\[Elise’s POV\]
I stare into William’s dark eyes while my insides begin to churn, but I can’t seem to stop the sudden need to feel him against me. I knew that this was dangerous and I shouldn’t be making any moves, but he started it, right?
Leaning forward, I let my hands snake into his hair. It’s soft to the touch, and as my fingers begin to move, a groan of pleasure escapes William’s lips.
“Are you too afraid?” I murmur when he continues to not move. “You try to pretend that you are this dominant man, but you’re really a gentleman deep down, right? Look at you; you’ve got me trapped here, and I’m actually giving you the go-ahead, but you aren’t moving.”
Although I could easily close the distance between us while he remained there dumbfounded, I knew that taking that step would be dangerous.
“I thought so,” I sigh, beginning to release him. “Despite all that swagger, you aren’t actually the assertive type.”
Feeling disappointment rush through me, I let my hands drop to my sides, but before I can duck from his hold, William is moving and his lips are slamming against mine.
Gasping, my eyes grow wide as his arms begin to make their way around me while his body presses against mine.
Instantly, all rationale starts to slip while I get lost in how fucking good it feels to have the warmth of another seeping into me. After almost a year of imprisonment, I missed this, and I was a human and had human needs.
Deciding there wasn’t any reason to fight against him, I let my arms snake around William’s neck, and to my surprise, that only spurred him to move even more.
Groaning, I let his hands slide down to my ass so he could squeeze my cheeks and lift me. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I let the feel of the bulge beginning to form in his pants press against my core.
“Mmmm.” I moan, wondering just how good it would feel to have him inside me. “Are we really going to do this out here in the open?”
I’m not sure if it is from my words or just sanity returning, but William’s mouth releases mine, and his dark eyes come to rest on my own.
“What?” He manages between puffs of air. “What are you expecting?”
What? Wasn’t it obvious given how strongly he was coming onto me? Was he only going to get me riled up and then call it quits?
The answer was yes, as he began to tug at my thighs, causing me to release him so he could place me on my feet again.
Pouting, I prepare to argue, but before I can, he takes a few steps back, and any remaining desire in his eyes disappears entirely.
“That,” he says slowly. “Can’t happen again.”
Couldn’t happen again.
Couldn’t fucking happen again.
Was he kidding me? He was the one who started it, and now he was going to tell me that it wouldn’t happen again?
“What?” I growl, unable to stop the hurt I suddenly feel due to his clear rejection. “Am I a shitty kisser, or did you just not like my taste?”
Maybe I was being a little too harsh, but I couldn’t stop myself. William was really starting to give me whiplash with his hot and cold attitude. One minute he was sweet and actually treating me like a normal person instead of a criminal, and the next he was drawing this fucking line between us, making it clear that I wasn’t good enough for him.
“I can’t make careless decisions.” He counters, adding to my anger. “Since we are finished with our discussion, I think it would be best for you to head back in.”
“And what about you?” I demand. “Are you going to go running back to Crystal Fang?”
“No such luck.” William sighs. “You won’t be rid of me that easily.”
Wouldn’t be rid of him? Did that mean that he was going to stick around Emerald Moon? Then how the hell was he expecting me to help him dig up dirt in Crystal Fang?
“Don’t look too disappointed.” He says. “I’ll only be here until the threat against Emerald Moon is taken care of.”
“Who is disappointed?” I shrug. “I would actually have to care enough to be bothered by your presence.”
At my words, William’s expression shifts, but it quickly returns.
“Good, then we are both in agreement.”
Nodding, I sneak around William’s large body and turn my focus on the packhouse just beyond where we stood. Since he wanted to be hot and cold, I just wouldn’t bother with him.
“Yep, we are.” I agree before beginning to move. “And since we are, I think it would be best that we had as little contact as possible. We should only meet to discuss my findings in Crystal Fang. Aside from those times, you should pretend you don’t know me.”
Ugh. I sounded like a spoiled child who didn’t get their way, but I knew if I continued to hang around this man, I was going to get in too deep. I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to get closer. The best thing I could do now was find a new toy to entertain me.
“Have a good evening.” I call, giving a wave and picking up speed.
I don’t bother turning back to see if he is following me as I close the distance between myself and the packhouse. However, when I finally reach it, I find another problem waiting for me.
Grimacing, I stop in my tracks and take in the large, angry man staring at me as if he wants to kill me. What was with my luck this evening?
“Where have you been?” Rosco growls, making his way toward me. “Whether you’re locked up or not, you’re still a criminal.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I huff, hoping beyond hope that William didn’t suddenly appear at this time. “I just wanted to go for a walk. Is there a problem with that?”
“You didn’t inform anyone.” He snaps, wrapping a hand around my wrist and tugging. “Do you know how long I searched for you?”
“Aw, did you miss me?”
I immediately regret my choice of words as a loud growl rips through the air, but before anything more can be done, William appears beside me, and I find myself wishing the earth would open up and swallow me.
“What are you doing?” He asks, taking in Rosco’s hand around my wrist. “Don’t you know you shouldn’t be too rough with ladies?”
“I don’t see a lady here.” Rosco counters, not loosening his hold. “And why are you even here?”
Growing quiet, he looks from me to William, and I can see his wheels turning.
Fuck. This evening just kept getting worse and worse. Not only did I make a fool out of myself with William, but now he would be implicated because of me.
“Isn’t it obvious?” William asks, seeming unbothered. “I was taking a stroll with the lady.”
Eyes widening, I snap my gaze at him and find that his expression is completely at ease. Didn’t he know that I was the last person he should openly show association with, especially given his position?
“Taking a stroll at night with Elise?” Rosco repeats, his words dripping with venom. “Don’t you know what that looks like?”
“Like a gentleman was making sure that a woman wasn’t alone in the dark after something so dangerous took place around here?” William counters. “What if something happened to her?”
At his words, a look of disbelief crosses Rosco’s features. I know he is thinking the same thing as I am. If anyone would be in danger in that situation, it wouldn’t be me. I was more than capable of handling myself.
“I suggest you be cautious of your movements.” Rosco says now. “You’re under a microscope right now. If you make even the slightest of wrong moves, you’ll have to pay for it.”
“You don’t need to remind me.” William growls, taking me by surprise. “I know what I’m doing.”
“I hope so.”