Every Breath You Take (Oasis Book 1) by Kenna Avery Wood Page B

“But you’ll be the first to know when I figure it out.”
    Paige grinned. “Deal.”
    The elevator dinged and her eyes widened. “Is that him?”
    “Probably.”
    “Okay, I’m going to go, and peek through the door to get a better look if you don’t mind.”
    I laughed. “Or I could just introduce you.”
    She waved her hand over her shoulder as she headed down the hallway. “Another time!”
    Finn came into view a moment later. He’d changed into dark jeans and a navy jacket, almost the exact color of my dress. When he saw me, a slow grin spread on his face.
    “Waiting for me?” he asked.
    I smiled. “Talking with my neighbor.”
    “I saw someone vanish into one of those apartments down there.” His eyes crinkled. “A woman.”
    “Yes, Finn. A woman. You feel better?”
    He propped his shoulder against the door. “You called me Finn without hesitating and you’re not flirting with a male neighbor. I feel a lot better. And you look beautiful, by the way.”
    “Thank you.” It was a compliment he doled out easily–or used to–but it still felt nice. “I need to grab my purse and maybe a sweater. You can come in.”
    He stepped inside the apartment and looked around while I retrieved my things. “It looks the same as last time,” he said when I came back down the hallway.
    “What did you expect? New furniture?”
    He rubbed his jaw. “Stuff. Knick-knacks or pictures or…books. You were always reading books and listening to music, and it looks like you haven’t moved in yet.”
    My smiled was tight. “I travel a lot lighter than I used to.”
    He snagged my hand when I got close. “Maybe after a few glasses of wine, you’ll explain to me what that means.”
    “You should appreciate the mystery.”
    I tried to ease my hand from his, but he held it to his chest, making me step close enough to him to smell his cologne. “Finn.”
    “I do appreciate the mystery,” he said, his eyes roaming my face. “I have been. But a few clues here and there would tide me over.”
    Meaning he wanted more from me. He wanted me to open up. I used to be an open book. Maybe he hadn’t realized all the ways I’d changed yet.
    “I need time,” I said, tipping my chin to meet his eyes. “Finn, please.”
    He released my hand with a nod. I didn’t miss the flicker of disappointment on his face, but he covered it quickly with a smile. “Ready to go?”
    I nodded, pulling the door closed behind me. I checked the handle again just to make sure the door was locked. If Finn noticed, he didn’t say anything.
    When we got in the elevator, he slid his card into the slot by the number pad and pressed the top floor.
    “What are you doing?” I asked.
    “Going to my place. More privacy that way.”
    “We’re having a wine tasting in your apartment?”
    “Sure. Why not?”
    I shook my head. Of course Finn had arranged this night so we’d have more time together. It only irritated me long enough to realize it was probably better this way.
    “Besides,” he continued, “you smell so good I want to keep you to myself.”
    He stood closer than necessary, but I only smiled. “Whatever works for you.”
    “This is working pretty well for me so far. It’d work better of you’d let me touch you.”
    The elevator slowed to a stop. I grinned. “You’re going to have to feed me first.”
    “Already taken care of.”
    I glanced at him swiftly, but he just took my elbow and guided us into his apartment. I was completely distracted by the view. That was the first thing I noticed. I walked straight across the shiny tile, between furniture that had to have cost more than my car, and stepped up to the wide bank of windows. It was the same view as I had from my apartment, but higher. Further. More spectacular.
    Finn’s cologne surrounded me when he stepped to my side. “Amazing, isn’t it?”
    “Is that the ocean I see out there?”
    “Yes. Changing your mind about the apartment?”
    In that split second off