Page 18 of Chasing his Ex

He takes my hands, entwining our fingers, and stops and stares. “You’re so beautiful, Ava.”

He doesn’t give me time to answer. “I want to feel you next to me.” His voice is raspy, kind of begging. “Say yes.”

I don’t say yes, but he sees the answer in my eyes. He doesn’t need to hear my words. We want each other. We need each other. If only for a few moments—or the night.

His lips drop on mine while he eases the zip of my skirt. A bolt of desire rocks through me as the fabric falls from my body.

“Learned some moves,” I say as his feather-light kisses move over my shoulder.

He smiles as he pulls at the hem of my top, dragging it up my body and over my head. I stand in front of him, only dressed in a lacy bra and matching panties.

“I can’t stay.” I say.

“Can’t or won’t?” he asks.

Finn walks around me, his finger tracing my spine until his gaze lands on my eyes, waiting for his answer.

“Can’t,” I reply.

His eyes roam the length of my body. His stare is intense, making me feel worshipped.

He tilts his head. “Why?”

I should tell him…

I take a deep breath, glance up to see the dancing of the river making patterns on the ceiling.

Can I take the risk?

I reach down and grab my skirt and top off the floor, shrugging the top over my head. I need to go home. I need to get away from him.

“I made a mistake. I have to go,” I say, pulling my skirt up my legs.

“What did I say?” Finn’s eyes go from teasing to sorrowful so quickly it hurts.

I look around his apartment, wondering where my bag is, and notice it on the sofa near the large window overlooking the river. I walk away from Finn and take it.

“Don’t go,” he says, taking the bag from my hand. “I won’t rush you. I promise. Have a drink with me... Please.”

“A drink.”

“Please.”

I nod lightly. He takes my hand and as we stroll to the kitchen.

He takes two bottles from the fridge. “Red or white?”

“You pick,” I say, glancing around at his home. “You have a nice place.”

“Yeah, Dad pays the rent as part of my package. Which allows me to save up for a deposit for a place of my own. Mom wants him to give me my inheritance now, so I can buy a place while the property prices are only expensive rather than astronomical.” He pours two glasses of wine and hands me a glass.

I laugh. “I’m surprised your mom didn’t win that argument. If I remember rightly, your dad worships her.”

Finn’s eyes lower to the floor and I see his Adam’s apple rise and fall.

“Is everything okay with them?” I press the glass to my lips, and take a big swallow and wait.

His face turns serious as he puts the wine bottle in the fridge and focuses on my eyes. “No.” He doesn’t elaborate, and the air sucks from me as the quiet in the room lurches toward awkwardness.

---