Part of me was relieved he had never pressed the issue about them, but part of me wondered why he didn’t want to know about my past. Maybe it was because his was too painful.

It took us nearly losing each other before he was able to open up and tell me the truth about Abby. I know it was incredibly hard for him. Maybe he was just trying to spare me the pain. It wasn’t a topic I enjoyed reliving, but I wanted to share that part of me with William. I wanted to know everything about him. He must feel the same way.

I turned off the water and grabbed the oversized white towel that hung on a rack beside the shower. I ran it over my body and secured it around myself before stepping out into the main living area.

The apartment was filled with the smell of pancakes. I smiled as I caught sight of William standing in front of the stove, dishing the last few flapjacks onto a plate on the island.

“I thought I was going to have to come in there after you.” He winked and I couldn’t contain my smile.

“I couldn’t help myself. It felt so good.” I took a seat at the island as he placed a stack of pancakes on a plate in front of me.

“You even make a shower sound sexy,” he joked as he rounded the corner and took a seat next to me.

“This looks amazing!” I cut up my stack of pancakes and reached for the syrup. William’s hand shot up and pushed it away. I gave him a frustrated glare and reached for it again. He slid it further down the counter and smirked in my direction.

“Careful. Remember what happened with the sugar.” His eyes narrowed and I couldn’t help but let out a giggle.

“I’ll have to remember that for later. We have too much to do today.” I wanted to get this meeting with Judy over with before I lost my nerve.

“I’m sorry, Emma. I’m going to have to meet your aunt some other time.”

I slumped back into my seat and sat my fork down on my plate, trying unsuccessfully not to pout. William reached over and tucked my damp hair behind my ear.

“I got a call from my lawyer while you were in the shower. He needs me to look over some paperwork about the Abby incident. It shouldn’t take long, but I think it would be best if we rescheduled the meeting for another day.”

I wasn’t mad at William, but I knew if we waited, I would lose my nerve. Introducing him to Judy was a huge step for our relationship. I knew he understood that. He was the one who had asked me to marry him.

He placed his fingers under my chin and angled my face towards him. “You’re not mad at me, are you?”

I shook my head and smiled. “Of course not. You take care of what you have to do so we don’t have to worry about Abby anymore.”

He nodded once and turned his attention back to his food. “Eat.”

I watched him take a few bites before picking up my fork. We ate in silence. I didn’t mind because I was too busy shoving food into my mouth. William was an amazing cook. One of his many talents.

Chapter Three

William washed our plates as I retreated to his bedroom to get dressed. I pulled on my favorite pair of ripped jeans and a white tank top. I grabbed a brush from my purse was running it through my hair when I heard the door squeak open behind me. William stood in the doorway leaning against the frame. His eyes raked over my body and I felt my face flush.

“What?” I asked with a grin as he slowly walked towards me. He stopped just inches from me, his hand reaching out and tracing my jaw.

“I don’t deserve you.” His eyes searched mine and I couldn’t help but smile. His hand slipped into my wet hair and pulled my face closer to his. Our lips brushed against each other’s.

I sucked in a quick breath, the anticipation of touching him grew overwhelming. I leaned forward and kissed him quickly. His fingers knotted in my hair as he moaned into my mouth. My body sagged against his as I parted my lips and let him explore my mouth further.

His kisses were hungry, and I could feel my lips swelling as his kisses became more demanding. His free hand slipped down my back, trailing along my spine until they reached the waist of my jeans.

He pulled back, resting his forehead against mine, catching his breath.

“I have to go. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

I nodded my head against his, my eyes closed, as I tried to recover from his touch. He pulled back slightly and traced my bottom lip with his thumb.

“I love you, Emma.” His eyes burned into mine and his words had a direct connection to every part of my body.

“I love you, William.” His lips crushed into mine hard. His hand crabbed my ass and pulled me tightly against him. A moan escaped my lips as I felt just how badly he wanted me.

“Do you have to leave now?” I asked, my eyes glancing up to the ceiling. He smiled devilishly, obviously contemplating taking me to the third floor.

“I have to do this now. I promise you, we have all the time in the world.” His forehead fell back against mine as we both took a minute to steady our breathing. His tongue shot out and swiped across his bottom lip. I nearly melted in his arms. “I won’t be long.”

I nodded again and swallowed back my desire.

He kissed me quickly on the cheek and left the bedroom. A moment later, the front door opened and closed, the lock clicking into place behind him.

I missed him already.

I made my way into the living room and plopped down on the couch, running my hand over the cushions and smiling. I couldn’t keep the dirty thoughts of last night’s events out of my mind. I sighed and relaxed my head against the cushion. It was getting harder and harder to be away from him. I finally felt like myself.

After my parents died, I never thought I would feel happiness again. I pushed the thought from my mind. I had someone to share my life with now. I smiled at the idea of William meeting my aunt. My stomach was full of butterflies. It didn’t matter to me what she thought of him, though. I was ready to move on with my life.

I grabbed the remote and clicked on the television. I flicked through the channels absentmindedly, settling on an old movie. It was just background noise. My thoughts were consumed by William.

I wanted to know everything about him. I wanted to know what made him smile before Abby had crushed his spirit. I wanted to know everything. I decided to lie down on the couch and let my eyes glaze over as I watched the television.

The sound of the lock turning startled me and I sat straight up, yawning as I stretched. How long had I been asleep?

William slipped inside and locked the door behind him. His eyes caught mine and he smiled slightly. He tossed a stack of papers from his lawyer onto the table. I stood and made my way around the couch towards him.

He took three large strides and his body was against mine. His arms wove around my waist and he lifted me effortlessly against him. My lips found his hungrily. He turned and planted my back hard against the wall, pulling my legs around his hips. I panted in between kisses as his body pushed against mine.

I ached for his touch. My body craved him like a drug. His fingers dug into my sides and I almost squealed in pain. His hips rotated against me again and the only sound that left me was a moan of pure pleasure. I tossed my head back against the wall and dug my fingers into his muscular shoulders. His lips trailed down my throat hungrily.

“Tell me you want me, Emma.” His mouth never stopped moving against my skin.

“Ohh… I want you.” I panted as he pushed against me again, moaning as he did. His hand slipped under my shirt and skimmed along my breast. I arched my back approvingly. He was being rough, but I’d be lying if I said his aggressive nature didn’t turn me on. There was something dangerous about William that made him irresistible. His lips found their way to mine again and he released me, his fingers worked quickly to undo my jeans. He slipped them down over my hips as I wiggled to free myself from them. I reached for his belt to undress him, but he grabbed my hands, pushing them above my head. I bucked my hips out toward him, but he moved, not letting me make the connection. His mouth hovered over mine. His lips grazed my cheek as they made their way to my ear. He nibbled gently on my earlobe. My body was set on fire.

“Please!” I begged. I wanted him against me. My body ached for him to be inside of me. I felt his lips curl into a smile.

“I love it when you beg.” His voice was husky and full of lust.

“Please,” I whispered, letting my eyes flutter closed. His hips found mine again.

He pulled back from me slightly. His eyes grew serious.

“I would do anything for you… anything.”

I didn’t process a coherent thought. I just needed to feel him against me, inside me. I nodded quickly and his mouth found mine. He grabbed my shirt and pulled it over my head in one quick motion. I stood in front of him in only my yellow cotton panties. A growl resonated from deep in his chest. It was so erotic and primal. I began to fumble with the buttons on his shirt, wanting to see his body. He didn’t push my hands away, only smirked slightly as he watched me work. I knew it took a lot for him to give up any of the control.

I avoided his gaze as I concentrated on getting him as naked as possible. As I reached the final button I pushed the shirt off his shoulders, exposing his deep tribal tattoo that wound its way over his shoulder and down his arm. His eyes danced over my body and I bit my lip, waiting for him to make a move. He grinned and lifted my body against his. He pulled my legs around his waist and I held onto him as he made his way to the bedroom.

His hands frantically searched my body as he tasted the skin above my breast. I arched my back, pressing myself into him. He moaned and made quick work of undoing his belt. I let my nails slide down his back, feeling his muscles flex under my fingertips.

“I want you, Emma. I want to possess you,” he groaned. I whimpered at his confession. It made me want him even more. He slipped his jeans over his hips, not bothering to remove them the rest of the way. “Tell me that you’re mine.”

“Ahhh…” was all that I could mutter. His lips on my body felt too incredible. His hand slipped up my throat to my jaw and he jerked my face to his.

“Tell me!” His words were threatening. He ground his hips into mine.

“I’m yours. Only yours,” I panted. His eyes widened and his fingers slipped between us. He wrapped his fingers in my panties and tugged them, ripping the small scrap of fabric from my body. My hips lifted as I rubbed myself against his hardness. Pleasure shot through me all the way to my toes.

He wrapped his hand around himself and rubbed the tip of him at my entrance.

“Ahhh…” My voice shook as I gripped onto the blanket beside me, my head falling back.

“Look at me. I want to watch you come.” His words alone caused my hips to buck. My eyes met his as he slowly pressed against my entrance, slipping inside, painfully slow. My mouth hung open as I struggled to breathe. His finger slid over my wetness before coming up to my mouth. He ran his moist finger over my bottom lip. His hips held perfectly still. My tongue darted out, licking the tip.

He moaned and shoved forward, burying himself deep inside of me. I bit my lip to keep from crying out in pleasure as I rocked my hips to keep up with his fast and powerful thrusts. He grunted as he pounded into me over and over.

“I… love… you…” he said through gritted teeth.

I squeezed my thighs against his hips.

“I love you!” I cried as I squeezed the blanket tightly in my fingers. My words were his undoing. He slammed into me two more times as he spilled his seed inside me. My body jerked as my insides clenched him tightly. My own orgasm rippled through my body. His hips continued to rock until every last drop of pleasure had passed through me.

His body relaxed heavily on mine as I finally let go of the bed and laced my fingers behind his neck.

We lay together, our bodies still connected, until our breathing slowed back to normal. His head was buried in the crook of my neck.

“I love you,” I whispered in his ear. I felt him twitch inside of me. I smiled. He kissed lightly up my neck until he reached my ear.

“I love you so much, Emma.”

I squeezed my arms tightly around him. We drifted off to sleep wrapped in each other’s arms. Life was perfect.

Chapter Four

My hands shot out beside me, reaching for William, but they came up empty. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and yawned, stretching like a cat. I finally blinked my eyes open and glanced around. I was alone. My heart sank for a moment. Small noises came from the kitchen and a grin spread over my face. I slipped off the bed and searched the room. I grabbed a small torn piece of yellow fabric and smiled. I dropped the panties and rummaged through my suitcase for something to wear. I grabbed a tank and a pair of jeans and began to dress.

I couldn’t wait to lay eyes on William, the man I loved. I opened the bedroom door and inhaled the wonderful scent of coffee. His eyes met mine. He was shirtless, his jeans hanging low on his hips, belt hanging.

“Sleep well?” he asked.

I grinned from ear to ear and nodded my head as I walked quickly towards him. He held out his arms for me, and I wrapped mine around his neck as he lifted me in a tight embrace.

“Shame. I was going to say if you weren’t happy, we could try again.” He winked, lowering me so my toes touched the ground. I smacked him playfully on the chest and his arm grabbed my wrist. His eyes burned with fire. I chewed on my lip as I looked up at him.

“Careful. You know I like to play rough.” He smirked and released my hand. I felt a blush creep across my face. He turned back to the counter and grabbed a mug, holding it out for me. A fresh cup of coffee, cream and sugar included.

“Thanks.” I inhaled, closing my eyes. I sighed and let my shoulders sag. “Just what I needed.”

He grabbed his cup and took a quick sip. “I thought I was what you needed?” He frowned slightly.