Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 234

Willa kept her eyes shut, pretending to be asleep. After a long moment, an arm slowly reached out from behind her, resting lightly on her waist.

"Willa... are you asleep?"

Willa didn't answer, merely shifting her body slightly.

Randal offered a clumsy, unprompted explanation. "I... wasn't trying to give you an attitude today. It's just... Corbin..."

But the more he spoke, the more defensive he became. "I just can't stand the guy. Does he think bringing a few groceries makes him special? Do I look like I can't provide for you? Irresponsible jerk..."

Hearing Randal spiral into absurdity, Willa quickly turned over to face him, setting the record straight. "Randal, how many times do I have to tell you? The baby isn't his."

Randal's breath hitched. Whenever he thought about the undisguised affection in Corbin's eyes when he looked at her, jealousy gripped him like a toxic vine, wrapping around his throat until he couldn't breathe.

After a long internal struggle, he finally surrendered. "Fine. Fine, it's not his. Whatever you say."

Willa knew he still didn't believe her, but she let out a tired sigh and didn't push it.

Randal shifted closer, taking her hand and pulling her half into his embrace. In a rare moment of vulnerability, he confessed, "Willa, don't be mad. I know I'm an asshole, but I just can't control it..."

As he spoke, he dipped his head. His burning lips trailed over her forehead, her earlobe, down the column of her neck, until finally capturing her mouth.

She could clearly smell the intoxicating rush of his cologne and raw desire—dangerous, yet entirely captivating.

Her hand instinctively pushed against his chest, but then, in a moment of playful revenge, she pinched the muscle and twisted.

Randal winced, pulling back from her lips. "Willa, what are you doing?"

A wicked smile touched the corners of Willa's mouth. Her fingers trailed restlessly down his chest, slipping lower until they brushed the waistband of his pants. "What? Am I not allowed to touch?"

Randal sucked in a sharp breath, his entire body going rigid.

Randal let go of her hand, only to slide his fingers into her hair, cupping the back of her head and forcing her flush against him.

"Willa, do you have any idea..." His gaze dropped slowly, landing on her chest, which was rising and falling rapidly with nerves. "...how much you drive me crazy when you're like this?"

As he spoke, his hips shifted involuntarily against hers.

Willa felt the unmistakable, hard evidence of his arousal, and her face flushed crimson.

Whatever liquid courage had fueled her teasing vanished in an instant, leaving only the frantic realization that she had played with fire.

She tried to scramble back, but his arms were like steel bands around her, keeping her trapped against him.

"I..."