Even though they had been together for years, she still got that feeling of butterflies in her tummy when she saw him. Her heart pitter-pattered, and her hands got sweaty. She wanted tofeel his lips crushed against hers, feel his hands teasing her body and working it into a frenzy, then she wanted him inside her.
She was stupid to think she could walk away from Fin and that would be that.
How could she ever love another man the way she loved him?
No matter how much time passed or how many days, weeks, months, or years they spent apart, nothing was going to diminish their love.
She couldn’t wait a second longer.
She crossed the family room. Fin turned and opened his mouth to say something, but whatever it was got cut off when she kissed him.
Chloe had a picture in her head of how this would play out. She would kiss Fin, he’d wrap an arm around her waist and drag her closer. His tongue would find its way between her lips. He would pick her up without ever breaking the kiss and carry her upstairs to bed. They’d rip off their clothes and get reacquainted with each other’s bodies. They would drive each other wild with their hands and their mouths, and then when neither of them could take it any longer, they would make love.
But that wasn't what happened.
Fin’s hands curled around her shoulders, and he pushed her away. “What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded. His dark blue eyes weren’t full of lust or love or anything closer. They were full of anger.
Anger?
What was going on?
Yesterday he’d told her that he still loved her. He’d taken her to the hospital, then back to her place. He’d spent the night and even done her laundry. He was cooking her breakfast.
“I … I … I thought …” she stuttered.
“You thought what?” Fin growled. “That you could kiss me? We’re not a couple anymore. I told you that.”
Tears of embarrassment, hurt, and anger filled her eyes. “But you said you still loved me.”
“I also told you that I didn't want us to get back together.”
At least he didn't deny that he still loved her.
That meant something. Right?
What was she thinking? Chloe growled at herself.
Why was she letting him treat her this way?
They had both lost a child. Yes, guilt had made her walk away, but surely Fin had to understand that that was all it was. She knew he had abandonment issues, but that didn't give him the right to take his anger out on her.
She had to wake up.
If it was over, she had to stop living in fairy tale land.
In the real world, there wasn't always a happily ever after.
Yes, she loved Fin.
Yes, she probably always would.
But this was crazy.
She couldn’t keep doing this. She couldn’t keep holding out hope that they could work things out when Fin kept making it clear that it wasn't what he wanted.
However, if he didn't want to be together, then he had to stop with the mixed signals.
It wasn't fair.