Finn (26 page)

“Presley,” he growls, cupping my hand.

“Finn,” I reply, squeezing. An idea pops into my head, and I twist quickly, forcing him onto his back. My hands have his button undone and zipper down before he has time to protest.

Since the first time I laid eyes on him, I’ve taken every opportunity to memorize each hard ridge and plane of his body. Even in the dark, I expertly work my way down slowly, bunching his shirt, so I can kiss every inch of his skin as I go.

He lifts his hips to help me pull down his shorts enough to give me plenty of room. My fingers trail up the length of his shaft, and I grip lightly, licking his crown. He gives a low groan when I suck him all the way into my mouth until he hits the back of my throat.

His fingers flex and tangle in my hair as I work my way up and down, making sure to lick and suck each inch of the hard flesh. He starts to twist underneath me, pumping in and out gently. I start to massage his balls and feel him thicken and swell against my tongue.

“Presley…” he groans.

I hollow my cheeks and inhale him while continuing to swirl my tongue until I lick along his slit.

“Presley…” His voice is low and raspy, turning me on with each movement.

He grips my head, trying to pull me up, but I tighten my lips and give a vibrating moan against the sensitive skin on the underside of his cock.

“Baby, I’m going to come.”

I nod against him and squeeze his balls, telling him it’s okay. He drives upwards with two more pumps, then lets out a low, throaty moan as he grows even thicker and climaxes into the back of my throat.

I swallow hard before slowly licking his tip once more, then kiss my way up his body and bury my head in his neck. His heart races against my own chest.

“You don’t play fair.”

“That’s the point. Now, maybe you’ll hurry back and we can spend the rest of the day and night naked.”

His arms tighten around me, and he moves his lips to my ear. “There will definitely be plenty of nakedness, but today, I’m taking you out. I have a surprise.”

“I love you, Finn.”

“I’ll never get tired of hearing those words.” He takes one of my hands and moves it over his chest. “You feel that, my heart racing against your palm?”

I nod, burrowing into his hold.

“It’s beating for you. I never thought it was possible, but now, I know. Without you, I’d be empty.”

Tears well up in my eyes, and I bite my tongue, trying not to cry. If I could form words, I’d tell him the same thing.

“Go back to sleep, Presley. Keep the bed warm. I’ll be back soon, promise.”

I nod again, regaining my composure, and roll to the side, allowing him to get up. He redresses quickly, kisses me on the forehead, and leaves quietly.

I try my best to fall back asleep, but after tossing and turning for forty-five minutes, I give up. Throwing on one of his t-shirts and a pair of sleep shorts, I shuffle to the kitchen to make coffee.

There’s a note on the coffeemaker that says
‘All you have to do is press start’
, and I smile to myself. Flashbacks of my dream all those months ago come rushing back to me, and Simon’s words send a chill throughout my body.

“
He’ll take care of you. Forever, if you let him.”

“I will, big brother. I’ll let him,”
I say silently to myself.

An hour later, I’m on my second cup of coffee when Tripp stumbles into the living room, looking around sleepily. He’s wearing nothing but sleep pants, and his hair is sticking out in every direction. I can’t stop the giggle that erupts in my throat. He spots me on the couch with my laptop and frowns.

“What are you doing out here this early?”

“Finn had to go into work, and I couldn’t sleep. I was trying to be quiet. Did I wake you?”

“No, fucking internal alarm goes off no matter the day.”

“That sucks. There’s coffee if you want some.”

“You are a goddess,” he gruffs, heading into the kitchen.

A few minutes later, he comes in and sits opposite me on the sofa, reaching for the remote control.

“Will it bother you if I turn on the news?”

“Not at all. This is your house.”

“But will it interrupt you?” He motions to my computer.

“No, I was finishing up two articles for a client. They’re done.”

He nods and switches on the television. We sit in comfortable silence, alternating between the news and Sportscenter. When a segment comes on about the upcoming football season, he becomes animated, yelling at the TV. After thirty minutes, he gives me an exasperated look and puts it on mute.

“You hungry?”

“I could be.”

“You cook?”

“I do.”

“Want to join me in making some breakfast?”

“That depends,” I tease. “Are you trying to trick me into making you breakfast?”

He has the decency to look guilty, but gives me his signature grin. “No way. I’ll make you the best toast and eggs you’ve ever tasted.”

“You have eggs?”

“Absolutely.”

“Bacon?”

“Sure thing.”

“And bread?”

“Yep.” He smiles proudly.

“How about if I make us a pseudo eggs benedict, depending on if you boys have the right spices for béarnaise?”

His smile broadens, and he jumps up, bringing me with him. “Come on, woman. It’s time to eat!” He drags me to the kitchen and gives me a bow. “Tell me what you need and I’ll be your assistant.”

I browse through their fridge and cabinets and am surprised to find everything I need except Tarragon. I locate a jar of dried parsley and decide it’ll have to do. After giving Tripp instructions to toast the bread and blend the yolks, I get started.

Conversation is easy as I cook and he does whatever I instruct him to. When I take his toasted bread and cut it into a perfect circle, then lay the poached egg on top, he helps by spooning on the sauce and plating the bacon.

We sit at their small table, and he politely waits for me to take the first bite then digs in. His loud groan startles me. “Woman! This is fucking fantastic. Even my mom can’t cook like this.”

“Thank you.” Heat spreads across my cheeks.

“Seriously, if this thing with Finn falls apart, I’m keeping you. Screw the twenty- plus years of friendship.”

My heart swells with pride. “My mom was an amazing cook. She taught me and my brothers a lot.”

His eyes come to mine, and he gives me a sad smile. “Thank you for making this.”

I reach over and cover his hand. “Thank you for coercing me to make you breakfast.”

His lips twitch. “We should make this a weekend thing.”

I start to giggle, thinking about Finn’s reaction.

He laughs along with me and shovels food in his mouth. Right as I take my last bite, the doorbell rings, and we both look at the clock.

“Who the hell is here at eight in the morning?” Tripp mutters, throwing his napkin on the table and going to answer the door.

I get our plates and start cleaning when there’s a loud shriek behind me. “What the hell is going on here?”

I spin, dropping the plate in the sink, and come face to face with Raven, who’s looking at me with hatred and disgust. Tripp comes rushing up behind her with a look of panic.

“Pardon me?” I respond blandly, turning off the water.

“Where the hell is Finn?”

I close my eyes and count to three, trying to calm my nerves. When I open them, I square my shoulders and face her head on. “It’s none of your business, but he’s at work. Do you need something?”

“Does he know you’re traipsing around his house with Tripp half-naked?”

“RJ, you’re outta line.” Tripp sidesteps into her line of sight.

“Really? Because what I see looks fucking bad!”

I raise my hand when Tripp opens his mouth, and speak first. “Raven, Finn had to go into work early this morning for an emergency. I can assure you he knows I’m here. He left me in his bed. This may look bad to you, but it is only breakfast.”

She looks back and forth from Tripp to me, and her face crumbles. Tears fill her eyes, and she throws her face into her hands. “I’m sorry! I’m such a bitch. Why do I keep screwing things up with you?”

I try hard to feel sorry for her, find an ounce of sympathy, but I can’t. Instead, I step around her and Tripp and head to the living room to get my computer.

“Tripp, I’m gonna go back to bed and work a little while. I’ll see you later.” I don’t acknowledge Raven before disappearing into Finn’s room, shutting the door forcefully.

Unfortunately, even the thundering in my ears and the blood storming through my system doesn’t drown out the hushed cries from the other room. I wish like hell my car was here, so I could bolt. A tinge of jealousy creeps up, knowing that if I wasn’t here, she would have still barged in at the crack of ass in the morning. What if Finn was in bed? Who shows up unannounced?

Family and friends, that’s who. Many times I’ve opened my door to Reese or Johnny arriving without notice.

“Ugh.” I’m trapped in here. Maybe if I take a shower she’ll be gone when I get out. I reach in my bag for some fresh clothes when there’s a knock at the door.

Shit, shit, shit. I freeze, knowing it’s Raven.

“Presley, please open the door. I owe you a huge apology, and I’m not going to leave here until I look you in the eye and say I’m sorry. I’ve been a monster to you, unreasonably. All the things I’ve said and done have been unwarranted, and you have every right to hate me.”

“That’s an understatement,” I mutter.

“It is an understatement.”

Are these doors made out of fucking paper? How the hell did she hear that?

I straighten my shoulders and take a few deep breaths, then walk to the door and open it with slightly shaky legs. No matter what happens, this woman means a lot to Finn and I owe it to him to hear her out.

“Can I come in?” she asks nervously.

“Why don’t I come out?” I pass her and go sit in one of the chairs in the living room. From the corner of my eye, I see Tripp still in the kitchen, finishing the dishes. He gives me a chin jerk in encouragement.

“Presley, I’d like to start over. There is absolutely no excuse for my behavior any of the times we’ve been around one another. I’ve misjudged you for no other reason than protection and jealousy.”

“I’ve heard,” I reply blandly. “To put it mildly, you’ve been a first class bitch with a vendetta since the first time you saw me. But what I don’t understand is why? What did I do to you?”

“Nothing at all. You won’t understand this because my actions prove differently, but this is tremendously unlike me. For the first time in my life, I’ve felt extremely off-kilter, and you were the easy one to lash out against. To me, you were an outsider, and once I heard bits and pieces of your background, I jumped to the conclusion you weren’t good enough for Finn.”

“Damn, way to punch me in the gut and magnify my own insecurities,” I mumble, feeling her words sting. I’ve always felt that I wasn’t good enough for Finn, but hearing it from one of his best friends cuts deep.

“That isn’t what I meant to do. In actuality, I know now he’s the fortunate one.” She looks down at her lap and starts to wring her hands. “I’ve been so awful. He loves you, and I’ve acted heinous.”

“Before you say anything else, I have to know, given your history with Finn, is it me personally or any woman who warms his bed making you jealous?”

She inhales sharply and looks at me with complete astonishment. Shame washes over her face. “I deserve that, but it’s not what you think. I’m not jealous in that way. I’m deeply and passionately in love with my husband. What I was jealous about is not being involved. I also haven’t been myself lately, which is a lame and petty excuse. I knew about you from all over—my parents, my brother and sister-in-law, my friends. I felt excluded, so I took it out on you in the most immature and callous way possible.

“We’ve all been close forever. But after the accident, Finn and I became extremely close. He was with me every step of the way with my relationship. I always thought I’d be there for him, too.”

Well, SHIT! Why the hell am I such a softie? This woman’s actions and words have caused me heartbreak, but it’s obvious she loves Finn in her own way. What’s not to love? He’s perfect.

Suddenly, I don’t see her as a threat for his affection. He’s told me where he stands and that he’s in love with me. I have a choice here: be the bigger person and try to move past her behavior or wallow in the past and risk Finn being torn.

Fuck! Sometimes it sucks being an adult!

I speak up before changing my mind. “Raven, you’ve been busy. And not that it’s any of your business, but Finn and I had to muddle through some muddy waters. I was reluctant to get into a relationship because of all my responsibilities and also because of a hang up I have with having a safety net. Finn’s history and his current job are anything but safe.”

“But you’re good now, right? I mean, you’ve obviously decided to give him a chance. He’s crazy about you,” she says sincerely with a hint of worry in her voice.

“He’s pretty persuasive. He knocked down my resistance quickly.”

Her lips twitch slightly, trying to fight a grin. “I’m glad.”

I repeat the words over in my head, and a giggle bubbles up from my throat. Before I know it, I’m doubled over, howling. Tears start streaming down my cheeks, and I fight to catch my breath. It’s useless. Pretty soon, I’m wheezing to get air as I continue to laugh uncontrollably. Tripp’s big hand covers my back, patting lightly as he tries to soothe me, which sends me into another fit of giggles.

“What the fuck is going on in here?” Finn’s voice booms through the room, and I raise my face in time to see him rushing over.

Tripp moves away, and Finn lifts me, cradling me in his lap like a child as he kisses along my temple.

“Why the hell is my girlfriend hysterical?” Anger radiates off Finn’s body, and I suck in a deep breath to try to calm down.

“I-I-I’m okay,” I spit out. “It’s not what it looks like.”

I lift up and see his face is stoic, watching me closely. Raven has gone pale, and Tripp looks terrified.

“I swear, nothing’s wrong. But for some reason, the irony of our relationship just hit me like a ton of bricks.”