Free Fionn by Marteeka Karland Page B

but LeeAnn suspected Bart had killed her mother. That last conversation in the heat of the moment seemed to point an accusing finger at him all while waving a big ole red flag.
    To be honest, she was glad she didn’t have confirmation. She was holding it together, but only because she kept telling herself it was either him or Fionn. And Fionn had shown her more decency in the few days she’d known him than her stepfather had her entire life. Looking back, she had to wonder if maybe he hadn’t arranged everything from her father’s death to her mother’s. He’d certainly taken an interest in her from the moment they met when she was a shy, backward, too-smart-for-her-own-good third grader. Her mother had thought it was a blessing Bart had seen LeeAnn into the best schools money could pay for. Now, LeeAnn had to wonder if he hadn’t been grooming her to make money for him.
    As she moved, easing her muscles after sleep—and a long night of her passionate lover’s attentions—Fionn tightened his grip around her waist, grunting in her ear.
    “Relax, growly bear. I’m not going anywhere.”
    “Damn straight. You’re staying here until I’m done with you. Because I am Fionn O’Shea. Everyone does what I say because they’re scared of me.”
    She giggled.
    “They are, dammit!”
    “Of course they are,” she said, smothering another giggle. “And rightly so. You’re a fierce warrior with deadly intent.”
    “Damn straight,” he muttered. There was a comfortable silence while he held her tightly, nuzzling her hair with his face. Then he said, “Look, do you need to talk about what happened? I mean, with your father and shit. It was a violent situation and…” he paused, swallowing audibly. “Well, I understand women need to talk about their feelings.”
    LeeAnn looked over her shoulder sharply, puzzled. “Who told you that?”
    “Just something I picked up.” When she raised an eyebrow at him, indicating she wasn’t buying it, he said in a rush, “I read it in Cosmo , OK? There’s some interesting shit in there.” When she couldn’t stifle the giggles anymore, he nipped her ear. “I’m trying to feel my way through this! I need all the help I can get!”
    “I’m not laughing at you, honest!” When he turned her over, tickling her until she squealed, she admitted through gasps for breath, “OK, I’m laughing at you a little. But not much. Honest.”
    “I’ll give you something to laugh at, you little wench.” And he proceeded to tickle her until he had maneuvered himself between her legs, lying on top of her with his much larger frame pinning her down. With the ease of a man who had been her lover for years instead of weeks, Fionn sank into her with a deep, masculine groan. Then LeeAnn wanted to do anything but laugh. “I’m going to admit something to you that I’d not even tell my brothers unless it was life or death. Do you want to hear it?”
    She wiggled her hips to get him deeper inside her before asking, “You want to chat now?”
    He ducked his head to her neck, licking the delicate flesh there. “I can’t say this any other way, baby.”
    “Then by all means.” She wrapped her legs around him, digging her heels into his rock-hard ass, letting him know she didn’t want him to stop.
    “I can’t live without you, LeeAnn. I won’t if I can help it. I need you in my life. Now. Always. I’m not saying we need to commit to anything just yet.” He pulled back to give her a crooked grin. “ Cosmo says I should take things slow.”
    If she hadn’t been so on the edge of pleasure she would have laughed again. “What part of that statement isn’t commitment, Fionn? Not that I’m complaining.” Her smile faded a little. “You’re the only constant in my life right now. I kinda need you as much as you need me.”
    “Just know that I’ll always look out for your wellbeing. You’re family. My family.”
    “I’ve not had a real family since my mom died,” she said softly,