Chapter 13

The en-suite was different from when she had first encountered it. Nothing about the room itself had changed. She wasn’t the same person she was when she been first acquainted with this space. The garden tub invited her in. After the last two days, she could certainly use it. Will wasn’t due for a while yet, so she figured she should take her time. The overwhelming number of knobs and dials weren’t going to intimidate her this time.

She poured copious amounts of bath oils and bath salts to the tub, and opened the faucets.

“Ha,” she chuckled to herself. “That wasn’t so hard.” Her body melted once she climbed in to her fragrant, heated sanctuary.

​ Every time she thought she had overcome her problems, life threw more at her. First she needed $50,000 because her step mother had sold her. Now, it was more money than she ever dreamed of owing anyone. A pang of guilt sprang in her chest. Her father had gotten into the accident because he wanted to see her. Had she been a better daughter, and kept her promise to take care of him, this all could have been avoided.

She willed away the tears that threatened to fall. This was not the time to be weak. She couldn’t afford that luxury.

“You’ve got to be strong, Emma. You’ve got to keep your promise.” But for a little while at least, she could float and forget. Her aching mind and body were able to find a temporary respite in the watery haven. But her troubles would still be waiting for her when she left the tub. Which would have to be eventually. As she soaked in the tub, her thoughts wandered to memories of her golden childhood. When her mother was still alive and her father was lost to his addiction. For a long time, she had convinced herself that she lost him to it. That man was a shell of her father. The accident, however traumatic it was, proved her wrong.

Emma didn’t realize how long she’d drifted off for, but the water had cooled down when she woke up. She emerged from the tub, and toweled off. The reflection in the mirror was someone entirely different from the one she saw last time she’d been there.

“What have you gotten yourself into?” she asked the reflection. She must have been crazy for doing this. But she thought of her father in that hospital room. He risked everything to try and see her. This was the only solution she had. Wrapped in a bathrobe as armor, she stepped out into the dark hotel room. The sun had set and night settled in. *This room shouldn’t be dark,* she thought as chills ran up her spine. There were lights on when she walked in. Every alarm in her went off.

A tall, dark figure by the window caught her attention. Her hands clutched the bathrobe closed over her chest. A small gasp escaped her when the figure moved. Fear gripped her, and she stepped back towards the door. Each step she took back, the figure came closer. Its menacing frame continued walking towards her.

“Help!” she screamed and bolted to escape. She turned around and launched herself at the door. Large arms snatched her by the waist, and she crashed into a body. “No! Let go of me!” she fought.

“Would you stop that? People are going to think you’re getting murdered.”

“Will?” Emma stopped fighting, and turned to look at her captor?”

“Were you expecting someone else?” he teased. Emma wrenched herself out from his grasp, and shoved him in anger. He didn’t move.

“I thought you were a serial killer! Why are in here in the dark?”

“I like the dark,” he shrugged. “People reveal who they really are when they feel they’re safe to hide.” Even in the dark, she could tell how intensely he was staring at her. It mesmerized her in a way she couldn’t stand, but couldn’t resist.

“Do they?” she asked. “I don’t think that’s true. I think people who like the dark are the ones with the most to hide.” Her eyes were transfixed on his eyes. No matter what, she couldn’t tear her gaze away from him. He pulled her into him, her body flush against his. He didn’t speak, only stared at her like a predator considering his next meal. It was sensual and terrifying. Emma found she couldn’t move. Prey would run. She tried to run from him earlier. But now… she didn’t know what she wanted.

He ruffled his fingers in her hair, twirled them around in her bangs. His gentle and sent sparks into her skin. This gentle version of Will was alarming. The mood changes came out of nowhere. Even though he was looking at her, it seemed it wasn’t her he saw.

“What are you doing?” Emma whispered.

“Your hair. I’d like it if it was long. And you should grow your bangs out too,” Will said. He hated himself when he got like this. Before him stood a woman willing to please him in whichever way he wanted. But the only woman he could see was the one that didn’t want him. The woman who he thought destroyed him still reigned in his heart.

“I don’t like long hair,” Emma managed to say. The air around her felt thing and hot. She was dizzy with their proximity. “It’s too much maintenance. I don’t have the time to care for it.”

Her words had broken whatever trance the darkness had cast on them. Will eyes focused, as though he realized where he was and who was there. His gentle touches became rough and purposeful. His fingers wound into her hug, and he tugged at it. Emma yelped in surprise, but found that she sort of enjoyed it.

“You’re in no position to tell me what you don’t have time for. You’re here because you keep putting yourself in my way. Don’t forget. You need to learn.”

Emma’s breath was ragged. Will’s hand tugged at her hair, forcing her to look straight into his wild eyes. She would always she in a storm in them. The storm that raged the night they met would always live within him. It seemed like nothing could calm it.

“You… You’re right,” Emma’s voice trembled. “I’ll do what you want, but I can’t make my hair grow overnight.”

Will released her and moved back towards the window. He rested his hands on the window sill, and stared into the night.

*What is wrong with you?* He berated himself. He rifled through his pockets and pulled out a box of cigarettes. He’d been trying to quit for some time. It was a disgusting habit. Grace always hated it. Maybe that’s why he picked it back up again. To spite her. He felt a hand on his back. Emma stood behind him with a glass of water and a smile.

“You shouldn’t smoke. I’m sure you know it’s horrible. And plus, this is a no-smoking room.”

“What do you care?” he hissed.

He hated himself. His request for her to grow her hair out was stupid and he knew it. The only reason he even wanted it was because it would make her look more like Grace than she already did. He spurned her kindness. The only thing he wanted her for were those pure blissful moments he could use her to forget.

Will took the glass of water from Emma, and set it down. His stare was threatening. And Emma felt a stab of fear. He wouldn’t harm her, but the danger in his eyes told her that he was done feeling gentle.

“Are you okay?” she quivered. Her voice was smaller than she meant it to be.

“No,” he growled. He stalked toward her again. Emma was backing up without realizing. In the dark, she couldn’t see he was backing her up to a wall.

“Anything, I can do?” she asked. Her back was against a wall.

He wound his hands around her body and pulled her into his body. His gaze was vicious. His fingers were coiled in her hair again. They were crashed against each other, not a breath of air could pass between them.

“What can I do?” Emma whispered.

“Shut up,” Will answered. His lips crashed onto hers. Emma was stunned with the surprise attack. Will devoured her and she could feel his anger in the kiss. It was rough, destructive and sexy as hell. Her arms were pinned to her sides so she couldn’t move. Earlier, his sudden mood swing had upset her. She felt sad for him, and didn’t know why. But now, all she could feel was his need and desire.

Will came up for air, and ripped Emma’s bathrobe off. Emma stood there, nervousness and self-consciousness flooding back into her. Will pushed her onto the bed and climbed on top of her. Her eyes were screwed shut.

“Don’t you remember me telling you that I’m not one of those guys who likes that fake innocent act? I know plenty of other women who would love to be in your exact position right now.”

“I’m not faking it,” Emma whispered. “I’m nervous.”

“Why? We’ve already done this once before,” Will teased as he hovered

“And you said, I was bad at it,” Emma’s chest heaved with the effort of her breathing.

“I also said that you could learn,” Will nipped at her neck, and Emma’s body arched up in response. “See?” he chuckled. “Your body knows what to do. You should listen to it.”

“I don’t know how,” Emma’s heart was racing. She felt she would pass out any second.

“Oh, you need another demonstration?” Will goaded her. “This isn’t about your pleasure right now. It’s about mine. I gave you what you wanted last time. Now it’s your turn.” His voice was low and husky in her ear. Emma felt electric. Her skin was on fire with want. He said she needed to listen to her body. Her body needed a guide.

“Teach me. Teach me how to please you,” Emma said, pushing herself up on her elbows. She noticed that he was still fully clothed while she was fully nude. He wielded that much power over her and he hadn’t even removed a stitch of clothing.