Page 39 of Study You

As she moved into the double living room and counted the broken floorboards she’d noted on arrival, she saw Gillian pull up outside the house. Finn wouldn’t be much longer, and since it was only just after midday, they could both enjoy what was left of their Saturday.

Her watch pinged on her wrist, and as Finn looked down at the notification, she smiled. She had booked a hotel room on a whim just ten minutes ago, and the confirmation had just come through. Why had she booked a room? Because this was her birthday weekend, she didn’t need to be at home since her mum was away until Monday morning, and she had zero plans to sit around at home with her drunk of a father. If she got lucky, maybe Gillian would stay there with her.

“Finn?” Gillian called out as she slammed the front door shut. “Are you still here?”

“Sure. I’m through here.” Finn shoved her notepad into the empty pocket on her tool belt, smiling as Gillian came rushing through the hallway.

“I’m so sorry.”

Finn held up a hand. “Stop apologising. You didn’t even need to be here. I’m only taking measurements. I did have a few suggestions to run by you if you decide you want to hire me. I could have discussed it over the phone, though.”

“Y-you’re hired,” Gillian said, her tone sultry as her eyes swept up Finn’s body. “For sure. You’re hired.”

“O…kay.” Why was Gillian looking at Finn that way? As though she was about to pounce on her. “Are you good?”

“So good.” Gillian rested against the doorframe, smirking. “You look…very nice.”

Very nice? Finn was wearing washed-out jeans with plaster stuck to them in places, a white tank top, and old Timberland boots she was pretty sure had a hole in the sole of them. But they were too comfy to throw out. “I…uh, thank you?”

Gillian motioned up and down Finn’s body. “Will you…be wearing this while you’re working for me?”

“Well, yeah. It’s my work clothes.”

“And will you maybe need any help around here? From me?”

Finn smiled. While she believed women were capable of anything men were, Gillian was not builder material. “No, probably not. I wouldn’t want you to break one of those expensive nails.”

Gillian quirked a sexy eyebrow in Finn’s direction, making her knees weak. God, Finn hated it when she did that. It threw her off her train of thought entirely.

“Sorry, that wasn’t me having a dig. But this is going to be an intense re-fit.” Finn rested back against the nearest windowsill, keeping some sort of distance between them. She wanted to be professional for as long as she possibly could. “I’m thinking I’ll take care of the kitchen, living area, main bedroom, and bathroom first. Then, if you want to move in, I’ll make sure it’s clean and as dust-free as possible for you. I can work on the rest around you.”

Gillian pushed off the frame, slowly approaching Finn. So much for that distance. She swallowed when Gillian stopped dead in front of her. “I’m very happy that you’re taking care of this place for me.”

“Y-yeah?” Finn swallowed again. “I appreciate you putting your trust in me. A lot.”

“I know how good you are with your hands, Finn. I’d be stupid to give the work to anyone else.”

Yeah, Gillian needed to stop with the teasing. Finn was still coming down from this morning’s high. And last night’s. The last week or so, in all honesty. Even the mid-week meltdown had been long forgotten.

Finn had never enjoyed herself as much as she had since university had resumed after the Christmas break. Instead of having breakfast this morning, they’d ended up showering together…and fucking. God, she’s hot! Finn reached out and took Gillian’s hand. “Hey, um…” Finn studied Gillian’s face, realising what she was about to ask was a stupid idea. They’d already spent last night together. That should be enough. She smiled and shook her head. “Never mind.”

“Use your words, Finn.” Gillian cradled Finn’s jaw in her hand. “You usually have no issue telling me what you want, so use your words.”

Okay, here went nothing. “Can I see you tonight? I know we spent last night together, but I would like to see you tonight.”

Gillian sighed. “I’m not available. I have plans with my best friend. I’m sorry.”

Damn it. Part of Finn had hoped she could convince Gillian to spend the night at the hotel with her. “That’s cool. I didn’t think you’d be available, but I wanted to ask anyway, you know?”

“Another time?” Gillian guided Finn to her feet, stroking a fingertip up the middle of her throat. Oh, God. When Gillian did things like that, it took everything within Finn to hold back. “If…you’d like to?”

“Absolutely. You know I’d like to.” Finn gazed into those deep brown eyes of Gillian’s, wishing tonight could have been better planned. She would have cancelled the hotel room and just stayed at home, but the stupidity in her had booked a non-refundable room. Fuck it. She would enjoy herself either way. “Can I…kiss you before I leave?”

Gillian drew Finn in, her tongue slipping into Finn’s mouth so effortlessly. Fuck, this woman just knew everything that worked for Finn. How was it possible to feel so compatible with a woman who would eventually drop her? It didn’t make any sense. But Finn knew it wasn’t supposed to make sense. It was just supposed to be this way. Gillian squeezed Finn’s upper arms as she pulled back slowly. “Thank you for the perfect night last night.”

“Hey, anytime. You know that.” Finn kissed Gillian again, this time choosing to take a step back rather than deepen it. She wanted to, of course she did, but this wasn’t the time or place to get handsy. One day, perhaps, but not today. “I’m going to head off, okay? I’ll price up some materials, the things I know for sure you need, and then we can go from there. You know, your ideas for the place and that.”

Gillian regarded Finn with the most beautiful smile. “Perfect.”

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