For The One(75)

I looked up at him. The noise outside had died down, but we didn’t move. Then I leaned forward and kissed him, long and deep. When we finally came up for air, his face was flushed. “You were my champion again, Wil. Thank you.”

He was silent but smiling, looking very satisfied with himself.

I returned the smile. “If I give you the quest to take me on It’s a Small World, would you?”

He frowned. “No dancing dolls. A man has his limits.”

“Want to go home then?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“Good. Your place or mine?”

“You’re trying to seduce me, aren’t you?”

I shrugged. “You’ll give in sooner or later. A man does have his limits, just as you said. I’m not going to change my stance.”

His arms tightened around me. “Neither am I.”

My chin came up. I was rising to the challenge. “So I guess the person who is the most stubborn will win out?”

“It seems that way.”

We left shortly after that and shared a quiet drive home. William pulled up to my curb, but I didn’t get out right away. A half-hour—and a heated make-out session—later, I got out of the car, admitting temporary defeat in my quest to get him upstairs.

Normally, he would have walked me to my door, but tonight, I noticed that he didn’t even offer.

Maybe I was getting closer than I thought.





Chapter 20

William

She really has no idea how close she is.

I’m trying to hide it, but every time it’s getting harder and harder to say no.

Because as I spend time with her, I realize that she’s more than a beautiful face and a lovely body. She’s strength and compassion. She’s a fierce advocate for those who can’t stand up for themselves.

And she cares. The last time I was at her house, I noticed a copy of Thinking In Pictures by Temple Grandin in her room. Grandin is a well-known spokesperson for people with autism, because she herself has Aspergers and has succeeded greatly in her chosen field. Without even saying anything to me, Jenna had obtained a copy of her book to read. I can only assume it’s so that she’ll have a better understanding of how my brain works.

But is it just a means to an end? Does she want her tiara back so badly that she’s willing to do anything to help me get it for her? And if so, where does that leave me once I succeed?

These are a few of the questions I’m considering while training with my European martial arts instructor the following Saturday. As usual, Adam has come to help out. He usually stays for an hour, but today he’s here longer because Jordan has decided to join us. And as much as I hate to admit it, Jordan is surprisingly good for a beginner. He has amazing balance from his years on a surfboard, and he is likely a natural athlete, whereas I am not. I’ve had to train and work hard to compensate.

We’re taking a water break when Jordan asks me how things are going with Jenna. I shoot him a sidelong glance as I wipe my face with a towel. I have no idea what Jordan’s motive is based on his tone of voice. Even though I’ve known him a long time, Jordan is harder for me to read than others.

I’m tempted to ignore him and tell him to go away because I’m still angry with him, but I remember the recent talk that I had with Adam.

“She’s helping with my enochlophobia.”

He frowns. “Ah,” he says as if he understands, though I know he doesn’t. “Hopefully her help involves multiple orgasms?”

I shake my head. “Nope, no orgasms.”

“You, uh, need any help in that department?”

I grimace at him. “Not from you.”

He starts laughing. “No, not—uh.” When he looks at my face and likely notes my disgust, he starts laughing even harder. “I wasn’t offering.”

Adam rejoins our group after a trip to the bathroom. “What’s so funny?” he asks Jordan.

“Just coaching our young protégé here in the ways of women.”

Adam’s eyes widen and he turns to me. “Don’t listen to anything he says. His advice is shit.”

Jordan flips his middle finger at Adam and turns to me. “So, you’re interested in going there with her, right?”

“Going where?” I ask. Jordan and Adam exchange a look.

“He means sex, Liam.”

“Oh. I’m interested, but it’s not going to happen.”

Adam frowns. “Wait, why not?”

“Because she’ll be leaving to travel with the Ren Faire at the end of June.”

“But that’s over two months away. A lot can happen in that amount of time.” Adam grinned. “A lot of fun stuff.”

“That actually sounds like the perfect starter set to me,” Jordan says. “Get in there, get it done. Enjoy yourselves, and since there’s a known expiration date to the whole thing, there’s no baggage…no wondering if or when it’s going to get serious or when to cut things off.”