Page 47 of One Impossible Moment
Heat rose on her cheeks.He'd felt it too.That pull.
She was old enough now to recognize that sexual attraction had entered their bond.It excited and frightened her at once.
"Are you upset that I came back?"she asked.
He stiffened.The reaction was immediate, like she'd touched a bruise he didn't want her to see."You weren't supposed to return."
The words stung, but not as much as the distance he kept putting between them.She took a small step toward him, careful, trying not to spook him."Finn...I'm trying to understand."
He dragged a hand through his hair, pacing once across the room.The movement pulled his shirt tight across his back, and she had to force herself to breathe.
"You don't belong here," he said.
"That's not true," she said quietly.
He turned toward her, eyes dark, jaw tight.It was unbearable to stand in front of him, doing nothing, yet seeing the frustration coming from him.
She took another step, drawn to him without meaning to be.
"Don't."The word cracked through the room, stopping her.
She swallowed, trying to steady herself."Finn, talk to me.Please.What's going through your head?"
He stopped pacing.His eyes drifted over her again, lingering for a heartbeat.Lightheaded, she inhaled deeply, unable to get enough air into her lungs.
"I'm fine."He ran his hand through his hair.
Zeroing in on his wrist, she spotted the bracelet she'd made years ago for him.All the fight left her.
She didn't believe him, but she didn't push.He was closing himself off to her, and all she wanted to do was pull him to her.But she stayed where she was, giving him the space he kept asking for.
"Okay," she whispered."If you're fine, I'll believe you."
He looked away, but not before she caught his surprise.What was she supposed to do?
She came to him and invaded his home, but she had no way to warn him she was searching for him.All these years, she'd assumed he was on the other side of the rift, waiting for her to return.
She felt foolish.
"I just need time," he said.
She nodded, clinging to that hope he'd handed her."Okay."
He kept his distance, but his gaze drifted to her again, lingering on the curve of her shoulder.His breath hitched—barely, but she caught it.
She swiftly inhaled, dawning hit her.He had no idea how to handle the situation.
And even though he was tense and guarded and hiding something he didn't know how to share, she held onto one truth.He'd come back to her and wasn't telling her to leave.
