Page 44 of Whisper Woods

I like Finn. He’s a good guy. But I’ll break him in half and eat him for a snack if he doesn’t stop looking at my guy like that.

As I approach the bar, I give Woodsy an up-nod in greeting and reach an arm up to scratch at the back of my neck. Between the cut off sleeves and cropped hem of my tee, I know the move not only shows the perfect hint of skin, but shows it to the best advantage.

Just ‘cuz I gotta be wearing clothes, doesn’t mean I don’t know how to still show off my assets.

The move doesn’t go unnoticed. By Finn anyway. He blushes, eyes going wide as I slide up to the bar behind him. I think he chokes on his drink a little, judging by his gasping breath.

Meeting Rafe's eyes over Finn’s head, I pat the poor guys back. Rafe’s dark brows pucker into a frown as his good eye tracks my hand as it slides around Finn’s shoulder.

“Finn! It’s been forever! How’ve you been?” Wolf is losing his shit, but I ignore him, focusing a thousand percent of my attention down at Finn.

He’s tipped his head back to look up at me, but it kind of leaves him shoved into my armpit. Which I happen to know helikes, but because I’m not a total dick, I move so he’s not smothered.

“Uh, yeah, good. Busy. Good.” He stammers his answer and looks back andforth between Rafe and I. The tension between us is growing by the second, and I feel a little bad dragging Finn in the middle of it.

“That’s good to hear.” I wink at Finn, making the pink blush turn a fiery red.

Woodsy appears on the other side of the bar, arms spread wide, an exasperated look on his face. He looks at the three of us in turn, sniffing the air. His eyes narrow and he looks back at Rafe and then me. “We’re not going to have any problems here tonight are we? Because I can tell you now, I’m not in the mood to deal with any more shit.”

“Trouble? Me? I’m offended, Woodsy! I thought we were friends.” I laugh and pout, adding a little layer of flirting, even though Woodsy is as straight as an arrow.

Woodsy scoffs, throwing a tea towel over his shoulder and crossing his arms over his chest. It’s not quite as impressive as when Roan does it, but it has a pretty similar effect.

I don’t even look at Rafe. Nope. Not even in the mirror behind the bar. So I entirely miss the way his nose scrunches up, making his nose ring glint in the lights over the bar. And the way runs his hands through the white streak in his hair, making it look all sexy tousled. Obviously.

“Yeah, right. That’s you. Sweet and innocent. What do you want?” His smile takes the edge off his words, and so I order myself a soda and offer to grab a fresh drink for Finn and Rafe. Finn takes me up on the offer. Rafe doesn’t.

The silence is awkward while we wait for the drinks. It’s like a game of chicken, who’s gonna spill first. Which is super unfair becausetheydon’t have Wolf carrying on like a total berk, demanding I haul Rafe upstairs. Or provoke him sohehaulsmeupstairs. Wolf’s much preferred scenario.

Thankfully, Finn cracks first. “So, Seff. How’ve you been? What are you up to?” Finn turns on his stool so his back isn’t facing me any more, leaving him sandwiched between us.

“You know me, Finny-babe, I’m always good.” I smirk down at him, bumping my elbow into his shoulder conspiratorially. Finn laughs, a giggly sort of snort and nods. “Just thought I’d swing by tonight, see how everyone is. I’ve gotta help Theo with some stuff at the house tomorrow.”

Rafe is listening far too intently, but I don’t know why. So I ignore him, focusing entirely on Finn. Afterall, that’s what he was so interested in before anyway. “I haven’t seen you around lately.”

Finn seems grateful for the topic change, leaping on it with two hands and explaining about how he’d moved to Ulydessia for a new job and how he’d come back to visit his family.

“I was just talking to Rafe about it, actually.” He wraps up, sending a shy glance up at Rafe, whose body is locked with tension, his eyes focused on me like lasers. At the mention of his name, it seems to shake him free. His frosty demeanour melts entirely, and he smiles at Finn with this charming half smile thing he does. “He was telling me all these places I should go visit and stuff. He’s been really helpful.”

“My pleasure entirely.” Rafe practically purrs at Finn. The fucker.

Jealousy fries my good sense and I growl. Low, and mean, the sound rumbles through my chest. The sound sparks a ripple of fear through the less predator-orientated beings in the tavern, including Finn who whimpers softly.

Rafe’s nostrils flair, our eyes meeting again.

“Uh, I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s going on here, and if I’ve stepped in the middle of something, I’m sorry, but I’m out.” Finn throws back the last of his drink and slides off his stool. “Thanks for the drink, Seff. Rafe, it’s been cool chatting.”

“Wait, you don’t need to leave.” Rafe stands up from the bar, just as I take half a step forward towards Finn.

“Finn, fuck, I’m sorry.” I apologise, feeling like a total ass.

Finn shakes his head, holding his hands in front of him. “It’s all good. Not gonna lie, whatever this is,” he points a finger between two of us, “it was kinda hot to be in the middle of it. But it’s above my pay grade.”

I bite my lip to keep my retort inside when Rafe scoffs next to me, his arms brushing mine when he crosses them in a defensive stance. A coy smile pulls at Finn’s lips while he considers us. “Seriously, you two have a good night.”

We watch him go, and the moment he’s out of sight, Rafe spins towards me, his face blazing in anger. “What in the name of the Gods was that about?”

Wolf cows under the scrutiny, almost rolling over onto his back in submission. Not me, no, I’ve never been that smart. I’m all fired up and, quite frankly, the heated way he’s fronting up to me, the brush of his chest against mine, is making me all kinds of hot and bothered.

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