Finn slides in behind the steering wheel, then smiles at me. There’s nothing professional about the way he’s looking at me, and for the first time, my skin crawls with apprehension.
The drive to the venue is filled with an uncomfortable silence, and I only manage to take a deep breath when I get to climb out of the car.
While Finn hands his keys to the valet, I glance up at the impressive building that’s all steel and glass.
“A work of art, right?” Finn says as he comes to take my arm.
“Yes.” Wishing he wouldn’t touch me, I follow him into the lobby.
We spend the next hour greeting various people, and I struggle to memorize all the names. Surrounded by couples dressed in expensive clothes and champagne flowing like water, I feel totally out of place.
Finn keeps either placing his hand on my lower back or wrapping an arm around me, and every touch makes my body feel tenser. There’s nothing professional about the way he’s interacting with me, and I’m dead sure his interest in me is personal.
“You make such a lovely couple,” Mrs. Pearson suddenly says. I’ve been standing quietly next to Finn, listening to him talk about a contract with Mr. Pearson, who’s the owner of the building.
“Oh,” I smile awkwardly, but before I can correct her, Finn interrupts, “Thank you, Mrs. Pearson.” He looks at me, and this time there’s actual desire darkening his eyes. Before I can process the expression on his face, he wraps an arm around me again and holds me tightly to his side, chuckling, “I got lucky.”
What the hell? No, you didn’t.
Totally inexperienced when it comes to situations like this and not wanting to make a scene in front of important clients of the company, I stand rooted next to Finn, feeling like an idiot.
As soon as the function is over, I’ll tell him this is inappropriate and not to let it happen again.
Unfortunately, the night drags on and on, my muscles aching from all the tensing whenever Finn touches me.
This is ridiculous. I shouldn’t have come.
Needing some fresh air and to get away from Finn, I excuse myself and walk out of the building. I move to the side so I’m not in the way, and suck in deep breaths while staring at the road that’s busy because it’s a Friday night.
At least I can sleep in tomorrow.
“Come back inside,” Finn says, his tone relaxed from all the champagne and whiskey he’s had to drink.
Remember to take a cab home. You’re not getting into a car with him again.
“I just need a minute.”
He comes to stand in front of me, and tilting his head, he says, “Everyone loves you.”
I can’t even manage a smile, the uneasy feeling I have is too overwhelming. “What time can I leave?”
That’s all I want to do. Just go home and think about how I’m going to fix this mistake.
Finn lifts a hand and brushes some of my hair back that’s come loose from the clip. Too late, I pull away, not that he even notices. The man seems to be oblivious to my uncomfortable feelings.
“You want to impress me, right?” he asks.
I get the feeling if I say no, my career will come to a sudden end.
My mind searches for the right thing to reply with, but before I can think of the best response, Finn leans down, his hand slips behind my neck, and I’m yanked against his body. His mouth hits mine, my teeth feeling the impact.
Even though Finn made it pretty clear he’s interested in me on a personal level, the kiss still catches me totally off guard. I’m too stunned to respond, and even when his tongue thrusts into my mouth, I remain frozen.
His other arm wraps around my back, and I’m held hard against his chest, the kiss turning hungry.
Only then does disgust pour through my veins. My mind screams no, and with more power than I thought I had, I yank back, freeing my mouth from his. As if I’ve run a hundred miles, the breaths explode from my lips, my eyes wide with shock.
“No,” I whisper. Thinking fast, I take a couple of steps back to put some space between us. “This is inappropriate.”
Finn tilts his head, a smug smirk curving his lips. “Really? You didn’t seem to mind hanging onto my side the entire evening.”
Seriously?
“If you’re clever, you’ll climb the corporate ladder fast. Think about the doors I can open for you. Besides, you wouldn’t have put on that dress for me if you weren’t interested.”
Staring at Finn, my pride makes me lift my chin. “I have no intention of sleeping my way to the top, Mr. Byrne.” Even though I’m terrified of what this will mean for my future at the company, I refuse to sacrifice my pride. “I’m not interested in you and want to keep my personal life separate from work.” Not wasting another second, I walk to the valet and ask him to bring the car around because I need my bag.