Reckless Hearts (Oak Harbor #2)(36)

“No, thanks.” I stand there, just inside the doorway, watching him.

Will’s expression changes, softer now. “We can talk, if you want,” he says gently. “I don’t know what was going on at dinner, but something’s up.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to talk,” I tell him, swallowing back the knot in my throat. “I just want you.”

Will exhales slowly, then he closes the distance between us and brings one hand to my cheek. “Dee . . .” he murmurs, still concerned, but I clench my jaw, determined.

“You’ve made me some awfully big promises,” I say, smiling; flirty, the way this should be. “Don’t tell me you’re leaving a lady unsatisfied.”

Will’s eyes flash, and his lips curl in a grin. “Never.”

“Well then . . .” I slowly unhook the straps of my dress and let it glide to the floor. I feel his eyes on me, devouring me as I stand there in my bra and panties. The heat rushes through me, a gorgeous anticipation, and I feel my nerves slip away under the hunger in Will’s gaze.

This part, I know: the pleasure, the power. The fun. It could all be so simple.

Why can’t everything just be simple?

“It’s time to keep your promises.” I wink, then turn and walk slowly up the stairs, my hips swinging with every step. I hear Will follow, as I head for his bedroom. I push the door open and go lie down on the bed, propped on my elbows—displayed to him, waiting.

He stands in the doorway and slowly starts unbuttoning his shirt. “I think you’re forgetting something,” he says, tossing it aside.

“Like what?” I ask, enjoying the show. He unbuckles his belt, and then strips off his pants, too, standing in just his briefs there in front of me, so taut and delicious, and my pulse races even faster.

God, I want him.

“I promised I’d f*ck you,” Will agrees casually, moving closer, close enough to grip my ankles and yank me closer, down the bed.

My heart stops. My whole body sizzles with anticipation. He traces my lips, easing them open, and pushes his thumb into my mouth. I shudder at the intimacy, the cool touch of his skin against my tongue. He leans in and kisses my cheek, my neck, the swell of my chest. I inhale in a gasp as his hands slide over me. Touching, teasing, a trail of quicksilver on my sensitive skin. I arch up, needing him more than I think I’ve ever needed anything, but instead of pinning me down and ravaging me, Will’s voice murmurs, soft in my ear.

“But I said, when I take you, you’ll be mine. Are you mine, Delilah?”

His eyes lock on mine, questioning. I don’t know what to say, I have no words, so I kiss him hard instead, trying so desperately to keep control. But Will refuses to let me set the pace; his mouth on mine stays slow, so infinitely sweet. He eases my lips open and sinks his tongue into my mouth, deeper, hotter than anything I’ve felt before. I want to lose myself in the oblivion of pleasure, block out all these messy emotions and shut the world away, but it’s no use, not with him.

When he kisses me, there’s no escape.

Will’s lips explore softly, his steady hands pin me down, and something in my chest finally snaps, unravels. The knot of sadness, that angry, bitter place, it all unspools as I sink into the tenderness of his embrace. All the feelings I’ve been holding back and trying to ignore come rushing through, and I can’t hide anymore. Because Will won’t let me. He sees past all my bullshit excuses, and somehow still wants me. The real me. Not just for fun, a wild fling, all those meaningless, safe little games. But something real.

Something I could hold onto, if I only trusted myself enough to let go.

I pull away, breathing fast. He looks at me, waiting, patient. I gently press my hand to his cheek. “I don’t know how to do this,” I whisper, hating that I’m suddenly on the edge of tears. I feel naked and exposed, all my messy emotions suddenly dragged into the harsh light of day. I swallow back the sting in my throat, and admit the truth. “I don’t know how to be with someone, like this, for real. I’ve never even come close.”

Will looks at me with such tenderness, I swear my heart could break in two. “It’s easy, I promise,” he murmurs, his hazel eyes searching mine. “Just trust me, that’s all you need to do. Trust me, and just . . . be you. That’s all I want, to be with you.”

I still don’t understand it, how he can be so certain and resolute. I’ve done nothing but try to keep him at arm’s length, and he still sees something in me that makes him stay. “What if I’m scared?” I ask, my chest aching. “I might f*ck this up, and get everything wrong . . .”

“There is no right and wrong.” Will holds me, so close I can feel his heartbeat, steady and strong in his chest. “There’s just us. You and me, right here, now. That’s all it is. Whatever you want, it’s yours. You want to sit up all night playing Scrabble, I can make that happen,” he adds, giving me that boyish grin. “Although, I draw the line at letting you win.”

“No chance.” I have to smile, despite everything. “How about a working gas stove?” I ask, teasing.

“OK, that might take a little longer.” Will smooths back my hair. “But I mean it, Dee. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere,” he promises softly, searching in my eyes. “The rest is up to you.”