“Willow,” she starts, the serious tone making me lean forward in my chair so I can focus on her and not the spinning ceiling from moments before. “What you’re explaining to me is something that some people never find in their lives. You have a connection to him way beyond the definition of time. It transcends that and has a power of its own. I can’t tell you what to do, but if you want my advice, I would tell you to hold on to that and do everything you can never to let go. No matter how scary the enormity of those feelings can be. If he said let him be strong for you, then let him, but Willow, do not let this go.”
“And what about Mia?”
She flops back down and waves her hand in the air. “What about her? He said trust him, and as hard and daunting as that is, do it. I don’t know him that well, but Willow, he wouldn’t be working this hard if he just wanted a cheap thrill. A man like Kane Masters could have any woman in the world. He’s not going anywhere. But more importantly, he’s in the public eye. Do you really think he would start something with you if he was already in a relationship, or whatever the hell?”
“I don’t know, Kirby. I’m completely new at this!”
“I know, honey,” she says and turns her head to meet my eyes. “And it’s so beautiful to watch him bring you to life.”
I hold her gaze and let her words permeate my mind. Let them take hold of my doubts and squeeze them right out of my head.
She’s right. He’s bringing me to life.
“I need to let go of my fear once and for all, Kirb. It’s time, and you know what? I think I’m ready. Ready for Kane.”
I smile, big and toothy. She returns my smile, and with a nod, she sits up and refills our glasses.
I stumble up the stairs and squint my eyes in the darkness. Stupid dark. Stupid stairs. Stupid, weird house I don’t know.
Kirby left to head toward the other end of the house a few giggles and thumps ago, leaving me behind to fumble my way toward my temporary bedroom.
Why is this stupid, weird house so big?
It takes me three doorways to finally find the large bedroom where my stuff had been placed. If I hadn’t seen the size of Kirby’s room earlier, I would feel guilty for taking the master. But now I wish I just had a cot in one of the closets. Then maybe I would be able to find the stupid bed in this big house.
Why is this place so big?
Who needs this much space?
I kick my shoes off and pull my shirt over my head. My nipples tighten when their warmth feels this cool air around me. My pants become a problem when I can’t figure out how to get the button through the little hole. My struggles and wiggles make my phone—which I had tucked into my back pocket—drop loudly onto the hardwood floors.
“Stupid phone,” I mumble, bending over and picking it up.
Giving up on my pants, I drop down on the mattress and sigh when the softness of the down comforter acts like a warm hug.
I love warm hugs.
I would love to give Kane a big warm hug.
Right now.
I bet my nipples would love that.
My phone scares the crap out of me when it lights up and vibrates in my hand. I let out a gasp followed quickly by a little scream and toss it away from me on the other side of the bed.
My phone lets out a soft hum and my eyes narrow at the evil little device. The third time it goes off, I reach out and squirm against the mattress until I’m able to get my hands on it. Bringing it close to my face, I squint at the offensive brightness that rapes my eyes. It takes me a second, but I finally make out the words on the screen.
Kane: I can still feel your lips.
Kane: I wish you were here.
Kirby: Got ask. Dod yous chk his shoe siz?
The first two steal my breath, but it’s Kirby’s message that makes me bark out a loud laugh. I’m drunk, but clearly, she’s a lot drunker than I am.
Unlocking the phone, I bring up my messages and quickly type out a response to Kane before I chicken out. Kirby can wait. She’s probably asleep now anyway since it took me a million years just to get to my room in this stupid big house.
Willow: I can feel your lips too, and I wish I could feel them again. Now.
I smile, feeling proud of myself for flirting back with him. Riding my high, I respond to Kirby. At least she will be able to understand me. Even drunk, I can still work this stupid phone to message her back.
Willow: I didn’t look in his shoes, but I felt his big, huge dick when he kissed me good night. You were right. Shoe size means A LOT! ;) I wonder if his big, huge dick tastes as good as his lips?
My smile widens, and I lock my phone before crawling off the bed, almost falling to the floor, and attempting the button on my pants again. It only takes me four times to peel the denim from my legs and kick them off to some dark corner of my room. I should go find something to sleep in, but that would require way too much effort.