Chapter 35: First Failure
William flicked the switch, and the sudden flood of light momentarily blinded both of them as all the lights flickered on at once. Anna winced, squinting against the brightness. "God, Mr. Stark!"
"So which is it—God or Mr. Stark?" He smirked, stepping closer, his presence almost palpable. "And I distinctly remember asking you to call me Will. I doubt Mrs. Garrel has erased that from your memory."
Anna’s heart raced, and her blue eyes continued to scan his face, her mind momentarily losing track of her thoughts. She couldn’t care less about his teasing—especially when he looked even more stunning than she remembered.
What truly occupied her thoughts, though, was the simple fact that he was standing there, in her room, unannounced yet somehow perfectly fitting.
The tension that had weighed on her all day, despite her busyness, evaporated instantly. And though fatigue clung to her body, just seeing his smirking face reignited a surge of energy inside her.
It was remarkable how this man could make her freeze in place, yet feel an uncontrollable restlessness at the same time.
"Well," William said, his voice cooling as his gaze settled into something more serious, his lips still twitching with a hint of a smile. "Can I at least get a hug?"
"Oh God," she muttered, practically leaping forward to wrap her arms around him.
William sighed contentedly as he returned her embrace, his right hand gently patting her on the head. "I take it that means you missed me, Ms. Dumas."