For a moment, I think she considers it. But she eventually shakes it off. “You already have your work cut out in helping me. Believe me.” She takes a small bite of the dumpling, chews, then swallows. She nudges the plate in my direction across the linen-covered tabletop, inviting me to join her. “These are the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life.” Avery moans in appreciation.
“What do you mean I have my work cut out for me?”
She points her fork at me. “One of us is about to have the time of their life in the bedroom tonight.” She dunks the other side of her dumpling back into the sauce. “And sorry to tell you, buddy, it’s not going to be you. I may be a quick learner, but I’m basically starting from ground zero. You’re going to have to take the lead and pull me across the finish line.”
I chuckle to myself. Does she really think that’s a problem? Little does Avery know, a woman like her letting me take the lead…？
There’s no bigger turn-on than that.
16
Avery
“Motherfucker.” Finn growls with frustration when he sees the limousine waiting for us in front of the restaurant. It’s in a no-parking zone, and the driver is holding a bottle of expensive-looking champagne. “That son of a bitch actually wants to fight,” Finn mutters under his breath.
I have to clutch my hands around my ribs I’m laughing so hard. Our waiter informed us that Angelo called us a ride and would send us home with a nice bottle of champagne. I don’t know when this cutesy pissing contest started between the two of them, but since I’m reaping the rewards, I’m rolling with it.
“He did say I deserved a limousine.”
“You do,” Finn grumbles and rolls his eyes. “Let’s go. Might as well make the most of it.”
I’m beyond titillated with the fancy ride, the champagne, and the tiramisu Finn’s carrying, which we were too full to eat at the fancy restaurant. This is better than my birthday dinner by far. A make up evening that was worth waiting for. I feel like a princess. I’m being treated like a prin—
No.
A queen.
The driver opens the door, takes my hand, and kisses the back of it before he helps me into the vehicle. It’s awkwardly charming, but I’m soaking it all up. How often do I get to ride in a limo down the Vegas Strip?
I’ve been in a limo before but not like this one. The plush leather seats are grouped together with a small table in between. There are built-in compartments for champagne on ice. There’s even a slim, elegant throw rug in the center of the vehicle.
“Good grief, Finn.”
“It’s normally for VIP events,” Finn responds, ducking his head into the limo. “When Rue 52 hosts celebrity receptions or dinners.”
“Oooh, and what exactly do VIPs do in the back of a limo in Las Vegas?” I pump my eyebrows at Finn. I meant it as a joke, but his lips tighten into a flat line before he licks them.
“Want to find out?”
Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t respond, just play dumb and shrug, but I know exactly what the look on Finn’s face means. Straightening up, he converses with the driver with the vehicle door wide open.
He fishes out his wallet and hands the driver a hundred-dollar bill. “This is to keep the partition up for the entire ride.” To my surprise, he hands the driver another bill. “This is to take the long way home.” Finn hands him a final bill. “This is to never, ever put your lips on my date again. Clear?”
“Yes, sir,” the driver says. “Should I…” He holds out the bottle of champagne and points inside the limo with his thumb.
“No, I’ll take it from here. Thank you.”
Finn slides into the vehicle and climbs over me, purposely rubbing his legs against mine as the driver shuts the door behind him. He sets down our takeout and deposits the bottle of champagne into the ice bucket but makes no moves to open it or fetch the glasses nestled on the built-in rack. The minute he settles back into the seat beside me, his hand finds my upper thigh, uncovered due to the deep slit in my dress.
“Why do you keep doing that?”
“What?” he asks, his eyes on my chest. The limo rumbles to life and I hear the sound of a blinker, but we don’t budge. Looking through the tinted windows, traffic is bumper to bumper. It’ll be a while before we can start our trek home, unless some gracious vehicle halts and makes room for this extended limousine.
“With Angelo and then the driver…you keep acting really protective. Like we’re actually dating. Why?”
Finn’s answer is simple. “Because it turns you on.”
I scrunch my brows. “What?”
He smirks. “Not just you. Most women.” He rubs up and down my thigh, the heel of his palm pressing against my skin so hard it begins to redden. “There’s something about a man who’s protective of his girl that just gets women all kinds of wet. This entire dinner has been foreplay, Avery.”
I clear my throat and give him an unimpressed stare. “I realize that me asking you to teach me how to have good sex makes me seem easy, but I don’t consider feeding me foreplay.”
“Really?” Finn’s brow quirks in confusion. “So it doesn’t turn you on when I make every excuse to touch you in public? When I turn down every other woman in the room and keep my eyes only on you? It’s not sexy when I’m willing to break a man’s jaw for thinking he has a chance with the beautiful woman who showed up on my arm?” His hand moves farther up my leg and then slides between my thighs. Instinctively, I press my legs together harder, but his large, strong fingers wedge between them. “Spread your legs, Avery. I’ve been a gentleman all night. It’s time for my reward.” His voice seems to drop an octave as he whispers in my ear.
Hesitantly, I do as I’m told. I’m not hesitating because I’m nervous. I’m hesitating because Finn is inebriating and I’m going to let him fuck me in this limo. The way my breath is ragged and the adrenaline is pooling between my thighs…it’s a done deal. But I’m taking a moment to brace myself because Finn is bringing out my inner freak. I’ve never met her before. What if I meet her and I like her? What if she wants to hang around? What if she only shows up for Finn? What happens when I tell her that she can’t keep him…he’s not mine…this is a game…between friends…
“So, tell me, are you wet for me?”
“Soaked,” I respond.
His lips turn down as he gives me an impressed head nod. “That dirty talk is coming along nicely.”
I give him half a chuckle, then he’s back to business.
“Show me.”
“Like…” Wait…huh? “How do I show you that?”
Finn holds up his index finger.
I squint one eye. “You want to finger me?”
He shakes his head, wearing a smug smile. “No, I want you to finger yourself.”
My inner freak goes dormant and I’m suddenly on the brink of nervous chattering again. The uncomfortable pang in my chest goes from aroused to nervous in an instant. “Well…what are you going to do?”
“What do you think?” he snarks. “Watch.”