“Yeah, that’s two of us.” Defeat snakes its way through his words. “I only discovered Jolene’s lies six months ago when we discovered the new evidence, and I’m still trying to piece it all together.”
I frown. “Why would she kill her own mother?”
“I have no idea.” His anger is extreme, and I don’t blame him. I’d be gutted if I discovered my spouse had done what she has.
I try to process what he’s said, but I struggle. “This is the kind of stuff you just don’t think happens in real life. Like, it happens in the movies and books, but not to people you know.” I can?
??t even begin to imagine what he’s been going through all this time. He’s never shared anything about his past with us.
We grow silent, each consumed with our own thoughts. I have a million questions but don’t want to bombard him. Sharing this information is clearly a big step for him, and I know he’s not a huge talker, so I decide to wait for him to share more without prompting.
“I shouldn’t have kissed you the other night,” he finally says, blowing out a long, frustrated breath.
I want him to take those words back.
Surely he felt what I felt in that kiss?
My heart hurts even asking my next question. I’m not sure I want to know the answer, but I need to know it. “Did it mean nothing to you?”
His body stills, and he blinks. “Fuck, it meant everything to me, Callie. I’ve wanted to kiss you for months.” My hope soars. He feels the same way as me.
I move to where he stands and place my hand on his arm. His body tenses and I hate that. “Why shouldn’t you have kissed me, then? If we both want this, why can’t we have it?”
He pulls his arm away from my hand. “Because I’m married, and my head is all fucked-up over it. I don’t want to bring you into that. You deserve so much more.”
My brows pull together. “Are you getting a divorce now that you know the truth?”
He doesn’t answer me straight away, and my heart dives into the disappointment I know I’m going to feel when he answers me. “It’s complicated.” His voice is ragged, torn.
“I’m getting really fucking sick of that word!” I throw at him as my anger builds.
His hand flicks out and grabs mine, and he yanks me to him. Our bodies press hard against each other, and the sounds of our heavy breathing fill the room.
Every nerve ending of mine tingles as our eyes lock.
My lips part, ready.
Hoping.
“You’ve got no fucking idea how much I want you. How much I want to kiss you again and spend every hour of every day either with you or thinking about you. My marital status is complicated, but what I feel for you isn’t. You stole my attention a long time ago, you just never realised it.” The honesty in his voice threads itself through my heart.
Maybe we have a chance.
Our faces are so close now. All I need to do is lean forward a fraction, and I’ll experience the divine sensation of his lips on mine again. Oh, God, how I want that.
But he’s married.
And it’s complicated.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he says, and I move both my hands to press against his chest. I’m not sure if it’s to push him away or just to touch him because my thoughts are a mess.
Why can’t men and sex and dating be easy?
“Callie.” His voice is demanding, and I know he’s seeking an answer from me.
Our eyes hold each other.
So close.