Page 40 of Give Me a Reason

He winked over his shoulder. “You’ll see.”

We kept climbing until we reached the last landing. “There wasn’t an elevator?”

“What’s the fun in that?” Finn asked as he pushed open the door to what looked like the roof.

“There’s a bar up here, but it’s a bit of a secret. They only open it for celebrities and high-profile guests.”

I smiled as I took in the space. The edge of the roof was lined with thin glass so you could see everything. Twinkling lights hung over the bar and couches in front of it. “Wow. A secret bar.”

“You’d be surprised, but quite a few hotels have them. They’re for guests that don’t want to mingle with everyone else.”

He pulled me until we were near the edge of the roof and could see the entire town from here.

“This is gorgeous. Are you sure we’re allowed up here?” I asked, unable to take my eyes off the view.

“The owner said I could come up here to get a minute to myself between gigs, as long as he wasn’t hosting an event here.”

“Oh, that’s nice.” Then I shivered from the cool evening air.

He pulled me into his arms. It was similar to us dancing but so much better because I was pressed against him, my curves against his hard ridges, and there was no one watching us. I wrapped my arms around his waist and under his jacket to capitalize on his warmth.

I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent, aftershave and something else that was all him.

“I brought you up here to see the view,” he murmured against my hair, so I shifted so that my back was to his front, and he wrapped his arms around me, his chin resting on the top of my head.

I was supposed to be looking at the lights of the town and the water in the distance, but all I could think about was the sensation of being surrounded by him. Tingles ran down my spine, and warmth curled around my heart.

His voice rumbled in my chest as he told me the different buildings and what they were.

When his voice drifted off, I asked, “Do you know the constellations? I used to sit outside at night and point them out to my sister.”

“I probably did at one time, but not anymore.”

I turned in his arms again so I could point out the ones I saw. Each time I found one and said the name, he’d dutifully follow my finger and try to make out the image.

His lips quirked up. “I can’t see Orion. Where is it?”

I reached my arm over his shoulder to point it out, but he didn’t see it. I was very aware of my breasts smashed against his hard chest and his hand on my hip to steady me.

When I caught his smile, I slapped his arm. “Are you teasing me?”

Finn chuckled, his large hand moving to my back, making me feel small and delicate. “A little bit. It’s fun. Plus, you’re in my arms, and I like it.”

I swallowed. “I like it too.”

What was happening? The entire night felt surreal. Like we weren’t really here. It was a dream where all our responsibilities and worries fell away, and there was nothing but us. Two people who genuinely liked and respected each other.

I dropped down so that the heel of my shoe was flat on the ground again, my hands on his biceps. His forehead dropped down to mine. “What are we doing?”

Our breath mingled together, and he moved slightly back to see my face. “I’m not sure.”

Whatever it was felt reckless and a little bit wild. My heart beat erratically in my chest. His eyes searched mine as if he were searching for permission.

“I want to—”

I moved my arms, dangling them around his neck, and we both inched forward, our eyes closing. Sparks went off in my head, and every inch of my body tightened in anticipation. When his lips finally pressed against mine, I sighed into him.

I needed this. The connection. The soft press of his lips. And then he was moving, soft sweeps of his lips across mine until they parted, inviting him in. Hope bloomed in my chest as his tongue danced across my lower lip and inside, finding mine.

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