Even though we’re miles away, I can easily picture Anna’s smile. “You’re the best, you know that?”
“I’m hoping to get anotherDad of the Yearmug to add to my collection.”
“It’s already in the mail,” she says with a light laugh. “Oh, I have to go. Mom just got back from the store with ice.”
“Tell Teresa I said hi.”
“Will do. Love you, Dad!”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
The call ends just as I hear a loud thump from inside the bathroom. I spring to my feet, my fight or flight instincts kicking in. I hurry over and knock on the door.
“Willow? Are you okay? I heard a noise.”
The sound of her sniffling sets off the alarms in my head. What if she’s hurt? What if, on the off chance, someone managed to sneak into my suite to attack her when I was least expecting?
I burst in without a second thought and find her almost completely naked.
She is drop dead gorgeous. I know this isn’t the proper time or circumstance, but I can’t seem to rip my eyes away. Her skin is smooth and silky, the dip of her hips and the cinch of her waist accenting the roundness of her perky breasts and ample ass. I pause for a little too long to admire the sight of her, beads of moisture dripping down from her shoulders and her stomach.
I should definitelynotbe ogling my principle right now.
And I earn a hard shove for my indiscretion.
Willow shrieks, pushing me away before pulling her towel over her chest. “What are you doing?”
“I thought I heard—”
“I dropped the shampoo bottle,” she says in a hurry. “You can’t just barge in here!”
“I thought you hurt yourself. I heard you crying.”
“I’m fine.” She hastily wraps herself up while combing her fingers through her wet hair. “I’m fine,” she repeats, except she doesn’tsoundfine. She steps toward me, her eyes glossed over and red with the threat of tears. “I’m totally, totallyfine.”
Willow presses her forehead against my chest, leaning against me as she holds back her sobs. The only thing I can think to do is wrap her in a careful embrace. I’m alarmed to find her trembling.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m s-sorry,” she rasps, quickly wiping her eyes. “I’m so sorry. It’s just… It’s been a really long time since anyone’s hugged me.”
Her confession breaks my heart. My fury knows no bounds. How can the world be so cruel and unfair? When I look down at Willow, I’m blown away by what I see. Someone who has to fight every second of every day. Someone who is rough around the edges out of necessity, not by choice. She looks exhausted and exposed, a wounded bird looking for shelter from a storm.
Maybe I can be that shelter.
Even if it’s only for a week.
“Do you want me to let you go?” I ask her, noticing how—despite her shivering—she clings to me like a lifeline.
Willow shakes her head. “Can we stay like this for a little while?”
Even if I wanted to, I can’t bring myself to deny her. I wrap my arms around her a little tighter, drinking in the scent of her hair and the soft press of her body against mine.
“Of course,” I murmur. “Anything you need.”
She tilts her chin up slightly to look at me, her gaze flitting down to my lips. “Anything I need?” she whispers, a deep hunger darkening her eyes.
I’m suddenly overcome with the urge to lick every inch of her exposed skin. She smells too good, feels too soft, sounds way too sweet to stay away. Willow’s hands roam down my chest, slowly sliding down to palm my hardening erection. She watches me with intense interest.