Chapter 12: Ferrin

 

Yesterday was no better than the day before. But I had managed to keep myself from going to see Willa last night. I didn’t drag myself away from crop reports and import/export proposals until nearly two in the morning, and I wasn’t going to wake her. Sleeping in my own bed was out of the question, though. If I couldn’t be with her, I would at least stay close, and I didn’t really care because I was actually able to get some sleep.

Miranda had already brought some of my things to the lower suite. I had showered and dressed and was heading to my office when I came across Shawn, one of Willa’s security guards, on the stairs. He stopped and greeted me respectfully. He was heading up as I was going down. It must have been a shift change. As he passed, I noticed he was carrying a bag. A bag that seemed a little too big to have on a security shift.

I tried to brush it off, but by the time I was at the bottom of the stairs, my curiosity was overpowering. I mind-linked Miranda, asking if she had sent Shawn up with anything for Willa. I was heading back up as soon as she confirmed she hadn’t. My gut was telling me it was probably nothing. That it was just things to keep him busy. But he was supposed to be protecting my mate, whether he knew that or not. I wouldn’t tolerate slacking off.

I came around the last bend and stepped onto the landing and froze. Shawn was at the door with Willa. He was going through the contents of the bag with her.

“These are the first three you need to watch,” Shawn said, showing her a set of DVDs. “No excuses. There will be a quiz.”

Willa laughed.

She laughed for him.

She was smiling at HIM.

She had never smiled at me like that.

A deep growl escaped my lips as rage spread through me. Their heads shot in my direction at the sound. Shawn and the other guard jumped to attention, formally acknowledging me. I stalked toward them.

“Shawn, you’re dismissed. Mind-link your relief and tell them I expect them here in ten minutes.”

“Sir, I just…”

“Now,” I insisted.

“Yes, sir,” he replied with a bow before heading for the stairs.

I turned to Willa. She had a confused and angry expression on her face. She was about to speak, but I grabbed her arm and pulled her into the room, slamming the door behind me. She yanked her arm from my grasp.

“What the hell is going on?” she yelled.

“I should ask you the same thing,” I snapped. “What were you doing with him?”

Her eyes widened with shock and rage. “Excuse me?”

“Why was he even speaking to you?”

“Because he’s a person,” she shot back. “Because you told him to make sure I had anything I needed. What? Is that not the case? Am I just supposed to sit in here with nothing until you decide to grace me with your presence?”

“You tell me or Miranda, that’s it.” I advanced toward her.

“And how the hell do you expect me to do that? You’re barely here, and Miranda is going out of her way enough just to bring me food.” She closed in on me as well, holding her ground with ease. “They’re here all the time. And furthermore, I have a right to know who is ‘protecting’ me so that I can judge for myself that I’m as safe as you keep saying I am.”

“Fine, you’ve met them. Now, stay away from them.”

“No,” she challenged.

I grabbed her face and slammed my lips into hers. The momentum sent her back a few steps, forcing her hands to grip my waist to stay upright. I snaked a hand around her, pulling her against me. Just as suddenly, she was kissing me back. Her hands moved to the front of my shirt as her lips parted, inviting me to take in her sweet taste. I groaned as she pressed her body against mine. I pushed her back a few more steps until she was pressed against the wall, swallowing the gasp that escaped her mouth.

“You’re MINE, Willa,” I growled against her lips, the possessiveness completely taking over me. “No one else gets to have you. You’re mine and mine alone.”

I kissed her again, deeply and passionately. I braced a hand against the wall as the other ran down her body, cupping her ass before pulling her leg up to hook around my hip. My fingers caressed the bare skin of her thigh.

Goddess, she felt so good.

My hard length was pressed between us and twitched as her arousal hit my nostrils, soliciting a low growl from me. I kissed along her jaw to her neck, lingering on the spot where it curved into her shoulder. The hand on her thigh moved upward, my fingers slipping under the cotton shorts she wore.

I crashed back to reality when she forcefully pushed me away. Breaking all contact between us. We were both breathing heavily. Both our hands shaking slightly. I locked eyes with her. They held desire and anger and pain.

“I may be your captive, Ferrin, but you won’t control me or use me like some kind of caged pet. Now get out.” She stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door, the click of the lock echoing through the room.

I took a step toward the door Willa had disappeared through but stopped. Anger and possessiveness still coursed through my body. I clenched my fists as I stalked out of the suite.

“No one opens this door but me. Understood?” I barked at the remaining guard that stood on the landing. I locked the door and pocketed the key. I reached out through the mind link as I marched down the stairs. ‘Austin, my office. Now.’