Page 21 of Riptide

“No,” I say as nerves skitter down my back.

His mouth curves slightly. He sees right through me. I might’ve been sitting here for a while, just in case he showed up early, but instead, he’s right on time.

“What are you drinking?”

“Whiskey. Neat.”

Finn tilts his head, looking amused. “Of course you are.”

I narrow my eyes. “What does that mean?”

“You just seem like the type,” he says, one eyebrow lifting. “All serious and broody.”

I shift, turning toward him a little more, the corner of my mouth twitching. “That your way of calling me boring?”

He mirrors my action and turns to me, propping his chin into his palm. “I don’t know. Are you boring, Foxx?” Those lashes bat my way, playfulness evident in his eyes. So I let go a little, and my gaze drifts all over his face. He’s fucking pretty as well as a little rough around the edges. He reminds me of standing at the edge of the ocean just before a storm. That moment when everything is charged, wild, and you know you’re about to get pulled under, but you step forward anyway. When I settle on those blue eyes again, burning like flames behind a cage, I consider telling him just how not-boring my thoughts are about him and what I’d do to him, what I want him to do to me.

“Guess you’ll have to find out.” I shrug instead, bringing the drink to my lips once more, watching him track every move I make.

“So…” he says, fingers trailing idly along the edge of a coaster, “is this your usual Friday night?”

I glance at him. “Define usual.”

“Meeting guys from dating apps.”

I set my drink down. “Why? You looking for a Yelp review?”

Finn laughs, tipping his head back slightly. He has a good laugh—full, genuine. I like it. And I like that I coaxed it out of him so easily.

I let my gaze linger on his lips for a little too long, enough to make his tongue peek out to wet them, and I swallow roughly at the sight. Having him here in the flesh just makes me want him more.

“Not often,” I admit. “And you?”

Finn hums, considering. “Define often.” He repeats my words.

I quirk an eyebrow, under no illusions that this gorgeous young guy isn’t going on multiple dates with lots of people per week. “You tell me.”

“I mean, I don’t have a loyalty card, if that’s what you’re asking.” He grins, then leans in slightly, dropping his voice just enough to be a deep, throaty whisper that sends signals directly to my dick. “But I like meeting new people. Seeing where the night takes me. However, it’s not something I’ve indulged in for a while.”

“Is that what this is, just a night?” It’s a redundant question, but I ask anyway. The whole idea of the app is hookups.

“I think that’s what got us both here, no?” His voice is full of intention, and I’m feeling hot all over.

This was always the next step. The natural conclusion. We both knew why we were coming here tonight. But I can’t deny that it’s been a long time since I’ve let myself do this.

“You thinking too hard over there?” His voice has smoothed, but there’s a challenge beneath it. One I’m going to rise to. The teasing, the games, the way he pushes just enough to see if I’ll push back, it’s all part of it. And I think he likes that I don’t fold easily.

I take another sip of my whiskey, rolling the smoky taste over my tongue before setting the glass down. Finn’s eyes track the movement, and I decide it’s nice having his attention. “What’s your drink?” I ask, tipping my chin toward the bartender to signal him over.

Finn grins. “That depends. Do I go honest or impressive?”

I hum. “Honest is sexier.”

“Glad you said that,” he says, ordering a beer. “Didn’t want to pretend I liked overpriced cocktails just to win points.” As he leans back over the bar, I try not to let my gaze fall from his face to his lean biceps, or the wave tattoo nestled in the crease of his forearm I noticed as soon as he came up next to me, but it’s fruitless. I check him out, because why the heck not.

His beer arrives, and he takes a slow sip, still watching me over the rim of his glass. “So, Foxx, do we need rules for tonight?”

I look at the way he’s sitting, comfortable, assured, completely in control of this interaction, and I wonder why he wants that validation. I don’t think he needs it, but maybe he wants me to be more vocal, take the reins a bit more. All in good time.

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