Page 17 of Finley

“You did. But how about you tell me thetruth. Am I making you nervous?”

The underlying hostility in those words sparked a tiny slither of unease as Brantley angled his head and caught Daniel’s eyes in a direct and daring stare. “Why? Is that your goal, Finn? Is that why you’re here?”

When Daniel’s other hand covered his fingers that were holding the cup, Brantley barely held back the groan that was bubbling to the surface.

Damn, he’d missed him. And he’d missed being touched.

“No. I’m here because you told me to come home. But we both know I won’t truly behomeuntil I’m back between your sheets, professor.”

Brantley lost the battle then, and the groan that had been threatening to escape slipped free. Daniel plucked the cup from his hands and tossed it onto the counter beside them before he boxed him in against the sink.

“Fuck. I’ve missed that sound,” Daniel confessed, his breath raspy and low. “I’ve dreamed about it too many times to count. And my goal, since you asked, is to finally have what I always wanted.”

“And that is?” Brantley asked, refusing to back down.

“You. In all the ways I ever imagined having you. And I have a lot of fucking years’ worth of imagination.”

Brantley shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from grabbing the man taunting him. But it was hard, and oh so tempting to give in.

“That’s rather presumptuous, isn’t it? We haven’t seen each other for?—”

“Seven years. I’m well aware of how long it’s been since you sent me away. But I’m also aware of the way your cheeks get flushed and your eyes darken when you want to get naked with me.”

Brantley licked his lips and let his gaze lower to Daniel’s mouth. It was pulled into a firm line that relayed the hint of annoyance he kept hearing, and while one part of his brain was flashing warning signs, the side that had waited and wanted Daniel to come home chose to ignore it.

“Tell me you don’t want it,” Daniel said. “Tell me you’re not thinking about all the things I could be doing to you if this house wasn’t full to fucking capacity with half the neighborhood.”

Brantley opened his mouth to do just that, but then he shut it again. There was no way he could stop himself from imagining all the illicit things Daniel was alluding to. Knowing he needed to talk, though, or he’d end up doing something he shouldn’t in Daniel’s mother’s house, he said, “They’re just here to welcome you home.”

“I don’t give a fuck if they’re here to give me a million dollars. I want to see you. Alone.”

Well, damn. If that didn’t do wonders for his ego, nothing would.

“Go home, professor.”

The words momentarily shocked Brantley, but then he saw the challenge in Daniel’s eyes, and the order and the expectation that he’d do what he had been told sent a thrill straight to his balls.

Well, hadn’t the tables turned? Daniel had gotten bossy since he’d been gone, and Brantley apparentlylovedit.

“Go home, and I’ll be there within the hour.”

Chapter 5

“YO, FINN! FINN, you drunk asshole. Wait up. I’m not gonna let you walk home by yourself.”

Daniel rounded to face Derek, who was running down the beach toward him. It was his friend’s turn to be the designated walker homer-er but he wanted to leave—now.

It was about two months into their first semester, and they’d been invited to a beach party over at the house of Bianca Smithson, a girl the two of them had grown up with. Friday nights were notorious for the local kids to have bonfires and get shitfaced down on the beach, and even though Bianca’s house was a couple of miles down from his own, Daniel was positive he’d be able to find his house.

Maybe.

“Don’t go off all half-cocked—ha! Get it? Half-cocked?”

He stopped and waited for his moronic friend to catch up. He was trying to remind himself that he’d been friends with Derek his entire life, and just because he’d been a total dick ten minutes ago, that was no need to tell him to…

Yeah, what the hell.“Fuck off. I don’t wanna talk to you.”

“Aww, man. Come on,” Derek said when he finally caught up. “Fuck, you walk fast for someone who’s half stumbling. I was shocked, okay? Jesus, man. You can’t just say shit like that and not expect me to react.”