Page 48 of Manhattan Tormentor

“The guy you saw me with is my ex-boyfriend. And the waiter wants my number. You can play your games with someone else, I’m gonna be busy for the rest of the summer.”

He follows me out; I let him watch me walk over to the waiter and ask for his number.

Smiling tightly at Finn, I head to my table, tucking the slip of paper into my back pocket.

He’s furious.

Good.

C H A P T E R 13

Finn

There is no logical reason why I’m outside the Fierro house again.

Glutton for punishment 2.0.

Or maybe I am a cruel bully and can’t keep away from him.

I know I already passed morbid curiosity weeks ago.

He’s ignoring me, and it’s worse than being blocked.

I see he’s read my apologies.

I don’t beg anyone.Never.

I’ve never given a damn if someone blanked me. It’s usually me who does the ghosting. It doesn’t explain why I lower my car window with the press of a button and hit call on the gated security.

I know instantly that it’s Sage’s voice. “What?”

“It’s Finn, can I come in?”

“No. We don’t allow assholes through the gates.”

“I’m pretty sure you let Lachlan in.” I smirk. And when he doesn’t reply, I try again. “Come on, Fierro. I want to talk to you.”

When I assume he’s gonna set the dogs on my ass, the screen blanks out and the gates part. I drive up to the house and as I’m locking the car, the front door opens.

I keep making the mistake of assuming what is going on inside me is a fluke. Because every time I put eyes on him, it hits me all over again.

That hot stirring.

The clawing grasp in my belly.

My jaw hardens as I walk toward him. Notonlymy jaw.

I twitch the cap on my head then stick both of my hands into the front pockets of my jeans.

It’s ridiculous thatif I amattracted to men now that it’s not some high-powered motherfucker who dresses well. Nah, it’s a guy with shambolic blond hair in his eyes, worn denim jeans hanging over his bare feet, low on his hips, and a red Flash t-shirt. I’m turned on, skimming my eyes over him as I approach. From the scowl on his face, Sage is anything but happy.

“You’ve been ignoring me.”

“So.”

Brass balls. I half smile. “Gonna invite me in.”

“No.”

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