Sighing heavily, she pressed into him as he moved his lips across hers, kissing her softly even as he seized her by the hips and shoved her into a position more tohis liking. Ever so gently, he parted her lips with his tongue, kissing her again and again…
Fire burned in every place he touched—positively raging inside, and she had absolutely no idea what to do. Her arms froze straight from elbow to fingertip even as the rest of her melted into his kisses. Very tentatively, she reached a trembling hand under his shirt, which must’ve been wrong, because when she brushed his skin, he shuddered, exhaled deeply, and shoved her away. Then he doubled over and pointed emphatically at the door.
“Go and put some clothes on,” he ordered in a rough voice.
Hailey stared at him in alarm. “Did I do something wrong?” she breathed, looking from Fin to her hands and back to Fin again.
“No—” he stopped and swallowed hard, panting. “You didn’t. Look, I’ll…I’ll take you to dinner, and we can—we can talk.” His voice was strained, and he was still breathing heavy. “I’ll explain everything,” he said, patting the air with his hand.
Hailey backed away slowly, dropping her head. He was clearly turned off by her, and she flinched at the sting of rejection.
“Stop!” he shouted, sounding disgusted and thoroughly displeased. “Hailey, tell me what you’re thinking. Right now,” he demanded, pointing his finger at the floor.
“No…nothing…I just…” Hailey took another step back, but bumped the wall. “I just wish you wanted me,” she said in a small voice, unable to look up at him and trying not to sound like the pathetic little girl that she was. “I just…” she shook her head and pulled her elbows in.
Fin closed his eyes and breathed twice. Then he squared up with her as if he wanted to take a swing at her, set his jaw, and charged. Like an animal, he grabbed her head with both hands and plowed his tongue through her lips, nudging her legs apart with his knee as he pressed and squeezed her against the wall.
When he spoke again, his voice came more like a growl. “Hailey, if you don’t leave this room in five seconds, I’m gonna rip your Goddamn robe off.”
“Okay,” she breathed, and he kissed her again, savagely, his hands sliding roughly down her sides and grasping her hips.
“Dammit, Hailey,” he said, breathing heavy, still holding her to the wall. He spoke into the crook of her neck. “I always want you. But I want you the right way.” He kissed her softly, loosening his hold. “And I am trying to be a better man.”
“Okay,” Hailey breathed again.
“I don’t want to screw this up,” he told her, taking her hands and backing away. Leading her to the door, he said, “You’re the only one I ever want.” Very tenderly, he kissed her knuckles and opened his door. “Go get dressed. I’ll come get you in ten minutes.”
Still on fire, Hailey turned to leave but turned again as soon as she crossed the threshold. “Is this a date?” she asked eagerly.
“No!” he shouted, and he slammed the door in her face.
True to his word, Fin showed up at Hailey’s door exactly ten minutes after he’d slammed his in her face.
He escorted her to the Bruised Moose, where he led her to a booth in the back corner.
“You have to stop showing up naked at my door,” he began. Then he leaned back and shook his head. “I can’t believe I just said that.”
“You have to stop leaving me,” she countered. “Promise you will never let me wonder like that again—I thought you were dead!”
“Cross my heart,” he said. “And hope to die,” he added gravely.
“What happened to you?”
“Your boyfriend’s an asshole—that’s what happened.”
Hailey stifled a laugh.
“What?”
“Giselle says the same thing about you.”
“Giselle calls me your boyfriend?” He seemed very interested in that.
“No—she—never mind,” she shook her head and licked her lips. “So, you think Asher sent those Yetis after us?” It actually sounded plausible, especially considering the Envoy wanted her dead. Plus he was insanely jealous of Fin.
Fin sighed. “Honestly, I don’t know, but he was there, and he did eventually…” Fin rolled his eyes, “…rescue my legs.”
“That makes him an asshole?”
