Knocking Boots - Willow Winters Page 0,80

and moves me to his lap, pulling me away. I wrap my arms around his neck, feeling vulnerable and desperate for his love. It will crush me if he denies me. Please, don’t.

“I’m ready, Hunter.” I stare into his gorgeous green eyes. I swallow thickly and keep my voice as even as I can as I say, “I love you, and I want you to know it.”

“I already know,” he whispers as he brushes my hair out of my face. It tickles as it moves over my shoulder, and another shiver runs down every inch of my body. This time it hardens my nipples as his lips graze the sensitive skin of my neck, just below my ear. His hot breath forces a small moan from my lips.

“I love you, Vi.” I close my eyes as he plants open-mouthed kisses up my neck and along my jawline. I love it when he says my name. He’s the only one who calls me that.

I believe him. I believe he loves me. And I know I love him.

He pushes his lips against mine. There’s a tenderness that I haven’t felt before. I reach up and spear my fingers through his hair. I part my lips and press my body against his.

I want him to know how much I need him. All of him.

I kiss him with desperation. He groans deep in his throat and splays his hand on my back, lowering me to the blanket. He breaks our kiss only for a moment to look down at me.

My lips are parted, and my eyes are half-lidded with lust.

When he lowers his lips to mine and his hands travel up my dress, slipping it up past my thighs, I know this is really going to happen.

"Promise me you'll love me after this?" I sound weak, but in this moment, I need his reassurance.

"Always, Vi," he says before crushing his lips against mine.

I gave him a part of me I can never get back. Even worse, I gave him my heart.

…That was four years ago. Back when I was young and naive. Back when I thought we’d always be together, and that he hadn’t lied. He dumped me right after graduation and left me to join the military. He said I shouldn’t wait for him; it didn’t matter that I wanted to. I would have waited for him. I was a fool. It was all a mistake.

That was then. I know better now.

Chapter 1

Violet

I take a deep breath and exhale slowly as I push the glass door to the convenience shop open. The bells above my head chime and Marcy gives me a bright smile from behind the cash register on the small counter to the left. She’s an older lady; I’ve known her most of my life. She doesn’t make a move from her seat and barely looks up from behind her thick, dark-rimmed glasses. Her eyes wrinkle as she smiles slightly and returns to watching the small television behind the counter.

Just like everyone else in this town, she’s content going through life with the same comfortable routine. For her that means sitting behind the register. This store is small, with only a few aisles to my right, and the counter to my left. I give her a small smile in return, though my heart’s not in it and I resume walking the few steps to get what I came here for.

It has been such a long day. I look like crap, and I know it. I’m in my penguin flannel pajama pants and a long baggy sweater. It’s my favorite sweater though, especially on these grey rainy days. The sleeves come down over my hands, and for some reason it makes me feel more comfortable. And I always wear these bottoms when I’m sick. They make me feel better, or at least I like to pretend they do.

I don’t have an ounce of makeup on. I have bags under my eyes to prove I’ve had no sleep at all in the past few days. This is the first time I’ve been out of my little apartment in days, and I’m going right back home as soon as I can. Fall colds are the absolute worst.

I sniffle a little as I walk down three of the four aisles in the small store to get to the row with the cans of chicken noodle soup. I may be miserable, but I know I’ll feel better after a hot bowl of chicken noodle. I’m in