Andhe was right. For all these years, we had missed each other. Now, at least wewere both single. And what we had was too good to let go. I needed to exploreit. Explore him.
“Thetiming isn’t exactly awesome now…”
Hisbiceps flexed around me and his jaw ticked in that way I liked so much. “Youthink I’m going to let working together stop this?” He shook his head,determined. “Kaya, finally.” His breath snuck out of him in this relaxed,delicious way that forced my body to react. I felt him in my bones, down to mytoes and the places beyond my physical body. He was settling into somethingpermanent with me and I was helpless to stop him. “Fucking finally.” He grabbedthe sides of my head and tilted it back, forcing me to meet his intense,consuming gaze. “This is real, yeah? This is fucking deep. And if you’re in,then let’s fight for this. Work, our friends, your parents, whatever is outthere that wants to get in our way is just noise. We decide what we do, what wewant. We decide how hard we want to work for this and when we want to walkaway.”
Afterall these years, I had to admit that I wanted this as badly as he did. MaybeI’d wanted it as long as he had too.
“Doyou think you will?” I cleared my throat, old fears and insecuritiesresurfacing. “I mean, walk away?”
Hissmile reappeared, lifting the corners of his mouth slowly, in that way I lovedso much. “Kaya, I’ve been trying to walk into this relationship for five years.The plan is to figure out how to get you to stay forever.”
“Forever?”The word rushed out of me in a whoosh of disbelief.
Thelook on his face devastated me, tore apart my heart and stomped on my soul andthen somehow pieced it all back together again. His brown eyes twinkled, andhis smile brightened and everything about him radiated permanency and hope.
“You’resuch a chicken,” he taunted. “I’ve known you for all these years and I can’tbelieve I’m only just now realizing that you’re one huge chick-en.”
Isat up, pushing my body into his, closing what little space remained betweenus. “I am not,” I argued, lit up by his challenge. “I just think you’re movingtoo fast.”
“Yeah,of course you do. Because you’re chicken.”
Grabbinghis nipple, I twisted quickly, causing him to jump back and fend me off. “Nowyou’re violent! I’m rethinking this entire relationship.”
Iignored the way my heart kicked at the word relationship and my stomach flippedwith fear. I couldn’t let him be right about me. I couldn’t run from this good,beautiful, honest thing between us because I’d been hurt in my past.
“Nowwho’s chicken?” I taunted, reaching for his other nipple. He laughed at myefforts. “I’m in it, Shaw. You want long term. You got it. I can out-relationshipyou any day of the week.”
Heshook his head at the tug-of-war that never ended between us. “Good.” He heldout his hand and I took it, thinking he was going to be sweet and gentle. Butthen he grabbed my wrist, playfully yanked me out of my seat and tossed me overhis shoulder.
Iscreamed in surprise. “Put me down!”
“Iintend to,” he promised darkly.
“Whereare we going?” I demanded as he ran through his house bouncing me on hisshoulder the entire way. The top of my dress was hanging down but did little tocover my breasts. I grabbed the back of his jeans and pressed my upper body tohim, holding on for dear life.
We burstthrough a door and from my upside-down position, I realized it was his bedroom.Hunter green shades hung over a giant picture window that looked out past adeck to a glorious view of the bluffs. His furniture was all rich browns andsoft tans, mingling together to make a masculine but tasteful space.
Hetossed me on his bed and I witnessed his huge, sleigh bed first hand. Kingsize. Could he be more perfect?
Hehovered over me. “You’re in this, Kaya? No prisoners?”
Ismiled up at him. Wondering if he treasured my smiles as much as I cherishedhis. “No prisoners, Wyatt. You and me. For better or worse or whatever. It’syou and me.”
Andthere it was. His smile to end all smiles before it. He leaned over me and Iscooted back. He followed quickly, our bodies parallel but not yet touching.
“I’vebeen waiting so long to hear you say that.”
“I’vebeen wanting to say it.” And I realized I had.
“I’vebeen waiting for this too.” His eyes darkened.
“Forwhat?”
“Tohave you, Kaya. To have all of you.”
ChapterTwenty
Hishands moved up my thighs, dragging over my legs. His thumbs brushed over my sexand I shivered in anticipation for what was to come.
