Ex-Husband's Regret

By the time we were leaving, I had my emotions under control.

I didn't want to admit it, but my attraction to Gabriel was still there. It's been years. Almost a decade and yet, it took so little for him to get me excited.

I hated that. Hated it because while I was married to Liam, it took a bit of coaxing to get me aroused enough for the act. Don't get me wrong, Liam wasn't a bad sexual partner. He didn't suck at sex, but my arousal didn't come easily when he wanted us to get intimate.

It didn't take much from Gabriel. One intense look, and those rough hands on my skin, and I was dripping wet for him. Ready for him to take me. What does that say about me? That my ex-husband didn't get this side of me, while the man that shattered me, did?

After a quick cold shower, to wash away my arousal and shame, I got dressed and headed for breakfast. The entire time we were having out meals, I avoided Gabriel's knowing gaze.

"Are you ready for this?" I ask Lilly as she takes her backpack.

Surprisingly, Gabriel had announced that he'd also be there for Lilly's first day of school. I didn't argue with him. There was no point in doing it.

"Yes," she answers cheerily. "Noah told me that their school is awesome. I can't wait to see that for myself."

Her nervousness was definitely gone. Not that I was complaining or anything. This was so much better than her being anxious.

"That's great, darling" I tell her before taking her hand. "Now, let's get moving before you're late on your first day."

The ride down the elevator is silent. I was stiff standing next to Gabriel while Lilly stood in front of us. His presence was overwhelming, to say the least. I wanted to get as far away from him as possible, but there wasn't anywhere to go.

literally bounces out of the elevator when we get to the first floor. She's the strangest child I've ever met. I mean who gets excited on

up!" she demands, as she basically rushes

between them quickly, so I am

gosh!"

a sleek

"You're taking me

day at a new school. You deserve to

problem with him spoiling her. "Thank you so much," She screams before launching herself at Gabriel, who easily

hated him spoiling our daughter, I couldn't take this from her. She was happy. What kind of mother would I be

her. "If we don't hurry up, we are going to be seriously

the car and I'm relieved when Lilly sit between her father and me. I just don't know I could handle his body heat seeping through to me. Not when I still had the memories of early this morning

don't really talk much. Lilly is a chatter box and fills up the silence that would have descended had it just

me anxiety. All of a sudden, I am now the one who's nervous. Nervous for my baby girl. When

Lilly's hand and motions for me to follow

for Lilly to be

worry; we will give Lilly a guide. Someone who will

be her guide, but apparently, they give

first day, darling," I whisper as I kiss