Free [smg id=31099 type=normal align=center width=150] by Kasey Millstead Page A

he wants for so long, Willa.  Then, temptation becomes too much and he can’t hold off any longer,” he says quietly. 
    I look at him in wide-eyed shock.
    “So, what you’re saying is you have noticed me?”  I ask dumbly.
    He chuckles and shakes his head faintly.  “You taken a look in the mirror lately, babe?  Every man with a dick that works notices you.”
    “Oh.”  I’ll take that as a compliment!
    “Why did you deny yourself?” I ask when my brain stops doing its happy dance at his words.
    He lets out a breath.  “There isn’t a lot I can say, but you just have to trust me that I will fill you in and I’ll answer every question you’ve got.  I just don’t know when that day will be.  Hopefully soon,” he replies, and I’m even more confused.  I have no idea what he is talking about.
    “Trust you?  I barely know you,” I mutter.
    He reaches across the table and his hand covers mine.  A zing of awareness tingles up arm and I stare at our hands in shock. 
    “Trust me,” he implores.
    “I,” I hesitate.  Can I trust him?  I don’t even know him really well, but something tells me he wouldn’t hurt me.  And if he does, I’ll survive. “Okay,” I say softly.
    “Okay?” he repeats, his brows creeping up his forehead.
    “Okay,” I confirm, nodding my head once, confident in my decision.
    “Good.  Let’s get out of here.”  He pays the check and we drive back to my place to spend the afternoon fucking slowly in my bed, in the shower, on the floor, and up against the wall.  I come six times by the time I fall asleep, sated, relaxed, and utterly exhausted.

CHAPTER NINE
    Willa
     
     
     
     
     
    I stretch out lazily, cracking open my eyes and squinting as harsh sunlight greets me.
    I roll to my side, expecting to see Oak, but he’s not there.  I feel the sheets.  Cold.   He’s been gone awhile.  A stab of disappointed shoots through me and I climb out of bed to make a coffee.
    I plod out to my kitchen and turn on the coffee.  While I wait, I put some toast in the toaster.  That’s when I notice the note on my bench.  I pick it up and read through the scratchy cursive in front of me.
    Had to leave early.  Didn’t want to wake you.  Call me when you get this.
    It would seem he is not only a man of few words in speech, but in the written words as well.  I take a sip of coffee and a bite of toast before dialing his number on my cell.
    Two rings later, he answers.
    “Babe,” he greets.
    “Hey.”  I bite my lip.  “So, umm, I’m awake,” I say lamely.  God, I’m such an idiot.  “How has your morning been?”
    “Busy.  Sorry I had to leave early.  You look fuckin’ gorgeous when you’re sleeping.”
    I duck my head and smile.  “Thank you.”
    “You workin’ tonight?”
    “Yep.  Six till close.”
    “Okay.  I’ll see you there.  I gotta go, babe.  Your brother’s on the war path.”  He chuckles and the phone goes dead before I can reply.
    Oh, my god.  I shove the toast into my mouth and take a gulp of coffee before grabbing my keys and dashing out to my car.
    Rad will kill Oak if he gets the chance.

CHAPTER TEN
    Oak
     
     
     
     
     
    “You motherfucker.” Rad storms across the room toward me, his face twisted with fury.
    “Problem, brother?” I scowl at him.
    “You fuckin’ my sister?”
    “Yep.”  There’s no need to beat around the bush.
    His fist connects with my jaw before I see it coming.  My head snaps to the side before righting.
    “That’s the only free shot you get,” I warn.
    “Bring it on, fucker,” he snarls, before bringing his fist back and propelling it toward me again.  I dodge his attempt and throw one back of my own, connecting with his ribs.  He lets out an oomph sound and swings again.
    “What the fuck’s goin’ on here?” I hear one of the boys say.  I don’t reply because I’m focused on Rad’s fists.
    “You’re a piece of shit, you know that?  I fuckin’ warned you stay away.  My