Page 76 of On Thin Ice

“Something like that.” Finn drummed his fingers against the edge of the hot tub. Morgan’s words from earlier echoed in his head.You should tell him how you feel. With your words, Finn.

Point taken, Dad, now get out of my head. At least for this next part.

“I wasn’t very subtle, was I?” Finn continued, gathering the rest of his courage.

“No.” Jacob chuckled.

“I didn’t want to be,” Finn said. “I wanted you to know. I wanted you Saturday. I wanted you last night. I wanted you three weeks ago. I want younow.”

Jacob froze. “That wasn’t subtle either,” he said, finally. Which wasn’t really ano, but it wasn’t ayes, either. Or ahell yes, get your hot ass over here so I can finally touch you.

“No, but it was time I was honest.” Finn hesitated.Be honest with me, too.“Don’t you think?”

There was always a moment between Jacob resisting and Jacob melting where he appeared to visibly fight the urge.

He was doing it now, practically squirming on the bench, underneath the water.

Finn slid closer.

Jacob’s dark eyes pinned him in place. Or would’ve, if he wasn’t as determined as he was. He kept sliding, anyway.

“What happened toI won’t touch you?” Jacob asked.

They weren’t touching. Not yet.

“It wasI won’t touch you, unless you ask me to,” Finn corrected gently. He slid his arm behind Jacob’s shoulders. His skin almost brushing Jacob’s.Almost.

Jacob didn’t say anything. Just stared at Finn. Well, at Finn’s shoulder, more like. Like he was afraid to look right at him, of what might happen if he did.

Finn knew it would only take a little push to topple over the last of Jacob’s self-control. It was evident, right there in the heavy rise and fall of his chest, the dilation of his pupils, the heat of his gaze as it skimmed over what he could see of Finn’s naked body.

“I think you want it just as bad as I do . . .” Finn murmured, leaning in, willing Jacob to ask. Willing him to admit it.

But that was all Finn got out before Jacob was suddenly gone, leaving him hanging there, all alone.

One moment Jacob was there, right there with him, begging him with his eyes, and then he was gone, sliding away in the water, leaving Finn stunned and disappointed.

“You don’t get to do this,” Jacob said sternly, staring at him from across the hot tub. It wasn’t very big, but it felt like a million fucking miles.

“What? Seduce you?” Subtlety, truly, had gone right out the window.

Probably the moment Finn had decided to wearthatsuit tonight.

“Yes,” Jacob said, nodding, his expression grave. “Do you even know what you’re doing?”

“I’m not a virgin.” Finn could barely say it without pouting.

“What I mean is . . .do you have any idea the can of worms you’re opening up? Do youknowhow messy this could get?”

Finn licked his lips. “I’ve thought about it,” he admitted.

“Your dad will hate this. He will literally hate it. And he won’t just punish me, but you too.”

“I really—”

“I don’t want to talk about him right now, either,” Jacob said wryly. “I’ve got a hard-on the size of fucking Canada, and the last person I want to be talking about right now is your dad but we have to. Before we do this, wehaveto.”

Finn gave up on not sulking. “Yeah, so?” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

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