Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

T essa

One month into this beautiful, maddening, wild ride with Finn–my sexy, neighbor-from-hell who maybe isn’t all wrong for me after all–I sit on the edge of the bathtub, staring at the little stick in my hand as if it’s personally betrayed me. The two pink lines are as bold and unrelenting as Finn himself, and my heart pounds like a drum in my chest.

Pregnant.

The word slams into me again, heavier than it should be. My head spins, and I press my palm to my stomach. A life is growing there, a miracle born from all those nights by the fire, tangled in Finn’s arms, and the way he’s unraveled every wall I’ve ever built.

But fear claws at me, sharp and cold. Finn is a man who thrives on routine and simplicity. He doesn’t do messy, unpredictable... life-altering . Will this push him away? Will he see it as a burden he never asked for?

Shep’s nails click against the hardwood as he trots into the bathroom, his big, fluffy tail wagging like everything’s just fine. I envy him, his oblivious joy. He nudges my knee with his nose, and I scratch behind his ears absentmindedly.

“What am I going to do, boy?” I whisper. He just tilts his head, as if waiting for me to figure it out.

The sound of Finn’s boots on the porch sends my heart into overdrive. He’s home. I shove the stick back into its box, bury it under the sink, and splash cold water on my face. As I walk out of the bathroom, Finn’s already shrugged off his jacket and is filling Shep’s water bowl.

“Hey,” he greets, his voice as rough and steady as ever. His eyes soften when they meet mine. “You okay? You look... pale.”

I force a smile, but I know it doesn’t reach my eyes. “Yeah, just tired.”

He steps closer, his hands settling on my hips. “Long day?”

I nod, but my throat feels too tight to say more. His brow furrows, and I know he sees right through me. Finn has a way of peeling back my defenses with a single look, and I hate how vulnerable I feel under his gaze.

“Talk to me, Tessa,” he says, his voice gentler now. “What’s going on?”

I pull back, needing space to breathe, but his hand catches mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Finn, I... I need to tell you something.”

His expression shifts, a mix of concern and curiosity. “All right. I’m listening.”

The words stick in my throat, but I force them out. “I’m pregnant.”

The silence that follows is deafening. My heart thuds painfully as I search his face, bracing for rejection, for anger, for... anything.

But then, something changes. His eyes widen, softening with something I can’t quite name. He steps closer, his hand rising to cup my cheek. “A family?” he murmurs, his voice breaking with emotion.

“I—I know this is sudden,” I stammer, the words tumbling out. “And I understand if it’s not what you wanted or if?—”

“Stop.” His voice is firm, but his touch is impossibly gentle. “Tessa, you’ve just given me something I never thought I’d have.”

His other hand joins the first, framing my face as he looks at me like I’m the answer to a question he’s been too afraid to ask. “You’ve made me whole.”

Tears blur my vision, and I laugh, the sound half-sob, half-relief. “You’re not mad?”

“Mad?” He huffs out a laugh, shaking his head. “Tessa, you’ve turned my life upside down in the best damn way. How could I be mad at that?”

I lean into him, letting his strength ground me. “I was scared,” I admit, my voice trembling. “I didn’t know how you’d feel about this.”

He tilts my chin up, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that steals my breath. “Don’t ever doubt how I feel about you. About us.”

Before I can respond, he steps back, his hand diving into his pocket. When he drops to one knee, my heart nearly stops.

“Finn...” I whisper, my hands flying to my mouth.

He pulls out a small copper ring, the metal gleaming softly in the firelight. “I made this for you,” he says, his voice gruff. “It’s not fancy, but it’s strong, just like you. Marry me, Tessa. Be my wife, my partner, my everything.”

Tears spill down my cheeks, and I nod so fast I feel dizzy. “Yes. Yes, of course.”

He slides the ring onto my finger, and the fit is perfect. His arms wrap around me, pulling me against his chest as his lips find mine in a kiss that’s equal parts passion and promise. I eagerly melt into his embrace, my body responding to every touch and kiss.

"You're all I ever want," I whisper as our lips dance together. My fingers run through his hair, pulling him closer. Against the kitchen counter, we find a perfect rhythm that sends shivers down my spine.

"I love you more than anything, Finn," I moan as his hand travels up my thigh, lifting my dress. His lips trail fire down my neck and I am consumed by his passion. As he lifts me onto the counter, desperate desire for this man floods my system. He takes off my panties and explores every inch of my skin, driving me mad with pleasure. In this moment, I never want to leave his side, never want to stop feeling loved and cherished in his arms.

His eyes flick to the cherry pie on the counter that I made earlier this morning. His hand reaches towards it. He lets the sweet fruit drip between his fingers and onto my lips before smearing it over my breasts.

"I can never resist you," he growls, licking the cherry filling off of me with hungry eyes. "Every moment before this has led to this–right here–right now."

A whimper escapes my lips as he eagerly responds to every touch and kiss, igniting a fire only he can stoke.

"You’ve always belonged to me," he declares possessively as he devours the last traces of cherry pie from my skin, claiming me as his own. He takes hold of my hand and places it above my head before releasing his thick cock from his jeans and teasing my entrance with his swollen tip, his eyes focused on the place where our bodies meet.

"I'll do anything to keep you by my side tonight and every night after," he promises.

"I can't wait to be Mrs. Finn Taylor," I whisper in response, feeling overwhelmed with love and submission for this man who makes me melt with just saying his name.

I feel his low growl vibrate through us both as he grips my hair and guides me closer to him before finally entering me. The tight grip of my pussy around his cock sends shivers through my body. This connection we share is unlike anything else in the world.

"Yes, take me, you feel so good," I beg, arching my back as he tantalizingly teases my clit. "I love the feel of you deep inside me." I wrap my legs tightly around him and ride the waves of pleasure as I reach a powerful orgasm, my nails digging into his skin. He lifts me up and I straddle him, savoring every sensation as we move together in perfect harmony. Another surge of ecstasy washes over me and I hold onto him tightly. His own release follows, his low grunts filling the space between us.

"Now that I have you, I'll never let go," he declares, still buried inside of me. "I'll lock us away in this cabin if I have to, just so I can keep you all to myself. You'll be chained to my bed and my body, experiencing endless orgasms day and night if that’s what it takes to show you my love for you."

"Mm, you always know just what to say," I laugh happily.

"Wherever I go, you go with me now, Tessa," he proclaims. "That's our only rule."

"We have rules?" I tease playfully.

"Just one," he grins, gripping my hips firmly in his hands. "And I never have to worry about you breaking it, right?"

"Mm..." I moan softly. "Never."

The warmth of the fire wraps around us like a cocoon. Finn’s hand rests on my stomach, his touch protective and reverent. “You know,” he says, his voice low, “I always thought I’d end up alone. That I wasn’t meant for... this.”

I trace circles on his chest, marveling at how open he’s become. “What changed?”

“You did.” His eyes meet mine, and the vulnerability there takes my breath away. “You reminded me that it’s okay to hope. To want more.”

I smile, resting my forehead against his. The fire crackles, filling the silence with its steady rhythm. Shep snores softly at our feet, oblivious to the weight of the moment.

Finn shifts, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I’m taking tomorrow off.”

I blink, surprised. “You? Taking a day off? That’s the second time this month–gettin’ lazy on me, huh?”

He chuckles, the sound low and rich. “It’s time I start putting my energy where it really matters.”

“And where’s that?”

He brushes a strand of hair from my face, his gaze unwavering. “Right here. With you. And our family.”

My heart swells, and I curl into him, letting his warmth and love envelop me. For the first time in years, I feel truly at home—not in a place, but in a person.

With Finn. My sexy, grumpy, all-wrong-but-somehow-right-for me, neighbor-from-hell.