Unapologetically (Brighton Academy Series Book 4)

by Cala Riley

  “That’s better. I need to know, Tin, are you clearheaded? Did you have anything to drink tonight?”

  “I’m clearheaded. No alcohol tonight.” My voice is barely above a whisper as I try to calm my heart.

  Being so close to Finley makes it go a little crazy. I knew this, but it’s been a while since I’ve been this close.

  “Good. Tinsley, I want you. I’ve wanted you for a while, but I’m not supposed to have you. You know your brothers made me promise I’d never pursue you, right? That you’re off-limits?” When I nod, he continues. “I’m not a good guy, Tin. I make mistakes. I’ve not been a saint, like you deserve. I have shit going on at home that fucks my head up. I have some side shit that you have no business being mixed up in. I’m really not good for you. You deserve better.”

  My heart falls as his words sink in. This isn’t a “we should be together” talk. This is another lecture on why we wouldn’t work. His eyes are pleading with me to understand.

  “I’m so tired of being told what I deserve. Doesn’t it matter what I want in all of this?”

  His eyes soften, the concern still within them. “Let me finish, babe.”

  My heart skips a beat at the term of endearment. He rarely uses those with me. My childhood nickname? Yes. Babe? That’s new.

  “Proceed.” I mimic zipping my lips, causing him to chuckle and pull me in front of him to straddle his lap.

  “I don’t deserve you. One hundred percent, I know this, but I can’t help but want you anyways. What I’m saying is, if you want me too, truly want to give this a shot, then I’m all-in.”

  I don’t answer with words. My mouth is on his before he can finish his sentence. He chuckles under me as he presses his lips to mine. When his tongue sneaks out to trace the seam of my lips, I moan, giving him access to my mouth. He takes the opening, deepening the kiss while his hands settle on my hips.

  When the tingles I felt before multiply, I wiggle in his lap, unable to sit still. I might seem young and innocent, but I know what this is. I’m turned on more than I’ve ever been before. Those smutty romance novels have nothing on Finley Abbot.

  When my hips instinctively rock against him, he freezes.

  I’m about to apologize when he says, “Fuck, baby. You can’t do that shit to me.”

  As I pull back with a frown, he tightens his grip on me. “Babe, look at me.”

  I lift my gaze to his, already chastising myself for the dumb move. I just got him, and I already have to give him back.

  “Stop whatever’s going on in your head. I want to.” He thrusts up, letting me feel his hard dick against my core, making me gasp.

  “Then why not?” I ask, not really sure what we’re talking about.

  “This isn’t the time nor the place. We need to discuss how we’re going to handle this. We can’t exactly walk up to Reed and Keaton and tell them. What would we say? ‘We’re dating now, so get over it?’ What if you decide you hate me in two weeks? That this isn’t working.” He swallows hard, eyes darkening for a moment. “I will lose not only you but them too. It’s selfish of me to ask this, because you deserve so much more, but can we keep this on the DL for now? Until you decide you want to keep me?”

  I study him as he waits for my response. There is a pure, vulnerable look on his face that I’ve never seen before. He is opening himself up to me, letting me see the broken pieces inside. Just as quickly as it appeared, he closes it back off, asking me for an answer with his eyes.

  “It makes sense. Reed may kill you when he finds out. We will tell them eventually, right? I mean, you won’t be, um, dating other people?”

  He chuckles. “Absolutely not. Why would I when I have the most beautiful woman in the world right here with me?” He kisses me softly, whispering against my lips, “We will tell them. Until then, we take this slow. You’re my girl until you don’t want to be anymore.”

  “And you? You’re my guy?” When he nods, I continue. “Then let’s keep this between us. I don’t want to share you anyways.”

  We spend hours making out in the hot tub. Going to bed that night, the last thought on my mind is the way Finley’s lips feel against mine.

  ✽✽✽

  Chapter Six

  Finley

  When I walk into the house, I can tell something is off. It’s too still, too quiet. I stride into the kitchen and see that everything looks the same as it did when I left last night. Bracing myself, I open the fridge and turn the coffee creamer. It's still filled up to the line that I marked on it yesterday.

  “Shit,” I mutter before slamming the fridge shut and rushing upstairs. I stop at Mom’s closed bedroom door and brace myself.

  Please be alive.

  I open the door slowly with my eyes squeezed tight and hear the faint murmuring of the news on the TV. I step into the room and slowly approach her bed. Mom’s lying on her side facing away from me. Hesitantly, I sit on the edge of the bed. “Mom?” I lightly shake her shoulder. When she turns towards me, I sigh in relief.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Finley?” she says, sounding childlike.

  “Yeah, it’s me. How long have you been awake?”

  Mom shrugs before turning away from me back towards the TV.

  “Come on, Mom, you need to shower.” I stand up and head to her bathroom. After turning the shower on before, I go back into her room. Mom’s still lying on her side.

  I gently try to take the blankets off her. “Up. Shower, it will make you feel better.”

  Mom lets out a growl and slaps me across the face. Her long nails cut into my cheek. “Leave,” she seethes.

  “Mom, come on!” I demand.

  She curls further into her blankets and away from me.

  “Fuck it. You know what, I’m done.”

  “Just like your father,” she mutters under her breath.

  Sighing, I walk back to the bathroom and shut off the shower.

  “Have a good night, Mom,” I tell her before gently closing her bedroom door.

  I enter my room and head straight to my closet. Reaching into my sock drawer, I pull out the metal box and grab a pre-rolled blunt from inside. I slide the box back into its spot, then head back out, down the stairs, through the kitchen, and into the backyard. I walk around the pool and flop down in a pool chair facing the house.

  “Fucking prison,” I mumble to myself while fishing the lighter out of my pocket.

  I light the end and let it burn a little. Once it’s to where I want it, I slide the blunt between my lips and light.

  Leaning back in the chair, I close my eyes and try to relax. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and see a text.

  Tin: What are you doing?

  For the past two weeks, Tinsley and I have gone from being friends to being way more. We’ve hung out almost every day, talking via text message and on the phone when we can’t be together. Her brand of calm is one that I wish to possess. Thank God, she took pity on me and forgave me for being a fucktard before now, never claiming her as my own.

  Instead of texting her, I hit Call while taking another drag.

  “Hey,” she whispers.

  “What are you wearing?” I take a drag.

  “Finley Abbot!”

  I blow out before responding, “Don’t chasten me, Little Yates.”

  Tinsley’s quiet for a minute. “Are you smoking?”

  “I can feel your judgement from here.”

  “Bad night?”

  “That obvious?”

  “Only to someone who knows you.” She sighs. “Tell me. Is she high or low?”

  “Low. As far as I can tell, she never left her bed today.”

  “I’m sorry,” Tinsley says softly.

  “It is what it is.” I take another drag and hold it before blowing out a smoke ring. “Distract me.”

  “Do you want me to come over? Maybe I could help?”

  My heart aches. Of course, my angel would offer to come over. Too bad I don’t want her within ten feet
of this shit.

  “No, baby. It’s okay. She’s okay. I need to chill. Distract me. Tell me what you’re wearing.”

  There’s some shuffling in the background before a door shuts and her voice fills the silence.

  “I’m wearing a pair of yellow leggings with a white off-the-shoulder sweater.”

  I smile as she humors me. “Where are you?”

  She sighs. “In my room. I was watching a movie but decided to come to bed.”

  I take another hit. “You bare under those clothes, baby?”

  “Finley,” she groans out.

  I can’t tell if she’s annoyed or turned on.

  “What, Tinsley?” I mock her tone.

  “You’re incorrigible.” She lets out a slight laugh.

  “Look at you using that expensive schooling. Come on, babe. Tell me what you’re wearing underneath your leggings and sweater. Paint me a pretty picture.”

  She hesitates, and for a moment I think she will deny me.

  Then she speaks in a low, husky whisper. “I’m not wearing anything under my sweater, but I am wearing black, lacy panties.”

  My dick twitches as I picture her lying in her bed in what she’s describing.

  “Fuck, that sounds sexy as fuck. I wish I was there with you right now.”

  “Yeah? What would you do if you were?” I can hear the smile in her voice.

  She’s a fucking temptress. What started off as a small distraction is turning into more than I anticipated.

  “You really want to know, Tin? If I tell you, there’s no going back.”

  She chuckles. “I never want to go back, Finley. I’ve always been facing forward.”

  Her words chip at the wall in my chest. It should be a reminder of the lines drawn in the sand, but I push it back. I’m not really touching her, so it should be okay, right? Isn’t it better that she’s doing this with me instead of someone else?

  Those are the lies I tell myself as I say, “I would lean over you, taking your lips with mine, sliding my tongue into your mouth to taste you. You taste amazing, like a goddess sent to tempt me.”

  Her breathing is coming heavier. “Would you bite my lip again? Like I’m biting it right now?”

  My hand reaches down to adjust my hard-on, imagining the kiss I gave her in her bedroom two weeks ago.

  “Did you like that?” I whisper.

  “Yes. I want you to do it again.”

  My dick jumps under my hold at her words. Fuck, I can’t stop this now even if I wanted to.

  “I would bite your lower lip. I would trail my lips across your jaw to your ear. Then I would whisper all the dirty things I plan to do to you. When you shiver, I would kiss and nip my way down your neck, sucking hard when I reach your pulse. Can you feel your heart racing?”

  I know it is because her breaths are rapid now. She’s excited.

  “Yes. I’m trailing my hand down my neck, imagining your words.”

  I gulp hard. She’s touching herself at my words. Fuck if that isn’t the hottest thing I have ever heard.

  “You’ll touch everywhere I tell you to?”

  “Yes.”

  Her breathless voice is making me harder, if that’s even possible.

  “Good girl,” I praise her. “I would trail my mouth down to your chest, using my hands to lift your shirt, and latch onto your right nipple as soon as it’s exposed.”

  I reach my hand into my sweats and lazily stroke myself to ease some pressure.

  “I’m rubbing them,” she moans.

  “I’d do more than rub, baby. I’d bite. Pinch those nipples between your fingers. Feel the sting.”

  “Oh fuck.”

  My hips thrust at the pure lust in her voice. “That’s it, baby, pinch them hard. Imagine my lips on them. My tongue licking before my teeth bite. How does it feel?”

  “Amazing. I wish you were here to do it for me.”

  God, if that doesn’t make me feel ten feet tall.

  “Soon, but tonight let me help you. Trail your hands down your stomach. Slip them into your panties like I would. I bet you’re wet as fuck for me. Ready for me.”

  I groan as her voice hitches when she says, “I’m so fucking wet for you, Fin.”

  I squeeze my dick, loving the way she says my nickname. “Swipe your hand down in your wetness. Coat your fingers. Fuck, I bet you taste so fucking sweet.”

  I hear a sucking sound before her voice sends chills down my spine with her words. “Fuck, Finley. I taste amazing. You should be here.”

  For one moment, I freeze. She just fucking tasted herself. I barely control the need to drop everything and rush over there.

  “You’re a fucking goddess, babe. Seriously, the hottest woman I have ever met in my entire life. I’m so fucking hard for you. I can’t help stroking it for you. Imagining your mouth on my dick. Imaging my hands buried inside your body. Have you ever had anything inside you, baby?”

  “Only my fingers. Nothing bigger,” she admits softly.

  “Fuck. You are a wet dream, baby. I want you to use one hand to pinch your nipple while you stick a finger inside, curling it up. Then I want you to thrust it in and out.”

  I know she’s doing what I ask as soon as the phone switches to speaker and her low moans are heard in the silent room. I match her stroke for stroke, jacking my cock off as we pleasure each other with our words.

  “Pull your finger out, baby, and rub your clit for me. Build up that orgasm for me.”

  She moans louder as I imagine her doing as I ask.

  “How do you feel?” I growl out, teetering on the edge of my own orgasm.

  “Finley,” she moans. “I’m close. So close.”

  “Harder, baby. Push harder. Shove a finger in just as you come. Feel yourself clench around it. Imagine it’s my dick.”

  “Fuck,” she growls out, a high-pitch moan following.

  That familiar tingle in my spine is my only warning before I jerk in my hand, my release covering my boxers and pants.

  Her breathing is slowing on the other end of the phone.

  “Are you distracted?” her husky voice whispers.

  “Fuck, baby. I don’t even remember my name.”

  She chuckles. “That was intense.”

  “It’ll be better in person. I promise.”

  I hear her let out a yawn. “You’ll show me?”

  “I will. Go to sleep, baby. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  She sighs. “Good night, Finley. Call me if you need me.”

  “I will, baby. Good night. Sweet dreams.”

  Before I hang up, I hear her soft words. “Always of you.”

  ✽✽✽

  Finley

  I pull up in front of the Yates estate and slam the car into park. I run my hands through my hair and blow out a slow breath.

  I got this.

  If you would have told me last week that I would be taking Tinsley Yates on a date, I would have laughed in your face. Then we happened. I can’t keep my hands to myself anymore. A girl like Tinsley, though? She deserves the world—a world I’m willing to give her. I take one more deep breath before sliding out of my car and heading to the front door. A minute or so after I ring the doorbell, Boswell opens the door.

  “Hey, Boswell. Tinsley ready?”

  “Good evening, Mr. Abbot. She will be right down.” I step into the house, and he shuts the door behind me. “Make yourself at home.”

  “Will do.” I step towards the stairs and look up and see Tinsley. She has on black boots, black skintight pants, a red peacoat, and a black beanie. My heart stutters.

  God, she’s gorgeous.

  She looks right at me and smiles. “Hey you!”

  “Hey, gorgeous, you ready?” I ask gruffly.

  “Of course! What are we doing?”

  I hold my hand out to her as she hits the last step, and she slips her small hand into mine. “It’s a surprise.”

  “I love surprises.” Her eyes twinkle in excitement.

  “I
know.”

  We walk out of the house hand in hand, and I open the car door for Tinsley. She gives me a sweet smile before sliding in. I shut the door and round the car and get in myself.

  “It’s a bit of a drive,” I warn her as I put the car into drive.

  “That’s okay.” Tinsley’s quiet a moment before asking, “How’s school?”

  “It’s school. I’m passing.” I shrug. “You?”

  “It’s definitely not what I thought this year would be.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask as I pick up on the disappointment in her tone.

  “Well, it seems you boys left an impression, and now that you're all gone, I’m open game.” She sighs. “It hasn’t been that great honestly.”

  “I’m sorry,” I tell her sincerely. “If you want, I’ll beat someone up for you.”

  I never thought how us being gone and Tinsley being left behind would affect her. Throughout high school, hell middle school even, Tinsley was protected because she was with us. We set the rules in place and took control before anyone else could even think to, because we had something precious to protect.

  Tinsley.

  While she was fine for a year in middle school alone, it sounds like high school isn’t treating her the same.

  “No, that’s the last thing I want!” Tinsley giggles, slapping my arm.

  I reach out, grabbing her hand and threading her fingers in mine. Her eyes soften as I glance from her then back to the road.

  “Okay, but the offer stands. How about for today we forget about the terrible shit in our lives and just enjoy each other?”

  “Be in the moment. Live in the present,” she murmurs before flashing a bright smile at me. “I like it.”

  Moving our joined hands to her thigh, I squeeze it once.

  “It’ll be about twenty minutes until we get there.”

  “Sounds good.” Tinsley reaches forward and turns up the music. Sitting back, she sings along under her breath.

  Everything about her sitting next to me feels comfortable. Feels like something I’ve never really had.

  Home.

  We pull into a parking lot, and I release her hand to put the car in park. “Ready?”

  Tinsley looks around, then gasps. “Are we going skating?”