Page 141 of Ward Willing
As I look over at her, she gives me a small smile. “Just promise me two things,” she starts, her voice thick with emotion. “Instead of pushing me away,pleasetalk to me.”
“I promise,” I say too quickly.
I’ll do anything.
“Good,” she replies, pursing her lips with such conviction that I can’t help but smile. “And the second thing… stop beating yourself up about us. I actually spoke with Carolina, you know.”
My lips twitch. “I know. I spoke with her, too. And then proceeded to get rip-roaring drunk when I realized what a massive fucking mistake I made.”
Zoe laughs. “You’re lucky I forgive easily,” she says, hand sliding a bit higher on my thigh. My nerve endings go up in flames at her touch, and I shift in my seat slightly to accommodate my growing erection.
“Did you read the letter?” I ask her, trying not to sound like I’ve been really fucking curious about what it said.
“I did. On the plane ride home.”
“Oh?”
“You want to know what it said?” she asks, her tone teasing and light.
I consider her words for a few seconds, wondering if I should say what I’ve been curious about for weeks. But when I really think about it, it doesn’t make sense that he would ever consider the possibility of us. I don’t need to know, and I don’t need his approval.
“You don’t have to tell me. Whatever he said is between the two of you.”
Zoe doesn’t respond, and when I chance a quick look over at her, I can see that she’s watching me with a shy smile.
“He wants me to be happy, and he said he’d support every decision I made—no matter what—as long as it made me happy.”
I swallow as my hands curl around the steering wheel, not realizing how much I need to hear words like that.
“He also wanted me to make sure you wouldn’t end up alone. He wanted you to be happy, too,” she adds, her voice quieter and more serious now.
I sit with her words for a few minutes, chest burning with raw emotion as I make my way to the house.
Zoe’s hand stays on my thigh, and when I finally put the car in park, I turn to face Zoe.
“I misinterpreted your father’s words,” I admit. “He told me to protect you, and for so long, I thought that meant from me. But it doesn’t matter what he meant by those words, because no one will protect you like I will. I’m not sure what else I can say to make up for how much I fucked up that night but know that I’ll do my best to make up for it every damn day of my life.”
Her watery, honey-colored eyes bore into mine, and then in one quick motion, she unbuckles her seatbelt and crawls into my lap—her knees on either side of my hips. Her face is inches away from mine, and despite her hair smelling different, there’s still an undertone of vanilla and something else—something that makes me roll my hips underneath her.
“One last stipulation,” she says, her voice husky and low. “No using the safe word outside of the bedroom.”
“I’m sorry?—”
Her lips are against mine before I can finish my sentence, and the feel of her on top of me, her warm center pressing against my erection, her soft lips and tongue that drive me crazy?—
“I love you,” I say, caught up in the moment. She goes still and pulls away, eyes wide. I realize what I said a second too late. “I mean, I think it’s obvious by now, but it’s okay if you don’t feel the same way?—”
Her mouth collides with mine once again, and she groans as her hands come to my hair, fisting it gently.
“I love you, too,” she whispers. “Please take me inside now.”
I manage to get us both out of the car and through the front door with her legs still wrapped around me. Once we’re inside, Captain comes trotting into the foyer, chirping excitedly.
“He missed you,” I tell her, letting my lips trail down her face to her exposed collarbone as I walk her to the foyer table. “But I missed you more.” She groans when I set her down next to the vase of violets before positioning myself between her legs. “I really want to fuck you on this table, but I don’t want Captain to watch us.”
Zoe giggles and looks over my shoulder. “Go up to my room, Sushi.”
To my utter astonishment, Sushi lets out a resigned, quick purr before turning around and walking off.
