Free Certain Sure by Reina M. Williams Page B

One of whom can do no wrong while the other can’t do right.”
     
    “Leave it to Aleen. Except you’ve never done anything to disappoint, Katie girl. We can’t say the same of Fin here. Your father’s welcome to him, I’d as soon take you. When you want a job, or if you need anything, you let me know.”
     
    “Thank you. I appreciate that, but--”
     
    “You’re unbelievable,” Fin said with his voice raised. “Katie has a job, at the pub. You have to control everything and everyone, don’t you?”
     
    “That’s enough,” his father snapped.
     
    “Nothing’s enough for you. Why Mom doesn’t leave you, why she ever even married you--”
     
    “Fin, don’t speak to your father that way,” Mary said, entering the room.
     
    “Why not? Can’t bother the man, can we? He’s busy making money.”
     
    “He’s been a good husband and father. He’s always taken care of us.”
     
    Katie watched the back and forth as Mr. Dunbar poured himself another drink.
     
    “Security, that’s what it’s about?” Fin said.
     
    “Fin, you forget we have a guest.” Mary peered at Katie. Katie quickly glanced down, unable to bear the sadness in Mary’s light blue eyes.
     
    “Oh, Katie knows about marrying for security and pleasing your family, same as you, Mom. Why do you think she would marry Michael?”
     
    “But I’m not,” Katie said in a quiet voice.
     
    “You may change your mind yet. You seem to a lot. I don’t think you know what you want.”
     
    “Let the girl alone,” Mr. Dunbar said.
     
    “I do know.” Katie stared at Fin and waited until his eyes met hers. Fin blinked and leaned against the sofa table. “Thank you for dinner. I’d like to go home now.”
     
    “Thank you for coming,” Mary said. She and Mr. Dunbar hugged her and walked them to the door. Fin followed Katie out, holding her door for her. He shut it without a word and got in. Katie drove home.
     
    “I’m sorry about all that,” Fin said after several minutes of fidgety silence.
     
    “It’s okay. It’s kind of funny, really, your dad worrying you’d be less than a gentleman with me. I mean--”
     
    “Don’t Katie. Now who’s lying?”
     
    “I’m not. You don’t have to say that. And, if you want to go out tonight, you can. I know you don’t get much time to yourself lately.”
     
    “There’s no one I’d rather be with,” Fin said in a low voice.
     
    Katie drew in a breath, slowly; she had to remind herself to breathe. She turned the corner home, pulled into the driveway, eased herself out, and walked around to the side door. Fin’s shoes padded over the grass behind her, their sides brushed against the roses and lavender in bloom around them. The sun gleamed low, the light glowed hazily, shadows danced around her. She unlocked the door and opened it.
     
    “Come here, Katie,” Fin said. She faced him. He watched her from the shadow.
     
    Katie moved to him. She’d seen this, heard him ask before. Warmth burst through her. He grabbed her and kissed her. The heat and pressure of him weakened her so she threw her arms around his neck, hanging on to keep herself from toppling onto the grass. He stopped and studied her, too serious for Fin. She smiled and pressed her lips over his, pulling him into the house. She couldn’t let go. She’d waited so long for him. He struggled to shut the door before pushing her gently away.
     
    “Katie, are you sure?” he said with his hands on her waist.
     
    “Certain sure.” Katie smiled and clasped his belt buckle. She untucked his shirt, brushing her lips over him, his masculine scent edging her into a brain freeze. Unfastening his buttons, she ran her hands up his chest and back down again until he moaned. She tingled and squirmed, no man ever made her feel so crazy good. Now Katie regretted her choice of dress as Fin tugged at it, unable to take it off. He melded into her, his tongue found hers. They tasted each other while their hands explored and