CHAPTER TWENTY

PIERS

Willow is mostly quiet on the drive home. She lets me hold her hand; she even leans her head against me in the back of the car. But there’s something amiss.

The farther we get away from the gala, the further I feel her drifting away from me. Maybe I pushed her too soon, going out, being in the public eye. Normally, I try to fly under the radar as much as possible. I prefer to keep my private life just that. I don’t play the name game, the flashy look at me nonsense. It’s not who I am. Not when I came from nothing, and I know how quickly it all could be taken away.

But there are times when I call in all the favors. Pull out all the stops. Socialites, millionaires and politicians. For one reason. Kids. Orphans more specifically. The gala was a huge success; for that I’m thankful...but events like that are exhausting to me. Both physically and mentally.

When the car pulls up outside the estate, she’s opening her door and out of the backseat before I can even get around to hold the door for her.

“Hey, Willow, slow down.” I chase after her as she walks up to the house. The wind is picking up and her dress billows behind her, a waterfall of green taunting as she evades me. I can’t help but be turned on. She looks like an angry goddess; even the weather mirrors her mood. Thunder booms in the distance.

Catching up to her, I see she’s headed for the side garden, not the house. “Willow, hey. What’s going on?” I reach for her arm, and she jerks it away, turning to look at me, and I see hurt in her eyes. Why?

“I just need a minute okay? I need to not be on display. I need to fall apart if that’s all right with you? I need to yell and maybe even cry without an audience. Without Scarlett. Without oil tycoons, duchesses and dukes watching me, judging me, appraising me.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask even though I think I know the answer.

Maybe Willow wasn’t ready. I thought it would be fun for her. Like a fairytale. What little girl didn’t want to grow up and go to a ball?

“Nothing Piers. I just said I need a minute. Why do you have to push?” she sighs.

“I’m not trying to push,” I confess. “Is this about Scarlett?” I know tonight was overwhelming, but I think she was the final straw.

“This isn’t about Scarlett. This is about us!”

She throws her hands up as thunder rumbles in the sky, a storm approaching.

“Like hell it isn’t. You were fine tonight until she said something to you. And I want to know right now what it was.” I’m beyond pissed at Scarlett for her meddling ways. She can’t just leave well enough alone.

“It’s not important. It’s just, she knows everything about you, us, me...will it always be this way? Her in the middle of our lives? Will she always be fighting for your attention? For your affection? Just like when we were kids.”

“She’s just my friend, my business colleague. This has nothing to do with affection.” Why would she think...Scarlett and me. Me and Scarlett. Oh, no. Hell, no. She’s like my sister. “Wait, are you jealous?”

Lightning flashes across the sky just as the words leave my mouth, and I realize my grave mistake. Her face illuminated in the flash of white light looks murderous.

“Jealous? Me? Of Scarlett!” she yells at me as she stops and walks back towards me, her voice competing with the wind that has started howling. “Why would I be? Should I be? Is this all some sick game to you?”

She’s nearly back to me. I could touch her if I reached my hand out, but I don’t. Not yet. I try reaching with my words first. “Of course not! That was a poor choice of words, and I’m very sorry. But I know something happened. One minute we’re dancing, the next you’re charming the pants off of anyone within earshot of you, and the next, it’s like you’ve disappeared. Willow, what happened? What aren’t you telling me?” Dread fills the pit of my stomach.

“It was a magical night.” She turns away from me. “One of the best of my life. The dress, the mask, the evening started out just like a fairytale, complete with a charming prince. Then we arrive and the gala is more, more than anything I could’ve imagined. More candle light, more champagne...more people, money, status. Everything was just so much more than I’m used to. Then people started noticing me. People looking at me like I have no right to be with you? I’m definitely not used to that. That didn’t even bother me the most.” At first I think she’s crying, and then I realize it’s a rain drop rolling down her cheek.

As she tells me this, I hate that she thinks she’s not enough. She’s more than enough. It’s me who falls short. “Of course, they noticed you; you’re stunning.” The sky opens up, and the rain starts to fall.

“What did bother me was knowing Scarlett picked my mask. She put her hands on you every chance she got; she made it clear she was your date until you blew her off at the last minute because of me. Because of Drew. Because and I quote, ‘Playing house is a fun way to pass the time.’ But when you’re ready for someone to stand by your side, to run your empire, that’s when you’ll patch things up with her and finally be together. Although from how chummy it seemed tonight, you obviously haven’t confronted her about the phone call.”

Before I can even jump in, she continues.

“And this whole empire?” She stares at me in disbelief. “I mean I know that you’re powerful and successful. I understand that you built a lucrative business. And I’m so proud of you. But she talks about you like you’re so far above me, above us. I’m happy for your success; you’re hardworking and brilliant, so it’s not a complete shock. But that kind of success takes sacrifice, and where does that leave us? How—”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I interrupt her. “It doesn’t have to leave you anywhere!”

“It all makes sense now. The drivers, the plane, designer gowns from Harrods. But this is not me, I grew up with money, but this is something else. I can’t be on display. I’ll only disappoint you. I can’t be her.” Shoulders slumping, she turns and walks away from me, yet again.

“Why can’t you see you’re it for me? Why won’t you believe that?” I yell after her. “Willow, stop!” Catching up to her, I take her shoulders in my hand and hold her in place, my hands sliding on her damp skin. She needs to understand. “Who gives a shit about an empire? What difference does it make? You never cared about the money before when there was none. So why would you care now that I’m drowning in it?”

She stares up at me, her body tense, auburn hair curling around her face from the rain.

“And that’s what I’ve been doing, Willow…drowning.” I try to explain as my palms move to cradle her cheeks, brushing away the raindrops that fall like tears. “Barely hanging on, treading water. Deal after deal. Becoming someone I’m not proud of. Who cares if all eyes in the world are on me if I can’t even look at myself in the mirror?”

“All the time I was burying myself in my work, I was trying to fill a void. The money isn’t what I need. You. You and Drew are what I need.” I admit it, giving her the power to destroy me. And a part of me suddenly wishes I could take it back. Lightning flashes and she jumps, falling into my arms.

“As for Scarlett, she’s not a threat. So please, just trust me to handle her. She and I have never been a thing. Ever. Not while you were gone...” I run my nose along the side of her neck, the rain drops tickling my skin. “Not tonight.” I pull her flush against me and finally capture her lips with mine. “Not ever.”

“Piers.” She moans into my mouth, and hearing that sound, coupled with the fact she’s soaking wet, pressed against me and saying my name, is enough to have me embarrassing myself in mere minutes.

“Enough talking,” I tell her and I close my mouth over hers once more, desperate for her. I grab her waist and lift her to me, walking us under the partial cover of the trellis. Her back hits up against a brick pillar, and I slide her down to her feet as I pull one of her legs up to hook it around my waist, continuing a punishing kiss on her lips. Her arms come up around my neck for support.

And what transpires when our lips are connected is more than a kiss. It’s two people saying everything they can’t with words.

“Piers,” she moans again, urging me on, her fingers now clawing at my back.

She kisses me back with such aggression, it’s like a switch has been flipped. I need her. Now. Bending, I gather the folds of her skirts and lift them to her waist. Kissing my way up her body as I rise, I find her skin hot under the cool, wet chiffon.

My lips run out of lace and land on skin, my tongue darts out to trace the edge of the lace. Weaving my way back and forth between the soaked lace and her perfect skin. I lick my way to her collarbone and she’s arching into me, her heel digging into my back.

My hand drifts down, and I gently caress her pebbled nipple through the fabric. My thumb making circles, my palm spanning her ribs while my other hand holds her hip in place.

She bucks against me. I need her now. No more waiting. It’s time to show her with my body how much I need her. How she’s the only one.

Reaching between us, I undo my tux pants. Freeing myself, aching for her. One stroke, then two...a couple times as I watch her coming apart in my arms, just from my hands and mouth on her.

I slide my hand further down, slowly and steady. Past her navel, over the jeweled belt and reach through the rain soaked fabric pulled up around her hips, and I find a triangle of lace covering her. Scooting it out of the way with my finger, one swipe up her center lets me know she’s ready for me.

The feel of her dampness on my finger is almost more than I can bear. I massage her clit with my thumb, and I press my finger gently into her, slowly withdrawing before plunging back in. “Piers,” she moans, and I repeat the motion. My lips find her neck as I add another finger to make sure she’s ready for me. She’s so tight. Unbelievably tight. She rides my hand and stretches for me. “Piers!” she cries out, and I press harder into her, her back scratching up against the brick.

I withdraw my hand, using it to drag myself slowly up her entrance. Throbbing for her, teasing her the way she teased me all night in that bewitching dress. Her hands tangle in my hair.

“Piers,” she moans in my ear, right as I press against her, about to take her, finally. “There’s been no one else.”

My heart plummets, and my eyes blink open to find hers watching mine. How can that be? My heart nearly stops at her confession, and it’s like ice water has been splashed on me. Looking at her, at what I’ve nearly done, makes me sick. She’s wide eyed, her creamy skin is red and blotchy from my whiskers, red lips smudged. Her gorgeous gown is soaked and crumpled up around her waist with her delicate lace panties ripped to the side.

She’s panting, backed against a pillar and watching my every move. I quickly release her and tuck myself back into my trousers. Shit.

“Willow. I—” Turning my back, I take a minute to choose my next words, very carefully. “I’m sorry, I—” Scrubbing my hands down my face, I walk away, catching my breath. Don’t screw this up.

“Please, let’s just go—” Turning, I see she’s already gone. Panicking I turn towards the house and catch a glimpse of emerald fabric in the moonlight, right before I hear the door slam.

The storm has passed, but the humidity hangs in the air; along with my guilt it suffocates me. Fuck!