Page 38 of Protecting Jess

“That’s a habit you need to break,” Finn admonished.

She ignored him and fired up her phone. A few seconds later, the chimes sounded and, sure enough, there were a couple of messages from her best friend. “Yeah, Kaley messaged.” She tucked her phone back into her bag. “Any idea what’s going on with her and Oak? I’m assuming it was him that asked her along? Unless you did, so I wouldn’t feel alone and awkward.”

A pink hue highlighted his cheeks, something she wasn’t used to seeing on him. “I may have suggested to Oak he should ask her to come.”

“Why didn’t you ask her yourself?” Jess asked.

Finn shrugged. “I didn’t have her number. I could’ve asked you, but it was easier to send Oak a message. But you’re right. You’re her friend, so I should’ve asked you for her cell and told you why.”

In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t a big deal how Kaley got there. The fact she’d be there would make it a little easier for Jess. “It’s fine. I’m happy she’s coming.”

“Good. Now before we go, I need to do one more thing.” Finn’s gaze never left hers.

“And that is?” Jess asked.

“This?” he said before he lowered his head and captured her lips with his.

The kiss was soft and gentle, and she wound her arms around his neck, clinging to him. Her nipples hardened against her bra. The previous night, Finn had slept in the other bedroom.

Tonight, she didn’t want that. Tonight, she wanted to sleep in his arms again.

Tonight, she wanted to connect with him in a way that they hadn’t before.

He broke the kiss, and they were both breathing heavily. “I should’ve known that kissing you was a bad idea.”

“Why?” Should she be offended by that?

“Because now I don’t want to go out. I want you desperately.”

“I want you too, Finn.”

He pulled her close, and the evidence of his desire pressed against her. A shiver ran down her spine at the connection.

“You shouldn’t say that to me, Jess.” His voice was thicker, filled with obvious desire.

She pulled back to look up at him. His eyes were half-closed, but wide enough for her to see the want flaring in their dark depths. “Why not?”

“Because I could so easily blow off my teammates and friends and stay here with you.”

As much as Jess wanted that, too, she also wanted to get to know the rest of his team. These people were important to Finn. They all went into dangerous situations together and looked after each other. She didn’t want their impression of her to be a woman who had creepy people stalking her.

As far as she knew, they still hadn’t found out any further information about who was responsible for dumping that stuff on her hotel bed.

“While I like the idea of staying, I do want to get to know your friends better. And as you said, Kaley would be annoyed if we didn’t show, and an annoyed Kaley isn’t one you want to experience too often.”

Finn laughed and pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. “Let’s go. Because the sooner we leave, the sooner we can get home.”

The desire stoked to life inside of her by his kiss intensified. Maybe Finn’s idea of staying in was better than going out.

“Come on, popsicle.” He grabbed her hand and led them out of the suite.

Jess couldn’t wait until they walked back through the door again.

Laughter surrounded Finn, and he relaxed into his chair, his arm around the back of Jess’s. He let his fingers play with the wispy tendrils of her hair that had escaped her high ponytail. The atmosphere in Aces was relaxed and, for the first time since he’d joined the team, he felt a real part of them.

Oak was beside him, brooding into his beer.

Kaley was sitting on the other side of Jess; she’d moved from where she’d been sitting the moment they’d arrived.

---