Page 83 of Lightness In My Dark

“Come on, Wren. He’s gorgeous. He’s out of your… our league.”

I sat straighter, took off my sunglasses, and said, “You can’t believe someone like him would be interested in someone like me.”

She turned away, took a sip of her wine cooler, and said, “Yeah. I mean, I’m not trying to be a bitch. I think it’s cool a gorgeous guy can fall in love with an average girl.”

“Thanks a lot, Em. That makes me feel so good.”

I went downstairs to get out of the sun and cool off. She had a lot of nerve to say that to me, especially during my birthday celebration. I turned when someone came down.

Finn moved us to the bedroom, shut the door, and said, “Don’t fucking listen to her.”

“You heard that?”

“Yep, and it was a shitty thing for her to say.”

We laid on the bed on our sides, facing each other and propping up our heads with our arms. Finn’s finger drifted over my skin, causing goosebumps.

“I’m the lucky one in this relationship.”

I let my arm fall, and I laid my head on top of it. “You are, huh?”

“Never let anyone make you feel small. You’re far from small, Wren. I’ve never met a kinder, sweeter, beautiful, sexy…” He tickled my side. “… compassionate, beautiful…”

“You already said beautiful.”

“It bears repeating.”

I giggled, and he hugged me close.

“I hate seeing you hurt.” He kissed the side of my head. “I’m going to say something to her, and she sure as fuck—”

“Please don’t, Finn. It’s how Em is.”

“It’s wrong and someone needs to put her in her place.”

I snuggled my face into his chest. “Maybe it is, but none of us is perfect.” I bent my head back to look at him. “Let’s not make a big deal out of it. I want to have fun this weekend.”

His lips moved on the top of my head. “If that’s what you want, I’ll shut up, but I won’t go out of my way to be nice to her.”

I laughed. “That’ll show her.”

“Are you making fun?” He tickled me hard.

“Stop, please!”

I kissed the dip at the bottom of his neck, and he let out a moan. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to give you a nice little birthday fuck in front of your friends.”

I wiggled my eyebrows. “I’ve always enjoyed the prospect of getting caught.”

Without a thought, Finn and I tossed our clothes off and went at it. Feeling him inside me made everything disappear. The hurt, pain, sadness dissolved with every one of his thrusts. When we finished, dressing was difficult because of the warmth in the cabin.

We walked outside and found everyone staring at us.

Jared scoffed and said, “Finn, you might want to close-up shop.”

We looked down to find his swim trunks lowered on his hips, revealing the upper part of his package. He pulled them up and tied the drawstring.

For the rest of the day and evening, we remained on the boat, and I distanced myself from Emily. I wasn’t rude to her, but I limited conversations. The weekend was full of activities. Some masseuses came to the house the next day, dancing in the evening, and we enjoyed an exceptional Sunday brunch before everyone left. Finn and I cleared out the boat, finding time to have sex in the bedroom. Exhausted from entertaining, we vegged out in front of the television. Because my sunburn chilled me, I cuddled close to Finn. Aside from Emily’s insults, the birthday weekend turned out great.

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