A New Leaf (Hemlock #1)

Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty-One

Charlie

We’re both sitting on the couch in my dim living room and it all feels incredibly intimate. Finn’s lounging on one side, his feet resting on the coffee table like we do this every night. Finn had been cuddling with Vera until she decided to put herself to bed because it’s so late. Anyone else might think that this all adds up to the idyllic romantic evening. But, unfortunately for Finn, I resemble a swamp creature, with my hair looking very troll chic. Fortunately for me, Finn is incredibly handsome and put together, as usual, wearing an emerald green sweater, inky blue jeans, and accessorized with a gold vintage watch. Finn’s hair is model worthy with perfect, shiny curls at the nape of his neck.

I let out a deep sigh. My moose pajamas and sweatshirt aren’t even on the same playing field. I think there’s a rip at the hem somewhere on the left leg and my sweatshirt is tattered at the neck.

Finn slings his arm on the back of the couch. “Why the big sigh?”

“It’s late, after what I presume was a long day at work for you, and you look really good. Like really good. How do you dress so nice?” I, not so subtly, try to tame a little bit of my crazy hair by smoothing it down. “I look like a swamp creature right now . . . and I’m sure I have leftover pimple cream on my face somewhere.” I look back up at him and tip my head to the side. My eyes are drawn to him, feeling the urge to trace every inch of his body.

His big, ocean blue eyes are full of kindness as they gaze down at me through his glasses. A smattering of pale freckles dot across his nose and cheeks. My eyes sweep down from his defined jaw, wandering down to his long torso and even longer legs. Eventually, my gaze locks on to his hands—my pulse rising at the memory of them gripping my thighs, making me feel delicate and desired as his fingers pressed into my skin.

I would commit unspeakable acts just to have his hands on me again.

Finn’s dimples make an appearance as he notices that I’m checking him out.

I’m not ashamed. He’s a good-looking guy and I enjoy looking at pretty things.

I set my chin in my hand and smile. I’m not sure whether it’s because I’m extra relaxed from the day off, or seeing Finn so comfortable in my house, but I feel lighter, more relaxed. When I’m around him, the tension in my body always subsides and my mind clears. It’s a feeling I wish I could bottle up and carry with me wherever I go.

“Are you done checking me out?” He smirks, breaking my thoughts.

“Maybe. Maybe not,” I quip. “Does it bother you?”

After these last few moments of looking at him, my skin suddenly feels on fire, with a low pulse simmering between my legs. The vibe in the room has seemingly shifted. What was once relaxed has now become thick with tension and anticipation.

“Not in the slightest. Come here.” Finn leans forward and wraps one strong arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. He presses a soft kiss to the spot below my ear, causing goosebumps to ripple across my skin.

“You smell incredible,” he hums against my skin.

Words fail me as I feel myself become overcome with need.

It’s been too long since I’ve felt desired by someone. My breath catches in my throat when his warm lips find mine. At first, the kiss is gentle and tender—a classic Finn kiss. It’s his way of testing the waters, seeing if I want more and allowing me to set the pace.

I want a lot more.

In fact, I want all of it and then some. I’m greedy and desperate and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

He pulls away, resting his forehead on mine, looking deep into my eyes. His pupils are wide with longing. A silent understanding passes between us, both knowing exactly where this night will lead.

The feeling of yearning has become so intense that it’s consuming me from the inside out. Becoming impatient, I grip his face with both hands and kiss him hard and with desperation. The combination of feeling his five o’clock shadow, his soft lips, and his woodsy cologne are enough to turn me feral. He groans at the contact of our lips colliding and gets the hint that I need more.

His large hands snake their way up under my sweatshirt, brushing against my soft stomach. As his fingers slowly trace over my curves, he hums in approval of what he finds.

Pulling away from our kiss, he pants, “No bra?”

“Shut. Up. You’re ruining the moment with your commentary.”

I grab his sweater and pull him towards me. He chuckles just before our lips devour each other again. His hands confidently explore my body, palming my breast and gently pinching my nipple. A desperate moan escapes from my lips.

“Take this fucking sweatshirt off,” he says against my mouth.

“Take it off yourself,” I challenge.

Finn pulls away, and his eyes connect with mine. Pure, hungry lust is written all over his face. I watch as his careful self-control begins to slowly unravel before my eyes. We’re both staring at each other, completely breathless, with flushed cheeks and swollen lips.

I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from this uninhibited side of Finn.

He closes his eyes and thickly swallows, composing himself before he speaks. “Sweetheart, I’m a patient man. But my patience is beginning to wear thin with you looking at me like that.” One of his hands cups my cheek as his thumb slowly moves back and forth. “I need your words. Tell me what you want and I’ll give it to you. Anything, Charlie. Anything at all.” His words are a plea laced with desperation.

My body feels like it’s vibrating, overwhelmed by the rush of emotions I’m feeling.

One thing is for certain, though, I know exactly what I want.

“I want you,” I whisper. “Please, just—” I pause, and my eyelids flutter close. “I just need you. Right now.”

He nods, tucking a strand of hair behind my ears, and then gives me a soft kiss filled with adoration. “Bedroom. Now,” his voice hovers over my lips. “I can’t wait to take my time with you.”

My body trembles with excitement at his words and promises. The tension in the air is so thick I can barely breathe. Once we make it up to my room, we find Vera sleeping peacefully in the bed.

“Vera,” Finn bellows, his voice low and gravelly. “Off. Now.”

Okay, wow .

That sent a shiver straight down my spine and directly to my clit.

Where the hell did that authoritative voice come from? How can I hear more of it?

Vera groans and hops off the bed, giving us a major side eye in the process. When Vera is no longer in the room, Finn shuts the door and locks it. I furrow my brows and tilt my head at him.

“Nothing will interrupt what’s about to happen. Especially not the dog.” He takes three big strides to me and grabs my face in his large palms, kissing me possessively.

Finn backs me up slowly to the bed. As soon as the back of my knees hit the edge, I fall backwards, and his body is on top of mine. Our bodies clash in a frenzy of gasping breaths, teeth, and tongues. I slip my hands under his sweater, feeling his warm skin beneath my fingertips. When my nails graze his bare skin, scratching lightly, he moans into my mouth and then playfully nips my bottom lip.

I’m deliriously aroused.

With one swift movement, Finn’s hands grip the bottom of my sweatshirt, tugging it over my head.

“Fucking stunning.” He lets out a deep groan before pressing his lips against mine in a passionate kiss.

My body aches to feel his warm skin pressed against mine. As my fingers inch towards the hem of his sweater, Finn stands up swiftly, pulling it over his head and revealing his lean body. Even though Finn isn’t overly muscular, his height and defined features make him the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.

Tossing his sweater off to the side, he undoes his belt with a swift flick of the wrist. After unbuttoning the top button of his jeans, they slide low on his narrow hips, giving me a glimpse of his black boxer briefs.

Without breaking eye contact, Finn grabs the waist of my pajamas and hastily yanks them down my legs. I make a noise that’s halfway between a laugh and a yelp.

When he goes to toss them aside, he clicks his tongue. “First, no bra and now no panties? Charlie, what are you doing to me?”

I lean up on my elbows, cocking my head to the side. “You’re ruining the moment with your commentary again.” I chuckle, raising one brow.

Now, fully exposed to this man, Finn looks down at my naked body, taking in every single inch of me with his hungry eyes. He’s standing at the edge of the bed, biting his fist and shaking his head.

“Fuck,” he groans, his voice thick with desire. Finn doesn’t say another word as his eyes trace every curve and dip of my bare skin.

“Oh no. What?” I say, keeping my voice even and controlled.

He shakes out of a trance. “Huh?”

“You’re staring and not saying anything. Usually, when you see a naked woman for the first time, there’s a little more enthusiasm and less?—”

He kneels on the bed, grabs my chin and lifts it to meet his gaze. “Charlie, stop talking.”

“But—”

One finger covers my lips so they don’t move. My eyes widen as his face turns serious.

“You’re so fucking striking that I was momentarily speechless.” He breathes, slowly dropping his finger from my lips. Finn rests his forehead against mine, our eyes lock onto one another. The intensity of this moment has my chest heaving and my skin buzzing with lust.

Finn hovers over me, his warm breath caressing my face as he rests his forearm beside my head for balance. The warmth radiating off his skin only intensifies my already overheating body.

His hand makes a trail starting at my thigh, gliding up to my hip, dipping down to my waist, and finally to my full breast. He gives it a gentle squeeze before brushing his thumb over my nipple. The sensation makes me shiver. Finn softly chuckles, and he continues to trace the curves of my body with his deft fingers. When his hand makes its way to the base of my throat, carefully holding my neck, he feels my fluttering pulse.

“Your heart is racing,” he whispers.

I swallow thickly, unsure of what to say. Right now, I’m so overwhelmed by his touch that I feel like I’m gasping for air.

Finn’s large hand moves away from my neck to my collarbone, gently holding me at the back of my neck. He’s breathing so heavily that I can feel him trembling. Every wall of his restraint is begging to crumble.

Finn takes a deep breath, as if he can’t get enough oxygen to fill his lungs. “My god, woman. Have you seen yourself? I’m going to be dreaming about this body every night until I’m six feet under, sweetheart.”

With those parting words, Finn stands up, grabs my legs and pulls my body to the edge of the bed. I yelp, taken aback by how he handles me with such fervor.

I’m loving every fucking moment of it.

He slowly walks over to the bedside table and takes his glasses off, setting them down. When he walks back over to me, he’s looking at me like I’m his prey. Before I can register what he’s doing, he sinks to his knees, never breaking eye contact.

“Why’d you take your glasses off?” I question.

“This is serious business, sweetheart. I’m a gentleman, meaning ladies always come first.”

I don’t even have time to reply before he takes one, achingly slow swipe of his tongue from my wet entrance to my clit. A full- body shudder travels through me from the top of my head down to my toes.

“Fuck, that felt good,” I pant.

“Good. Just relax and turn that pretty little brain off while I taste you.”

My mind is short-circuiting seeing this side of Finn.

Finn’s strong arms are around my legs, holding me tightly to him. Softly, he leaves a trail of kisses along my inner thighs. Each brush of his lips on my sensitive skin makes me shiver with desire. I can feel myself getting more and more aroused as he teases me with his featherlight touches.

Finally, his mouth covers my clit, applying the perfect amount of pressure as he sucks and licks with expert precision. My body responds eagerly to him, writhing underneath his grasp.

As I’m thinking it can’t get better, Finn releases one of my legs and pushes two fingers deep inside me, curling them in a beckoning motion. I gasp uncontrollably, my hands tangled in his hair, gently tugging the strands. An appreciative groan rumbles out of him, the vibrations only intensifying my pleasure.

Heavy pressure rapidly builds within me. I’m on the verge of falling off the edge and into the depths of my orgasm. My body is squirming under Finn’s mouth, with one hand in his hair and the other clutching my bedsheet.

Involuntarily, my back arches off the bed and my eyes flutter close as I surrender to the overwhelming pleasure. Finn doesn’t stop, though. His tongue continues to work my pussy at a slower pace. Allowing me to savor every moment, drawing out my orgasm to new heights.

A fucking gentleman indeed.