Free Pursued by the Rogue (The Fairy Tales of New York Book 1) by Kelly Hunter Page A

believing that she could skim even a little bit of companionship and warmth for herself.
    Usually she could get away with playing the aloof intractable bitch, but the lovemaking she and Finn had shared made a lie of that. Hard to believe that she didn’t care when with every caress she gave him everything. Anything. Except a future.
    She could go out there and tell him this wasn’t working the way she thought it would. That he had to either accept the limitations of a relationship with her or let her go. And if that didn’t work …
    Don’t do it, Dawn. Don’t go there. Don’t be that cold, cruel bitch.
    Only if she had to.
    Only if he pushed.
    She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin but she couldn’t look at her reflection in the mirror. Nothing there but ugliness.
    Finbar Sullivan was gifted, charming and sensational in bed. He’d have no trouble finding someone else who could give him all he needed.
    He’d see.
    She’d make him see.
    Because chaining him to a future with her was unthinkable.
    *
    She wasn’t staying for the food. Finn could see it in her eyes and in the nervousness of her movements as she approached the bench. Her face was bare of makeup, revealing translucent skin and a smattering of freckles that only made her more beautiful. She had shadows under her eyes and in them. He’d spooked her, pushed too hard for concessions she hadn’t wanted to give.
    She’d wanted to share confidences and they had. And hurt herself doing it.
    He couldn’t spare her the pain of miscarriage but he could make her feel loved now. Loved and accepted. Appreciated.
    “Beer’s a little warm,” he said, searching her face for some sign of warmth, anything to give him a clue as to where he might go next. He’d never played this tune before. He needed guidance. “You want a fresh one?”
    “No. Finn—”
    He didn’t like the sound of that so he cut her off with a hurried step towards her. It didn’t help that she immediately stepped back. Not in sync with him at all. “I know I’m pushy,” he said. “See something I want and I go for it. It’s as big a flaw as it is a strength. I don’t mean to frighten you.”
    “All you need is someone who can keep up with you.” Carefully, she picked up her bag and took another step back. “That’s not me. I think I should leave.”
    “Or you could stay.” There would be no letting her go easy. He’d done that once before and she’d haunted him for years. “Dawn, please. We’re good together, can’t you feel it? We always were. Let me show you my world. You might like it.”
    “I do like it,” she said. “I like you. But I can’t be what you need. Goodbye, Finn.”
    He moved towards her. She was susceptible to his touch, and he’d play dirty if he had to. “Dawn—”
    “No!” This time she put her hand up to ward him off. That and the panic in her eyes sending a chill up his spine. “I can’t do this and I’m sorry for that. I knew it from the start but I let selfishness lead. I keep secrets. Damaging ones. And you don’t want to face them. Hell, I don’t want to face them . I’ve done my damnedest not to. You have to let me go.”
    “Dawn, please . Don’t riddle me. Say what you mean.”
    “I am but you’re not listening.” She picked up her handbag, headed for the door and then pinned him with a bleak gray gaze. “I’m a solitary person. I don’t want more than just sex. Do you really want me to nail this coffin shut with more ugly words or will you believe me?”
    “You’re not indifferent to me.”
    “I know. I never have been.”
    “Then be with me.”
    “I can’t .” She was yelling at him now, almost crying. Guess soundproof apartments were good for more than just playing music in. She all but ran for the door, and he watched as she fumbled and cursed in her endeavor to open it.
    “Dawn—”
    “You don’t know me,” she said, and tilted her head and let her shoulders droop. “There’s nothing but ugliness