FINN
I’ve spent the last two days anticipating this moment, and the shocked look on Josslyn’s face when she opens the door of her parents’ house and finds me standing on the other side is worth it. I don’t text women, and this one has left me on read for two fucking days. Not only that, but she straight up didn’t answer the question when I asked her in person. I should take the hint. She left the bar with that fuck-face Tiago and walked to the park with him the following morning.
It’s more than just a hint, really, but something inside me doesn’t want to accept it. Maybe it’s because I’ve always gotten my way. Maybe it’s that I haven’t had her, not fully. Regardless of the reason, thinking about her with someone else twists me up inside, and I don’t like it. It further proves that I need to fuck her and move on. As she steps outside and shuts the door behind her, I take a second to take her in fully.Fuck.How is she even real? I’ve never had a type, but if I did, Josslyn would be it. She’s wearing a dress with flowers on it that manages to make her look both sexy as fuck and innocent. It’s very short, leaving her toned, tan legs on display. It’s obvious she didn’t know I was coming over, and thethought of her prancing around like this in front of whatever guys are here makes me feel a certain type of way. Especially Tiago.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Finneas?”
My brows shoot up. She’s the only woman who has ever called me by my full name.Twicenow. The first time she was mid-orgasm—which was the hottest thing I’ve ever witnessed—but hearing it in this raspy voice is just as much of a turn-on. Her lips are glossy, and the thought of how they’d feel around my dick … She snaps her fingers in front of my face and I blink, trying to remember what the fuck conversation we’re having. Surely it wasn’t about me choking her with my cock. She huffs, grabs my arm, and pulls me to the side of the house until we’re in front of the three-car garage.
She narrows her eyes. “Why are you here?”
“I was invited.” I lift the bottle of wine in my hand.
“No, you weren’t.”
“How else would I know this address?”
“Please.” She scoffs. “You’re a Barlow.”
“So? I don’t use my last name for gain.”
“Yeah, okay.” She laughs, a real one, and I’m mesmerized until she adds, “You need to leave.”
“No.”
“What do you mean no?”
I quirk an eyebrow. “What happened to the cordial Josslyn from the other day?”
She flashes me a smile. “I can be cordial. I just don’t want you anywhere near my family.”
I stare at her. She crosses her arms and stares back. I don’t regret sending her the footage, and I don’t regret telling her I want her help on this. But a small, miniscule part of me regrets being aggressive about it. It’s the same small, minuscule part of me that wanted to revolt when I saw her smiling up at that Tiago fuck-face.Who she’s most likely fucking.My molars grind as I push that thought aside.
“I’m not here to cause trouble.” I lift the bottle of wine. “Sincerely.”
“Sincerely.” She snorts out a laugh. “Who even says that?”
My eyes trail down from the bit of cleavage the dress shows to the white sandals she’s wearing. She has pink polish that matches the flowers on the dress. My eyes remain glued to the hem of her dress on her upper thighs. I don’t know where she gets her clothes, but I want to find out and crash their fucking website.
“This dress is obscene,” I say, more to myself, though I’m sure she hears me.
“Finneas,” she snaps.
My eyes fly back to hers, and I take a step forward, pressing her back against the garage door. I place the hand holding the bottle against it and use the other to tip her chin. She inhales sharply but doesn’t try to move away. I like that about her. She’s strong-willed and unbreakable, but she bends tomywill. Maybe it’s stupid of me, but somehow I can’t imagine her being this way with anyone else. Her eyes widen when I lean down until our noses are touching. I’m sure she thinks I’m going to kiss her, which I haven’t. I’m not sure why, or if I will before I’m done with her, since I’d rather do other things with her mouth. I won’t do it now because I won’t be able to stop once we start.
“From the moment you opened the door, I’ve been wondering what you’re wearing underneath that dress.” I push up against her, so she feels how hard I am. “I don’t give a fuck if you’re hooking up with that basketball player. If you keep saying my name like that, I’m going to slide my hand underneath your dress and find out.”
She seems to stop breathing for a moment, and that gives me a sense of satisfaction. Finally, she tips her chin up a little higher, a mix of defiance and lust swimming in her beautiful brown eyes.
“It’s a romper, not a dress,” she says shakily as she pushes me away.
I stare at her for a moment, replaying that comment over before I start laughing. My amusement caught in my throat when she brings her hand up to my face. The feel of her fingertips againstmy jaw makes me want to simultaneously lean in closer and pull away, but the softness in her expression holds me captive. Josslyn, with her smiles and laughter and fiery attitude, is dangerous for me to be around. I’ve known that from the start, yet I can’t seem to get enough. Even under the circumstances, she makes my chest feel lighter.
Still unable to look away from her, I lower her hand. Brows slightly furrowed, she pulls away and crosses her arms as she tears her gaze from mine. I instantly regret the loss of her attention, but I ignore it and remind myself that this is how she makes everyone feel. Millions of people follow her just to feel like they have her attention, even if it’s from the other side of a screen. It’s what drove my sister, who wasn’t friends with many women, to befriend her. It’s why the fucking idiot Tate will keep trying to get her back. It’s whyIcan’t stay away.
“Are you going to answer my question about the other night?” I ask, unable to help myself.
Her eyes flash to mine again. “Only if you tell me why you care.”
