When I landed on his doorstep, food in hand, and shivering from the cold, I took a deep breath and rang his bell.Here goes nothing.
An eternity later, more like a minute, and the door opened, Wilde standing there in jeans, a t-shirt, and bare feet. A cute Golden retriever danced at his feet, and I couldn’t help but giggle at the sight.
“Hey. Can we talk?”
Wilde raked a hand through his hair, a screen door still between us, his dog going crazy. “Uh, I don’t know if this is a good time.” His voice was gruff, cold.
I deserved it. I knew that. But hearing it in person was so much worse.
I held up the bag of food and tray of drinks. “Please? I brought your favorite diner meal.” I offered a smile. I remembered everything he told me, how could I not?
“Chocolate shakes, too?” Wilde groaned but a small smile played at the corner of his lips.
“Of course. Listen, Wilde, I’m sorry. I freaked out and was a rude bitch. Can I please explain inside where it’s not fivedegrees? Besides, I think your dog really wants to meet me.” I looked down at Otis going bananas next to his owner waiting for him to open the screen door between us.
“Okay. But only because it’s freezing and my dog can’t resist your charms.” Half of his mouth turned up in a grin as he opened the door. Immediately, Otis circled me, but he didn’t jump. Wilde took the food from me, freeing my hands for all of the puppy love coming my way.
He led me inside after closing the door behind me and took my jacket as I slid off my shoes, leaving them by the door. I followed him into the kitchen, Otis by my side. “I’m an idiot.” I said, wanting to clear the air and finally kiss him once again.
“I’ve been through a lot and I got scared. I’m sorry, Wilde. Things with you are so great and I never thought I’d have that after losing Randy.” I explained. “Losing him after only being married for a few short months was hard. I hated the military for a long time. I felt like it took everything from me. But I was young when I got married, only nineteen and full of dumb decisions. I’m twenty-five now and I’ve grown a ton. And while you might be a lot older than me, age doesn’t matter, not when it’s the right person. I might need to go slow, but I want to do it with you.”
Wilde set down a plate and rounded the kitchen island, taking me into his arms. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I suffered one too, a little younger than you, and it changes your life. I’ve been alone for so long, that opening myself up to someone else is scary as hell. But you make it feel so easy, so natural, and I couldn’t help but lean into it. You ease my aches and soothe my grumpiness in just the short time I’ve known you. I’ll go as slow as you want. All I ask is you don’t shut me out. Because then I shut down.”
“I promise.” I leaned forward and kissed him softly as he swept my mouth into a more desire fueled kiss, our tonguesswirling together as we made up for lost time. Not that there was much to make up for, but why not?
As we enjoyed our dinner, we discussed our pasts more in depth and afterward, we took Otis for a quick walk, hurrying back home for a warm cup of hot cocoa. Wilde told me about building his cabin, an impressive feat, and invited me to spend the evening. I promised not to freak out this time, but only if he cooked me breakfast.
In bed.
EPILOGUE
Reagan
Two months later
“Umm, Miss K,”one of my adorable students said, a little girl named Evie, in between fits of giggles. She tugged on my skirt, and I smiled down at her.
“Yes, Evie?”
“Who’s that?” She pointed at the door and my head snapped up to find my very handsome, very amazing boyfriend standing in the doorway of my kindergarten classroom. My whole face broke out into a huge smile and a heat crept up my cheeks.
“That would be my friend. Shall we invite him inside?” I looked between Evie and Wilde, whose eyes danced with mischief. He was picking me up for an early Friday afternoon date as he had picked up an overtime evening shift and he refused to skip our custom Friday date nights.
Even if we spent every night in bed together since I moved into his cabin last night. It only made sense; I was there everynight. Plus, I’ve been bringing my dog, Jem, a white and black Shepard, over occasionally to introduce her to Otis. Eventually, the plan is to move her in, too.
“Yes! He can draw a picture with us.” Evie beamed as she ran towards the door. I followed quickly behind her as Wilde watched with amusement. “Hi!”
“Hi there, how’s your day going?” Wilde asked Evie, her cheeks blushing red. See, I’m not the only one affected by his charms.
“Good. Want to color? Come on!” She took him by the hand without waiting for an answer and pulled him inside towards her desk. Papers and crayons covered Evie’s table, a couple of other students coloring, too. The small bunch of kids often stayed after school with me while waiting for their parents to get off work, an extra program I volunteered at to help the school and my kids out. How could I say no to kids like Evie? Besides, we did fun activities like coloring, playing outside, and making arts and crafts.
“Sure! Is Miss K coloring, too?”
I chuckled. “Seeing as we have another ten minutes until pick up, why not?”
All of us colored around the table, Wilde telling the kids an animated story about a bear in the woods. The kids couldn’t peel their attention away from him. And frankly, neither could I.
His voice soothed while drawing you in and as I watched him animate the story, I thought of how great of a dad he would make.SwoonMy ovaries were bursting.
