Page 32 of Stopped

“Shut up,” I blurted before doing the second-most reckless and impulsive thing of my life. I quickened my pace and leapt on himlike a wild animal, sending him staggering over the pavement as he caught the full force of my weight. Without missing a beat, my lips sealed over his as I grappled with his frame, climbing him like I'd fantasized so many times.

His shock was evident in his momentary lack of response, but everything clicked into place in rapid-fire succession and before long, he was kissing me back with just as much feral vigor as I ravished his mouth. We were reduced to muffled grunts, grappling hands, and tangled tongues in a matter of seconds.

Will’s back hit the side of his cruiser as he stumbled under my weight, but I refused to let go or return my feet to the ground. In fact, I clambered higher and cinched my limbs tighter around his body, knocking his ridiculous hat off before adding a fist to his hair for good measure. I'd completely lost my mind and found myself not caring in the least.

Will pulled away with a gasp, barely uttering my name before I silenced him again with another kiss. He'd had a chance to talk all these days and weeks. The result was radio silence, so I was taking charge of the communication. Screw words—kissing was the only way I wanted to talk from now on if it meant I could have him just like this. Pliant, panting, and perfectly mussed.

It took all his strength and numerous grunts before Will managed to pry me off of him. I was just as out of breath and wild-eyed as he was as our passionate roadside makeout session simmered into a silent standoff laden with everything left unsaid. One of us has to break the spell, but I would be damned if it was going to be me.

“EJ… I'm sorry.”

The level of drama in my eye roll was record-worthy. “No. Enough. How many freaking times do I have to accept your apology before you finally forgiveyourself?”

“I… it… agh!” He stammered and stuttered and threw his hands up in frustration. “I don't know!”

“I don't want any more apologies. I don't want sorries and remorse and guilt and regret. I just wantyou!” I flung my hands skyward in a mirror of his movements without even thinking.

“And I want you!” He shouted back and took a step forward at the exact same moment I advanced toward him.

“You already have me!” My voice echoed over the rolling countryside and we both froze, stockstill and silent. A poignant moment passed before realization sunk in and our shared laughter broke the tension.

“Why are we yelling?” Will broached the distance and gently neatened my tie with his fingertips.

“Why are we arguing?” I straightened his badge and brushed invisible lint from the pale blue fabric of his uniform shirt.

“What are we even arguing about?”

“You running away again?”

“Or this ridiculous pause situation?”

I squinted at him with a thinly-veiled smirk. “I did try to take it back, but you ignored my messages.”

The color in his cheeks was equal parts adorable and vindicating. “Yeah, okay. Fair.”

“Are we on the same page now, babe?” I splayed my hands over the width of his chest.

“If that page equals us being together and not on a pause, or whatever, yes.” His palms landed on my hips and tugged me closer. I searched the depths of his gaze, washed in shades of red and blue from the lights still flashing on top of the cruiser propping us up on the side of a back road.

“The footnotes on the page state that you need to respond to my damn calls and messages, plus a moratorium on apologies.”

“Deal.” Will leaned in and pecked my mouth with a noticeable curve to his lips. It was good to have him smiling again. I went to deepen the kiss, but he pulled back with a soft tut. “Don't you have somewhere to be?”

“Depends. Are you coming with me?”

“I’ll do you one better. How about a police escort?” A playful glint appeared in his eyes. One that had been noticeably absent for too long. I was more than happy to oblige anything that brought that twinkle back.

“Brixton will shit a brick.”

“Good. I just noticed the signs the other day—I might have hidden a few behind some bushes. Don't tell.” The mischief in his expression had my heart swelling in my chest. Hope blossomed right along with it. My Will was still there, buried beneath the burdens of everything he was dealing with. The optimism inspired by this discovery was enough to quell any and all worries. Regardless of whether I won the election or not, things would be okay so long as I had what I had secretly always wanted—William Doherty by my side.

“Let's get on with it, Sheriff. We have a spectacle to put on.”

“Speaking of spectacles,” he murmured, leaning in to capture my lower lip between his teeth with a sharp nip before continuing. “Boyfriend or not, the next time I catch you going that fast, you're getting a damn ticket. And a spanking.”

A spontaneous shiver ran down my spine with his threat. Never had I ever thought about spanking, but apparently my body thought that was an exceptionally exciting idea. “Shit… okay, we’re tabling that comment for later.”

“Deal. Now get in the damn car. I'm about to abuse all sorts of power.”

---