Chapter 14
The auction wrapped, and the VIPs started dipping out, one by one.
But Arya? She stayed put, sprawled in her fancy seat, those killer eyes locked on the booth like she owned the place. Leaving wasn’t on her rader
Inside, Russell grinned like he’d won the lottery. “Hey, Finn, that babe out there’s totally waiting for you, Man, you’re one lucky dog”
Hogo smirked, all sleaze. “She’s hot as hell. You making a move or what? ‘Cause if you’re out, I’m in”
Finn shot them a glare that could cut glass. “Get lost.”
Russell and Hugo swapped a look, stilling laughs, and scurried out like they’d rehearsed it.
Arya caught the two slipping out and stood, sauntering toward the booth with that cool, didn’t–care vibe.
Finn watched her every move–each step, the subtle sway of her hips, It was enough to make his throat tighten.
A wicked grin curled his lips. “Damn, she’s one sly little fox.”
Arya reached the door, hand up to knock, when it swung open.
Before she could blink, a rough hand yanked her into a solid, warm chest.
Next thing, she was pinned against the closed door, caged by a towering hunk.
Their breaths mixed, too close, his heat crashing into hers. A hint of tobacco tangled with her soft scent, and hell, it was dizzying.
His heartbeat–thump, thump, thump–pounded like it was knocking on her soul.
Arya wasn’t about to swoon, though. She saw her chance, jerked her knee up, aiming low.
But he was faster, snatching her leg mid–strike and tossing her onto the couch like it was nothing.
In a flash, he was over her, all raw power and bad–boy vibes. His voice dropped, low and sexy as sin, “Whos there, darling. Trying to take out your man already?”
Arya’s eyes popped wide.
She thought her disguise was airtight. No way Finn had her figured out.
is just his smooth–talking, lady–killer routine?” she wondered.
‘Or… Is this just
The idea made her lips curl into a sly smirk. She leaned in, voice dropping to a flirty, teasing purr. “Mr. Barnett, you keep looming like that, you’re gonna
scare me silly.”
She dragged out the words, batting her lashes up at him, a total switch from the usual cool–as–ice Arya.
Right now? She was pure trouble, a flirty little minx playing her game.
She was sure no chance he’d see through her now.
“Scare you?“Finn’s cool, piercing gaze fixed on the teardrop mole by Arya’s right eye, a sly smirk playing in his dark, stormy eyes. “Arya, you always keep me guessing, huh?”
Arya’s heart skipped. ‘My flawless disguise cracked by Fino? She’d totally underestimated him.
No use pretending now. She ditched the act, voice sharp. “How’d you know it was me?”
Chapter 14
Hinn’s eyes roamed over her, slow and deliberate, like he saw tight through her. “Babe, I kitew every inch of you. No way!‘ mess
His voice dropped, low and smoky, as he leaned closer, a spark of something deep flickering in his gaze. “Those eyes–wild, killar. The way they lock me when we were… yeah, that? Burned into my brain forever.”
His words were smooth, dangerous, like a shot of whiskey that hit just right.
Anyone else. It’d sound sleazy, straight–up gross. But Fion? He made it feel like a spell, reefing her in before she could pull back.
Arya never lost control–not usually. But Finn’s voice? Pure trouble, all low and templing, ready to unravel her if she wasn’t careful
“You jerk!” Arya shoved him back, eyes blaring. “I want the Miracle Pill K. Name your price.”
No more messing around. She wasn’t about to let Finn drag her back into his web–or his bed.
Got the pill, got out. Done.
Finn knew Arya was dead set on grabbing Miracle Pill K to save her dad, Stephen. Still, he leaned back, smirking like a cat with a canary. “You got the dough for this, princess?”
The Kellers were dirt poor, drowning in millions of debt. Finn couldn’t figure how Arya had the balls to waltz into the auction and bid like she was loaded.
Arya froze, realizing she might’ve spilled too much.
But she shrugged it off, voice smooth as ice. “My wallet’s not your headache, Mr. Barnett, Name your price. I’ll match it.”
“Oh, really?” The smug, heart–stoppingly hot man’s lips quirked up.
“Damn straight.” Her cool tone held a spark of grit.
Finn closed the gap, his dark eyes blazing. “I don’t want cash, Arya. I want you.”
His breath grazed her cheek, sending a warm, tingly jolt through her. Her mind flashed to last night in the woods–steamy, wild, all gasps and heat.
But her eyes turned to frost in a snap. “What, you wanna keep me as your arm candy?”
“You said you’d own this.” Finn’s voice went low, gravelly. “Don’t play like you forgot.”
Arya went mute.
Last night was a disaster–kidnapped, drugged by those creeps.
She’d handled them, thought she could ride out the drug’s fire.
But it hit hard, and when she ran into Finn, her body was screaming. No choice.
Finn read her like a book. He tipped her chin up, locking onto her starry gaze, his voice pure claim. “I don’t care what made you say it last night, I’m calling it real.
“Arya, you’re n
mine.
Marry me, or you’re screwed.”
Knock, knock, knock—A sharp rap at the door cut the tension.
A staff member’s perky voice piped up. “Mr. Barnett, The Aurora‘ and ‘Miracle Pill K–hand them over now or ship them to you?”
as a blade.
“Bring ‘em!” Finn barked, sharp as a
A young woman in a fancy dress slipped in, eyes down, setting a red velvet box and the dazzling “The Aurora” on the table. She darted out, shutting the door soft as a whisper, not daring to glance at them
still, the room buzzed with heavy, electric vibes.
Arya’s voice stashed through, icy. “And if I tell you to shove it?”
Finn ficked open the box, palming the black pill. His deep, unreadable eyes pinned her. “Then you wanna see this Miracle Pill turned to dust, baber Up to you.”
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