Page 88 of The Sound Of Silence

“I’ll be ready.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Jesse

I’mdressedandreadyto go when Willow walks out of her room the next morning. We’re both silent as we head off. There’s no discussion about the direction we’re running or the pace. We just run. Actually, it’s more like a slow jog, because Willow is definitely in pain. Either way, it feels like we’ve been training together for years.

We make our way around the town in a loop, and when we reach the mountains, Willow slows. I know she’s thinking about the lookout, but she doesn’t say a word. In fact, she doesn’t even glance in the direction of the sign, making me wonder if she’s trying to avoid it on purpose.

I want to ask her. I want to see if she’ll go up there with me, holding my hand. But at the same time, I want to forever remain silent on the topic, because it could lead to something Ineverwant to talk about.

I’ve become such an indecisive fuck since I arrived here. I can’t figure out if I’m coming or going, and I’ve never been like that. Not since I was a kid. I know what I want out of life, I have a plan, and I honestly never thought I’deverquestion it.

But with Willow… I am. I’m questioning it to the point of risking everything else. And for what? And why?

Why is her touch so addictive? Why can’t I get enough? And why do I want them to open the bridge so badly, yet a little part of me wants to burn it down.

Last night was by far the hottest thing to ever happen to me. From the second Willow grabbed my cock, I knew I was fucked. The intimacy of the moment wasalmostmore than I could handle, like a beautiful and welcome torture… But fuck, it was everything. And seeing her on her knees for me, her lips wrapped around my length, her eyes on mine.I can’t even describe it.

Then I saw her foot… It’s like she wants me to feel every emotion. Emotions I’ve never fucking felt before. Seeing her hurting does something to me, and I hate it.

Pippa was passed out in my arms, and all I wanted to do was get her off me, but Willow… I couldn’t stay away, couldn’t keepmyhands offher.

This is why she’s dangerous. She has a power over me. Always has. And I need to fight it. I need to remain in control.

As we jog, I try to keep my focus on the road, on our surroundings, but it’s impossible, and my gaze continues to find her. Watching the way her body moves with each step, how her skin glistens with sweat, and the way her chest rises and falls with each breath.

It makes me wonder what she’d look like as I pushed into her. Would her skin glisten while she screamed my name, her body moving in rhythm with mine?

I need to stop. Stop!

Shaking off my thoughts, I scold myself just as she veers left like she did last time, heading in the opposite direction of her house. After running for another mile, we end up off the beaten track, and it’s not until the forest thickens that she slows before coming to a stop.

After a quick cooldown, Willow sits on a collection of boulders and finally breaks the silence, patting the space beside her.

“Are you really dating Pippa?” she asks, filling the emptiness in the air.

Jesus!What a way to start the morning.

I shake my head, needing some distance, just as Willow sighs.

I contemplate lying to her again, but when her eyes bore into mine, something tells me it’s not going to work this time.Not that I’m convinced it worked last time either.

“No,” I say, my voice coming out raspy.

Willow holds her stare, and I almost repeat myself,thinking she hasn’t heard me, but she nods. “Thank you.”

“Thank you?”That can’t be a good thing.

“For not lying to me again.”Shit.

Running a hand through my hair, I hesitate as I try to think of something to say. What does one say about pretending to fake date someone else. How the fuck did life get so complicated? “Willow, I—”

“I already knew.”

“What?” I’m acting shocked, but deep down I knew she wouldn’t have done what she did last night if she didn’t know.

“Pippa told me before the hot tub. I’ve known the truth since then.” She shrugs as though it’s no big deal before muttering, “Not that I ever truly believed it.”

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