Darker The Forbidden Berry

God this was awkward. Finn was a grown man, but Aja still had to try and keep him under control. She was not sure what that meant but she had to assume that partying every night was not what his parents wanted.

“Maybe you should stay in and recharge for a couple of days?”

“Or you could just come with me?” He said, casually.

Aja froze for a moment, almost dropping her plate of grapes.

“What?”

He glanced over his shoulder, a sly smile on his face.

“It’s your job to make sure I stay out of trouble, right?”

Her face tightened into a grimace but she nodded.

“Then you should come with me and make sure I don’t get into trouble,” he said, plating the eggs and turning to face her.

“I’m not sure…That’s not really my scene, you know?”

“Look, I’m not trying to be an asshole, but I’m going to this party. I get that your job is to keep an eye on me and while I’m not happy about it, I’m not pissed off at you. This is just a job for you, right? You want to collect a paycheck?”

She chewed her lip but nodded. She really did not want to tell this guy what to do. It just felt so weird and patronizing.

“Then collect the check and enjoy the high life for a while. If I do something that jeopardizes your job, I’ll write you a check myself. My parents aren’t the only ones with money.”

His proposition was tempting. After all, he was not asking her to babysit a grown person. However, she was not ready to give up her contract that easy. When she did not take the offer, Finn chuckled and turned back to his plate, grabbing it as he walked past her.

“Either way…You ought to come to this party with me. Can’t keep an eye on me here, and I’m going whether you do or not.”

He disappeared down the hallway and Aja huffed a little when he called back.

“It’s a cocktail party! Dress the part!”

*****

Aja felt completely out of place. Her short black dress, long, sleek extensions and bright red lips fit in, but if she was being honest, they were wearing her. Even though Aja had a tendency to find herself among the rich and famous, she never quite fitted in with them, though that was what made her a good assistant. She’d always been able to remain silent and unseen at social engagements. She was usually running errands for whoever she was working with, but that was not the case tonight.

Finn had left her to her own devices and while she was staying close, it was not enough of a distraction from the other people wearing million-dollar outfits and sipping champagne that cost the same amount as a year at art school.

Aja had never fitted in with people like this. She had grown up on the south side of Detroit in a tiny house with more locks than windows. Her mom had worked hard, but the world always pushed them right back down. Sometimes Aja worried these people could practically smell poverty.

She sipped her champagne and her eyes darted back to Finn who was on the other side of the room, laughing and throwing his head back at some story. It was unfair how handsome he was. It really was. She finished off her glass quickly and set it aside, still watching him intently. He raised an arm and draped it around the shoulders of a tall blonde woman with big, green eyes and a bright smile. Aja was surprised at the heat that ran through her when he pulled the other woman close. They barely knew each other, but then again she knew this was not jealousy. It was wanton urges. She wanted him to hold her like that…But why?

She crossed the room, made brazen by the champagne. Aja tapped Finn on the shoulder and smiled pleasantly at the group of people.

“I’m so sorry! I just need to borrow him for a moment. I left my phone in the car.”

“Huh?”

“You have the car keys and I need to get my phone. Come on.”

His brows knitted together and for a moment a smile flickered across his face. He held his finger up and followed Aja out to the empty foyer.

“You want some alone time?”

For a moment, panic swept through her. Was she that obvious? Then she realized he was teasing and she rolled her eyes so hard it hurt.

“No. I’m trying to keep my job,” she hissed, voice low.

“You’re serious about this?” He cocked a brow.

“I’m very serious about it. Your parents are practically paying my tuition right now.”

“Where do you go to school?”

The question caught her off guard and she pulled back a little. She looked him up and down before finally meeting his slate gaze.

“Why do you care?”

“Well, if you’re going to be on top of me like this…I figured we should get to know each other.”

“Is that a joke?”

“Did you think it was funny?” He asked, grinning like a maniac.

“No.”

“Then it was not a joke,” he said finally with a shrug.

Aja sighed and rubbed her forehead. “You’re exhausting…”

“Aja,” he reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s going to be fine, okay? I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize your job, alright? I’m not an asshole. Have another glass of champagne and enjoy yourself.”

“And who is going to drive home?”

He held up the delicate champagne flute and just smiled.

“It’s seltzer.”

“Oh,” she said softly, voice dropping in surprise. “Really?”

“Really. Go mingle. I’ll get us home safe.”

How was she supposed to tell him that she did not want to mingle? She did not really want to get to know anyone here. Well…No one except for him. Aja chewed her bottom lip but nodded. They parted ways and she settled on a lounging sofa with a few other women. She’d snagged a fresh glass of champagne off the beverage cart and sipped on it as she took in the marble floor and gilded details. This house was smaller than Finn’s, but it was far more luxurious. She honestly did not really care, though. She liked the homeliness and soft colors of the Somerset home.

Every sip of the overpriced champagne made her head spin more and more. She stayed on the pearly white sofa, her eyes darting over to Finn’s every now and then.