Page 9 of Guarded Love

I think about his words for a second before I reply. "Just Willow," I decide. "But with fewer filters."

“I like fewer-filter Willow."

"Yeah?" I lean in slightly, testing the waters. "What else do you like?"

The air between us feels charged suddenly, and I watch as his gaze drops to my lips for just a second before returning to my eyes, and that's all the confirmation I need. I close the distance between us, pressing my lips against his.

For a heartbeat, he freezes, and I think I've made a terrible mistake. But then his hand comes up to cup my cheek and he's kissing me back. His lips are soft and warm against mine. At first he’s hesitant, but then he gains his footing and our kiss becomesdeeper. It ignites something in me, something I can’t quite explain because I’m not even sure what’s happening outside of my lips meeting his. His hand slides to the back of my neck, and I feel myself melting against him. For a moment, everything is perfect.

Then suddenly, he pulls away.

"Wait," he says, his voice rough. He puts distance between us, running a hand through his hair. "We shouldn't. You're—you're drunk."

I blink at him, trying to process the abrupt change. "I'm not that drunk anymore."

"Still," he insists, not meeting my eyes. "And you're Knox's sister."

The words hit me like a bucket of ice water. Of course. That's what this all comes down to, isn't it? I'm not just Willow. I'm Knox's little sister.

"Seriously?" I stand up too quickly, the room spinning slightly. "That's what you're worried about?"

"It's not just that," Blaise says, standing too. "You know this is... complicated."

"It didn't feel complicated thirty seconds ago." I grab my water bottle, needing something to do with my hands before I do something stupid.

"Willow, please. I just think we should?—"

"Forget it," I cut him off, moving toward the door. "This was clearly a mistake."

"Wait," he says, reaching for my arm. "Where are you going?"

"Back to my dorm." I try to pull away, but he holds firm.

"You're still drunk. It's late. Just stay here."

I laugh, but there's no humor in it. "Are you kidding me right now?" I try to pull my arm away again, and while his grip is gentle, he doesn’t let go. "You just rejected me, and now you want me to stay?"

"I'm not rejecting you," Blaise says. "I'm being responsible."

"Oh, right. Responsible Blaise to the rescue. Always doing the right thing." The words come out bitter and sharp, but I can't stop them. The humiliation of being pushed away burns through whatever alcohol remains in my system.

"That's not fair," he says, finally releasing my arm. "You know it's not that simple."

"It seemed pretty simple to me." I cross my arms over my chest defensively. "You don't want to kiss me because I'm Knox's sister. Message received."

"That's not—" He runs his hand through his hair again, a gesture I'm starting to recognize as his stress response. "Look, you've been drinking. I've been drinking. This isn't the right time to?—"

"You know what? Fine," I finally say. "I'll stay. But only because it's late and I'm tired."

Relief flashes across his face. "Thank you."

An awkward silence falls between us as I glance around the room, suddenly unsure where to put myself.

"You can take Knox's bed," Blaise offers, gesturing to my brother's side of the room.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. I spy the pizza box that still sits open on the desk with half of the slices gone. My stomach has tied itself into knots that have nothing to do with hunger.

"I can lend you something to sleep in," he says, moving toward his dresser. "If you want."