“You can’t go to Europe. I forbid it,” I said as Fin and I walked hand-in-hand across the Harvard campus. The location had been his suggestion, and I realized I’d never actually seen most of it. I’d applied here, but hadn’t gotten in.
Most of the students had departed for the summer holidays, but there were still some out and about, basking in the sunshine.
“Fine. I won’t go back. But someone is going to have to tell my father,” he said. I shuddered and he squeezed my hand tighter and gave me a smile. He hadn’t told me much about his father, but I knew a little, and Rory had filled in some of the blanks. Ruthless businessman, rarely smiled, always wore a suit. The epitome of the patriarch of a public relations’ firm. I’d seen him from a distance at some of the charity events I helped organize, but I’d always been too intimidated to approach him. His son had inherited that quality.
“No, thanks. I think I’ll pass. But maybe you could just fake your own death or something. That seems to work in novels and soap operas. You could have a whole new identity.” The wind blew some of his coal-black hair in his face, and I reached to push it back for him.
He smiled at me and bent down to give me a kiss. Today I had the fun, flirty, sweet Fin. But tonight? Dark Fin would return, and I inwardly shivered in anticipation of meeting my dark prince again. Fun Fin would let me hold his hand, kiss him, and hug him. Dark Fin didn’t want to be touched, kept in control, and only kissed me if he wanted to. I liked them both.
“So what would my new name be?” he asked after he broke the kiss. We started walking along the path again, watching as several students tossed a Frisbee back and forth.
“Hmmm, that’s a good question. How about…” I tapped my chin with the hand that wasn’t holding Fin’s.
“Jason Storm?” he suggested. I snorted and shook my head.
“No, that sounds like a bad superhero name. How about Fitzwilliam?” Fin just gave me a look.
“It’s Mr. Darcy’s name,” I said.
“I know.” I knew that he knew. I’d seen a copy of
Pride and Prejudice
on his myriad of bookshelves.
We stopped and he backed me up against a tree. I put my arms around his neck and clung to him.
“You can’t go,” I said again, breathing him in. He only used a little cologne, and the rest of his smell was a combination of things, like detergent and mouthwash and his indefinable Fin smell. It reminded me of nights spent looking up at the stars.
“I have to,” he said, threading his hands through my hair. “But I don’t want to. I’d rather stay here with you. I’ve never had a good reason to stay put, and now there’s you.” I felt the same way. It was so soon, too soon, to feel this way. But nothing had been slow with Fin.
He wrinkled his forehead.
“I’m sorry, that was too much. I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t want to put pressure on you.” He was putting a
little
pressure on me. The harsh bark of the tree dug into my back, but I didn’t mind.
“No, it’s okay. I feel it too.” I pulled him closer and he ducked his head, breathing next to my ear.
“I wish I could bring you with me,” he said, holding me tight.
I leaned my head up and raised myself on my toes so I could whisper in his ear.
“How big is your suitcase?”
“So who was that tall drink of sex water we saw you with when this one hid under the table?” Chloe asked, jabbing her finger in my direction. She’d come over with the intention of borrowing … something, but she just happened to show up to get it when Fin was over. And I couldn’t seem to get her to leave.
Fin looked at me and I just shook my head at Chlo. Good thing I was used to her doing shit like this.
“That was a coworker. Her name is Serena and she’s straight. Sorry. She’s also engaged to another one of our coworkers, but you didn’t hear that from me.” He winked at us conspiratorially.
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