Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

FINNIGAN

“Really?” Jillian scoffs when I tell her what I want.

“Is it that hard to believe?”

“Finn, I’ve been listening to wild stories about the trashy women you date for years. Not once have you ever asked me to put any of them on your body,” she retorts as we make our way down the hall.

We’ve set up two exhibition rooms for couples tattoos this evening. Having entrusted Jillian with nearly every drop of ink on my body, it was only fitting that we invited her to be one of our exclusive artists tonight. She’s booked solid for the night, but has graciously agreed to add a little ink to my chest piece before leaving. Apparently, she’s actually looking forward to taking a little creative freedom after the night of good girl and Daddy tattoos she has ahead of her tonight.

“She’s not like them,” I inform her. “She’s sweet and innocent. Everything I didn’t know I wanted.”

Raising a brow, she teases, “Clearly. I never thought I’d see the day a woman managed to tame the great Finnigan Evans. She must have a magical fucking pussy.”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Hold up, you’ve been seeing this woman for weeks, you’re putting her on your body, and you haven’t fucked her!” she exclaims. “Fucking hell, Finnigan Evans is in love.”

Opening the door, I place my hand on the small of her back, leading her into her studio. When I look down the hall to check the event is going as planned, I’m shocked to find Catlin staring back at me. Wearing the white sundress I bought her, she stands out like a sore thumb among this crowd. But as gorgeous as she is, she stands out in any crowd. She swipes at her face, and I realize that she’s crying.

Breaking eye contact with her for a second, I peer into the room at Jillian and suddenly realize how this must look. “Fuck,” I exhale, turning back to Cat, but it’s too late. She isn’t waiting for an explanation.

And I don’t fucking blame her after.

“Cat!” I shout after her as she’s shoves through the couples lining the hall, racing from me. Loud grumbles and my yelling create a scene and draw a larger audience. Fighting my way through them and pushing people out of my way, I continue to call after her, “Catlin! Piscín! ”

She doesn’t stop. Rushing down the hallway toward the lounge, she barrels through the exit and into the city. Horns blare from outside the club as she darts across the busy street. I throw open the door, and my heart stops when a cab narrowly misses her. “Catlin!” I shout, waiting for a small break in traffic as she puts more distance between us.

The break doesn’t come, and I step into oncoming traffic to follow her. I can’t lose her. I sprint down the sidewalk and into Bryant Park after her. Eventually closing the distance between us, I reach for her. “Stop, Catlin. Please. It’s not what you think.”

“That’s what everyone says,” she cries through sobs. “Just leave me alone.”

“I can’t.” I huff, lunging at her. Crashing into her harder than intended, I roughly take us both to the ground. She screams, and her limbs flail as I pin her beneath me. Angrily shoving her wrists into the ground beside her head, I snarl, “Stop and fucking listen.”

Tears stream down her face, painting it with trails of mascara, as she continues to fight me. “Let me up!” she shouts through her anguish.

“Nothing happened at the club.” I stare down at her, keeping her pressed to the cool grass with my weight. “Nothing happened or was going to happen with Jillian. She’s a friend and not one I’ve fucked or want to fuck. I don’t want any of the women at the club. I only want you.” My tone is harsh, but I need her to understand.

“Let. Me. Go!” she yells, still fighting against my tight hold, not registering what I’m saying to her.

“Don’t you hear me? I can’t,” I breathlessly confess, sliding her hands through the grass above her head. “I can’t let you go, Cat. I’m never going to let you go.”

She stills beneath me, and the moonlight reflects off the soft green in her pained hazel eyes, rogue tears still falling from them.

If I never see her hurt like this again, it’ll be a lifetime too soon.

“You’re it for me, piscín ,” I whisper before placing a soft kiss against her lips and releasing her hands. “You can leave, but I won’t be able to let you go,” I confess, rolling off her.

“Finn…” My name cracks over her lips as we both stare up at the stars. “Do you love me?”

More than I have words to describe.

“Your name is carved across my heart.” I roll to face her and wipe the tears from her cheeks. “Do you love me, piscín?”

She closes her eyes, and her throat bobs as she takes a hard swallow before she gives a gentle nod. Cupping her tear-stained face, I pull her toward me and softly kiss her salty lips.

Helping her from the ground, I notice the grass stains on the back of her dress and that the strap tore when I tackled her. “Let me take you home.”

“The club? Don’t you need to go back?”

“No. I can’t bring you back there like this.” I fix her dress to ensure it’s covering her. “They’ll be fine without me while I take you home.”

Flagging down a taxi, we ride in silence with her nuzzled against me. As much as I want to take her back to my place and spend the night apologizing to her and professing my love, I know this is what she wants.