Drawn to you (13 page)

My whole body hums with pleasure. A warm ache builds and ripples through my body, making me shake and release all over his shaft. He pushes deeper into me as the pleasure becomes too much for him and he follows me over, flooding me with his hot release.

He brings his breathing under control, lowering me down so I can stand, but doesn’t stop holding me. He moves the hair clinging to my face and kisses me softly on the forehead.

“You’re amazing. I can’t believe how lucky I am.”

“We’re amazing,” I murmur back.

Walking us under the torrent of cascading water, he washes my body, cleansing me, and I do the same to him, stroking soap over his body. I love touching him. If I could bottle this feeling and sell it I would be a millionaire. Nothing compares to this.

“I made lasagna earlier. It’s in the fridge. Are you hungry?” I ask, walking through to the kitchen.

Finlay continues through to the living space.

“What’s this?” he asks, pointing to the gift I left on the table earlier.

“Open it.”

I bite my lip and fiddle with my hands to suppress the little nerves I have bubbling up in my stomach about the reaction he may have. I don’t want him to think I was snooping or overstepping a mark.

He pulls at the twine I had loosely bound the tissue with and unfolds the paper. He’s silent, gazing down at the painting.

I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding and walk to him, putting my hand on his shoulder.

“I found the picture. I’m sorry, I just thought-”

“No, no. It’s beautiful, I love it. Thank you.” He turns, pulling me into his arms and holding me so tight it’s a little painful. “It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.” His voice cracks slightly as he speaks, telling me it’s a good gift.

“I’m going to heat the food.” I leave him, giving him a minute to his thoughts.

We eat in a comfortable silence, occasionally smiling at each other over our forks. We leave a note for Gaby when we finish up.

We’re next door if you need us. We left you and Mike some dinner in the oven

xxx

OPENING THE DOOR TO
my new home, I’m hit by the scent of flowers. There are bunches of fresh, beautiful roses on every flat surface.

Finlay takes my hand and leads me farther into the apartment; my eyes explore, and stop when they land on the painting hanging over my piano.

Tears well in my eyes.

Finlay releases my hand and I use it to cover my mouth because my lips are quivering with emotion.

The blossom tree painting I had fallen in love with when he took me on our date is now up in my new place.

“Oh my God, Finlay,” I breathe through the lump in my throat.

“I saw how it moved you. It belongs with you.”

“It’s too much. It must have cost a fortune.”

“It doesn’t matter what it cost, Antonia. I wanted you to have it.”

Tears leak from my eyes and I launch myself at him, throwing my arms around his neck. “I love it! I love you!”

His grip tightens and my stomach dips.

Oh my God. I said
I love you.
I can’t move. I bury my face in his chest, too afraid to look up at him.

“Happy moving in day,” Gaby bellows, walking through the front door with Mike, Gabe, and Brad. I pull away from Finlay on unsteady feet and walk over to embrace Gaby.

“We brought beer,” Brad adds.

“I brought flowers but . . .” Gabe’s eyes scan the apartment that’s already full of flowers.

“They’re lovely. Thank you, Gabe.” Taking them from him, I walk over to the sink, and place them in a vase.

I peek over at Finlay to check if he’s made a run for it. God, why did I rush into saying that? His eyes catch mine and it’s hypnotizing; I can’t look away from him, he’s holding my gaze with an intensity so fierce it slices the atmosphere and sticks deep into my chest.

“Prepare to weep, ladies! I’ve found myself a hot little number and now I’m off the market,” Gavin boasts, walking through the front door with Mrs. Hayes on his arm.

“Mom, I’m so glad you made it!” Gaby embraces her.

“Hello, darling. I brought Antonia some groceries.”

“Diane, how lovely to see you. I haven’t even thought about shopping, so thank you.” I smile, taking the groceries from her.

“Finlay, my only son. What a pleasant surprise.”

He doesn’t speak. Instead he approaches her, taking her by the elbow and leading her out the front door.

“What’s that about?” Gaby asks, looking at me.

“I have no idea.” I hold my hands up. I really don’t know what it’s about. He hasn’t elaborated on what’s actually eating him up about his mother.

“What’s with all the flowers? Did someone die?” Gavin asks. “Oh, hold on. Did someone get laid? Brad, is this your doing, you sly, loved-up puppy?”

“Fuck you, Gavin. They’re nothing to do with me.” Brad flips him the bird.

“They’re from Finlay. He and Antonia are a couple now.” Gaby offers the information, bouncing a little with her usual giddiness.
Thanks, Gab.

Everyone turns to me.
Dammit, now I’m blushing.
Gavin speaks first in his usual delicate manner.

“Fuck. So, remember when you said he wasn’t exciting enough for you, did you mean in the bedroom? Because I can give you a training course to show him.”

“Bite me, Gavin.” I roll my eyes.

“Oh, anytime, gorgeous,” he says, making me chuckle.

“Don’t do this, Finlay. It’s in the past and frankly none of your concern!” Diane is shouting in the hall; everybody turns their attention to the door.

“Go home. I don’t want you here!” Finlay yells back.

Gaby rushes over, pulling the door open. “What’s going on, Mom?”

“Nothing, darling. Go back to your friends. I’m taking off, I’ll call you later.”

“Mom? Finlay? What the fuck’s going on?”

“Watch your mouth, Gaby. Just leave it.”

“No! I don’t understand what’s going on. This is my family. I have a right to know why you two are like this,” she continues as Finlay brushes past her into the apartment, heading straight for the beer the guys had brought in with them.

Mike puts his arms around Gaby’s shoulders to comfort her.

“Just leave it for now, Gaby,” he whispers, and walks her towards the living space and away from her brother.

“So, what are we eating?” Gavin breaks the tense atmosphere, making me smile.

“Are you always hungry?” I ask with a raised brow.

“Only when I’m around you.”

Finlay’s head lifts to look at Gavin. He doesn’t need to speak; his narrowing eyes and gritted teeth are warning enough.

“I can order for you, if you’re hungry,” I offer.

“I’ll order pizza, doll. Don’t you feed the beast,” Gabe says.

Gavin grabs his junk and shakes his head. “My beasts not into dudes.”

Gabe doesn’t take his bait.

“So, here’s to Antonia’s new place. I hope you’re happy here, and I hope we have lots of parties here.” Gavin grins raising his bottle.

“Thank you, Gavin. That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

The drinks flow; the pizza was delivered and devoured. Brad decides to corner me in the kitchen to tell me there are no hard feelings and that I should have just told him about Finlay. Damn, he makes it hard not to scream at him. We sent a couple of harmless texts, and he’s acting like a scorned lover. My mind reels off a million things I could say to him but it would cause friction and I don’t want any awkwardness between us, considering he and Finlay are best friends.

“So, Antonia, I need some advice from you,” Gavin says, taking my attention away from Brad.

“Okay, hit me.”

“When you say hit you . . . ?”

“GAVIN!” everyone shouts in unison.

“Shit, okay, it was a joke. Seriously, I need to ask you for some advice.”

I raise a brow and nod as a gesture for him to keep talking.

“So, I like this chick. We screwed one night and now she acts like it didn’t happen and she’s with someone else.”

Gaby tuts as she stands abruptly, and the guys roll their eyes.

“You okay?” Mike asks.

“Yes, I’m fine. Just need the toilet to throw up in if I have to hear his crap.”

I refocus my attention to Gavin. “Well, as harsh as this might sound, she probably knows that you’re more of a one night stand kind of guy, and maybe that’s what she was looking for.”

“Shit, really? Girls do that?” he asks, sounding genuinely curious.

“Ha-ha, that’s so funny!” Mike bellows

“You got used,” Brad adds as a chuckle goes around the room.

“Well I guess karma finally came around, huh?”

Gaby returns looking a little pale
. Maybe she wasn’t joking about being sick.

“I’m going to head next door. I’m tired.”

“I’ll come with you,” Mike says.

“No, it’s fine. Stay. I’m just going to bed anyway. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Hugging him then me, she leaves. I know something is off with her and I’ll need to have a chat and see what it is. I hate that something is troubling her, and being with Finlay makes me feel like I’ve neglected our friendship.

“So, guys, I had them fit an Xbox when they installed the TV because I know how you’re all kids at heart, so feel free to fight over it while I go grab something from next door.” I leave them to it with a little wave of my fingers.

TAPPING ON GABY’S BEDROOM
door, I open it to find her sitting on the floor, wiping tears from her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, crouching to join her on the floor.

“I’ve done something really stupid.” She blows her nose into some tissue and swipes at her hair that had fallen into her face.

I wait for her to elaborate.

“I slept with Gavin.”
Her face slowly lifts to look at me, fresh tears staining her cheeks. “I’m so stupid.”

“Oh, Gaby,” I breathe. “Why?”

“It was weeks ago, when we went to his club. Mike was ignoring me, and I drank too much. I made a mistake. Then Mike and me sorted things, and I couldn’t tell him. I didn’t want to lose him again. I thought Gavin would be happy to not have to deal with the aftermath so I just acted like it didn’t happen. I can’t believe what he said in there. Do you think that was about me? Should I tell Mike?”

“No, I don’t think you need to tell Mike. I think you need to speak to Gavin let him know it was a one off and you and him can just be friends. He’ll understand.”