Page 42 of The P*ssy Next Door
I got Seven a bowl of water and a handful of treats I'd ordered off Amazon because I thought they'd probably come in handy. Then I showered, grabbed my gear, and in fifteen minutes flat, I walked into Willa's coffee shop before practice. Partly for her weak coffee, mostly because I wanted to see my girl to start my day off right.
Willa looked up from the chalkboard sign she was making with cat-themed drinks for the upcoming date with the rescue organization. I'd almost forgotten about that. She flashed me a smile that did more for me than any caffeine ever would. “Hey, you.”
I leaned across the counter for a quick kiss. “Morning, beautiful. Your cat is at my house, and I figured I'd just leave him there. I put out a bowl of water, but I guess I should get some cat food if he's going to be a frequent visitor.”
She sighed and chuckled. “I think he's trying to assimilate you. Xander still passed out on your couch? I don't think he'll be feeling too great when he wakes up.”
I shook my head, sliding onto a stool. “He was gone when I got up. I'm... not sure he was as drunk as he seemed.”
Willa reached across the counter, taking my hand in hers. “Xander's a dick, but he's going through some stuff this year, and the idea of us together is stupidly tough for him.”
“At least we don't have to sneak around anymore.”I ran my thumb across her knuckles, marveling at how perfectly her hand fit in mine. I was dying to see what other parts of us would fit together.
Her eyes flared and she waggled one eyebrow at me. “That part was kind of fun. But I'd trade it if Xander could see how happy you make me.”
Zings of electricity zipped up and down my spine. Hells to the yeah, I made her happy. Touchdown Mustang.
“He will.” I brought her hand up to press a kiss to her palm. “I promise to give him lots of opportunities because I'll be right here, being the best boyfriend I can be to you.”
Willa's eyebrows shot up, a surprised, awkward laugh escaping her. “Boyfriend, huh?”
Oh, she wanted to tease me again, did she? Too bad for her because I'd recently discovered I liked it. I dropped my voice and lowered my mouth to hers but didn't quite kiss her. “Tell me I'm not your boyfriend, Willa. Just try it and see what happens.”
“Why are you so freaking hot? It makes it very hard to resist you.” She gave a soft contented hum and pressed her cheek against mine. “I'm just going to focus on living in the moment, you know? Not put too many labels on things.”
Wait... was she teasing? It certainly didn't have the same effect as her teasing in the bedroom. Damn.
The bell above the door jingled, and a man in a blue jumpsuit stepped inside, a toolbox in hand. “Ahem, hope I'm not interrupting anything, but do you need an espresso machine repair?”
“Yes, I do.” Willa gave me a quick kiss on the cheek... the fucking cheek, and then waved him over. “I'm so glad you're here. We're already behind on reopening.”
“I'm gonna head to practice.” And figure out what the fuck just happened. “Call you later?”
She blew me a kiss. “Definitely. Have a good practice, superstar.”
Was Willa really still being resistant to making things official between us? Did she not see a future with me? But she'd just told me I made her happy.
I needed advice, and not from a book or website this time. Back to the love guru for me.
The moment I got to the locker room, I sought out Everett immediately. He took one look at my face and sighed, slinging an arm around my shoulders.
“Alright, little bro. Lay it on me. What's got you looking like someone just told you they discontinued your favorite protein powder?”
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “How do you know if a girl is in love with you or not?”
His eyes widened, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Well, well, well. You've finally decided to quit ignoring my relationship advice, huh?”
I elbowed him in the ribs, hard. “Don't make me regret this.”
He laughed, holding up his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. Tell me what's going on with you and the lovely Willa.”
I started telling him, but before I got very far into the story, Chris and Dec had joined us too. This was a whole damn team meeting, but if there was anyone I trusted, it should be the men I looked up to, and at least two of them had found the loves of their lives.
When I finished talking about how Willa had started off telling me not to get attached because she wasn't going to be around long, and how Xan was acting like a dick, and that damn no-labels comment this morning, it was quiet for a long moment.
Declan laid a hand on my shoulder. “Take her up to the cabin and don't let her out of bed until she's had a hundred and two orgasms. Worked for me.”
“Nah.” Chris shook his head at us both. “You don't need to take her away. Just bend her over the kitchen table, or the couch, or her desk, or?—”