as Finn opened the door, Hunter bounded out to greet them, giving Daisy a thorough sniffing.  While the dogs were occupied, Harper looked over toward the fireplace and froze. 

Finn had set up a small table that he’d decorated with a red tablecloth, white china, and a crystal vase brimming with pink roses.  Propped up against the vase was an envelope with her name on it. 

“All this for me?” she asked, her hands crossed over her heart. 

“Well, it certainly isn’t for Petunia!  Here.  Let me take your coat.  Food’s ready.  I just need to warm it up.”

“Do you need some help?”

“No.  You just make yourself comfortable, and once I get the food in the oven, I’ll start a fire.”

Still dumbstruck, she nodded as he walked out of the room, the dogs trailing behind. 

She sat down at the table, picked up the envelope, and stared at her name on the front.  Since the card was for her, she figured it’d be ok to open it, so she did.  It was one of those tiny cards that had come from the florist, and it read: I hope this is the first of many Valentine’s Days we’ll get to spend together.  Finn.

“There.  Dinner’s in the oven.  Dogs are occupied.  Now for the fire.”

He knelt in front of the fireplace, and when she didn’t respond, he glanced over his shoulder at her. 

Dropping the log on the hearth, he quickly came to stand beside her.  “Oh no.  Why are you crying?”

Looking up at him through her tears, she waved her hands around and said, “This is just…”

“Too much, isn’t it?  Damn!  I’m sorry.”

Shaking her head rapidly, she stood up and hugged him around the waist. 

Smoothing his hands down the length of her hair, he whispered, “I just wanted to make everything nice for you.”

“It’s perfect,” she said.

His brows creased with confusion.  “You’re crying because it’s perfect?”

She nodded, her face breaking into a smile.

“Well, then get ready to shed some more tears because I’m about to serve dinner!”

Harper let go of him and watched him disappear back into the kitchen.  A few minutes later, he returned with a piping-hot bowl of pasta and a loaf of bread.  He made one more trip and came back with a bottle of wine. 

“I know it’s a lot of carbs, but pasta is one of the few things I know how to make,” he said apologetically.  “I also bought a chocolate cake for desert.”

“This smells wonderful,” she said.

“Why don’t you dish out the food while I finish lighting the fire?”

A few minutes later, they were enjoying the food, the wine, and the warmth from the flickering fire, but more importantly, each other’s company.  She was so glad that he’d decided to bring her there instead of to a crowded restaurant.  Where else would she have been able to kick off her shoes, sit cross-legged on a chair in front of a roaring fire, and enjoy Finn’s company without any distractions? 

Even the dogs were behaving, lying in wait for an errant crumb.

Once they’d finished eating, Harper offered to help clean up, but Finn insisted she relax while he took care of it. 

“You’re spoiling me,” she said to his retreating back.

“I hope so,” he called over his shoulder. 

Feeling restless, she stood up from the table and stepped closer to the fire, placing her palms out to feel the intense heat even though she wasn’t cold.  Between the food, the wine, and Finn’s presence, she was plenty warm.  Mesmerized by the flickering flames, she didn’t hear him come up behind her until he slid his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“This.  You,” she admitted.

“So, this was an ok idea?  Bringing you here?”

She nodded and placed her hands over his where they were wrapped around her.  Looking down at their combined hands, she experienced a moment of wonder.  It was still hard to believe that they were doing this.  That his hands, which had once brought her such comfort and strength, were now igniting passion and desire.

She was still facing away from him, but her back was molded against his front, and she felt his erection pressing against her.  He hadn’t made a single move to seduce her, though, and somehow, that had ramped her up even more. 

Turning into his arms, she looped her arms around his neck and saw the reflection of the fire shining brightly in his gorgeous blue eyes. 

“Thought about you all week,” he said gruffly.

“Same here.”

“Yeah?”

“Um-hum.”  She slid her hands down to his chest and rested them on his hard pecs, feeling his heartbeat thumping through his shirt. 

“What kind of things did you think about—specifically?” he asked, his breath catching as she slid her hands even lower.

She peered up at him as she slowly untucked his shirt from his jeans, loving the effect she was having on him.  “I don’t know if I should say,” she teased, sliding her hands back up and unbuttoning his top button. 

“You can tell me anything, remember?”  He watched as she casually unbuttoned the next button.

“Even if it’s X-rated?”

“Especially then.”

She laughed, thoroughly enjoying the slow tease she was performing.  Popping open another button, she said, “Let’s just say that it involved you and me naked.”

Finn sucked in a breath as she undid the last button and shoved open his shirt.  She slid her warm hands over his bare skin and then pushed the shirt off his shoulders and down his arms until it fell to the floor.  “Tell me more,” he urged as she trailed a fingertip along the waistband of his jeans. 

She must have checked her inhibitions at the door because, now that she’d started down this path, she didn’t want to stop.  Plucking open the button on his jeans, she said, “I kept envisioning you deep inside me…”

“Ah, yeah,” he said as she unzipped his jeans. 

“I wanted your hands on me, and your mouth…”

“Keep talking.”

“I got wet just thinking about it,” she said as she plunged her hand down the front of his pants.

“Damn, Harper.”

“I wanted you so much.  I haven’t felt that way in a long time.”  She halted for a second, hoping that she hadn’t said too much.  Even though she hadn’t said his name, they both knew she was referring to Blake. 

Finn cupped her cheek and brushed it softly with his thumb.  “It’s ok.  I’m just glad it’s with me.”  And then, holding her head in his hands, he kissed her deeply with what felt like all his and her pent-up desire combined. 

When they stopped to take a breath, she gazed at him with her heart in her eyes.  “Take me to bed, Finn.”

No sooner had she said his name than he scooped her up in his powerful arms and carried her down the hall to his bedroom.  He kicked the door shut behind them and set her feet on the floor, where she and he made quick work of removing their clothes.  And then they tumbled onto the bed naked, hands and lips roaming everywhere. 

By the time he entered her, they were so revved up that she knew it wouldn’t last long, but she reveled in the urgency.  His hands tangled in her hair, her name on his tongue, his heat thrusting inside of her.  She clung to him, digging her nails into his back, and wrapped her legs tightly around his waist to keep him right where she wanted him. 

Succumbing to the pleasure, she cried out, “Finn!” as she climaxed, bucking up against him unabashedly.  He’d been responding with equal enthusiasm until he must have realized that they weren’t protected, and he quickly pulled out and released himself on her stomach.

Harper caught her breath while he went into the bathroom and came back with a warm washcloth.  She held out a hand to take it from him, but he said, “I’ll do it,” and proceeded to clean her off.

Afterwards, he pulled her close and covered them with a sheet.

“Thank God one of us was thinking,” she said nervously. 

“Why?  You don’t think I’d be a good dad?”

Her body tensed.

“I’m teasing, Harper.”

She tried to laugh, but it came out strangled. 

“Hey.  Are you ok?” he asked, peering down at her in the dark. 

“Yeah.  I’m fine,” she replied, burying her head in his chest.  He might have been teasing, but something about the way he’d said it made her wonder if he was developing feelings for her that extended beyond what they were doing.  And it scared her.  Because she wasn’t there—not yet anyway. 

Yes, she liked being with him, and yes, she enjoyed making love with him, but as for a future together—was that even possible?  A few weeks ago, she wouldn’t have thought so, but now…

“Sorry if what happened freaked you out,” he said, obviously trying to make light of the situation.  “I’ll be better prepared next time.”

Next time.  She most definitely wanted a next time.  But she didn’t want to think too far beyond that.  After Blake had died, she’d all but stopped thinking about the future beyond a few days.  She’d discovered that the future wasn’t guaranteed for anybody, so she’d concentrated on just getting through each day.

But lying there with Finn, she could almost imagine it.  The two of them with Daisy and Hunter, traipsing through the woods behind his house, having picnics on the sloping back lawn, eating dinner in front of the fireplace on a cold winter’s night.  Finn coming home to her after work, wrapping her in his arms and carrying her off to his bedroom or hers.

My God.  What is happening to me?

Suddenly, Finn moved away and sat up against the headboard.  Pulling the sheet up to cover her breasts, she sat next to him and waited for him to speak. 

“What’s going on, Harper?  Where’d you go?”

“I’m sorry.  I guess it did freak me out a little bit.  This is all happening so fast,” she said, gesturing between them with one hand while clutching the sheet to her chest with the other. 

“I’m not sure I follow.  A little while ago, you were telling me how perfect everything was.”

“And it was.  It is.  It’s just that…”

Shoving the sheet aside, he scrambled out of bed and began to pace.  “I’m getting mixed messages here.  One minute, you’re undressing me and asking me to take you to bed, and the next, you act like you’re about ready to bolt.  What is it you want from me, Harper?  Huh?  Is this just sex to you?  Is that it?  Is that all you want from me?” Finn had stopped pacing to stand at the edge of the bed, hands on his hips, breathing heavily while he awaited her response.

“You said you wouldn’t rush me,” she said shakily.

“Didn’t think I was.”

“I hope we’ll have many more Valentine’s Days together?”

“That was just me being honest.”

Looking him straight in the eyes, she said, “But what if I’m not there yet?”

“That’s ok,” he said, relaxing his stance.

Shaking her head, she added, “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t,” he replied, sinking down to sit on the edge of the bed.

“How can you be so sure?”

He reached out and took her free hand, the one that wasn’t clutching the sheet, and entwined their fingers together.  “Because I know you.  And I know that you’re scared.  But I also know what it feels like when we’re together, and I know you feel it too.”

She couldn’t deny it, but she also wasn’t ready to give voice to her feelings.  “Finn?”

“Yeah?”

“No more talking.”  And with that, she let go of the sheet, letting it fall away from her breasts.  All that frustration and fear fueled the fire that was already raging between them, and he pulled her over on top of him.

Holding her head between his large hands, he gazed up at her, eyes clouded with desire and some deeper emotion that she refused to acknowledge.  “Stay with me tonight,” he demanded, daring her to refuse.

She fell into those eyes, found the place where she felt safe, and replied with one word: “Yes.”