“It’s not something many people know. Titus was able to keep the sordid details out of the press and leave everything so vague.”
He walks over to me now, gripping the armrests on either side of me, and leans in to kiss my forehead. It’s a small gesture, a sweet one, and it makes my eyes sting with tears. I bring a hand up and dab the edges to keep them in. When I lower my hand again, Finn wraps both arms around me as best he can, and holds my face against his chest. I wrap my arms around him and take a deep inhale, relishing the way he smells. It’s manly, fresh, and comforting. The latter so unlike what I thought he was.
But maybe that was my mistake. It’s not like he’s a loner. He has a friend group that he cares for. And though I’m sure he’s not hugging Will or Lucas likethis, he might be showing Ella this type of care. The thought makes my blood simmer. It’s a ridiculous reaction, considering most of the people Ella dates are women, but it makes me realize how much I want this from him. How much I wanteverythingfrom him. I squeeze my eyes shut in hopes of getting rid of that thought. I have him for now. I need to settle for that.
“Titus is a good man,” I say against his chest.
His entire body stills, his arms a little tighter around me. I slide my hands from his muscular back to his sides, pushing him away a little—just enough to look up and see his face. He must think I want space, because he drops his arms, and I’m ashamed to say I instantly miss them.
“Look, I’m not going to read into whatever it is we’re doing.” I search his eyes, which are now hard and intense and completely unreadable. “I’m not going to ask why you’re here or if this means something to you.” I pause again, feeling like my next statement will either make or break whatever is happening tonight. “But I need you to not blackmail me anymore.”
“I didn’t blackmail you.”
I shoot him a look. “You threatened to show those videos to my mother if I didn’t help you.”
“That was a mistake,” he says. “Believe it or not, I’ve been trying really hard to not be an asshole around you.”
I laugh. “You can’t be serious.”
“To you. I’ve been trying to not be an asshole toyou,” he clarifies, and my heart starts racing again.
“Why?” I whisper.
“I don’t know.”
I stare at him for another moment, before tearing my eyes from his and looking at the picture frames behind him that my dad’s been immortalized in. My dad, who I could speak to anything about, and would probably love Finn Barlow, even if only for his protectiveness of me. I bite my lip and swallow to hold it together. This conversation isn’t what he came here for. He’s here to hook up with me and leave. I take a deep, settling breath and look at him again with that in mind. My gaze drops to his lips, and I stop thinking. I hop off the stool, get on the balls of my feet, and kiss him.
He groans against my mouth, arms instantly wrapping around me again, lowering them to my ass and picking me up. I wrap my legs around his waist, thankful for the slits of my dress, and sink my fingers in his hair as we deepen the kiss. I pull away and blink the hazy lust out of my eyes.
“My room’s to the left,” I say, and then my lips are back on his.
He sets me down when we get to the bedroom. I’d left one lamp on, which doesn’t fully light the space, but it’s enough. Finn looks around quickly, then brings his eyes to mine. My pulse quickens when I feel how hard he is as I reach between us and grab him.
“Fuck.” He bites his lower lip and lets out a sound somewhere between a groan and a growl as he throws his head back slightly.
I take my hand off him and start undressing him as he kisses me and unzips my dress, letting it pool at my feet. He pulls back, looking like every single fantasy I’ve ever had of him—his jacket on the floor, shirt halfway unbuttoned, and hair mussed from my fingers running through it.
“You’re so fucking hot,” I say.
His lips curl into a seductive smile as he reaches behind me and deftly undoes my bra. His hooded eyes rake over me, stopping at my black thong for a moment before they meet mine again. Heshakes his head but doesn’t say anything as he takes my breasts in his hands, squeezing and licking one of my nipples while teasing the other.
I breathe shakily. “Finn.”
He groans, teases the other, then kisses my sternum, and continues—down, down—tugging my underwear with him when he reaches it. His large hands grab my ass as he buries his face between my legs and licks, causing a shiver to run through me. I set my hands on his hair and tug until he glances up.
“I want you naked,” I whisper.
His gaze darkens as he stands up slowly. I sit at the edge of the bed, and he keeps his eyes on mine as he continues undressing. I lower my gaze to drink in every inch of skin he exposes. It’s not our first time doing this, but sometimes it feels like it. It feels special. He yanks his shirt off and tosses it to the side, pulls his pants and socks off, and then he’s left in black boxer briefs. His desire for me is unmistakable, as is his size. I bite my lip at the thought of having him inside me. Unable to help myself, I reach out and hook a finger on the waistband. His abs flex and his cock twitches.
“Did you get these at Neiman?” I ask, smiling up at him.
His returning smile is sinful. He pulls my hand away from his waistband and tugs it so I’m standing, then takes a step back until I’m far enough that when he drops my hand, he can walk around me. The slow way in which he does it makes me feel more exposed than I’ve ever felt. Somehow, when he’s finally in front of me, his eyes burning hotter than I’ve ever seen them, I find my voice.
“Do I pass inspection?” I ask breathily.
He drags his gaze up and down my body once more. “With flying colors.”
His response makes my heart skip. He moves forward again until my knees hit the bed, which forces me onto my back. When he presses his fists on either side of me and lowers to hover over me, I think I stop breathing. He kisses my cheek and continues to press hot kisses down my body again until I’m writhing with need.
