Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
It happened in the blink of an eye, and he was gone.
Cary was gone, and Willa wanted nothing to do with me.
So, I left and made something of myself. I dove into work. It consumed me. No amount of success or respect or money mattered to me. It was never enough.
Until I came home for Christmas about five years ago and realized that this was where I was supposed to be all along.
I respected Willa’s wishes, though. She told me at the cemetery that day that she wanted nothing to do with me, and I’ve stayed away, even though everything in me yearns for her. I’ve kept my distance.
Until tonight when I had her in my arms and heard her sweet voice, her laugh. Felt her body pressed against mine. God, she hasn’t changed a bit.
And her son is the spitting image of his daddy.
I didn’t want to leave them there on the dance floor, but I did. And I’ll continue to stay away from her. Because what I want from Willa, she’ll never give me.
I want everything. I want her and her son. I want her laughter, her sighs, and her tears. I want to give her everything I have, and I want to take care of her and Alex.
And I’m a grade-A asshole for it.
I shake my head and turn back toward my desk. Taking a sip of my lukewarm coffee, I sit down and start up all four computers. It’s time to bury myself in work.
***
“Jesus, you could kill someone,” Gray King says to Christian. They’re playing darts, and Christian has one hell of an arm.
“Don’t stand in front of the board,” Christian suggests, making us all laugh.
“Yellow, corner pocket,” I say to Noah King before I tap the ball and send it into the target.
The guys are here for some beer and laid-back conversation. The only one missing is Brad, but he’s on his honeymoon in the Caribbean. I invite everyone over about once a month.
“How’s the bird rescue business?” I ask Noah as I rub blue chalk on the end of my cue.
“Steady,” he says, studying the balls on the table. “I had a barn owl brought in today. Someone shot it with a .22 and left it for dead.”
“People are assholes,” Gray says in disgust.
“I won’t disagree with you,” Noah replies. “How’s the billionaire life?”
My lips twitch. Gray and Noah have known me since we were kids. We all grew up together. And they never get tired of flipping me shit for being rich.
“Oh, you know. I bought a new yacht yesterday.”
“Seriously?” Gray asks. “Because if you did, I’m borrowing it.”
“No, but I looked at one online. It could be a good investment.”
“Don’t do it,” Christian says, surprising me. “I have a friend who did, and it was a pain in the ass more than a good time.”
“Good to know,” I reply, leaning on my cue as Noah takes his turn on the table.
“If it impresses the ladies, I say do it,” Gray says with a grin.
“Speaking of ladies to impress,” Noah says, “did you guys see Willa at the wedding the other night?”
And just like that, every nerve on my body is on high alert.
I take a pull off my beer, keeping my face neutral, but my hands clench on the pool cue.
“She’s hot,” Gray agrees with a nod and then throws a dart. “That dress showed off her ass nicely.”
I want to tear him limb from limb for even having the audacity to look at her ass.
“I might ask her out,” Noah replies thoughtfully, and I react without thinking.
“Fuck, no,” I say, my voice a growl.
“No?” Noah asks, rubbing his chin. “Why’s that?”
“Just no,” I repeat and toss my empty bottle into the trash, then open the fridge for another.
“Last I checked, you’re not her daddy, and she’s a grown woman so I can ask her out if I damn well please,” Noah says. Both Gray and Christian have stopped their game and watch us with interest.
“You know there’s history there,” I reply.
“Ancient history,” he says. “You dated her in high school, man. So, what? You dated her, so she can’t date anyone else in this town? Is she supposed to die an old maid? You didn’t brand her, Max.”
“Don’t be an asshole,” I reply calmly but feel anything but calm.
“I’m a man, and Willa’s an attractive woman. So unless you’re going to ask her out yourself, I don’t think there’s much you can say here.”
I narrow my eyes at him, pissed as hell, but he’s right.
I don’t have a claim on Willa.
And that pisses me off, too.
“He’s still in love with her,” Gray says quietly.
“Then maybe he should do something about it,” Noah says, his arms crossed over his chest, watching me defiantly. “Shit, or get off the pot.”
“I don’t think we should equate Willa to a pot,” Christian says. “It’s just gross.”