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Willow
As soon asthe elevator doors slide open, granting us entrance, you can feel the bass of the music. I can’t make out what song it is, but the beat has me swaying my hips before I can stop myself. A clear sign I shouldn’t be here. It’s been too long since I’ve felt this carefree. The last time—
“That’s what I’m talking about, Lo. Get your groove on,” Kendall encourages.
She has no clue how bad of an idea it would be for me toget my groove on. I tried to talk my way out of coming tonight. This is the last place I want to be, but my best friend wasn’t taking no for an answer. The semester is over. I’ve been using studying as an excuse to stay in all year. To avoidhisparties. But I’ve run out of excuses, and Kendall’s been begging and pleading with me for days to be my plus one.
Yes, this is an invitation only kind of party. Not that it makes me any less comfortable being here. I have a standing invitation courtesy of my brother, tonight’s host.
Judging by the increasing volume of the music as the elevator climbs the five flights to the top level of his building, he extended more invitations that usual.
This could work in my favor. With so many bodies in his loft, maybe I’ll be able to avoidhim. My brother’s best friend, roommate, and the object of my every fantasy since I was fourteen years old, Finn Graham. The man is built like a brick house—tall and muscular, with perfect hair and plump lips that taste like mint. Dark chocolate brown eyes that always find mine, sending shots of adrenaline to my heart, and other places.
We spent one night together last summer. I remember every second of it, even after consuming half a bottle of Grey Goose. I can recall the way it felt when he kissed me. It was all consuming. Hot. Passionate. Almost erotic, yet at the same time, he was gentle … the way our lips danced as if we were the only two people who knew the steps.
I traced every curve of his body with my lips that night. Stared into his eyes as he thrust into me the first time. Tugged his long, brown locks hard as I came unglued beneath him.
That night I was granted my one and only wish. The wish I made whenever I blew out candles or spotted a shooting star.
Finn.
He was finally in my arms. In my life. As more than my brother’s best friend. As mine.
The next day, it was over. The only trace of our night together was the raw skin on the inside of my thighs from where his five o’clock shadow had rubbed as he teased me with his tongue for hours.
So, yeah, avoiding this party, any party my brother throws, is at the top of my list. Because there is no doubt in my mind Finn will be here. And I’ve managed to do just that for the last nine months. Until two hours ago. Three shots of tequila and I was letting Kendall dress me up like a Barbie doll. Tight leather pants, a red halter top, and smokey eyes that make my blues pop. My hair is in long, loose waves, cascading down the middle of my back. If I’m being honest, it felt good to have someone make me up after spending the week studying my ass off, wearing nothing but yoga pants, a messy bun, and oversized sweatshirts. By the time my buzz was wearing off, we were already in the Uber and on our way.
“I need another drink,” I mumble to myself when Kendall bumps me with her hip.
She has no idea what she’s done. Tonight is going to end one of two ways.
1. I’m going to get really drunk, make an ass out of myself while flirting with everyone who isn’t Finn, and pass out on the bathroom floor.
2. I’m going to get really drunk, do something stupid like demand answers from Finn, and my brother is going to flip his shit.
No, he doesn’t know what happened. No one does. I haven’t told a soul, not even Kendall, my best friend and roommate.
Why?
I’m not ashamed of that night. Hell, I’d love nothing more than to scream what happened in the middle of campus for all to hear. To claim Finn so girls would stop draping themselves all over him.
I can’t, though. Max would kill him, then me.
Max made all his friends promise not to touch me a long time ago. When we were all younger, hitting puberty. The summer my boobs finally came in. I remember the afternoon like it was yesterday. Max, Finn, and Brady were all swimming in our pool. Being only sixteen months younger than Max had its advantages. I liked his friends; they didn’t mind if I hung out with them occasionally. It was the beginning of summer vacation and my bestie at the time, Lucy, was on vacation with her family.
Instead of sulking inside or reading a book from my summer reading list, I decided to jump in the pool with the guys. My mom and I had just gone shopping for a new bathing suit. I’d chosen a cute, red two-piece with tiny white polka dots on it. I turned fourteen and my body had finally started to fill out. Instead of being a stick-thin, little girl, I was starting to get curves.
Needless to say, the moment I stepped into the backyard and called out to the guys, jaws dropped. I laughed at their reaction because it was Max’s friends. Who cared, right?
Wrong.
Max cared. He freaked out, wrapped me up in a towel, and escorted me back inside. He was muttering to himself the entire time about his friends not touching me. That I need to cover my body.
Overprotective Max.
I barely realized what was happening because my eyes were locked with Finn’s, and it was clear he liked what he saw. I noticed the changes in his body as well. He had put on some muscle, his shoulders seemed broader, and his jaw more defined.
“Aren’t you proud of your brother?” Kendall asks, pulling me back to the present. I need to focus anyway.
