A wave of happiness fills me. "What if I were to take you to that lake tomorrow after work?"
Her scrubbing has descended to the center of my back. It feels incredible on my tight muscles. "Really? That would be amazing!"
"Good. That’s settled, then."
Willa is a magician getting rid of the marker, scrubbing firmly while asking me plenty of questions about Cedarville. I'm excited to tell her all about this charming mountain town that I've grown to love, especially after spending so much time away from it.
Once the marker has all been scrubbed off and I have yanked my shirt back on, Willa glances toward the clock. "Aunt Carlie will probably be getting home in about twenty minutes. Maybe?—"
"Say no more. I'll get out of here." I turn toward the door, then spin back. "Hey – weird question, but this is the second time you've seen me half-naked. May I examine a part of you, to make things a little more equal?"
Her eyes dance. "Mayyyybe. Which part?"
Placing my hands on her shoulders, I gently turn her around. Pulling her hair up with my right hand, I tug the back of her shirtdown with the left, exposing just a few inches of the creamy skin of her back. "Has this spot ever been kissed?"
A shiver runs through her. "No,” she barely breathes.
I can actually feel her trembling as my lips gently drift along her tender skin. I’m sure that taking my time with Willa is crucial to her trusting me. I'm a huge guy, and practically a stranger. The softer and more slowly I move, the better.
Her breath grows slightly uneven as I string loops of kisses that get gradually larger. When I release her, she turns, already enfolded in my arms.
I lean closer, our mouths just inches apart, then pause as her deep blue gaze locks on mine. "Kiss me." It's barely a whisper, but my voice is so deep, it comes out sounding almost like a command. Yet there's a spark in Willa's eyes.She likes that.
She stretches up, our lips meeting tentatively at first. Gradually she snuggles closer and the world melts into a dreamy, slow-motion haze as our lips part, her hands latching around the back of my neck as the kiss blossoms.
My palm slowly slides down her spine, shifting us until her breasts press against me. I lift her without thinking, getting her up on the dresser so she can lean down and kiss me more deeply. Her airy gasp sends a wave of fiery lust straight between my thighs. I've never been so aroused by a woman before, or been so instantly sure that we were meant to be.
Our tongues tangle as I devour her soft mouth. Then I gradually pull back before we can pass the point of no return. When I lift her back off the dresser, Willa seems slightly dazed.
"I have to go right this second, before I picture you sprawled across that bed. But what time are you done tomorrow? I'll pick you up."
She grins. "I'm done at three."
We walk to the front door, where I sneak in one last breathless kiss. "Thank you for scrubbing the marker off my back. I'll be thinking about you all night, Angel."
"Sweet dreams."
I wait until I hear the door latch and lock behind me, then head to my truck and drive home.
I'll definitely be dreaming of my girl all night. Even if we haven't officially established that she's mine yet, I get the feeling that Willa already knows.
5
WILLA
Do I actually have a boyfriend? The question keeps swirling around my mind throughout the day.
My hands move as methodically and smoothly as ever as I pour coffee, bake, and clean. But my mind is busy singing sappy songs and wondering what's going to happen tonight when Hux takes me to the lake.
This is the first time I've felt wanted for who I am, not who I'm supposed to be. It feels…significant.
Kneading the dough for another batch of tarts, I put a little extra oomph into it as I try to puzzle it out. What kind of crazy luck would it be if my very first boyfriend wasthe one?
When Huxley picks me up at work, Desire is smiling so hard I’m legit worried she might sprain her face. He scoops me up in a massive bear hug, then helps me into the truck and murmurs, "Let's show you the lake, angel," in that low voice that does things to me.
On the drive there, Hux asks me what I'm reading this summer. I tell him about the philosophy, psychology and sociology textbooks I've already devoured, and how I'm eager to move on to history, especially human development.
He grins, taking a slow corner around a huge picturesque oak tree. "I've read my share of philosophy. The stoics, mainly. Some Voltaire. These days it’s usually more spy novels and equipment manuals, but if there's anything you'd like me to read with you so we can discuss it, just let me know."