Page 65 of Ward Willing
“I would’ve called a taxi,” I offer.
“You don’t think Ben would’ve offered you a free ride home? And because you’re drunk, you would’ve said yes,” he growls, his breath fanning my face. “And you think he would’ve actually taken you home?”
I grind my teeth together. “That’s a lot of assumed hypotheticals, Liam. I don’t need you controlling my safety at all times. I can take care of myself.”
“It’s not about assuming hypotheticals. I’m not trying to control you. I want to make sure you’re okay.” He swallows, and I’m completely hypnotized being this close to him.Feelinghis chest pressed against my face, hearing his quick, panting breaths. “I care about you, and I can’t help but be overprotective,” he adds.
His eyes pierce into mine when he looks down, and white-hot heat flares through me as his thumb, which is gripping the side of the desk I’m leaning against, brushes against my thigh.
“Liam.”
“You’re mine to protect. Let me do that for you, Zoe.”
“I’m sick of being a burden,” I whisper, the alcohol burning every hesitation and second guess away until the only thing that’s left is the hard truth.
He moves slightly so that his warm, large hand is on my bare thigh. And then… it snakes up past the hem a couple of inches.
The inferno inside of me explodes, and a breathy pant escapes past my lips.
“It’s not a burden to look out for you. It’s a privilege,” he says slowly, removing his hand.
My hand shoots out and grips his, and as his eyes flash, I try to convey that I want him to keep going, to keep touching me.
I want him to go farther, past my soaking wet underwear.
I want him to feel how drenched he makes me.
Instead of moving away, though, his lips twitch slightly as he cocks his head. “If I wanted to keep going, I would’ve.”
I let out a whimper at his dominance, and he continues.
“You may think you’re in control here, but let me make one thing clear,” he says, my grip on his hand tightening. “You don’t get to decide when we cross this line. I do.”
The controlled way with which he speaks only fuels my desire. Isthisthe Dom side of him coming out? Is this what it would be like with him? I nearly soak through my underwear at the thought.
I need this—needhim.
He steps away, his cocky expression giving way to something solemn. “Today is hard for both of us, and I don’t want to do something stupid.” His eyes search mine for a second before he shakes his head. “We can’t escape the grief this way, Zoe.”
“Why not?” I ask, my voice breaking. Something cracks inside of me, spilling the grief from earlier. I know the tears will come before I can feel them, and his rejection doesn’t help things. “Can’t you tell how much I want y?—”
“Stop,” he growls, eyes narrowing. “You’re drunk. I don’t want you to regret this tomorrow, okay?”
Like last time?
Except… I didn’t regret a thing.
“I won’t,” I protest, releasing a sob.
Liam sighs, and he looks genuinely concerned. “I can see the pain written all over your face. I don’t want to be a distraction. And as much as I want…” He scrubs his hand over his mouth. “This isn’t what you need.”
I want to scream and shout like a petulant child that itiswhat I need, what I want, and the perfect way to distract me from the date, but I know he’s right. If I told him that, I would only be proving his entire point.
I swipe at my cheeks as I take a couple of steadying breaths. “You’re such a giver, but sometimes you take so much, too. Saying those things, your thumb… and then you rip it away.” I push off the desk and cross my arms. “Either leave me be or do something about whatever this is between us. I’m fine. I can take care of myself. It’s getting too hard to be around y-you when—” I stammer as a single tear runs down my face.
When I’m falling for you.
When I want you this much.
