It’s not fear.
It’s desire.
The emotion courses through me like a magnetic field. I picture it like sound waves, my mind awash with scenarios that could play out right now.
“Mmm, so if I were to touch you right now, I’d find you wet,” Finn says, it’s not a question, because Finn doesn’t need to ask permission. If he did touch me, I wouldn’t deny him. My body would never say no because I am attracted to him. And he knows it.
“And if I were to press a kiss to your neck right now, your pulse would react in kind,” Jarred remarks, and my gaze flicks to his. In those silver eyes, I find an electric storm so dangerous, it threatens to annihilate me right where I stand.
“Like I said, I wouldn’t tell anybody,” I repeat as I keep my eyes on Finn.
Finn doesn’t release me. His hold only tightens. It’s a warning. One that I won’t ignore, and one that I’ll never dismiss. “Pack a bag,” he says then before his hand finally releases my neck. “We’re going away in a few days.”
“Going away?”
“Yes, I have some business to deal with and you’re coming with me and Jarred.” He turns on his heel and leaves me with Jarred. I glance at the man beside me, taking him in. He’s beautiful. Like one of those princes in a Disney movie. Only, he has ink running over his skin, which makes him appear dangerous, like a rebel. And I can’t help but smile.
“I know I’m right,” he tells me as his mouth quirks. “I know you enjoyed the show.”
I want to deny it, but I don’t. “I didn’t think there was anything wrong with me exploring the grounds of my new home,” I inform him before crossing my arms in front of my chest. “In the future, I’ll stay away from the shed.”
“I didn’t say that, Princess.” This time, he’s the one who has my pulse racing when he leans in to whisper in my ear, “Next time, you should join us. Have you ever had two men worship your body?” His question is hot on my neck. The breath he releases has goosebumps dotting across my skin. A shiver wracks through me, filled with need and lust.
I don’t tell him I’ve only been with one boy. When I turned eighteen, I allowed myself to fall into the trap of believing a guy actually liked me. But all he wanted was to tell everyone he slept with me. He wanted fame and recognition, which I gave to him on a silver platter. When we broke up, I knew I’d made a mistake.
“I think you should leave,” I tell Jarred, “I need to pack.”
He chuckles before he pulls away from me and moves to the door that leads to the bathroom. Once I’m alone, I can breathe again, but even as I inhale deeply, the scent of both men lingers in my bedroom. I’m not sure where we’re going, but maybe getting out of the Thorne manor will change things. It will put both Finn and me on equal ground, so he doesn’t have the home advantage.
Now that I know the truth about Finn and Jarred, perhaps I can finally find a way into his life where he doesn’t hate me. I don’t want to become a lonely wife where my husband doesn’t love me. And I refuse to be a stranger to happiness.
I may have grown up listening to the bullies who tried to break me, but I’m stronger, and if I have both Finn and Jarred to stand beside me, perhaps I can find myself again. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the girl who lost her way. The one I hide deep down inside where nobody can find her, not even me.
In a few weeks’ time, I’ll be married, and I’ll take on the Thorne name. I may not be their blood, but I can show them I’m loyal. I’ll keep Finn’s secret, but I still believe that he should be honest with those closest to him. He may not think they’d accept it, but people can surprise you when you least expect it. And I doubt the family has never noticed the magnetism between Jarred and Finn. I saw it the moment I met them.
I move to the closet, and I grab one of my now empty suitcases. I’m not sure how long we’ll be away, but I make sure to pack for at least a week. Once I’ve zipped up my luggage, I pull it into the room and leave it at the door. The silence of the bedroom hangs heavily as I change into my sleep shorts and a tank top.
My mind is still replaying the scene I stumbled upon in the shed. The beauty of two handsome men finding pleasure causes my nipples to harden against the soft material covering my breasts. I want to watch them again. The thought comes quickly, stunning me before I pull open the bathroom door. I find Finn standing at the basin, his gray sweatpants hang low on his hips as he glances at me in the large mirror.
He’s brushing his teeth, which seems like such a normal, mundane act, but his back muscles are like a piece of art as they tense and release with every movement. He finishes up before turning to me.
“Feeling better after some alone time?” he taunts with a mischievous smirk. I’ve come to realize that Finn hides behind his snarky comments. He doesn’t let people in, just like I never allow anyone close enough to find my heartache.
“I’ve packed some clothes for our trip,” I answer, but it’s not what he wanted to hear. I grab my toothbrush and the minty toothpaste. Finn watches my every move. I’ve never had someone in my personal space before. Living at home, I had my own bathroom, where I could hide if I needed to. Now, I’m watched as if I were an animal in a cage.
I brush my teeth under the vigilant stare of Finn Thorne. Once I’ve dried my mouth, I grab my night cream and moisturize. “Are you just going to stand there and watch me?” I quip, looking at Finn’s reflection.
The corner of his mouth quirks into a playful grin. “Was there something else you’d like me to do, princess?” His hand grips the waistband of his sweatpants, but he doesn’t push them down or tug on them. His thumb hooks into the elastic and remains against the smooth, tanned skin.
I shake my head. “No, there isn’t,” I tell him firmly, but even though my words say one thing, my mind and body respond with something completely different.
“You know,” Finn starts, “I thought you were this perfectly prim and proper princess.” He takes a step closer, gripping my chin with his free hand, tipping my head back so I’m looking into those dark chocolate eyes. “But I think there’s more under those layers of perfection.”
He thinks I’m perfect.
At least, that’s what it sounds like.
“And what do you think it is?” I whisper, my voice croaking out my query.
Finn’s tongue darts out and licks along his lower lip. Then, slowly, he bares his teeth and trails his pink tongue over those pearly whites. It’s almost as if he’s about to devour me whole, and as the heat of his naked skin warms me, I find myself leaning in closer.
He dips his head to mine. The scent of his cologne—spicy and woodsy—envelops me in its darkness. I willingly go toward his shadows. “You’re just as hungry to break free from the chains that have confined you for so long,” Finn whispers along my lips.
A breath of shock leaves my lungs and whooshes out. The corner smile that curls his perfectly-shaped lips makes me shiver. And then, before he actually kisses me, he steps back and turns to leave. Before he shuts his bedroom door, he stops on the threshold of the room.
I wait for the click.
I watch for him to disappear.