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I hadn’t seen much of him since he followed me to my house. It set the tone for the rest of the week, and I often thought back to that interaction.
I didn’t sense any sort of bad intention from him, yet it still felt like an intrusion to me. Regardless of how I tried to remain indifferent to him, I had felt myself slipping.
Just from getting the chance to look at his face and to meet his eyes, that old attraction tried to creep in again. For a moment, that sleeping bond seemed to awaken, and it wanted him.
It made me want to stay there all day and talk about everything and nothing at the same time.
But the moment I realized my mistake, I had reeled myself back in. I had to correct it.
I didn’t want Rowan to think he was in control of what was happening between us.
Regardless of how beautiful I thought he was, or how easy it was for my body to gravitate towards his, I knew I had to force the dormant bond away. Even if it wanted him, it couldn’t be.
Warm water ran down my body as I stood beneath the showerhead and soaked in how good it felt. It had been a long day at the shop, and with my clientele building up, it didn’t take much for me to be busy.
It was a great accomplishment since I hadn’t been open for long, and while I tried to keep my focus on that, I couldn’t stop my thoughts from wandering.
Rowan’s face appeared in my mind once again, and I sighed to myself. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried, the tether in opposition with me kept bringing him back. I was curious and wanted to see more of him. To remind me of what was destined to be mine, if it hadn’t been for his arrogance.
As the steam rolled around me and warmed me thoroughly, I remembered how fit his body had been when he was swimming in the stream.
It had been an unseasonably warm day, and his shirt was off. Those muscles had flexed so easily and with every movement he made, to which I couldn’t help but stare.
Even on the spot, I had wondered what it would feel like for him to hold me. To let me feel his warmth emanating from him. I wanted to be accepted by someone I didn’t even know, and I had never felt such intense desperation before.
The bond had sped my heart up, pumping it with desire. Like a magnetic pull that would eventually bring us together.
Even then, that longing returned to my belly, and a heat crept between my legs.
He had looked so perfect in that moment, carefree and with the sun glowing over him like he was the sun god himself. The tan of his skin was a testament to how often he was outside and in nature. Those water droplets had slid from his body so perfectly that I had no choice but to look at them. To wish I could feel them on my tongue.
Even after all these years, he looked just as good—if not better. It made me wonder how he had changed physically…
Catching my defenses slipping again, I snapped myself out of it and pushed the thought of his perfect body away.
Knowing how easily my thoughts of him could take over, an alarm was going off inside my head.
Even if I thought I had control, it seemed that the bond was out for vengeance. It was determined to make me give in to him. But I couldn’t let that happen.
Frustrated by my lack of self-control, I turned the shower off and grabbed a table, swinging it around me. On the way out, I heard my phone ding, and curiosity took me straight to it.
It was a text from Hayley inviting me out to the club. Apparently, the girls were going to be there for some drinks and dancing. If necessary, Sienna would be on her way out to get me.
Smiling at the thought of having a night to let loose and have fun, I couldn’t pass it up. I sent a text in return saying I would go, and I found myself in my closet before long.
It was half torn apart by the time I found one of my favorite dresses, and I carefully got into it.
It was a flowy, loose black dress made of the softest material I owned, embellished with gossamer accents that crossed at my back and fell over my shoulders. It cinched at the waist and accentuated my figure beautifully. Mixed into the thin outer fabric were small silver stars and half-moons that I thought were adorable.
I slipped on a pair of comfortable flats and finished getting ready in front of my vanity. My hair was blow-dried and loosely curled until I had soft, bouncy waves framing my face and flowing down my back. With some blush, a thin coat of eyeliner, and fresh mascara, I was ready to go.
When Sienna pulled up to the house, I could hardly contain how ready I was to spend time with the girls and forget about everything else.
I popped the door open, and Sienna smiled at me. “Are you kidding, Willow? You look amazing!”
I couldn’t hold back my bashful smile as I got in, beyond excited. “I’ve been waiting for a moment to wear this dress.”
“Watch out,” she said, reversing out of the driveway with mutual glee written on her face. “I might just have to steal it from you.”
