Page 37 of Needing You

“Good.”

He chuckled into his coffee.

“I’m gonna hit the bathroom,” Jackson announced.

“We’ll be here,” I replied, gesturing with the silver carafe of coffee in my hand and barely holding back my wince of awkwardness. But I could tell by his expression that he hadn’t noticed the crackling sexual tension between his parents—thank god.

When he was gone, Will looked up at me with a devilish grin. “You seem a little…rattledtoday, Kate. Something on your mind?”

Was something on my mind? Hell yes, there was something on my mind. Him.Himand his magnificent, dexterous fingers that’d worked their magic on me in what felt like five seconds flat. You know, right before he pumped the brakes so hard I almost asked Ellie—my trusty nurse friend—to bring me home a neck brace from the ER.

Last night, I had a girls’ night with Ellie and April and told them all about the mess I’d made with Will on Sunday. I told them how ridiculous I felt for jumping onto his lap like a lusty teenager, since I hadn’t even acted like that when Iwasa lusty teenager. I’d been the reserved, inexperienced one in our relationship. Will took the wheel in all of our sexual encounters during our year together, and I’d happily gone along for the ride because that bad-boy-from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks vibe had been a serious turn on for me. But now? I’d been the one riding him. Riding his hand, more specifically. And then he’d shut me down.

Ellie thought it was sweet that he wanted to take it slow.

April, on the other hand, thought it was a total dick move. She said he should have gone along with it because clearly I was a grown woman and entitled to a little fun. Who was he to say it was wrong?

Oddly enough, I thought they were both right. I was embarrassed for attacking him, and yes, and it was sweet that he wanted to go slow. But I was also an independent woman and didn’t like the idea of him controlling the speed if we had the sexual chemistry to light the house on fire.

It wasn’t likehewas opposed to jumping into bed. I bet he wouldn’t have hesitated if it were anyone but me. I didn’t want to be a little twit about it and start feeling self-conscious, butcome on, this was Will Walker. By all accounts, he should have had me flat on my back in no time at all.

So… did that say something about me? Or was it simply that he didn’t like his women to take charge?

“Kate?” Will asked, causing me to jump slightly as I was ripped from my inner turmoil. His eyes changed from questioning to concerned, and he nodded at the booth Jackson had vacated. “Sit down.”

I looked around the nearly empty diner. The breakfast rush was over, and I’d seen to my two other tables before I’d stopped by, so I didn’t have a good reason to say no. With a sigh, I lowered myself into the booth, but I couldn’t meet his eyes.

“Hey.”

“Yes?” I asked, glancing up for only a second before returning my gaze to Jackson’s empty breakfast plate.

Will nudged my foot with his. “Look at me.”

Reluctantly, I did as he said, but his probing stare made my chest squeeze and my ears go hot.

“Tell me what’s on your mind. Is this about the other night?”

I nodded.

“What about it?”

After a short pause, I decided it didn’t matter whether it was Ellie or April who was right about howWillhad handled the situation. I needed to apologize for the wayI’dhandled it. “I guess I just want to say I’m sorry for how I acted when we got back to my place,” I said, keeping my voice low so no one would overhear.

Confusion creased his brow, and he cocked his head to the side. “You’re sorry?”

“Yes.”

“So, you regret what I—whatwe—did?”

“No, well, yes. I shouldn’t have been so… aggressive.”

He stared at me, unblinking, for what felt like an eternity. Then his face split open into a blinding smile, and he laughed. When I scowled at him, he made a decent effort to collect himself, then he crossed his arms on the table and leaned closer. “Don’t be sorry. I liked it.”

Heat crept up my neck, causing me to tug at the collared shirt of my uniform. “Will.”

“I’m serious. You were always so shy when we were together before. But that night?Shit.You were so hot. I almost came in my fucking pants.”

Despite the fact that he’d spoken so low I doubted anyone could hear him over the oldies music and general clatter and clang of the diner, my cheeks flamed and I looked at the ceiling. “Will.”

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