Page 16 of Study You

“I’m sorry?” Gillian leaned in, her perfume killing Finn.

Finn stared down at the stiletto heels Gillian wore, knowing exactly how this night would end. Even if it hadn’t been in Gillian’s plans, she was going to be spread out on her bed, wearing nothing but those heels. Finn was a sucker when it came to women’s shoes. Stand before her in stilettos, and Finn would lower herself to the floor and kiss them if that was expected of her. “Are you trying to kill me, Gillian?”

“I…no.” Gillian took a step back. “You’re alone?”

Finn snorted. “Yep.”

“You should have said. We could have met earlier.”

Considering this was about to become Gillian’s celebration, Finn felt as though it was her occasion entirely. Gillian had walked in here and practically offered herself as Finn’s ultimate gift. Yeah, Finn wished she’d told Gillian she was all alone. But if this was what waiting around resulted in, it was worth it.

Morgan approached Finn and Gillian, smiling. “What can I get you?”

Finn cut in before Gillian could order. “We’re going to take a bottle of champagne, Morgan.”

Gillian rested a hand on Finn’s forearm, that electrifying touch making her insides shiver. “No, we don’t need to do that. A glass of wine is fine.”

Finn shook her head. “We’ll take the champagne…then the wine.” Finn rummaged in her pocket for cash, then realised she would likely need her card for this transaction. But it was a small price to pay when Gillian had just shown up looking like something Finn only ever saw in her dreams. “You want to sit somewhere a little more private?”

Gillian’s hand remained on Finn’s forearm, only now her thumb was stroking her skin. “Yes. If you’re okay with that?”

“I am. Grab a table, and I’ll bring the drinks over.” Gillian nodded and turned to walk away, but Finn latched onto her hand. She turned back to Finn, her brows drawn together. “Thank you for being here.”

“Thank you for having me here.”

Chapter 6

Gillian watched Finn as she poured two glasses of champagne, the sweetest smile on her face. Finn had a beautiful smile, all of her was very appealing to Gillian, but she kept coming back to the smile. Because whether it was the smile Finn wore as she greeted Gillian, or the smile she wore as she watched Gillian come undone beneath her…it made her feel the same way.

Appreciated.

Wanted.

Attractive.

“So, what made you change your mind about meeting me here?” Finn handed Gillian a glass, sitting beside her in a booth along the back wall of the bar. The lights were dimmed, and it wasn’t very busy, so Gillian felt as though they would be safe here.

“I checked where the bar was. I thought you would be somewhere closer to the university, but we’re…quite out the way here.”

“Yeah. I prefer to stay close to home if I can. I think it’s because of Mum, you know?”

Gillian smiled. “Yes. I know.”

“And I think if this is going to be a thing between us, it’s a good idea to go to bars away from the university.” Finn rested her ankle on her knee, slinking an arm over the back of the booth. “While I really enjoy being at your place, it’s nice to be out sometimes.”

Gillian wanted that to be the case but spending time with one another outside of the bedroom hadn’t really been on the agenda. At least, she hadn’t thought so. If Finn was going to start moving the goalposts, Gillian needed to know that. “Finn, when we spoke about things on Wednesday night, I got the impression that this wasn’t really on the table. You said you weren’t looking for anything serious.”

“I-I…I’m not.”

“Then I have to ask…why would we ‘be out’ together sometimes?” Fuck! Gillian didn’t like the way that came out of her mouth. And judging by the look on Finn’s face, neither did she. “I didn’t mean for that to sound the way it did. I just don’t want to blur any lines, Finn.”

Finn nodded slowly. “No blurred lines. Got it.” She lifted her champagne glass and slanted it towards Gillian. “Congratulations on the new place.”

“Thank you.” Gillian clinked her glass to Finn’s, sipping her drink slowly as she watched Finn over the rim.

She’d offended Finn—that was clear by the silence that had settled between them.

“Finn?”

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