Tuesday (The Days of the Week #2)

Chapter Fifteen

I woke slowly, my entire body aching. For a moment, I was disoriented, blinking up at the rough dirt ceiling above me. Then the memories came rushing back - descending into the underground passageway, finding William mid-transformation, the chase, and then...

I sat up with a gasp, clutching the tattered remains of my blouse around me. I was still in the passageway, but a heavy blanket had been draped over my lower half. My ruined pants were gone.

“Easy,” a deep, familiar voice murmured from nearby. “You're safe now.”

I whipped my head around to see William sitting a few feet away, his back against the wall and a lantern at his side. He was fully human again, dressed in a loose shirt and pants, watching me with concern in his amber eyes. I stared at him.

“You…” I broke off, unsure what I wanted to say.

William's expression turned pained. “I'm so sorry, Christina. I never meant for you to see me like that. To...to hurt you.”

He looked away, his hands clenching into fists on his bent knees. I could see the self-loathing and guilt etched into every line of his face.

Slowly, I stood up on shaky legs, keeping the blanket wrapped tightly around my waist. My body ached in places I had never felt before, a reminder of the beast's--of William's--rough claiming. I took a tentative step toward him.

“You didn't hurt me,” I said softly.

William's head snapped up, his amber eyes searching mine intently. I licked my dry lips, trying to find the right words.

“I mean, yes, it was intense. Overwhelming. But I...I wanted it. I liked it,” I said.

Heat flared in William’s eyes. “You liked it,” he echoed.

I nodded, moving closer. William's eyes darkened, his nostrils flaring slightly as if he could scent my arousal even now. Slowly, he stood up, his large frame unfolding until he towered over me.

William reached out and gently cupped my face in his hands, his calloused thumb brushing over my cheekbone. He leaned down until our foreheads touched, his eyes slipping shut.

“I don't deserve you,” he murmured. “After what I did, what I am...”

“Shh,” I whispered, pressing my fingers to his lips. “You didn't hurt me.” I was beginning to think he was incapable in either form.

His eyes opened, amber depths swirling with emotion. “How can you be so sure? That monster...it's a part of me. A dangerous, uncontrollable part.”

I shook my head, sliding my hand around to cup the back of his neck. “But it is a part of you. And I...I care for all of you, William.”

His breath hitched, his hands tightening on my waist. “You do?”

I smiled. “I do.”

William's eyes searched mine, a mix of hope and disbelief shining in their amber depths. Slowly, so slowly, he lowered his head until his lips hovered just above mine. I could feel his breath fanning across my face, the heat of his body seeping into mine.

“Tell me to stop,” he whispered, his voice rough with restrained desire.

“Never.” I surged up on my toes and pressed my lips to his.