Finn (11 page)

“I know you’re awake. Your cheeks are turning pink.” She bounces on the bed.

My phone rings on the nightstand, and she doesn’t hesitate to jump across me and answer, even as I start flailing against her.

“Hello?” She’s loud enough to wake my neighbors.

Finn’s unmistakable voice sounds through the line, and I fight to get to my phone.

“Sorry, Finn, she’s just waking up. Must be some hangover.”

I shoot her an evil eye and slap at her hands.

“Not sure she drank so much, but she sure—”

“Give me the phone!” I try to twist her off me and grab my phone. She pins me with her arms to my chest and starts laughing.

“Look at that, Sleeping Beauty awakes. But she’s more of a beast.” Reese hands me the phone and moves away, giving me a devilish smirk.

“Hey.” I roll to my side and hide under a pillow.

“Hey.” His velvet tone sends a tingle down my spine. “Good morning, gorgeous.”

“What are you doing up so early?” It’s not even nine, and we didn’t leave the event until one am.

“I’m checking to make sure we’re still on for tonight?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll be there at five.”

“Okay, I look forward to it.”

“Not as much as me, babe.”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Finn! I need to know what to wear!”

“Wear yourself. You look great in everything.”

“Can I have a hint?”

“The only hint I’ll give you is that if you wear shoes like last night, we’ll never leave your place. I still taste you.” Without another word, he hangs up.

I huff and toss my phone on the bed as Reese walks in with two cups of coffee. She hands me one as I sit up and then crawls back into bed, crossing her legs and facing me.

“Talk.”

“I’m in trouble, like big-time, lose your heart, fall in love, and never recover trouble.”

“Recover from what?”

“If it doesn’t work out.”

“Why wouldn’t it work out?”

Unable to speak my fear, I shrug and sip my coffee, avoiding eye contact.

“Still waiting.” She drums her fingers on her thigh.

“Well, obviously, you’ve seen him and he’s gorgeous. But it’s so much more than that. As soon as we walked into the building, I could feel him. Before last night, we’d never even kissed, and my body was still attuned to his. Every time he brushed his lips across my head, or held my hand, the blood in my body started to heat up. Meeting his parents sent me into a panic, but just the look in his eyes calmed me. I felt so comfortable the whole night.

“When we were dancing and then disappeared, he took me to the top floor and showed me the city in lights. It was the most incredible thing ever.”

“AND?”

“Then he kissed me. It wasn’t some run of the mill kiss, either. My insides went molten, and I couldn’t get enough of him. It was like there was an electrical wave of energy that centered on the two of us, and I was paralyzed by his touch.”

“And…” She starts to bounce a little with a squeal that reminds me of Winnie.

“Then I practically tried to dry hump his leg, and we made out. Real classy.”

“Oh my God, this is so awesome!”

“What? Aren’t you embarrassed for me? I had no restraint. One more kiss and I’d have begged him to strip me naked.”

“Why would I be embarrassed for you? I’ve been waiting fucking years for this. It’s time you get your inner hussy on.”

“Jesus, remind me again why we’re best friends?”

“Because I’m awesome. But if it makes you feel any better, he seemed to be distracted all night, watching you while he was working. When you were dancing with your dad, he kept looking at his watch. As soon as the song was over and he stalked to you, Johnny, Jeff, and I shared a look and we all knew—he’s into you. Big time.”

“I’m scared,” I admit and watch her face fill with understanding.

“He’s a bit scary,” she sympathizes. “But you have to give in and see where this goes.”

Wait. What? Her words confuse me. We’re definitely not talking about the same thing. She seems to know her misspeak immediately and looks away.

“What are you talking about? Why do
you
think he’s scary?”

“Nothing.”

“It’s your turn to spill.”

She sips her coffee and looks at the ceiling, avoiding me until I knock her knee and raise my eyebrows impatiently.

“He’s kinda a badass. When you two were dancing and even disappeared, we heard stories.”

“What kind of stories?”

“The kind that made me hope you’d have his babies and I’d have badass Godchildren.”

“Oh my God! You’re ridiculous!”

“Maybe so, but he’s the real deal, Presley.”

“I know. Let’s hope I don’t screw this up.”

“After only meeting him for a little while, he doesn’t seem like the type of man to let you screw this up. He’s got a pretty powerful presence.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Come on, Lovergirl. We have a big day ahead of us. Let’s plan a princess party and get you ready for the big date. I’ll shower first.”

She moves off the bed and disappears into my bathroom. I sink back on my pillows and stare at the ceiling. My mind swirls with memories of last night and the monumental shift my life has taken in the last two weeks. Reese is right about one thing; there is something about Finn that is very powerful.

I run my fingers through my hair once more, trying to tame any fly-aways, then apply the red lip gloss that matches my outfit. I’m questioning my choice when the doorbell rings. Slowly, I make my way to the door, holding my stomach and willing the nervous energy to go away.

He’s just a guy
, I repeat over and over in my mind.

He’s the most gorgeous man you’ve ever dated.

He makes your heart race with one look.

He makes you feel more special than anyone ever has.

My brain fires back.

When I open the door, Finn’s face is hidden behind an enormous bouquet of flowers. He lowers them slowly, revealing a lopsided grin. His face freezes as his eyes sweep over me.

“Jesus Christ.”

My heart pounds in my chest as I glance down at my red and white sundress. Maybe this wasn’t the best choice. Oh my God! Do I look like a tablecloth? Reese is dead. She promised me this was cute. Before I can mentally berate myself further, a strong arm circles my waist, pulling me into his hard chest.

He crushes his mouth to mine and kisses me deep, his lips moving urgently against mine. It’s not anything like last night where he took the time to explore. Instead, this kiss is hot and demanding. His tongue strokes and swirls with mine greedily, and I have no choice but to follow his lead. My hands go to his shoulders, gripping tight, and giving in to whatever he wants. I’m not sure how long we stand in the doorway kissing, but when he breaks away, we’re both fighting for breath.

“I’ve been waiting for that. It was a long fucking fourteen hours. Maybe we can move this indoors so your neighbors don’t get a show.”

Embarrassment crawls up my neck as I try to step back, but he doesn’t let me go. Instead, he bends and picks me up slightly, moving us inside and shutting the door with his heel. Then he walks us backwards and drops the flowers on my sofa.

One arm remains around my waist, holding me up, while his other hand moves to frame my face. His eyes glow with intensity, sending a chill down my spine.

“You look amazing.”

“Thanks.”

“Completely worth the wait.”

“What wait?”

He doesn’t answer as he places small kisses along my jawline then sets me back on my feet. He reaches for the flowers and hands them to me.

“More flowers?” I give him a small smile.

“New week, new flowers.”

“You’re going to spoil me.”

“That’s the plan.” He runs his thumb over my cheek. “Something tells me you deserve to be spoiled.”

My heart squeezes tight in my chest, and I know what my subconscious has been telling me for the last few weeks. Simon sent Finn to me.

“What’s going on in your head?” Finn lifts my chin to face him.

“Nothing,” I lie, deciding it’s too far-fetched to tell him that my brother sent me a message about meeting him days before he died.

“Let me get these in water.” I lift the bouquet. “Would you like something to drink?”

He searches my face and then shakes his head. “No, babe, I think it may be a better idea to get out of here while I still have some restraint.”

I giggle and go to the kitchen, arranging the flowers in a new vase. He comes up behind me, places his hands on my hips, and lowers his chin to my shoulder.

“I lost you for a second back there. I know this is new for both of us, but don’t be afraid to tell me what’s on your mind.”

I twist into him and place my hands to his chest. “I know that, Finn. For an instant, Simon’s face filled my mind, and he was smiling. He was smiling at the thought of you spoiling me.”

Finn’s expression softens at my semi-confession. “The way I see it, anyone would be lucky for the opportunity to show you how special you are.”

“You really are a sweet talker.”

“Only for you.” He kisses me again, but this time, it’s much softer and slower than earlier.

I whimper when he pulls back and nibbles on my lower lip.

“We need to leave if we’re going to make our reservation.”

“Okay, I’d hate to miss our reservation.”

“Babe, I don’t give two shits about dinner right now. If I had my choice, you’d be my appetizer, dinner, and dessert. But the way you look tonight deserves to be shown off, so I’ll reel it in for the next few hours. Know, with each bite I take, I’ll be wishing it was you.”

Searing heat sizzles through every nerve in my body. My thighs quiver as I try to remain upright. It’s on the tip of my tongue to suggest we cancel dinner, but the little voice in the back of my head urges me to be patient.

Without leaving my house, this has already been the best date of my life.

Finn

“C
ome in!” Presley shouts through the door, and I let myself into her apartment.

“Where are you?”

“In my room. Come on back. Second door on the right from the kitchen.”

I follow the sound of her voice and the slamming of drawers to find her. When I get to her doorway, I stop dead and take time to appreciate the sight in front of me. She’s wearing another pair of tight leggings with a form-fitting tank top, this time in bright blue. She shoves her arms through a t-shirt and turns to me, red-faced.

“I’m so late! Kickboxing ran over, and I got stuck talking to my instructor. There’s no time to even shower. It’s gross!”

Nothing about her is gross.

“Babe, come here.”

She ignores me and pulls her hair high on her head, tying it in a sloppy bun. “Give me another sec and we can go.” She disappears into her bathroom, and I lean against the doorframe, waiting.

“Babe, come here,” I repeat.

She reappears and rushes toward me, leaning in quickly to brush her lips across my cheek, then darts out of the room.

That shit isn’t going to work, ever.

I’m quick on her heels and catch her around the waist when we hit her kitchen. She squeals as I turn her into me and bend down, forcing her legs around my waist.

“What are you doing?”

“Saying hello.”

I lean in to kiss her and back us up to the wall. The feeling of her flush against the flimsy material of my shorts instantly makes me hard as I devour her mouth. There’s no protest as she meets me thrust for thrust, gripping the back of my neck to pull me deeper.

Like all the other times, this isn’t just a kiss. I’m trying to tell her how much I’ve missed her the last few days. Fire ignites, and I force myself to slow down and stroke my tongue with hers, savoring her taste.

Kissing has never been my thing. If I’m honest with myself, I’ve only truly enjoyed kissing one other woman in my life. But nothing compares to feeling Presley’s warm lips against mine and the electricity that zings when my tongue first touches hers.

Four days ago, my stance on kissing changed completely. Now, I crave to have her in my arms and connected to me.

Too soon, she withdraws and pants, laying her forehead against mine. Our eyes meet, and pride surges at the look of lust on her face.