“I told you to donate the money to the cause.” His eyes widen when he sees the figure. “Four thousand, nine-hundred and ninety-nine dollars?”
My smile fades. “Is it not enough? I’m sorry, I thought that was a good price. I tried to keep it under five, like it sounds better at four nine nine nine.”
Finn takes my face in his palms and presses his lips to mine. When he pulls back, he says, “It’s more than I ever imagined I could sell it for.”
My chest is about ready to burst wide open. “Really?”
Delia claps. “Finnegan, this is wonderful.”
His dad leans over and picks up the receipt, almost in disbelief. “You sold a painting for five thousand dollars?”
I nod. “If it was framed, the customer would’ve paid more. I’m thinking you could do limited edition prints as well. So you can cater for every budget. Postcards would also be good and greetings cards.”
His father stares at the receipt but doesn’t look impressed. My heart aches for Finn, but when I look up athim, he’s smiling at me in awe. As if he’s staring at the eighth wonder of the world.
I hate that is father won’t show any praise when my parents would gush over my stick figures that I used to draw in the sand. “Isn’t it amazing that Finn can sell his art?”
His dad hands the receipt back. “It makes the hobby worthwhile, I guess.”
“It’s more than a hobby. Have you seen his work?” I scrunch the napkin on my lap in frustration.
Finn leans close and whispers in my ear, “Meet me near the restroom.” Then he stands. “Excuse me.” He leaves the table still smiling, as if he hasn’t even heard his father dismiss his art.
I wanted so much to give Alex the benefit of the doubt, but Finn was right. I see now why he’s never pursued his dream. “Would you excuse me? I just need to use the restroom.”
I spin around with anticipation bubbling in my belly as I search for the restroom. I step through a door into a small foyer. My arm’s yanked backwards.
Finn’s hot breath on my neck. “Shh. It’s only me.”
“What’s going on?” I scan the small space, wondering where the exit is, as if we’re gonna make a run for it and ditch his father and this fancy dinner. I’m game if he is. “Why did you want me to meet you here?”
“Because I needed to do things I can’t do in front of my father.” His rough hands cup my face and he tilts my head as he claims my mouth. He’s all tongue, licking and sucking, teeth nipping at my lips.
With my back against the wall, he presses his chest against me.
Between kisses, he says, “Nobody has ever stood up for me like that, turtle girl.” Large hands fondle my breasts ontheir journey south. They reach my ass and he squeezes, grinding his pelvis into me. “Nobody has ever believed in me, the way you have.”
I’m panting against his mouth. He’s ruined another pair of my panties with one kiss. If he were to dip his finger down there, he’d find me soaked. “Finn. We need to stop this. I can’t go back to the dinner table with your family like this.”
“Like what?” He says against my skin, his fingers rubbing between my thighs over my dress. “Tell me how wet you are,” he whispers against my neck while he pushes deeper between my thighs.
My cheeks burn, conscious that anyone could walk into the small space at any minute. “I need to change my panties. That’s how wet I am. I can’t go back out there like this.”
“You think I can go back out there like this?” He grinds into me again.
A shadow appears through the frosted glass door.
“Finn, someone’s coming.”
“I’ll be coming in a minute. Take my cock out.”
I squirm against the wall with a giggle. “Seriously, someone’s coming.”
Chapter Sixteen
FINN
The door behind me swings open, and I step back.
