Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
E ric watched Willow read the last letter for what had to be the third time.
Her eyes were wet with unshed tears and—man, she was so beautiful.
He swallowed hard and looked away. But seconds later, he found his gaze drawn back to her profile.
She sniffed, and he wrapped an arm around her. Only because it was cold out here, not because he was looking for an excuse to hold her in his arms again.
He flinched. Oh, who was he trying to fool?
He’d been touching her nonstop all morning. For any reason. For no reason. He just couldn’t seem to get close enough.
Forming an addiction to sweeping her up in his arms was too easy.
He’d been intrigued by Willow from the start, but the more time he spent in her company, the more she seemed to be in his blood. A vital part of him. It was…
Well, it was disturbing.
But also…undeniable.
She turned to him, and he saw her eyes widen at whatever she saw written on his face. He could only imagine.
Her throat worked as she swallowed, and when her eyes fell to his lips, he nearly groaned aloud.
Did she feel it too?
Her gaze slid away, her cheeks flushing pink, and that hint of shyness had a surge of protectiveness sweeping through him.
He tightened his arm around her, tugging her even closer. He couldn’t seem to help himself. Everything about this morning had been entirely unexpected, but also…so strangely perfect. Even right now. It was cold out, yes, but huddled together like this, reading love letters…
“It’s so romantic,” Willow sighed.
And for half a second, Eric thought she was referring to them sitting here like this. He agreed. Wholeheartedly.
Which was insane, but true.
He liked this woman. A lot. And he had a hunch—or maybe just a hope—that she felt the same.
She tilted her head back to look at him, turning toward him, which put her face so close to his that he had an up-close view of the dimple that had always fascinated him. “It’s beautiful, don’t you think?”
He nodded, unable to speak. Barely able to breathe.
Her lips curved up, and her bright blue eyes sparkled. “A real-life Romeo and Juliet, you know?”
“Mmm.” It was all he could manage. This close to her, his heart was pounding furiously, the blood rushing past his ears.
He didn’t mean to lift his hand, to brush back her curls. But he found himself doing it anyway. And with one touch of her silky blonde hair, he wanted another.
Then he was desperate to touch her skin, so he ran a finger down her cheek. Her lips parted in response, her eyes flaring wide.
But the more he touched, the more he wanted to touch. Just like being around her, talking to her…
She was a drug, personally designed for him. And he couldn’t get enough.
Her eyes were locked on his, and he watched in fascination as her pupils expanded and her breathing grew shallow. And most of all, best of all…
She didn’t pull away.
For one breathless, tense moment, they stared at each other in something close to wonder. The air thickened with anticipation, and Eric was keenly aware of every inch where their bodies were pressed together.
Then Willow tilted her head. Ever so slightly, she leaned into his touch.
And Eric was a goner.
He closed the distance between them with an internal curse, claiming her lips like a greedy beggar, taking as much as she’d give.
Her answering kiss was at first tentative, but quickly became eager, and so painfully sweet, it made him groan.
She tasted like sunshine, and she warmed him just as thoroughly. It was desire that flooded his limbs and tightened his muscles, but it was also something so much more.
Something he’d never experienced before. It was a heat that started in his heart and spread outward like honey, sweet and golden, filling every hollow space he had inside.
Intoxicating.
That was what she was. He could kiss her for eternity and never tire of the way she made him feel.
She curled into him, and when he pulled back to look at her face, to drink her in, he found her gazing back at him, looking just as dazed as he felt.
For one second, wariness tightened his gut. Had he taken advantage? Did she want him to stop?
But then her tongue darted out to wet her lips and she blinked a few times, her gaze focusing on his. And then…
Willow. Only Willow would smile like that, looking somehow coy and adorable and seductive and innocent all at once.
Only Willow could slay him with a cute little grin.
She leaned in, slowly, deliberately. He stayed still, letting her do whatever she wanted and take as long as she pleased—even if it was killing him.
But when she pressed her warm, supple lips to his, it was worth the wait. Because now he knew for certain that she wanted this, too, and that…
That was humbling. If he’d any defenses left when it came to this woman, they were gone now.
He reached for her, gripping her waist and pulling her onto his lap, never ending the kiss.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, and he held her tight. She curled against him like she was always meant to be in his arms…
And he couldn’t imagine ever letting her go.