Even after Elise made her intentions perfectly clear, William remained frozen in place.

He had touched her once before, and it had left her with years of trauma around men. It had made her despise him for just as long.

If he dared to do it again now, he feared she might disappear from his world forever. That he would never see her again.

So he chose to endure the torment instead.

"You don't want me?" Elise asked, when he didn't respond.

"I'm terrified," William admitted honestly.

Elise was taken aback, a complex mix of emotions swirling inside her.

It was almost amusing, yet it also pierced her heart with a sharp pain.

Still, her hands began to wander boldly over his rigid body. "I won't hate you this time," she whispered.

"What's come over you, Elise?" William caught her delicate hand.

But when he turned and saw her flushed cheeks, he realized she wasn't as composed as she seemed. He could actually feel her hands trembling.

"Listen to me," he said seriously. "You don't need to apologize or repay me for saving your life. Not like this, when you're clearly reluctant. I don't need you to repay me for anything I do for you. Just as you shouldn't feel guilty about anything you've done to me. Everything I do, I do willingly. Do you understand?"

He would never force her. Even if it meant remaining celibate for the rest of his days.

"I'm willing," Elise said, her gaze meeting his with raw sincerity. It was as if that invisible wall between them had finally crumbled.

In this moment, her heart was completely open and true.

"Elise... mmmph."

William's eyes widened in shock as Elise suddenly threw her arms around his neck.

She rose on her toes as high as she could, pressing her lips against his to silence whatever else he might say.

William stood frozen, afraid to move, allowing her to kiss him for what felt like an eternity.

He was fighting for control, watching as Elise continued kissing him before finally pulling away.

"Don't say anything," she breathed. "Or I might change my mind."

"I would never let you regret—"

"No," Elise cut him off firmly. "I won't regret it if I do it now."

"Elise—"

William tried to speak, but her lips found his again, more insistent this time.

Truthfully, if William had any shred of rationality left, he wouldn't be doing this with Elise.

Given his current circumstances, he didn't want to cause her any more pain.

But all reason shattered under Elise's determined seduction.

Somewhere in the distant corner of his mind, he thought he heard the door open quietly, then close just as softly moments later...

Outside, the servants were surprised to see James turning back so soon. "Master James, weren't you going to fetch your parents for breakfast? Why have you returned?"

"Shhh." James pressed a finger to his lips, gesturing toward the closed door. "They're busy right now. I'll eat by myself."

While the servant stood confused, James beamed with excitement. "Don't disturb them. I might be getting a brother soon... or maybe a sister?"

He knew it all along—his daddy was amazing in every way. Daddy definitely knew how to make Mommy swoon.

Elise didn't open her eyes until night had fallen.