“Sorry about that,” Finn says, as he steps forward, “Welcome to the family.” I’m expecting him to shake my hand, but instead, he pulls me in and wraps his arms around me. I can’t see his body, but I can feel every ridge and dip of his muscles.
Finn has his hair falling over one eye, making him look even younger than I would guess he is. His smooth jawbone is angular, with a sharp nose and full lips. Where Cassian is stoic in his expression, Finn smirks like a bad boy personified. And I have a feeling he lives up to that title.
Finn steps back as he pins his focus on me. His chocolate brown eyes dance with mischief. Their father has salt and pepper hair, with piercing blue eyes, and I wonder if their mother had dark brown eyes which would match Finn’s perfectly. It’s intriguing.
“It’s good to meet you,” I say, looking up at Finn.
“I think it’s time for a drink.” The young man winks then heads off to grab some bubbly from a passing waiter. My gaze follows him, taking in his broad shoulders in a crisp white shirt.
“Why don’t you grab a glass of champagne? Only one,” Bradford warns, playfully, as he taps me on the nose, and I fight not to cringe away from him. It’s far too personal for someone I’ve only met once.
“I’m going to get some fresh air before everyone starts with the speeches,” I tell him with a smile, ignoring my mother’s heated glare burning into me because I’m not doing as I was asked.
I move through the throng of people, stifled by the amount of perfume that’s invading my nostrils. I push through to the patio doors and step out into the rather warm night. I’ve always hated this weather where you can shower one minute, then sweat the moment you step outside.
Soon enough, I’ll be in the Pacific Northwest. I should’ve asked about where they live. All I gathered was that it was in the middle of nowhere, and my mind runs riot with images of a large mansion sitting on a hill, overlooking a beautiful forest.
My heart thumps at the thought, and I smile as I make it onto the porch, without more awkward hugs and fake smiles. Closing my eyes, I lean against the pillar that holds up the balcony on the second floor and rest my head against the concrete.
I hear a giggle from somewhere in the garden, my gaze snapping open, as I try to make out where it came from. Our grounds aren’t filled with too many trees, so it would be easy to spot someone from here. Another laugh dances across the warm breeze toward me, and I take a step off the patio and onto the mushy grass.
Following the sounds, I find myself at the greenhouse that my father had built for my mother. She hasn’t used it at all since he died. I suppose the heartbreak was too much for her to bear. And perhaps that’s why she’s always been so cold and heartless. But she never allowed me in to learn about her, to get to really know her.
I always wondered why she never had it destroyed. Taken away. Deep down, I wonder if she’s holding onto hope that it will rekindle a flame that’s long since been put out. I step quietly into the glass structure, and that’s when I see it.
Even in the dim light, I can see a guy leaning against one of the shelves of potted plants. His hair is as black as night; I notice from the illumination of the garden lights that circle the perimeter of the glass housing. He’s dressed in a dark suit, what looks like a crisp white shirt, and a black tie.
His head is tipped back as pleasure clearly paints his face. I watch with rapt attention as the head at his crotch thrusts back and forth. His one hand tangled in the red curls that spill down her back and his mouth parts as a groan escapes his perfect lips.
There are choking sounds coming from the girl, and he lifts his head right at that moment, his heated gaze landing on mine. He doesn’t make a move to let her know they’re being watched. And he doesn’t stop her either. Instead, he watches me. His stare bores into me, burrowing itself into the depths of my soul, as the corner of his mouth tilts upward, and deep dimples appear. A smile, dark and devious, turns my body molten, and I can’t stop the tremble that shoots through me.
Stupidly, I don’t run. I don’t move. I’m not even sure I’m breathing at this point. But the stranger’s face is filled with pure ecstasy, as he holds the girl steady and moves his hips.