Chapter 25

25

AMELIA

Warm arms wrap around my waist, slowly gliding up from my stomach, past my chest until they cup my neck.

I let out a soft moan, relishing in Will’s touch. My blissful moment is taken to another level when he enters me, causing me to gasp.

We make love at a slower pace, losing ourselves in each other. Our bodies move in sync, and even though we spent most of last night exploring one another like it was our first time, I still craved more.

My blood is pumping hard, and every single part of me tingles in a mad delight as my body combusts beside him. I call his name repeatedly, loudly, wishing this moment not to end until he releases a grunt and finishes with me.

We catch our breaths, the thirst leaving me parched.

“Good morning,” he whispers, kissing my shoulder.

“That is by far the best way to wake up in the morning,” I say with a satisfied smile on my face. “Imagine waking up every day that way?”

“Why imagine, baby?”

I kiss his arm with a grin on my face. “Can we stay here all day?”

“I want nothing more than to stay like this all day…”

“But?” I prompt him, purposely playing with him. “Let me guess. Starts with the letter W?”

“You’re going to ask me to play hooky, aren’t you?

“I should. But I have a class today.” The thought of leaving him saddens me, but our lives can’t stop just because we want to stay in bed all day long. I keep repeating that in my head, more so to remind myself of my commitments and responsibilities. Not my own selfish needs to have Will buried between my legs. “So, I guess, at some point, we need to leave this bed?”

“Hmm…for the shower.”

“You’re going to break me, Mr. Romano.”

“Is that a challenge?”

I laugh, then hop out of bed. He groans at my absence as I run the shower in the bathroom. The hot water cascades down my body, relieving the sore muscles from a strenuous night of sexual activities.

As the water falls upon my face, the door opens, the cool air entering. Will grabs the soap, running it down my body until he slides between my legs. I let out a gasp and turn around until his eyes are on me.

“You’re insatiable.”

“Only because you bring it out of me,” he replies with a playful smirk. “Now, spread your legs, Miss Edwards. I’ve got quite some appetite this morning.”

* * *

I’m not sure how I managed to concentrate all day, given my head is on cloud nine.

Every single time I move a limb, my entire body ached— a reminder of Will. Despite the aches and pains slowing me down, it also left me wanting more.

How is this even possible?

Occasionally, I find myself zoning out and thinking about my relationship with Austin. We had fun in each other’s company. We laughed until our stomachs hurt, binged watched movies until we fell asleep beside one another. Our relationship was comfortable, and although the sex was enjoyable, it is nothing like with Will.

When we made love, nothing else in the world mattered. My body became possessed, willing to sacrifice my entire being for whatever dirty trick he had in mind. We explored our bodies, pushed boundaries, and when the fireworks went off—we finished in sync.

Professor Kane asks the student beside me a question, prompting me to shake my head and focus on the lecture. My phone beside me buzzes, drawing my eyes to the screen to decipher the text without being caught.

Will: Why is this day dragging?

Me: Don’t you have better things to do than miss me? You know…like become a billionaire? Oh, that’s right. Mission accomplished. No wonder you’re bored…

Will: I can think of a very appropriate way to shut that smart mouth of yours. It involves something hard…

Me: How are you hard again? I call bullshit. You’re a robot. It is not possible after last night…and this morning. I think you broke my vagina. There, I said it.

Will: Aw, sorry, baby. But your asshole is still okay, right?

Me: You’re so greedy. I’ll see you soon.

No thanks to Will, the day dragged from thereon. When my final class of the day ended, I race outside to see Will leaning against his black Mercedes looking like sex on a stick in the dark blue suit he wore. I run toward him, throwing my arms around his neck before he kisses me deeply.

“How was your day?”

“Stressful.” He sighs.

“You, stressed? I thought you just sat in your chair and played solitaire all day?”

He squeezes me tight, unable to wipe the delicious grin off his handsome face. I grab the lapels of his suit jacket in my hands, admiring his attire.

“You look awfully handsome today. Is there someone you are trying to impress?”

“Yes,” he deadpans, then allows his gaze to fall on my lips. “A seventy-three-year-old Cantonese man.”

I shrug my shoulders and pout. “Guess I have some competition then? So, are you ready to come back to my place?”

“If it involves you naked in the kitchen, lead the way.”

The drive to my apartment is less than fifteen minutes away, but during that time, Will’s phone repeatedly goes off, which is connected to the Bluetooth of his car. The men he dealt with were relentless, and Will had zero patience. He raised his voice on more than one occasion, reminding me a lot of my own father when he was on work calls.

By the time we arrive, he looks equally relieved.

“Look, my place is small. In fact, my dad wanted to buy me some fancy penthouse, but I wanted something simple and low maintenance.”

“Wait?” Will extends his arm, stopping me. “Are you saying you don’t have a maid?”

I shake my head.

“Then who will I have an affair with when you’re busy at classes?”

I smack his arm with a small chuckle. “You, sir, are a pain in the ass. Remind me to recycle the joke when we talk about your doorman.”

Will purses his lips, less than pleased with my comeback.

I pull my keys out of my purse, jiggle it in the door to open it wide with a “Welcome home, baby!”

We both stop in our tracks to see Liesel waving at us from the couch. Her hair is up in a messy bun, and she’s dressed in a pair of pajamas covered in the words Queen of Sleep.

“Liesel?”

“Oh, hey. Sorry, you said it was okay if I crashed here. I texted you, but you never texted back, so I figured you were still in the Hamptons getting lai…I mean, having fun.”

“I have been busy getting laid,” I tell her in amusement. “You’ve met Will? He’s also getting laid, by me, just in case that wasn’t clear.”

Liesel wipes her hands from the popcorn she was eating. With a curious smirk, she extends her hand to Will and shakes it politely. “How could I forget?”

I throw my bag on the ground and motion for Will to take a seat. When he sits down, I take a seat on his lap, ready to interrogate Liesel.

“So, walk me through why you’re here again? I didn’t even notice when I rushed in this morning. I just grabbed my Mac and ran out.”

“I’m not sure which version to give you.”

I turn to look at Will, who is equally amused. “Will is a big boy. Give me the Liesel version.”

Liesel takes a deep breath. “I got drunk at the corporate party on Sunday night, accidentally blew my boss, then came home to find David in the middle of our next-door neighbor’s legs. I wasn’t going to stick around at that point. I said some words. He said some words. Since the rental agreement was in his name, I left until I realized I had nowhere to go.”

My mouth falls open. Will places his hand beneath my chin, purposely closing my mouth while trying to keep a straight face.

“Um…back the hell up, please. Firstly, how did you accidentally blow your boss?”

“It’s simple, really,” she shrugs her shoulders all nonchalant. “I stumbled after my fourth wine, straight into his arms. He was hard, and asked if I wanted to go for a walk, and outside near the car, I blew him.”

“He’s your boss?” I remind her.

“I know,” she repeats loudly. “Now, I need to find a new job.”

“He fired you?” Will questions while rubbing his beard.

“No, the opposite. He’s all clingy now.” She pulls her phone up, scrolling through all the DMs. “He slid into my DM’s and hasn’t stopped since. So, naturally, I’ve quit.”

“You quit your job? All because of this?”

Liesel lets out a heavy sigh. “Not just because of this. Aside from him, the job was tedious, and there was no career progression. I didn’t bust my ass in Yale, earning my communications degree to photocopy contracts and serve coffee. I know you’re worried, but I’ve already lined up some interviews in Manhattan. Not sure what I’ll do for living arrangements. It might be Ramen noodles every night until I get myself sorted.”

The funny thing is that Liesel’s parents are quite wealthy. But of course, Liesel wants to make it on her own and refuses to take anything from them aside from her Yale tuition, which is now paid for since she graduated.

“If you’re looking for a job in communications, I can speak to our Human Resources team and see what is open,” Will offers.

Liesel’s eyes light up. “Wait, does that mean you’ll be my boss?”

I throw a pillow at her while chuckling. “Hands off, my man. You’re notorious for being attracted to authority.”

“Explains why your Dad is my ultimate fantasy.”

I shake my head, letting out a groan. “Okay, we’re done with that conversation. Go back to David and your neighbor. Which neighbor?”

“Mrs. Garibaldi from down the hall.”

“The widow with five cats?”

Liesel nods her head. “They weren’t the only pussy hungry.”

The three of us break out in laughter, only managing to calm down shortly after.

“You’re welcome to stay here,” I remind her.

“I promise I won’t cramp your style,” she tells us, a little too eagerly. “I have these new headphones which are supposed to be top of the range noise reduction. I won’t hear a single thing, so you can go at it hard.”

“How about we order pizza because you’re giving Will the green light to go at it hard. He will hold me to that, and I’ll never eat again.”

Will nods with a playful smirk. “You know me too well.”

His phone begins to ring again. I point toward my bedroom, in which he excuses himself. The second he is gone; Liesel practically jumps on me.

“Oh. My. God,” she squeals. “Tell me everything!”

“I wouldn’t know where to begin, so for now, all you need to know is that yes, we are back together. I love him. He loves me. We have amazing sex. The end.”

Liesel purses her lips while placing her hand on her hip. “That was the most uneventful description of what happened. Coffee tomorrow on campus, and you tell me everything, deal?”

“Deal.” I smile.

We ordered the pizzas, all three of us famished. Both Will and I call it a night, leaving Liesel on some dating app which keeps her entertained.

With only the bedside lamp turned on, I snuggle into his arms.

“I’ve got three more lectures this week then I’m officially on summer break.”

“Lucky you,” he muses, toying with the strap of my tank. “I hope that summer break involves staying in the city?”

“Why yes, it does, sir,” I joke playfully. “I’m working for Nikki all summer. It was planned last year. I really want to gain practical experience. There is only so much you can learn in college.”

“Have I told you how proud I am of you?”

I keep my smile fixed. “Hmm…I don’t think so.”

“Well, I am. You’ve chosen a challenging career, and not many people can weather the storm of an undergraduate degree then continue for another four years. You are going to do great things once you graduate.”

“Thank you. To be honest, it feels like a lifetime away.”

“But once you’re there, it’ll be worth the hard work you’ve endured.”

“I guess you would know,” I say, kissing his hand. “I mean, look at you. You’re something else. I know a little bit about the business world to know how well your company is doing. And to think that started with you.”

“Yes, it did. Your father had a lot to do with it,” he resigns.

“Speaking of my father, I promised to visit home this weekend. It’s the only four days I can get off before work begins.”

I feel him tense in my embrace. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

“I’ve been preoccupied,” I admit, slightly annoyed at his anger. “It’s only four days.”

“And you expected me to drop everything to come with you?”

I shuffle in a sitting position, crossing my arms. “Actually, I wasn’t sure where we stood with that and assumed you wouldn’t want to go. But since we’re having this conversation, we might as well say what needs to be said.”

“And that is?”

“I want you to come with me, but I’m not the one angry at my father. The truth is, Will, both of you and need to come to some sort of truce if we are going to work. I’ve done my part. I’ve apologized but also stood my ground with what I want in my future. He knows exactly where I stand and that I love you. But it’s not my job to repair your relationship with him. You need to do that because you want to do it, and vice versa for him.”

“It’s not that easy, Amelia.”

“I never said it was.”

Will rubs his face in his hands, releasing a sigh. “Okay, I’ll come with you but only on one condition.”

I roll my eyes, betting it has some sexual favor attached.

“There is a Governor’s charity ball I am scheduled to attend on Friday night. I’d love it if you can be my date. We can fly out first thing in the morning.”

“A ball? As in, I will be your girlfriend in public?”

“I really despise the word girlfriend.” He cringes.

“Hmm…I’ll have to think about it.”

Will’s penetrating stare falls upon me until he climbs on top and pins me down to the bed.

“You really like to push my buttons? It’s almost as if you like it when I’m mad.”

I press my lips into a hard line. “I have no idea what you’re talking about? If you’re that mad, maybe you need to punish me. I don’t know, say maybe turn me over and fuck me up the ass since that would be the ultimate punishment.”

A smirk plays on his lips. “You’re bad for me.”

I lean forward, sucking his bottom lip. “Some things never change…”