Page 61 of Remember Me
I nervously twiddle with the locket that’s hidden under my top. “No, I left him.”
Finn is stunned into silence. He imbibes more wine and then asks, “Any kids?”
“Yes... one. I left my child with my husband.”
Finn says nothing. His face pinches in deep thought. Perhaps shock.
I try to imagine what’s going through his mind. Does he think I’m neglectful? Selfish? Even evil? I swallow hard to banish these thoughts. It’s futile. When he finally asks me why, my voice cracks.
“I had no choice. It was for the best.”For you. For her. For us.“It’s not something I really want to talk about.”
I’m grateful he doesn’t probe as he sets his wineglass back down on the table. “Come over here, Scarlet.”
I don’t budge.
“C’mon.” Patting a leather cushion, he shows me where he wants me. The expression on his face is so warm and inviting, the glow of the fireplace bathing him in a soft amber glaze. I can’t resist.
Slowly, with my wineglass in hand, I rise and tread over to the couch, lowering myself next to him. As I sink into the cushion, the heat of his body radiates through mine, setting every bone and cell on fire. Before it spills, I set my glass on the coffee table next to his.
“Scarlet, you’re very maternal. I bet your child really misses you and needs you.”
His words resonate deeply with me. My heart swells with unspoken emotion. Feeling tears well in my eyes, I bite down on my bottom lip and gulp them back. His hand touches down on my thigh, grazing it lightly.
“Have you seen your child recently?”
I nod. “I have. She’s very special. I love her so much.”
“Ah, so you have a daughter. No wonder you’re so good with Maddie.”
Still battling tears, I twitch a half-smile and say nothing as he takes another sip of his wine.
“Just let me know if you ever need to take some time off to see her. A child shouldn’t be separated from their mother for too long.”
“Thanks, I will.”Truth: I never want to leave Finn and Maddie. I never want us to be separated again. Everything I want in my life is right here. A few traitorous tears leak out from the corners of my eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter, brushing them away. “Sometimes I get emotional.”
Finn turns my way, his beautiful face shining light onto mine. He cups my tear-streaked face in his hands. “Hey, it’s okay,” he says softly.
Though I try blinking them back, the tears keep coming. So close to me, I can feel his warm breath heat my soaked cheeks. His eyes burn into mine, the sparks between us palpable. Almost visible. My heart flutters like a hummingbird as a rush of desire pulses between my legs. I want him so badly I can taste him. Then, without warning on my next blink, he leans into me, and still cradling my face in his palms, he reads my mind, sinking his lips onto mine. I submit, having wanted this kiss for so long. It’s everything I remember. Sensual. Possessive. Generous. All-consuming. My body grows slack, melting into him, as if a lightning bolt has hit me. Fireworks explode behind my sealedlids as he deepens the kiss, the wine-laced taste of him making me drunk with need and desire. Our tongues dance as if they’ve known each other forever (they have!), mine chasing his as it sweeps through my mouth. Moans gather in the base of my throat like musical notes, mixing with the percussion of my thudding heart.
I can’t get enough of him.
Then, suddenly, as if someone has pulled a plug, the music stops. His tongue disappears.
CHAPTER 38
Finn
Ipull away as fast as my lips captured hers. Jesus. What the hell did I just do? I’m engaged to my manager, Kayla, with a wedding around the corner and I just kissed my daughter’s teacher. And what’s worse, I more than liked it. Everything about the kiss felt so delicious, so familiar. Like our mouths have known each other forever. She melted right into me, willingly, and I could tell from her moans and breathing she felt everything I did. I wanted more of her in the worst way until I came to my senses and managed to refrain.
Catching my breath, I drop my hands from her face and stare at her. She looks shell-shocked. Her porcelain skin flushed, her kissable lips still parted, her misty eyes frozen wide. Her breathing harsh like mine, her body quivering with each shallow breath. Her eyes stay fixed on me, finally blinking. As if she’s trying to make sense of what just happened.
“I’m sorry,” I breathe out, not knowing what else to say. What came over me? But to be blatantly honest, I want my lips back on hers, her body in my arms so badly I can scream.
Silently registering my two lame words, she continues to breathe hard. The rest of her is paralyzed. I’ve probably given her some kind of anxiety attack. Her glistening lips start to tremble, but words don’t form. A panic button goes off inside me.
“Are you okay?” My heart races as I anxiously await her response.