Page 28 of The History Between Us

Fucking Whit. Big-ass mouth.

“What did he say?”

“That doesn’t matter, Colt,” he bites out. “Why does he know?”

Fuck, he’s hot when he gets mad.

“Wasn’t aware it was a secret,” I retort, excitement flooding my system at this exchange.

His face screws up. “Oh, don’t be an idiot, Colt.”

“Relax, Doc,” I reply, breathing out a laugh and sitting up. “He got a vibe from us when we ran into you and your dad at the store, and asked me about it afterward. He wouldn’t let it go, so that’s the only reason I told him. But it’s kinda hot when you’re mean to me.”

Biting down on my bottom lip, I wink at him, to which he completely ignores when he asks, “Does that mean all of your friends know now?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s just Whit.”And Boone, but he doesn’t need to know that right now.“We can trust him.”

William quirks a brow. “Really? Because he spilled pretty easily when I dropped Winnie off.”

“Probably because he got embarrassed picturing you naked,” I say, waving a hand dismissively. “I told him you had a really nice dick.”

“Colt!”

I scoff. “What? It’s true.” His cheeks flush, and I haveto bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. I never would’ve pegged William as the bashful type, but I can’t say I hate it. “But honestly, you don’t have to worry. Whit wouldn’t ever spill somebody else’s business.”

William regards me quietly as he sits back. Thoughtfully. I can’t read his face at all. He rubs a hand over his mouth, scratching at the dark hairs along his jaw. His beard is thick and full, but not too long. It suits him well. It brings out the brightness in his blue eyes and accentuates his full lips.

Continuing to break the equipment down, there’s a simmering tension building between us. I know he has more to say, but he’s not. Maybe he’s working up to it. For once, I’m not going to push him. I’ll let him come to it himself, mostly because I’m damn curious as to what’s pondering in that brain of his.

Finally, inhaling and exhaling a deep breath, William looks at me and says, “That night we ran into each other in Seattle, I had gone out to let off a little steam. I’d just found out my mother was sick, and I had a lot on my mind.”

Heart stuttering in my chest, I swallow thickly, but don’t reply. I listen, taken aback by him being vulnerable with me.

“What happened between us,” he goes on, “shouldn’t have happened. My mind was all over the place, which is no excuse, but it’s the truth, and had I taken a step back for even a second, I would’ve seen how wrong it was of me.”

“Of you?” I blurt out, confused. “I’m the one who approached you.”

“Yes, but I’m the older one.”

“So?” My brows dip as I try to make sense of his train of thought. “I was still an adult, fully capable of making decisions, and I didexactlywhat I wanted to. You didn’t forceme to do anything.”

“Colt,” he breathes out, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I can think of several reasons why what we did shouldn’t have happened, the biggest one being my relationship with your dad and how long I’ve known you. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. It’swrong.”

“Is that why you switched me over to Dr. Braylon?” I ask, arching a brow. It’s the question that’s been on my mind all week.

William heaves a sigh, meeting my gaze. “No, I did that because it was the ethical thing to do. It is a conflict of interest being your doctor, given our intimate history, albeit short.”

“Yeah, well, you could’ve told me ahead of time,” I murmur. “And if you think it’s never going to happen again, why would it matter?”

He raises his brows, eye contact never faltering. “I don’t ‘think’ it’s never going to happen again,” he mutters. “Iknow. And it’s still unethical, even if it only happened once. I can’t be your doctor, Colt. End of discussion.”

The way he thinks he can call the shots without a say from me grates my nerves like nothing else, and I find myself grinding down on my molars as I take him in.

A humorless laugh leaves my lips as I take a step in his direction and lower my voice. “Listen, Doc, I’m sure you’re plenty used to being the boss in your world, both at work and in your professional life, but I’m going to let you in on a little secret.” I pause, never taking my eyes off him. “Right here, between you and me, you’re not the boss. You don’t get to treat me like some petulant child who needs to be put in my place simply because your conscience can’t handle the fact that I rocked your fucking world at one point. You don’t get to dismiss me and tell meend of discussion, and expect me to justroll with it. I don’t play like that.”

William’s lips press into a tight line, and there’s a flash of heat in his eyes, be it from anger or arousal, I’m unsure. Maybe both. It may have been a guess that he’s used to being the boss in his world, but I think it’s a pretty solid one. The energy with which he carries himself tells me as much, never mind his tall, imposing frame and the deep baritone of his voice.

Taking a step toward me of his own and matching my stance, William grits out, “If you think throwing a little fucking temper tantrum is going to get your way with me, you’re sorely mistaken, Colt.”

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