Chapter 9
“They say some things just don’t mix, but I think we have good enough chemistry to prove them wrong.”
“I have no reaction to that.”
Adelaide
“Did the instructor from the last class leave their coffee?”
There’s an odd vibe in the room today. The ladies are looking far too innocent for real life.
“I don’t believe so, dear.”
Something is up for sure; Connie never calls me dear. And no one has opened the cookies.
“The coffee’s for you. Just the way you take it,” Finn casually throws out. He’s here—not just on time, but early. And he’s not wearing his glasses.
“Do you need to sit up here? Closer to the front, so you can see?” Maybe he forgot them. Maybe they’re just another one of his cheesy props.
He looks so different without the frames. I mean, he’s good-looking regardless. I’m sure that helps his man-whore ways, but I can’t seem to stop looking at him.
“I can see just fine, thanks. I went with contact lenses. Do you like the change?” He winks.
There is so much winking with him.
I’m getting a little lost in Finn’s eyes.
When he unfolds himself from his chair and stalks toward me, I force myself to look away.
Aidan’s words, his comments about Finn, run through my mind as he approaches.
I pull my lower lip between my teeth when he stops in front of me and leans in close.
I level him with my best side-eye. No way, no how is he going to make a move here. Not in front of the ladies.
Instead, he pops the lid off the cookie container, deftly flipping and catching it.
The most amazing smell wafts out, enveloping me in chocolaty goodness.
“I’ll just pass these round the class before we get started then,” he murmurs.
And, like a gentleman, he takes the stack of napkins and makes his way through the room, stopping and chatting with each of the girls. Polite. Kind. Considerate.
This is not what I expected to see from him. I catch Virginia giving him a quick wink when she pats his hand. Seeing this side of him has me off-balance. It’s so far from what I’ve come to expect. And, this time, when he saunters toward me, I’m biting at my lip for an entirely different reason.
“I think you’ll find this a far better thing to chew on than that lovely lip. Though I’d be happy to help with that if you need.” He holds a cookie out to me.
“It’s huge.” I look up at him, not registering what I said until the cocky smile spreads across his face. Shaking my head, I prepare myself for the inevitable.
“It is—” Whatever he was going to say gets cut off by a loud throat clearing from over on Louise’s side of the room. Finn snaps his mouth shut, nods, and goes back to his seat.
Flabbergasted. I’m completely flabbergasted.
I have no idea what’s going on today. Turning back to my computer, I take a bite of Finn’s cookie and moan.
A-fucking-mazing.
The buzz that started in the room goes completely silent. I chance a look over my shoulder and find all the ladies smirking. And Finn is staring at me, wide-eyed, shifting in his seat.
“I…’s really good,” I mumble around the warm, gooey treat. “Sorry. Let’s, um…should we…” I never get flustered like this. “Fuck.” This can’t get any worse. I need to get a grip.
* * *
I don’t know how we make it to the end of our class time, but I’m pretty damn sure it’s the least productive class I’ve ever led.
“So, we’ll just pick up here next time.”
And, with that, the awkward filing out of the room commences. The air has been charged for the entire hour and a half that we’ve been here. I pack up my stuff, eyeing the rest of my cookie. There’s no way I could risk taking another bite with an audience.
Finn, however, hasn’t moved from his seat.
“Did you make these?” I wave toward my half-eaten treat. His response is nothing more than a slow nod. “They’re delicious.”
“Thank you,” he rasps, still not moving from his seat.
“Here.” I shove the container holding the remaining cookies toward him.
He shakes his head, pulling his computer off the desk and settling it on his lap. “No, you take ’em.” His accent is thicker, more pronounced than usual.
“Okay. Are you, um…are you ready to go?”
“Erm, I am.” He nods, sliding his stuff into his bag, waiting for me to pass before coming to his feet. “Can I help you with your coat?” He takes it from my hand and holds it for me, guiding it up my arms and settling it on my shoulders.
“Thank you.” I have to clear my throat to make the words come out. I gather the rest of my things from my desk and pop a stray crumb in my mouth. A moan bubbles up unbidden, and I try to stifle it by pressing my hand to my lips. “Sorry,” I mumble, cheeks flaming.
Finn follows me out of the room, turning off the lights and closing the door behind us. He walks me to my car and gets the door for me—just like he did for the ladies.
“I guess I’ll see you…later?” I don’t know why that comes out as a question. I mean, I assume I’ll just see him back here in a couple of days.
“Sure.” He nods at me, tight-lipped, and closes my door.
Finn steps back, and as I pull out of the lot, he’s still standing in that same spot. Bag slung over his shoulder, jacket clutched at his waist, shivering in the winter cold.