Page 29 of Digital Desire

“We’re good friends,” she answered, and he felt the disappointment burn.

He opened his eyes and stepped back from her, fighting the pull to just say fuck it, but he needed her to come to him this time. “Wrong answer, Brey,” he said as he turned his back on her and grabbed his jeans from the bed. The bed which he could have made her scream in.

“Will,” she said sounding frustrated, and his lips twitched, knowing that she was suffering too.

“Are you going to watch me dress? I’m pretty sure friends don’t do that,” he said with a sarcastic tone.

“Don’t be a dick. You said we could go slow.”

“And you said we would try.”

“I know, but I’m scared, Will,” she admitted, and instantly his anger left, and he felt like an asshole.

He dropped the jeans on the bed and turned to her, she looked lost, and he hated it. Will pushed a hand through his dark hair and took a deep breath. “You’re right, I’m sorry,” he relented and saw her smile.

“Did that hurt?”

“Yes, want to kiss it better?” he asked with a smile as she moved to him.

“Yes, but not right now. We need to find out what is going on, so we can clear your name and then you need to talk to Jack. You two are so screwed up it isn’t funny.”

He grabbed the jeans and walked to the bathroom as she spoke, determined to put some clothes on lest he embarrass himself with this towel. He left the door open a smidge as he carried on their conversation. “Yeah, what was all that about with Jack?”

“Oh, nothing. He just thought I had set you up in exchange for Madison,” she said with no anger in her voice now.

“He what?” he bellowed as he came out pulling the t-shirt over his head and catching her ogling him. He winked and smirked, and she blushed making his smile widen. He moved to her taking her hands as he looked at her intently. “Want me to have a word with him?” he asked not wanting to step on her toes.

“No, I’ve calmed down now and honestly, had it been the other way around, I’m not sure I wouldn’t have drawn the same conclusion.”

“Jack can be a bit intense,” Will said trying to defend his brother.

“He loves you, Will. He’s just trying to protect you. I don’t know everything that went on between you two, but I know there’s a lot that should have been said and hasn’t.”

“You’re right but I’m not sure if it is too late.”

“He’s still here isn’t he?” Aubrey moved closer and cupped his jaw with her soft, smooth hands. “You are a good man, Will. I’ve met a lot of bad men, a lot of men only out for themselves, and that’s not you. I don’t know why you did what you did when you were younger, but I know you had a good reason. One day, I hope you will share that with me, but the most important person is you, and I know you miss Jack, so tell him. He might be an asshole, but he loves you.” She was impassioned with her words, taking his breath away for the second time.

“When did you get so wise?” he asked instead.

“I’m not, or maybe I would take my own advice,” she replied. He knew she was thinking of her sister. “Yeah maybe we both should, but one thing at a time let’s get you cleared and go home.”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close as they moved to the door. “Let’s go kick some butt,” he replied as he kissed her head inhaling the scent of her shampoo. This woman was his in every way, he just had to convince her of that, but he had made progress, and that was all he could ask.

Chapter 14

The smell of something delicious hit her nose as soon as she walked into the open plan kitchen and her stomach rumbled loudly.

“Something smells good,” said Will from beside her as he walked towards Alex who was stirring something in a pan. She followed close behind and tried to peer around Will as he stood next to Alex.

“What you cooking?” Will asked and tried to dip a spoon he had snagged from the side into the dark red meaty mixture.

“If you put that spoon in there, I’ll stab you in the eye with it,” Alex growled as he glared at Will.

“Hey, cool down. How long until we eat? I’m starving,” Will asked putting the spoon down and backing away with his hands in the air.

“About thirty minutes or so,” Alex said as he winked at her and grinned before turning his glare back on Will.

“Fine, so time for some hacking. Where is everyone?”