Page 64 of Connectio

Chapter Eleven

“I’m not sleeping with you, Will.”

He laughs and props his head on his hand, his elbow resting on the door trim. “You think I said that so you’ll sleep with me?”

I press my lips together and nod, my smile deliberately sarcastic.

“Then you’re wrong. Again.” Will unbuckles his seatbelt. “You’re beautiful, Elizabeth. And I am allowed to tell you that with or without your permission.”

Swallowing hard, I blink all the blinks, my mouth all of a sudden dry when he pushes off from the steering wheel, opens his door, climbs out, and walks a couple of metres in front of the truck to the safety barrier, his arms stretching toward the sky before resting atop his head.

I don’t know what to say so don’t say a thing, instead choosing to take the moment alone to scale his body with my eyes, happily settling on his arse, which is nicely accentuated in denim. My teeth clamp my lip, and I squeeze my thighs together. He has a football-player’s arse—firm, round, high.

Will doesn’t look back nor call out to see if I’m coming to join him. He just basks in the magical sight before us, looking the perfect picture of serenity.

It’s very inviting.

Wanting nothing more than to stand out there with him and breathe it all in, I unbuckle my seatbelt, climb out of the truck, and make my way to stand by his side, the silence beautiful but deafening.

“Thank you,” I finally bring myself to say after swallowing my often stupid pride. “No one’s ever said that to me.”

Will throws his arm around my shoulders and hugs me to his side, his body warm and… comforting. “Just because no one’s said it until now, doesn’t mean it’s not true.”

I nod but leave it at that. I don’t know what else to say, especially because I’m pressed to the side of a man who I think I like but also like to despise.

Sucking in a deep breath, I hold it for a few seconds then exhale, mesmerised as the sun melts into the sky, oranges and pinks soon turning grey, a cooler breeze now chilling the air.

“You warm enough?” he asks, his grip firmer.

The muscles in my neck relax, and I rest my head against his shoulder and sigh. “Yes. Thank you.” Realising what I’m doing, I immediately sit straight again. Damn it, restful head. “I… I’m so glad you made me bring my coat,” I say, trying to direct all focus on that and not me cuddling up to him. “I would’ve frozen without it.”

“You’re welcome.”

Will slips into quiet territory again, and at first, I’m grateful but then realise I need him to speak more, to clarify and follow through. I mean, he can’t just say what he said in the car and act like it didn’t make my heart flutter and my head spin.

“So—” I pick at my nails then stop and fold them into my hands. “—do you come here often?”

He chuckles. “Is that supposed to be a pick-up line?”

“No.” I giggle and give him a gentle nudge. “I’m genuinely curious.”

He doesn’t answer straight away, and I wonder if he simply wants to stand in silence and enjoy the view, not my stupid questions. Can’t say I blame him—the view is much more appealing right now, given I’m an incoherent nervous wreck.

“I do. Molly and I visit quite a bit in summer and autumn. She likes the gardens and walking tracks.”

I look up at him. “Molly?”

Will doesn’t look down at me, his eyes still fixated on the view. “Yeah, one of my roommates.” I wait for him to explain further, but he doesn’t, instead taking my hand in his. “Come on, we’re gonna be late.”

“For what?”

“Dinner.” He points to the restaurant atop a small slope behind us, floor-to-ceiling glass windows jutting out around the circular building. “They have the best Parma and chips.”

Excitement travels the length of my body as we walk hand in hand—which I don’t really mind, strangely enough—until I’m guided to a fancy, candlelit table with nothing but a sea of sparkling lights as far as the eye can see.

“Wow!” I pause and stare for a moment before Will pulls my seat out for me, a boyish grin on his face.

“Pretty cool, huh?” he prompts.