The evening with Will begins as an attempt at a civilised date as we head out for a meal at a local Indian place. The problem is every look and every touch brushing fingers, legs against each other under the table adds more to our need to leave. I've never been in a situation where s.e.x is the aim of the evening. I would've been appalled with myself in the past, but this is b.l.o.o.d.y hard. I almost dragged Will upstairs when he picked me up from home earlier; and I'm pretty d.a.m.n sure he'd say yes if I'd asked.

"I bet you don't usually wine and dine girls you take to bed," I say as we arrive at my place.

"Don't, Fleur. I'm not him with you and won't be again."

"Not him?" I kick my shoes off in the hallway.

"No."

"The one who has girl's at his feet. How do you do that? Why would they, if they know you won't hang around?" I curl my arms around his neck. I'm not drunk, but the warm, fuzzy edge is around the world again.

"Because." He kisses me. "I'm." Another kiss. "Irresistible."

"Conceited!"

He laughs. "You know it's true."

Will Campbell scoring an invite into my bedroom was impossible two months ago, and inevitable at the same time. The first time he approached me at the party, I genuinely was grossed out and p.i.s.sed off; but the minute this guy walked into the study room that day, something changed. Chemistry; the elusive spark between two people I've heard talked about. I denied it; but the longer I spent alone with Will, the more I wanted to be close to him.

After he betrayed me by lying, I thought back to the time I met the real Will, when I thought he was Nate. The evening Will stood with me, Anne, and Jax at the concert, the strange sensation of something filling the small s.p.a.ce between Will and myself confused me. At that time, I thought I was falling in love with Nate, and suddenly Will was having the same effect on my heart rate.

"What are you thinking about? You look lost." Will sits next to me on the bed, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the nearby lamp.

"You. Us."

"Us." He smiles and moves my hair, placing his lips gently on my neck. I shiver as he kisses along my skin, resting his mouth on my pulse point as his arm curls around my waist. "What about us?"

I shift to face him. "How unlikely we are."

"Isn't that what makes us special?" Will's kiss is soft, fingertips gentle on my face. "I think we're perfect together."

Will's love is spoken through each kiss and touch, and we explore what's beneath the need for each other that follows us around. However gentle, the line needs crossing. I lie back and tug him toward me. Will's face hovers above mine, and the familiar vibration trips down my spine as he traces my lips with his fingertip. "You're beautiful," he whispers with a hint of a smile, before leaning in and replacing his finger with his mouth.

Gentle but demanding, Will's lips move against mine, the weight of him against me adding to the intoxication. My senses are given over to everything Will, from his subtle spice scent, to the touch of his fringe against my forehead; the taste of the man my body craved every moment he was away from me. I push my hands beneath his shirt, across the solid muscle of his abs to the planes of his back.

Will sits back and drags off his shirt, the body I explored highlighted in the orange glow of the room. The tattoo covers his chest and I slide a hand to trace the outline.

"Where did the piercings go?" I ask, running a finger across his nipple.

Will flicks open a b.u.t.ton on my blouse. "I didn't want you running to the bathroom and throwing up again." I giggle at him then hold my breath as Will unb.u.t.tons then pushes my shirt to one side, gazing down at my b.r.e.a.s.t.s pushing against the black lace bra. "I don't want you going anywhere."

He runs his tongue across my collarbone to the top of my b.r.e.a.s.t.s, his hot breath stroking my skin. My nipples harden in antic.i.p.ation of his mouth, but he stops.

Will pulls me upwards; and this time when his mouth meets mine, his kiss is hot and hungry. His fingers tangle into my hair as he pulls my head backwards and delves his tongue into my mouth. I climb onto his lap, and Will slides his arms around to my back, gripping me close, his mouth and hands possessive. Where our skin meets, the heat builds and I want him. I want the connection. I want to be his.

He pushes my bra straps, down and unsnaps the clasp. "Too many clothes."

"Way too many," I say and move my fingers to the b.u.t.ton on his jeans.

Will moves away and his jeans. .h.i.t the floor as he shuffles out of them. I shiver as he kisses from my belly upwards, cupping my breast before closing his mouth around my nipple. He circles his hot tongue, the piercing on his lip rubs, and a lightning-jolt trips along every nerve ending as if this is hardwired to the rest of my body.

Will's hand slides beneath my skirt, higher along my thigh until he reaches my a.s.s, pulls my hips towards him and grips. He looks up at me, as he unzips the skirt and I wriggle until the material hits the floor next to his jeans.

The only barrier now is thin cotton panties, dampening with each kiss and touch from Will. The ache builds as he traces fingers along my inner thigh and skims along the cotton. He sits back and hooks his fingers into my panties, then pulls them to the floor. Again, he trails a hand along my thigh until he reaches the apex.

His mouth finds mine again, as he covers my body with his, and I make a soft noise as he strokes my sensitive flesh. I push myself against his palm, as the kiss continues, and Will slides a finger inside, resting his thumb on my c.l.i.t. I dig my hands into his hair, clutching him to me.

Will pulls away and props himself on his other arm, looking down at me. The l.u.s.t in his eyes is matched by a reverence I've never seen in a man's eyes before, and his mouth tips into the Will grin as he stills the movement of his hand.

"Want me to show you how lip piercings feel on other parts of your body?" He moves his finger from inside me, and circles my c.l.i.t and my body clenches because Will doesn't need to explain what he means.

Without waiting for a response, he leisurely kisses me from my b.r.e.a.s.t.s to my belly, dipping his tongue into my navel. Will grasps my waist and drags me to the edge of the bed as he kneels on the floor; his rapid, hot breath strokes my flesh as he pulls my trembling legs onto his shoulders.

White light arcs across my vision as Will drags his tongue along the length of me, then closes his mouth around the bundle of nerves. The metal of his piercing contrasts the soft of his tongue, intensifying the toe-curling sensation as he licks and sucks me. Will murmurs something, adding to the loosening control as I push my hips against his face. Will grips my thighs, spreading my legs further as he runs his tongue along me, teasing.

The pressure builds as my body begs me to give in and step over the edge, but that's not what I want. I push myself up onto my elbows, and attempt to shift away from Will; but he holds my legs so I can't move, pushing his tongue inside me.

"Will," I say, but the word is barely audible. I pull against his strength, turned on by his holding me down and trusting he'll stop if I ask. "Will!"

He breaks from his attention and kisses his way back along my body toward my face. "Yes? No? Don't like?"

He trembles too holding himself back, and I tangle my legs with his, and swipe my tongue against his lips. "Kiss me."

I give myself over to how we're wound together, hearts thumping in unison as our bodies meld. His hard length presses against me, and I curl my hand around it, stroking while I kiss Will with the desperate need to take the last step with him.

"Will. I want this."

"Two secs." Will breaks away and my stomach clenches as I wait for him. When he looks down at me, rolling the condom along his length, there's more than the l.u.s.t I expected in his eyes; there's something unguarded almost reverential. Will swallows. "You have no idea how long I've fantasised about doing this."

"Same."

We wrap together on the bed again and the tip of him slides against my damp heat, intensifying the ache. Slowly, Will edges inside me and his eyes remain on mine as he pulls himself away again. I shift to grip him with my legs, to stop him pulling back completely and move against his hips, the need overriding any control.

Will tenses and he looks down at me, mouth parted. "Jesus, Fleur, I'm sorry."

I stop. No. He can't change his mind. "What? What's wrong?"

Will mouth covers mine, and he pushes his tongue into my mouth, sudden and surprising. This pa.s.sionate and possessive man lets go of the control that shook through his body earlier, as he flexes his hips and pushes into me again and again, the intensity overwhelming me. Will slides a hand around my back and pulls me upwards, mouth closing around my nipple again. He flicks and sucks with his tongue, and the overload of sensation has me match his movements, every one bringing me closer to the release I'm aching for. But I want to stay like this with Will for as long as possible.

My breath shallows, and I close my eyes as I spiral higher and higher, losing sight of everything but his hands and mouth on me.

"Fleur. Look at me."

My eyelids flutter open and I look straight into the eyes of the man who feels part of me and more than physically. The thread between our hearts and souls tightens and the reality hits. He's mine. I'm his. The moment binds us to an unknown future, and one I now want with Will more than anything before. Whatever happens, a part of me will always be his.

He slows and circles his hips against me, placing a hand between us and pressing against my c.l.i.t. One touch and I'm lost, unable to hold on any longer. I cry out, arc toward him as Will focuses on my face, the smile of a man who holds power over me. I grab his hand, move his fingers away; I need him against me, consuming me. He isn't far behind, his urgency growing again as he fills and stretches me, hitting a spot that triggers a new surge of pleasure.

Eyes closed, I ride the wave building again and Will comes, pushing himself hard one last time and swearing loudly. We grip each other, kissing, touching, neither wanting to move as the intensity binds us and the pleasure pulses through. In this moment, I'm suddenly aware I hold an equal power over Will.

He drops himself onto me, continuing to cover me in kisses. "You're amazing. Absolutely, f.u.c.king amazing."

I nip his arm with my teeth. "That was amazing."

"Wish I hadn't waited." Will rolls onto his back and pulls me to him. "Why did I say no before?"

I place my lips on his. "Because some things are worth waiting for."

"Truth." His arms tighten around me. "Can I call you my girl now?"

"If s.e.x doesn't make me your girl, I don't know what else does."

Will's quiet for a few moments. "Takes more than giving your body to somebody, Fleur."

I prop myself up and look down at Will. "I'm your girl, if you're my guy."

His eyes tell me everything I need to know and confirm the truth of his next words. "You know I am. I told you I love you."

"Yes."

"Hasn't helped with the heartburn though." Will grins and I flick his nose.

"Maybe see a doctor."

"Yeah, good idea."

"You're odd, Will Campbell."

He winds his fingers around my hair and kisses me gently. "And that's what makes me irresistible. Well, that and my smoking hot body."

"I knew the rock star ego was still in there."

"Oh, yeah." He drags me onto his chest and holds my head for another of his toe-curling kisses.

When Will returns from the bathroom, and drags the sheets over our cooling bodies, I press my face against his damp skin. My heart refuses to slow the beat, my body alight still as I curl around him.

Will runs his fingers along my arm, rhythmic and soothing. "With you, everything's different."

"Mmm?" I'm drowsy, luxuriating in the thought of falling asleep in Will's arms.

"Whenever I'm alone with you, I feel as if I'm in the place I should be."

"In my bed?"

He pokes me. "Anywhere I'm with you, Fleur. And when I'm not with you, you're with me."

"You're not making sense." I rub my nose against Will's chest before placing my lips on his salty tasting skin.

"Does being in love ever make sense?

"I guess not." I drift away again, listening to the thrum of his heart, the warmth of his words spreading through.

Wills interrupts my dozing. "I know you think I'll forget you if Ruby Riot become as famous as Blue Phoenix "

"When you do."

He stops stroking my arm and laughs softly. "Okay. When. But I won't forget you. Ever."

I shift and hook a leg over his. Will holds me as we fit together, two jigsaw pieces people think shouldn't match. "Same. Stop talking now. I'm tired. It's 2 a.m."

"Jesus, you're funny. Some nights I stay up until dawn."

"I'm a boring nerd, remember?"

"Only because that's what you want people to think."

I yawn. "Will, deep and meaningful has a place. Not now."

"Man, you're hilarious." He scoots down until his lips almost touch mine. "What if I want to keep you up until dawn too?"

Sleep suddenly slips into the back of my mind.

31.

FLEUR.

I'm aware of Will climbing out of bed; the sound of him dressing filters into my semi-conscious state. I curl up and bury my face into the duvet, where Will's scent lingers. We've slept until late morning and, as promised, the sun rose as I drifted to sleep in Will's arms.

"Sorry," he whispers and strokes my hair from my face. "I have to go home and change before rehearsals. If I'm late Princess Jax will lose his s.h.i.t."

"That's okay," I murmur and focus on him through blurry eyes.

"Are you coming to the gig tonight?"

"Oh. Forgot about that. I'm not sure."

"Why not?"

"You'll be busy playing, not exactly a night out for us. We can catch up tomorrow."

"No."