Page 44 of Claiming His Wife
You’re losing her,said the insidious whisper in his head, and Finn scowled at the unwelcome intrusion.
“No, I can’t, we love each other.”
You love her, but she loves him,the voice replied and Finn bit back a curse. When he walked in on them embracing, it had taken all his will not to tear the man apart. What right did he have laying his dirty fingers on his woman?
She had made her decision very clear when she had taken hold of Jonathan’s hand and allowed him to stay at her place, even after Finn told her the truth about the man. He probably shouldn’t have called him out like that, but the emotions riding him were too strong for his control at that moment. His love for her was so deep that the thought of being away from her a second time didn’t sit well with his heart, soul, or body. All he wanted was to settle down in his marital life.
Of course, the protective surges he had towards her were working overtime when he had seen the smug leer that man directed at Kalilah when she had turned her back. He had lost his mind by flinging those facts around in a confrontation that had changed nothing.
Finn knocked back the cognac in one quick swallow and contemplated another drink. No, he would need a clear head.
Maybe he needed to face it and move on; chemistry was not enough for a marriage. If that were the case, Kalilah wouldn’t have left him in the first place. His thoughts did not sit well with him and it had him pacing from one edge of the room to another.
The sound of his door buzzing saved him from the scenes in his mind, every image more of a torment than the last.
“Come on in.” He beckoned and she stepped through the door.
Kalilah moved into the room and quickly glanced around. The decor was masculine, heavy, but the pieces of furniture were modern except for the stuffed cushion that faced the curtains. She had an idea what he needed it for. Finn was always drawn to views and she knew his tendencies to do his best thinking looking over scenery. No reason not to do that from the comfort of the overstuffed and large monstrosity that sat squat in front of the balcony windows.
Kalilah turned at the voice. She realized she hadn’t heard him in the middle of her rambling thoughts.
"I’m sorry, did you say something?" she asked sheepishly.
“Want something to drink?" The innocent enquiry made her stomach clench nervously. The cup of coffee she had drank at work rolled in her stomach.
“No, I'm good," she replied before turning away from him.
"Would you like a tour of this place?"
He gave her an intense once-over, as if trying to decipher the many emotions she was sure showed on her face.
“Maybe another time. Can I sit?" she asked.
“Sure you can.” He gestured to the sofa and she went to sit on it. “What brings you by?”
"I’ve been thinking a lot about my future and I remember you mentioning the building you recently acquired...” The words stuck in her throat, a throat that was as suddenly as dry as the Sahara.
“Kalilah, spit it out already.” His words were sharp and impatient.
“Well, I’ve decided to go ahead and look into opening my own non-profit residence for women. I came here to talk about the building you mentioned. I want to know everything about it.”
“That’s wonderful news, Kalilah. Does that mean you plan on staying in the country indefinitely?”
She saw the hope in his eyes and hated that her next words would dampen it.
“I plan to stay until I get it off the ground. After that, I can always find someone to run things in my absence.”
“Are you sure that this is what you want?”
“Finn, will you tell me about the building or not?”
***
Two hours later the table was littered with papers, discarded cups of coffee, and a cookie packet that had only crumbles left in it. Finn raised his head to catch the last rays of a dying sun and glanced at his watch to confirm.
“Is that the time?” Kalilah grabbed his hand and exclaimed.
“I can’t believe it; I guess time flies when you’re having fun.”
