“Oh my God, Joel, look how adorable they are.”
Waverly’s blush deepened right before she belted out a laugh. The sound shot straight to my cock, making me wince as I adjusted myself discreetly under the table while turning back to face the two people I’d forgotten were here.
“Thank you, Noreen. I lost my head there for a moment.”
“It’s easy to do when you’re surrounded by beauty.”
“That it is, Joel. That it is.”
Thankfully, Noreen redirected the conversation to something more appropriate, asking Waverly why she chose to be an FBI agent.
“My father,” she started.
“Oh, is he in the same line of work?” Noreen asked.
“No. He’s a Senator.” The only time she’d mentioned her father was to say he was a dick. There was a story there and I figured she’d eventually fill me in on the gory details. It was a relief to know she felt comfortable enough to share. “We haven’t been close since before my mother passed away.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss, sweet girl.”
“Thank you. It was a really long time ago.” After a fewbeats, she continued, “His entire family dabbles in politics, yet he was the only one who could command a room with his mere presence. It was awe-inspiring. No matter what though, we were his everything. That all changed when Mom was diagnosed with cancer. Something broke inside of him; something fundamental. He’d leave before the sun was up in the morning and stay at his office until late in the night; anything to avoid what was happening in his own home.”
“Grief affects each of us differently,” Noreen offered.
“I’m sure grief played a part in his actions, but greed had the starring role. It wasn’t like we didn’t have money, but suddenly we didn’t have enough. Instead of trying to create a better world for his constituents, he filled his pockets with their hard-earned money. I watched as scandal after scandal rocked the news, only to be covered up by his high-priced attorney. He didn’t fear the consequences of his actions because there weren’t any. The scales of justice would always tip in his favor; I knew it with every fiber of my being. There was nothing I could do about him, but there were so many other wrongs in the world I could right. Sticking it to him by joining the FBI was the cherry on top.”
“You amaze me, baby.” The endearment slipped from my mouth.
“Your mother would be proud of you,” Noreen added.
“Enough with the heavy,” Joel mused. “What’s everyone having for dessert?”
6HEAVEN AND TIRAMISU
Waverly
The moon was out in full force by the time we pulled up outside my cottage. There was no need to pick up my car since Shayne––the damn sneak––offered to drive me to work that morning. She never did anything unintentionally, which meant her plan all along had been for Finn to bring me home after dinner. I wouldn’t admit it, but for once, I was grateful for her interfering self.
The sexual tension between us was always raging, but tonight, it hit an all-time high. When he’d stepped into my office earlier, looking like a god among men in his all-black designer suit, I nearly came on the spot. The result was having to sit through dinner with damp panties. It was extremely uncomfortable, and not something I’d recommend. More than once, I considered excusing myself to the bathroom to give myself a little release.
Who the hell was this wanton woman? Certainly not me. I had complete control of myself.
Maybe…
…Probably
Shit. Who was I trying to fool? Since the moment I laid eyes on Finn, I’d bypassed undone, sliding straight into unhinged territory. I could blame my overactive libido on the fact I hadn’t had sex in two years, though that would be a lie. It was all him.
“Do you want to come in?”
Smooth, Waverly. Real smooth.
“Yes.” He crowded me from behind, laying his hand on top of mine as I put the key in the lock. “Same rules apply as the ones in Curaçao. We don’t do anything you’re not ready for.”
“What if I said fuck the rules?” I swallowed around the lump in my throat.
“Be sure, beautiful.” He licked a trail from my collarbone up to my ear; a groan of desperation leaving my mouth. “Once we go there, there’s no turning back. You’ll be mine.”
“Then you’ll be mine too.”
