Ex-Husband's Regret

Harper.

"What are you looking at this late into the night?" the deep voice startles me from behind.

"God, you scared me," I muttered, trying to calm down my beating heart. "Don't ever sneak up on me like that."

Gabriel walks around the Kitchen counter and comes to stand on the opposite side. The moment he does that and my eyes take him in, my throat goes dry all of a sudden. I feel parched, like I haven't had water in ages and swallowing becomes a big damn problem.

Gabriel had nothing on except for a pair of grey sweatpants that hung low on his hips. The damn man was a masterpiece with the body of a Greek god. With his broad shoulders, abs for days, and that damn V that would drive any woman crazy,

He had a trail of dark hair that started at his navel and disappeared into his pants. It's as if it pointed to the direction of paradise.

I want to pull my eyes away but it's impossible. They drink him as if he were their only source of water. I stare at every nook and cranny of his body, noting the tribal tattoo on his chest. That is a new addition. It wasn't there when we had sex years ago and seeing it makes me curious about its meaning.

There was no denying that Gabe was a fine specimen, especially now. Don't get me wrong, even back then he had a great body and was fit, but now it's something else. Gone is the boyish body and in its place is the body of a man.

"See something you like?" his arrogant tone pulls me from the trance his naked chest had me in.

I scoff to hide my embarrassment at being caught. "Please, I've seen better."

"I doubt that, Harper," he said with an infuriating smirk.

"Of course you'd say that... Your ego won't allow you to accept otherwise."

I've only been with two men, Liam and Gabriel. Liam was okay; he exercised and was fit, but his body didn't come anywhere near Gabriel's. Gabriel's is the kind of body women dream of. All muscles and no fat in sight. Strong, sexy, and mouthwatering. It's the kind you imagine running your tongue on, and I am ashamed to say that

I push those thoughts away. I was just sexually attracted to him. I haven't had sex in two years, so of course I would

yourself that. A voice

continue telling myself that. Being delusional is better than

at my breasts. I watch with

throw his question back at

"No," he answered gruffly.

I am not the only one living in denial. Anyway, it doesn't matter because nothing will ever

quiet after, and the atmosphere is

voice, I ask. "What are you doing

our previous marriage, he has been trying to come back home early because of Lilly and then leave in the morning

he simply answered.

is so weird. We never had this in our previous marriage. We never sat down and talked. He never comforted me when I cried. Hell, the man didn't care back then. Now things seem to have changed, and I don't

schools

that I'd agreed to the contract and we were now married, for the next two years

can join Noah's school.

just stare at him like he has grown two heads. I know the school. Hell I used to go there. It's the only school for the rich and affluent in

realize that I can't afford that kind

I took Lilly to a good school back at home, but it wasn't