Excitement competes with irritation for the most dominant emotion. "Wyatt?—"
"Don't lecture me, Willow. It was time to come clean. I meant everything I said, and nothing is going to stop me from winning you back. So maybe you can stop trying so hard to push me away?"
My insides quiver. I swallow hard, with the recurring debate restarting in my head.
"I love you. Now, tell me why you came out here," he orders.
My anxiety grows. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. The wind kicks up, and I shiver.
He pushes a lock of hair behind my ear and pulls me closer. "You're going to freeze out here."
"Don't stay at Jax's. Stay in one of the guesthouses," I say.
I can tell my suggestion shocks him, but his lips curl. "I'd love to stay, sugar, but I don't think that's a good idea right now."
"It is," I claim.
"Your father thinks otherwise, and I'm pretty sure your brothers do too," he reminds me.
"I'll take care of them," I assure him.
He studies me in silence for a moment.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" I question.
His gaze drifts to my lips, then back to my eyes. He demands, "Tell me you still love me, and that's why you want me to stay."
I take several deep breaths.
"I'm going to stay at Jax's," he states.
I swallow hard, every nerve frayed. "You're my rider. I need you to have a roof over your head. So stay in the Butterfly House."
His timbre soft and dangerous, he asks, "Is it only because I'm your rider?"
My need to be honest barrels past my caution. "I don't know what this is, Wyatt. But I know I want you to stay so we can talk…when I can think straight."
He shakes his head slowly. "Your dad doesn't want me here. We can talk somewhere else."
"I'll handle my dad. Stay. I'm going to get your things." I attempt to step back, but he holds me firmly to him.
He looks at me intently. "I love you, Willow. And I don't have any doubts about what this is between us. I don't think you do either."
"I…" I blow out a breath of air.
"Why do you really want me to stay?" he pushes.
My heart slams against my rib cage.
He tries to arch his eyebrows at me, but his face is too swollen. "Give me something, sugar. I just need something, and I'll fight to stay on this ranch and deal with your family, who now hates me."
"They don't hate you," I claim.
He takes several breaths, slowly exhaling. He slides his hand on my cheek. "I'm waiting."
My demons fight my heart, trying to get me to lie to him, but my heart wins. "I still love you," I tell him quietly.
Time stands still. Wyatt says nothing, just stares at me.
