Chapter 31
Willow
Time passed slowly and one by one the people around Willow began to drift into sleep.
Willow couldn’t settle, her arm was throbbing in painful bursts and her head was full of confusing thoughts.
Across from her, Willow could hear the labored breathing of Ava and she tiptoed over to check on her.
Ava was curled up against Alice. They were both sleeping, although when Willow touched Ava’s cheek, she was alarmed at how warm and damp it felt.
Gently, Willow eased the makeshift blanket over her and then padded over to check on Eric.
Janice was sitting next to him, dozing in a chair. She stirred as Willow approached.
‘How is he?’ Willow asked.
‘OK, I think.’ Janice peered down at the curled figure on the floor. ‘His head is no longer bleeding and he’s sleeping. He needs to be checked, of course, but it’s difficult to know how much of this sleep is due to the drinking.’
Willow hated how small and frail he suddenly looked. ‘He needs help,’ she said.
Janice nodded. ‘I go and see him as much as I can. He’s not a bad man, Willow. He misses his son.’
‘I know,’ Willow replied, not really knowing what else to say. Jake needed to be here. But Jake was always too busy doing other things.
She left the pair and moved towards the backroom.
She just needed a few minutes away from everything. Panic was bleeding into her brain, and she realized, as she reached the room, that she was trembling.
This was all too much.
‘Willow?’
She turned. Lucas was there, leaning against the doorframe. He held a flashlight in his hand and the soft light shone up in his face, revealing wide, concerned eyes. His jaw was clenched tight. She saw he had a graze across his cheek. Without thinking, she reached out to touch it.
‘You’re hurt?’
Lucas didn’t move as her fingers brushed his skin. His eyes remained on her.
‘Are you OK?’ he whispered. ‘I wanted to check.’
‘I’m fine. It’s nothing. I just …’ She shook again and dropped her hand. ‘Seeing everyone like this. Poor Ava. I’m worried, Lucas. She might have an infection. And Eric, his head could be bad. What if it’s a bleed or something worse? What else can we do? Should we be doing more?’
‘All we can do is wait now,’ Lucas said gently, placing the flashlight to the side. ‘The storm seems to be easing, and help will get to us.’
As if on cue, the wind blasted against The Diner again, seeming to shake it to its core. Willow cried out quietly and Lucas gripped her softly in his hands.
‘Maybe I spoke too soon,’ Lucas cursed.
‘I hate this,’ Willow replied. ‘The storm, everything—’
‘It’ll be alright …’ he soothed.
‘Will it?’ she croaked. ‘I just feel so hopeless and—’
She flinched as another flare of pain hit her arm. Lucas swore softly. ‘You are hurt!’
‘Only a bit.’
‘Let me see.’
He pulled her towards the light. The sleeve of her dress was too tight to roll up, so she moved it carefully from her collarbone. The top of her arm was swollen and sore. Lucas touched it lightly. A shiver drifted through her body.
‘How did you do this?’
‘At Eric’s, I think. And then I fell again by the door.’ Willow tried to keep her tone light. ‘It’s alright.’
‘I don’t think it’s broken, but you may have strained a ligament or something.’
She nodded, trying to ignore how it felt to have Lucas so close to her again. His touch was so gentle. She tried not to shiver as his fingers moved down her arm, checking, stroking.
He released her slowly. She heard the sigh escape her body. She reached out, touching the bracelet that danced on his arm.
‘This was always so special. I remember the day you got it.’
‘You were there from the beginning,’ he whispered. ‘Always by my side. I felt empty without you.’
She blinked back tears. ‘I was empty too. I didn’t realize it – but I always missed you. It was like there was an ache inside me that never went away …’
‘Willow,’ he breathed. ‘Willow, if only …’
‘If only what?’ she whispered back.
‘I can’t.’ His voice was cracking. ‘Willow, I can’t do this …’
But she didn’t want to hear anything more from him. She didn’t care about the pain. All she wanted was those hands on her body again. Without thinking about it, she moved towards him, pressing herself against his still-damp body, urging him to respond.
‘Yes, you can, Lucas. You can,’ she breathed.
He was so firm, so strong. She could feel his well-defined muscles under his wet shirt. She traced the outlines delicately. He felt so good. Her body melted against his.
Oh God, he felt amazing.
‘Willow …’ he whispered again.
‘Don’t,’ she replied hoarsely. ‘Don’t talk.’
Her mouth was on his, wet and demanding. He didn’t resist. He moved against her, pressing her up against the wall. She groaned as his tongue slipped in to meet hers. He tasted so sweet.
Lucas tugged on her dress, and she obliged, pulling it over her head with her good arm. Lucas moved down her neck, kissing and licking – exploring and teasing as she wiggled and moaned against him. He released her breasts and she gasped.
‘Are you sure …?’ he asked gently, his fingers stroking her.
‘Yes,’ she panted. ‘Yes, I’m sure.’
She had never been more certain.
He chuckled softly and then moved down, sucking her nipples greedily.
His hands continued to stroke and caress.
He gently eased her underwear down. She knew she was wet and ready for him, but she still gasped when his fingers slipped between her legs.
He moaned softly again, moving expertly against her warmth, and sliding them inside her so fast it made her cry out loud.
This was better than she ever imagined. Her body felt like it might explode.
She tugged on his shirt, pulling at the buttons until his chest was revealed.
The muscles weren’t lying; they gleamed in the soft light.
Willow’s gaze drifted to his waist and that sexy little area where his body dipped in.
She tugged at his pants, pulling his belt and finally, releasing him.
His cock was rock hard and ready. She reached out and stroked the head, making Lucas whimper with pleasure.
She touched his lips, teasing him. They needed to be quiet. They were only feet away from sleeping bodies.
He bit at her fingers, his eyes glinting in the shadows.
‘You don’t know how long …’ he whispered.
‘Oh, I know,’ she panted back. ‘It’s been far too long.’
Outside, the storm continued to howl. Willow gripped Lucas’s body; it was so firm and smooth. She stared into his dark eyes. Something sparked inside her.
‘I want you now,’ she hissed. ‘I want you to fuck me.’
Lucas grinned and then with one smooth movement, hoisted her up against the wall. Willow’s legs wrapped around him easily and within seconds, Lucas was inside her. She gasped as his cock filled her up. It felt so natural.
So right.
He thrust against her. Gentle at first. She clutched his arms, stared into his eyes. She gazed at the scar on his face and wished she could take his pain away.
They rocked together. Lucas’s mouth was on hers, hungrier this time. Her teeth grazed his lips. She could feel pressure building inside her. Then Lucas moved his hand down and began to stroke her with every thrust.
She was on fire. Her body felt as if it might fall apart.
The wind roared again, louder now – more intense.
Willow cried out as the orgasm ripped through her body.
Lucas squeezed her tight and bit down on her shoulder as his body rippled against her. He came hard and fast – groaning in pleasure.
They clung to each other, panting and hot. Lucas’s lips grazed her neck.
‘Willow, that was—’
But he never got his words out, because suddenly there was an almighty crashing noise and then the sound of loud voices shouting in their direction.