Page 86 of Perfect Liar

“He’ll get what he wants because that’s who he is, but you must be strong enough to make him work for it, so he never takes you for granted.”

Not her literal words, but she’d made her point clear.

Only a woman who loved deeply and lived as fully as Mary had could guide another woman like that. Lissie’s face flashed through my mind. She would need that help too.

I pushed back my craving to immediately face Will and give him his win.

He would get his victory in the morning.

He kissed my shoulder, as if he already knew he’d won.

CHAPTER 25

Mrs. Bates hovered over me as I opened my eyes.

The night before, I planned to talk to Will about London before we got out of the bed, but he’d gone down to the gym without waking me.

“I’d rather have breakfast with the girls this morning,” I told Mrs. Bates.

She stared at me with her hands on her hips.

“With the children…in the kitchen?”

The beautiful little Irish woman was as stubborn as she was traditional, and she didn’t take backtalk from anyone. Perfect for Will and his brothers. Not so much for me.

Her eyes softened, surprising me.

“Go on then, dearest. The lads should be cleared out by now.”

I dressed quickly and rushed down to the kitchen, and then the girls and I finished up the pancakes after making smiley faces with fruit and pats of butter.

Eastridge’s warm kitchen created an inviting space that helped make the mansion feel like home for Lissie and me. But as comfy as it was, I had to find Will.

I kissed the girls on their heads and hurried from the table. As I pushed through the door leading out into the hall, I bounced off Will’s chest.

“Oh Will, I was just?—”

He grabbed my ass and jerked me up into his arms.

Desire surged through his body, and the fire in his eyes burned onto mine.

I held on, my arms clinging to his neck, my legs around his waist, as he swept us into the drawing room. And in another flash, he had my back against the wall, and his mouth covering mine.

Will took the kiss we’d both wanted the night before.

I surrendered, falling deep into his fierce affection.

He pressed his lips against my skin, on my neck, and kissed my butterfly.

“You’re avoiding me, Elle.”

I panted, working to catch my breath.

“No, I was just looking for you.”

“We should talk about London.”

Our bodies were connected, his erection the only thing between us.