Page 67 of Love so Hot

"Who's River to you, Willow?" His hazel eyes pierce through me like he's trying to read my soul.

My mouth opens, but no words come out. I'm caught off guard, my brain scrambling to form a coherent thought.

Larry's eyebrows arch, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "That's what I thought. You two are an item, aren't you?"

"No!" I blurt out, probably a bit too forcefully. "That's not it at all."

I run my fingers through my hair, buying time as I gather my thoughts. It hits me like a ton of sustainably sourced bricks –I've barely thought about River since I've been here with Larry. Weird.

"It's... complicated," I finally manage, realizing how lame that sounds even as the words leave my mouth.

Larry's eyes narrow, his jaw clenching slightly. "That's not good enough, Willow. Not by a long shot."

I sigh, fidgeting with the hem of my dress. How do I explain River to Larry when I can barely explain River to myself? This is what I get for mixing business with... whatever the heck this is.

"Look, Larry," I start, trying to keep my voice steady, "River and I have history. We're part of the same cause, fighting for what we believe in. But it's not what you think."

Larry takes a step closer, his cologne – probably not eco-friendly, I note – wafting towards me. "And what exactly do I think, Willow?"

I swallow hard, suddenly very aware of how close we're standing. "I don't know, but whatever it is, you're probably wrong."

A chuckle escapes him, low and rumbling. "Am I now? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're torn between two worlds. The fiery activist and the corporate suit. Quite the predicament, isn't it?"

I open my mouth to argue, but the words die on my tongue. Because damn it, he's not entirely wrong. And that realization is more unsettling than any pipeline debate we've had tonight.

I feel the heat rising to my cheeks, a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "Fine, you want the truth? I'll give it to you," I snap, my voice trembling slightly. "River was my first, okay? And until I was with you, he's been my only. Happy now?"

Larry's eyes widen, his usual smooth demeanor cracking for a moment. He runs a hand through his perfectly styled red hair, mussing it up in a way that's annoyingly attractive. "Wait,are you saying... you've never been with anyone else? No other man?"

"Besides you now, yes, that's exactly what I'm saying," I huff, crossing my arms. "But it doesn't matter, does it? Because River's just using me for his goals, and apparently, that's all I'm good for according to men."

The words tumble out before I can stop them, and I immediately wish I could stuff them back in. Great job, Willow. Way to bare your soul to the enemy.

Larry's expression shifts, something unreadable flashing in those hazel eyes. He steps even closer, invading my personal space bubble. The scent of his cologne is more than overwhelming now, and I hate that a part of me likes it.

"I don't like River," he says, his voice low and intense.

I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the way my heart is racing. "Yeah, I know. You've made that abundantly clear."

"No, you don't understand," Larry continues, his gaze boring into mine. "I don't like knowing that he touched you."

I shrug, aiming for nonchalance but probably missing by a mile. "Can't go backwards, Larry. What's done is done."

A small smirk plays at the corner of his lips. "You're right. We can only go forwards."

Before I can process what's happening, his hands are cupping my face, and his lips are on mine. The kiss is fierce, passionate, and nothing like I expected from the usually composed Lawrence Sinclair.

Oh boy, I think hazily as I find myself kissing him back. The Earth Defenders are going to have a field day with this one.

Chapter Thirty

Lawrence

I can't holdmyself back any longer. Her body has been taunting me ever since she moved in. I lead her to my bedroom, barely closing the door before I dive in, my hands roaming over her soft skin as I pull her close.

"We really shouldn't do this, Larry," Willow moans half-heartedly as my fingers slide under the thin straps of her dress. "It'll just complicate our arrangement."

"Then tell me to stop," I murmur, slipping the dress off her shoulders to pool around her waist. God, her breasts are perfect, full and perky with pale pink nipples hardening under my gaze. I can't resist leaning down to flick one with my tongue.

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