Page 58 of The Sound Of Silence

It’s quiet when I walk in, and my relief hits instantly. The tension in my body has been wound so tight, it feels like a cord snaps as I finally relax.

I sneak quietly past Willow’s closed door and grab my workout gear before heading out to the back deck. I can’t handle another sleepless night, so my plan is to completely wear myself out before bed. But like all good plans, there’s a chance this one will fail.

Repetition and repetition does nothing to fix my issues. Physically I’m exhausted, but my mind is still running at a million miles per hour. And if I’m being completely honest with myself, I knowexactlywhat I need. I need to expel a different kind of energy, one that I can’t rid myself of in this damn town.

Throwing myself back into it, I keep trying, determined to see this through. But when I’m nearing the end of my last set, the door creaks open and all my hard work is gone.

Lifting my head, to see around the tub, I find Willow walking out with a towel in her hand. From my position on the floor, I get a clear view while there’s little chance that she’ll notice me, and I take full advantage of that.

The low light gives her a soft glow, and she’s positively mesmerizing. After all these years, she’s still the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. I can’t look away.

I watch silently as she drops her towel, then runs her fingers through her wild hair before securing it on top of her head. My throat bobs as she turns her back to me, exposing the smooth skin of her neck, taking my mind back to what it felt like to touch her. My hand tingles at the thought, and I’d give anything to be back in that moment, or any other moment where I’ve been that close. To feel my body come alive again. To feelanything. But the cost wouldn’t be mine to bear.

Shaking off my thoughts, I move to stand just as she lifts her tee over her head, leaving her in nothing but a skimpy red bikini. I internally groan as I squeeze my eyes shut, forcing myself to forget what I saw, trying hard to push the image out of my mind, but it’s impossible.

She’s breathtaking.

I hear a light splash and open my eyes in time to see her sink down into the water, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

Needing to be far away from this situation, I assess the chances of making it to the door unseen but lose all focus when I notice her reaching up around her neck, her fingers lingering on the strap of her bikini top.Dammit.

“Don’t even think about removing that,” I bark out as I stand, almost giving her a heart attack.

She yells, “Jesus” as her hands drop, clenching one at her chest, the other gripping the ledge for balance. “Where the hell did you come from?”

“The floor.” I shrug.

“The floor? What in the world?” She stands but stops suddenly, her eyes flashing to her half-naked body before she sinks back down.

In a huff, I pick my towel up andwave it in the air as if that will prove I’m not stalking her. “I was working out. I thought you were asleep.”

Willow nods, but it’s a little more exaggerated than normal. She’s obviously still freaked out. “Okay. Okay,” she says, still nodding. “Why’d you yell at me?”

“I didn’t think you’d want me here if you were getting naked.”And I didn’t think I could handle it if you did.

With confusion set in her brows, Willow’s gaze drops to her chest before her eyes flash back on mine. “Why would I get naked? I’m in a bikini.”

“I don’t fucking know. Why would you be alone late at night in a hot tub?” A thought hits me and my eyes flash to the door, half expecting someone else to walk through. But also not. “You’re alone, right?”

“Of course I’m alone. And I’m in here because Igoddamnwant to be,andit’s relaxing. Why else would I be here?” Her voice rises, and the intensity of her gaze burns a hole in me. I almost smile. I love this version of Willow. The fire in her eyes. The passion. When she says a big fuck you to the part of her that thinks she should act a certain way and the other part of her that’s always holding back. This is the girl I remember. This spark. And fuck, does it turn me on.

“I honestly have no idea why you do what you do, Willow. Nor do I care,” I lie, further infuriating her. Which now that I think about it, is actually not my smartest idea. I can’t risk her becoming that girl again.Remembering.

“You are an extremely frustrating man,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest, briefly drawing my eyes to her breasts as they swell up out of the water. “You know that, right?”

“I do and I don’t plan on changing,” I say, but even to my ears it sounds distant and lackluster.

Willow frowns, but doesn’t comment. “Do you want me to leave so you can finish up?” she asks, motioning to the deck.

Fuck no, If she gets out of that hot tub I can’t guarantee that I won’t stalk after. “Do what you like, but don’t leave on my account. I can block you out.” I drop my towel back down to the floor as Willow huffs, and I can’t stop myself from picturing her pursed lips as she simmers with annoyance.

Ignoring her when she does it again, I get back to my workout, restarting my push-ups even though I was almost done.

I’m on my thirty-ninth rep, for the second time, when she moans softly, making my body tense. I try to ignore her again, certain she hasn’t even realized she’s done it, but when it happens a third time I know that I’m wrong. “Mmm, so good.”

She’s messing with me.

Sweat coats my brow as I power on, determined to prove to her I’m not affected, that I’m in the zone, but when the jets start up and a soft mewl escapes her, I can’t hold back the curse that flies out of my mouth. “Fuuck.”

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