Page 8

HUXLEY

I always thought my coffeemaker was pretty quiet. Now, as I tiptoe around the kitchen while trying not to wake up Willa, the gurgles and hums seem impossibly loud in the otherwise silent house.

I love having her here. It feels…significant. Like our lives are just starting to line up, showing the potential of a future together.

Staring at the trees outside the window, I replay the events of last night. Devouring Willa while not allowing her to touch me also felt meaningful. Showing her without words that she is always going to come first – I groan inwardly at the unintended pun – in my life.

She’s going to be the highlight of my every day. The person I think of while falling asleep every night. The one that I’ll always put ahead of everything else.

I’ve never thought of myself as a particularly romantic man, but now I can’t stop thinking about the tornado in my soul springing from every single kiss, and how I want to help her collect beach glass here forever.

The second the coffee is ready, I pour myself a mug, slip on my stretched-out old loafers, and stroll into the back yard. Refilling the two bird feeders – one seed, one nectar – only takes a few minutes, and by the time I’m done, Willa is walking outside with her own mug.

The early morning sun brings out every blonde highlight in her messy hair. Her fair skin practically glows, and her eyes flash with amusement.

Hearing a familiar whirr, I freeze in place instead of rushing to her. Turning my head extremely slowly, I catch a hummingbird enjoying some nectar right behind me. A few moments later, a sparrow hops onto the seed feeder, looks me up and down, then begins munching away.

Willa giggles quietly as I swivel my head slowly back to her. The ruby-throated hummingbird darts away from the feeder, hovering just over my shoulder. It looks back and forth between the two of us, then goes back to drinking.

I walk toward Willa as smoothly and slowly as possible, grinning at the way her hand is clapped over her mouth in disbelief.

"You're… a bird guy ?" she whispers.

"Yeah. I like having them around while I drink coffee out here. They're like wild pets.”

She laughs a bit louder. "Dude, you just had a bird flying around your head. You're a fairytale princess."

Is it weird that it fills my heart with joy to see her laughing at me like this? After a swift, hot kiss, I grab my mug and we both sink into the patio chairs.

"Not just birds, actually." I gesture to the corner of the lawn with my bright green mug. "You see where the long grass is rustling? Just wait a sec."

She stares intently until a fluffy brown rabbit sticks his nose out. He peeks around for a moment, realizes that we aren't moving, then darts across the corner of the lawn and back into the forest.

Willa fixes me with a look and raises an eyebrow. "You knew the bunny was there before it appeared. Which means you have storybook animal powers. Seriously, dude – princess."

I grimace, screwing my face up into a frown, but burst out laughing a few seconds later. Everything about this sweet girl makes me feel lighter.

We spend the day lounging around the house. A slow walk on the lakefront for more glass and cool stones…a long leisurely lunch on the patio…a short walk into the forest… Suddenly, we realize we’re hungry for dinner.

Although we chat about everything under the sun, there are also many stretches of comfortable silence, either walking hand in hand, or with her head resting against my chest.

We eat dinner inside: the only light is from a couple of candles, so the golden rays of sunset wash over us.

“It’s beautiful out here,” Willa says quietly. “I love Cedarville’s quiet vibe, but it’s even nicer out here in the forest. It’s amazing.”

My hand reaches for hers. “ You’re amazing. Shall I drive you home, or would you like to stay over again?”

“Oh.” She smiles shyly. “Umm, if I stayed over, I’d need a ride to work really early.”

“No problem. Desire will hook me up with some muffins, I’m sure.”

Willa helps me tidy up after dinner, and I see a special light in her eyes when I suggest a movie in bed.

Ten minutes later, we’re wearing nothing but underwear and oversized t-shirts, sitting propped up against the headboard. Seeing her in my clothing triggers a possessive twinge I’ve never felt before. Like I need to claim her. Announce to the world that she’s mine.

This transition period of switching my career has left me feeling untethered. I’ve been expecting something terrible to happen, like my mother pitching a fit and turning grandpa against me, or my father somehow managing to torpedo the business contacts I’ve made here.

But suddenly I feel like I’m in the right place at the right time. Cedarville was definitely the right choice. I mean, come on, it led to this moment with Willa snuggled against me.

How have I charmed this breathtaking woman into my bed? It’s more than I could ever deserve.

We barely make it twenty minutes into the old spy movie when I can't stop my hands from wandering around her shoulder and her arm, caressing her breast through the t-shirt. "I really like you in my shirt," I whisper against the top of her hair.

Willa grabs the remote and turns off the film before smiling up at me in the dim glow of the bedside lamp. "Is it weird that I like wearing it? It makes me feel…"

"Like you're mine?"

The tiny nod and flash in her eyes makes my cock swell almost immediately. Her hand is on my abs – she must feel the blanket moving, right? My mouth brands hers, my hand gliding along her inner thigh while Willa gently strokes my shaft through my briefs.

"I'm glad you’re letting me touch you tonight," she whispers as she tips her head back so I can nuzzle her throat.

"I shouldn't be. Things like this are supposed to take time. I'm supposed to wine you and dine you, bring you flowers until…you know. You're really sure."

Willa's fingers tighten around my length, sending a shockwave through my entire body. "Just because I've waffled about choosing a career doesn't mean I'm unsure about everything. This?" She points back and forth between our hearts. "We were supposed to happen this summer. I can feel it."

I ignore the tiny alarm bell in the back of my mind pointing out she may have just suggested this was just for the summer, because it is followed by a much larger tremor shouting that I need us to be together forever.

My hand plunges into her panties to find her delicate folds already growing wet. She follows suit, then laughs when I groan at the incredible sensation of her soft palm against my rock-hard cock. The way she touches me is so tentative that I know for a fact I'm her first.

"Willa, I?—"

"I'm already on the pill," she blurts out. "Just, you know, in case."

My lack of condoms was the final thing that could have held me back, and that argument just went right out the window. My middle finger dips inside her, exploring her warm softness as my thumb flutters against her clit. Willa melts against me, her breath already slightly uneven.

Sitting up, I pull off her t-shirt slowly, dropping my lips to her left nipple. She moans, then lift her hips to help as I pull off her panties.

"Your turn," she whispers. "I haven't seen all of you yet."

"Anything you want, Angel."

I stand and yank off my shirt, loving her wide-eyed stare. Instinctively, I reach over to close the curtains, even though there is nobody around for miles. No way does anyone but me get to see Willa’s sexy curves and smooth skin.

I lift my boxer briefs up and out to get them around my erection, then drop them. Willa's eyes grow huge. Before I can slip back into the bed, she lunges forward, taking my cock firmly in her hand before wrapping her luscious lips around the head.

I brace myself against the wall, trying to stop my knees from buckling. She's so eager, licking and sucking, covering as much of my flesh as possible as she uses both hands to stroke me.

"You have no idea how good that feels, Angel," I groan. "But I want you another way."

She removes my shaft from her lips with an audible pop. "Yeah? Well, in that case…" She kicks the blankets out of the way, sliding into the center of the bed.

For a moment, I can hardly breathe as my gaze wanders over her perfect full breasts, round hips, and toned thighs. Her pale skin and nervous smile. Not to mention those eyes…beautiful, dark blue, reminding me of the lake just outside.

Lying over her, I pin Willa’s sexy, squirming body with mine and kiss her deeply, loving the feel of her fingers against the back of my neck as she holds me close.

Her tongue flutters against my own, then she moans as my stiff shaft eases between her legs, gently caressing her wet skin. Reaching down, I flick her clit briskly with my thumb, my other hand in her hair as our hips shift and rock, both of us wanting more.

“Tell me you want me, Angel.”

Her smile is so sweet.

“I want you, Hux. Now.”