Tempting a King (King Family Romance Book 1) by Isla Drake (small books to read .txt) 📗

For some reason, his words bring a lump to my throat. I swallow it away and meet his gaze again.

“Are you sure?” I ask. “Because we’re a package deal.”

Finn’s eyes turn hard and he looks almost angry.

“Hannah, what kind of guy do you think I am? What do you the other night was? I’ve known Liam for almost his entire life. It’s not like you sprung him on me after our third date or something. I knew when I sent those flowers what I was signing on for. That night wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t think I could handle that.”

I’ve offended him. Worse, I think I hurt him. I reach out and put a hand on his arm. He doesn’t pull away, but the playful flirty Finn from earlier has vanished.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I know you’re not that guy. I just—this is all new for me. I’ve never had to think about bringing a guy home to meet Liam. Not that the two of you are strangers, but it’s different now.”

“Things might be different between us,” Finn says. “But not where Liam is concerned. Nothing needs to change with him and me. We’re still buddies, like always.”

I smile. “He asked me about that when I talked to him yesterday.”

“You talked to him about me?”

I nod. “I told him you and I might be spending more time together. As more than friends.” I feel my face go hot. “He asked if you were my boyfriend.”

“What did you say?” Finn seems terribly interested in the answer.

“I might have dodged the question,” I say, looking down at my feet.

Finn reaches up and tips my chin up so I’m looking at him. “Hannah?”

“Yeah?”

He grins and the playful Finn I love is back. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

I laugh, feeling my face heat again.

“I mean,” Finn says, leaning toward me. “I can write you a note.” He kisses the corner of my mouth. “Slip it in your locker between classes?” His lips brush mine again. “Check yes or no?”

I twine my arms around his neck. “I don’t need a note,” I whisper. “I just need you to kiss me.”

He does.

Chapter Twenty-three

Hannah

In the end, I decide to talk to Liam before inviting Finn over for dinner. He’d said he wasn’t bothered by the idea of me spending more time with Finn, but I still want to talk to him first. Driving home from the school, I decide to bring it up.

“Hey bud. What do you think of Finn coming over for dinner tonight?”

“Sounds fun,” he says without hesitation.

“Are you sure?”

“Uh huh. Mr. Finn’s nice. I like him.”

I can’t see him to gage his reaction, but there’d been no hesitation in his answer, and I can’t hear anything in his voice that makes me think he might be bothered by the idea. I decide to take Liam at his word. When we get home, I text Finn to let him know. He shows up a half hour later with all the ingredients to make tacos. This scores him points with both Liam and me since tacos rank right up there with the food of the Gods, in our opinions. Finn insists that I sit and relax while he cooks.

I watch him as he moves around my kitchen searching for things in unfamiliar surroundings. He won’t let me point out where anything is kept though, preferring to find it himself. It’s adorable and kind of sexy to watch him as he cooks a meal for me. Plus, it’s just nice not to have to worry about dinner for once.

He catches me looking at him as he dices tomatoes and smiles.

“What?”

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

He stops dicing and looks at me with narrowed eyes. “You’re staring at me.”

I smile. “I’m enjoying the show. It’s not every day I have a handsome man prepare me dinner while I sit back and do nothing.”

Finn goes back to dicing tomato. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up too high. I really only know how to make like, three dishes.”

“You made a mistake starting with the tacos then,” I say. “It’s a favorite in this house. You’re setting the bar too high.”

“Damn,” Finn says, wincing. “I knew I should have started out with my grilled cheese skills.”

“It’s too late now. Liam already heard you say tacos. You’re committed to this path.”

Finn stirs ground beef where it’s simmering on the stove and peers over at me.

“Next time, I’ll just have to find a way to top this.”

“Yes, you will.”

I’d worried that dinner with Liam and Finn might be awkward. I’ve never had a man over and I wasn’t sure how things would go with Liam. He’d told me that he was okay with Finn hanging around more, but I still worried. It turns out my worries were unfounded, because Finn and Liam get along great. Finn seems to have infinite patience with Liam and Liam seems completely fascinated by Finn. I’m afraid to read too much into it after one meal together, but I feel more optimistic as the evening goes on. Dinner is delicious. Finn seems pleased that Liam and I go back for seconds.

After dinner, Liam goes to take a shower, leaving the two of us alone in the kitchen. Finn gets up to do the dishes, but I stop him.

“Nope. You cooked. I’ll clean.”

He shakes his head. “Absolutely not. I made the mess, so I’ll clean it up.”

I sigh. “How about we work together?”

His eyes narrow slightly as though he’s considering. “Deal.”

He leans down and kisses me. It’s a quick peck that surprises me with its sweetness. I smile up at him.

“Are you guys kissing?”

Liam’s voice comes from the doorway startling both of us. We move apart quickly and I turn to face Liam. He’s wearing an expression that looks like it’s equal parts confused and grossed out. I smile at him. Before I can speak, Finn beats me to it.

“Is it okay with you if I kiss your mom sometimes?