He steps next to me and holds out his hand, palm up. I let out my held breath and slowly place my hand in his. The touch of his skin on mine sends a whispered promise through me. He pulls me to my feet. We stand facing each other. Cool, muted light and thousands of books surround us. He takes my other hand and squeezes gently.

“Tell me,” he says. His eyes warm to the shade of the blue chicory flowers I love. The ones from my meadow.

“Say it,” he whispers.

My heart beats so hard against my rib cage that my chest hurts. I’ve never admitted to anyone, not my dad or my friends, not anyone, that I want them or need them. Because then they might leave me.

Will looks down at me and squeezes my hands again.

My chest feels like it’s being hammered down by my pounding heart. I stare into Will’s eyes and grab onto the familiarity of them like a lifeline.

“I want you,” I say. “I need you.”

Will lets out a low sound and lets go of my hands. Instead of walking away he pulls me to him. His eyes fill with need.

“I’m going to kiss you.”

“Yes.”

Then he takes my face in his hands, runs his fingers in my hair and lifts my lips to his. He lets out a possessive noise and I catch the sound in my mouth. I didn’t know it, but every kiss before this has been restrained. Will pours his need into my mouth, I catch it, suck on his tongue, lick his lips.

He pulls me closer. His fingers trail through my hair, grasp me tight. He takes one arm and lifts me onto him. I wrap my legs around his hips. My breasts rub against his chest and it sends a throb between my legs. I sink into him, and when I feel the hard length of him pressed against me, I gasp. He puts his hand to my lower back and presses me closer. I cry out and rock into him. His tongue thrusts in and out of my mouth mimicking the movement of my hips.

“Will,” I cry out. Little electric sparks pulse through me and travel down to the space between my legs.

“Say it again,” he whispers against my mouth.

“I want you.”

He carries me backwards until my back hits the bookcase against the wall. Books tumble around us and hit the floor. He steps to the side and presses me to the wall. He sends his mouth to my throat and sucks on my pulse point. I cry out and grab the edge of the shelf, knocking more books off. He swears and his hands squeeze my hips and pull me closer. My dress flares up and over my hips. There’s nothing separating us but my panties and his jeans. I arch into him and he bucks.