Page 14 of Chasing his Ex

Finn’s eyebrows furrow. “So you never slept with Noah?”

“No, why would I? I wasn’t in a relationship with him. I made him think I was interested, but I had to wait until after the exams. I strung him along until his birthday to make sure he didn’t release the video.”

“I think he thought something different.”

“I wanted him to.”

“And me?” The deepening of his voice, coupled with his frankness, makes me wonder if he’s angry or curious.

“I did what I had to do. There was a sex video with me as the star attraction. I did what I had to because you didn’t.”

The flexed jaw and the curl of one hand are telling.

I continue to watch the tic of his jaw and wonder how long Finn has thought about what happened. My mobile chimes again, and I’m glad it’s time to end this conversation. “I need to get some work done,” I say and think about it. Tapping my pen on the desk. “If you had nothing to do with it, why didn’t you stop it? Find the tape, destroy it?”

“I tried and, to be honest, I was planning my own revenge. My revenge wasn’t as legal as yours. Mason’s family has contacts.” He stands and pushes his straight leg trousers down, and I can’t help but see the outline of his thighs as the charcoal trousers fit snugly over the top. He walks to the door and turns.

Finn remains propped against my office door, his hands tucked into his pockets, like he already owns the place.

“I don’t want to know. It’s over now,” I say. I also know Mason's family has a terrible reputation. “It’s been over four years.”

“Four years, three days and ...”

I raise my hand. “You can stop the minutes and seconds.”

He doesn’t stay at the door very long. He walks to me, sits at the edge of the desk, and wedges my ankles between his.

“I miss you. I’ve regretted every single day I haven’t been with you. And if you think I’m going to skulk away and leave you to get on with your life without me. You’re mistaken.”

“I’m with someone.” I lie.

“The old guy... what’s his name?”

“He doesn’t have a name.”

“Good. Because he is someone who you shouldn’t be with.” He glances around at the flowers. “And I expect he’s either a florist, the most romantic man in the world or ... he messed up terribly,” he says and smiles that beautiful smile he always gave me. “I’m crossing my fingers and putting a small bet on the latter.”

“Crossing your fingers,” I parrot, my heart beginning to race.

“And then I need to get in quick before someone else snaps you up.” Finn turns my chair, and he lowers his mouth to mine, millimeters away from each other.

Time seems to slow as I feel his warm breath on my lips. My eyes flutter closed, anticipation building in my chest. Finn’s hand gently cups my cheek, his thumb caressing my skin softly. The familiar scent of his cologne brings back a flood of memories.

When his lips finally meet mine, it’s tender and hesitant at first, as if he’s asking permission. I respond, leaning into the kiss, my hands moving to rest on his shoulders as his tongue slides along my lips, willing me to open. The kiss deepens slowly as longing, comfort, and excitement intertwine.

I pull away and we’re both slightly breathless. I find myself at a loss for words.

Finn’s eyes search mine, a mix of vulnerability and determination in his gaze.

I finally whisper, “I’m not getting snapped up anytime ...”

Chapter 6

Ava

He holds my shoulders as he quickly moves away as though he’s been scorched, and as he stares at me, there’s a single heartbeat that pulses between us. Our eyes lock and between the stare and that pulse, it’s all it takes and his lips are pliant against mine again and I’m matching each stroke of his tongue, each bite of his lip.

“I forgot to ask, how are you?” I ask the second time he pulls away.

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