Chapter 22

Aurora

A delicious throbbing is between my legs.

I feel freshly fucked and, trust me, this is a new feeling.

I can hardly believe the night I just had. I shut my eyes and try to remember the exact length of Finn’s cock. Oh, yeah, it’s somewhere around twelve inches.

Stretching out, I lazily open my eyes. The gray and black tones of his apartment make me feel like it’s still nighttime.

As I turn to the side, I expect to feel his sleeping body, but instead, there’s only a piece of paper. A note, which says:

Baby,

I had to run out. Work calls. Make yourself at home. Order room service. I command it.

Talk to you soon.

Love,

Finn

I hold the note to my chest, as close to my heart as I can get it. No, I’m not falling for him—but I certainly could.

He’s the kind of guy I always dreamed of being with. He’s masculine and powerful, but in his eyes, I see a man who I can trust.

I know he’ll always have my best interests at heart. I know that he adores me. And at the same time, I know unequivocally that he’s in control.

Something about that idea makes my heart rush with excitement. The idea that I don’t have to be in control for once is liberating. With the business and my brother, I’ve had too much control lately.

I’d gladly give it up to a guy like Finn—if he would have me.

A part of me is sad that he’s not still here. I would’ve liked to have experienced him one more time this morning.

But I have a day waiting for me, too. I stretch as I get up and then I look for the damn button to the blinds.

His entire place is outfitted with technology, most of which I’d never seen before. I find the button on the side of his bed and, with one push, the blinds go up and show me a fabulous view of New York City.

I whistle. He really does have it all. He lives on top of the world.

And, for the moment, I’m here, too.

I do as he says and look around for how to order room service. I pick up the phone and someone answers.

“How may I help you, Mr. Grayson?” the voice on the end of the line says.

“Oh no, I’m not Mr. Grayson. He said I could order room service…?”

“Of course. You’ll find a menu in the kitchen. Just call down when you’re ready.”

I stop her before she hangs up, “Oh, no, I’m ready now. I just need black coffee and some fruit. Thanks, that’d be great.”

I hang up the phone and think a minute about how this feels like I’m living in a hotel. Imagine never having to cook your own meals or never having to leave the apartment for a damn thing. The penthouse is big enough to contain five of my apartments.

I decide to make use of my time here, and I snoop around the place. There’s a workout room, a huge master bathroom with every available amenity, the chef’s kitchen, a terrace that overlooks the entire city, and all manner of areas to lounge.

There are bedrooms and bathrooms, the place seeming to go on forever. It’s paradise up here.

And to top it all off, Finn has great taste. Every piece of furniture is arranged meticulously. Each piece probably cost thousands of dollars, too.

There’s modern art on the wall. There are posters signed by rock n’ roll stars. The place is nice—but it also has an edge, just like Finn.

Breakfast arrives, and I savor the smell of black coffee.

I take my coffee out to the terrace, where the wind is frigid. It should be, considering I’m so high in the sky.

I dare not look down at the people below, because I’m afraid of heights. But I sit back and enjoy my coffee with my view of the city in the clouds.

It’s like a miracle up here. Somehow, I feel like all my troubles have faded away.

Mostly though, I want Finn. Now I know for sure that he’ll never escape my thoughts, not for a moment. I want him.

The desire is burning within my body with no sign of stopping. I think I’m in big trouble if he doesn’t return the affection.

Before I leave, I take advantage of the shower. The thing has several different showerheads and, once I turn them all on, I feel like I’m in a waterfall.

After a leisurely shower, I get out and help myself to his oils and lotions, even though they all smell like a man.

I even put on some of his cologne, just to have the smell of him on me.

Quickly, I leave a note that says,

Thanks, baby,

I had a fantastic time enjoying your penthouse.

xoxo Aurora

Outside, the air is cold. Winter is really descending upon the city.

I like winter in New York. It’s a magical time. But it’s also a time of hibernation and of things dying…getting ready for the rebirth of spring.

A part of me has died, too. My virginity. And I can say for sure that I’m not sad to see it go.

The Grayson brothers have made sure that I’m well taken care of. I’ve had the best first time a girl can have. And now with Finn showing interest in me, my life is looking pretty good.

I grab a cab, because I’m not suited to walk home in my red dress. In the light of day, I look like a goddamn hooker, and I can’t have that.

It’s the walk of shame, and yet I have nothing to feel shameful for.

My night with Finn was fabulous. Every woman should be so lucky.

In the back of the cab, I go through the day’s business. First things first: I have to check my bank account.

I know I’m rich, but Anders has access to it, too. We’ve shared the same account ever since we were young. Our parents always wanted to make sure we had enough money. And, until recently, we did.

Thanks to my personal sacrifice, we’re three billion dollars richer, though I wouldn’t call any of it a sacrifice.

I check the accounts and feel worried as I see that there’s about $250 million missing.

What the fuck? He did it again.

I’m cursing Anders all the way home.

How can he blow through money so quickly?

I wish there was a way to freeze him out of my bank account. He’s gonna ruin us all over again.

Once I get home to the Park Avenue apartment, I hurry upstairs and change my clothes. I don a silky white top and a black business suit. I have to get to Highmore Chocolates and make sure everything is in order.

My driver takes me. I’ve had enough of cabs for one day. He pulls up, and I get in, all the while checking my phone for any activity.

It’s no surprise Anders wasn’t home. He practically lives on the streets. I shudder to think of his lifestyle and how close to death he probably is at any time.

It’s my biggest fear: getting that phone call to hear that he’s dead. I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time.

My entire mission in life revolves around getting him into treatment. But there’s nothing I can do unless he agrees to go.

I’m pissed at the staggering amount of money that’s missing from our account. I’m cursing him in my head and wondering how my own big brother could have leveraged my virginity for the sake of his addiction.

The office feels like home. It’s a building that my parents rehabilitated. It’s got a brick façade and looks old. But once you get inside, everything’s modern.

“Hi, Aurora,” my assistant says. “Is there anything you need today?”

“Thanks, Alyssa, I just need some espresso if you’ve got it.”

“Sure thing.”

I don’t make it into the office very often. I spend most of my days worried about Anders and tracking him down.

But things are running pretty smoothly here with our vice-president in place. She’s been here since before my parents died.

The only problem here is that we’re constantly bleeding money. No one knows that the reason is Anders. No one suspects that their jobs are on the line based on his late-night binging.

It wouldn’t do to have them know either. I don’t need panic-stricken employees quitting on me once they find out that we could go under virtually any day.

In my little office, I feel at home. My parents designed it for me, and it’s my favorite place to be.

Modern white accents feature plush surroundings and various seating areas. They wanted Anders and me to run the business one day. Too bad we got to this place so quickly and, instead of having a partner, I have a drug-addicted brother.

I feel like I have too much on my shoulders. I feel like the world is caving in.

If I lose Anders, I will have lost everything.

Immediately I call my financial advisor. He’s admonishing me for spending so much money. If only I could tell him that no, it was Anders. He needs help, and I don’t how to give it to him.

Instead, I go over our various options for investing the money we have to keep the business going. It’s a boring meeting, but at the back of my mind is the feeling of Finn between my legs.

I miss him. I wish he could come in and take care of everything.

For once, I’d like to not have to be the most responsible person in the room.

For once, I’d like to breathe freely and know that everything’s gonna be okay.