Page 23 of Addicted to the Bad Boy
My chest swells, and that’s when I know—it doesn’t matter what her parents say, how much the two of us have to fight for their approval—Mira won’t be marrying anyone but me.
She’s mine.
9
MIRA
I wake up warm,fuzzy, and wrapped in thick, bulky arms that feel like my own suit of armor protecting me from the world. Finn’s broad, strong chest rises and falls against my back, and his breath puffs softly against my neck and ear. His rough hand is low on my belly, protective and possessive of me even while he sleeps.
I don’t move. I don’t even open my eyes.
I don’t want to break the spell of the moment.
For the first time since I can remember, I actually feel truly wanted by a man. I feel loved. Finn doesn’t want me because it’ll make him popular with my dad. He wants me because ofme. Because of whoIam. And that delights me.
Images of last night play through my head like a blissful romantic movie. The way he looked at me, worshipped me—even the way he talked dirty to me and treated me like I was his. It was all just so incredible.
I take a deep breath and happily sigh.
This must be what it feels like.
Love…
But not just love—belonging to somebody who actually cares. Because when I’m with Finn, that’s how I feel. Like he actually cares for me.
I drift off again, lulled to sleep by the soft, rhythmic thump of his heartbeat. But when I wake up again later, I’m alone.
The bed beside me is still warm, but there’s no Finn. In his place is a letter, scribbled in messy handwriting.
Princess, I got called into work. Didn’t want to wake you when you looked so gorgeous sleeping. Call you later. Love you.
My whole body goes warm and bubbly, tingling all over.
Love you.
I lift the note to my nose and inhale. I can still smell Finn’s body on it. I press it to my chest like it’s a treasure. It’s like having a piece of him here with me despite his absence.
I nearly vault out of bed, filled with an effervescent energy that makes me want to dance naked through the house or go bounce on a trampoline like a little girl. Instead, I go into the shower and stand beneath the warm water, humming to myself like a goofball.
I reach down and press my hand against my stomach, remembering Finn’s words from last night.
“I’m going to breed you, Mira. I’m going to pump my load inside your fresh little cunt and put a baby in you. Then you’ll be truly mine.”
So fricking hot.
I try to picture what my belly would look like pregnant. Big and round, like a watermelon stuffed under my shirt. It’s such a thrill to think about. I can’t imagine what Sandy’s going to say. Not to mention my parents.
But to be honest, I don’t care. Mom will end up being supportive. She always has been, and we’ve formed an incredible bond over the last couple of years since she got sick. Dad, onthe other hand, is going to be furious. But so what? For the first time, I don’t feel like a pawn on his chess board. I’d rather scatter all the pieces to the floor than play his game any longer, and if that means leaving the family entirely and going to live with Finn, then that’s what I’ll do.
I’m his now.
I don’t care where we live, just as long as there’s room for our babies. As long as we have a cast iron pan that I can use to make cinnamon pancakes. I’m a crappy cook right now, and that’s all I can make, but I’ll learn. I’ll be a good woman for Finn. A good mother for our children. And I’ll be happy. We all will.
The whole world feels different today. Brighter. More alive. The colors are more saturated. My whole body feels lighter, despite the soreness between my legs, reminding me of who I gave myself to last night.
I know it was my first time, but my God is Finn enormous. I can’t believe I survived a pounding from that monster. But all I know is I’m ready for some more. Soon.
I’m smiling as I head downstairs. I’m no longer Mira Coolidge, the future wife to Tyler Beckensworth, the hedge fund douchebag. I’m just Mira, Finn’s girl.
