Page 75 of Back to Willow

I have dreamt of hearing these words from her mouth for almost seven years now. But I never thought they’d be as healing as they are. I needed these words. More so, I needed her. Because even though she is the source of my pain, she is also the cure for my illness.

“I didn’t—I didn’t want to leave you.” She cries harder into my chest. “Never you. That is my biggest regret.”

Her words cut deep, making me shiver. It takes me a few breaths to be able to reopen my eyes without giving in to the urge of crying. Never in a million years would I think we’d be so broken beyond repair because back then, I would have walked through fire for this girl.

The problem is that even today, after everything, I still would.

Without thinking, I tilt her head up, forcing her to look at me. We’re much closer now, so much so that her warm breath burns my skin upon contact. The tingling I hadn’t felt in years comes back, just to prove me wrong. If I thought I’d ever get this kind of feeling with someone else, now I know, it only happens with her.

My body and soul yearn for her while my brain is still waging an internal war.

She has barely grown up in height since we were sixteen, whereas I’m almost thirty centimetres taller. My hands, with a life of their own, slide down until they settle on her hips, confirming my suspicions. While still on the skinnier side, she has filled out and has become a lot curvier than she used to be.

The proximity intoxicates me enough to focus only on the good. The familiar scent of wildflowers invades my nostrils, while I admire the way her porcelain skin contrasts with my golden as her body moulds into mine. We still fit perfectly.

Everything changed, and yet, so much still remains the same.

Would her lips still feel and taste the same?

My heart takes the lead, bringing my head down until our lips meet. My mind blanks, all of the background noise disappearing into thin air. Her soft plump lips feel the same, taste the same. Like cotton candy, it’s everything I expected and remembered. And more. So much more.

For a split second, Willow freezes, and underneath my hands, I feel her stiffen. If I didn’t know her so well, I would have missed it because right afterwards, she melts into me with a relieved sigh, kissing me back.

Her fists tighten their hold on my T-shirt, and my hand moves to her waist, pulling her closer to me. It’s like the past, present, and future are clashing together in this one moment, setting the rest of the world apart.

As they say, lost for ten, lost for a thousand, and I’ve lost the battle. All of the hurt, sadness, and the grudge. None of it matters anymore. Especially when my tongue sweeps at her lip, asking for permission to enter.

When they finally touch, it’s like a strike of lightning going through my body. Willow lets out a little whimper, and it intensifies this hunger for her, making my hands slide down towards the swell of her ass.

Home.

No one ever feels as good and right as she does. Nothing can compare.

When I give in to the urge to squeeze her butt-cheek, she gasps, pushing me off her. Confused, my fingers cover my swollen lips as I ask, “What’s wrong?”

With closed eyes and her hands raised in front of her, she steps back, against the wall.

“Don’t! Please, don’t!”

As I’m about to take a step forward, she slides down to the ground, shaking and sobbing uncontrollably.

“Don’t do this,” she begs, her eyes still closed.

Agony rips at my chest as I crouch down to meet her face. “Lo,” I call. “I am not doing anything. I would never—”

“St-Stop! Please!”

What is happening?

A knot forms in my throat and tears burn my eyes as I watch her. It’s agonizing. This is notmyWillow. She was sensitive, yeah, but happy, fun, and trusting. But right now, all I see is someone who has been bent until she broke. A shell of the joyous girl she once was.

“What the fuck happened?” I growl to myself.

I regret it instantly as it makes her cry harder, her face now tucked between her knees.

“Lo, baby,” I try again. “It’s Liam. Please, look at me.” My voice cracks at the end.

Seemingly trying to get her control back, I listen to her loud attempts at breathing. And I try to help her out with it. A few minutes later, her lashes finally flutter open through the sea of tears. Shiny dark eyes finally gaze up at me.

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