Page 14 of Digital Desire

“Aubrey,” Will said as he came towards her, wrapping her in his arms and holding her tight.

She didn’t move for a second, and then as if her soul had seen the sun for the first time in months, she felt her body come alive. Lifting her arms, she wrapped them around his waist and held him, letting the comfort that only he could give her flow through her body.

The skin from his naked and very defined torso warmed her through her t-shirt, his body seemed alive under her hands. Her head rested on his chest, and she could hear the pounding of his heart. Aubrey felt safe and alive and home. It was only like this with Will, no other man had come close to making her feel this way—to breaking down her barriers, and yet with one look, one touch, and hers were crashing down around her.

The promise she had made to Jack to stay away seemed like an impossible task but one she had to fulfil, not just for her sister but for her own sanity. She let herself enjoy the feeling for one more moment before she gently pulled away.

Her eyes travelled over this new Will. He seemed so different to the cheeky gorgeous geek that so threatened her heart. This Will had ridges of muscle all over his flat, naked, tattooed stomach. Arms like bands of steel and pecs that would make a cover model drool with envy were devastating to her libido and her heart in a way that she knew if she didn’t keep a distance, she wouldn’t be able to remember all the reasons he was so dangerous.

“Are you okay?” he asked, and she dragged her eyes from his body to his face with the sparkling eyes and the grin that never seemed far away on his lips.

“Maybe you should put some clothes on before we talk,” she said, and he smirked knowing precisely what he was doing to her.

“Yeah, man, cover that shit up in public.” Blake laughed as he walked past Will towards his room, exchanging a fist bump with him first.

“You’re just jealous, because you’re getting flabby.” Will laughed as Blake shot him the finger and closed the door.

“New tatts man?” Reid asked looking at the Angel wings tattoo Will had on the left side of his neck.

“Yeah,” Will said rubbing the intricate tattoo with his fingers. Aubrey followed the movement studying the tattoo and wondering what it meant.

“Nick do it?” Reid asked as he walked to the room farthest down the hall.

“Yeah, nobody else gets to ink this skin,” Will replied.

Reid saluted him. “True dat,” he said with a smile before opening the door and stepping in.

“Aubrey, your room is next to mine,” Alex said as he turned to leave.

Aubrey watched Alex go to keep her eyes off the sexy man in front of her.

“Can we talk?” Will asked, touching her arm gently with the tips of his fingers.

She followed the movement fighting the electricity she felt from his touch. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” she started.

“Please, Aubrey. I don’t know what I did to upset you but let me fix it, please?” he asked, and she knew her resolve was weakening.

“Okay but put a shirt on first then come over. I’m in room eight,” she answered and saw the grin spread across his face. Shit, how do I arm myself against that?

Letting herself into her room, she realised Will was in the room opposite. Dumping the small bag of essentials Jack had allowed her to pick up on their way over on the sofa, she looked around the room. It was plush, with thick cream carpets throughout, long, draped silk curtains in light champagne hung at the large windows to the balcony. A bedroom to the left held a large king-sized bed with navy blue satin sheets and large lush pillows. To the left of that was a huge bathroom with a jacuzzi tub and separate shower.

She looked longingly at the tub, desperate to soak her tired body in hot scented water for a few hours but knew she didn’t have time. It was already midnight, and she needed sleep. But first, she would let Will say his piece before she settled things between them. Wanting to shower away the dust and grime, she quickly shed her clothes and turning on the hot water, jumped under the spray.

Hot water hit her skin like prickles, washing away the dust and exhaustion. Filling her hand with shampoo provided by the hotel, she massaged it through her hair and scalp. Swiftly rinsing off and stepping out, she wrapped a towel around her body and head.

Feeling much better equipped to handle Will now she was clean, Aubrey towelled off and stepped into sleep shorts and a vest. It was no more revealing than shorts and a t-shirt, so she had no worries that she was leading Will on. Leaving her hair to dry naturally, she was pouring herself a stiff drink of whisky when the knock came.

Drink in hand she moved to the door and checked the peephole. Seeing Will’s tall frame, she unlocked the door and let him in. He stepped past her and his scent filled her nose, the sexy citrus smelling shower gel he used almost making her groan with a need for him to touch her. “Would you like a drink?” she asked.

“Na, I’m good,” he replied looking unsure of himself.

Aubrey slung back her drink and moved to pour herself another knowing she would need it for the subsequent conversation. She felt him before she saw him as he walked up behind her, her skin hyper-aware of his every move. He didn’t touch her though, merely stayed close, silently invading her space and her soul.

“I missed you,” he said honestly, and it wasn’t what she had expected, and the one thing guaranteed to bring her defences low. She had expected him to berate her for ignoring him, to yell at her for being reckless with her job and her life but the brutal honesty had her stopping short.

Turning, she found herself caged in his arms against the bar. His lips were so close, the lines of the images on his skin seemed to ripple with life. His blue/grey eyes were so full of emotion—an emotion she couldn’t pin down, but she saw frenzied desperation in them.

“I missed you too,” she found herself admitting.