Page 52 of One Impossible Moment
"Love," he whispered."I don't...I don't know what that means."
Her heart cracked a little at his honesty.He wasn't being dramatic.He wasn't pushing her away.He was telling her the unfiltered truth.
She shifted closer, their knees brushing.The contact sent a warm rush through her when his pupils dilated.
"That's okay," she whispered."I'll show you."
His breath came faster, his chest rising and falling in uneven pulls.She could feel the tension rolling off him.She now recognized it wasn't rejection.
He was older than she was, but his life in Everstill was very different from what she'd lived through.
His hesitation came from fear of the unknown.
"Kallie..."he murmured, a warning and a plea together.
She cupped his cheek.He flinched—not away, but toward her.
A tremor ran through him.She held on tighter.Given his past and life in Everstill, she was probably the first woman to touch him in years.Maybe decades.Maybe longer.
That fact turned her on more than she'd like to admit.When it came to Finn, she was a jealous bitch.
She leaned in and pressed her lips to his.Soft.Barely a breath.A promise more than a kiss.
He had no idea how much he was part of her life, even when they weren't together.He was the constant.The one thing nobody could take away from her.
His hand tightened, and he leaned into her.Her heart raced, grasping at any little bit of attention he gave her.
Heat surged between them.Her back arched.His lips broke through her softness, demanding more.She parted her mouth, and his tongue sought entrance.
He broke away suddenly, breath ragged, eyes wide.
"Kallie," he said, voice strained."If you keep kissing me, it'll go in a direction you're not ready for."
She moved her hands to his chest."I am ready."
"Have you ever had sex?"
"When was I supposed to have time for that?"She exhaled loudly."I don't think you realize I've worked full-time for the last two years since I left foster care.When I'm not working, I'm walking roads as far as I can, looking for you."
He cupped her neck, drawing her forward until his forehead touched hers.She breathed in his air.Her aroused body fed her temper.
"There's a lot I forget.One day blends into the next."He inhaled sharply."But I never forgot you, Kallie with a K."
She crawled into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck."I'm here now.I'll help you remember every day."
She twined her fingers in his hair.There was nothing she wouldn't promise him.They were together now.Neither of them had to be alone.
They had all the time in the world.She wanted to learn everything about him.
His eyes dropped to her lips again, and she felt the pull between them like a physical force.But before she could close the distance, his grip tightened, almost desperate.
"Kallie."He held her tight."You can't ever go back through the veil."
She froze."But, Finn—"
"Listen to me."His hands framed her waist, holding her still."Whatever happens...whatever you think you need to do...you can't go back."
She searched his face."Why?"
