Tempted by the Billionaire(15)

“You’re not going to hurt me,” she whispered, closing her eyes and sucking in a long, slow breath of air as she relaxed in his arms. “I just know it.”

Matt’s gut filled with strange emotions; feelings he couldn’t understand or translate. He moved himself to her entrance and took possession of her again, showing her with his body what he couldn’t find words to say.

They fit together so perfectly. He hated that he’d have to leave her. That he’d have to leave her soon, to pick up the mantle that had been destined for him from birth. Though he’d only known Willow a short while, he could already feel her imprinting on his very being in a way he would never forget.

CHAPTER SIX

Willow stretched languidly as the sun broke across the ocean. Her body ached from pleasure. Her mouth hurt from smiling so much.

Her first though, as she lifted her arms high above her head and examined her nails lazily, was that it had been a dream.

No way had she really just had wild sex with Mattias.

She grinned, and dropped her hands to the bed.

Oh, yes, she had, and it had been sensational.

She sucked in a deep breath and let it out as a sigh. An amazing night. One she hoped to repeat.

She propped up on her elbow, and stared at the empty pillow beside her.

She had no regrets. Except one.

Anna.

Her best friend would definitely not approve of this development, and Willow didn’t intend to let her find out. At least, not right away. Not before she knew what was going on.

It was still painfully early, but Willow couldn’t sleep. Her whole body seemed to buzz with tension and sensation as memories of the night before washed over her. She stretched again, and then kicked her tanned legs over the side of her bed.

She moved towards her bathroom and began to run the shower. Only she was hesitant to wash the lingering scent of Matt from her skin. Slowly, she ran her hands over her naked body, looking at herself in the mirror. Her fingers traced the paths his had run; feeling the same skin. She studied her face. Her eyes seemed to shine with a new knowledge.

A new feminine knowledge of how the world works.

She grinned, and stepped into the steaming hot shower.

She could wash herself clean, because she’d be with him again. And soon, if she had her way.

She lathered up her loofah and began to wash her body. All of the questions that ticked through her mind, like what last night had meant, were irrelevancies she would deal with in due course.

In that moment, all Willow wanted was to feel.

She closed her eyes and immediately saw Mattias. Handsome. Strong. Desirable. Powerful. Mysterious.

She moaned out loud and reached for the taps, switching off the water and grabbing a towel in quick succession.

Willow knew she had to talk to him. She didn’t know what she wanted, but until they were certain, they had to keep Anna and Isaac in the dark. The Berries were protective of her. And she didn’t want them watching the fledgling relationship with disapproval.

Willow pulled on a pale purple dress, and brushed her hair until it shone. She would speak to Matt just as soon as the coast was clear. Anna left the house at eight o’clock every morning. Like clockwork. So a minute after eight, Willow scooped up a few of her books and headed towards her door.

She crossed the lawn quickly, her heart racing in her chest as she contemplated just what she’d say to Matt.

“Hello?” She called, as she stepped onto the porch. Her voice was high pitched. Nervous.

“Willow?”

“Isaac?” She stammered, her cheeks glowing even brighter. “What are you doing here?”

He pulled the door inwards, and looked at her quizzically. “I live here.”

She nodded awkwardly. “I know. It’s just… I thought you’d be at work.”

He nodded, too preoccupied with his case to wonder why her reaction was strange. “Heading there in a second. Come in. Want a coffee?”

She pulled a face. “Would I ever say no to coffee?”

He grinned, but she was struck by how slim he was looking. “Isaac, you are looking after yourself, aren’t you?”

His shrug was rueful. “You sound like Anna.”

Willow fell into step behind him, following him to the kitchen. Her stride faltered as her eyes fell on Mattias. Nonchalantly propped against the bench, a newspaper spread wide before him. He looked up as she entered, and when their eyes met, Willow was struck with a feeling of sinking. She smiled at him, wondering if her thoughts and desires and feelings were written on her face. She longed to cross to him, and to kiss him. To put her arms around his waist and hold his strength and warmth tight.

But she did none of those things. Instead, she put the selection of her books down on the bench and stepped backwards as though his proximity might burn her.

“Morning,” he said gruffly, his eyes lingering on the pout of her lower lip.

“Hey.” She looked away, only because she was sure if she didn’t, she’d keep staring at him. “I brought these for you.” She cleared her throat. “To read.”

He couldn’t help but smile at her obvious nervousness. She was utterly adorable. “Thanks.”

“Here you go.” Isaac handed her a coffee. Much to her chagrin, he topped his own cup up, right to the brim, and settled himself in one of the stools. Sure, it was his house, but Willow was aching to be alone with Matt.

As though he could read her mind, Matt shot Willow a teasing look over his own mug, then drained it. He turned his attention back to the paper, and flicked the page. Annabeth Stott’s face filled a quarter of the broadsheet, and Isaac’s gaze fell to it. He visibly reacted, his face blanching.

“Where the hell is she?” He said into the silent kitchen, slamming his palm down on the marble counter top.

Willow jumped, startled by the uncharacteristic flash of anger in the otherwise mild mannered friend. “You’ll find her.”

He shook his head. “It’s been weeks. Our leads are drying up. Her parents are distraught. I just need to know where she is.”

Willow’s eyes sparked with tears, as she felt the grief of the situation. She nodded thickly. “I know you’re doing everything you can.”

“I was with her mom until midnight last night. She’s taking a cocktail of sedatives just to get through each day. The not knowing is killing her. Killing them. And I can’t help. I can’t help.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “I just wish I knew what else to do.”

Willow nodded sympathetically. All thoughts of the night she’d shared with Matt flew from her mind. “If she’s out there, you’ll find her.”

Matt closed the paper. “Listen, Isaac, people don’t just disappear.” He reached across and touched his old friend’s shoulder. “More than likely, she’s been taken. She could be overseas by now. This is not your fault. You couldn’t have done anything to prevent this, and we all know you’re doing everything you can to find her.”

Isaac nodded, but his expression was bleak. “I’m going to work. Catch you later.”

“Ike,” Willow called after him, her caramel colored eyes wide. “Matt’s right. You can’t blame yourself for this.”

“I’m the police chief, and I’m running the task force. You think I can’t blame myself?” His laugh was hollow. “You should try spending time with the mom.” He shivered. “I just need answers. To help them all move on. One way or another.”

His words hung heavy in the air for moments after he’d left the house. Willow turned to Matt, her face showing her sadness. “Where could she be?”

Matt compressed his lips. “Impossible to say. But if she has been taken, she’s probably far, far away by now.”

Willow nodded. He was right, but the pronouncement filled her with grief. “Can you imagine what her family’s going through? What a nightmare.”

He nodded. He felt nothing but sympathy for the little girl who was missing. But, perhaps because he’d seen the horrors of a warzone, he held very little hope for her recovery. After all, he’d had a front row seat to some of humanity’s worst impulses. What some people were capable of doing, even to children, defied explanation.

“And how are you this morning, Willow St Clare?” He asked, his tone husky, as he studied her sleep deprived face and passion pink lips.

As her eyes met his, she felt a lurching deep in her soul. “I’m good.” Good? She was so much better than good. She ran a hand through her dark hair, unconsciously drawing his gaze to the silky mane.

“Do you have plans for today?” He asked with a twist of his lips.

She thought of her deadline, and guiltily shook her head. “Nothing that can’t wait,” she fibbed.

His smile was all the reward she needed. So sexy. So handsome. Her pulse sparked in her blood like an electrical current. “Good. Because I think we should go on a date.”

“A date?” She asked with a small smile of her own. “You don’t think we’re past a first date?”

Guilt, an unusual emotion for him, spread like a spider’s web in the breeze. “Not only do I think we’re not past it, I think you deserve it. I think you deserve an incredible first date. Can you meet me back here in an hour?”

“An hour? Sure.” She reached up and touched his face, because she couldn’t resist. “Where are we going?”