deeply into mine. I could not look away, not that I wanted to. He ran his free hand through my hair and tucked it behind my ear.
“You have to go. It’s not up for debate.” He said sternly. I wanted to argue but I knew his mind was made up.
Chapter Seventeen
I called Becka and left her a voicemail letting her know I wanted to hang out. William fixed us something to eat while I waited for her to call me back.
“This is amazing.” I said as I slurped up another spaghetti noodle. William laughed and used his thumb to wipe sauce from my bottom lip. He licked his finger sending that unmistakable feeling throughout my body.
“Eat” he smiled and I realized I had been staring at him longer than I intended. My phone rang and I reached for it.
“It’s Becka” I told William as I answered.
“My Aunt and I had a fight. I just…can’t go back there for a while.” The truth was I did not want to ever go back to that house. “Thanks Becka. I really appreciate it.” I hung up the phone and looked up to see William rinsing the plates in the sink.
“She said I could stay.” I did not want to leave. I wanted to stay here lost in this fantasy with William. With him, I felt like I had a purpose. I felt in control even when he left me completely powerless.
He grabbed my purse from the counter and opened the door. I walked through, hanging my head like a sulking child. If I was not with William, I wanted to be alone, wallowing in my sadness.
“You can call me if you need anything.” He reassured me but I did not feel any better. He opened the car door and waited for me to get in. I kissed him on his cheek, but I let my mouth linger, not wanting to pull back from him. He turned catching my lip in his. His touch made me forget about everything that was wrong in my life. I pushed against him, hungry for more. “We have to go.” He breathed heavily. It was taking all he had not kiss me again. I moved closer but decided against it. If I did not leave now I never would. “I will fix this.” He promised and I knew he meant it.
I nodded and got in my seat. We travelled in silence. The GPS spouted directions and soon we were a few houses away from Becka’s home. There were so many things I wanted to say to him but I could not form the words. “I’ll come for you as soon as I can.” I knew he was trying to comfort me but I could not ignore the sad underlying tone as he spoke.
“I know” I said quietly as I got out of the car, pulling my bag from the bag seat. I watched him drive away, walking slowly until his taillights disappeared down the road before ringing the doorbell.
“Emma!” Becka wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. I barely knew her and the whole scene was too awkward.
“Hey” I said with a smile, tucking my hair behind my ear. She stepped inside and I followed, looking around at the elaborately decorated home. “Nice place”
“Thanks. My mom is really into flowers.” She replied, rolling her eyes. Right on cue her mother stepped around the corner holding a plate of cookies.
“Ohhh…” she laughed and waved off Becka’s expression. “How are you dear? Becka has told me all about your situation. I am so sorry.” She looked at me with that awful expression I had become accustom too.
“Thanks” I looked down at my feet, not wanting to meet her gaze.
“I baked you some comfort food.” She smiled holding out the plate of cookies.
“She doesn’t want to eat her feelings.” Becka replied sarcastically, grabbing my arm and pulling me up the stairs to her room. I smiled back at her mother, feeling sorry for Becka’s rude outburst.
I stood in the doorway of her bedroom. The walls painted a deep purple and heavy matching drapes lined the windows.
“You like?” she asked, twirling around.
“It’s nice. Very…gothic” I replied. I had never pegged Becka for having a darker side.
“It’s not gothic, it’s romantic.” She smiled. I did not get that vibe at all, but what did I know about romance. The closest I had come was being tied to William’s bed. I felt my cheeks turn pink at the thought. I turned