“Yes,” Finn hisses when my thumb circles his nipple. He grinds his teeth when I twist it slightly, and I can’t help but grin when I feel his cock pulse against me. “He told me he’s not stupid and he wants me to take you with me on a trip to Tynewood.”
All movement stops. I can’t go with him. There’s no way I can walk back into that town and not allow Finn to learn about my past. That’s why Bradford wants me to go with his son. If my secrets come out, he’ll never forgive me for coming here and not telling him the truth.
“What’s wrong?” Finn asks, and I realize I’ve been frozen in time for a few moments too long. Finn is perceptive. He can pick up on my moods, and the changes that occur when I’m down or frustrated so easily, it’s like he’s reading a book. He knows every page of my story, except for the one chapter I’ve kept hidden.
“Nothing,” I say, hoping to seem calm and relaxed. Shrugging, I continue, “I Just don’t know if it’s worth me traipsing around the country with you doing something I don’t understand.” The lie burns on my tongue like acid.
I should have fucking told him when I arrived.
I should have told him before we kissed.
Before we fucked.
But my fear held me back, and now we’re here.
“It’s not that bad. You can chill out with Zaria while I finish up a few things. It won’t take long, and maybe we can head down to the coast. My father didn’t specify when we needed to be back.”
He’s serious. Dead. Fucking. Serious.
I open my mouth to respond, but I can’t find words. I’m speechless for the first time in my whole damn life. When I ran away from Tynewood and found my way to an even smaller town, I thought I’d forever be safe from the past. At least, I’d hoped that nobody would ever come looking. I can’t walk back into town and expect nobody to notice me. Because they will.
I lean in, my mouth inches from Finn’s. “Why don’t you and the little princess go,” I say. “And I’ll be waiting here for you when you get back.” Even though I say it, I can already see the wheels turning in his head. Finn may be the only son who doesn’t want to be a businessman, but he thinks like one. It’s all those years of training his father put him through.
“I have to go, and so do you,” he tells me with finality. “I have to go and find out about this fucking Sovereign shit,” he muses with a grin.
My heart stutters in my chest, banging against my ribs. “The what?” I pray to the heavens above that I sound as confused as I hope my face looks. I know all about that fucking society, which is exactly why Bradford figured it would be a good idea for me to go.
Maybe he wants me to face my demons. Perhaps he wants Finn to see the real me. Whatever the reason, I’m fucked either way because the look on Finn’s face tells me he’s not letting me stay behind while he heads off with Zaria.
“The Gilded Sovereign,” he tells me. “Some secret society that apparently I have to impress. My father gave me a crown today.” This time, he smirks. I’ve known Finn for long enough to know that the bit of pride his old man showed him today is enough to keep him grinning like that for a few weeks.
For a moment, I recall my own need to impress. But then I ran. When I learned the truth about what lies behind those fucking town walls, I ran. And I ended up in a worse place than I ever thought possible. And then, something led me here. Or should I say, someone led me here.
I arch a brow as I regard my handsome man. “So, you’re a prince now?” My words are light, teasing, playful, and I’m thankful I’ve learned to be such a proficient liar. If I didn’t, he would see past my façade.
“I suppose so.” Finn shrugs, his hands trailing down to my hips as he pulls me closer. “How about you kiss your prince?” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively. I find myself leaning into him before I have time to think through everything he’s just said. Our lips fuse in a heated kiss.
Our tongues tangle and dance as I deepen the kiss. Finn’s palms slide down to my ass and he grips me harshly. A groan rumbles in my chest as I press my cock against his crotch. Hardness against hardness.
My chest fills with warmth at the thought of him loving me, needing me, craving me as much as I do him. We kiss for a long while before I move down his body, pressing my lips to his chiseled torso. His chest has a slight spattering of hair, but his abs, which are tense when I trail my tongue along the peaks and valleys, are smooth and tanned.