Chapter 152

I had wanted this to happen for such a long time. I’ve even dreamed about this moment many times.

Yet, I couldn’t not notice it made me feel totally different from when Victor almost kissed me.

I didn’t understand why, but being almost kissed by Victor felt like being struck by lightning, while with William, it was more like the exhilaration of watching the storm from my balcony.

My body responded to him but in a different way.

I needed time to think. Maybe I was just frightened by surrendering my first kiss. It should be perfect and with a person I loved and who loved me.

William sensed my shift in mood. He released me from his arms, and I pulled away.

It was confusing. I always thought I would feel something magical to have a male who looks like William want to kiss me. Like in the movies and in books I’ve read.

After all, William is the school’s football star and a muscular blonde Adonis. Many girls would love to be in his arms like I was. They would gladly accept his kiss.

Why did I pull away?

Even though I had a crush on William for a long time, we had become good friends. Did I want to change that now?

His friendship meant a lot to me. William is more than his masculine good looks. He is a good person. He’s kind and has empathy for others.

Who would think an almost-kiss would be so confusing?

I didn’t want to hurt William’s feelings, but the look in his eyes told me I had and that he didn’t understand why.

Feeling guilt bubbling in the pit of my stomach from that look, I turned away from him. Besides the hurt, I could tell he was just as confused as I was, and neither of us knew what to say.

I mumbled, “I need to run.” I didn’t want to think about what almost happened. I didn’t want to think at all. I didn’t want to worry and wonder if I was going to lose his friendship.

“Then let’s run,” William said.

Without another word, we headed for the rose garden.

“That was unfortunate,” Diana said. “A male like William has a lot of pride. You should talk to him about what happened.”

“His friendship is important to me, Diana. I’m not sure if I am ready to be physical with him or anyone else.”

“Tell him that,” Diana advised. “Even though William is a big, masculine male, he is more sensitive than most, and he feels rejected.”

“What can I say to make him feel better?”

“Tell him the truth. Please explain it to him as you did to me. You are scared and confused, and you aren’t ready to get physical with anyone.”

But I didn’t have a chance to talk to him when our wolves ran out onto the field. He thundered ahead of me, and I raced after him to catch up.

However, he seemed determined to stay ahead of me. I ran a few paces behind him as we made several laps around the field's perimeter.

He showed no sign of slowing, so I continued to follow him and tried to enjoy the run.

After a few more laps, I had enough and was about to ask him to stop and talk.

“Let him run off his emotions,” Diana whispered in my mind. “He will stop soon.”

I slowed my pace and walked to the center of the field. Sitting in the high grass, I watched William run. His wolf was as muscular and handsome as his human form.

As Diana predicted, William did one more lap and slowed. He walked the perimeter for a few minutes before slowly approaching me.

When he was a few feet away, he sat and looked off into the distance.

I worked up the courage to speak. “I’m …I’m sorry if I …if I hurt your feelings.”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said. “It’s no big deal.”

“No. William, please listen.” The words I rehearsed began to tumble from my mouth. “Nobody has ever kissed me, and I don’t know if I’m ready for it yet.”

He got to his feet and came close. “Nobody …ever?”

I shook my head. “Never, and I got confused and scared when I thought you were going to kiss me.”

“I didn’t mean to make you feel that way,” he said. “It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing. You looked so beautiful in the moonlight.”

“So did you,” I said without thinking, and we both laughed.

I was pleased to see we were back to normal. His tone was lighter, and the tension was gone from his body.

“Let’s go for a quick swim in the pond,” William suggested.

I got up and ran toward the pond. William hurried behind me. We got to the pond at the same time and leaped into the water.

It was refreshing after our run. I enjoyed paddling around in the moonlit water.

“Daisy, do you mind if I ask you a question?” William said.

“You just did,” I giggled. “No, really, go ahead.”

“Is it true what you said?” William’s voice was weak and hesitant in my mind. “Nobody has ever kissed you … not even Victor?”

“Nobody,” I replied. He didn’t need to know that it almost happened with Victor too.

Almost didn’t count. I told myself as I swam to the edge of the pond. Nobody’s lips have ever touched mine.

Besides, I don’t think Victor meant it to happen. I’m sure he would have been sorry if we had kissed.

“Victor and I are friends. He treats me like a little sister and his protégé,” I assured William. “He doesn’t think of me as a lover. His type of woman is much more sophisticated than me.”

William chuckled. “I’ve seen some of the women he used to date. They were very different from you, but you are much prettier.”

“Thank you,” I said and walked out of the water. I shook myself partially dry. “I’m going to get dressed, and I’ll walk you around to your car.”

Diana and I trotted to our spot among the roses. After I shifted into human form, I let the night air dry what little moisture was still on my skin for a few moments before dressing.

“Daisy,” I heard William call. “Are you dressed yet?”

“I’m just putting on my shoes,” I replied. I slipped my feet into my sandals and found William on the other side of the high trellis.

“It’s wonderful to be able to swim,” I said. “The water felt great.”

William fell into place at my side, and we began our walk to the front of the mansion. After the night I’d had, I was emotionally and physically tired.

I wanted nothing more than a quick shower and my bed.

“Are you still going to the lake for the picnic with my family Sunday?” William asked.

“I hope so,” I replied.

William stiffened. “It sounds like you don’t want to go.”

“It’s not that,” I insisted. “I plan on going, but if I’m needed here, I won’t be able to go with you.”

“Sure,” he said, quickening his pace. “I understand.”

I was too tired to know what else to say as William hurried ahead of me to the driveway.

“William, wait,” I said as he started to climb into his car. Why was he upset again?

What was going on? I couldn’t seem to do or say anything right with my friends lately.

“It’s late, Daisy,” he said. “I’ll see you later.”

I ran toward his car. “No, William, please don’t leave like this. Talk to me for a minute, please.”