Page 138 of Still Love You

"You really think so?"

"Are you kidding?" I turn back to face him. "They look like they were done by a professional design firm."

"Thanks." He smiles and our eyes lock. He's still leaned over me, our faces so close they're almost touching. Before I can stop myself, I kiss him. Almost. He backs away before our lips meet.

I feel my face heating up as I quickly turn back toward the computer. "Sorry. It's just a habit. I'm so used to..." I don't bother finishing the thought. He knows I wanted to kiss him.

"Don't be embarrassed," he says low and soft by my ear. My pulse races at the feel of his breath. "You know I want you, Willow. I want you so fucking bad."

I freeze, my breathing fast and shallow from my racing heart.

His lips brush over my ear as he says, "But I won't let myself have you until I know that you're mine. For good this time. Understood?"

I swallow, then nod.

He raises up and points to the laptop. "So those are the designs I'm working on for Leah."

He just goes back to normal, while I'm left with my heart beating out of my chest, heat burning up my core, my head filled with images of Silas ripping my clothes off and taking me right here on his desk. 

"You're designing logos for Leah?" I sit up straighter, trying to regain my composure.

"Yeah. She's starting a business with her friend and they needed some design work done."

I try to focus on the laptop screen and set aside what just happened. And yet I can still feel Silas' warm breath by my ear, and I can still hear his words, telling me how much he wants me. Holy shit, that was hot. I'll definitely be replaying that scene in my dreams tonight. 

"What do you think?" he asks, referring to the logos.

"Your designs are great. I mean it. You need to start doing more of this. You could pay for college doing this."

"I don't know what to charge. I'm doing it for free right now, just to get some experience."

"I can help you figure out what to charge. And I could work on a plan for getting clients. Oh, and I could—"

"Willow." I hear him laughing behind me. "I don't need to figure this all out tonight." He shuts the laptop. "Why don't we grab a soda and go out back?"

"Okay." I get up from the chair and follow him to the door. "Silas, I just have to say how impressed I am. I was always impressed by your jewelry designs but I had no idea you were hiding all these other talents."

"And I had no idea you'd ever get so involved in your parents' business," he says as we go down the stairs. "You've really done a lot in just a few weeks."

"I guess, but I feel like there's so much more I could do."

As we sit on the back patio, I tell Silas some of the ideas I have for the business. The more I talk about it, the more I want to make those ideas happen. I think I really want to do this. I think that's my new plan.

After two hours, Silas says, "I'd like to talk longer but I have my final for accounting tomorrow and I should probably study."

"Final? Your class is over already?"

"Yeah, it was an eight-week class and tomorrow's the last day. I'm not doing that great but I haven't put much effort into it. Once I decided to study graphic design, my accounting efforts dropped off. I'm sure I'll flunk this final tomorrow." He gets up. "You can stay out here if you want."

"I think I will. My parents are out tonight and I don't feel like being in an empty house."

"I'll see you later."

"Yeah, bye."

A few minutes later, I hear the door open behind me. I turn and see Martin there, holding a book. "Oh, sorry, Willow, I didn't know you were out here. I'll read inside."

"No. Come on out. I can go. Or, actually, do you have a minute?"

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