I nod, relieved. “Friends.”
Sawyer looks over my shoulder, and smiles. “If it makes you feel any better, your guy looks as if he’s about to challenge me to a duel.”
I turn. Finn is watching us, looking tense. Sawyer leans in a little closer, and murmurs in my ear. “A little jealousy can be good for a guy.”
“I’m not trying—”
“I know,” Sawyer reassures me. “But I’m happy to help.” He places a hand on my arm, still leaning in close. “I give him ten seconds…”
But it barely takes five before Finn cuts through the crowd and joins us again. “Finding everything okay?” he asks, a new note of steel in his voice.
“Sure. Eva’s being real helpful,” Sawyer drawls. He squeezes my shoulder.
Finn’s jaw clenches. “Is that so?”
“I’m lucky I met her,” Sawyer continues. “She’s really one of a kind.”
I flush, caught in Finn’s possessive stare, but I can’t help feeling a satisfied thrill. I hate playing games, but after acting so relaxed around me, he’s finally looking like he gives a damn.
“What about you, Eva?” Finn asks. “Are you having fun?”
His voice is dangerously silky. I smile.
“Yes, I am. Thanks again for hosting,” I add sweetly. “I’ve been wanting to introduce Sawyer, and this is the perfect chance for him to meet everyone. He can’t wait to settle in, since he’s going to be sticking around.”
“You’re just passing through, right?” Sawyer asks him.
Finn scowls. “I haven’t decided yet.”
“He’s just here for the month,” I tell Sawyer. “Then he’s back on the road again, back to his real life.”
“I never saw the appeal of big city life,” Sawyer muses. “As far as I’m concerned, you’ve got everything you need right here.” He holds my gaze, flirty, and I can almost feel Finn seething beside me.
“Eva?” Finn’s voice comes. “Can I talk to you a minute?”
“I’m kind of busy right now,” I tell him, not looking around.
“Eva. Now.”
Finn takes my arm, and before I can protest he steers me through the crowd. “Hey!” I try to stop him. “I was in the middle of something.”
“Clearly.” Finn doesn’t let go. He guides me down the hallway, looking around for something.
“Finn, let me go!” I demand. “What are you doing?”
“What I’ve been wanting to do ever since you walked in the damn house.” Finn yanks open a door and pushes me through it – right into a dark coat closet.
“Finn!” I protest again, turning, but my words are swallowed by his kiss.
Hot, hard, possessive. His mouth crashes down on mine, pushing me back until I’m up against the wall and there’s no escape from his passion, even if I tried.
Clinging to my last thread of sense, I wrench away. “Finn—”
He kisses me again, sliding both hands around my waist, his body hard against mine.
I know this is crazy, but my resolve wavers. This is sexy as hell, here in the dark with the party just a few paces away. I push him weakly. “We can’t,” I gasp. “We need to talk.”
“So talk.” Finn dips his head and kisses my neck. “I’ll just be busy, right here.” He bites down softly on my shoulder. My head spins.
Focus, Eva. Adult conversation.
Finn’s hands slide under my camisole, and God, his touch is fire, igniting me all over again. Desire curls through me, and it’s impossible to ignore. He’s here, so close. All mine.
Talk later. Kiss now.
I give up and pull him down, greedy, loving the feel of his body, every last inch. Here in this dark cocoon, I can forget everything, everything except the wild touch of his hands, and the ache he brings, like my body is calling out for the one thing it needs more than anything in the world.
Him.
I kiss him back, sinking into the wildfire heat, and the tantalizing slide of his tongue deep in my mouth. I moan against him, and his body tenses in answer. He pulls back. “Tell me you haven’t done this with him,” Finn demands, his voice hoarse with lust. He slides his hand possessively over the curve of my breast, making me shudder. “Tell me he hasn’t felt you like this, or seen the way you look when you’re coming undone.”
I shake my head. “We never,” I manage. “We didn’t even go on a real date.”
“Good.” Finn scowls. “Because I was just about ready to knock him out for laying a hand on you back there.”
His fierce possession makes my pulse kick, but I feel a spark of anger, too. “You don’t get a say in who touches me,” I remind him crossly. “You don’t own me.”
“Don’t I?” Finn yanks me closer, sliding one hand between my legs. His touch finds me, through silk and lace, and presses softly. I gasp at the rush of pleasure, and Finn gives me a victorious smile. “Tell me that again when you’re begging me to let you come.”
Damn.