Page 4 of Finley

DANIEL SATACROSS from Brantley Hayes and tried to make sense of the words that had just come out of his mouth. He couldn’t have possibly said what he thought he’d said…could he?

“I know Chicago seems a world away, but it has some of the most prestigious law schools, Finn. It would be the best thing…”

Daniel’s mouth fell open as Brantley continued with his spiel about fuck only knew what, and when he finally drew to a close, the first thing out ofhismouth was, “You want me to move to Chicago?”

When Brantley shifted on his kitchen chair and reached for his hand, he pulled it away. “Answer me.”

Brantley clasped his hands together and shook his head. “I don’twantyou to go.”

“But you think that I should.”

“I think it would be a great opportunity.”

“And what about us?”

Brantley shut his eyes and rubbed a hand over his tight lips. That was answer enough right there. If he went, there would be no them.

“I’m not going.”

“Finn—”

“No. I don’t want to go to some fancy lawyer school. There are plenty around here. I want to stay with you.”

“Well, that would be stupid,” Brantley snapped, pushing back from the kitchen table so hard that the wooden legs of the chair scraped along the tiles.

He spun away and walked over to the sink, where he placed his hands on the marble counter. His shoulders were bunched as he stood there, and Daniel’s heart thundered in his chest.

Did hewantDaniel to leave?No,Brantley loved him…

“Look,” Brantley said softly as he faced him. “This would be an amazing opportunity for you. You’re smart, ambitious, and so talented. I can’t ask you to stay here?—”

“You’re notaskingme,” Daniel said as he walked over to where Brantley stood. He laid a hand on his chest and smiled at the man frowning at him. “I want to be here,” he told him, sliding his hands over his shoulders to loop them around his neck. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”

“Finn.” Brantley sighed, resigned to defeat as his arms encircled Daniel’s waist.

“You know, my name would sound so much better preempted byOh God,Finn.” Daniel winked.

Brantley swatted his ass. “You really need to think?—”

“Shh,” Daniel whispered against his lips. “There’s nothing to think about. Iknowwhat I want, and it’s not in fucking cold-ass Chicago.”

When he nipped at Brantley’s lips, he smiled and told Daniel, “You have a horribly filthy mouth for such a bright young man.”

“Do I?”

“Yes,” Brantley said with a stern look.

“Maybe you should punish me.”

“Maybeyou should go and do your homework.”

Daniel gave him a quick kiss and stepped away. “Geez. Such a hard-ass,professor.” He rolled his eyes, and as he walked to the arched entryway that led into the living room, he looked back over his shoulder in time to see Brantley pulling a form from his back pocket and throwing it on the counter.

He knew that Brantley only wanted what was best for him. But there was no equation in which leaving him wouldeverbe it.

Chapter 2

BRANTLEY HAYES PICKED up his pace as he wove through the throngs of students navigating their way to their final-year exams.