Ex-Husband's Regret

Lilly was staring at us, her eyes shifting from me to her father. I see the questions in them. The curiosity concerning me and Gabriel.

Like I said, this wasn't supposed to happen. I wasn't supposed to be attracted to Gabriel after all these years apart. I honestly thought that I'd with my attraction to him. That his treatment of me years ago, had killed everything I had felt for him.

How wrong I was. Here I am, years later, almost kissing him. I feel terrible that I had allowed that one moment of weakness. That I'd allowed myself to be lured by the cravings of my body.

"Were you two about to kiss?" Lilly asks innocently, and I can't help the sharp inhale that I take.

My mind was a mess. I didn't know what to tell her. Should I just tell her the truth? Even so, it's not like I can lie when she literally caught us red-handed.

"Uhm-uhm-" I struggle to find the right words to tell her.

At the back of my mind, I was also worried. Liam is the only man Lilly has ever seen me kiss. The only man, other than Gabriel who has been in my life. What if I say 'yes' and she takes it the wrong way? I know that Gabriel has been trying to build a relationship with her, but for more than five years, Liam has been her dad. I just don't want her thinking that I'm betraying the man who raised her, even though now am married to her biological father.

"Yes" The answer to her question comes from Gabriel.

I turn and glare at him. What is he thinking admitting it to her like that? What is he thinking admitting it in the first place?

Part of me wants to just ignore the whole thing. Pretend that that mistake didn't happen. I am embarrassed that Lilly caught us, but more importantly, I am embarrassed that, at that time, I'd wanted him to kiss me. Craved for him to seal our lips together.

"Oh, okay... can I have breakfast?" she asks, sitting down on one of the bar stools at the kitchen counter.

I couldn't tell what she was thinking because her emotions were well hidden. I desperately wanted to know, but deep down I know I can't push her. Not now anyway, when she still hadn't forgiven me for lying about her dad.

have yours?" I turn, and

be here after what happened. I needed to get away

"Sure" he answers.

quickly drop my mug in the sink, and leave the kitchen. I rush to the safety of my room, get in and lock the door behind

wrong. This is the same man that hurt me over and over again years ago. This is the man that broke me and shattered my heart into a million pieces. He did

from what happened years ago? Getting involved with Gabriel will only lead to disaster. I can't risk getting hurt again, no matter how much

bathroom. I still had a few hours to get ready and to get my emotions

the highest temperature. Maybe I can burn away the tingling I still felt

sure how long I was in the shower, when I finally got enough, turned it off and got out. Wrapping a towel around my body, I open the door and get out. I am surprised to find Lilly sitting

that she was angry with me and rightly so, but every time she ignored me, it

entered, completely ignore me when I talked to her and push me away every time I tried getting

we talk?" she whispers, the sadness in her voice breaking

I answer, grabbing the clothes I had prepared before rushing

come out dressed and sit next

know I was angry, but I shouldn't have treated you the way I did when you're the best

my eyes rapidly, I try to push back the tears that threatened to fall. I gently grab her hand and

just angry, and it has taken me a while to realize you didn't lie to me

voice is croaky

you can