Page 19 of Dragon Touched
No, Fin was something different all together, yet she couldn’t quite put her finger on the exact thing that made him stand out, besides the physical oddities of the scar and intriguing irises.
Maybe it was in the way he acted, as if he was a man from another era who disdained the modern world. Was this attitude common to Brits?
Another curiosity was his accent, how it rolled off his tongue and made her panties melt even when he issued insults. Though it annoyed her to admit it, he was an enigma she wanted to unravel.
Chapter 12
Fin
Therewasalookon her face he didn’t like. Fin replaced the napkin on his lap and sipped his beverage, letting it rest in his mouth for a few seconds. The taste of smoke and berries was refreshing.
Sacha’s smile faltered, but she continued to investigate him. The honey-brown gaze lingered on his mouth, and she bit her bottom lip.
She probably wondered where the injury came from, as most people did. If he told her it had been a present from her father, would she be shocked or pleased?
The memory of Vito Ninette ordering his men to hold a fourteen-year-old Fin while he whipped the boy into oblivion shattered the enjoyment of Sacha’s interest.
“So, Princess Scabbers”—he clenched his knife and fork—“are you adaddy’sgirl?”
A sneer pulled at her upper lip, and two bright spots of red appeared on her cheeks. He couldn’t tell if the anger was from the nickname or the mention of her father.
She held her index and middle fingers toward him in aV. “First—stop calling me a rat. It’s rude and demeaning.” Her forefinger remained. “Second—again, not that it’s any of your business, but no, I amnotclose to my father.”
An elbow propped on the table, and she slanted her body to meet him directly.
“He kept me in an invisible bubble, away from the world and himself. Growing up, I felt like a piece of art on display—alone and fragile. One could look, but never touch”—Snapping her mouth shut, the words died, and she rubbed the back of her neck.
So, is that the alcohol talking?Fin wondered.The words felt true and unhindered.
Her almond-shaped eyes showed no glimmer, no self-pity, no anger. Only resolve shone from their depths, and he had a sudden urge to plaster his mouth to her lips.
Instead, he swallowed and dragged a finger across his chin.
“Well, now that you’re out from daddy’s thumb, how do you propose to stay that way—free?”
He moved a hand to caress the ring, then remembered it was gone.
How could the necklace have fallen off?It was enchanted with a protection spell, so it boggled his mind the clasp had parted and allowed the entire thing to slip from his neck.
How will I get home if it remains . . . no, it’s here, somewhere.
“Once this cursed storm passes, I plan on withdrawing every cent from a secret savings account I’ve had for a while.” A shrug lifted a bare shoulder. “It’s not a lot, but it’ll cover transportation, rent, and groceries for a few months until I can find a job far away from Pops and his cronies.”
Fin edged a couple inches closer, and Sacha’s sweet, fresh scent teased his nose. He liked she was stronger than she looked, that she’d begun an act of defiance against the mob lord.
“Sounds like you started an escape plan even before making your choice today.”
“Hmm.” Her thin, black eyebrows lifted. “I’ve never thought about it that way.” She moved a thumb across her chest, skimming the tops of her breasts.
The sight was fascinating, and Fin’s mouth felt like a thirsty desert. He gulped wine from the glass but continued to watch the finger trace lazy circles.
When their eyes met, a small grin of victory seemed to splash across her face, and then it was gone in a flash.
This girl is a little vixen
Could he be more turned on? He didn’t think so. He propped an arm on the table and scooted to the end of his chair. Six or seven inches of air was all that lie between them.
“I guess the thought of running away has always lurked in the recesses of my mind. I’m not stupid—I know my father isn’t a saint. But I can’t change my family, so I’ll change the situation.”
