Page 50 of Cruel Prep (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 1)

I clench my jaw, and he smiles.

“That’s what I thought.” He shrugs. “If you were rebellious, you wouldn’t have regrets. You’d enjoy being naughty. But unfortunately for both of us, Lily DeVry, you are a good girl.”

He shoves his hands deeper in his pockets, curves his mouth to the side, and makes to turn away.

Before I can stop myself, I reach out and grab him.

I fist my hand in the front of his shirt, yank him towards me, and crush my mouth on his.

Kissing Finn feels like drowning. It feels like forsaking every good and right and natural thing and throwing myself into unknown territory. It’s exhilarating and overwhelming, and I never want it to end.

His tongue slips into my mouth, and I arch my back, trying to press our bodies closer. I want more of him. All of him.

My hand slides down his flat stomach towards his zipper. I can feel his excitement against my thigh, and I know he wants this, too.

Finn’s hand wraps around my wrist. “No.”

“I’m taking what I want,” I gasp, my lips brushing over his with every movement.

“This is what you want right now. But what about tomorrow night?”

I pull back and frown at him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” he says, raising his brows in annoyance. “Do you have plans tomorrow night?”

“Saturday night?” I clarify. “You want to make plans for Saturday night? Like, a date?”

He snorts. “God, no. I just thought it would be a good way for you to prove how rebellious you are.”

Immediately, a cold sense of dread settles in my stomach. I feel nauseous, nervous.

“Wow. Never mind. You look like you’re about to throw up.”

Finn tries to pull away from me, but I grab his shirt tighter and pull him close until we are chest to chest. “What’s happening tomorrow night?”

His chest rises and falls a bit more heavily than normal, and I wonder whether, under his neutral mask, he isn’t a bit flustered, too.

“A secret party.” His fingers slide from my wrist down the back of my hand, tracing my middle finger before falling away. “Invitation only.”

“And you want to invite me?”

He lifts one shoulder in a noncommittal, silent answer.

I shouldn’t go anywhere with Finn Foster. Not after what happened at the last party.

Not after what I’ve seen, the way I react around him, the consequences that have already come from being close to him.

Still, of its own volition, my head begins to nod.

“Yeah?” Finn’s lips spread into an understated smile. More than anything, the expression is in his eyes. They are brighter than they were a minute ago, more alive.

I nod again, confirming my terrible decision.

“Great. I’ll meet you at the football field tomorrow night at nine. Wear something tight.”

22

Finn

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