by K. C. Enders
“Are you pouting then? Did they turn you down for lack of experience?”
Shoving back my chair, I stand and shrug into my jacket.
With my recipe safely in my pocket, I stalk toward the door before a gruff, “Oy,” stops me in my tracks.
“What? Not done? Need to pile on more shite?” I’m a bit touchy, yeah, but I have reason to be. I take a lot of crap from Aidan and Francie.
“Not piling more on, just…she’s lovely. Maybe you should tone it down and ask her out.” Aidan sets a Guinness on the bar for himself and an extra, though there’s no one else here just now.
I check the time on my phone and sigh. There’s just enough time for a pint before the doctor’s office closes. The market is right by my flat, so I should be able to get it all done tonight.
Shrugging my jacket back off, I settle at the bar. The cold pint gives me something to focus on for a bit while I compile my thoughts.
“You’re concentrating on that awfully hard. What’re you thinking?” Aidan settles against the counter behind the bar and takes a pull from his own pint.
There’s no way I’m going to tell him how his jab bothers me or why. Sure, I miss my brothers and would love for Aidan to fill that role, but there are some things I’m just not into sharing.
“When did you know with Lis? How did you know that she was worth taking out?”
“Worth taking out? If you’re interested at all, take the chance. It might turn out to be nothing, not right for either of you. But it might turn into the best decision you’ve ever made. What’s holding you back? I’ve not seen you leave with anyone in over a week.”
My head snaps up to meet his inquisitive look. “I…” He’s right. I think back to the last time I entertained one of my lovely friends. Was it Marlee? “I don’t know why you’re paying such close attention to my love life. Things on the rocks with you and Lissy again?”
Aidan levels me with a harsh glare, choosing to ignore my last statement. I set him to rights several months ago, and he’s not above giving it back to me.
Christ, why have I been leaving alone? It’s not that I’m hurting for willing participants. My phone is full of numbers, and the pub is usually full of options.
“Finn, maybe it’s time to stop fucking about. Get serious about something for a change.”
“You marrying me off? I haven’t even taken her out, for fuck’s sake. What if we’re not, erm…compatible?” He’s got to be kidding me. “Just because you moved right in with Lis doesn’t mean I’m on a similar schedule.” Fucking lunacy is what this is. I push back from the bar and drain my Guinness. I’ve heard enough of his wisdom, and I grab my crap from the barstool next to me.
“Finn—”
“Nah, I’m done. I’ve things to do. Places to be.”
The door slams behind me just after I throw him the finger over my shoulder. Aidan can fuck right off.
9
Adelaide
“They say some things just don’t mix, but I think we have good enough chemistry to prove them wrong.”
“I have no reaction to that.”
“Did the instructor for the last class leave their coffee?”
There’s an odd vibe in the room today. The ladies are looking far too innocent for real life.
“I don’t believe so, dear.”
Something is up for sure; Connie never calls me dear. And no one has opened the cookies.
“The coffee’s for you. Just the way you take it,” Finn casually throws out. He’s here—not just on time, but early. And he’s not wearing his glasses.
“Do you need to sit up here? Closer to the front, so you can see?” Maybe he forgot them. Maybe they’re just another one of his cheesy props.
He looks so different without the frames. I mean, he’s good-looking regardless. I’m sure that helps his man-whore ways, but I can’t seem to stop looking at him.
“I can see just fine, thanks. I went with contact lenses. Do you like the change?” He winks.
There is so much winking with him.
I’m getting a little lost in Finn’s eyes. When he unfolds himself from his chair and stalks toward me, I force myself to look away. Aidan’s words, his comments about Finn, run through my mind as he approaches. I pull my lower lip between my teeth when he stops in front of me and leans in close. I level him with my best side-eye. No way, no how is he going to make a move here. Not in front of the ladies.
Instead, he pops the lid off the cookie container, deftly flipping and catching it. The most amazing smell wafts out, enveloping me in chocolaty goodness. “I’ll just pass these round the class before we get started then,” he murmurs. And, like a gentleman, he takes the stack of napkins and makes his way through the room, stopping and chatting with each of the girls. Polite. Kind. Considerate.
This is not what I expected to see from him. I catch Virginia giving him a quick wink when she pats his hand. Seeing this side of him has me off-balance. It’s so far from what I’ve come to expect. And, this time, when he saunters toward me, I’m biting at my lip for an entirely different reason.
“I think you’ll find this a far better thing to chew on than that lovely lip. Though I’d be happy to help with that if you need.” He holds a cookie out to me.
“It’s huge.” I look up at him, not registering what I said until the cocky smile spreads across his face. Shaking my head, I prepare myself for the inevitable.
“It is—” Whatever he was going to say gets cut off by a loud throat clearing from over on Louise’s side of the room. Finn snaps his mouth shut, nods, and goes back to his seat.
Flabbergasted. I’m completely flabbergasted.
I have no idea what’s going on today. Turning back to my computer, I take a bite of Finn’s cookie and moan.
A-fucking-mazing.
The buzz that started in the room goes completely silent. I chance a look over my shoulder and find all the ladies smirking. And Finn is staring at me, wide-eyed, shifting in his seat.
“I…’s really good,” I mumble around the warm, gooey treat. “Sorry. Let’s, um…should we…” I never get flustered like this. “Fuck.” This can’t get any worse. I need to get a grip.
I don’t know how we make it to the end of our class time, but I’m pretty damn sure it’s the least productive class I’ve ever led.
“So, we’ll just pick up here next time.”
And, with that, the awkward filing out of the room commences. The air has been charged for the entire hour and a half that we’ve been here. I pack up my stuff, eyeing the rest of my cookie. There’s no way I could risk taking another bite with an audience.
Finn, however, hasn’t moved from his seat.
“Did you make these?” I wave toward my half-eaten treat. His response is nothing more than a slow nod. “They’re delicious.”
“Thank you,” he rasps, still not moving from his seat.
“Here.” I shove the container holding the remaining cookies toward him.
He shakes his head, pulling his computer off the desk and settling it on his lap. “No, you take ’em.” His accent is thicker, more pronounced than usual.
“Okay. Are you, um…are you ready to go?”
“Erm, I am.” He nods, sliding his stuff into his bag, waiting for me to pass before coming to his feet. “Can I help you with your coat?” He takes it from my hand and holds it for me, guiding it up my arms and settling it on my shoulders.
“Thank you.” I have to clear my throat to make the words come out. I gather the rest of my things from my desk and pop a stray crumb in my mouth. A moan bubbles up unbidden, and I try to stifle it by pressing my hand to my lips. “Sorry,” I mumble, cheeks flaming.
Finn follows me out of the room, turning off the lights and closing the door behind us. He walks me to my car and gets the door for me—just like he did for the ladies.
“I guess I’ll see you…later?” I don’t know why that comes out as a question. I mean, I assume I’ll just see him back here in
a couple of days.
“Sure.” He nods at me, tight-lipped, and closes my door.
Finn steps back, and as I pull out of the lot, he’s still standing in that same spot. Bag slung over his shoulder, jacket clutched at his waist, shivering in the winter cold.
10
Finn
“Your place or mine?”
“Both. You go to your place, and I’ll go to mine.”
I hope to God she didn’t notice my struggle, my discomfort. But Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, when she moaned around that cookie, my cock was paying attention and didn’t seem to want to let the issue go. Instead, I sat there, imagining the sounds she’d make with my lips around her clit.
Christ, I wasn’t sure I had it in me to behave like a gentleman and not slip back into the tried-and-true methods that have yet to fail me. Until now. She seems impervious to my usual charms.
Today was different though. She didn’t just dismiss me like usual. Maybe Virginia is right about tempering my approach.
Addie’s eyes didn’t hold the same disdain that they had in the past. It was like she appreciated my manners. But, fuck me, when she made the huge comment, it took everything I had and a quick reminder from my cheer squad to bite my tongue.
Much as I would love to get a handle on my situation, I’ve traded a lot of shifts with Jimmy, and I need to go to the pub and work. And shake myself out of this slump I’ve been in.
Maybe Virginia was mistaken about Addie’s interest, though. Aidan is off his tits in love and thinks everyone should fall in line with that. I probably just need to find a lovely someone to help ease my suffering, to take my mind off relationships.
None of them strike my fancy. Not a single one.
Not a second glance.
Not a twitch.
Nothing.
The only thing that interests me and might possibly occupy my thoughts is another whiskey. I’ve already drunk more than my share tonight. But, as I pour another measure into my glass, the door opens, and finally, there’s a reason to smile.
“Hey. I, um…” She approaches the corner of the bar and nervously looks around. “I brought your container back.” She sets the plastic box on the counter. Nods and turns toward the door.
“Stay for a bit, Addie. Can I get you a drink?”
Any progress I thought I was making with her disintegrates as her spine stiffens, and her shoulders rise until they’re practically lost in the green tresses twisted up at the base of her neck.
“It’s Adelaide.” I can practically hear her molars grinding, but I follow her to the door, like a lamb being led to slaughter.
“What’s wrong with ye, Addie?” Before I realize I’ve done it, my finger is wrapped up in a soft green tendril that’s escaped from the rest. “I like this color. It suits you.”
Her sneakers squeak against the cement floor as she spins. She pulls her head back, releasing her hair from my grasp. “It’s just Adelaide. Nonnegotiable.”
Her head is tilted back, so she can meet my eyes. And glare at me evidently. My eyes dance across her features, taking in her deep-brown eyes and the silver hoop pierced from one nostril to the other. She’s so unique, so different from other girls.
“What? Did you hear me? Nonnegotiable.”
“I heard you, Addie.” I open the door of McBride’s, taking my business outside. Stepping into her, I lean down; she’s ridiculously short. “And everything’s negotiable,” I whisper across her mouth, letting the door swing closed behind us.
Since she doesn’t pull back, I press a kiss to those delicious lips.
Christ, they’re more perfect than I imagined. And, when I sweep my tongue against the seam, she opens for me.
The last thing I want is for her to come to her senses too soon and pull away, so I slide my hands round the sides of her neck. I tilt her head a bit, just enough for me to nip at that plump lower lip that has been haunting my dreams for the past week or so.
Her hands grasp my forearms, and for a moment, I fully expect her to push me off. But she clings to me instead. So, I deepen the kiss, diving in for more. Tasting her. Teasing her. Taking my breath away—and, hopefully, hers as well. There’s a current, sparks, crackling beneath the surface of my skin, and I want nothing more than to take her home. I want to peel back her layers and lay her bare. My mind swirls around the things I want to do to her. For her. With her.
So, when she pulls back a little, breaking the kiss, I try to blink my lustful thoughts down.
“I…” Her fingers ghost across her kiss-swollen lips, quivering slightly. “I have to go.”
“You could wait until I’m done and go with me.” I pull her hand and press her fingertips to my lips. Fuck’s sake, what if she says yes?
Her pupils are blown wide, but she shakes her head. “I can’t. I have to go home. There’s some—I just…I have to go.” She takes a wobbly step backward before fumbling in her pocket for her keys. “I’m sorry. I…”
Having her flustered is such a change. I like this.
“Good night, Addie. Sweet dreams.” I shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans, watching to make sure she gets in her car safe. Without even thinking, I throw her the Finn wink.
She’ll be back.
As I’m cleaning up for the night, Marlee floats through the door and settles herself at the bar.
“Hey, Finny,” she purrs, leaning over the bar and flashing me her tits. “You almost done here?”
I can practically feel her gaze raking up and down my body. And, for the first time ever, it doesn’t have any effect.
I just don’t care.
“Marlee.” I toss her a smile but have no real desire to engage her more than that.
What’s happened? Our time together was spectacular, fucking mind-blowing. A couple of weeks ago, I’d have been looking for a repeat performance—or several. I mean, our evening was great. I was phenomenal, and Marlee certainly had nothing to complain about—repeatedly.
“So, do you already have plans tonight?” Her arms are crossed on the bar top, and with the way she’s leaning over, her tits being pushed up as high as they can go, there’s no awkward eye contact.
“Erm, no.” I could so easily take her home and lose myself in physical pleasure. Making her scream and leaving her with just enough energy to give me a quick blow job before making her come until she passes out. I could, but—
“Your place? Or mine?” She licks her lips while she talks to my dick, her eyes not venturing higher than my belt.
Why? Why does this feel cheap? Why does that bother me now when it never has before? Maybe I’m broken. It’s been weeks since I’ve indulged with someone. In fact, I’m almost positive that Marlee’s the last girl I’ve spent time with like that.
I casually fist a bar rag in both hands in front of me, shielding my poor, uninterested cock from her inspection.
“I think I’m going to pass, yeah…” Think, Finn. I search through the files in my brain for a solid excuse. “I’ve a headache, just going home to sleep.”
Marlee stares at me like I’ve lost my mind before she shrugs and turns, walking out the door.
Maybe I have lost my mind.
11
Adelaide
“Is that a mirror in your pocket? I think I can see myself in your pants.”
“I don’t think we’re anywhere near the same size.”
The entire drive home is lost to me. I was there, awake and aware but not. Completely on autopilot. I’ve never needed a friend to help me sort something out like this before. My friends here have proven to be more than biased toward the Irish Casanova, and since it’s after eight at night, they’re most likely in bed already anyway.
That whole antisocial thing I have going on is totally biting me in the ass. I could talk to Eric about it, but I need more. Another girl’s perspective.
Climbing the stairs to my apartment, I text my friend Brielle, hoping she’s not out with her fiancé, Brad. She’s one of the few girls I hung out with in h
igh school. We were pretty tight even though she’s a couple of years older than me.
Instead of pinging with a notification, my phone buzzes, and Bri’s smiling face lights up the screen.
“Hey, am I interrupting anything? You didn’t need to actually call me.”
“Oh my gosh, Adelaide, no. How are you?”
Hearing her voice makes me kind of miss my friend in Kansas City. I was so eager to get away, spread my wings, and start fresh that I never thought twice about the things I would be without, true friendships being one of them.
“I’m okay. I didn’t pull you away from Brad, did I?”
“No.” She snorts. “We need time and a bottle of wine for that story, but that’s over. No more Brad. What’s going on? You sound…I don’t know…thinky.” There’s nothing like a librarian making up words.
“I am thinky, I guess.” I don’t touch on the Brad issue, because I’m thrilled that asshole is out of the picture.
“Is it a guy? A one-night stand who wants more? Is Eric still the only man in your life?” She giggles at the notion of Eric.
I unlock my door, grab his leash from the end table, and go straight for his crate. His little sausage-shaped body wiggles excitedly.
“He’s more than enough testosterone for me. Usually.” I settle him in my arm and head back down the stairs to let him do his thing.
“So, it is about a guy. Spill it.”
I sigh heavily, thinking maybe I should have just slept on the whole thing and then ignored it with every fiber of my being.
“I don’t need a guy. Relationships are a pain in the ass. As a general rule, I don’t like people enough to want to spend large amounts of time with any of them. I’m just not wired that way. I don’t people.”
“But?”
“But this guy has me all confused and rattled. I don’t know, Bri. It makes no sense.”
