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He grinned then, his boyish grin. “Can’t resist me, can you?”

“William!” she reproached while her cheeks burnt from embarrassment and need.

He stepped closer, crowding her, before placing two warm fingers under her chin. He tipped her face up and gently pressed his lips against hers.

Victoria’s eyes fell closed, and her hands clutched his shoulders for stability as her legs betrayed her.

He pulled away and pressed a kiss to her forehead before cupping her face between his palms. “We can have a deep conversation about everything tonight. After I get back.”

“About everything?” Victoria beamed at him.

He chuckled and kissed her nose. “As much as we can get through in one night.”

Victoria immediately perked up. “Then I am going to make a special dinner for this occasion!”

William let out a laugh. “What kind of dinner?”

Victoria grimaced. “Stew? But all on my own this time.”

“I can’t wait,” William said with a chuckle, then wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her soundly.

By the time he pulled away, they were both panting, heat collected in between her thighs, and all she wanted was for him to stay so she could pull him into bed and stay there the entire day.

Instead, he just brushed her lips with his thumb, said his goodbye, and strode out of the house.

* * *

William finished most of his business dealings rather quickly, but he had to take deceptive routes because he noticed more and more people following him each day.

There was something in the air. Perhaps someone from his past had come to collect on the debt and take his life. Perhaps it was the King’s men coming to finally throw him into gaol. Whatever it was, William didn’t intend to find out.

Before he went home, however, he needed to make one more stop. Guiding his horse down narrow side paths, William came upon the secluded wooden cottage he’d visited often of late.

He paused on the stairs leading to the door and looked around. The eerie feeling that had followed him the entire day intensified, something in the pit of his stomach warning him to turn back, to stay away tonight.

He ignored the feeling.

Instead, he climbed the stairs and knocked on the door.

A beautiful woman with dark brown hair and light blue eyes opened the door. “William!” she exclaimed happily, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Please, come in.”

“Good evening, Melissa.” William stepped inside and locked the door behind him. He walked into the kitchen and peered out the window.

“Is anything amiss?” Her voice wasn’t worried. She left the worrying to him.

“I am not quite certain.” He turned to look at her. “There wasn’t anyone lurking around your house today, was there?”

Melissa clasped her hands together. “No, I haven’t noticed anyone. Did you?”

William shrugged. “Probably nothing to be worried about. Although it is better to stay on the safe side. Do you still have the pistol I gave you?”

“Of course.” She waved a hand toward another room. “It’s in the bedroom.”

William nodded. “Well, keep it by your side, just in case.”

“Always,” she answered with a smile.

“It will be better when the new house is finished. It’s not in a better area than this.”