Free Talk to Me by Clare James Page A

everything. Booze, exercise, hockey. I played constantly, getting rougher with each game. I had a hard time staying within the lines. And the women? It’s not something I’m proud of. But part of where I was at mentally, well, it included a never-ending craving for anything that got the endorphins going. Sex played a big part of my life. I was — and please don’t run away — insatiable at times.”
    My body buzzed at his confession. My brain put it all together — the sex, power, cravings, drive. That’s it, he was hiding some sort of addiction.
    I cleared my throat, trying to get the need out of my voice. “And now?”
    “I’m better. I’m so much better. But I apparently still have a few issues to deal with.”
    “The sex?” I asked. Unable to believe my balls in asking the question. But hell, I wanted to know.
    He laughed. “Yes, the sex.”
    “Maybe you just have a healthy appetite,” I offered.
    “Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s healthy. And the sad part? I still miss that part of my life. That wild, uncontrolled part of myself. Even though it almost destroyed me.”
    In that moment, he was telling me what was going on. But I was missing it, because he had me so hot for him my brain couldn’t even function. He told me he was sick, he told me about the obsession, the highs and lows, and still I missed it.
    “Have you had a relationship or, ahem, relations , since you’ve been well?”
    “No. And fuck, Casey, I miss it. The way you had me all whipped up that day. I mean, I know you weren’t asking me to touch you. But, in my mind, you were so on board.”
    He leaned forward and my breath caught. I closed my eyes, remembering his hands on me, inside me. My heart rate picked up and Finn moved closer.
    “You were on board, weren’t you? I mean, I know it wasn’t planned on your part. But, once things got going, you didn’t stop me.”
    Busted.
    “Ah.”
    Finn grinned and stopped me with a finger to my lips.
    It took all my willpower not to suck it into my mouth.
    “I didn’t imagine that part,” he said. “Please don’t tell me I imagined it.”
    “You didn’t imagine it,” I admitted.
    “And what about now?” He ran his thumb across my bottom lip. “There is something here, right?”
    I nodded and this time I did pull his thumb into my mouth, just for a second. Finn groaned so low and deep, the most pleasurable vibration buzzed between my legs.
    “What do you want to do about it?” he asked.
    “Maybe we could try things the old fashioned way,” I offered. “A date first?”
    “A date?” He raised his eyebrows as if to say really?
    I started to answer him, but before I could, his lips were brushing against mine. Teasing. Testing. And then crushing and taking, making me feel good in places that had nothing to do with the kiss. His hard, demanding lips forced me to open to him so his tongue could take over, stroking mine and gliding over my teeth. He ravaged my mouth so thoroughly, so commanding, that when he finally pulled away I felt more exposed than if he would’ve stripped me bare.
    “Yes,” I continued with my initial request, unable to stop panting. “A date. Then see where it goes from there.”
    Finn moved closer, digging his fingers into my hips.
    “I think we both know where it’s going to go,” he whispered into the shell of my ear.
    I knew he was right.

    ***

    We set our first date for the following day. Finn called me a few hours before our scheduled time and told me to dress comfortably.
    I went silent at the request.
    He chuckled in response and I felt it deep in my bones. “We’re going hiking, Casey. Jeez, get your mind out of the gutter.”
    “Oh, good,” I praised. “That is a perfectly acceptable date.”
    “Did I tell you about the caves? Cold and dark where anything could happen.”
    “Thanks for the warning, but you will not get me into any caves.”
    Finn picked me up in his truck, which I loved. It was warm and rugged and comfortable.