Chapter 18: 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟕

BREE

I wake up the next morning alone in bed.

Disappointment is quick to settle into my stomach.

I internally shake my head.

This is stupid. Of course he would leave.

I didn’t keep track of how many rounds we went through. In the end, we both were exhausted and couldn’t avoid falling asleep.

I remember him holding me and I didn’t protest. It was nice and warm.

It was safe.

I sit up, using the sheet to cover my naked body. I grab my bag that I threw on the ground last night and pull out my phone.

I need to call someone-

The door of the room opens and I clutch my sheets tighter, making sure I’m covered.

I’m ready to scream for help when Finn walks in the room, already dressed.

He didn't leave..

I'm not sure if I like the relief that washes over me at the thought.

“Oh, you’re awake,” he says and closes the door.

I blink at him as he walks towards me and hands me a bag.

I take it, “what’s in it?”

“Clothes.”

I look around the room, “what happened to the dress I wore?-” I stop myself, I spot it and realize what happened to it.

He ripped it.

I look at him.

“I would apologize but I don’t feel sorry,” he says, wearing a satisfied smile.

“You owe me a dress,” I tell him.

“I’ll buy you thousands only if I get to do that again,”

I stay quiet. I look down at the bag and pull out the shirt and pants.

I look back at the man still standing in front of me.

“I need to change.”

“Hm?- oh, right.” he turns around and walks ahead till the only view in front of him is the wall.

I quickly change into different clothes and brush my hair with my fingers. I pick up the ripped pieces of my dress and throw them into the bag. I put my phone back in my purse and pull it over my shoulder.

“I’m done,”

Finn turns around and faces me, “ready to go?”

I nod and follow him out of the club. None of us says anything on the way.

Should I be saying something to him? He’s acting so natural… but I guess he’s used to having one night-stands. He probably prefers it better than-

“Here,”

My thoughts and steps halt and I find Finn holding out a helmet.

I realize we’re standing by his motorbike and my stomach flips.

“What’s wrong?” Finn asks when I don’t take the helmet.

“Nothing.” I say, still looking at his motorbike, “I’ve never been on a motorbike. I’m gonna fall.”

“I won’t let you.”

I look at him. He’s serious.

When I keep staring at him, he says, “promise.” then smiles.

I nod and go to take the helmet but Finn decides to put it on my head himself. He fixes the helmet so it’s on me right then closes the visor.

He holds up three fingers, “how many fingers am I holding?”

“Three-”

He changes it to two, “nope. Two. You lose,”

I hit him, earning his laugh, “you cheated!”

“What proof do you have?”

“Your cheating habits.”

“Not accurate evidence.”

I try to hold back my smile but fail miserably. His smile widens.

After Finn gets on his bike, I swing my leg over and sit as well. Finn takes my arms and wraps them around his waist.

“Hold on tight.”

I nod, feeling my cheeks warm up. Thank God for the helmet or else he’d glance back and see me becoming red as a tomato.

Finn revs his bike and the engine soon comes to live. I tighten my grip on his waist before his feet leave the ground and we speed away from the club.

The force from the impact makes my front paste against his back.

Buildings and vehicles rush away from my sight as Finn keeps his fast speed. Wind hitting us hard and cold. Adrenaline rushes into my body and a small laugh leaves my lips.

This is so thrilling.

When Finn stops at my apartment building, I have a huge smile on my face because of the adrenaline rush.

I get off his bike, take off the helmet and hand it to him.

“No wonder you enjoy riding on this,” I say.

He smiles, “you had fun?”

I nod, “it was thrilling,”

“I’ll make sure to take you on another ride one day.”

Again. I stay quiet. I don’t know what to say.

“I’m going to go now,” I say, taking a step back, “thanks for…”

“A satisfied night? He asks, a teasing smirk resting on his lips.

My cheeks heat up in an instant, “whatever,” I mutter, still walking backwards. His smirk widens.

After I'm a few feet away from him, I turn around and make my way in the apartment, forcing myself not to run.

ᯓᡣ𐭩

Rose was asleep when I entered the apartment and I didn’t wake her up. I need to fresh up before I get investigated by her.

The doorbell of our apartment rings when I step out of the shower. I quickly pull on a sweatshirt and some shorts and walk out of my room to answer the door, leaving my wet hair down.

When I open the door, my body freezes after spotting the guest standing outside.

Finn’s eyes roam my face then slowly scan me from head to toe before they lock back with my eyes.

“What are you doing here?” is the first thing I say.

He holds up a bag, “breakfast.”

I look at the bag then back at him.

“I don’t assume you’ve eaten,” he states.

Just then my stomach grumbles. I press my lips into a thin line and wrap my arms around my stomach, heat rising in my cheeks.

I clear my throat, “Rose is sleeping,”

“More the reason for you to let me come in.” He says with a soft smile.

“Come in,” I mutter and step aside.

He walks into the apartment and makes his way to the kitchen. I close the door and follow him.

For a while, I stand in the corner and watch him take out the food he brought, acting as if last night never happened.

Is this how he is with everyone?

I decide to break the silence and find out the answer myself.

“So, do you bring breakfast to all your hook ups?”

He freezes. Turns around. Frowns.

“What?”

“What do you mean ‘what’?” I ask, “did you forget what happened last night?”

“Believe me, I will never forget what happened last night. Your beautiful sounds are etched in my brain.” he says, nonchalantly smiling.

Heat rises in my body as images from last night flashes into my mind.

I internally shake my head.

Not the time.

“What are you doing here, Finn? Seriously.”

He stares at me for a while as if trying to figure out what I’m thinking.

He raises a finger and points at me, “you are not a hookup.”

I blink at him.

You are not a hookup.

“Excuse me?”

“Let me make something clear,” he says, “after last night, there is no way in hell, I am letting another man touch you. I gave you a way out last night, to tell me to stop and I’d never look back but you didn’t. You stayed quiet and let me proceed. Which brought us to a beautiful, satisfying night.”

I process his words.

“So…” I clear my throat, “you’re saying we’re… we’re…fuck buddies?”

“I wouldn’t call it that. Fuck buddies don’t have dates.”

I stumble backwards, “d-dates?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Why are you so calm?!” I ask, “I’m your best friends' sister! You’re brothers' best friend!”

“I am very aware of that fact,”

“Ryan will kill you.”

“Most probably.”

“We can’t date.”

“Yes, we can.”

I swear, he’s freaking me out, “how?!”

“Alright, first of all, calm down.” He says, gently taking my hands and pulling me towards him so I’m close “deep breaths.”

He demonstrates and I copy but it doesn’t help because all I inhale is him.

Why does he have to smell so good?

“Now, listen,” Finn says, still holding my hands “Ryan will be angry. That’s a fact. But, he may be less angry if he sees that I’m serious about you. We’ll keep this private from everyone while we try to work us out, okay? You can see if you want this with me. If yes, then we will tell Ryan and if no, then we’ll pretend nothing ever happened.”

I take a moment then quietly ask, “What if… what if in the future you don’t want this but I do?”

He smiles, softly, “I want everything with you, Bree. I’ve wanted you for too long.”

“I’m insecure.” I blurt.

“It’s my job to show you how beautiful you are,”

“I can’t cook,”

“I can.”

“My job will interfere,”

“It won’t.”

“It’s risky,”

“What’s the point of life if we can’t take risks?”

“I-”

Finn cuts off my sentence by smashing his lips on mine. My thoughts die down and I kiss him back.

When he breaks the kiss, he says, “you can find a hundred reasons, if not millions and I will find a solution to all as long as I get to be with you.”

I stare at his eyes.

His dark brown eyes which almost look black.

I always believed eyes don’t lie. No matter how good of a liar a person can be, their eyes tell the truth. Somewhere I ignore what’s written in the eyes but I can’t anymore.

Finn’s beautiful eyes stare back at me with a promise, a wanting gaze and affection.

“Okay,” I whisper.

His smile is wide, “okay,”

He leans down and captures my lips again, in a soft, wanting kiss-

Someone clears their throat.

My eyes widen. I pull away from the kiss and sharply turn around to find Rose standing by the kitchen corner, dressed in her PJs.

“Hate to interrupt your romance but I need my coffee,” she says, her tired but hard gaze on Finn.

“Right,” I push Finn out of the way so Rose can go to her coffee machine.

“How long were you standing there?” I ask as she takes out two mugs.

“I walked out of my room when he was telling his plan to you.” She says, pouring coffee into the mugs.

My cheeks heat, “you were standing there for that long?!”

“Since when did you pick up the habit of eavesdropping?” Finn asks, “does it help around Ryan?”

I hit Finn the moment the last sentence leaves his mouth. He makes a dramatic face as if he’s hurt but there’s no way he is. He’s so built up, my hit was barely a touch on his arm.

We both freeze when Rose picks up a knife and turns around, wearing her sweet smile. She points the knife at Finn and says, “hurt her and I will stab you with this knife.”

I stare at her with wide eyes but she’s focused on threatening Finn.

“Understood.” Finn says and Rose puts back the knife, “by the way, here’s your payment.” Finn pulls out a book from the bag and hands it to Rose.

“Glad to do business with you,” Rose says as she takes the book and leaves the kitchen.

“What business?” I ask.

Finn pulls out his phone, opens Rose’s chat and shows me their last conversation.

Rose

Bree’s on a date.

With a VERY handsome guy.

*pinned location*

I’ll be waiting for my payment :)

“Makes sense,” I mutter.

Finn puts his phone back in his pocket.

“I have to go to work now,” he says, “I’ll text you later,”

“Okay.”

Finn smiles and pecks my lips, earning a smile from me.

I lead him to the door and wave him goodbye till he disappears out of the hallway.

I close the door and turn around, catching Rose smirking at me.

“What?” I ask.

“How was last night?”

My cheeks heat, “shut up.”

She chuckles, grabbing her phone, “let’s tell Arzo that last night was a success.”

I grab my coffee and our breakfast from the kitchen then go sit with her on the couch, “you know we have to keep this private. From everyone. Only a few of us can know, till further notice.”

She smiles, “I know.”

I sigh and sit back.

I want everything with you, Bree. I’ve wanted you for too long.

An easy smile takes over my lips but I hide it by taking a sip of my coffee or else Rose won’t stop teasing me.