Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 144

The car pulled into the underground garage.

She nudged him gently. "Randal, we're here."

He groggily opened his eyes, glanced at her, and shut them again. Tightening his grip, he pulled her closer. "Just a little longer."

Willa sighed, having no choice but to let him be.

After a good while, he finally let go, following her out of the car and into the house.

The living room light was still on, just as she had left it before heading out.

Randal stood in the entryway, looking at her as if he had something to say.

Willa knew exactly what was on his mind.

"Go take a shower and get some rest. It's late."

He nodded and turned toward the master bedroom.

Willa retreated to the guest bedroom, shut the door, and sat on the edge of the bed, spacing out.

Her phone buzzed again.

It was Iris.

[Iris: Martin said you can set the time. He's completely free. Just let me know when you've decided.]

Willa replied with a quick acknowledgment, tossed her phone aside, and headed into the bathroom to shower.

By the time she stepped out, it was nearly midnight. A heavy wave of exhaustion washed over her. She climbed into bed and soon drifted into a light sleep.

Hovering between dreams and wakefulness, she felt the mattress dip.

Then, a pair of arms reached out from behind, pulling her flush against a warm chest.

Willa jolted completely awake.

She snapped her eyes open, whipping her head around to find Randal lying behind her, eyes closed, looking as if he were on the verge of sleep.

"Randal!" she hissed, trying to wrench herself free.

He only held her tighter, mumbling groggily, "Mhm..."

"What are you doing?" Willa demanded in a panic. "We agreed to sleep in separate beds."

He sounded utterly miserable. "I couldn't sleep. I laid there for so long, but I just couldn't sleep."

Instead, he tightened his grip, speaking with childish stubbornness. "No. If I let go, you'll run."

Willa didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I'm not running. But if you hold me this tight, I can't sleep."

He deliberately pulled her deeper against his chest, burying his face in the crook of her neck. His warm breath brushed rhythmically against her most sensitive skin.

Willa couldn't help but shrink back, a tingling sensation spreading down half her body.

"Don't move," he murmured, his voice husky with an undeniable intimacy. "If you move, I definitely won't be able to sleep."

Her face flushed instantly. "Randal!"

He let out a low chuckle, his breath muffling against her neck, sending a maddening tickle over her skin.

He nudged her with his nose. "Wills, you smell so good."

Willa turned crimson, gritting her teeth. "That is enough, Randal! Stop squirming and talking nonsense, or get the hell out of my room!"

Randal finally settled down, pulling her just a fraction closer.

Eventually, his breathing grew deep and even. He was genuinely asleep.

But for her, sleep was completely out of the question now.