Page 137 of Haze

I grimace at the granola bar when he tries to hand it to me. “Those are for if I’m starving to death and there’s no way to order food.”

“Well, I’m not taking you to get food, so this is the best offering I have for you, and you should eat. You’ll be sore.” Finn pushes the granola bar toward me.

My wolf urges me as hard as she can to take it from him like it’s some sort of treat.

Begrudgingly I take and open it. Despite it being my desperate food, it’s one of the strawberry ones and they’re my favorite, so it’s not the end of the world to have to eat it. Taking a bite appeases Finn, and he sits down on the bed. Wrapping one leg under himself, he looks at me and runs his hand back through my hair.

“Are you planning on being difficult all night?”

Despite the accusatory tone, Finn wears that soft smirk that reminds me he does find my lack of adherence to his rules a little charming.

I shrug, chewing and giving myself some time before I have to answer. Better to get it over with.

I swallow. “No, I’ve got to paint. Maybe it’s time you go back to your own place.”

He doesn’t miss a beat. “After you finish your water and granola bar, I’ll give you some space.”

The willingness to leave is unexpected.

My wolf is wary. She paces, head tossing back and forth. No. No. No. He doesn’t leave.

Squashing her down deep, I ignore the panic she wants me to feel. He’s a grown man. Finn’s respecting my boundaries, and there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s no reason to believe this is anything more than what it is.

I grab the water from him and wash down the granola bar. After taking the glass back from me and placing it on the nightstand, Finn starts getting dressed.

The silence between us is uncomfortable. I dress in my painting clothes and follow him to the living space while putting my hair in a ponytail.

Finn picks up his coat and bag and turns back to me. With a curl of his finger and then a point at the floor, he beckons me over to him.

“I know you didn’t just point to indicate where you want me to be,” I growl at him.

Finn chuckles. “I could command you to crawl.”

I run my tongue across my teeth. Half of me thinks there isn’t a single idea that comes out of his mouth that isn’t fun on some level. The other part of me is very much pissed off that he’s willing to express this control.

Lazily I close the space between us.

“Good girl,” he praises, and my heart flutters.

Stop. Just stop, I urge my body. But between his words and how his hand reaches to grab hold of the ponytail at the back of my head, I can’t help my body’s involuntary reactions to him.

With ease, he tips my head and places a chaste kiss on my lips before doing exactly what I asked.

He locks the door behind him on the way out, including locking my deadbolt. Asshole made a copy of my key.

I pull my phone out of my purse and start clearing notifications from all the social media apps. The people who actually know me text me. It’s easier that way.

Nikki:

I’ve a question if you’ve got a minute. No rush.

Cade:

Love you, Lena. Text me if you need anything. Even if it’s to kick Finn’s ass. Family first.

Thalia:

Aw man. You didn’t tell me you were leaving. I wanted a hug. Rude. Love you anyways. See you when you get back this week.

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