Page 10 of Locked Up by The Libra
“That was uh…wow. Wow seems totally appropriate.”
“Wow works for me, sugar.”
Laughing together, we lie in the warm sunshine pouring in through the big windows of his room. His bed feels delicious especially with him holding me to his big, warm body. Coming to his place last night was a good idea. Or maybe the worst idea ever. I never want to leave.
Climbing out of bed after he promises, he takes me on a tour. Growing up in wealth meant everything was opulent in my world. Untouchable. He lets me touch whatever I want on a wall beside the kitchen full of books, photos, and various trinkets.
Watt’s place is not a typical bachelor pad. With beautiful hardwood floors, comfortable leather couches, an amazing stone fireplace, and the cutest kitchen, it is homier than any place I have ever been. Cozier is nicer than luxurious if anyone is asking.
“You cook too,” I tease with a raised brow as I take a seat at his kitchen nook. “Is there anything you do not do, stud?”
“Lie, cheat, steal,” he throws over his shoulder with a wink. Turning back to the stove where he is frying bacon, he gives a stunning view of his muscular back. God, he’s a built man. Tattoos start at his neckline and spread all the way down his left side to his waist.
“Sadly, I can’t say the same. Lying is a Duchane trait, one of the few things passed down besides old money. Cheating too I suppose. While I bucked most of the Duchane traditions, me trespassing to sabotage equipment and misfeed information to the media is all the above.”
Watt chuckles as he makes plates of eggs and bacon for us. Watching him bring them over, I feel my heart turn over. God, the way he smiles at me makes something flutter wildly in my stomach. Coming to sit beside me, he grabs my chair with his foot, dragging me closer until I am sat between his powerful thighs.
“Nothing wrong with doing what you believe in, sugar.”
Over breakfast, I tell him stories of things I have done over the years to fight for what I believe in. Some are more self-serving than others. I am surprised when I admit that a few of the stunts I pulled were to piss off my parents not to service some great cause.
“They hated me,” I whisper as I take a bite of his cheesy eggs. “Nothing I ever did was good enough for them.”
“Sweetheart, I count that as their loss. I just met you and I am fascinated by you.”
Flushing, I smile at him as I bow my head, flattered by his sweet words. “We keep talking about me,” I stammer a little. “Tell me about you, stud. I want to know everything.”
To my surprise, Watt tenses a little. Before he answers, he pushes a bite of eggs and bacon in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. I push my plate away after a few bites, clearing my throat as I feel the air thicken. Trying to climb down from the stool I gasp when he grasps both my thighs in rough hands, stopping me.
“Wait. I am just not good at talking about myself,” he whispers, his voice pained. “I am not proud of who I used to be.”
“Watt, it is fine. We had a good time together. It does not have to be more than it was. I think I need to go.”
To my dismay, his hands loosen, and he nods, letting me pull away. My heart sinks as I slide from the stool and head down the hall to the bedroom. I pick up my clothes from where he threw them last night, tears in my eyes.Why am I so upset he is letting me go?
“Willa, sweetheart, I don’t want you to go. I will take you to the hotel if you want me to.”
Nodding, I put on a smile I am famous for. Big, bold, and void of emotion, I turn it on high. His face falls but it’s too late. I don’t want to be here.What was I thinking coming home with him? I should never have come to his place. I should never have let this go anywhere.
“Yes, I need to get back. I told you I came here for a reason.”
“To protest the logging landing? Do you have any idea how much they do for this community?”
“It does not matter,” I raise my voice as I pull my clothes on, feeling foolish as I stand there in his shirt. “I finish what I start. I came to find Quinn and the other girls, so that is what I am going to do. If you rather not take me back to town, I can walk. I am a big girl, stud.”
“Sweetheart, stop,” he pleads, coming into the room, reaching out to take my hands as I struggle with my skirt. “Can we just talk? I did not mean to shut down on you the way I just did. Give me another chance.”
Peering up at him, my heart squeezes in my chest. I want to. I meant what I said before too—I want to know everything about him. About what brought him here to Driftwood, why he stayed, and if those things he is not proud of are the same sort of things I am not proud of.
“No. This was a bad idea. We were both lonely, Watt.”
“Stop, Willa,” he whispers, tugging me against his warm body. “This is more than two lonely strangers sharing a night together.”
Steeling myself, I twist my wrists free, backing away from him. How could he think it was something more? We both know better. This is his home, where he works, his entire life. For me it is just another stop on my itinerary. Another place for me to try to make a difference so I can feel better that I have nothing else in my life.
“Will you take me to town or not, Watt?”
Watching him as I tilt my head back defiantly, I see him shut down. His eyes go dark, guarded, closing me out entirely. I shake off the iciness of the air between us, hating how easily he can turn it on or off. Charming when he wants something from me, cold when he is done with me. I suppose I am the one who flipped the switch, but it still stings.
