Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
I try not to obsess. But I’m not good at letting things go.
Eventually, I have to get out of the sauna. I hit my maximum sweating threshold. When I’m at the point that I feel like I might start hallucinating any second, I shove the door open and run out toward the pool.
This is my favorite moment of the night. Maybe my favorite moment ever. When I’m running from sauna to pool, I’m still sweaty and hot, everything’s comfortable, but I know the big splash is coming, the freezing cold wrapping around me, the temperature shock like a slap to the face, and I can’t wait. It’s the anticipation of cooling off and refreshing. I reach the edge and jump, heedless, joyous, laughing as I fly through the air—
And only notice the figure standing in the doorway when I come up for air.
I go very still. I’m bobbing in the middle of the pool, treading water. My towel is still in the sauna. My clothes are on a bench against the back wall.
I’m completely exposed.
Four thousand unidentified bodies every year…
He steps forward into the enclosed rooftop pool space. Light from the stars illuminates his face. My mouth opens in surprise as Finn stares at me. He’s in a black suit, sleek and form-fitting, showing off his athletic frame. There’s stubble on his cheeks and chin. His eyes are sparkling and green, almost too deep to be real. His hair’s brushed back casually like he did it with his fingers and somehow made it perfect. I wonder how warm his lips would be against my neck. I wonder how much pressure it would take for his big hands to squeeze my throat until it closes. Not that much really.
Our eyes lock. I’m too stunned and terrified to speak. He’s smiling ever so slightly.
But there’s still no humor or joy behind those eyes.
Only a cold calculation.
“I’m so sorry!” I finally blurt out. “I’m so, so sorry. I know I shouldn’t be in here, but you’re never home and I was just taking a quick swim after my shift, and I’m so sorry, this is so insanely inappropriate, oh my god, I’m so embarrassed.”
He tilts his head and instead of replying, he turns and steps over to the bench where I keep my little pile of clothes. I think he’s about to tell me to get dressed and inform me that I’m fired, which will really, really stink, because this job is keeping me afloat right now. But instead, he sits down beside my stuff and crosses his legs, watching me again.
“Don’t apologize,” he says, hands folded on his knee. “And don’t stop on my account.”
What the hell? I keep treading water, not sure what to do. I’m very, very naked, my nipples are stiff and my skin’s covered in goosebumps, and he’s just looking at me like a beautiful predator. There’s a strange, hungry gleam in his expression now.
“I should get dressed and go.” I start swimming to the ladder but stop before I pull myself out. “Do you mind looking away?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because—” I stammer slightly, cheeks turning red. “I’m naked in here. I know this is inappropriate, but still.”
“I don’t mind.”
“I definitely do.”
“Why? You’re an attractive woman.”
I almost laugh. I can’t remember anyone ever calling me attractive. Not for a long time, anyway. But that’s what happens when you run away from home and live like a hermit for a couple years.
“Please, can you just toss me a towel at least?”
He grunts almost like he’s considering something. Then he pushes himself to his feet. “If that’s what you want.” He walks over to the sauna and a wave of relief hits me. I was worried he was going to do something terrible. But why would a guy like that want to risk himself on a girl like me? A nobody with nothing to give? Unless he thinks his money can protect him, no matter what I do…
He’s probably right. Most people have a 50:50 shot at getting away with it.
A guy like him probably has more like 70:30 or better.
I wait for what feels like a very long time. I’m not sure what he’s doing until the sauna door opens again. Finn comes out, tosses his pile of clothing to the floor, and places my towel down on the tile beside the pool.
He’s naked. Completely, gloriously, incredibly naked. And he looks like a god decided to descend from wherever gods live. I swear, the moonlight makes his abs glow. It’s absurd. It’s obscene. I can’t stop staring, my mouth hanging open, my pulse racing in my chest.
He’s insanely hot. By far the best-looking man I’ve ever seen in real life. Tall, broad, obviously takes care of himself. A face like a model without looking too soft.
There’s a towel wrapped around his midsection, but it’s not doing much to cover his bulging dick.