Chapter 8
Lissie insisted on sleeping in the guest room to be a big girl like Isabel had taught her.
She displayed her collections from the beach on the chest and positioned her stuffed animals by size on the bed. We chose her clothes for the next day and hung them over the chair as Isabel had always done.
“Leave the little light on, Aunt Ellie.”
I smiled.
“Okay, sweet girl, we’ll leave it on.”
After tucking her blankets around her little body, I kissed her cheek and shut the door.
Back in my room, I stared at my own bed…going near it would be like falling into a dark, isolated hole with no way out, a feeling that started haunting me in my first year at college.
Panic slunk around my neck, suffocating me.
I put out my hand, reaching for the wall or the doorframe or anything. I needed fresh air, the sea, something to make it go away….and then Will appeared on the other side of the French doors as if he’d responded to my silent plea.
He opened the door and extended his hand to me, waiting, not saying anything, just waiting to see if his offer would be accepted.
It was. I did. I put my hand in his, and he led me to the double-wide chaise, where he gestured for me to sit and then handed me an open bottle of red wine.
I wriggled into an awkward position at the edge.
“Thanks. Staying inside can be challenging sometimes.”
“You must not come outside without me.”
“I know.”
I tipped the wine bottle, sipping politely at first, but then gulped until letting up for air.
When I offered him the next drink, the corners of his mouth twitched. He took a swig and gave it back, then watched me pull deep from the bottle again.
And again.
I sank into the fluffy cushions with a light head.
His lips curved into a full-on crooked smile as he grabbed a throw blanket from another chair and covered me with it.
I was tipsy already…it didn’t take much. Liquid courage flowed through me, so with a flirty smile, I offered him the wine bottle again while holding it close to my chest.
An invitation.
I needed the peacethat his closeness gave me.
With a raised brow he placed the bottle on the table before dropping onto the cushions beside me, then he lifted his arm.
I rolled against his side and placed my head on his chest.
“Go to sleep, Ellie,” he commanded.
For a short time, I slept in the cool night air on the chaise, safely nestled against the side of his warm body.
The rolling and crashing of waves had been my lullaby.
And he’d been my anchor.
When I woke before he did, I couldn’t help but stare at his rugged, beautiful face.
Dark and golden stubble covered his jawline, and long lashes touched his cheeks.
I pictured the younger Will Hastings who I bumped into seven years earlier. His hair then had been lighter, and his face clean-shaven, but the same charged eyes had held mine. My strawberry ice cream dotted his black t-shirt.
He stirred, turning from his back to his side, pulling me against the front of his body, and I could feel his arousal.
As he shifted his weight again, the chaise’s wood frame creaked in complaint.
“Will?” I whispered.
He opened his eyes and stared back at me.
“Yeah?”
“Tell me what’s going to happen. I don’t know what to do.”
“I’m taking you back to England with me.”
“What?”
“I have unlimited resources and connections in the UK.”
“No, you can’t. My life is here, and I don’t know how to live anywhere else. Not without the beach, the art studio, my work with the kids, my friends.”
I winced from the pain my own words caused.
None of that mattered without my family.
Will tightened his embrace while I fought with my grief.
“You must want to get back to your own life,” I said.
He jerked up his head.
“Your protection is my priority. I’ll be with you or near you?—”
“—for how long, Will? When will this end?”
He shrugged.
“It might never end.”
“It has to…it’s insane.”
“It’s who we are, Elle. We’re bound together, and neither of us can change it. You need time to come to terms with that, but I warn you—if you run, I’ll follow. If you stay here, I’ll fucking stay. They’ll come for you, here or there. I have more to work with in England. I can keep you and Lissie safe at Eastridge.”
Breath quivered inside my chest.
“That’s a lot to take in,” I whispered.
Will softened his tone.
“It’s quite a lot.”
“What is Eastridge?”
“The name of my family house.”
I nodded.
“And how long will you give me to consider it?”
“There’s no time for that. I want your answer by morning.”
Time.
I closed my eyes, and the word echoed through my head. The thought of anything beyond that moment overwhelmed me. I didn’t want to think about the future yet.
His fingertip traced over the butterfly-shaped birthmark on my neck.
“What’s this?”
His touch was so unexpected my eyes flew open.
“It’s a butterfly. I mean, the shape is, but it’s a birthmark.”
He traced over it again, sending shivers along my spine.
“It’s not a butterfly,” he said.
He moved his fingertip away from it, gently pulling it over my cheek, stopping on my bottom lip. His gaze met mine. He removed his finger…and replaced it with a soft kiss.
I reached up and touched his cheek.
“Do it again, Will.”
But he didn’t kiss me again.
No, he abruptly sat upright and gave me his back.
“Goddamn it. Go back into your room and stay there.”
“What? No.”
He lowered his head into his hands.
“I said go inside.”
I got up and took my time folding the blanket.
He didn’t move, but I understood what he would do next, so I went inside and stared at my stupid fucking bed again.
The door between us stood wide open.
He can just close it himself…when he locks me in.