Page 62 of Crossed Lines

His hands roam down my body, stopping to gently caress my chest before moving down to my hips. I moan his name, and he lets out a little growl.

He moves back to my lips, tilting my head back to get the best angle.

I lose track of how long he spends kissing me and exploring my body with his hands. But eventually he pulls away, both of us out of breath.

“Willow, I⁠—”

“Don’t. Don’t say you regret it or that you’re sorry. Don’t make me feel like that didn’t mean something,” I plead.

“No, I wasn’t going to. I was going to say that I could kiss you all night.”

I exhale, relaxing at his words. He places one more gentle kiss on my lips. “But I don’t want to get carried away.”

“Ok.” It’s not what I want to say. I want to tell him to do it. Kiss me all night. Take me to his room and touch me like I know we both want. But I can’t bring myself to do it.

“Thank you for letting me kiss you,” he says.

I chuckle, realizing I’ve never had anyone thank me for kissing them. I’m not sure what to say in response, but I settle on, “You’re welcome. I guess I should go.”

“See you in the morning?” he asks.

“I’ll be here.”

He leans in and kisses my forehead before he drops his hand from my waist. I grab my bag, and with one last look at his swollen lips, knowing it’s from me, I turn and leave feeling even emptier than I did before he kissed me.

CHAPTER 22

Beck

AUGUST

Willow leaves tomorrow.

Willow leaves tomorrow.

Willow leaves tomorrow.

It’s all I can think about as I move around the stables like a fucking robot. I’ve spent every evening for the past four days kissing her. I never let it go too far, but I still know I’m crossing a line every time my lips touch hers. I don’t know how I’m going to survive when she’s gone.

I’ve only been at work for an hour before I decide that this isn’t where I’m supposed to be right now. For the first time in my life, I don’t want to be here.

“Ace, I need to take the rest of the day off. Something came up. Can you handle it?” I ask him.

“Yeah, boss. We got it.”

I finish up what I was working on and jump in my truck, knowing there’s only one place I’m supposed to be right now.

Jade and Willow are still at the breakfast table when I walk back in. They both look surprised to see me.

“Hey, what’re you doing here? Did you forget something?” Willow asks.

“Nope. I thought the three of us could spend the day together.”

“Yes!” Jade yells. “Best day ever!”

Willow’s eyes shine as she looks at me and smiles. “That sounds perfect.”

“Good. Let me change out of these work clothes, and then I’m yours for the rest of the day.”