18. Margo
EIGHTEEN
MARGO
Sweater Guy
Are you awake?
Me
Define awake.
I’m currently buried under a pile of blankets because my apartment is cold as shit, so yes, technically I’m awake, but I’m not happy about it.
Sweater Guy
Not a morning person?
Me
I’m a mid-afternoon person. I really shine at two p.m.
Let me guess. You get up before the sun.
Sweater Guy
Always. The world is a lot nicer before everyone wakes up.
Me
You’re probably ready for lunch, aren’t you?
Sweater Guy
Not quite. I’m downstairs with coffee. Figured I’d pump you with caffeine so we could go for a run.
Me
How the hell do you have my address?
And run? It’s twenty-four degrees outside.
Sweater Guy
Perfect weather for a jog.
Me
You might be certifiably insane.
Sweater Guy
At least I have coffee.
Me
I’ll take the caffeine, but the run is up for debate. I’m building four, apartment 623. Sixth floor.
Sweater Guy
See you soon, late riser.
“I’m still trying to figure out how you know where I live. The thriller books and true crime podcasts would tell me I’m about to be a victim. Is this some method acting for another stalker romance you’re recording?”
“I followed you on Strava. All your runs start and end here, so it was pretty easy to figure it out,” Finn says.
“Wait.” I frown. “You can see that on the app?”
“Mhm. I’m not one to tell you what to do, but you should consider updating your privacy settings so it hides the first quarter mile of your workout. You don’t want creeps following you places or learning your routines, and that information is readily accessible. I can help you do that, if you want.”
Warmth blossoms in my chest. “You would do that?”
“I know how lucky I am to be a male runner. I’ve seen the shit women deal with: the catcalls. The harassment. The stalking. It makes me sick that you can’t run with headphones because you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times. I don’t have that kind of fear, and I recognize it’s a privilege to run without having to be worried. I don’t want anything to happen to you, Margo, and I want to make sure you’re safe.”
I lunge for him and wrap my arms around his middle. I bury my face in his shirt and inhale the scents I’ve come to associate with Finn: peppermint, the touch of cinnamon, and a hint of something spicy. I hold him, afraid if I let go, I’ll wake up from the dream where this wonderfully considerate man is in my life.
“Thank you,” I murmur into his chest. “And good morning.”
“Good morning.” He kisses the top of my head and I slowly pull away from him. “How’d you sleep last night?’
“Not bad.” I yawn and gesture him farther into my apartment. I don’t mention that I haven’t slept nearly as well as the night we first hooked up. I usually like my space, a woman who craves her independence and the ability to do what she wants, when she wants, but I liked being in his bed with him by my side. It’s been hard to get comfortable like that again, and I find myself missing him in the middle of the night. “Welcome to my crib, by the way.”
“You’re too young to know that show.”
“I’m an old soul, Finn.”
“I like your place.” He smiles and looks around. His attention snags on the photos hanging on the wall, and he taps one of me and Katarina. “What the hell is happening here?”
“Oh god.” I bury my face in my hands. “I was drunk in the back of a cab after an awful date with a guy, and Kat took that selfie of us when I was mid-rant about how I’m never dating again. I like how happy I look.”
“Your smile is huge.” Finn pries my hands away from my face and passes me my coffee with a grin. “Tell me why the date was so awful.”
“He picked me up from my apartment.”
“Wow. What an asshole. I hate him.”
“With his mom .”
“Fucking hell.” He laughs and takes a sip of his drink. “Did she also chaperone you at the table?”
“No, but he wouldn’t stop talking about how amazing she is. Don’t get me wrong; I love my parents very much. I’ll sing their praises to anyone who asks, but I started to think this dude was in love with his mom. His maternal fixation was weird . Oh. He also licked his fingers and dipped them in his water glass to clean them off… then drank out of it.”
“On behalf of men everywhere, including my son, I apologize for the sins my gender has committed.”
“Come on.” I lean against the wall. “You’ve probably done something stupid on a date.”
Finn wrinkles his eyebrows, deep in thought. “I’m not sure I have. I know that’s subjective, but I haven’t seen any of my dating stories on the AITA Reddit threads, so I think I’ve done a decent job. I can give you a couple of women’s numbers if you want to ask for a breakdown on my behavior, though. They’ll be honest with you.”
The idea of him with another woman makes my skin prickle.
It’s silly. He has a son —who I’ve slept with—with another woman. For all I know, he’s fucking four other people right now because we haven’t had a conversation about exclusivity or what the hell this situationship is.
But I don’t like picturing him with his head between a blonde’s legs. I don’t like picturing him with his mouth on someone else’s chest. I want him to do that with me , not them, and I fear I might have just climbed into a hole I’m not going to be able to get out of.
“That’s okay.” I sip my coffee so I can give myself a second to think. “Do you date a lot of people?”
“I haven’t dated anyone in a minute, but I’ve had some physical relationships. I’m not an asshole, by the way. Everyone is aware of the parameters before we get started.”
“You’re not leaving a trail of broken hearts across Chicago?”
“I hope not. I’d never want to do that. What about you, Miss Andrews? I know my son was a prick, but what about before him?”
“I’ve dated some people. I’ve had a couple friends with benefits. I’m not sure where I land on the whole settling down thing, but I have time to figure it out.”
“You have many years ahead of you.”
“Did you tell Jeremy about us?”
Finn sets down his coffee and steps toward me. “Tell him what, Margo? That I’ve seen his ex-girlfriend naked? That I stripped her down in my hallway and fucked her on my kitchen table?” He runs his fingers down my thin sleep shirt and grazes over my hard nipples. “That I have her on audio saying my name, not his, when she came? No, baby. I haven’t told him you’re a slut for my cock and that’s why one night turned into two times, then three, and after we finish our run, I’m going to make it four.”
I almost drop my coffee when I moan at his words.
I love how vocal he is. How there’s no doubt in my mind about what he’s thinking or feeling.
I especially love how filthy he is.
At the museum two nights ago, he pulled me into a closet like he said he would and went down on me. He dropped to his knees, flipped up my skirt, and ate me out until he had to fold a large palm over my mouth to keep me quiet.
“Can’t we have fun first, then run?” I dance my free hand over the front of his shorts, and his hard cock twitches against my palm. “You feel a little worked up.”
“I’ll make you a deal.” He yanks on my hair and pulls my head back so he can kiss my neck. “For every mile we run, I’ll give you an orgasm.”
“What if we run ten miles?”
“Then it looks like we’ll have a busy day.”
“Wow. Who knew the promise of orgasms would be the reason I’d consider running a marathon? But you’ve read those romance books, Finn. Where the women come fifteen times like they’re magical beings with unlimited orgasms. Pretty sure that doesn’t happen in real life.”
“Then we should test that theory to see if it’s fiction or reality.” Finn wraps his arm around me and squeezes my ass. “Go get dressed. And wear a tight sports bra. I want to watch your tits bounce.”
“I think I’m dying.” I groan and shield my eyes from the glare of the sun. “How long have we been going?”
“Five miles.” Finn hands me a bottle of water and I gulp it down. “We’re a mile and a half from your place. Want to keep going?”
The orgasm incentive is enticing, but my legs are heavy from the last few weeks of half marathon training, plus the two races. Finishing the morning with six miles is better than what I had planned, and I don’t want to hurt myself.
I know Finn would never let that happen, but it’s better to tap out while I’m ahead.
“Let’s go home.” I hand the water back over to him, and I haven’t missed the way he’s carried it this whole time in case I needed it. “You can go ahead of me if you want. I know I’m slowing you down.”
“That’s not true.” We turn around and head down the riverfront pathway. “I’m enjoying this pace.”
“I bet you are. It’s practically walking.”
“Hey.” He pinches my side. “Enough of that negativity. Do you know what I tell Holden?”
“No.” I settle into an easy jog and look over at him. “What?”
“Miles are miles, no matter how fast. All you need is a pair of shoes, and sometimes, you don’t even need those.”
“The sport is important to you, isn’t it?”
“Every day I’m out here is a gift, and I want to have fun with it. Fast. Slow. Doesn’t matter.”
“That’s a good perspective to have.”
“That’s what I’m here for: perspective and wisdom.”
“Okay, all-knowing one.” I laugh when he gently nudges my side with his elbow. “I don’t hate running as much as I did four months ago. When I first started training, I’ll admit it was out of spite and anger. But I’ve learned things about myself along the way, and that’s pretty cool.”
“It’s really cool,” Finn agrees. “Hey. I’m sorry for showing up at your place without asking. That was fucking weird. You didn’t tell me I could be there, and I crossed a line.”
Maybe I should’ve thought it was weird, but in the times we’ve spent together, I’ve never felt uncomfortable around him. I’ve never felt like I’m in danger or at risk of getting hurt. Everything has been so good , and for someone whose son was straight-up shitty to me, he’s been nothing but incredible.
Finn was right about what he told me the time we were first together; he is a man. This isn’t a game. There’s no hidden agenda. We’re two adults enjoying each other’s company, and I’m not scared of him.
“It’s okay,” I say. “I had no idea Strava shared my location to the world, and it’s not like you were some rando who followed me home one night. I’m not creeped out. I’m more impressed with your sleuthing skills. Katarina would be proud.”
“Ah. So I’d have the best friend’s approval? Sounds like a win in my book.” He smiles and reaches over to touch my shoulder. “Really, Margo. I’m sorry. I won’t show up unannounced again. I promise.”
I kind of hate how much of a nice guy he is.
If he were an asshole, it would be easy to make an excuse not to see him anymore.
But now I’m looking for reasons to spend time with him. Doing anything I can to stretch out the minutes we have together, because I like being around him so dang much.
“I’ll make sure to invite you next time. Or you could sleep over and be there in the morning. That wouldn’t be unannounced.” I stick out my tongue, and Finn laughs. The tension leaves his shoulders and he sighs in relief, like he was actually terrified I’d be mad at him. “What’s our pace?”
“Cruising right around eleven thirty, Miss Andrews, with a mile to go. How’re you feeling?”
“Tired but strong. It’s a lot more fun to have someone to run with. Makes time go by way faster.”
“If you ever want another running buddy, you know how to get a hold of me. We can even keep the orgasm incentive in place.”
“Does this stretch into the new year?” I ask casually. “Or does it expire on Christmas?”
“No expiration date, but the orgasms can be off the table if you want. A run with a friend is always fun. It doesn’t have to come with any benefits.”
“Glad to know I have some options.” We turn left, and the wind nearly knocks me over. “How do you decide to dress for these runs? I was freezing my ass off when we started, but now I’m sweating.”
“I always underdress, but I keep my ears and hands covered. The more you run, the more you’ll be able to figure out what kind of layers you want or need.” Finn adjusts his beanie. “Should we grab some breakfast before we head back to your place? There’s a diner six blocks up that does a mean stack of pancakes.”
“I’m down. As long as it’s not interfering with anything else you have going on today.”
“I don’t work until tonight. I’ll take a nap before I head in, but I have a few hours. What do you say? Want to celebrate a good run with some delicious food?”
I glance over at him, and when I catch the way he’s smiling at me with a lock of hair sneaking across his forehead and pink cheeks, I realize having breakfast with him sounds like the most fun thing in the world. It sounds like exactly the spot where I want to be.
I don’t care that I’m sweaty. I don’t care that my legs might cramp up when we’re sitting in a booth. I don’t care that my shirt is sticking to my body and my hair is out of control.
I’m so damn attracted to him, and I wonder if I’m crushing on this man, or if it’s the endorphins talking.
“Let’s do it,” I say.
“Awesome.” Finn tugs on my arm and pulls me to his chest. He looks down at me with a wide smile, and my heart skips a beat. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Crush , my brain screams.
Definitely a crush.