Chapter 7 Shadows Between Us
The drive back from the resort was quiet. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that presses into your chest and makes the small anxieties feel larger than they are. I stared out the window, watching the trees blur past, the sunlight glinting off passing cars. William hummed softly to the music playing through the speakers, but it didn't reach me.
"You're quiet," he said finally, glancing at me from the corner of his eye.
Yes I am. Wiliam. Something is on my mind. So I've been thinking...," I said, turning my head to meet his gaze.
"About what?"
"About… everything." My voice was small, hesitant. The words felt heavy, like admitting them might break something delicate.
"Everything?" he teased lightly, trying to make me smile. "You mean the fact that I'm a terrible driver?" or about the fact that I'm enjoying the music that is playing?
I smiled faintly.
You know that the song you're listening to is kind of weird right? I teased him
But that's not what's on my mind.
He fell silent, eyes on the road. I could feel him looking thoroughly at me, trying to read the thoughts I didn't want to say out loud.
"I keep thinking about… what you said. About trust," I finally admitted. "You said you'd never hurt me. And I want to believe you, I really do. But…" My words trailed off. I hated leaving them unfinished.
"But what?"
"But I've been hurt before. A lot. And sometimes, I feel like I'm waiting for the next hurt to happen, even when things are good." I know that I'm not supposed to be like that but I can't help it William.
William's hand reached across the console, brushing against mine. "Eliora… I get that. I totally do. And I'm letting you know that I'm not going anywhere. Not now, not ever. But whenever you feel that way my love, you have to let me know. Don't lock it in by keeping it to yourself okay. He reassured me.
"I don't want to be a burden" dear. I know that it can be annoying to hear me talk about hurt and trust when you're constantly reassuring me that you'll never do those things to me. I whispered.
"You're not a burden." His voice was firm and insistent. "You're my sweetheart baby. You're my Love Olivia.. You're someone that I care deeply for. And caring for someone entails you being there through the bad and the ugly parts, not just the fun ones. I'll always be there for you. You can lean on me anytime you want.
Something in my chest loosened.
"You promise?" I asked quietly.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he slowed the car and pulled off the road into a quiet stretch lined with tall trees. The world felt suddenly still.
He turned to face me fully.
"I promise," he said. "I will not hurt you."
I searched his face for doubt, for hesitation.
There was none.
Alright I believe you," I said.
I believe you with all my heart.
And I meant it.
The moment lingered between us, heavy and warm.
William reached out, brushing his thumb against my cheek. "You look beautiful when you're honest like that."
I laughed softly. "That's a really strange compliment William.
"It's true."
I leaned closer, my hand sliding to his arm. "You make me feel… safe. Olivia
His eyes darkened just a little. "You have no idea what that does to me."
I smiled, my fingers moving slowly, deliberately. "Maybe I do."
He caught my wrist gently. "Is that so?"
"Maybe," I said, tilting my head. "I just can't seem to get enough of you."
His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. "Careful, Olivia. You're teasing me."
"Maybe I want to," I whispered.
He leaned in, his forehead resting against mine. "You really don't?"
"Not even a little."
He kissed me then slow at first, unhurried. Like he had nowhere else to be. Like time wasn't chasing us.
The kiss deepened, heat spreading through me, familiar and intoxicating.
"We should probably get back on the road," he murmured against my lips.
"Probably," I agreed.
Neither of us moved.
The world outside felt distant, unimportant. Just us. The quiet. The warmth.
When we finally pulled away, breathless and smiling, he rested his forehead against mine.
"You make me happy," he said.
I smiled. "You make me feel alive."
William pulled back slightly, breathing hard, his forehead resting against mine.
"We really should stop," he murmured, though his hands hadn't left my waist.
I laughed softly, my fingers still curled into his shirt. "You keep saying that."
"And you keep not moving away."
I didn't deny it.
The air between us felt thick, It was charged. My heart was racing, my body humming in a way that felt new and overwhelming all at once.
"Olivia," he said quietly, his tone shifting slower, more serious. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, then hesitated. "I just… I need to say something."
He stilled completely. "Say it."
"I've never… done this before," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. I've never had sex in a car before. Its part of many my fantasies. I've been waiting to do it with someone that I actually feel safe with.
His expression softened instantly. Do you feel safe with me?
Yes I do trailing my fingers above his thigh.
He released his seatbeat
I released mine too
Then he leaned over and kissed me
The kiss deepened, slow at first, then hungry, like something that had been waiting too long to be released. His hand slid to my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us.
The car felt suddenly too small, too tight, filled with heat and breath and the quiet sounds we tried not to make too loud. His hands were everywhere steady, deliberate like he was learning me all over again, even though he already knew how I reacted, how I softened under his touch.
"God," I whispered, pressing closer. "William…"
He smiled against my neck. "You like that?"
"Yes," I breathed. "I like you."
That made him pause.
He lifted his head, looking at me in a way that made my stomach flip. "Say that again."
"I like you," I repeated, quieter this time. "More than I should."
His kiss after that was deeper, unrestrained. The kind that made thoughts scatter. The kind that made me forget where we were parked, forget the road, forget everything except the way his name felt on my tongue.
The windows fogged slowly, the outside world dissolving into nothing but shadows and muted light. The rhythm between us built naturally familiar, but charged with something different. Something reckless. Something thrilling.
"This okay?" he asked softly at one point, his forehead resting against mine.
"Yes," I said without hesitation. "Don't stop."
When it was over, we stayed like that for a long moment, breathing in sync, the silence heavy but not uncomfortable.
I laughed quietly, shaking my head. "That was… unexpected."
He chuckled, brushing his thumb along my cheek. "Regrets?"
"None," I said honestly. "Just… wow."
He leaned back, studying me. "You're glowing."
"That's your fault."
"I'll take responsibility."
I rested my head against his shoulder, my fingers tracing idle patterns on his arm. "You make me feel wanted," I said softly. "Not rushed. Not pressured. Just… chosen."
He kissed the top of my head. "Because you are."
When we finally pulled away, breathless and smiling, he rested his forehead against mine.
"You make me happy," he said.
I smiled. "You make me feel alive."