Page 36 of Lovestruck at Sundown
“Yes!” I lifted my hands in victory and laughed.
He gave me the pen, seemingly upset about the agreement, but before he slid the note back to me, he said, “And there’s a special clause.”
“And what would that be?”
“You let me give you an extension of my credit card. And this is not up for negotiation.” He was dead serious. “For emergencies and other incidentals.”
“William, I’ll survive without a credit card. I can even apply for one.”
He kept shaking his head with his lips pressed into a tight line. “I don’t care if you don’t use it, but it’ll give me peace of mind to know you have one in your wallet that actually works.”
“And I’m the stubborn one?”
I slid the note in front of me, and before I could sign the silly contract, he said, “What about your tuition?”
“You’re not my sugar daddy, okay?” I laughed, and he scratched his jaw with annoyance. “My dad said he’d pay for my tuition regardless of what I decide. So, I’ll be fine.”
William seemed disturbed by the situation. I could tell it was hard for him not to be able to throw money at the problem, but that wasn’t the optimal solution, even if he couldn’t see it. It was best to do things my way.
I signed. “Taurus gonna be a Taurus.”
He groaned with exasperation. “I know you’ll be fine, but I fucking hate this.” He signed above his name and lifted the note. “I’m keeping this.”
“All yours.” I extended my hand. “Want to shake on it?” He shook my hand and pulled me in for a kiss. We reclined against the sofa’s backrest, and I melted in his arms. His fingers weaved through my hair and slid down my neck, his thumbs pressing on the outline of my jaw.
Someone cleared their throat, making me violently break off the kiss. William pinched the bridge of his nose with annoyance.
“I kinda need my mobile,” Liam said apologetically. “And you’ve got your arse on it.”
“Oh. Sorry.” I lifted my hips and pulled it out. “Here you go.”
“When are you planning to leave exactly?” William said.
Liam frowned and cast him a sidelong look. “Rude.” He unlocked his phone and plopped on the sofa beside me like he hadn’t interrupted us. William let his head rest against the sofa as he blew out a defeated breath through his mouth.
“What’s wrong?” I asked Liam. He gripped his phone tightly and stared at the screen, typing like a maniac. William nuzzled his head against my neck, his way of asking me to run my fingers through his hair. “So spoiled.” William chuckled and grabbed my hand to move it up to his head. He groaned with delight.
“Fuck this.” Liam seemed upset as he tossed his phone to the side. “Belen’s not answering my texts, and calls aren’t going through. I called her parents’ house earlier, and her mom picked up and said she was taking a shower and that she would let her know I called. So I know she arrived and must be awake, so I don’t get why she can’t text or call me back. It’s frustrating.”
Tobias and Nina joined us in the living room, and a low, playful growl rumbled in William’s throat like a territorial animal protecting its home. I knew he wanted everyone to leave.Iwanted everyone to leave too, but the polite thing to do was to have patience and wait for them to go on their own, mostly because of Nina.
“Maybe she’s just tired and went to bed after showering?” I mused. “That must’ve been a long flight.”
“What’s going on?” Nina asked, taking a seat across from us and looking at Liam. Tobias sat next to her. It was evidentthat something was up, and she seemed genuinely curious and … worried?
“Belen is MIA,” I explained.
“Again?” Nina asked. “I thought you said things were going well between you guys.”
Now that was interesting. I wasn’t aware that Liam and Nina spoke about such things. Or at all. She did ask him for his number back at Lily and Joel’s engagement party, but I didn’t think they’d kept in touch.
Liam responded with a shrug. “You know how she can be.”
I glanced at Nina, and she widened her eyes. If I had to guess what that gesture meant, I’d say it was:I’ll explain later. And now I was hooked.
“Why don’t you try texting Robbie?” Nina suggested.
“Who’s Robbie?” I almost shrieked, feeling left out of the exchange.
