Burning by K.D. Carrillo

be away until I had managed to make Chloë fall for me again.  Plus, I had a bad feeling about the girl he was bringing with him.  I knew she was going to be an elf, because how else could Grey screw with me?  I wasn't looking forward to this upcoming confrontation, especially after the near catfight between Anita and the shifter.
    I had to plan a romantic night out for us, maybe make it an all-day thing.  If I only had a few hours left before he returned, I planned to make them count. 
    “Chloë, let’s go spend some time together before things get super crazy around here with whatever shitstorm your mom sent to us.”  I braced myself, partly expecting her to refuse me. 
    Instead, she smiled at me and whispered in a husky voice, “You want me all to yourself , huh?” 
    I groaned.  It was really cruel that her voice had to be as sexy as the rest of her.  Sexy actually seemed like a weak word to use for Chloë.  She was ethereal, inspirational, a living goddess.  She made a man dream of sin while hoping to be good enough to deserve her. 
    “You, me , and a deserted island would be heaven on Earth,” I growled. 
    Her eyes narrowed, and just like that , she saw right through me.  “What's bothering you?  We have been doing so well, taking things slow, but you seem really tense.  Spill it, Finn,” she demanded.
    I exhaled forcefully and scrubbed my hands across my face.   “You did hear that your ex is on his way back, didn't you?” 
    “Finn, I don’t want to be with Grey.  I’m happy seeing where this thing between us is going.  Please don’t freak out about this,” she begged. 
    “This thing between us?  Chloë, I don’t think you understand what ‘this thing’ is for me.  I love you.  I know I was a tool, and I screwed up a lot.  I want you forever.  I’m not freaking out about commitment anymore.  I need to know if you are ready for something like that.”
    She allowed her eyes to search my body.  I felt her gaze on my skin like she was lightly touching me.  It was hot. 
    “Forever with you?” She smirked seductively. “I can get on board with that.  My only hang-up here is our past.  I’m scared to step out there again.  Taking it slow gives me time to trust you again.”
    “I understand that. I do.  Let’s spend some more time together today,” I urged. 
    She licked her lips unconsciously.  “What did you have in mind?” 
    I groaned again.  “Chlo, you have to rein your sexy ass in a bit.  You're killing me."
    She gave me a wicked smile.  "Mmm, but what a way to go."
    I pulled the collar of my shirt away from my neck , trying to release the heat her throaty voice created.  "I don’t want to pull a Dean move on you, but we can’t go there until you're ready to commit to forever.  If we let ourselves get carried away, our magical biology would make the decision for you.” 
    “ Go there, as in hot and sweaty?" Chloë leaned in close and kissed me underneath my right ear.  "We would be bonded?  Wait, does that mean you haven’t…” she trailed off. 
    “Yes, we would be bonded, and no I haven’t,” I answered quietly. 
    Her eyebrows scrunched together.  “I thought you hooked up with that cheerleader. You know, the one whose name ends in an E sound.” 
    I chuckled.  “All of their names end that way. I think your BFF Cyndi forces them to change their names.  Anyway, no. We messed around, but I just couldn’t.  I mean I could , but I…I don’t know. I guess I knew I shouldn’t.”
    Chloë looked down at her feet. 
    I tipped her chin back up with my finger and forced her to look at me.  "Hey, what's wrong?"  She shrugged, trying to look away from me.  "Chloë." 
    She exhaled forcefully.  " Does it bother you that I've, you know?  That Grey and I…?" she fumbled out.
    I grimaced.  "I wish I could tell you that it doesn't bother me.  I'm possessive, especially when it comes to you.  I managed to control myself before. Well,