A Prior Engagement (36 page)

Her lips found his jaw and worked her way to the soft skin around his ear. She kissed and licked and nipped at him, loving the feel of him as he reached her depths over and again.

William stopped moving, enjoying her sensations, but needing a moment to get back in control.

Noticing his face flickering between pleasure and pain, she asked, “Are you all right?”

Leaning up, he kissed her. “I’m better than all right. I’m perfect,” he said, his eyes hooded with desire.

“I need you to move then.” She tried to restrain the begging in her tone, but she was ready for more.

She felt him take a long breath and exhale before he began deep, slow strokes. Yes, that was what she needed and what she wanted.

Their staggered breaths became pants, which became moans turning quickly into wanton gasps as he moved, giving her what she craved, and he dreamed about. Each motion pushed them closer to their bliss. Just when she thought she couldn’t handle much more of the intensity from their connection, his fingers slid between her legs, touching her how she needed it most, and she jolted in response. He slowed his pace, focusing his attention on her.

It didn’t take long. She was flooded with long desired yearnings for him that her body gave into, making his own desires release. He was right there with her, chanting her name and praising her body as he did.

An hour later, they lay naked and snuggled together on the twin bed. Evie was relaxed, feeling happier than she could remember feeling in years. That was until fear gripped her as she remembered something Tom had said to her once about “having information.” Her heart started racing, and she panicked. “He knows where you live!”

William lazily opened his eyes. “Doesn’t matter. Let him come here. He’ll never touch you again. If I have my way, he’ll never talk to you again either.” She was surprised at how calm the words were spoken, but laced with hatred. She hoped it would never come to that either. “Besides, if he was coming over tonight, he’d be here already.” He rubbed down her hair and across her chin, stopping on her shoulder. “Sleep, my sweet girl.”

She
was
his—heart and soul—and she loved this knowledge. He made her feel smart and pretty, hopeful and sexy all at once and ridiculously happy.

Chapter 30

Evie woke up when her stomach growled. Opening her eyes, she found William also waking up. “Hungry?” he asked with a small smile.

“Yes, I guess I am.”

“Let’s get some breakfast.” He moved closer and gave her a sweet, chaste, worried-he-had-morning-breath kiss. William rolled out of bed, naked, and grabbed a pair of jeans, sliding them on without boxers.

She sighed happy and then disappointment set in when he pulled a shirt over his head and further, hiding his body from her.

He smiled when he caught her appreciating him. “You’re pretty damn sexy, too, you know?” He arched his eyebrow up and winked at her.

She laughed and got up, not embarrassed at all being naked in front of him. She had never felt more beautiful and confident than she did with him. But she realized she only had her dress from last night to wear. He saw her expression change and wanted her happy again. “The clothes you bought last time you were here are over there in the corner. I’ll give you the dresser if you want.”

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“Intrude? I’m hoping you’re staying and not just visiting.”

“Being here makes me happy.” She looked at the clock on the desk, and was shocked. “It’s two in the afternoon already? I haven’t slept that late in . . . in . . . in years. We must’ve been tired. Can we even get breakfast now?”

“First off, I haven’t slept that well since the last time you were here. Secondly, our…” he cleared his throat, and said, “…activities last night might’ve compounded the exhaustion. And thirdly, it’s Sunday in New York City, of course we can still get breakfast.”

They were happy spending their day together, pushing down any thoughts of the people they left behind last night. Although they found it odd that Tom had not shown up, they kept thoughts of her ex to themselves not wanting to ruin the day.

They ate at a local diner then spent the afternoon both reading in the park. They also made out in the park. Since they’d been intimate, it was hard for them to keep their hands off each other, but they were hoping no one noticed.

They made love again Sunday night, a little quicker, a little harder, and a lot more frenzied than the night before. They had become ravenous for each other, so repeated the act in the wee hours of the morning once again. Who needed food when they had each other?

But when Monday rolled around, they had to figure out what they were “officially” doing.

“I’m moving in here,” Evie stated, matter-of-fact.

“I hope so. I thought that was already decided.” William looked up from the teaching assistant’s handbook he had been given by Lang.

“I’m just making sure you’re still on board with the idea.”

“I want you here with me, Evie.” He could sense she wanted to say more, and waited for her to continue in her own time.

“I need to get my stuff from my parent’s home.”

“You know I still have all of your money. I didn’t spend any of it.”

She got up from the bed where she had been lounging and smiled while situating herself on his lap. “You could’ve if you needed it. I hope you know that. I haven’t even thought of the money.”

“It’s yours and yours alone to do with as you please.” William didn’t ever want money to be an issue between them.

When she stood up, she made an announcement. “Let’s go get my stuff.”

An hour later, they approached her family’s apartment building. They chose to walk and enjoy the weather, which was something she hadn’t gotten to do much in recent months. Walter saw them through the glass before they reached the door and raced to hold it open. He shook William’s hand and patted him on the back as he passed.

“Yeah, I’m pretty pleased myself,” William said, enjoying the support.

Once upstairs, William got nervous standing outside her front door. Walter had told them no one was home, but Evie didn’t have a key on her, so they had to wait for someone to answer. Other than the money he saw her get from the bank, William had lived happily oblivious to Evie’s wealth, but right then he realized that blissful ignorance was a safer place to be mentally.

A small woman in a maid’s uniform answered and greeted Evie then took leave of them. William followed her into the massive apartment and gawked at the views and sheer size of the place.

Sensing his discomfort, Evie took the lead and pulled him by the hand into her bedroom. She shut the door, making sure to lock it, and got to work getting her suitcases out.

He remained standing where she left him in the pale pink room. After scanning the room, he joined her near the closet, leaning against the doorframe and laughing. “My whole apartment fits into your bedroom two times.”

She turned to face him, resting her hand on his cheek. “Let’s not do the comparison thing. You are all that matters to me.”

William was quick to calm, knowing she was all that mattered to him as well. He went and sat on her window seat, waiting for her to gather her stuff. Thoughts of how much she was giving up to be with him hit him full force. Her whole world—a large pink bedroom, a huge walk-in closet, a maid, a chef, amazing city views and more—she was giving it all up to be with him.

He knew she was going into their future together with her eyes wide open and that made him feel invincible.

They took a cab home since she brought two suitcases and two medium-sized boxes from her previous life on the Upper East Side with her. The rest she could live without. She was just excited to start her new life with William. He cleared a space in the corner of the dining area, and together they decided they would work the stuff to its final destination a little at a time.

The new couple was excited to talk about his new job with Professor Lang over a steamy, hot bowl o’noodles that night. They laughed together and spoke about things they looked forward to.

“I’m excited about your graduation dinner,” Evie said, tucking her legs under her on the bed.

“I’m excited about graduating.” William dropped his head to the pillow and closed his eyes, releasing a sigh of relief.

“I’m proud of you.”

He rolled his head to the side and opened his eyes. He could see how much she meant her words. “I’m more proud of you. You’ve gone through so much and yet, you’re still selfless.”

“Stop one-upping me.” She teased, poking his ribs.

“Here’s a one up to one up all one ups.” He grabbed her hand and kissed it, pulled her down until she was lying next to him, and cupped her cheek. “I’m proud of you, proud of everything you do, you will do, and who you are, but mainly, I’m the most proud of your inner strength, and I’m in love with you wholly and unconditionally.”

She looked away from him, never having anyone say such amazing things to her like that before. Wiping a tear away, she whispers, “Thank you.”

They let the depth of the shared words linger between them, the weight of heavier topics needing to be discussed taking over.

He hated the thought of her having to work, but they both agreed it was necessary, especially since his income wouldn’t be much more of an increase over his current job. “It sucks, but I can barely pay my bills, Evie.”

He wouldn’t be able to support two people on it, which normally would hurt his pride, but she was so supportive he felt proud to have the job opportunity.

“It doesn’t matter. We’ll make it work. I really don’t mind,” she said, shrugging. “I kind of look forward to it. It’ll be a new adventure.”

“I’m sorry, but I promise it won’t always be like this. Money won’t always be so tight.”

She rolled over and straddled his lap while wrapping her hands around his neck. One kiss. Two kisses. “I love you, nothing else matters.”

Over the next four days, Evie didn’t contact her parents. She had spoken to Audrey who said she talked with them, but they were still “trying” to understand what was going on. Audrey told Evie she couldn’t hide what Tom had done to her any longer and she would tell them soon. They hadn’t listened to Evie when she tried to tell them the same day William was arrested, and didn’t think they would listen to Audrey either, but wished her sister luck. Luck was something Evie didn’t feel was on her side. She was focusing on more proven methods of destiny, like action.

The rest of William’s week was dedicated to working for Manhattan Messengers, and Evie meeting with Lang. She re-enrolled in school under Lang’s guidance and encouragement.

As the week went on, she still hadn’t heard from Tom or her parents, which made her nervous. It weighed on her daily, but she tried to hide that when she was around William.

She also went out looking for a job. Although, it seemed like an unlikely place to go, she marched straight into Bean There and applied for one. There was something about the place that called to her, and she felt like that would be a job she could do, especially since she spent so much time in there anyway.

Tracy gave her the courtesy of interviewing her though she gave her a hard time, her expressions showing empathy for her situation. Tracy may have been the one to broach the subject of Evie’s engagement with William, but Evie was to blame for not telling him in the first place. She owned up to her lies and decisions.

After a short chat about her past experience which was none and then to personal business to see if they could even work together, Tracy hired her. “I’m going to give you a chance because . . . well, I’m not really sure why. Maybe it’s because I’ve realized everyone has problems and I like the way you’re handling yours.”

“Thank you. You won’t regret it,” Evie said, shaking her hand then grabbing her into a hug because she was so excited.

“You can start when school starts. Business picks up then.”

“Thank you again.” Everleigh jogged out of the shop, anxious to get home to William and share the news, but stopped a few blocks down. She needed to catch her breath before continuing when she was startled, her hand covering her heart as Tom stepped out in front of her from an empty storefront's doorway. “Don’t come near me!”

His hands went out in front of him, attempting to calm her. “Everleigh, I just want to talk to you.”