CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The musky sweet smell I’ve come to recognize as Finn catches my attention and I nuzzle my head deeper into my pillow to get a better sniff. A hand runs along my exposed hip and pulls me closer so we’re draped around one another.
“Finn?” I came home alone last night, but I’d recognize his smell anywhere.
“Who else would be in your bed this early in the morning?” He turns me to my back and looms overhead, his piercing green eyes searching for an answer. “Or ever?"
Still groggy I push his head away with a hand and try to roll over to get back to my original position. I’m not even going to ask how he ended up in my apartment or what time he came over last night. Finn stops my movement and rolls me back again.
“No time, sleepy head. Things to do today and all that.”
“How are you so peppy this morning? When did you get here?” I give up on my attempt to roll over but pull the covers higher to save some of the heat all this back and forth has let out.
“We fixed the server cooling problems around two and I came straight here. I hope you don’t mind I spent the night.” Finn snakes an arm under my head. It disturbs my comfy position, but I like sharing his body heat so I don’t make a fuss. “I was going to wake you up, but you looked so peaceful sleeping there with your mouth hanging open.”
“I do not drool.” I so drool, but no way in hell will I admit it.
“I didn’t say you drooled, Aspen. Now snoring…” Finn trails off and laughs then rolls me until we're facing each other. His head tilts downward. From this angle his eyes look tired, and it’s a stark contrast to the playful banter from moments earlier. Palms against my back he drags one down my spine stopping when he reaches the top of my butt. The heat from his hand sends a riot of sensations through my skin trailing his movements.
“Aspen, about last night.” Well that’s never a good way to start a conversation. My blood instantly turns cold.
I bury my head into his naked shoulder. I’m not sure this is any kind of conversation I’m ready to have. Last night was so screwed up I can’t imagine which reason Finn thinks he needs to apologize for. His asshole boss, leaving me before the night was over, his ex-girlfriend being there? And I haven’t even told him how she verbally assaulted me in the bathroom.
I haven’t responded to Finn and he hasn’t continued the conversation. I move my head and see he’s still in the same position as before. His eyes are heavy, their normally vibrate green color is muted.
“Finn?”
His answering sigh carries more emotion than a Shakespearian monologue. “Aspen. I need to apologize for last night. And there is more I need to tell you.”
My stomach drops. Oh God. The horror of my initial reaction must be written all over my face because Finn is quick to reassure me. “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t kill a kitten or anything. I’m so sorry I had to leave you early. I was a pretty shitty date.” The words are a tidal wave as they rush out of him and flow over me.
“It’s okay, Finn. I understand. You were not a horrible date.” I try to cuddle in closer to him again, but Finn’s free hand pulls my shoulder back.
“Also, Britney being there…”
His short pause gives me time to cut him off. “I do not want to hear another word about Britney. She’s crazy.”
Don’t get me wrong, I want to sit around and Britney bash with Finn, plus I have to tell him what she did in the bathroom, but this is a topic that has to be addressed with girlfriends first. It doesn’t matter who the girl is, a best friend will complain about Mother Theresa with you if it’s what you need. And today, it’s what I need. After my friends have reassured me she’s a basic gutter slut, then I can approach the topic with Finn.
An incisive beeping fills the room as an alarm from one of our phones kicks on, snatching the moment from us.
“What alarm is that?” I ask.
Finn reaches behind him and his lips tighten as he checks the time. “Don’t worry.” He’s trying to play it cool, which means it can’t be good, but I don’t want to leave the bed so I won’t freak out until I'm sure. “It was my 8:30 alarm, but you still have time.”
“8:30!” I screech and rush to get off the bed. My soft duvet catches around my legs as I twist to free myself. “Still have time? I have to meet the girls at nine and I need to shower and get a taxi.”
I’m halfway to my bathroom with clothes in hand when I look back and see Finn hasn’t moved. In fact he’s rolled over and worked his way under the covers. "What are you doing?”
“Watching you run around like an adorable crazy person.” The words aren’t fully out before he’s laughing. “Go. Shower. I’ll call you a cab. Then I have to meet Trey at Cosmo’s. Will you call me when you’re done with girl day so we can meet up?”
“Absolutely.” I use an extra sixty seconds to race back to the bed and give Finn a closed mouth kiss. Morning breath and all, but if he won’t be here once I'm out of the shower I’m not going to miss my opportunity.
My foot slips into the rich, brown, leather thigh-high boot and I hurry to zip it up as my phone goes off again in the other room. Finn’s note said my taxi would be here at 9:10 and I’ve already texted Amanda and Marissa that I was going to be a little late. There is no reason for them to be texting me every ten seconds as they have been for the last twenty minutes.
