Page 54 of Fighting Fate

This woman has ruined me for any other. There will never be anyone like her. Willow is one of a kind. A wicked siren that’s bewitched every cell of my being. And when she pulls away, gasping for breath, my entire existence grieves our closeness.

“I don’t want you to leave,” she rasps, running her thumbs across my lips. “But for fuck’s sake, Fight Club, rein yourself in. We’re British…we don’t do this personal mushy shit in front of each other.”

“Why the hell not?” I chuckle at her cute, temperamental pout. “I don’t care who knows I care about you. I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks about me where you’re concerned.”

“Dear God, you realise that you’ve single-handedly ruined girls’ brunch for me. They’re nosy and big-mouthed…I’m never going to hear the end of this.”

“Good, because it means that they’ll constantly keep me in your thoughts.”

“You don’t need them for that.” Opening the door, she guides me inside, motioning me to take off my shoes. “We’re making pizza from scratch for dinner. I hope that’s okay?”

“So, you’re poisoning everyone…” I tease, pulling her into a darkened corner to press a brisk kiss to her lips.

“Shut up, or I’ll throw you out on your arse.” She pinches my chin playfully before taking me into the large kitchen/dining room.

Clouds of flour greet us with loud laughter, and for the first time in forever, my entire being relaxes, as though I’m finally home.

* * *

That full night’ssleep that Taylor nagged me to get is completely trashed by the time we leave Jake and Dorian’s place. Willow is unusually quiet as we get into the cab waiting for us and head back to her flat.

“I think you’re definitely a hit with Jake,” she yawns lightly, tucking herself into my side.

“It shouldn’t come as a surprise. I’m fucking awesome.”

“Only because you’ve bribed his favour with free tickets to your fight.” The narrowed stare that greets me when I glance down at her makes it impossible not to kiss her.

All this fire she possesses is addictive. And when our tongues duel, it’s the most incredible thing I’ve tasted. Hot, sweet, consuming…she’s everything I never knew I needed and all that I can’t fathom walking away from.

“Are you bribing me with kisses now?” Willow breathes over my lips, her hand moulding to my jaw. Long nails scratch over overgrown stubble, making my insides knot with the need to feel her closer. To tangle my fingers in her hair and drink down her needy moans.

“I’ll bribe every motherfucker on this earth to keep you as mine.” The words bluster from my mouth before I can stop them. The erratic drum of my heart makes the seconds that pass seem like a lifetime while I hold Willow’s stare, curling my arm tighter around her waist in case she pulls away. “Lo…” I whisper into her mouth with a light nudge of my nose over hers.

Her eyes are round and big, threatening to suck me in with all the emotions swirling in them. Something shifts between us right here. I don’t know what it is or what has caused it, but my gut tells me it has everything to do with today—her shitty day. Because there’s the faintest sparkle of tears pooling in the corners of her eyes along with her hitched draw of breath.

“You don’t have to do that,” she finally speaks again. Barely audible, I’m not sure whether her remark was intended out loud. The sound of the engine seems to get louder as I try to make sense of what she said. With the sudden jolt of the taxi going over the speed bump close to her place, Willow trails her hand down my chest, grasping the hem of my T-shirt as she tells me, “You don’t need to bribe anyone.”

“No?”

“No.”

“Not even you?”

“Not even me,” she purrs back as I slip my hand beneath her shirt, my thumb trailing up her spine in the way she enjoys.

The car comes to a stop, and I make quick work of paying the driver so I can get her upstairs and beneath me. That’s where I like her best—my body crowding hers as she stares up at me, wanting more than she’ll ever admit out loud. More than I’ve ever wanted or needed to give to anyone.

“I thought you needed an early night?” Willow asks as we make our way to her bedroom. Her hand is laced with mine, and I refuse to let go when we reach the bed and I sit on the edge, pulling her onto my lap.

Long, mussed lengths hang down to her slender waist, curtaining us as she tips her head down to look at me. The light from the hallway filters in with a soft golden glow, setting off the gorgeous green-blue depths of her eyes.

“I need this more,” I say. Nothing’s ever been so true. Sitting here with her, in the quiet where our muted breaths tangle with time, my heart beating for her…I could be living a million lifetimes. Just like this—her eyes on mine, arms wrapped around my shoulders, and her legs straddling my thighs—this is where I’ve always been meant to be.

“Me too,” Willow murmurs, tucking her face into the crook of my neck.

Soft lips press firm kisses to my ear. Bringing her body completely flush to mine, she holds on tighter to me, squeezing until her entire body feels as though it might tear itself apart limb from limb to completely envelop me. I want to fix her entire world. The feeling is overwhelming and unrelenting when she nuzzles deeper into me, and the lightest wracks tremble through her body.

“Talk to me, babe…” She shakes her head with a controlled sob. “Willow…”

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