“I am?”
“Your face is red.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why? You’re turned on by this?”
Am I? It’s not the worst feeling to be wanted by men, even if they might be creeps. I’m not used to that kind of attention, at least not more than the average girl gets. “I guess I kind of am.”
“Hmm.” He runs a finger along my slit but doesn’t enter me. “Do you want to respond?”
I bite my bottom lip. “Can I?”
He hesitates. “What makes you think I’d let you? You know I’m not keen on sharing.”
“It isn’t really sharing,” I point out. “You’re here. You’re in charge. He’s not.”
He inhales sharply in my ear, teasing my entrance with his finger. “I like the sound of that. Go ahead, if you’re comfortable with it.”
I swallow. I don’t know what to say to Jack’s question. Finn pulls the blanket from my shoulders so my hands are free. I lean toward the computer and re-read his message.
Jack: If I promise not to ruin them, will you leave them on?
Me: No. They were expensive. You might tear them.
I hit send a get a rush of adrenaline. I never tell Finn no. I don’t want to. But Jack isn’t Finn. Jack has zero power over me.
Jack: Then I’ll take them off. Slowly.
Jack: I’ll start with your right leg, peel them from thigh to ankle. What color are your toenails?
Finn pulls out the leather desk chair and sits down. Just as I think he’s about to shut this down, he pats the seat. “Come.”
I sit between his legs. With his hands resting on my thighs, he sticks his chin on my shoulder. “Tell him.”
Me: Red.
Jack: You’re my dream girl.
Jack: Sorry if that’s too romantic. I’m a writer too. Like you.
The air around us gets tense. His comment is personal, as if he knows me. I guess, in a way, he does. He’s read my innermost thoughts without ever having met me . . . just like Finn did. The clock in the top corner of the computer changes to 12:08 A.M.
“What should I say?” I ask.
Finn rubs my leg. “Tell him he can’t have you.”
Me: I have a boyfriend.
Jack: Of course you do. I won’t try to romance you, then.
A nugget of disappointment forms in my stomach. I wanted to see where this would go. I never did things like this in my past life. It’s exciting, dangerous, but since Finn is here, it’s also safe. To my relief, the computer dings again.
Jack: Let’s not stop at the stockings. I want to see all of you. Take off your dress.
I wait for Finn to stop me. I don’t want him too, but I don’t want to make him mad.
“It’s off,” Finn whispers in my ear, making me shiver.
