Page 59 of The Sound Of Silence

Willow giggles and it’s almost my undoing. “What happened to blocking me out?” she sasses.

“I am,” I groan. “Why are you interrupting me?”

My attempt at ignorance only has her laughing even more, and I hate that I fuckinglovethat sound. “Fine,” I say without looking her way, terrified of what I might see. “I can hear you and it’s distracting. Can you relax in silence?”

The water sloshes before drops hit my back, and it doesn’t take much to know what she’s doing. I stay strong, keeping my gaze locked in front of me, but it does nothing to stop the picture my mind conjures up—the vision of Willow leaning over the side of the tub, her arms resting on the ledge, her tits billowing out of her top as they’re pushed up toward her chin. “I can try to be silent,” she says and it sounds goddamn seductive. “But it feels too good.”

Jesus Christ.“So you said,” I grumble.

“Want to join me?” she jokes, and I picture her finger between her teeth as she tries to rile me up. If only she knew how badly I want to say yes, she wouldn’t be joking then.

“Nope,” I lie. “I’m good.”

“You sure?” Her breathless voice has me finally looking her way, and I catch her fake pout as she pretends to be flirty. But when her eyes meet mine, she laughs at herself while a pinkish hue coats her skin.She’s killing me and has no idea what she’s actually asking.

“Stop trying to be someone you’re not, Willow,” I grate, much sterner than I expected. “And I don’t just mean now. I’m done. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I don’t bother grabbing my towel as I push up off the deck and attempt to walk away. But of course I never make it. I’ve just reached the door when she calls out.

“I’m not the only one being fake, Jesse. We both have something we’re hiding.”

I know I should keep going, but I never do the right thing when it comes to her. I always want the last word. Turning around, I open my mouth to rebut her claims but freeze at the sight in front of me.

Instead of lying low, protected by the bubbles, she stands tall, her hands curled around her hips in defiance. Drops of water cascade down her body, and it takes everything in my power not to let my gaze follow them. My throat constricts as I attempt to swallow, and while I’m almost certain she would have noticed too, I no longer care about any of it. Taking a tentative step forward, I watch as her body pebbles with goose bumps and her eyes widen.

“You have no idea,” I rasp, and without allowing myself to process how stupid of an idea it is, I’m stripping out of my clothes and stalking toward her, leaving only my briefs to cover my junk.

I may be hiding a lot of things, but my attraction to her is fooling no one, and I’m so fucking sick of pretending.

Am I insane? Yes.

Is there a chance she’ll tell me to fuck off? Also yes.

Do I care about any of those things right now? Apparently not.

After tomorrow, I’m gone, so I’m taking my chances tonight.

I’m definitely going to hell for this.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Willow

“Moveover;I’mjoiningyou,” Jesse demands as he slips into the scalding tub, his eyes focused on the water, doing everything he can not to look my way. He sinks his shoulders under the bubbles in one quick movement, letting the heat consume him as though he’s immune to the burn. And maybe he is.

The edge of my lips curl, but it’s not enough to be a smile, my false bravado long gone.What was I thinking pushing him like that?

When Jesse’s eyes finally find mine, after an excruciating long time, he raises an eyebrow in challenge.

“Are you expecting me to tell you to leave?” I rush out, standing taller as I try to appear more confident than I really am. “Because I don’t care what you do; I can block you out.” I throw his words back in his face and stare him down. Despite the low light, I can just make out his eyes darkening as they rake over my body like he’s seeing it for the first time. Although maybe he’s only now finally letting himself process it.

He shakes his head as he runs a hand through his hair, wetting it as he goes. “I wouldn’t have left even if you did,” he says, taking a deep breath. “You don’t understand how much I need this right now.”

His admission shocks me until I realize he’s probably talking about needing the bubbles to help his muscles. Not needing the time alone with me.

“Rough workout?” I ask, going with my aching muscle assumption.

“Roughday,” he counters. “Every second spent in this town is bringing me one step closer to the grave.”

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