Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
We’ve been friends ever since. I brought her into the business as a partner when I opened the Hazard, and we’ve been working well on multiple different ventures for a long time. She’s my best friend, my confidante, and my right-hand woman. Though technically not a part of the Crowley organization on account of the family’s somewhat more traditionally sexist views on gender, I still count her as part of my crew.
“Honestly, Gen? I don’t know what my problem is.” I take a long sip and knock the glass against the bar. “Business is booming. The family is thriving. I even have a pretty new fiancée. Wherever the fuck she is.”
Genna leans closer. “You’ve gotta get it together. You’ve been in a shit mood for weeks now. How long’s it been?”
Six weeks. Six long, awful weeks. “Who knows,” I say.
“You need to get laid. Seriously, Finn, you’re a handsome guy in a club filled with young, horny women. Go fuck one of them. Put a smile on that pretty face of yours.” She pinches my cheek.
I swat her away. “You go fuck. Hell, you can pull girls easier than I can.” Which is true, Genna is gorgeous. Thick, wavy red hair, full lips, pale skin, bright green eyes, tall, fit, curvy. Obsessed with keeping her body in shape. Genna’s a fucking babe.
“True, but I’m not in the mood.” She sighs dramatically. “Come on, didn’t that fiancée of yours say it’s fine to fuck around on her? Go get your dick wet, my man. You’re bumming me out.”
“Seriously, Gen, sometimes I think you’re worse than my brothers.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m honest. They’re pigs. There’s a difference.” She turns so she’s facing out at the crowd, leaning back against the bar. Instantly, every man standing nearby looks over at her thighs as she crosses her legs, showing skin from beneath a tight skirt. Poor bastards, if only they knew. “There’s got to be someone good enough for Finn Crowley here tonight.”
“I doubt it.” I finish my scotch. I haven’t told Genna this, but I haven’t been with anyone since Dara. Not a single woman in six weeks, practically a record for me.
Six long, ugly weeks spent thinking about a girl I’ll never see again.
“I can’t keep dealing with your grumpy ass.” Genna bumps against my shoulder and nods. “How about that one? She’s really hot. I’m tempted myself, but she’s been staring at you ever since you sat down.”
“Not interested,” I say, not bothering to look. I gesture to Adam for another scotch.
“Seriously, she is really staring at you.” Genna leans forward. “Not even glancing at me. So I guess she’s straight. Lucky you. She’s a cute thing. Honey brown hair, big eyes, curvy in a really good way, with these heart-shaped lips—”
Slowly, I turn, heart hammering in my chest. Excitement and nerves cascade down my spine as I follow Genna’s gaze.
It’s Dara.
Standing maybe twenty feet away next to another girl, a mousy-looking girl, small and cute. I barely notice her. All I can do is stare at Dara, my Dara, the girl I’ve been obsessing over for six weeks.
The girl I can’t let myself want.
Not now that I’m engaged.
But fuck, there she is.
“What’s wrong? You look like you’re about to have a stroke.” Gen shoves my shoulder. “Seriously. Finn. Are you okay?”
“Fine,” I say, standing. “I just need to, uh—”
But Dara’s coming toward me. Our eyes lock, holding tight, and that night comes rushing back: her mouth on mine, her moans on my tongue, her writhing body close and warm. Her slick pussy, her gasps. Everything about her. From her laughter to her toes.
I’m aware of Genna watching. I’m aware of Adam dropping off another drink. I’m aware of Dara’s friend waiting a few feet behind her, shooing her along.
But all I can see is Dara.
“Hey,” she says once she’s close enough. “Been a while.”
“You found me.” I nearly laugh at the absurdity.
“You gave me the card.” She bites her lip, just like I remembered. “I need to talk to you.”
“Do you two know each other?” Genna asks, leaning into the conversation.
And I’m abruptly ripped back into reality.
I blink a couple times, clear my throat, and gesture. “Gen, this is Dara. Dara, this is Gen.”
“Oh.” Dara stares at her, eyes wide. “Uh, it’s nice to meet you. Um, maybe this was a bad idea—” She turns to run off.
But I step forward, catching her arm. “Gen’s my business partner,” I say smoothly.
“Also extremely gay, if that helps,” Genna says helpfully. “And, if Finn turns you down, available.”
I give her a hard look. “Not helpful.”
“Kidding!” Genna grins. “Nice to meet you, Dara.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Dara looks like she’s barely managing to hold back tears. “But, uh, Finn, I really, really need to talk to you.”
Worry knots my stomach. Did something bad happen with that Johnnie guy? Did he hurt her somehow, and she’s here looking for my help? Whatever it is, I’ll do what I can for her.