Page 233 of Out of Left Field

“Because I’m your friend.”

“Yes.”

I laughed. “And here I thought that was the foundation of a solid relationship.”

“It…it is. Ev, please don’t be upset with me.”

I took a breath and let it out slowly. I was hurt, but she didn’t deserve to take the brunt of it. “Have you ever been attracted to Seth?”

Her eyes rounded, which was a relief. “Are you insane?”

“Just checking. Maybe the three of us being so close had more of an effect on you than I realized. Maybe if Annalise hadn’t come along you’d be kissing him instead.”

Willa put two hands on my chest and shoved me backwards. “You are an asshole.” Then she stomped off towards the cottage.

And I laid out on the warming dock. I was indeed an asshole. Why did I ask that? My ego was bruised but it was childish to lash out. Especially at Willa. She felt how she felt.

Was it really so hard to believe she was confused? She hadn’t refused me. She just…needed time.

I was terrible at taking things slow. Or waiting. I was as impulsive as they came. I might avoid doing something I didn’t want to do, or worried might be hard, but once I decided I wanted something, I wanted it now.

And I wanted Willa.

So I was going to have to work harder to suppress my natural tendencies.

I found her putting the bed linens back in the basket. “I’m sorry.”

She hunched over the basket. “I’ve never, not once, had feelings for Seth.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right. I am an asshole.” This was the very reason I never pursued her. I knew I would fuck it up.

Maybe I should have kept my dick in my pants.

“You are.” Willa turned to face me. “But let’s set this record straight before we get any more confused than we already are. I have never looked at Seth as anything more than my friend. I see him as a brother. I go to him with my problems because I know he’ll help me through them. I send him really bad memes because we have the same terrible sense of humor. I know he would take on anyone who hurt me, not because he’s in love with me, but because he loves me. Like a sister.”

I hung my head.

“And for the record,” she kept going, “while I do think Annalise is smokin’ hot, I’m not attracted to her, either. She’s my friend.”

I deserved that.

“Are you attracted to her?” She bit out.

And there was my Willa. Never pulling any punches when she was pissed. I loved that fire. Always had. But now I needed it. So I crossed the room, coming to a stop inches away from her. “I have a confession to make.”

I waited while she dragged her eyes up my chest. She took a deep breath as a little shiver raced down her torso. “Oh?”

Willa was about to get an education on the man I’d become. It was the only way through this. I had to spill my guts. “I find women—in general—attractive. I enjoy sex. But there is only one woman—one—who has ever turned me on just by existing. I take one look at you Willa, and I’m hard as a rock. I hear your voice and I need to be near you. I smell you and I lose my fucking mind. No one has ever done that to me before. You’ve got all of me, babe. You’re the only one who ever has.”

Her gaze shot up to mine and locked while her mouth opened and closed a few times.

I cupped her face and wrapped my other arm around her waist. “That’s why I missed you when I woke up. That’s why I’m not confused about us. You’re not my friend. Not anymore.”

“But we promised to always be friends.”

I moved in for a kiss. When she didn’t push me away I took it as permission and pressed my lips lightly against hers before replying. “And we will. But you’re much more than a friend to me. You’re my everything.” Then I kissed her again before she tried to reason or protest.

After a moment she relaxed, her body melting into mine, a little moan escaping as she kissed me back. I wasn’t wrong. What we had last night had been very, very real. She lit me up like a lightning strike, made me feel more alive than any other day of my life, and made me want to give her everything.