Finley looks up at me, brow wrinkled in confusion. “My guest?”
“Um, yeah.” I stare at my feet, shuffling in place. “I heard you… just now.”
A flush creeps across her cheeks. “Justnow or…?”
“Fifteen minutes ago.”
“Oh.” She sighs as her gaze darts away from me. “I thought you were at the arena this morning.”
I shrug. “Didn’t feel well. Told them I’d come in this afternoon.”
“Right.” She clears her throat. “Sorry. I’ll be quieter next time.”
Next time?Is she fucking kidding me? I’d sleep on a bed of needles to avoid listening to her have sex with someone who isn’t me.
“So are they”—my gaze flicks to the ceiling—”going to want breakfast?”
“No,theydon’t eat food.” She arches an eyebrow, like she’s letting me in on a secret I should find amusing. But I don’t understand her hint, unless…
“Wait—are you telling me vampires are real? Because I’ve always thought—”
“Oh my God, no,” Finley shouts through laughter. She wipes away the tears gathering in her eyes. “Zach, I’m trying to tell you there’s no one else here. Only myvibrator. I’d never bring another guy here.”
“Oh” is my brilliant response.
She drums her fingers on the granite. “Best investment I ever made.”
“I could tell.” I wince, realizing I should’ve kept that to myself.
“I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable.”
“I wasn’t… I’m not…” I scramble to respond.
At least not for the reason she thinks. I’ll never be able to forget the sound of Finley’s moans. I worry my mind will drift there at inopportune moments, when Idefinitelyshouldn’t think of her coming undone on the other side of the wall. I wish this conversation would end because it’s physically affecting me.
Finley scrutinizes me, nose wrinkled, unsure what to make of my answer. “You’re not?”
“Nope,” I say, popping the P. “It’s good it wasn’t my concussion or—”
“You thought hearing a moaning woman could be a symptom of your concussion?” Finley’s lips quirk into a smile. “Now that would be a medical marvel. Imagine telling that symptom to your doctor.”
I’d prefer it over my original fear of Finley hooking up with someone else. But I keep it to myself. She evaded the conversation about my feelings for her before, so there’s no point revisiting it and getting hurt all over again.
“We need a sign,” Finley says. “You know, in case either of us needs alone time.”
My eyes shoot to the ceiling, a long, deep breath escaping my lips to float above my head. I’m going to make an ass of myself in front of the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.
“Like a secret knock,” she adds.
“You don’t need to be quiet on my account.”
Finley leans her elbows on the counter, her face falling into her open palms. “No?”
“It’s your house.” I shrug helplessly, unsure how to dig myself out of this hole. She’s smiling at me like she’s amused, so I do the only thing I can—pivot both literally and conversationally. “You good with eggs and hash browns?”
“Mm-hmm.” She hums her agreement as I turn back to the stovetop and prepare her breakfast plate.
FINLEY
