Love Bug (The Prescotts Book 3), Tara Wyatt [best mobile ebook reader .txt] 📗

“That’s really hot,” said Willa, feeling obligated to contribute to the conversation, even though her mind was now squarely on Max. She let her mind wander, just for a minute, imagining walking into his office, closing the door behind her and telling him she was his. He’d kiss her, pulling her onto his lap and their hands would become frantic until her skirt was around her waist, her panties shoved aside and his thick cock buried deep inside her, finally soothing the ache in her core.

“…had a handprint for days,” Kayla was saying, jerking Willa back to the present moment. “I’ve always been a little self-conscious about my big butt, but not anymore. Not when I see how much Bastian loves it.”

“Have you guys ever…” Lauren trailed off, wiggling her eyebrows.

It was Kayla’s turn to blush. “Yes, and I’m freaking addicted. He’s unleashed a monster. Not that he’s complaining.”

They laughed and then Lauren turned the conversation back to Willa. “Willa, honey, you’ve been kind of quiet. Everything okay?”

She felt her friend’s question like a tug in her chest and she took a sip of her tea and then shook her head slowly. “Yeah, I’m…I don’t know. I mean, I’m okay in that I’m healthy and work is fine and everything is fine.”

“But?” prompted Kayla, her brows furrowed.

“But…” She knew then that she couldn’t keep it in anymore. She’d never told them about what had happened the night of the invasion, partly because they’d been so wrapped up in their own lives, and partly because she was embarrassed at the way Max had rejected her. “There’s something I need to tell you guys.”

“Okay,” said Lauren, tossing her messy braid over her shoulder. “Whatever it is, you know you can talk to us.”

Willa nodded and curled her fingers around her cooling mug. Thunder boomed outside, rain drenching the city. “So it’s no secret that I’ve had a thing for Max for a while,” she said, her heart hammering in her throat, something akin to adrenaline charging through her. Maybe because telling someone, saying it all out loud would make it real.

“Definitely not a secret,” said Kayla, but there was no judgement in her tone. Only warmth and concern.

“Um. So. The night of the invasion…Max and I slept together.”

Lauren’s eyes went wide and Kayla frowned.

“I don’t get the impression that this is good news,” said Kayla. “What did that asshole do?”

Willa smiled, a real, genuine smile at Kayla’s mama bear instincts.

“Why don’t you start at the beginning?” asked Lauren. “Tell us what happened.”

And so she did. She told them about the incredible sex she’d had with Max, how she’d sensed that he’d been holding something back that night, telling her that he’d thought about her that way before, that she was beautiful, and how he’d turned cold the next morning, practically kicking her out.

She sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Things are so awkward between us now, and have been for two months. I tried to talk to him the other day at work when we were alone in my office and he told me that he wants me but he can’t be with me, and that he wishes things were different. I know he’s not in a relationship, so I don’t understand what he means, and I know he’s never going to tell me.” She bit her lip, gazing at the rain-streaked window. “I’m halfway in love with a man who would rather pretend that I don’t exist. I wish I knew how to stop wanting him, because he doesn’t want me.”

Willa’s eyes burned and tears streaked down her cheeks. She set her tea down on her nightstand and grabbed a tissue, wiping inelegantly at her face.

“Oh, honey,” said Lauren, her voice full of sympathy. “I wish I were there right now so I could give you a big hug.”

“And I wish I were there so I could find something to beat Max over the head with,” said Kayla, her voice full of fire.

“Thanks, guys. I appreciate that.”

“Do you wish you’d never slept with him?” asked Lauren.

Willa paused to think for a moment. “No. As much as the aftermath has sucked, I wouldn’t wish that night away.” She sighed. “On top of everything, I’ve kind of been chatting with this guy through the Blind Date app, and I really like him—I mean, we have a 98% compatibility rating, so no surprise there—but he basically told me that he’s not really looking for a relationship because he’s hung up on someone else, so…I don’t know. Everything’s just really confusing right now. What I want seems so far out of reach, and I just feel stuck.” She sucked in a breath and shook her head. “I’ve never understood what it’s like to, like, actually pine for someone, but I get it now. I’m basically a Jane Austen character at this point.”

“I’m sorry, Willa. That really sucks,” said Lauren, her lips pursed. “I have to say, I don’t really know Max that well, even though Theo and I have been friends for so long. He’s really closed off and seems to keep everyone at arm’s length.” She paused, biting her lip. “I do know that something happened about eight years ago. Something really bad, but I have no idea what. Theo and I were still in college then and it just doesn’t get talked about, whatever it was. But there’s definitely some trauma there. I wish I knew more.”

“It’s okay,” said Willa, crumpling the damp tissue in her hand. “It’s really no one’s business if he doesn’t talk about it.” Of course, she wanted to know more. She wanted to know everything. What had happened to him? What had caused him to be in so much pain, to close himself off from the world? She swallowed around the painful lump in her throat, fresh tears threatening to fall, not for herself, but for Max and whatever horrible thing he’d endured. She knew Lauren was trying to explain why he was the way