Chapter Thirteen

 

“So now that we’ve finally broken down that wall of ice between us - which, by the way, was strictly on your side of the hallway - where do we go from here?”

Delilah took a sip of her margarita and regarded Finn curiously from across the table. “You mean you’re actually giving me a choice in the matter?” she inquired roguishly. “I was under the impression that a love ‘em and leave ‘em sort of guy like you did just that. Or is fuck ‘em and forget ‘em a more accurate description of how you’ve managed your past encounters?”

Finn winced at her joking but all too accurate assessment of his sexual exploits. “Probably the latter,” he admitted reluctantly. “I’ve never pretended to be a relationship kind of guy. Never thought I had it in me to even try to have one. But I’ve already told you, babe, that you’re in a whole different league than any other woman I’ve ever known. I think I realized that from the first time I saw you across the hallway giving me a dirty look.”

She arched a brow at him in disbelief. “Can you blame me for doing that? I mean, you had your latest conquest hanging all over you, you hadn’t shaved or combed your hair, and I assumed you’d just rolled out of bed ten minutes earlier.”

He grinned. “I also wasn’t wearing any underwear if memory serves me correctly. Just thought I should add in that part.”

Delilah tossed a tortilla chip at him, smiling evilly when it plonked him square in the forehead. “Yeah, I actually might have left that little tidbit of information out of this conversation if I were you. Not that it shocks me to learn it, of course. You might as well have had “I’m a Big ‘Ole Manwhore” written across your chest that morning. Not that you needed to advertise the fact, however.”

Finn retrieved the tortilla chip from where it had fallen onto his lap and set it on the table. “It would be sort of pointless for me to deny it, wouldn’t it?” he replied a bit sullenly. “But I swear I can change, Delilah. I already have, in fact. I haven’t had the chance to tell you this - figured it probably wasn’t a good time to bring up the subject while I was trying to score with you - but I haven’t been with anyone else for almost a month now. When I made the decision to try every trick in the book to get you to go out with me, I knew I’d have to change my ways. And I don’t know if you’ll believe me or not, but last night was the first time I’d had sex in weeks. And, yeah, I realize that amount of time isn’t exactly going to set any records for celibacy, but it’s definitely the longest I’ve gone without any action in more than twenty years.”

“Aw, poor baby,” she taunted, dunking a fresh tortilla chip into the bowl of salsa. “I’m surprised you were able to hold out so long. Though come to think of it, you did seem a little out of practice last night.”

He burst out laughing at her teasing comment. “More likely a case of being crazed with lust. As much as I’ve dreamed about being with you, I still couldn’t quite believe it was actually happening last night. Though I suppose I’ve got the bite marks and scratches to prove it, huh?”

“Are you still whining about that? Come on, Finn. I don’t profess to know a lot about football, but I’m guessing you took some pretty hard hits over the years. Maybe a cracked rib or two, definitely some bruises. You should have a pretty high pain tolerance.”

Finn squeezed her hand. “Maybe I’ve gotten soft in my retirement. Not in that way, though,” he added hastily. “As you saw for yourself, my, uh, equipment is working just fine. And I wasn’t exactly complaining about the little bites and scratches. I’m actually pretty proud of them. Call them what you will - battle scars, souvenirs, trophies - they’re still proof that last night actually happened. And, babe, you can bite me or claw me anytime you like. You can even whip my ass with that spatula you used yesterday. Anything that gives you pleasure, Delilah, I’m happy to oblige.”

“Hmm.” She took another drink from her perfectly blended margarita. “Well, I’m pretty fond of that particular spatula, so I’d rather not take the chance on breaking it against your ass. And aside from a few love bites or digging my nails into you during the height of passion, I’m not much into administering pain, either. So I think you’re safe. Unless, of course, you piss me off or break my heart, and then all bets are off. I’d find the heaviest, sharpest objects I could get my hands on and throw them at your head. So be warned, Finn. If we’re going to keep seeing each other, there are some definite rules you’ll need to follow.”

He laced their fingers together, leaning over the table until they were nearly nose to nose. “I’m all ears. Just know that I’m liable to agree to practically anything you ask, given the way you look right now. You chose this outfit on purpose, didn’t you?”

She batted her long, curly lashes at him flirtatiously. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Finn. Ah, here’s our dinner.”

Finn had refused her offer to cook dinner at her condo, insisting that she’d more than reciprocated with the delicious breakfast she had whipped up that morning. Delilah had been in the mood for Mexican food, and he’d been able to make a reservation at a trendy cantina along the Embarcadero. It was a clear night, with no trace of fog, but still cool enough that they had chosen an inside table. The cantina was bustling with the Saturday night dinner crowd, though their corner table afforded them at least a little privacy.

She dug into her dish of grilled jumbo shrimp and rice, while Finn ate hungrily of the trio of street tacos he’d ordered. Delilah washed her food down with another sip of margarita, smiling a little to herself as she realized just how hungry she was - more specifically, exactly how she’d worked up such an appetite.

Finn had gallantly did the lion’s share of cleaning up the breakfast dishes, though she had held fast to her word and helped him out. And then he had more than fulfilled his end of the bargain when they had taken a steamy, sexy shower together in her bathroom, kneeling in front of her and giving a repeat performance of the really amazing oral sex he’d treated her to after breakfast. He’d brought her to not one but three separate orgasms, one after the other, making her legs shake so hard in reaction that she’d almost collapsed in a mushy heap to the shower floor.

And then, because they’d forgotten to bring a condom into the shower, were soaking wet and hadn’t particularly wanted to go retrieve one under the circumstances, Delilah had been the one to sink to her knees in front of Finn this time. She fidgeted slightly on her chair now as she recalled the look of pure bliss on his handsome face when she’d ran her tongue up and down the long, thick length of his cock, or the feral sound he had made as she taken as much of him into her mouth as she could manage. He’d fisted his hands into her wet hair, holding her head still as he had fucked her mouth with shallow but rapid thrusts, his hips pistoning frantically as he hurtled toward release. Finn had cried out hoarsely when he’d come, spilling himself uncontrollably into her mouth, his body jerking with the force of his orgasm.

After drying each other off - a procedure that had been far more erotic than Delilah could have ever imagined - they’d retreated back to her bedroom where they had alternately napped, made love, and conversed. She’d been a little startled at just how easy it was proving to be to talk to Finn, and that he was far more intelligent and amusing than she sensed he let on to most people. She knew without having to ask that she was seeing a side of him that very, very few people ever did - his parents and siblings, his two best friends, perhaps some of his co-workers at the network or former teammates, if that many. It had touched her that he obviously felt close enough to be able to expose this softer, more vulnerable side of himself, and she was pleased that her instincts about him thus far were proving to be right.

And when she had regretfully informed him that she really, really needed to get a couple of hours of work done, Finn had taken himself off to his own condo to give her some peace and quiet, promising to return at the agreed upon hour to go to dinner. He’d shown up right on time, clean shaven and wearing dark wash jeans and a navy Henley shirt. Because the restaurant was less than a mile from their condo building and it was a relatively mild evening, they had agreed to walk to their destination.

“Probably a good thing we’re walking,” she had commented as they’d strolled hand in hand at a brisk pace. “I missed my usual boot camp session at the gym this morning, so I can use the exercise.”

“Nah, you look fantastic,” he’d protested. “Don’t worry so much about overeating or having to exercise all the time. Besides,” he’d added naughtily, hugging her close against him, “you did burn up a ton of calories doing other, um, activities today. I estimate you worked off at least a couple of thousand calories over the past eighteen hours or so.”

“You think?” she’d asked in amusement. “I will admit to certain muscle groups I haven’t used in awhile being a little sore right about now. Maybe I should schedule a massage over the next couple of days.”

Finn’s hand had dropped to her buttocks, giving them a sensual little pat. “I’d be very happy to rub out any sore spots you have, babe. I’ll even use lotion if you want.”

Delilah had snickered at his teasing offer. “Thanks, but I think I should use my regular masseuse. If you start rubbing any of my body parts, one thing will lead to another and I’ll be sore all over again.”

His arm had slipped around her waist. “I hope this masseuse of yours is a woman,” he’d muttered crossly. “Because if it’s a dude I might have to insist on chaperoning.”

“Sonja is definitely a female. And she’s a miracle worker, I swear, especially when I get a bad tension headache. Or when I spend way too many hours hunched over my sewing machine or drawing board and my neck and shoulders tighten up.” She had reached up and whispered in his ear, “And she’s the only person besides you in recent months who’s been able to make me scream.”

She had yelped in protest when his hand had come back down on her ass, much harder this time.

“Enjoying your meal?” asked Finn now, taking a swig of his Corona.

Delilah smacked her lips. “You bet. This is delicious. I can’t believe I didn’t know about this place, what with it being so close to our building and my studio.”

“Not surprising, considering how many restaurants there are in San Francisco, especially in this area. There’s been a lot of new places cropping up, given that this is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city now. My dinner is really tasty, too. Though of course you’re the most delectable looking thing in this place. And wearing red again, I see, my little she-devil.”

The outfit she’d chosen was one of her favorites from her collection - skinny jeans, a red lace see-through blouse worn over a red silk strapless corset, and strappy red sandals. Delilah felt both sexy and confident in the ensemble, knowing that red was one of her best colors, and especially loved the fact that every article of clothing she wore - including her lingerie - had been tailor made to fit what she had always considered a “problem” figure.

She tapped a red-tipped nail against her margarita glass. “My favorite color, as you know. Though I probably have way too many clothes in that color by now.”

“Judging from the quick peek I got inside of your closet this morning, I’d say you have way too many clothes of every color,” he jibed.

Delilah groaned. “I know,” she admitted. “But what can I say - I have a real weakness for clothes and shoes and accessories. And every time I think about cleaning out my closet and donating stuff to charity, I realize that just about everything I own was custom made for me and probably wouldn’t fit the average woman.”

His eyes twinkled. “That just sounds like an excuse not to get rid of anything to me. Admit it, Delilah. You’ve got a bit of a hoarding problem.”

She laughed merrily. “That’s one way of phrasing it, I suppose. I prefer to think of it as being too attached to all of my creations and not willing to part with any of them. Though I’ve already taken over the closet in my home office since my bedroom one is bursting at the seams, so I guess I need to force myself to do a little purge sooner than later.”

Finn’s gaze raked heatedly over the lacy top and the corset. “Don’t get rid of what you’re wearing tonight, though,” he instructed, his voice husky. “You look sexy as fuck in that.”

Her cheeks pinkened as she glanced around anxiously, making sure no one had overhead him. “Um, thanks,” she mumbled. “The blouse and corset are from last fall’s collection, but this is actually the first time I’ve worn either one.”

“Good. And hopefully you’ll only wear them from now on when you’re with me. Which brings us back to the subject we were about to discuss - these so-called rules you want me to follow. I’m all ears, babe.”

“Ah. The rules.” She took a healthy swig of her drink. “They’re pretty simple and straightforward, actually, and there’re just a few of them. Number one, pure and simple and definitely non-negotiable is this - total and absolute monogamy. For as long as this crazy relationship between us might last, you do not flirt with, have drinks with, and definitely do not have sex with any other woman. That is my number one, heads and tails above all others, rule. Do you agree?”

“Absolutely,” replied Finn firmly, taking her hand in his then linking their fingers together. “I know this might be hard for you to believe, but I’ve never cheated in my life. My relationships might be short-lived, but it’s only ever been one woman at a time. And I’d have to be a complete and utter moron to ever cheat on you, Delilah. You’re the crème de la crème, after all.”

Delilah shrugged, but couldn’t help feeling triumphant at how quick he’d been to assure her of his fidelity. “Doesn’t mean you won’t get bored with me, want someone different after awhile.”

He shook his head. “Christ, have you looked in the mirror lately? Why would I want anyone else when I could have you? You’re gorgeous, Delilah, and you know it. You’re also sexy and funny and you make me feel good about myself, you know? Like I’m not just some dumb retired jock who only cares about partying and getting laid. And until I met you I probably was that guy. But ever since I met you I find myself wanting to be better than that. I want to be the kind of man that a woman like you would want to be with.”

Touched by his sweetly spoken words, she cupped his cheek in her hand. “I do want to be with you, Finn,” she whispered. “It’s just - hard for me to trust very easily, you know? Because of my father, and what he put my mother through. And how he more or less abandoned Desi and me for his new family. Sometimes I’m not sure I’ll ever really get over his betrayal. And when the first few times I saw you in the building you had a different woman hanging all over you each time, well - you can probably imagine what I was thinking.”

“That I was just like your father,” supplied Finn. “And I guess I was. Except, of course, for the fact that I’ve never been married or had children. And I can’t say that I blame you for comparing me to your dad. But I hope as you get to know me a little bit better that you’ll realize I would never, ever cheat on a woman while we’re together. I promise you that, Delilah. And if for some stupid reason I ever break that promise, you can bash me over the head with that cast iron skillet you were frying bacon in this morning.”

Delilah smiled at him in mock-innocence. “I’ll be sure to take you up on that offer. Only it wouldn’t be your head I’d use that skillet on. Think someplace a little more, um, sensitive. You just be damned sure never to give me a reason to resort to physical violence, Finn McManus. I’m certainly not asking you for forever, or even a month. But for however long we’re together, you’re going to be faithful to me. Got it, lover?”

He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to the palm. “Loud and clear, babe. And maybe it goes without saying, but I’d better be the only man you’re allowing into you bed. I don’t like to share, and that goes quadruple for a woman like you.”

“It definitely goes without saying,” she assured him. “I’ve never cheated before, either, and I don’t plan to start now. So, now that we’ve covered rule number one, let’s move on to number two.” At his nod, she continued. “Rule number two is no unreasonable demands on each other. I’m not the sort of woman who needs constant phone calls or texts from her boyfriend, or who needs to know where he is every hour of the day. Obviously that works both ways, and even more obviously it involves a lot of trust on both sides. But I’ve never been the clingy type, and I don’t plan to start now.”

Finn grinned at her lasciviously. “You can cling to me as long and as tight as you want. You won’t hear me complaining.”

Delilah raised her gaze heavenward, shaking her head. “Be serious, okay? Continuing on to rule number three. No talk about commitments or how long this relationship thing is going to last or mentioning the future. I told you last night that right now my career is a huge priority for me, and I can’t let a relationship with you or anyone else interfere with that. And since I’m guessing you’d run away as fast as possible at the mere mention of marriage or living together or what direction things are headed, I think once again we’re on the same page. Agree?”

He gave her a thumbs up. “Agree. Couldn’t have put it better myself.”

“I figured that,” she replied dryly. “Now, the fourth and final rule also has to do with my job. You already know that I work ridiculously long hours, and while I admittedly need to cut back on my schedule for a variety of reasons, you have to know that my company needs to take priority right now. Not that I won’t make time to see you, of course, but I’m not the sort of girlfriend who’s going to be able to drop everything because you want to go see a movie or hang out with your friends. I assume once football season resumes later this year that it will be the same for you, that your work schedule will need to take precedence over your personal life. And I promise to be understanding when the time comes. Presuming, of course, that we’re still seeing each other by - uh, exactly when do they play football?”

Finn chuckled. “The regular season starts in early September, but pre-season games begin in August. As far as still seeing each other by then - well, unless I manage to royally screw things up, I for one plan on seeing you for a long, long time, Delilah. At least until you get bored with me.”

She shook her head in mild exasperation. “I don’t think anyone could ever get bored with you, Finn. Pissed off, yes. Irritated, definitely. But never, ever, bored.” She reached across the table to place a slow, open-mouthed kiss on his lips, then added in a husky voice, “And especially not between the sheets.”

 

***

 

“When - when I said I wanted to be - oh, God! - on top again, I didn’t think - ah, yes! - that you - you meant like this,” panted Delilah.

Finn trailed his fingers up and down her spine, then gave her ass a squeeze. “Never done reverse cowgirl before?” he grunted, his hips thrusting in sync each time she bounced up and down eagerly on his cock.

She gasped as he gripped her by the hips, holding her still as he rotated his penis in a circular motion inside of her. “I - I guess not. Because - ahh! - as good as this feels right now, I - I think I want to do it this way all the time.”

He trailed his index finger down between her rounded buttocks, then slid his entire palm between her legs to where their bodies were joined until he found her clit. “I don’t know about all the time, babe, but it feels pretty fucking good right now. No pun intended.”

“Finn!” she screamed, as he continued to flick his thumb over her clitoris, while at the same time ramming his cock inside of her tight, clenching pussy with short, almost staccato thrusts.

As the orgasm racked through her lower body, Delilah lost her balance and fell forward onto her hands and knees, prompting Finn to rise up from his prone position and kneel behind her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he eased her into an upright position once again, her back flush against his chest, and her head falling back limply onto his shoulder.

“And this happens to be my favorite position,” he whispered against her ear, as one of his hands moved up the side of her ribcage to fondle her breast. “Gives me access to all of my favorite female body parts. Like this one, for example.”

She whimpered as he took one distended nipple between his forefinger and thumb, tweaking it until it grew even harder.

“And can’t forget this part,” murmured Finn huskily, nuzzling his face against the side of her throat before nibbling seductively on her earlobe.

Delilah shivered in reaction, her hands clutching the arm he kept wrapped around her waist, even as he continued to fuck her with short, shallow strokes.

“But my very, very favorite part of this sexy little body of yours is this tight little pussy,” he purred, sliding his hand into her pubic hair and then lower, until he was cupping her vulva from the front of her body while thrusting inside her vagina from behind. He rubbed his thumb over her clit in a continuous, circular motion, arousing her with both his hand and his penis until she could barely breathe, and definitely not think.

When her head fell back limply against his shoulder again, he kissed her open-mouthed, his tongue swooping through her mouth over and over again, until she feared she might black out from too much stimulation at one time - his clever fingers at her clit, his long, thick cock pounding into her vagina, his lips and tongue kissing her ravenously. Her senses were on overload, she realized dizzily, her body being aroused in too many places at once to handle. She came hard, the pleasure consuming her body from the tips of her toes all the way up to her core, her inner vaginal muscles pulsating hard enough for her lower back to also spasm.

She collapsed face first onto the mattress this time, her legs shaking too hard to remain upright even with Finn’s support. Delilah thought afterwards that maybe she did faint just a little, because she had no recollection of his body landing on top of hers, pinning her to the mattress with his much larger, bulkier frame. It was only when she began struggling to take a breath several minutes later that she became aware of the muscular and very sweaty male body practically smothering her.

“Hey,” she muttered, poking him in the bicep with her fingernail. “Can’t breathe here. And I know you like to tease about giving me mouth to mouth resuscitation, but don’t think I believe for one minute that you actually know how to do it. The right way, at least.”

“Huh?” mumbled Finn dazedly, his breath hot on the nape of her neck. “Did you just say something? Sorry, all I can hear is the ringing in my ears.”

Knowing it would get his attention, Delilah sunk her teeth into his bicep this time, eliciting the yelp she had expected. “You’re crushing me, you big oaf.”

“Shit.” Finn hastily rolled off to one side, hooking an arm around her waist and pulling her in close. “Sorry about that. You okay?”

She winced. “I think so. For a minute or two, though, I thought I might have cracked a rib.”

He stroked her back soothingly. “Poor baby. I need to remember that you’re more than a foot shorter than I am, and that I’ve got almost a hundred pounds on you.” He grimaced as he rubbed his abused bicep. “And that you’ve got really sharp teeth.”

Delilah blew him a kiss, then couldn’t suppress a yawn. “Don’t ever forget that last part,” she told him sleepily. “And since you just wore me out, you insatiable beast, I need my beauty sleep now. Are you staying?”

He nodded, brushing her tumbled curls off her forehead. “If that’s okay with you.”

“Mmm, hmm,” she mumbled, burrowing her head against his chest. “Though this must be some sort of a record for you - two nights in a row in the same bed.”

Finn’s chest rumbled with laughter. “Pretty damned close, at least in recent times.” His next words were more serious, almost somber, as he caressed her bare hip. “I totally get why you don’t want to spend the night at my place, the whole “if this bed could talk” scenario.”

Delilah nodded drowsily. “Yup, you got it. Already told you I didn’t want to be occupant number three thousand and something.”

“Hey,” he replied defensively, “It is nowhere near that many. Especially not in this particular bed. I just bought the thing less than three years ago, not long after I moved in here.”

She burrowed her face into her pillow, too weary to lift her head. “Tell you what. If you’re really serious about re-decorating your condo, we start with the bedroom. Complete overhaul, new furniture, drapes, lighting. And especially that damned bed. Now, I get grouchy if I don’t get enough sleep, so shush.”

She was asleep within seconds, and completely missed the look of tenderness on Finn’s face as he gave her a good night kiss on the forehead.

 

***

 

“I can’t thank you enough for going over all of this for me, Max. Finn told me you were some sort of financial mega-brain, but I thought he was exaggerating. Because, well, you know,” Delilah finished with a shrug.

Max merely nodded, though a slight smile tugged at the outer corners of his mouth. “Far better than you do at this point, Delilah,” he agreed. “Finn and I have known each other for more than twenty years, after all, and he has certainly been known to exaggerate at times. And that is one of his lesser evils.”

Finn scowled at his friend. “Hey, way to help me out here, Max. You’re supposed to be singing my praises to Delilah, not pointing out all of my faults.”

From across her desk, Delilah smirked. “You’ve already told me about the time you got arrested and Max had to bail you out. What else could possibly be worse than that?”

Finn exchanged a look with Max, waggling his finger at his friend warningly. “Don’t you dare, Maxwell Wainwright. I brought you here to give Delilah business advice, not share twenty years of gossip with her.”

Max did smile this time, but there was an underlying menace to his expression that left Finn unsettled. “Fortunately for you, Finley, I’ve never been much for gossip. And you can count yourself extra fortunate that I really must dash off now for my next appointment. Delilah, it was lovely to meet you, and please call me after you’ve met with Gray. I’m very confident that he’s the right choice to handle the negotiations with Bloomingdale’s.”

Delilah stood when Max did, placing her hand in his. “From what you’ve told me about him, I totally agree. I just hope he’ll be available to take over from my current attorney.”

Max gave her hand a light squeeze. “Trust me, he will. Gray and I have worked together on a number of projects, and once he hears that I sent you his way he won’t dare to turn you down. He’ll also make sure that you get the absolute best deal possible, Delilah, that you won’t run the risk of being taken advantage of. And from what I was able to uncover about your previous attorney, I can’t guarantee that I would have been able to say the same thing.”

Max had done his research well, informing Delilah rather regretfully that the attorney she’d hired on to oversee her upcoming negotiations with the retail chain had little to no practical experience with such cases. The other attorney was relatively young, and had been in practice for less than five years, with most of his experience thus far in contract law. He had never participated in the actual negotiation process, however, and had only been involved in drawing up the legal documents after the facts.

The new attorney that he had highly recommended to her - Grayson Ford - had far more experience in face to face negotiations, and Max had assured Delilah that he was a much better choice.

Max had also done an extensive review of the finances and business plan for Ma Belle Petite, and it had been his expert opinion that Delilah’s design firm was doing quite well for itself.

“You’ve been diligent about not expanding too fast, or adding on too many employees at one time,” he’d commended. “You also seem to have a product that’s in high demand, with not very much competition in such a specialized niche. And even though your talents are largely concentrated on the design side of the business, you’ve been wise enough to hire a good support team, particularly your finance and marketing managers. It’s my opinion that your company is going to do very, very well for itself, Delilah, especially if this agreement with Bloomingdale’s comes together.”

Delilah’s face had positively glowed with pleasure at Max’s words, and Finn realized that up until that moment he hadn’t fully realized just how much her business meant to her. Probably, thought Finn glumly, a whole lot more than I do.

“Just let me see Max out, and then I’ll be back to take you to lunch, okay?” he asked Delilah, squeezing her shoulder.

She nodded. “Of course. And take your time. I have a couple of phone calls I’m going to have to return before we go out. They shouldn’t take long, though.”

Max had a contemplative look on his face as he and Finn faced each other on the sidewalk outside of Delilah’s design studio.

“Hmm. If I had to wager a guess right now, I’d say that you’re wading in very, very unfamiliar waters, my friend,” mused Max. “And I’m not just referring to the budding relationship you seem to have with the lovely lady. I’m talking about the fact that you seem content to play second fiddle to her business, when you’ve always been one to crave all the attention for yourself.”

Finn shrugged, looking down at his feet uncertainly. “I won’t lie and say I’m thrilled with the fact that Delilah is so dedicated to her company,” he admitted reluctantly. “But she was pretty up front about the fact that her business is at a point where she needs to devote a lot of time to it. She actually told me that she’d quote unquote “make time to see me”. Did you ever think you’d see the day when a woman said something like that to me, Max?”

Max laughed heartily, something he hadn’t done in a very long time. “Actually, no,” he chuckled. “Not unless the apocalypse was upon us. And since the sky doesn’t appear to be falling just yet, I would say it’s simply karma, Finn. How many times over the years have you ended a relationship by telling the woman that you were just too busy with work right now, or that being on the road wasn’t good for a relationship? Or dozens of other bullshit excuses for why you didn’t want to see her again? Now you find yourself on the other end of the situation, and I can tell you aren’t very happy about it.”

“It’s worth it,” Finn replied defensively. “Delilah is worth it. Even if she could only squeeze out an hour a week for me, I’d take it. She’s - well, now you’ve met her in person and seen for yourself, haven’t you? She’s a very special woman, Max. A rare one, too.”

Max nodded. “Beautiful, intelligent, cultured, talented.”

Finn glared at him. “And please don’t state the obvious, okay? I know you’ve got to be thinking what the hell does she see in me. I ask myself that question multiple times a day so I don’t need you chiming it as well.”

“I wasn’t thinking any such thing, actually,” said Max calmly. “I was thinking instead that you’ve met your match at last, Finn. The player - that would be you, of course - has finally met someone who might just be capable of coaching him into becoming the man Jordan and I have always suspected you could be. And while I realize that I’m nowhere near as experienced as you and Jordan are with women, let me give you this one bit of advice when it comes to Delilah Ferris, all right?”

Finn nodded, too startled by what Max had just told him to speak.

Max patted his friend on the shoulder. “Don’t screw this up. Because with a woman like Delilah you’re only ever going to get one chance. She doesn’t strike me as the forgiving sort, so just make sure not to put yourself in that position.”

“Yeah, I figured that out the first time I met her,” sighed Finn. “Problem is, “screw up” might as well be my middle name, so how the hell do I stop myself from living up to the title?”

Max arched a brow. “Asking me for financial advice is one thing, Finn. But as far as relationship advice is concerned, I’m the very last person you should ask.”