“Sure, I love it,” I smiled at him.
“You’re a bad liar.”
“True, but I don’t really know what I like right now, so I might as well try beer,” I shrugged.
“Good point.”
We sat there shouting at each other, people watching and touching, mostly touching. It was like we couldn’t keep our hands to ourselves. His hands were always moving over me, from my lower back to my shoulder blades where he would rest for a minute and then soothe his way back down. Or his other hand that stayed planted on my thigh, gripping me tightly as if holding on to me, as if to make sure I wasn’t going anywhere. As soon as he sat down, he opened his knees so I could fit my legs between his again. And taking his cue, I let my hand rest on his kneecap. His skin was hot under my hand even through his jeans, and I loved the muscular hardness of his thigh.
When the waitress stopped by he ordered another round even though we weren’t even halfway done with our first drinks. When she walked away he explained that we had no idea when she would be around again so it was smart to be prepared.
Which turned out to be brilliant because by the time she finally returned with our order we were done with our first set and ready for more.
“So how come you didn’t have plans already for your birthday?” Fin asked at the end of our sEcond round of drinks.
“Britte’s not twenty-one yet and she’s really the only one I would want to celebrate with other than you.”Oh crap. I did not just say that. “I mean, since I have to spend it with you.”
Fin caught my slip and shook his head at me. “At least let me believe I was your first choice.”
“Always,” I said teasingly, but the truth was so loud in my head I still blushed.
“I was hoping we would get to play pool, but the lines are pretty long. Do you want to go somewhere else?”
“Sure,” I didn’t actually care where we went, but I was up for anything. I trusted Fin and I was having a really good time.
He threw down some money and we wound our way back outside. The night air was cold and refreshing after the hot, muggy bar and I lifted my head to the sky, drying the beads of sweat that had broke out across my forehead.
We walked down the street together, silent after so much shouting back and forth inside. Fin reached for my hand and I gladly gave it to him. He glanced over at me, and I glanced back just in time for him to look away. I smiled to myself, this was the dumb stuff I’d always rolled my eyes at, but now it felt right and perfect with Fin.
When he glanced over at me again I caught his eye this time and he held my gaze. With a move so smooth I wondered for a sEcond if it was practiced, he pulled me just inside an alley we were walking by. My back was against the cold brick of a building before I could comprehend what was happening and his lips were pressed against mine just as fast.
I lost myself in his long, drugging kiss. The pressure of his lips was addicting, the strokes of his tongue consuming. I slipped my arms around his neck, my fingers tangling in his hair and pushed myself against him. He groaned at the tight contact, his long arms wrapped around me possessively.
“Ellie,” he moaned as his kisses moved down the column of my throat. “This is what I want to do to you every time I see you.”
I closed my eyes against the rush of feeling at those words. And before I could even try to come up with a response his mouth was back on mine, demanding that I give him everything he was giving me.
Eventually his kisses slowed and he pulled away from me, resting his forehead against mine. “I get one date with you until I figure out all the other bullshit, until I figure out how to make you mine. I’m not wasting it by waiting till the end of the night.”
I nodded, breathless and panting. “Ok.”
“But I’m not going to disrespect you in an alley either,” he laughed. “Even though it’s all I can think of right now.”
I nodded, afraid of what I would say if I tried to talk. The only thoughts that were making any sense sounded like: go ahead, or yes please.
“Ready to try somewhere else?” He pulled away from me, taking in my face with his dark eyes.
“Sure,” I whispered, still not able to form much of a coherent thought. I closed my eyes, working hard to get my bearings.
“Damn, I love the way you look after I kiss you,” he rumbled. “If I had my way you would look like this all the time.” My eyes popped open to meet his in a penetrating stare. “You’re beautiful all the time and you know that. But I need you to look like mine, like I’ve branded you. And the way your lips are swollen right now….” he rubbed his thumb over my lower lip, leaving me wanting with more desire than I knew what to do with. “Ellie, those lips are mine.”
My heart slammed against my chest and I felt myself nod in agreement. I would think about the consequences of that later. Right now everything he said felt right, I easily felt branded by him, marked by his touch and I was more than willing to give him ownership of whatever part of me he wanted because it already felt like owned my heart…. my soul.
His expression turned to one of pure, masculine dominance, like he was the first man ever to create fire. I imagined his chest puffing out and him shouting, “Look at what I have created!” in a deep, movie-phone voice. He was perfection and testosterone and everything I could ever want in a man. And then I lost any battle I had left in me when he bent down and kissed me as sweetly as possible on the lips just once.
“There will be more of that, I promise.” And then he took my hand and led me to another bar.
This one had a bouncer and I actually got to flash my brand new ID this time, which was very exciting for me, but Fin just rolled his eyes playfully.
