Camera Shy (Lessons in Love, #1)(56)

I poke my tongue out at him. It suddenly dawns on me that the vehicle is stopped. How long have we been stopped? “Are we home?”

Finn nods slowly.

“How long?”

“A while. You were really getting into it… You were pretty loud back here.”

My skin shrinks around my face, the reality of shame washing over me. “So basically, I shouldn’t make eye contact with the driver?”

Finn nods, trying to hold in his laughter. “Probably wise.” Releasing me, he scoots over to the door and pushes it wide open. After stepping out first, he holds his hand out for me. I adjust my panties, smooth out my dress, and collect my clutch before grabbing our takeout bag and the fancy bottle of champagne. I have to scoot awkwardly to the edge of the limo with my hands full and my clutch tucked beneath my arm.

Finn relieves me of the bottle and takeout bag, securing my hand in his. I love when he does this. What man likes to hold hands? I thought it was just for show at the restaurant, but here we are in the privacy of our neighborhood, with butterflies in my chest, and I feel like a teenager again.

“My place or yours?” Finn asks, leading me to the right, toward his home.

“Wait.” I pull back. “My place. I have to turn down aquarium lights so the fish can rest.”

“God forbid the fish lose a night of sleep,” Finn grumbles.

“Hey, how would you feel if the sun rose and never set, hm? It’d be jarring. Plus, I made a promise to Dex to take care of what matters to him. I take my commitments seriously.”

“Fine,” Finn says. “I suppose location doesn’t matter anyway. Are you ready?”

“For what?” We pause under the porch as the limo driver pulls away from the house. Finn leans against the doorframe as I fish for my keys.

“To find out what real work means.”

My eyes snap to his face.

His sexy smile grows. “Open the door, Avery, and take your dress off. It’s time for class.”





17


Avery





Finn looks impatient as he watches me come down the stairs. I thought he’d follow me to the bedroom when I went to adjust the aquarium lights, but he stayed behind in the living room. Perhaps he wants to talk first. It’s probably a good idea to establish some ground rules anyway. I lost my mind a little in the limo, all but asking him to hold me through my orgasm. The only flaw to my grand master plan is that I’m having trouble separating emotional and physical feelings when it comes to sex.

The bottom line is they go hand in hand. Affection…safety…love… I’m realizing these are all things necessary to have a completely fulfilling experience. Therefore, with Finn, I’m going to have to find a way to accept the missing pieces of our situation.

“Finn, I think we should lay down some ground rules—”

“Hush.”

“Excuse me?”

Finn rises from the couch and reaches for my hand. I hold it out playfully, like a queen to a loyal subject, but there’s nothing proper about the way Finn yanks me into his body so hard, I crash into his chest with an audible thud. Oof.

“How about we play a little rough tonight and see if you like it?”

“Rough?” I mutter, still smashed against his pecs as he grabs the hem of my dress, pulling it upward.

“Nothing crazy. But I bet you’ll like it if I take control.”

I nod as I raise my arms so he can pull my swanky, sleek dress up and over my head. He tosses it aside, well out of reach. “Okay, I’m in. What should I do?” Glancing to my right, I see my spazzy fish friend Cherry doing her nightly laps. I don’t know why it comforts me, but it does. The world is still spinning. Everything is okay. I’m still me. The crazy, lonely, old maid who talks to fish and yet…

Finn wants it rough.

“You do everything I tell you to. Don’t think. Just do it.” He trails his thumb over one of my cheeks. “And don’t be nervous. I’m not going to hurt you. I’d never. But I’m going to boss you around and show you how I like it. Just tell me to stop if you’re not happy.”

“Okay,” I say, cursing myself when my voice cracks.

“Avery?” Finn drops his head and finds my eyes. “I’m serious. If you’re unhappy at any point, tell me. I’ll take you upstairs to the bed, turn off the lights, and we’ll do this in whatever way makes you the most comfortable, okay?”

I keep my eyes locked on his. Deep breath. “I don’t want comfortable, Finn. I want hot.”

His hands expertly unclasp my bra strap, which is no easy feat. This strapless bra is reinforced with eight clasps. It’s effectively a corset, but it doesn’t slow Finn down one bit. My breasts have barely popped free before his mouth engulfs one nipple, while he rolls the other between his thumb and forefinger. I gasp at the sensation. One side of my chest is warm and wet. The other is teased and taunted, my right nipple becoming angry and rock-hard between his touch.

“Oh God,” I moan as he switches. My tortured nipple instantly comforted against his warm tongue, while the other is completely unprepared for the almost painful pleasure.

“Fuck, Avery,” Finn growls as he suddenly rises and yanks down my underwear. “I’m sorry. I can’t even do the foreplay. I’m so turned on right now. I need you.” He yanks my hand over the hard bulge in his pants. “You’re going to take good care of me, right?”