Within minutes he was going to see Willow and he wasn’t sure whether he’d be able to greet her coolly or do something really stupid like dragging her to bed and begging her to stay.
Those damn buttons she’d opened last night had unleashed something inside of him that was freaking him out.What the hell it was, he had no idea, all he knew was that his body was on fire, and he’d been struggling to concentrate all day.
He needed to calm down, get his galloping libido in check before he saw her, but he had no idea how to do that.The countless cold showers since last night hadn’t made any difference to the fire burning inside of him.
It was bitterly cold, but he left his jacket in the truck, he was burning up.
Inhaling the cold air, he tried to be rational.Fact was, they were going their separate ways on Sunday.He would probably never see her again.Even on the off-chance she’d consider a relationship with him, he’d never be able to do the long-distance thing with her.The need to touch her, to be with her, was too overwhelming, too intense.He had to be with her, close to her.
Damn it, this wasn’t helping.She’d probably forgotten all about last night by now.Gnashing his teeth, he got into his truck and drove the rest of the way to her house.
Her mother’s car was parked in front of Willow’s house.Chuckling, he shook his head.Just the bucket of ice he’d needed to cool him down.As he got out of his truck, the front door opened, and Willow and her mom walked out on to the porch, both wrapped up in scarves and coats.The high heels peeking below Willow’s dress caught his eye.Suddenly, he had trouble breathing.Those long, sexy legs in heels?Damn, these kinds of thoughts are making things harder.Pun intended.
“Hi, Hunter,” the older woman smiled when she saw him.“My, don’t you look handsome!”
Grinning, he returned her warm hug.He’d always liked her.“Thanks, Mrs.Weston, I have a date tonight.May I say, you also look stunning.”
“Thank you.Please call me Arlene, we’re nearly family.I’ll see you kids at the dance!”
“Mom, why don’t you go with us?”Willow asked.
“I’ve promised Hayden and Laura I’ll keep an eye on Luke tonight so they could dance and not worry about what he gets up to.I’m spending the night with them, so I’ll see you tomorrow morning before you leave.You look beautiful, sweetheart.”
“You really shouldn’t have bought me another dress but thank you.I love it.”
With another quick hug, Arlene moved toward her car.Hunter escorted her and helped her inside.
As Arlene closed the door, she opened the window.“I don’t know if she’ll ever admit it, but she’s happy around you.Thank you for putting that light in her eyes.”
“She’s a very special lady.Save me a dance, okay?”he teased.
“Of course!”With a wave, she left.
As he turned around Willow was coming toward him, a small bag in her hand.
He quickly walked around his truck so that he could open the door for her.Dismayed, she looked down at herself.“O, my goodness, I haven’t thought of this.I don’t know how I’ll get into the truck wearing this dress.”
Without thinking about it, he picked her up.“I was dying to hold you in my arms anyway,” he teased as he put her down on the seat.Like a schoolboy on his first date, his heart was thundering away, his mouth was dry, he struggled to breathe.He was a dead man.
As he started the truck, she smiled.“Thanks.The dress is tight-fitting…”
“I like the sound of that.”His eyes on his hands, he started the truck.Keep it light, don’t look at her.That was the only way he was going to survive the night.
“You okay?”she asked.
Gripping the wheel, he sighed.“I’m trying not to look at you, because if I do…”
The next moment soft arms were around his neck and she was kissing him.Within seconds his blood was roaring through his veins, shutting out any other noise.
He couldn’t get enough of her.Frantically, he pulled at her coat until he could get his hands on her.Gulping in air, he looked down.The midnight blue material of her dress dipped low enough in the front to give him a glimpse of her gorgeous curves.
Slipping one of his hands inside the dress, he looked at her.“I’ll never get enough of touching you, of kissing you…” With a groan he pulled out his hand and closed her coat.“You are a dangerous distraction, Willow Weston.Let’s go.”
Lacing his fingers with her one hand, he stepped on the gas.His whole body was on fire.How he was supposed to survive dancing with this gorgeous creature tonight, he had no idea.
*
The Ballroom ofthe Graff Hotel had been transformed into a winter wonderland.Besides the gleaming light fixtures, fairy lights dangled down the walls, creating a festive atmosphere.
