"Excuse me!" Dominic booms through the office.
Turning from Brad's incredulous eyes, I look at the man whose love I had always thought I needed.
"Dominic," I sweetly say in greeting. "You'll have to excuse my frankness, but I think you'll find I actually have no trouble speaking my mind these days. It really is a wonderful feeling."
"You'll keep in mind whom you're speaking to, Willow," he seethes.
I cock my head and look at him in confusion--well, fake confusion for his sake. "I'm sorry? And exactly who would that be, Dominic? Surely, you aren't implying that I should watch my mouth because there is someone I should be respecting in here?"
"You have a lot of nerve," he heatedly mumbles, moving to stand from his chair. "You have no right to be here!" he yells.
Kane's hand tightens, and I give him a squeeze.
"Perhaps, but I'm here, and I'm not leaving until I get a few things off my chest, so do me a favor and sit down, shut up, and for once in your life, listen."
He sputters but doesn't move around the desk. He also doesn't sit, but that's okay. Looking at each of them for a few seconds, I measure my next words--my reason for coming and everything that I hope to get off my chest. Short and sweet but everything I need to say in order to let go of my past. I couldn't care less if they agree; all that matters is how I feel at this moment.
"Dominic," I begin. "I want you to know that I forgive you." He sputters again, but this time it isn't anger driven. He's confused, clearly not expecting that. "I forgive you for being a terrible stepfather to me. I forgive you for treating me with nothing but hate and verbal abuse for years. I also forgive you for your inability to love because that is really just heartbreaking. I used to think I needed your love. For what reason, I'm not sure. I allowed you to beat me down because I felt the guilt of losing Mom, guilt I shouldn't have had to burden. It was a terrible accident I had no control over, and even though I'll miss her for the rest of my life, I know that the years I had with her were beautiful and even you can't take that away from me. I know now that if she were here, she would be as disgusted with your actions as I am. But most of all, I forgive you for being blinded by evil and not helping me heal after she was gone."
I ignore him and his beet-red face and turn to the duo of doom on the couch.
"Ivy." I smile at my sister. No. It's time I let go of the hope she would ever be a true sister. The half that had bonded us as together meaning more to me than her, so it's time I remember she will always be my half-sister. "I want you to know I forgive you as well. For different reasons, of course. I forgive you for being so unhappy with yourself that you projected that on me and spent your whole life building a relationship of hate toward me instead of one of love. You could have had the best relationship with me, but you were blind to that. I forgive you for whatever you lack in your heart to actually have the ability to care for another person, especially your own half-sister. It's okay because I see now that blood might bond us, but that connection is the only one we will share. And most of all, I thank you for being so driven by your hate toward me that you slept with Brad and saved me from the life I was drowning in. You didn't know it, but that was the best gift I had been given in a long time."
"You bitch," she screams, climbing to her feet.
"Be quiet," I snap, stopping her in her tracks before she can take more than two steps from the couch.
"Brad, I didn't know you would be here," I continue, fake enthusiasm dripping from my words. "I really didn't plan to have anything more to say to you, but it works out in my favor to have you here during this. So all I have to say is thank you for leaving me when you knew I was too afraid to do it myself. I forgive you for your part in the 'make Willow suffer' game. I'm not afraid anymore, and I can tell you with absolute honesty that you are the reason for that. I hope you're happy with my sister. I meant what I said. You two worked so hard for the common goal that it really would be a shame to waste all that malevolence."
Everyone is silent when I finish, and I look around at their faces. Each one shocked and bright red.
"Well ..." I sigh cheerfully. "That's all I needed to say. If you'll excuse us, my boyfriend and I have a flight to catch."
I turn, but Ivy's silence has apparently found its endpoint. "You're with her? Why the fuck would you want her?"
I know her words are meant to lash me mentally, but she won't get that. Their words no longer have the power to hurt me. I know my worth.
I look up at Kane and give his angry expression a wink before turning back around. I stare at my half-sister and tell her the only thing I can to make her understand that she no longer holds any power to hurt me. "Why the fuck wouldn't he want me?" The curse word rolls off my tongue effortlessly, and it just makes my smile widen.
She doesn't respond, but I turn and ignore them. I said what I needed to in order to move on with my life. I no longer have any part of my painful past tying me down. I got the closure I needed, and it doesn't matter what they think.
The resistance in Kane's hold draws me up short, and I realize he didn't move from where he had been standing. He's staring at my half-sister, and if her trembling is anything to judge by, he looks terrifying.
"To answer your asinine question, it's because I fucking love her."
When he turns, he gives me a wink of his own and starts walking out the door, this time leading me. I'm too busy riding the high that my life's become to even notice what is being yelled at our retreating backs.
I don't care what they have to say because right now, I know when I leave this office, they're going to be dead to me. Not even the memory of them will haunt my mind.
I, Willow Tate, have won.
WILLOW DOESN'T STOP SMILING THE whole way out of the offices. She gives Mary a warm hug and promises to keep in touch. She turns toward me, and even though I know confronting her past wasn't easy, she looks happier than I have ever seen her. I had misjudged just how much this last tie to her past weighed on her. I have no doubt that she finally feels as strong as I knew she had become. Giving them her forgiveness wouldn't mean anything to anyone else, but to her it was the only way she could truly move on and be free from it.
The thought of letting her do this today had been filling me with unease all night and into the morning. I felt protective of her before we knew each other, so the thought of letting the woman I had come to love be in any pain I could prevent killed me. But when I stood by her side and watched her take charge of her future, I knew that moment was worth all the unsettling feelings I had.
Now, though, all of that is gone and the only thing I feel is pride. No, that's not true. Witnessing all of that turned me on so much; I could have fucked her right there in the middle of Dominic's office.
If watching her dominate the room wasn't enough to have my cock painfully hard, hearing her response to Ivy almost made me come unglued.
I've never heard her cuss. Not once. But now, all I can think of is hearing her beg me to fuck her.
When the elevator doors close and shut us in solitude, I turn to her and back her against the wall. My mouth comes down to hers in a hungry kiss. All of the pent-up frustration I felt at having to keep my mouth shut while she got what she needed back there came out in the brutal, savage kiss. All my worry and fear for her bleeding from my body as I let my hands roam all over her body and feast against her mouth. Her moans driving my need for her higher until I have to tear myself away before I really do fuck her right here.
"I'm so proud of you, Willow."
Her eyes open slowly, and I feel her fists uncoil around the fabric at my hips she had been fisting tightly.
"So fucking proud of you, baby."
The hazy gaze of lust is still floating over her expression, but her cheeks go pink at my praise.
Bending down so that my lips are just feathering her ear, I whisper, "And one day soon, I'm going to hear you say that word again. You know the one. You're going to say it when you're begging me to take you." I press my
lips to the spot just under her ear that I know turns her on. I step back, just in time for the doors to slide open to the lobby.
Grabbing her hand, I lead us out and look around. Besides a few businessmen and women going about their day, there doesn't seem to be anyone paying us any attention. I was half expecting to have my presence noticed on the way out, but the front lobby is eerily quiet. I would have proudly marched through a sea of reporters if they had been tipped off, but I'm glad I have Willow alone after what happened up there. I know she's okay, but I still would feel better having her to myself just in case the enormity of cutting ties with her evil family hits her negatively.
Cam is standing outside the Range Rover when we walk into the crisp November air. He stands from his relaxed position leaning against the SUV and moves to open the back door. I allow Willow to slide in first and look around one more time, seeing nothing but the normal busyness of New York City. Shoppers, tourists, and locals going about their business without a care.
I climb in and ignore my belt, sliding across until my arm is over her shoulder. She's tucked into my side right where she belongs.
"I just talked to William. He said the jet is fueled and final prep is underway. They'll be ready to take off as soon as we get there."
"Thanks, Cam," I respond. Turning my attention from Cam's reflection in the rearview mirror, I look at Willow. The small smile still on her lips and her eyes closed while she relaxes against me.
"Are you ready to leave New York City and come home with me?" I ask, my words meaning a lot more than just asking if she's ready for her move. She's coming home, maybe not in my home just yet, but she is most definitely coming home where she belongs. By my side. And if I have my way, she will never be leaving.
She nods and leans her head back against the arm resting on her shoulder. "I am ready, so ready."
"The rest of your stuff will arrive Wednesday, but that should give us plenty of time to get you unpacked before filming picks back up. Are you sure you packed everything you'll need right away?"
"Yeah, Kane. I have everything I need right here." Her hand gives my thigh a squeeze, and I know she isn't talking about the three overflowing suitcases in the back of the SUV.
"Yeah, baby, likewise."
The rest of our ride is silent, and when we pull into the private airstrip, Willow climbs out and looks at the jet in awe. I should have known she wouldn't assume we would be flying privately, but it didn't even cross my mind. I'm starting to see my world in a new light. An excited infectiousness that has me looking forward to introducing her to much more.
We make small talk with my pilot, William. Usually, I would have had an attendant fly with me, but I wanted to have this time alone with Willow. Anything that we need, I can take care of myself. Cam, wearing many hats as usual, will be co-piloting during our trip home.
Willow climbs up the stairs and into the cabin of my plane, looking around with wide eyes. "This is yours?"
I nod. "Well, it's Kane Entertainment property, but yes, it's mine."
"Holy crap." She sighs.
I laugh and show her around the interior. There really isn't much. My other plane is larger, but when it's just me, I like to do my part in making my carbon footprint at least a little smaller.
There are two leather seats on either side of a small table against one wall, a couch on the other, and a refrigerated cooler against the back wall that holds wine, small snacks when stocked, and a handful of liquors.
"What's through there?" Willow asks with her hand pointing toward the rear of the plane.
I feel like the hunter stalking his prey when I move toward her without answering. Judging on how her brown eyes darken, she has a pretty good idea of what's behind that door.
"Let me show you." My voice sounds raspy to my ears, and I can feel the slight tremors of unsteady nerves running through my body.
I need her.
My body needs her.
Fuck.
Taking hold of her hand, I open the door that leads to the bedroom, walking past the small bathroom off this hallway. Since this is my private jet and not one I use for entertainment purposes, it's designed so I can rest between locations, but I also made sure I would be able to freshen up when needed. The seating area and bathroom being minimal, but back here it is pure luxury.
"Holy crap." She repeats her earlier shock.
"I think you said that already." I laugh.
"Yeah, well, excuse me for not being able to express in words how stunning this is. I never knew they even made aircrafts like this." She moves into the room and spins slowly around. "Kane, this is bigger than my old bedroom."
"It is not." She looks at me in shock, and I laugh harder. "It just looks bigger. It's the windows."
She turns around again, moving in a slow circle and looking over every inch. I wasn't lying, the windows do make it appear to be a larger space than it is, and the bed is just a double, so it gives the illusion of unlimited space. Just a bed, two leather chairs on either side of the door we just walked through, and both sides of the jet designed with windows that span the length of the room.
"It's beautiful." She sighs, her voice holding a dreamy tone.
Not taking my eyes off her, I respond, "Stunning."
I get her attention, knowing damn well I'm not talking about a stupid fucking jet I could give away tomorrow without a second thought. What I'm looking at right now, that expression on her face--I would do anything to keep this carefree happiness in place.
"Come on. Let's go have a seat and maybe a glass of wine before we take off."
More like give me some time to calm the fuck down so I can wait long enough for us to get airborne and for me to get Willow in that bed.
I wasn't kidding earlier when I said how much I wanted to hear her begging me to fuck her. It's going to happen. Soon.
It takes longer than normal for William and Cam to get up on the runway. Willow is all smiles as she relaxes in the living area; her face is pressed close to the window and she wears an open look of eagerness as we take off and leave New York behind. I can't tell if she's excited to be in my jet, if it's flying in general, or if the day's events are allowing her to move on carefree toward the future.
Or maybe she knows I'm about to come in my pants just watching her chest move with every breath she takes.
I bite back the groan that almost slips out when we hit a pocket of air and jolt slightly. The movement shifts my hips and pulls my pants tighter against my straining erection.
Fuck.
Lifting my glass, I take a slow pull of the bourbon, the burn down my throat just intensifying the one that had been blazing through my veins.
I crave her.
And I'm happily drowning in my obsession to own every part of her. All her smiles, laughs, moans, and screams.
"Are you okay?"
I open my eyes and look toward Willow. I hadn't realized I was clenching my lids tightly closed until Willow's voice broke through my thoughts.
"Kane?" she adds when I don't answer her. I continue to let my eyes roam over her face before I drift my gaze down. Her ample chest makes my mouth water, and I move to place my drink down when I feel my grasp tighten around the glass.
"Kane?" This time, her voice isn't inquisitive but worried. "Honey, are you okay? Do you not like flying?"
I shake my head. "I love flying." Rough air rushes out with my words.
"Then what's wrong?"
"Thank fucking Christ," I mumble when I look out the window and see clouds in every visible direction. I release the latch on my seat belt instantly and then stand, move around the table, and brace myself with a hand on each of Willow's armrests. My mouth crashes to hers, and her gasp gives me the opening I need to dip my tongue in and taste her.
The second my tongue licks against hers, she moans in my mouth. Her hands push into my hair and pull me closer. I don't waste a second freeing her from her belt before I grab hold of her hips and lift her into my arms. Our mouths stay f
used as I walk toward the back of the plane. Her fingers alternating between running through my hair and gripping the strands tightly when she wants more of my mouth.
"I'm about to lose my fucking mind," I moan, pressing my hips against hers when I lower her back to the mattress. "All I can think of is hearing you beg me to fuck you. Beg me to take you. Scream my name when you come, begging me to keep fucking you. I'm going mad with the visions of the tits that have been teasing me all day bouncing in my face when you ride me. Fuck," I shout when her fingers scrape down my torso with enough pressure that, if I wasn't wearing a shirt, I know I would have red lines against my flesh.
"You want me to fuck you?" I ask, my teeth nipping at her neck and down her chest to the skin just above each swell of her breasts.
I feel the movement of her nod and smile against her skin. "Oh no, words only, Willow. You tell me what you want, and only then will I give it to you. But I promise you won't get my cock until I hear that word that's been driving me insane since we left Logan. Not one inch will you feel until you. Beg. Me."
"Oh, God. Please don't stop," she pleads with her hips thrusting and rolling up from the bed, pressing roughly against my own.
I lean up, my hands on either side of her hips, and I grab her roughly. She gasps at the force with which I'm holding her before a long moan slips through her swollen lips.
"Yes," she cries. "Please."
"Tell me," I command.
"Touch me." Her already blushing cheeks redden more.
I give her a smirk full of promise, but nothing more. I hold her body from moving against mine and continue to drive her to the same point of insanity as my need has filled me.
"Not good enough, Willow."
Her head moves against the mattress. I deny the friction she is desperate for even as I press myself harder against her.