Chapter 23

Alex

I rushed into the brewery, my heart pounding in my chest. The sense of urgency was palpable. Jude spotted me immediately and hurried over, his expression a mix of relief and concern.

"Alex, thank God you're here. Finn's in his office. He really needs to talk to you."

I nodded, following Jude through the familiar corridors of the brewery. The place had an air of quiet desperation, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere I was used to. As we reached Finn's office, Jude gave me a reassuring pat on the back before stepping away.

I pushed the door open and saw Finn standing there, looking exhausted and worried. Before I could say anything, he crossed the room in a few quick strides and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Alex, I'm so sorry for my drunken outburst the other night at the Joy Garden," he said, his voice thick with regret. "I shouldn't have taken my frustrations out on you."

I hugged him back, feeling a mix of emotions. "It's okay, Finn. We were both stressed. Let's just move past it."

Finn released me and gestured for me to sit down. I could see the strain in his eyes, the weight of whatever he was about to say pressing heavily on him. He took a deep breath, his voice shaky as he spoke.

"Alex, I... I have to sell the brewery to you." His words hung in the air, a heavy declaration that seemed to echo around the room. "The fermentation tanks are broken, and the insurance company is dragging their feet. We're running out of stock, and I can't keep the place afloat much longer."

"Finn, tell me everything, because this situation might be fixable."

"I wanted to handle this on my own," he admitted, his eyes downcast. "I've always been very independent, and asking for help is extremely difficult. But now, it's critical. The survival of the brewery depends on it."

I leaned back in the chair, processing the gravity of the situation. Finn was someone I cared deeply for. Seeing him like this, so vulnerable and desperate, was almost too much to bear.

"Who's your insurance provider?" I asked, a sudden thought occurring to me.

"Albemarle Mutual," he replied, a hint of confusion in his voice.

My mind raced. Albemarle Mutual was the same company I used for my breweries. Hell, my dad used them too. I knew they had a reputation for being slow, but I also knew they valued my business highly. Without wasting any time, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number for the insurance company.

"Who are you calling?" Finn asked just as the call connected. I turned on the speaker so Finn could hear, too. After a few moments of navigating through the automated system, I finally got through to a representative. "This is Alex Harrington, from Ascend Hamilton Ventures," I said, my voice firm and authoritative. "I need to speak with someone about a claim for one of your clients, Fireside Forge Brewery."

There was a pause, and then a polite voice came on the line. "How can I assist you, Mr. Harrington?"

"I need you to expedite their claim immediately," I said, not bothering to mask my urgency. "If you don't, I'll be moving all of my business away from Albemarle Mutual."

There was a brief silence on the other end, and I could almost hear the gears turning in the representative's head. "I understand, Mr. Harrington. But we're following our protocol, and…"

"Your company insures millions of dollars' worth of property for me and my family. If you don't take care of this matter immediately, I will happily take our business elsewhere."

The representative sighed, and I heard typing. She inhaled sharply, and I could guarantee she was seeing exactly how much money we paid them every month on her computer screen. "I'll escalate this matter right away and ensure that I process the claim as a priority," the representative said.

"Thank you," I said, ending the call. I looked at Finn, who was staring at me with a mixture of awe and disbelief.

"Did you just...?" he began, trailing off as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. "Oh my God, I don't know what to say. I thought you wanted to buy me out, and yet you didn't."

Seeing the look on Finn's face, I felt a rush of emotions surge through me. This wasn't just about the brewery. It was about us, about the connection we shared and the future I wanted to build with him.

"Finn, I did it because I care about you," I said, my voice softening. "I can't stand seeing you go through this alone."

A tear glistened in Finn's eye as he looked at me. "Alex..."

I stood and took a deep breath, feeling my heart pound in my chest. "Finn, there's something I need to tell you. It's been eating me up inside, and I can't keep it to myself any longer." I hesitated, but then I just went for it. "I'm in love with you, Finn. And I'll do anything to make you happy."

Finn's tears spilled over, and he got up and came around his desk, his eyes locked onto mine. "Alex, I… I love you too. I've been so scared to admit it, but it's true. You mean everything to me."

My heart felt like it would explode. I took in his handsome face and the way his blond hair fell messily over his forehead. Our gazes locked, both of us speechless for a moment before he closed the distance between us. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him in for a kiss that was filled with pent-up longing. In that moment, it felt like the rest of the world disappeared and it was just the two of us, surrounded by our love and nothing else mattered.

When we finally broke apart, Finn rested his forehead against mine, his breath shaky. "I don't know what's going to happen with the brewery, but knowing you're with me, that you love me… it makes everything seem possible."

I hugged him tightly, feeling his heartbeat against mine. "We'll get through this together, Finn. Whatever happens, we'll face it as a team."

He nodded, a smile breaking through his tears. "Thank you, Alex. For everything."

"Come home with me," I breathed. "There's nothing more you can do here but make yourself sick with worry. We can sit by the river for a while, and I'll make us dinner."

Finn let out a deep sigh and smiled.

"Let me talk to my staff first, then I'll come with you."

As we finished our last bites of fried chicken and greens, I pushed my plate away and leaned back in my chair, feeling content and full. Finn had cooked a delicious meal for us, and now we were just enjoying the quiet moment together at the dinner table.

"Are you ready to head down to the river?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Finn shook his head. "Actually, I have a different idea."

He pulled out his phone and started playing a song. The soft melody filled the room, and I recognized it as one of my favorite love songs. A smile spread across my face as Finn stood up from his chair and reached out his hand towards me.

"Dance with me," he breathed.

I couldn't resist him when he looked at me with those sexy eyes. I stood up and slipped into his arms, feeling the warmth of his body against mine.

We swayed slowly to the music, our bodies in perfect sync. Finn rested his head on my shoulder as we danced, and I closed my eyes to savor this moment. As the song ended, Finn lifted his head from my shoulder and gazed into my eyes.

"I never want this moment to end," he whispered.

"Me neither," I replied honestly.

As the music faded away, Finn and I stayed lost in each other's embrace. Our bodies pressed together, and I could feel his warmth radiating through me. The only thing that existed at this moment was the two of us.

Suddenly, Finn leaned in and captured my lips with his own. It was a gentle yet passionate kiss, and my body melted into his as my arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer to me. Finn eventually broke the kiss and took my hand in his. Without a word, he led me towards my bedroom, our fingers intertwined.

Once we entered the room, Finn didn't waste any time as he undressed me with trembling hands. My heart raced as he revealed more and more of my skin until I was completely bare before him.

Then it was my turn to undress him, my fingers shaking as I revealed every inch of his perfect body. Once we were naked, Finn lightly pushed me onto the mattress.

Finn smiled down at me before hovering over me and capturing my lips once again in a fiery kiss.

"Finn," I gasped, breaking the kiss. "I love you so much that…"

Finn laid his index finger over my lips and whispered, "show me."

Finn pressed his hard cock against mine, and I shuddered with desire. Then he leaned down and nibbled the delicate skin under my ear, and I groaned.

He trailed fervent kisses down the column of my neck, teeth nipping at the sensitive flesh before soothing it with his tongue. A line of goosebumps followed his touch, my skin tingling under him, hyper-aware of every brush of lips, lick and nip. As he continued his journey downwards, I let out a soft gasp as his mouth closed over one of my nipples. The sensation was intense - pleasuring ripples spread from where he suckled, tweaking and teasing the sensitive nub until I was writhing beneath him.

Finn traced a path lower still, mapping the contours of my body with eager lips and hands. His fingers explored every inch of me before zeroing in on my throbbing cock. He took me in his hand first, and my hips rocked instinctively into his touch as he began to stroke and tease me.

His mouth followed soon after where his hand had been - warm and wet as it enveloped my achingly hard length. The transition from cool air to hot mouth nearly made me come. Every flick of his tongue sent pleasure shooting up my spine, causing my eyelids to flutter shut and a moan of pure pleasure to escape from my lips. The raw, primal desire that surged through me was all-consuming; nothing else mattered except for the feel of Finn's mouth on me, taking me over the edge with each flick of his magical tongue.

"Stop, please," I breathed. "I'm going to come."

My hands gripped the sheets beneath me as waves of pleasure coursed through my body. But then it hit me—I wanted more. I wanted to feel Finn inside of me, to fully give myself to him.

"Finn," I gasped, "I want you to fuck me."

He looked up at me with surprise but also a hint of desire in his eyes. "It's your first time, right?"

"Yes," I whispered. "You're the only man in this world I'd ever do this with. You told me to show you how much I love you, and, well, yes. Please, make love to me, Finn."

Finn's touch was gentle and reassuring as he prepared me for what I knew would be the most intense experience of my life. He slid a condom onto his length before reaching for the bottle of lube on the nightstand. I felt a flutter of nervousness in my stomach as he squirted some onto his fingers and then spread the cool gel over my entrance. I took a deep breath to steady myself as Finn massaged the lube into me, first with one finger and then two. The sensation was foreign, but not entirely unpleasant.

"Are you ready?" Finn asked, looking down at me with those intense blue eyes.

"Yes," I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and fear.

Finn gently spread my legs apart and lifted them up, placing them over his broad shoulders. He leaned down, his soft lips meeting mine in a passionate kiss. As he slowly guided himself inside me, I felt a sharp sting that made me tense up.

"Ouch," I muttered.

"Relax," Finn murmured, and he stopped moving until I was used to his size. Then he gently pushed more of himself inside me. Suddenly, the pain morphed into something different, and the feel of his cock made my eyes snap shut.

Finn paused again, allowing me to adjust to his size before picking up speed. Each thrust sent waves of pleasure rippling through my body and I clung onto him for dear life. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he pounded into me, our bodies slapping together in a rhythm that was both primitive and beautiful. I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him closer. Finn's eyes locked with mine, and he mouthed the words "I love you," as he rammed his full length inside of me to the hilt.

My breaths grew short and shallow as I felt the fire building up within me. Could I actually come without even touching my cock? Because each thrust took me closer to that edge, and I knew I wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer.

"Finn," I gasped, my voice hoarse. "I'm so close."

"Baby, I want to see you shoot." Finn slowed his thrusts, then pulled his cock almost completely out of me. "I love you so much," Finn breathed, then he rammed his cock into me and I thought I'd faint. Without another word, he began pistoning in and out of me, and I felt an intense pressure building in my groin.

"This is it," I gasped, and with a deep groan, I shot my load. It splashed against my upper chest and neck, then I felt Finn's cock pulsate as he emptied himself inside of me.

"Oh God, I love you so much," Finn moaned, and my body shook underneath of him. Never in my life had I felt such a connection with another human being, and I never wanted it to end. Finally, Finn collapsed on top of me, and a giggle escaped my lips.

"What's so funny?" Finn panted before pecking me on the cheek.

"Nothing, it's just I've never felt like this before in my life," I wrapped my arms around him, then whispered in his ear.

"I love you, Finn."