Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CATLIN

Sitting on the sidewalk, Finn and I rest our backs against the brick wall surrounding the courtyard. This meager slab of cracked concrete has been our date spot for the past week. He’s met me here every night to sit and talk.

Having my cum-stained panties returned to me the morning after my birthday party made me realize that this was all going way too fast. This very public location was meant to slow down the pace at which our relationship was progressing, but it has totally backfired on me. This sidewalk has proven to be a more intimate location than the beach—just emotionally instead of physically.

Instead of slowing down, I’m falling head over heels for him.

“I have to get going,” Finn informs me after glancing at his watch. “We have an event at the club tonight, and I promised Tris I would be there to help. I’ll text you in a couple of hours when I get home.”

“Take me,” I blurt my demand, ready to climb onto his bike.

“The club isn’t a place for good girls like you.” He shakes his head and places a soft kiss against my forehead, unwilling to entertain my request.

“Finn,” I plead, pressing my hands to his chest and stare up at him.

“Please. Go inside and get some sleep, piscín. We can talk about this tomorrow,” Finn urges, not giving me much choice as he helps me up and onto the wall.

If he won’t take me, I’ll just go on my own.

Swiping open my phone, I order an Uber before the roar of his bike has even gotten out of earshot. Five minutes . After running inside, I quickly change from my jean shorts and tank top into a white sundress Finn bought me a few days ago. The Uber is arriving when I walk out front, and I quickly climb in to catch up with Finn.

“Most people go to church after they’ve been here. Not before,” the driver quips as he pulls to a stop before the club. “Considering you went first, enjoy your night, honey.”

Ignoring his comment, I slide from the car and walk toward the velvet ropes and bouncer at the front door. He eyes me over, grunting, “Card?”

“I… uh… I don’t have one,” I stammer. “I’m here to see Finnigan Evans.”

The tall, muscular bouncer’s eyes scan over me once again, and he lets out a dark chuckle. “Sure, sweetie.”

“Cat?” Jorge’s voice tics up an octave when he passes me. “Does Finn know you’re here?”

“No,” I answer. My gaze darts to the bouncer, ensuring he heard Jorge. “ He won’t let me in.”

“She’s with me,” Jorge tells the bouncer as he flashes his card.

The bouncer shakes his head, still denying my entry. “You know I can’t, Jorge.”

“She’s Finn’s girlfriend,” Jorge presses. “I vouch for her, and you know he’ll be fucking pissed to find out you made her wait out here. You know what he’s like.”

Hesitantly, the bouncer lifts the velvet rope to allow me through, and I take Jorge’s arm to walk inside. We walk through a sleek lounge filled with well-dressed people enjoying a few drinks. Scanning the room urgently, my heart picks up pace. “I don’t see him, Jorge.”

“He’s probably in the back of the club,” Jorge suggests as we continue down a long, dark hallway. It’s dimly lit, with only a few gold sconces illuminating the space.

Upon reaching the end, my feet root in place at the sight before me. It’s like the small lounge we passed through, but so very different. Everything is black, and the people here aren’t wearing the same expensive suits and dresses. Back here, most of the women are proudly parading around in lingerie.

“Wait here,” Jorge instructs, noting my discomfort. “I’ll go find him for you.”

“No.” I take a deep breath and step into the room. Curiosity has taken hold, and I want to see. I need to know what Finn does here. Slipping my arm from Jorge’s, I mutter, “I’m fine. Go to work. I’ll find him.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, and I nod.

Walking through the room, I can feel the sets of eyes raking over me. As I continue to look for Finn, I catch a glimpse at a few of the faces; they range from inquisitive to carnal. A tall, bearded man approaches me with a heated gaze. My skin crawls as he steps close and runs a hand down my bare arm, flirtatiously asking, “Are you lost, darling?”

“I’m looking for Finnigan Evans,” I answer, and the man takes a quick step away from me as though he’s suddenly terrified to be seen with me.

“Sorry,” he asserts. “I didn’t realize… Back hallway.” He gestures toward a corridor on the opposite side of the room. Walking toward it, I watch couples disappear into its depths. I reach the entrance before pausing for a moment and swallowing hard. You’ve come this far.

Couples line the narrow hall, some nuzzled together, staring through large windows into rooms on the other side. A gasp flies from me when I pass the first and find a woman tied to a bench as a man has sex with her. Passing two more windows, I see things I could have never imagined. Things well beyond the physical relationship I have had with Finn so far.

Is that why he comes here?

Passing another window, I pause briefly when I recognize one face on the other side. Conor . He’s savagely thrusting into a woman I’ve never seen from behind as she takes another man in her mouth. Heat flushes over my face, watching their intimate act.

Is that what Finn left me for?

Intrusive thoughts take over as I continue to pass more windows, watching their intimate acts for a few seconds. Relief washes over me that the faces I’m seeing on the other side of the glass aren’t Finn’s.

Light spills into the hallway when a door opens a few rooms from me. Glancing into the illuminated section of the hallway, my heart breaks in two. Finn is standing beside a beautiful brunette in a sleek black dress and ridiculously tall matching heels. He’s holding the door and places his hand on the small of her bare back, tenderly ushering her into the room.

It is what he left me for.

Trembling in place, pained tears roll down my cheeks as I struggle to find the strength to turn and leave. Finn glances down the hall, and his eyes widen when they land on me, his skin paling to a ghostly white.