Chapter 12
Will’s hand rested on my back as we stood on the tarmac, waiting for Ben to review customs reports with the pilots and watching John lead Lissie past the windows inside the airplane.
“Are you ready, Elle?”
I bit my lip and avoided his eyes.
“Yes, I’m ready to go.”
Flying was a nightmare for me, and I hadn’t told him how sick I might get if my meds didn’t knock me out. I’d seen multiple doctors for it, and they all said the same thing…
Severe aviophobia, compounded by my anxiety disorder. The fact that my parents had died in a plane crash was reason enough, or at the very least it aggravated the condition.
“What is it, Elle?”
I glanced again at the private jet he’d hired.
“Nothing. It’s fine. I’m ready.”
Panic slashed at my empty stomach.
He followed my nervous glance and stepped in front of me.
“You should have told me. How bad is it?”
I flashed an uneasy smile.
“I’ve taken medication, and with any luck I’ll sleep through the flight. I should go settle Lissie. Everyone’s waiting for us.”
“And they’ll continue to wait. What can I do to make it easier for you?”
“There isn’t anything but thank you. I just have to push through it.”
The back of his fingers brushed over my cheek.
“We’re not leaving until I know exactly what you need.”
“Keep an eye on Lissie while I sleep?”
“Of course.”
His soft touch moved to my battered throat. His fingertips and his eyes rested on the bruises.
I shut my eyes, absorbing his touch into my skin.
“Will?”
“Yeah?”
You’re what I need.
“Elle?”
“I’m sorry for my childish behavior. I was going to say it earlier. I thought it was you on the beach.”
“I know, baby. No need to apologize to me, not ever.”
With one hand gripping the back of my head, he pulled my mouth close to his.
“Always knew you’d challenge me,” he added.
Then he kissed me.
He kissed my lips softly, and when he stopped, we stood so still, connected through our gazes, like we had turned to stone.
The look in Will’s eyes demanded forgiveness.
I touched his face, nodding, forgiving him for rejecting me.
He threaded his fingers in my hair and slanted his mouth over mine, pushing past my lips this time with his tongue.
His hard, unyielding kiss made his intentions very clear—he was taking what he wanted. And as the sun’s last ray dipped below the horizon, we held on to each other, kissing wildly and falling even more, creating something between us that we knew would be painful and beautiful and forever.
We didn’t stop until nothing else existed but us.
The world was gone, time was gone.
We shared one breath.
His fist tightened in my hair as he broke away and stared over my shoulder. He put one more lingering kiss on my mouth, then he let go.
“Someone’s here to see you,” he said.
His eyes stayed with mine, but his next words were called out to Ben.
“You handle this for me, my brother.”
And then Will left me standing there alone.
The pain our breakup had caused Josh still showed on his face as Ben and I walked over to Josh’s car.
I never wanted to hurt him, never thought he would see the passion I had just shared with Will.
Josh reached out for my hand.
“I couldn’t leave it between us that way. I was an asshole to walk away from you like that. I’m sorry, Ellie,” he said.
“I’m glad you came to say goodbye. I’ll never forget what you’re doing for me.”
His dark brown eyes pleaded with me.
“Please don’t go. I believe you, and that’s all that matters. I have a solid relationship with the chief. I’ll convince him, and you’ll have police protection. Get in the car and leave with me.”
He went to open the passenger-side door, but Ben put out his hand and stopped it.
“She’s not getting in your car, cop. You fucking police already failed her. She’s under our protection now, so get on with it.”
I touched Josh’s arm.
“I’m going. Maybe they’ll still get to me, but if it happens there, Lissie will have family. I explained the situation to you.”
He shook his head.
“I don’t know how to live without you here.”
I put my arms around him.
“Please go to Jess. I can’t talk to her right now, and I know she’s scared. She needs someone to reassure her. Be that for her, for me.”
He pulled me in more tightly against his body.
“I’m begging you to let me help you the right way.”
“Ellie,” Ben snapped.
I didn’t need an explanation to understand Ben’s warning. Will refusing to see me with Josh again said all I needed to know. So I nodded at Ben, then kissed Josh’s cheek…our final goodbye.
Just as I dropped my arms to let Josh go, Will suddenly ripped us apart. He pinned me against a nearby metal building, trapping me there with his body while holding my wrists and the back of my neck in his hands.
His growled close to my ear.
“Do you still want him?”
The muscles along his jawline contracted, and his voice became deeper, more menacing.
“Do you fucking want him?”
The way he smelled, how he sounded, the rage in his eyes, his intense jealousy, it all messed with my head, making my brain interpret his fierce nature as the cure for my homeless soul.
Still, I didn’t answer his question.
I stared into his eyes, encouraging him, inciting his rage.
“He’s not hurting her,” Ben shouted at Josh.
My mind was distantly aware of the two men arguing behind us.
Metal buckled. A body slammed against the car’s hood.
Will bit the rim of my ear and then kissed away the sting.
His erection dug into my stomach.
“I’ll kill him, Elle. Don’t you push me to it.”
I jerked one wrist free and touched his face.
“You won’t hurt him. Because you know I want only you.”