Page 28 of Primal
Is that why he comes here?
Passing another window, I pause briefly when I recognize one face on the other side.Conor. He’s savagely thrusting into a woman I’ve never seen from behind as she takes another man in her mouth. Heat flushes over my face, watching their intimate act.
Is that what Finn left me for?
Intrusive thoughts take over as I continue to pass more windows, watching their intimate acts for a few seconds. Reliefwashes over me that the faces I’m seeing on the other side of the glass aren’t Finn’s.
Light spills into the hallway when a door opens a few rooms from me. Glancing into the illuminated section of the hallway, my heart breaks in two. Finn is standing beside a beautiful brunette in a sleek black dress and ridiculously tall matching heels. He’s holding the door and places his hand on the small of her bare back, tenderly ushering her into the room.
It is what he left me for.
Trembling in place, pained tears roll down my cheeks as I struggle to find the strength to turn and leave. Finn glances down the hall, and his eyes widen when they land on me, his skin paling to a ghostly white.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
FINNIGAN
“Really?” Jillian scoffs when I tell her what I want.
“Is it that hard to believe?”
“Finn, I’ve been listening to wild stories about the trashy women you date for years. Not once have you ever asked me to put any of them on your body,” she retorts as we make our way down the hall.
We’ve set up two exhibition rooms for couples tattoos this evening. Having entrusted Jillian with nearly every drop of ink on my body, it was only fitting that we invited her to be one of our exclusive artists tonight. She’s booked solid for the night, but has graciously agreed to add a little ink to my chest piece before leaving. Apparently, she’s actually looking forward to taking a little creative freedom after the night ofgood girlandDaddytattoos she has ahead of her tonight.
“She’s not like them,” I inform her. “She’s sweet and innocent. Everything I didn’t know I wanted.”
Raising a brow, she teases, “Clearly. I never thought I’d see the day a woman managed to tame the great Finnigan Evans. She must have a magical fucking pussy.”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Hold up, you’ve been seeing this woman for weeks, you’re putting her on your body,andyou haven’t fucked her!” she exclaims. “Fucking hell, Finnigan Evans is in love.”
Opening the door, I place my hand on the small of her back, leading her into her studio. When I look down the hall to check the event is going as planned, I’m shocked to find Catlin staring back at me. Wearing the white sundress I bought her, she stands out like a sore thumb among this crowd.But as gorgeous as she is, she stands out in any crowd.She swipes at her face, and I realize that she’s crying.
Breaking eye contact with her for a second, I peer into the room at Jillian and suddenly realize how this must look. “Fuck,” I exhale, turning back to Cat, but it’s too late. She isn’t waiting for an explanation.
And I don’t fucking blame her after.
“Cat!” I shout after her as she’s shoves through the couples lining the hall, racing from me. Loud grumbles and my yelling create a scene and draw a larger audience. Fighting my way through them and pushing people out of my way, I continue to call after her, “Catlin!Piscín!”
She doesn’t stop. Rushing down the hallway toward the lounge, she barrels through the exit and into the city. Horns blare from outside the club as she darts across the busy street. I throw open the door, and my heart stops when a cab narrowly misses her.“Catlin!” I shout, waiting for a small break in traffic as she puts more distance between us.
The break doesn’t come, and I step into oncoming traffic to follow her.I can’t lose her.I sprint down the sidewalk and into Bryant Park after her. Eventually closing the distance between us, I reach for her. “Stop, Catlin. Please. It’s not what you think.”
“That’s what everyone says,” she cries through sobs. “Just leave me alone.”
“I can’t.” I huff, lunging at her. Crashing into her harder than intended, I roughly take us both to the ground. She screams, and her limbs flail as I pin her beneath me. Angrily shoving her wrists into the ground beside her head, I snarl, “Stop and fucking listen.”
Tears stream down her face, painting it with trails of mascara, as she continues to fight me. “Let me up!” she shouts through her anguish.
“Nothing happened at the club.” I stare down at her, keeping her pressed to the cool grass with my weight. “Nothing happened or was going to happen with Jillian. She’s a friend and not one I’ve fucked or want to fuck. I don’t want any of the women at the club. I only want you.” My tone is harsh, but I need her to understand.
“Let. Me. Go!” she yells, still fighting against my tight hold, not registering what I’m saying to her.
“Don’t you hear me? I can’t,” I breathlessly confess, sliding her hands through the grass above her head. “I can’t let you go, Cat. I’m never going to let you go.”
She stills beneath me, and the moonlight reflects off the soft green in her pained hazel eyes, rogue tears still falling from them.