The thoughts of Finn touching my body and speeding up and then slowing down, gave me a bolt of adrenaline. I took the shot with pleasure and doubled my speed. Second wind, just what I needed.
As I ran past him, I thought I heard him chuckle. And as he passed me, I knew why. It was cute that I really thought I could beat him. I tapped the front door and checked my time: twelve minutes and fifty-six seconds. I actually squealed in excitement over my new record. Sweat dripped from my face onto my shirt, but I didn't care. I wasn't that kind of girl.
"I've never been that fast," I said.
"It seems as if I bring out the best in you." His raised eyebrow was such a simple seductive act that begged and drew me closer as he leaned on the doorframe.
"Maybe you do," I whispered.
He opened his arms, and I hesitated. I couldn't allow him to hold me. As I walked closer, he grabbed me and pulled me into him. Warmth flooded me and I wanted to stand there forever, but I had to jerk away. Get away from him before he smothered me in his scent, the one that melted my emotions so easily.
Click. Click.
The door swung open, and Finn fell backward pulling me with him. Jesse stood over us as we lay on top of one another on the cold marble floor.
"Your timing is incredible," Finn said directly to Jesse.
She tightened her fists, and her nostrils flared.
"The final bids are in, thought you'd be happy to know the outcome," she said dryly.
I stared into Finn's greens, and his didn't leave mine. We were stuck in a moment together, and neither one of us wanted to break free. He apologized with his gaze as he helped me from the floor. My body ached for him and his touch, but I withdrew.
Jesse handed over the golden envelope, and he took it without any emotion.
It was really happening. I would give myself to someone, someone who wasn't Finnley Felton.
The destiny of my virginity rested in his hands.
Who would be the lucky bidder?
He opened the envelope and pulled out the golden letter.
"Of fucking course," he whispered as he handed it over for me to read for myself.
LUKETON BRAND
The words should have shocked me, surprised me in some way, but I knew better. I knew Luke, or at least thought I did. The smile that wanted to form on my lips vanished as Finn walked up the stairs and slammed his door. Jesse gave me her typical, "are you fucking happy now" look and a smirk. I turned and went upstairs, making sure to slam my door just as loud.
Knock. Knock.
"Hey, Jen." Lori stood on the other side of the door.
"Come in."
She greeted me with a smile and sat beside me on the edge of the bed.
"Did you hear what happened while you were gone?"
I shook my head.
"Jesse is pissed at you and wants you fired. Felton and her got into a huge argument over it, and he called her a bitch and left. He didn't return until you came back."
"I… I had no idea."
"You should watch out, Jen. Seriously. Felton has never treated any of his girls the way he treats you. He's always been all business. If you get in too deep with him, Jesse will fire you. She has the legal right, and boy is she pissed. Oh my god. You should have heard her screaming at him. I've never heard her use that tone. Everyone was home, too. It reminded me of my parents before they got a divorce."
"Why is she so upset?"
Lori looked at me, dumbfounded.
"Wait. You don't know?"
I shook my head.
"Jen. She has been in love with Felton for years. Since she became his right hand woman."
"That's against the rules," I protested.
"One must first admit he or she is in love and then act upon it," Lori said as if she were reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
"Have you seen the way she looks at him? It's kind of the way he looks at you," she said.
I had no words. I never noticed the way she looked at him.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Jennifer. He looks at you like you are, like… you're the sunrise in the morning. The light of his day that greets him from the darkness."
"Always so poetic."
"Just watch out, okay?" She stood and hugged me. "And please try to have fun when you have sex for the first time."
"Okay."
"Promise me."
"I promise. Hey, Lori?"
"Yeah?"
"Will it hurt? You know, when I finally do it."
"You'll be fine. I think you'll enjoy it, you little sex kitten. You're ready."
She winked at me and gave a tight squeezed hug. When Lori left the room, she left me with a mind full of questions.
I pushed open the window and let the cool night air kiss my skin.
Greets him from the darkness… Her words echoed in my mind.
Seventeen
The next morning I woke to curtains being ripped open and sunlight being forced in.
"Time to get up." Finn seemed aggravated.
I rustled in bed, throwing my arm over my face. He ripped the covers from me, and I gave him the dirtiest look I could muster.
"You are so annoying," I mumbled.
"Stand up."
I did what I was told, but didn't want to.
"What will we do today, sir?" I asked so calmly, so sweetly that he almost smiled, but didn't.
"Don't call me that anymore."
"Yes, sir." I batted my eyes in his direction. He lightly grumbled, and I saw his body slightly loosened.
"You will be going shopping today. Luketon agreed that Friday would be perfect for him. He has a big night planned for you, and you need to be ready."
I moved closer to Finn, not taking my eyes from his. Once closer, I rubbed my hands down his arms and ran my lips across the outside of his.
"Stop that. Do you think you can just wake up one morning and do whatever the fuck you want?"
With force, he grabbed my wrists and lifted my hands above my head then slammed me against the wall. My breathing increased as he parted my legs. With light nibbles up my neck, he kept my arms tight above my head and whispered in my ear. "I told you not to call me 'sir' anymore. So don't fucking do it again."
He slammed my wrists against the wall, taking his anger out on me.
"You have to listen to me, Jennifer."
He stressed between gritted teeth. His breathing increased as did mine.
"What will you do to me if I don't, sir?"
"You don't know how to fucking listen, do you?"
Finn bit his bottom lip, and tightened his grip on my wrists as he held my arms up with one hand. With the other, he ran his fingers through my hair and then popped the buttons from my shirt and ripped my panties off my body. The slight pain felt good. He parted my legs wider, and I leaned my head against the wall.
"Can I tell you what I want you to do to me, sir?" Each time I said it, he tightened his grasp. I could feel his hardness against my body, and I knew he wanted me, and that alone gave me great satisfaction. To know that I was in control and that he still wanted me, sexually. I didn't struggle, I wanted him to take me, and if he wouldn't, I would drive him just as crazy as he drove me. Payback was a bitch.
With two fingers, he ran his hand between my legs and felt the wetness.
"Mmm. You're enjoying this aren't you?"
"Only if you want me to, sir."
My eyes rolled in the back of my head as he touched my magic button. I tried to hold back a moan, but couldn't.
"Do you want me to like it, sir?" I whispered as I traced the bottom of his ear with my lips.
He continued to pin my arms as he loosened his tie, and unbuttoned his shirt. Muscles. The shirt dropped to the floor.