Page 6 of Ward Willing
“No, it’s not. I’ve been on my own for years.”
“Yeah, at school,” I say, stepping closer. “I’m going to make myself very, very clear. My culpability over you didn’t end the minute you became an adult. You’re living with me undermyroof when you start college next week. I pay for your health insurance and your cell phone bill. I feed you and make sure you’re provided for.” Zoe opens and closes her mouth, but I’m not done. “I’m not your father, and I never wanted to replace him. But if I’m not the one looking out for you, who will?”
She physically shrivels as the hurt flashes over her expression. My words are a cruel reminder of heraloneness—especially my last sentence—and I know it.
I immediately regret them.
Because she’s not alone.
She has me.
“I never asked you to do any of those things, Liam.”
“Youdidn’t. But your father did. And I will honor that wish for the rest of my life.”
She swallows, and I watch the way her throat bobs. Drops of water slide down her face, andfuckshe’s so beautiful it almost hurts to look directly at her.
“I know I’ve made mistakes along the way. I’m learning as I go. Forgive me, please,” I finish, my voice breaking slightly.
I blink away the rain from my eyes, and before I know it, she’s snaking her arms around my waist and pressing herself against me.
Closing my eyes, I rest my chin on the top of her head, and everything inside of me goes molten. I want to pull away, because I know my body is not reacting with propriety right now. I’m too inebriated to think clearly. If I had any sense, I’d pull away. But I don’t, and her wet body against mine fractures every ounce of self-control I have.
Pulling away from me, her eyes find mine.
Andfuck me.
The expression on her face sends me completely off-kilter.
My heart pounds hard inside of my chest, and Zoe uses that exact moment to place her hand over it. She must feel how fucking hard it’s hammering pressed against her because her eyes widen slightly.
Without thinking, I brush a hand across her cheek, under her eyes, to swipe away the black mascara running down her face. She starts to tremble—from the cold or the way I’m holding her, I’m not sure.
Somehow, the violet is still tucked neatly behind her ear, despite the pouring rain.
Any second now, she’ll save me from myself and step away. She’ll say thank you or offer up something about how we’re soaking wet now.
But she doesn’t do either of those things.
Instead, her gaze explores my face.
The suggestion ofmorewritten all over her features makes my breath hitch.
Her blown out pupils. The lower lip between her teeth. Theapprehension.
I’ve been alive long enough to know what that look means, and it absolutelycannothappen with her.
Ever.
My hands shake and flutter as I drop them, and I take a step back. If I gotherewith Zoe, I won’t be able to stop. I don’t trust myself—and I don’t trust my thoughts or actions, because right now, her small body pressed against mine has my cock so hard that I can’t think straight.
There’s too much between us. I can’t identify it, but it’s charged and scary and she’sjust barelylegal.
This iswrong.
I clear my throat. “This can’t happen. We’ve had a lot to drink,” I say, choosing my words wisely. “We’re not in our right minds.”
“Are you worried you’re going to corrupt me, Liam?” she asks, pulling her lower lip between her teeth and taking a step closer.Fuck, fuck, fuck.
