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“Let me go and I’ll fix it,” I beg, and he flips me over, pinning my wrists by my head and looming over me. I flinch, tensing, waiting for a hit that never comes.
“What are you on about?” He peers down at me, and there’s nothing but concern and confusion in his eyes. Which concerns and confuses me.
“Your sheets.” Anxious tears choke me. “I ruined them, there’s paint all over.”
“Okay. I’ll buy new ones.” He shakes his head and brushes the hair out of my face that got all mussed from the struggle. “I bet there’s paint all over my face too…” I look at the side of his face, and there is indeed paint smudged on his cheekbones and flecks in his hair. “From being in between these gorgeous thighs…” He slinks down my body, biting my stomach and kissing each inner thigh.
“I’m sorry.” I can’t handle the caring intensity in his eyes when he looks up at me, it makes me feel off balance.
“Forwhat?” He sounds exasperated. “I don’t give a shit about the sheets.”
I close my eyes, trying to quiet the racket in my head.
You ruin everything,I can so clearly hear my father’s rage-filled voice at my carelessness, his face turning beet red.
“Effie, look at me.” Finn plants his hands by my sides and hovers above me.
I slowly peek open my eyes. “You’re not mad?”
“Why would I be mad? I was the one who painted you for Christ’s sake. And I’m certainly not mad that you spent the night in my bed.” He leans forward and kisses under my jaw and down my neck.
I lean into the comforting weight of his body on mine, the way his hair brushes against my skin.He’s not mad. He’s not my father. Just breathe.
He licks a trail up my throat and dusts his lips over mine. “Now, can I convince you to stay in bed a little longer.”
I run my fingers through his dark hair, pulling him closer to kiss him hard, letting him grind in the cradle of my hips, and I explore his mouth with my tongue. He moans softly, yet hungrily. I bite his lip sharply and he rears back, a mix of heat and mischief in his eyes.
“You cannot,” I say with a small laugh as I weasel out from under him and leap from the bed. “Ow.” I whip around, my ass burning from a fiery slap. He’s completely stone-faced, but then the corner of his lips tug up into a smirk.
When I get out of the shower, Finn’s standing with his back to me, dressed in black jeans and black button-up. He turns around, rolling up his sleeves and wetting his bottom lip. He looks like he wants to eat me alive.
And I want to let him.
“I have business in the city to take care of today. Calvin is on his way here for security.”
I cringe. “Does it have to be Calvin? Anyone else but him please.” I understand people like me need protection, so I won’t protest that. I’ve had security all my life. The only reason I didn’t have a bodyguard while living with the crew was my father was worried his men would be too conspicuous.
“I wouldn’t leave you with anyone I don’t have full confidence in, he’ll keep you safe.” Finn reaches out to stroke my cheek with the back of his hand.
“It’s not that,” I say looking down.
He tilts my chin back up, “Then what is it?”
My lip trembles, humiliation tumbling in my chest, “He was there that night…He saw me…” As terrible as the interrogation was, being found half-naked, covered in sweat and tears in a ball on the floor was ten times worse.
“What?” Realization dawns on Finn’s face and he sniffs, pulling his hand away as it clenches into a fist. “I see…I’ll make some calls, get someone else out here.”
“Thank you.” I clutch the towel tighter around me. There’s hurt in his eyes that for some reason makesmefeel vulnerable.
“I should have never put you in that situation.” He doesn’t try to touch me, but I can tell he wants to, his shoulders rolled back, hands in fists. Like he’s preparing for a fight, but he’s his own worst enemy.
There’s a lot of things I could say right now.
It’s okay, look where we are now.
It doesn’t matter anymore.
I’m fine, don’t worry about it.
