Darker The Forbidden Berry

That hint of laughter washed over Aja and made her cheeks turn hot. Now that Finn was close, the kitchen light reflected all of his chiseled glory. Aja had expected Finn to be handsome (most rich people were), but she did not expect utter perfection. He was easily over six foot tall and slender, but strong like a runner. His jaw was sharp and his chin was defined, like the rest of him. Even in a drunken state, he exuded grace and confidence. His easy smile and cocked head somehow managed to turn her brain into mush.

Once she realized she was staring she averted her gaze and turned it to the floor, only able to find a few pathetic words.

“You scared me,” she whispered, her eyes darting back up to his face.

His features softened and he reached out a hand to touch her arm. When his fingers brushed her rich, dark chocolate skin she felt electricity shoot through her.

“I’m so sorry, Aja. I had no idea my parents had you come early. I would have come in the front like a normal person. I’m just so used to coming through the garage.”

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Jaleeyah came running into the kitchen with a statue clutched in her hand like a baseball bat, the heavy base pulled back and ready to crack skulls.

“Aja?! Who the hell is this!?”

“Oh! Sh*t! Jaleeyah!” She grabbed Jaleeyah’s arm to keep her from smacking Finn with the statue. “This is Finn,” she said softly, but just as surprised as Jaleeyah.

Jaleeyah took a moment to look between them. Finn had put an arm up on the doorway he was standing beside. Aja was not sure if it was because he was still swaying a bit or if he was just trying to look casual.

“I heard a scream,” she said, lowering the statue, still eyeing him warily.

“He just surprised me, Jaleeyah. It’s really okay.”

Finally, Jaleeyah handed over the statue and saddled up next to Aja protectively.

Finn held up his hands again and offered a disarming smile.

“It’s been a wild night, ladies. I’m going to be completely honest and say that I am too drunk to properly introduce myself, so I’m going to go to bed and you two should as well.”

“It’s only 8.00 pm,” Jaleeyah said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Sh*t…Is it?” He looked at the gold Rolex wrapped around his wrist and then shrugged. “Jet lag is a bi*ch. I’ll see you two in the morning!”

He offered a casual wave and then made his way towards the staircase. Jaleeyah watched him and then turned to Aja.

“We’re just going to let him go up there?”

“It’s his house, Jaleeyah.”

“He told you it was! How do you know that’s him?”

Honestly, it was a good question. Now that Jaleeyah was asking her that, Aja realized she had not seen any family photos hanging up in the house. It was all just landscape paintings and abstract pieces. There was no way to really verify that this was Finn.

They did a quick investigation of the door to see if it had been broken. Nothing seemed amiss and all Aja could do was grab the wine and the take out menus and head out to the little guest house behind the main house. She would miss the massive California king she’d slept in the night before, but it was not worth her peace of mind.

She and Jaleeyah settled into the bed, both on their backs and staring at the ceiling that had stars painted on it.

“What do you think he meant by ‘jet lag’? Sounds a bit fishy to me.”

“He was probably off partying in Europe or something. I’m sure his family has a private jet.”

“What? No. You think he left a raging party in Paris and just flew straight home?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve seen it,” she said glancing over at her friend in the darkness.

“Well.… It all sounds weird to me. I’m sticking around tomorrow to see if he is really who he says he is.”

Aja chuckled and took Jaleeyah’s hand, settling in and pulling the blankets up to her chin.

“Thank you Jaleeyah.”

“Of course. Good night, Aja.”

“Good night.”

They fell silent and Aja let herself float off into sleep, her head swimming with a mixture of drunkenness and exhilaration at having met her handsome new charge.

*****

Jaleeyah stuck around for another day, asking Finn questions until the man finally just produced his ID so that she could verify it. Once she had her closure, she left and Aja and Finn were left alone in the large house. She did not see much of him that first day after Jaleeyah left, but she knew she had to start forming some kind of relationship with him. It always made her job easier to have a decent relationship with the person she was in charge of. Luckily, the opportunity was going to come sooner rather than later.

It was late Friday afternoon and Aja wandered into the kitchen to find herself a snack. Finn was standing at the stove in a pair of running shorts that hit just above the knee. His chest was bare and still gleaming with a thin sheen of sweat. The sight of Finn made Aja gasp and she jumped back into the hall for a moment, her back pressed against the wall. Why was he so fu*king hot? It was a travesty! She took a deep breath before walking back into the kitchen, waving as casually as she could muster.

“A little late for breakfast, isn’t it?” She asked, walking behind him towards the fridge.

Finn looked down at the eggs he was cooking and shrugged a little.

“Eggs are the limit of my culinary ability. Besides I just wanted something light before I went out.”

Light? She was pretty sure she saw four eggs in that pan.

“You’re going out?”

“Yeah. My friend is throwing a party tonight.”

“Did you just get home from a party?”

“Yes. And….?”