Page 34 of The History Between Us

A little while later, I spot him heading toward the house. Probably going inside to use the restroom because a man like William is too good to piss outside like the rest of us. Huffing out a laugh, I nudge Whit. “Hey, I’ll be right back.”

I don’t wait for a response, but I hear him call out after me, “Behave, Colt.”

Throwing him a glance over my shoulder, I flash him a toothy grin. As I approach the house, I jog up the few steps that lead up to the porch and stroll through the backdoor. The house is quiet and mostly dark, nobody but William in here, I’m sure. I know this house like the back of my hand, and as I turn down the hallway that leads to the main floor bathroom, I scan all the photos on the wall, making myself look busy while I wait for him to exit.

It doesn’t take but a minute before I hear the toilet flush and the sink turn on, and another moment later, the door opens. Keeping my eyes trained on the wall in front of me, the decade’s worth of picture frames decorating it, I bite back the grin wanting to break free as I see William freeze in myperiphery. Standing in place for a few moments, presumably figuring out what he’s going to do next, he eventually comes to stand beside me.

“What are you doing in here, Colt?” he asks, voice deep and hushed.

“Same as you,” I offer, the smirk evident in my words.

“I don’t believe that.”

That has me turning my head to look toward him, but he isn’t looking at me. Like I was, his gaze is trained on the wall before us like it’s the most interesting thing he’s ever seen. Like the wall will be his saving grace. Like it’ll somehow keep him from giving into what he wants. Too bad for him.

“Yeah? And why is that?”

“Because everything with you is calculated,” he growls, shifting his body until he’s facing me. Hands stuffed into the pockets of his shorts, lips pressed into a thin line, he watches me with an expression I can’t place.

“That’s not very fair,” I huff, poking my lip out into a pout as I turn and match his stance. Dragging my gaze down his body shamelessly, I add, “By the way, you’re looking mighty fine tonight, Doc.”

William’s jaw flexes. “Whatever you’re thinking is going to happen here tonight won’t be happening, Colt.”

Holding my hands up in innocence, I huff out a chuckle. “I’m just in here to take a leak, just like you. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He nods tersely. “Right, well, then you better get to it.”

We remain looking at each other for another tense, quiet moment. It feels like a standoff of sorts. Finally, he takes a step to walk around me, but I stop him with an arm across his middle. Head darting to the side, ocean eyes locked on mine,William swallows but says nothing.

My eyes flit down to his lips, and as if subconsciously, his tongue pokes out to wet them. A bolt of heat flares inside of me at the sight. “Curious, what did you think I wanted to happen?” I sidestep to the right, putting me now directly in front of him. His breath hitches, and a splash of color appears on the apples of his cheeks.

Taking a step toward him, he takes one back. I do it again, and he follows. Then one more time for good measure, putting us directly in front of the open door that he came out of not even five minutes ago. The air around us is thick and charged, and with my pulse racing and my heart in my throat, I reach out and take William’s hand, leading him into the bathroom. There’s zero resistance from him, which makes me smile as I close the door behind us, flicking the lock into place.

My back against the door, I peer over at William. He’s about an arm’s length away from me, and it’s too damn far. “C’mere,” I murmur as my blood heats, taking in the way his chest heaves and his eyes have darkened substantially.

“We shouldn’t be in here,” he husks, nostrils flaring.

“Yeah, but it’s fun to do things we shouldn’t,” I tease. “Surely, you remember how much fun we had the first time.”

He swallows audibly. “Colt.” My name is spoken on a rumbly growl that sends goosebumps all over my flesh. Being in here with him makes me feel more intoxicated than from the beer I’ve drunk tonight. Maybe that’s why it’s so easy for me to forget why I really shouldn’t be instigating this.

Arching a brow, the corners of my lips curve into a grin. “William.”

Brazenly, I reach out and hook my finger through one of his belt loops, tugging until he steps closer to me. Closeenough that I can smell the beer on his breath and see the way his pupils dilate at our proximity.

“We shouldn’t,” he whispers, a pained look crossing his face.

“Tell me you don’t want to,” I rasp. “Tell me you don’t want me to kiss you right now, and I’ll walk out of here.”

He’s silent.

“Tell me, William, or I’m going to do it.”

His furrow deepens, and he parts his lips. For a moment, I think he may really tell me no, but instead, he breathes two words that light me up inside. “I can’t.”

My lips twitch, lust and need coursing through me. Wrapping a hand around the back of his neck, I murmur, “Yeah, that’s what I fucking thought,” before crashing my mouth against his.

There’s no freezing, no panic, from William. No moment to catch up to what is happening. As soon as our lips fuse together, his hands find my hips, and they grip mehard. The kiss doesn’t start out slow or gentle; it’s high speed from the gate. His tongue slips past my lips, caressing mine, and fuck me, does he taste good. Better than I remember. Fireworks go off inside my mind, and an inferno floods my veins with the roll of his tongue.

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