Page 95 of Lovestruck at Sundown
I jerked away from his hold. “Don’t touch me.”
I wanted to storm out of the SUV when Aaron parked outside our apartment building. The sadness, anger, and disappointment that had piled up as the night progressed were suffocating me. But I took a deep, patience-lacking breath and waited for Aaron to get the door for us.
William stepped out first and offered his hand to help me get out of the vehicle. But I didn’t fall into his trap. If I allowed him to grab my hand, I didn’t know if I was strong enough to release it this time. I needed him so badly, but at the same time, I wanted to allow myself to be angry at him. Ineededto be angry at him. I loved him so damn much that I knew I could forgive that man in a heartbeat.
It was the only way I would be able to set a real precedent because I needed everyone around me to stop treating me like a fucking child. Including him. Especially him, even if it was for my own good or my safety.
Why did every single man in my life end up feeling the pulsing male need to lie to “protect me?” I never expected William to act this way.
“Miss Murphy,” Aaron said when the elevator doors slid open. “Do you need me to walk—”
“No, thanks. I don’t need you to walk me up to my apartment,” I said, stepping inside. “I can manage on my own.”
“I’m more worried about him than I am about you.” Aaron smiled and jerked his chin at William, who followed me inside the elevator. I scoffed. Of all the moments of all the years I’ve known Aaron,thiswas the moment he chose to crack a joke? I hated him even more because I had to pretend to cough to avoid smiling.
“As you should be.” I clicked on the number 9 button and said good night to Aaron, letting the doors close as I leaned back against the elevator’s wall. I promised myself to be mad at Aaron for at least a few days to allow him to think about how he betrayed my trust by keeping me out of the loop about Agent Hawthorne.
“Fuck, you’re so hot when you’re angry.” William moved in front of me, and before I could even draw in a breath, he had one hand behind my neck and the other around my waist. His lips crashed against mine into a passionate kiss I couldn’t find the strength to pull away from.
My fingers combed through his hair and pulled at it in a way that I knew would make him go wild for me in a heartbeat. He gripped my thighs and lifted me off the floor. My legs wrapped around his waist, disregarding the fact that I was wearing a dress and it had climbed up to my hips. But fuck it. He had my body firmly pressed against the wall, and I could feel his growing erection between us. A faraway voice inside my head shouted words at me that I couldn’t make out because William’scinnamon-wine-tasting tongue had me in a chokehold. He was all groans and bites, and for a second, I forgot we were inside an elevator until it stopped on the 9th floor with a mocking chime.
The magic was gone. The anger was back. I pulled back and broke off the kiss. “Put me down.” I turned my head to the side to make a point that I wouldn’t allow him to kiss me again. His face was so close to mine that the temptation to give into his charms and forget about my feelings, momentarily at least, was strong.
I couldn’t allow it.
“No.” He squeezed my thighs harder and pressed his mouth against my neck. “This little red silk number is making me go insane.”
William slid his hands on my skin a bit further, feeling them disappear inside my dress as they moved to my ass, and a soft moan betrayed me. “Put. Me. Down.”
“I will”—he left a trail of kisses down my neck—“if you let me explain.”
“I’ll let you explain.” My words came out breathless. A huge part of me wanted to forget about everything until tomorrow. To have Williamhelp meforget like I knew he could. But I couldn’t. Selective amnesia wasn’t the answer or a real possibility. Explanations were, though. And I needed him to explain himself.
The doors clicked shut behind us as William gently put me back on my feet. The elevator was still on our floor, so I pushed number 9, and the doors slid open for us again.
I pulled my phone out of my purse as William followed me to my apartment door.
Me:Can you get the security tape from the elevator
and get rid of it?
Aaron:On it.
Me:Don’t look at it.
Aaron:Of course, Miss.
Me:I’m very mad at you.
Aaron:I know. Sorry, Miss.
“I asked Aaron to pull the surveillance tape from the elevator,” I said as I fetched my keys.
“Thanks. Good call.” William was quicker than me and unlocked my door before I could. The gesture pissed me off.
“I can get my own door.” I stepped inside. “I think it’s best if we talk tomorrow. I’m too worked up right now. Good night, William.” I tried closing the door, but he stuck his foot out before I could shut it.
Deja vu.
