Chapter sixteen Willow #2
I turn to face him again, admiring how attractive he is, remembering how his body felt on top of mine, and the fact that those darkened eyes were focused on me last night.
And then I think about how he makes me feel beyond physically—like I’m worth his attention, like he wants me here, like what I have to say is important.
I’ve shared more of myself with this man than any man before him, that’s for sure.
Doesn’t that tell you something, Willow?
“Yeah. I was just talking to my best friend, Shauna. She lives in Texas.”
“And what were you two talking about?” He crowds me against the railing, pushing his hips into mine. I feel him grow hard the second we touch.
“You.”
He smirks before taking a sip of his coffee. “What about me?”
“How horrible the sex was and I wasn’t sure how to break things off with you this morning.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “You may be able to pull off a bullshit statement like that with someone else, Willow, but I know for certain that you couldn’t have faked all eight of the orgasms I gave you last night. So, care to try again?”
I swallow hard as my body screams for him to make the total nine. “You counted?”
“No need to, babe.” He taps his temple. “The sight of you coming undone each and every time will be seared into my brain for all eternity.”
With one hand still holding my coffee and phone, I wrap the other around his neck, drawing his face closer to mine. “I’ve always strived to leave a lasting impression on people.”
“Oh, you’re leaving one on me for sure, Willow.” The taste of coffee on his lips melds with my own as he kisses me softly, giving me just the tip of his tongue. When he draws back, he says, “I guess the question is, what do you want to do about it?”
That’s what I’ve been debating since before he took me out last night, and what I was trying to explain to Shauna.
But I think she’s right. Until I know exactly what I want to do, there’s no use in stirring up the past and baring truths that may never need to be revealed, especially since my visitor cautioned me with the same sentiment.
For the time being, why can’t I just enjoy this man, this town, and my time here? Because ultimately, when I look back on my adventure in Carrington Cove, I want to do so with fond memories, not a list of regrets—although at this point, I feel like that might just be impossible.
“I think you should take me back to bed before I have to do some work,” I answer honestly and my libido jumps at the idea as well.
His grin is borderline lethal. “Good answer.”
***
“Hey, stranger.” Astrid bumps her shoulder against mine just as I find my footing next to her. Cheers erupt from the sideline of the field across from us as the other team scores a goal. “Damn it.”
“What’s the score?”
“Three to one now. We’re losing.”
I cast a glance over to Penn and Dallas, their heads stuck together talking strategy. “There’s still time left, right?”
“Yeah, we just started the third quarter.” Astrid blows out a breath and then turns to face me. “So, where have you been? I feel like I haven’t seen you since the veterans’ dinner.”
It’s true, but everything that has happened since that night has taken me by surprise and even now, I’m not sure where it’s leading me.
Only time will tell, I guess.
“Work and stuff with the house have kept me busy.”
She eyes me curiously. “And has Dallas been keeping you busy too?”
I fight to hide my smile but fail miserably. “Maybe.”
She shoves my shoulder again. “I knew it. You dropped me for a man.”
I reach for her hand and she lets me take it. “I did not drop you.”
“I know, I’m just giving you crap,” she says with a wink.
“Good. It’s just been a crazy week, and now…” My eyes find Dallas again as he finishes talking to a player on the field. Our eyes meet and then he tips his chin up at me, flashing me his panty-melting smirk before focusing back on the game.
“Now you’re dating my boss and can’t remember your own name?”
“Huh?” I ask, my eyes still locked on Dallas’s before dropping down to his ass.
Astrid waves a hand in front of my face. “Hello? Is anyone home over there?”
Blinking, I focus back on her. “Sorry. What did you say?”
“Jesus, should I go ahead and mark my calendar for the wedding?” she teases.
“God, no. Look, I have no idea what is happening between us, but whatever it is, it’s fun and good…really good.” I bounce my eyebrows at her.
“Lucky.” She sighs. “It’s been years since I’ve had a good time, if you catch my drift.”
I wrap my arm around her. “That’s understandable, Astrid.”
“I know, but hey, I’m happy for you.” And then something dawns on her. “What does this mean about the house then? Are you still planning on leaving?”
“I—” My response is cut off as Bentley kicks the ball into the goal, scoring for his team.
“Yes! Great shot, Bentley!” Astrid screams, clapping and jumping up and down beside me.
“Heck yeah!” Dallas clenches his fist in front of him, running up the sideline to high five Bentley as he runs past us. But before he heads back to his post, he comes over to me, places a quick kiss on my lips, and squeezes my hip. “Hey, Goose.”
Astrid and I both watch him walk back to Penn, whose knowing smile indicates he’s privy to the developments between Dallas and me as well.
“Um, that didn’t look casual, Willow,” she mumbles in my ear. “In fact, I’m pretty sure he just called you Goose. That’s quite the nickname. Care to explain?”
Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms over my chest. “It’s nothing.”
She stands in front of me as the ref blows the whistle and the game starts back up. “It’s okay to like him, Willow. Hell, I saw the sparks fly between the two of you the moment you stepped foot in Catch & Release.”
“We’re just two single adults having fun.” Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Willow.
“Doesn’t look like just fun to me.” She arches a brow and I do the same, telling her with my eyes to end the conversation.
“I think it’s time we turn the discussion to you. What’s new? Anything exciting?”
She yells something at the boys on the field and then looks back at me. “Actually, yes. Greg and Jenny, the owners of the Sunshine Bakery, are looking to retire. And I think I might try to buy the store.”
“Oh my God, that’s incredible! You’d be amazing at running that place, Astrid.”
She laughs me off. “Thanks, but it’s not the business side I’m worried about. It’s qualifying for the loan. We live off the death benefit from when Brandon died, plus my tips from the restaurant and my part-time paychecks from the bakery, which aren’t much.”
Without any hesitation, I say, “I’ll invest in you.”
Astrid nearly falls over as she spins to face me. “What?”
Shrugging like it’s no big deal, I say, “Let me be your investor. You can pay me back on whatever timeline works for you. Let me help you, Astrid.” Money is no object, but that’s not why I want to do this.
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking, I’m offering.” I grab her hands. “You’re the only one who made an effort to be my friend here, and even if I don’t plan on staying, I believe in you, and you deserve this. You deserve something of your own.”
God, it’s like speaking to myself all those years ago, taking the leap of faith to start Marshall Advertising.
She worries her bottom lip between her teeth. “I can’t.”
“You can, and you will. Let me know when you want to go to the bank, and I’ll be there.”
“Willow…” Her eyes brim with tears until she throws herself at me, wrapping me in her arms. I reciprocate her hug. “Thank you.”
Feelings—so many feelings rush through me—contentment, gratitude, and purpose.
If I hadn’t come to Carrington Cove, I never would have met this woman. I never would have gotten the chance to know someone that is a true survivor. I know Shauna says that I am, but I haven’t endured the same loss that Astrid has.
She deserves this—a chance to stand on her own two feet, to show her children how to be independent, and to have something of her own, a business that can change her life.
Just like she’s changed mine.
The thought of leaving her nearly knocks me back as we release each other.
If I leave Carrington Cove, I’m not just leaving Dallas, I’m leaving her too.
“Let me talk to Greg and Jenny this week, and I’ll get back to you.” She wipes away tears from under her eyes just as the ref blows the whistle, signaling something happened on the field.
“I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”
She grabs my hand again and squeezes it. “I wish you wouldn’t go anywhere at all.”
After the game is over and I’ve said my goodbyes to Astrid and her kids, Dallas finds me waiting for him under a tree, shading myself from the sun.
“This was a nice surprise,” he says in greeting.
I take his aviators off so I can see his eyes. “Good job today, Coach.”
He leans down and plants his lips on mine. For a moment, I worry about people seeing us, but then his tongue touches mine, and my reservations fade away. “If you want, I can show you some of my moves from my other playbook.”
“Don’t you have a restaurant to run?” I ask as he presses his erection into me.
“I could play hooky…for you.”
No man has ever offered to skip work to spend time with me.
Dallas isn’t like the other men that have momentarily popped in and out of your life, Willow.
“I can’t ask you to do that. Plus, it’s a Saturday night. You know the place will be crazy.” His lips dance all over my neck before he groans.
“You’re right. What if I come over after?”
“I’ll be asleep. Someone kept me up the past two nights and I’m exhausted.”
“You should file a formal complaint with his manager.” He nibbles on my earlobe before moving his teeth to my collarbone.
“I would, but he’s the boss.”
Dallas lifts his head to meet my eyes. “Yes, he is. And you like it that way.”
A shiver runs down my spine. “Yeah, I kind of do.”
He kisses me once more, rendering me speechless. “So, what about tomorrow night? I want to hear you scream my name again, and soon.” His fingers tighten on my hips.