Yeah, stop.
This lust was getting out of hand and it was threatening to drive him insane. But lust was natural. The best way to deal with it was to find a woman somewhere and slake it.
Or better yet, find James fast so Lilah would no longer be near him the whole time, distracting him with her fascinating contrasts.
And so he scanned the room, and ignored the woman standing beside him.
They mingled after a while, him off to his favorite cousin Serena and her to some old friends. She’d worn the white dress he’d suggested, a simple little thing that worked wonderfully for her skin and her eyes. His brother would be an idiot not to notice this, and appreciate it.
Other people were obviously appreciating it – particularly one of James’ business associates, Marcus, who was staring at her in interest and flirting while she animatedly talked to him. The sight made Finn frown. Without thinking about what he was doing, he strode to where they were, and stood right beside Lilah.
Marcus looked at him in surprise, cut off mid-flirting.
“James wants to see you,” Finn intoned without preamble.
Lilah blinked. “What?”
“James,” he repeated.
“But…he’s not even here?”
He thought fast. “On the phone. He called me and wanted to speak with you.”
There were so many things wrong with that explanation – particularly that Lilah had a phone of her own, and a working number. But she only raised a brow, and let him lead her away from a very puzzled Marcus.
“We were having a very wonderful chat, you know.”
“I noticed.”
“What’s the deal?”
“He’s an idiot.”
She blinked again, her mouth forming an O. “…and?”
“He likes you.”
“…and?”
Impatiently, Finn waved a hand. “You’re here for James, right?”
“And he’s not here.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Finn finally saw his brother in a suit as he entered the room. Without breaking stride, Finn nodded his head in that direction. “He’s here now.”
Lilah’s eyes widened as she sucked in a breath, her hand automatically going to Finn’s arm as if to steady herself. He didn’t move, aware of that hand, as she gripped at him as if for support.
Quietly, his own hand went to her elbow. He felt its warmth before taking her arm away, sliding down her hand for a second…then cutting the connection.
“You’ll do well. Have fun,” was all he said.
Then he left.
---
Before midnight struck, Lilah invited James for a private moment and took courage by the horns. She was nervous and giddy and slightly tipsy, and there was no other best moment for revelations like this.
“I love you.”
James looked at her quietly.
“I always have, James.”
“I…had a feeling.”
His answer left her stunned, and almost reeling back. But the alcohol was doing something to her system, and before she knew it, she was stepping closer, and so was he.
“Can I kiss you?” she asked. She meant for seduction to come, in small and erotic heartbeats, but he was already pulling her towards him without words, and his mouth was on hers.
It was as natural as breathing, and hot. It was purposeful and determined, as he framed her face with his hands, as if she was some precious treasure to cherish. He was a great kisser, attentive and masterful, coaxing a response in her until she was kissing him back with all her might – all the frustration, the desire that built up to this moment, this contact.
And then the alarm bells came.
Finn’s face floated in her mind. Finn’s laugh, and his wicked comebacks, and his wicked mouth. Everything they shared together came back as panic set in, wrenching her away from James like a tide of violence she couldn’t control.
James was staring at her with what might have been pleasure, tinged with regret.
And then everything clicked into place.
Their breaths were heaving, and so they took a minute to get it back to normal, as the space filled with silence.
It was James who spoke first.
“Not what you expected, huh?”
It was more than she’d expected, more than what she wanted. But it didn’t set her soul on fire as she’d needed. She was flushed all over as her mind and heart warred, as realization came crashing like a painful, broken glass sliding against her skin.
“Was it…what you expected, James?”
He smiled sadly at her. “I think we both know the answer to that.”
Silence.
“Can I at least take you home, Lilah?”
Lilah looked him in the eye. “Can you take me to your brother?”
He looked back at her for a minute, as realization and understanding came. “Of course.”
She refused to acknowledge his understanding, because really - what was there to understand?
She wasn’t in love with James, and Finn wanted nothing more. That was all there was to it.
"I'm just gonna check on his fever. Then I'm leaving."
"...of course."
Chapter 6
His fever was raging, and his dreams were taking him to places he didn’t quite understand. Shadows stalked him, vicious and spiteful, chasing him at the edges of the wind.
Then soft hands were caressing him, and a voice was murmuring that everything was going to be okay. He smelled lilies, an addictive scent.
The shadows were kept at bay. His dreams cleared in peace.
---
When Finn woke up, it was to aching muscles and darkness. The fact that he wasn’t shivering anymore told him that his fever was gone, and in its place was recovery. With a quiet groan, he made a move to shift in his bed.
Then stopped.
He stilled as he felt warmth beside him, and a solid object resting on his chest.
Turning his head, he found Lilah in bed – his bed – sleeping soundly. Her breathing was normal, and her body was lax, still in the white dress she’d had on last night. There were dried tears on her eyelids, and the sight of them had him staring, almost afraid to move. Instead of fully turning, he shifted a little instead, adjusting his hips as he stretched and tried to sit up.
A small towel fell from his forehead to her arm. She didn't move.
In the still-dark room, he assessed the other small towels at his night table, the basin of water and the opened capsule containers. It didn't take him long to deduce that it was she who helped keep the fever down, and she who stayed the night to make sure he was alright.
Lilah stirred, murmuring something in her sleep.
Fatigue settling in on him, Finn simply looked at her for a full minute before drifting back into slumber.
When he woke up a second time to full sunlight in his room, indicating the start of a new morning, he turned to his side, seeking her out to bring her closer. Instead he found the bed empty.
She was gone.
---
Lilah was taking stock of her inventory in the bookstore very early in the morning when Finn walked in without further ado, an irritated expression on his face as he uttered words that left her stunned.
"I beg your pardon?"
"No one leaves my bed without my permission."
The way he repeated it was slow and clear, with just enough arrogance to have her narrowing her eyes. Slowly, Lilah closed the book she was holding and stood up to her full height - which wasn't much, but by God, she was going to use every inch of it.
"What exactly are you implying?"
"I'm saying that none of the women-"
"I am not one of them. I was helping you out."
"I don't need help."
“I—”
“You were crying.”
She blinked at the change of topic. “What?”
“In my bed earlier. I saw you crying. What did my brother do?”
&nbs
p; A dangerous tone had taken on his voice, as calm as a storm about to strike.
She backed away. “Nothing. I kissed him.”
Quietly, Finn stalked closer. “Did he hurt you?”
“No.”
“Then why were you in my room?”
Patience running thin from lack of sleep, Lilah grit her teeth. “I was taking care of you. Obviously you’re too arrogant to ask for help.”
“I don’t need—”
“Neither did I need to be there, but I will help whether you like it or not. And I’m busy right now. You need to leave.”
“What happened with James?”
“Nothing. We kissed and then nothing. Now leave.”
“No.”
“I have a date with Marcus for lunch. Leave. The door’s right there.”
This was a lie, just to get rid of him. If she said she was dating Marcus, perhaps he'd leave her alone. She needed peace, and time away from him.
It was the wrong thing to say.
“No. We will discuss Marcus.”
Her temper finally snapped. “Oh, just leave me alone!”
“No, Lilah—”
She walked out on him before he could finish.
Of all the stupid things! Lilah's fury boiled over, a violent thing that made her want to hit something - particularly him, with his arrogance and his idiotic ways. One of his women. Then discussing Marcus like he had the right? He'd all but abandoned her that night at the party, as if he wanted nothing to do with her anymore. Of all the chauvinistic, pigheaded things to say-
An iron grip clamped on her wrist.
Before she could protest, her body was being backed away on a solid wall of books - section 18, literary classics. Great, just great.
More than ready, Lilah snarled at him.
He snarled right back. "I won't permit you going out with Marcus."
"You are not my keeper!"
"I will punch him."
"I will maim you."
"Empty threats."
"Watch me."
"He's an idiot."
"So are you."
The fury on his face darkened his eyes, a storm of colors that ignited her own temper higher, even as warning bells rang in her mind.
"The only idiot I see here is you."
"Get over yourself. I will go out with Marcus and there's nothing you can do about it—”
He snapped at her. "Why Marcus of all people?"
"Because I'm sick and tired of chasing after men who don't want anything to do with me. I want a damn orgasm and if he can provide it, then so be it!"
The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself - and too late realization sank in at what she'd said, foolish words at best and dangerous words at worst.
Silence.
Finn's fury had vanished, leaving only a stunned expression. Embarrassed beyond belief, wanting to just get this over with, she plowed on.
"So Marcus is my best bet and I'm going out with him and there's nothing you-"
The hands on her wrists tightened, bringing her arms up over her head and trapping them against the books with his. His stunned expression was changing, as his gray eyes held an emotion that had panic fluttering inside her, along with something almost primitive.
Oh, no.
His body molded against hers, as hard and hot as steel. Lips ghosted on the skin of her cheek, trailing down until his breath was almost mingling with hers. Her heart skittered.
Both of their breathing had turned heavy.
"Finn - what are you...doing?"
His eyes filled with sheer lust.
"I'm giving you your orgasm," was his only response before he kissed her, hard and demanding and everything she'd ever wanted.
Her thoughts scattered. Her arousal spiked, a rush of molten heat that spread through every part of her body, turning it aching for his touch. Her hands, no longer wanting to be passive, actively sought him out, wrapping around his hands that trapped hers and pushing, until he released them and she was free to explore his skin, his body, his own heat. Oh, but he wasn't passive, either – his wicked mouth was turning her insides upside down and his hands—
Dimly, she heard a rip, and found her strapless bra on the floor. And then his hands were on her breasts, thumbing her nipples in circled motions until they ached.
She moaned.
Then his mouth was there, sucking her stiffened peak and rolling his tongue over and over as she writhed against him and gripped his hair in her hands, vibrating like a plucked string.
More thoughts scattered in her brain, and one took form.
"Finn – the door – haven’t locked—”
He murmured something unintelligible before turning her around, and trapping her with his body. The action pressed her breasts flat on the books, as his hands slid down her butt, sliding her dress up and cupping her intimately. Then he ground against her, and his erection - unzipped and pulled out of his jeans - rubbed at her panty-covered center and sent a shot of mind-numbing pleasure into her.
She moaned louder, forgetting the doors as her mind blanked.
He kept thrusting, that hardness hitting her clothed center over and over until the only sounds were her whimpers and his groans and the raw sounds of their pumping.
A finger slid in, as he stopped kissing her neck for a moment to rasp in her ear.
"So. Wet. Delilah."
His finger worked her as a crescendo of emotions built up in her, higher and higher. She wanted to plead with him that she needed more, she was almost there—
Something wet slid inside her slit, seeking her pleasure point. His wicked tongue licked and sucked, moving in time with his pumping fingers, faster and faster—
She exploded and saw colors.
When she came down from her high, he turned her back to face him and pressed her there, his head resting on top of hers. She slumped against him as she tried to catch her breath, burying her face on his shoulder.
There were a few minutes of silence before she could finally speak.
"You ripped my blouse."
"Hmm. We're both idiots."
Lilah smiled. On that, she could only agree.
Chapter 7
Finn discovered a lot of things about Lilah on their first month not-together.
One: she liked to argue for the sake of fun, and that included arguing over the cons of having a sexual relationship with him. This happened right when he was driving them home after her first orgasm, after he'd convinced her to lock up her bookstore for the day and...well, play hooky with him.
Two: her words were for naught, because the moment he distracted her with kisses, she was practically melting against him as he navigated their way to his bedroom, careful not to get caught.
Three: she had standards, and that included not sleeping in the same bed that he'd dealt with his past women. This was easily rectified because she was the only one he’d brought in this bed, anyway. He’d never brought those other women home.
Three: she was getting very, very good at seduction, but not as good as him as he seduced her right out of her panties – and bra and shoes and dress – and dragged her to bed. She was very receptive too, eagerly giving back as good as she got, right down to licking his cock and driving him mad with desire.
Four: she was a virgin – or she'd been when they'd first started. He tried to be as gentle as possible, making her wet (oh, he was very good at that) and opening her up first before allowing his raging erection to finally slide inside her. He almost lost control then, as he felt her liquid tightness wrap around him like a vice, then heard her moan in pleasure later, threatening to consume them both.
Five: she was fantastic in bed, in any position – below him when he thrust repeatedly and she wrapped her legs around him, on top of him as he taught her how to ride him, against the wall when they were too frantic to find a bed, from behind as she had to muffle her scream on a pillow while he took her hard. She tasted and felt fantastic too, with that damned sc
ent of lilies always in the air and the scent of her skin beneath, hot and arousing and all Lilah.
Six: she was really good at sucking his cock anywhere. She particularly tortured him with her teasing mouth when he least expected it, like when he opened his eyes from sleep or was alone in the kitchen.
Seven: she often snored in her sleep, and it was irritatingly adorable.
Eight: her friendship with James was important, and it flourished into brotherly love as she tried to set him up, and cajoled Finn to join in. He absolutely refused, deeming his brother old enough to do this on his own.
Nine: her green eyes lit up when he brought her new books to read, and chocolates he made. She especially loved the dark kind, and would usually finish a huge box all by herself in one sitting (which solidified his opinion that she ate like an ox).
Ten: she laughed at horror movies, and cried a lot at those with puppies dying.
Eleven: she had a very warm smile, the kind that could fill out a room with light. Sometimes, it made him stop and just stare, realizing that she had the kind of beauty that snuck up on you when you least expected it.
Twelve: she was very, very terrible at cooking.
There were many more, but it all added up as he discovered one thing about himself in the process.
He was in too deep.
---
Something smelled delicious in the kitchen, and like a bee lured to honey, she went there and sniffed the air, pausing at the entrance to find the room empty.
Her vision zoned in on the cupcakes cooling on the rack, and immediately she was on them, taking a bite out of one and closing her eyes as it practically melted in her mouth.
Hmm.
She walked around the room, admiring Finn’s handiwork, from the cupcakes to the paella that he’d prepared for the family gathering. Now if she could only find the chef himself—
A hand grabbed her and dragged her away and inside the closet room.
“Hey!”
“Hey, back.”
Finn’s voice vibrated in her ear, indicating that he was standing very close. He kissed her before she could say more, sucking at her lower lip and playfully cajoling her mouth open. She responded easily, swept away by his wicked mouth as it trailed kisses on her mouth, then her neck, then—
MC Romance: Gravel A Motorcycle Bad Boy Obsession (Untamed Rider Forbidden Temptation Book 1) Page 24