Six years ago

"And that George guy? You've got to be kidding me. He's a total loser. I can't believe you of all people can't see past his bull crap."

Lizzy stared at Will in astonishment. His voice was practically dripping with disdain. Who knew he hated George Wickham so very much? "I'm sorry," Lizzy replied. "I don't believe I asked for your opinion about my friends."

"Well someone should tell you. He's not a good guy Lizzy. You should stay away from him."

"And you are? You just broke up your best friend and my sister. I would hardly say that you are a good guy."

Will ran his fingers through his hair. An audible sigh escaped his lips. "Like I've told you a hundred times this evening Lizzy. It was the best thing for them. His world and her world just don't mix."

"You mean your world and my world? No, I get it. We're not good enough for you. Not enough money. Didn't go to the right schools. Don't wear the right clothes. We're too poor for your crowd."

A guilty look swept across Will's face. What she'd said had some truth to it after all. "You know whatever. Good riddance. Jane will find someone ten times better than Charles. I don't know why I am wasting my time arguing with you. I only have one more day with my sister before she moves to her new place. I could be spending my time with much better company. I'm leaving."

Lizzy turned and reached for her purse, but Will's hand shot out stalling her. He quickly turned her back around and pressed his lips against hers, forcefully, passionately. And Lizzy, who wasn't completely sure she was in her right mind, matched the passion and intensity of his kiss beat for beat instead of pushing him away. Lizzy clutched him to her. Her minimal experience with kissing hadn't prepared her for this feeling of raw...hunger. Even with George, she hadn't felt anything close to this.

The kiss gentled becoming soft and tender. Eventually Will separated his lips from hers, but instead of pulling away he nuzzled her neck.

"Don't go," he whispered against her skin.

"Why?" she asked breathlessly trying desperately to calm the wild hammering of her heart and to gather her wits about her. She should leave. She should leave before she did something she'd regret.

"Because I don't want you to."

"Why do you want me to stay? You can't stand me."

"I can stand you plenty." Will said as he stepped away from her and looked down at the ground as if he were gathering up courage to speak. "I care about you a lot Lizzy. Hell, I even think I'm in love with you."

Complete shock shook Lizzy from head to toe. "What?" she gasped.

A sheepish smile lit his face. " I know. It's crazy right? We've fought like cats and dogs all summer, but there's something about you Lizzy. Something that draws me to you. You're like a drug, a bad habit, an addiction. I can't get enough of you. When I'm not around you I miss you. Fighting or not, you're the one I want to be with. I'm not proud of myself for it, but that's the way it is."

She was a bad habit? An addiction? Those weren't the most flattering words to be called. "That's what you think of me?" Lizzy replied sarcastically. "High praise indeed."

"I didn't mean it like that. You're twisting my words. What do you want me to say? You're my sun, my moon. my everything? Isn't it obvious how much I adore you? Do I have to spell it out for you? Or maybe I should just show you?"

With his last words, Will took her in his arms again. Lizzy's heart rate skyrocketed. His head lowered and his lips met hers. A contented sigh escaped from her as Will's lips reclaimed her own. Lizzy knew she should fight it. Tell him no. But she was tired of fighting her feelings for this man. Truth was she had fallen for him too. Hard. He was what she thought of when she woke up and he was her last thought when she went to bed. He infuriated her but he also was the most engaging man she had ever met. He kept her on her toes. He was her intellectual equal. He wasn't intimidated by her wit and sarcasm as so many other men had been before. Not to mention he was freaking gorgeous.

Will's hand slid to cover her breast. Instead of being offended, Lizzy welcomed the caress. In the past, she would have never let a man go this far. She would always put a stop to it before the heavy petting started. This was the first time she didn't want to stop. She wanted to keep going. Find out what her friends were always raving about. There was no other man she would want to give herself to except this man. It didn't matter that a tiny part of her couldn't stand him. Most of her loved and wanted him.

Taking a step back from Will, she broke off the kiss.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have done that."

Ignoring his words, Lizzy grabbed the bottom of her top and pulled it over her head.

A flush swept over Will's face and his eyes suddenly became glued to her scantily covered breasts. "Lizzy," he breathed. "We don't have to do this."

"I know, but I want to."

Minutes later, kisses had led to touches and touches had led to the shedding of clothes. As Will stretched above her, he bent to kiss her tenderly once more before asking, "Are you sure?"

Lizzy had never been more sure of anything her whole life. She loved this man. She wanted him to be the her first. Her only. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer. "Yes. I...I want to do this with you."

At her words, Will pushed his way inside her body. A groan escaped from his mouth. He looked to be in pain, like he wasn't enjoying himself.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing," he replied. "You're just so tight. It feels so good. You feel so good," he murmured, sprinkling kisses across her collarbone.

Lizzy swept the dark curly locks from his classically handsome face. Making love was far different than she expected. It wasn't as earth shattering as romance novels depicted it, but it wasn't half bad. She had some discomfort at first. It had taken a few minutes to adjust to his size, but after a few minutes she got used to the feel and the rhythm. It was oddly pleasant to have the man you loved receiving such pleasure from your body.

Another minute later, Will was moaning again. A very different sensation filled Lizzy this time. Will was left gasping on top of her.

He swept the hair off her shoulder and placed a few kisses on her neck. "That wasn't very good was it? I can do better. Just give me a few minutes."

And the second and third times he had made it better. So much better. Lizzy could have become addicted to it. But when Lizzy had woken up in the morning she realized she'd made a big mistake. Even though Will had promised that everything would work out. She still hadn't quite believed him. So she'd ran. Sometimes she wished she hadn't run. That she'd stayed and figured out whether or not they could work as a couple. But it was too late for that.

Now she had to face reality. Will was staring at his son. The son she hadn't told him about (not that she hadn't tried). His face was beginning to redden with anger. There was no point in denying what had obviously only taken him a few seconds to figure out.

"Will, the answer's yes. But now is not the time to have this conversation."