Unfortunately, despite everything, there was a huge part of her that worried she still did.
Glancing at her watch, Genevieve felt her heart lurch into her throat. Five minutes.
What she couldn’t understand was why Finn had fought so hard to meet Noah. The man she’d known had worked hard to avoid any semblance of responsibility to the point of outsourcing the management of his family’s company. It wasn’t likely he’d suddenly developed a burning desire to be a father.
Her biggest concern was the impact this was going to have on Noah. She really didn’t want her son falling in love with his daddy only to have Finn disappear. Or disappoint. Both highly likely.
A car door slammed. Genevieve glanced at her watch again. Exactly ten. The chime on her front door pealed. Swallowing down the butterflies storming her belly, she stalked across the room to yank it open.
And lost her breath.
Damn him for being exactly as she remembered. His feet were spread, encased in large black motorcycle boots planted on the pale boards of her front porch. Shoulders packed with muscle, nearly as wide as her doorway, blocked her view of the car undoubtedly sitting at her curb. A perverse part of her wondered if he still drove the sleek Maserati he’d delighted in racing through the city at top speed, practically taunting the local police to pull him over.
He’d been reckless and wild. So different than she was, which was undoubtedly what had attracted her in the first place. Finn DeLuca was a force. A storm, beautiful and raging. Uncaring what he destroyed in his path.
His hair was just as dark, almost jet-black, and untamed as the rest of him. A thick scruff covered his chin and cheeks, giving the impression he couldn’t be bothered to shave rather than he was cultivating an actual beard.
But it was his eyes that got to her. Every damn time. So dark they almost appeared black. But she’d been close enough to know they were actually a deep, dark shade of coffee brown. What had gotten her more than the color, though, was the way he’d looked at her...like he’d actually seen her. All of her, especially the pieces she’d gotten very good at hiding from everyone, including herself.
He’d been the devil sitting on her shoulder, tempting her to sin. With him, she’d felt powerful, intelligent and beautiful. He’d convinced her she could be daring, too.
Finn DeLuca had the uncanny ability to make her feel like she had no secrets...and that she didn’t need any. Turns out he’d been right. She hadn’t had any secrets from him because he’d researched every damn aspect of her life. And used each piece of knowledge against her. To make her care for him. Love him.
Trust him.
All so he could steal what he wanted—the Star of Reilly—without regard to the damage he inflicted on her life.
“The neighbors might start talking if you leave me standing on the front porch all day, Genni.”
“Don’t call me that.” Her response was automatic. So was the way she stepped back, doing exactly what he’d wanted her to.
He paused beside her as he moved into her home. For a second she thought he was going to touch her. Genevieve tensed, not certain how she’d react. But instead of reaching out, Finn slowly turned his head and flashed her that dangerous, mischievous grin. The one that always made her knees go weak. Because whatever nefarious thought was usually behind that grin had inevitably left her a naked, quaking, pleasure-infused mess.
Nope, that wasn’t happening now.
Shoving the door closed, Genevieve purposely walked away from him. She stopped in the middle of her living room and swiveled, wrapping her arms around herself in a comforting hold.
“I don’t know what you’re hoping to gain here, Finn, but whatever it is, you can’t have it.”
“The only thing I want is the chance to get to know my son. You look real good, Genni.”
She shook her head. “We both know that’s not how you work, so cut the BS. I haven’t figured out your play yet, but I will. And just in case you’re not aware, although I’m sure you are, I no longer have access to the Reilly estate, including any of the jewels, the business or the art.”
“Yep, I’m fully aware. Why do you think I wrote you that check?”
“Speaking of which, you can have the pieces back. And so we’re clear, flattery won’t get you anywhere with me. We both know you have the ability to spout pretty words with no substance. Don’t waste your breath.”
Finn’s face drew tight. His mouth flattened into a sharp line, giving her an expression she’d never seen before. But that was probably because he’d only shown her what he wanted her to see.
“I meant what I said. And just so you know, I meant every word I’ve ever said to you. I might have done many things, but I never once lied to you.”
Genevieve laughed, the sound of it very out of place. “Sure, except when you told me I could trust you and promised you’d never hurt me.”
He took a single step toward her. Genevieve held up both hands.
“I’m sorry, Genevieve.”
It was tempting to believe he actually meant the short declaration. She heard sincerity in the words. And there was a part of her that thought maybe he was sorry.
At least sorry he’d gotten caught.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t actually hate you, even though you deserve it. You gave me Noah. And even if it wasn’t the way I would have preferred, you showed me I could have a life I didn’t think possible. And gave me the confidence to fight for me and my son when I needed to. I’m happier now. But that doesn’t mean I intend to forgive you or forget how you used and manipulated me.”
It was Genevieve who closed the gap between them. She walked straight into his personal space, going toe-to-toe with
