Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 101

Her face flushed, and she tried to pull her hand back, but he held it tight.

"Keep going," his gaze fell on her face, accompanied by a smirk, "I like it."

Willa's cheeks burned even hotter.

The amusement in his eyes deepened, certain she wouldn't dare, yet eagerly anticipating her initiative.

Under his intense stare, Willa threw caution to the wind, raised her other hand, and gently poked his abs.

They were rock solid.

She couldn't resist poking him again.

"Fun?" he laughed.

She nodded.

His smile widened as he released her wrist, resting his hands behind his head in a display of utter surrender.

"Take your time then."

She shot him a glare but didn't stop.

Her fingertips trailed up his sculpted torso, finally coming to rest on his shoulder.

There was a faint bite mark there, the one she had left just moments ago.

She froze, her face instantly catching fire.

Did she... bite him?

Randal followed her gaze and cocked an eyebrow.

"What? Dare to bite but not admit it?"

Willa was so mortified she wanted to bury her face.

Instead, he reached out, hauled her into his embrace, and gently stroked her back.

"Willa, just stay by my side in peace. I'll handle everything else."

Willa looked up at him, the impulsive words almost tumbling from her lips.

She wanted to ask, Randal, can you please not get engaged.

But she didn't ask. She was terrified of not hearing the answer she craved, and even more terrified that if he did give her that answer, she would sink so deep she'd never find her way out.

Randal remained insanely busy, leaving at dawn and returning late at night, often vanishing for two or three days at a time.

When he didn't bring it up, she sensibly kept her mouth shut, quietly confining herself to boundaries she wouldn't cross.

She swallowed those heavy truths, offering him empty comforts and dutifully promising she'd stop digging.

Stepping out of the facility, she lingered at the entrance for a long time.

The sunlight washed over her, and for the first time in forever, she felt a glimmer of genuine warmth.

Things seemed to be slowly falling into place, yet the cavernous void in her heart refused to close.

That night, Willa curled up on the sofa with her laptop. An interview transcript about a traditional bakery glowed on the screen.

She stared at it for ages, completely unable to focus.

The front door clicked open, and Randal stood in the entryway, looking utterly drained.

"You're still awake?"

Willa shut her laptop and stood up. "Waiting for you."

"Did you eat?" she asked.

"Yeah," he murmured, leaning his head against the back of the sofa and closing his eyes. "Had dinner with some investors. Barely touched a thing."

Willa's curiosity piqued. "Are you looking for funding?"