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Chapter Eighteen

Wyatt

“Wyatt,” Piper moans, fisting her hands into her hair as she rides me, eyes closed as pleasure overwhelms her. I groan, gripping her hips as I thrust off the bed, so fucking close.

“Fuck, baby…”

She grins down at me and rolls her hips again. “Squawk!”

“What?” I ask, scowling up at her as she begins to fade away. She opens her mouth to respond but the only sound I hear is another squawk. Shaking my head, I try to reach for her but she disappears…

“Squawk!”

I groan as I rub the sleep from my eyes before peeling them open. The cottage’s white bead board ceiling stares back at me and I flick a glance to the open window where the seagulls like to sing us their daily morning song.

“Squawk!”

“Fucking useless birds,” I hiss. I turn, ready to pull Piper into my arms and catch a few more hours of sleep but the only thing waiting for me is cold sheets. Shooting up in bed, I listen for sounds of her moving around the house but silence greets me and my heart thuds in my chest as I throw the covers off of my legs and jump out of bed. Walking to the doorway, I try to push my fears down but they don’t want to go quietly.

“Pip?”

When I still don’t get an answer, I grab a pair of mesh shorts out of my bag and pull them on before wandering out into the kitchen.

Fuck.

Where is she?

Glancing over at the living room, I frown before I see the large lemon poppyseed muffin and steaming cup of coffee sitting on the island. I scoop the little note next to the food and run my hand through my hair as I read it.

I didn’t want to wake you so I ran

out and grabbed us some breakfast.

Come find me in the backyard when you’re ready to face the world.

She signed the note with a cute little heart and I smile as I set it down and pick up my muffin, slowly unwrapping it from the cling wrap surrounding it. Piper and I spent yesterday morning down at the beach, playing in the ocean like we were two kids again before coming back up to the house and spending damn near an hour in the shower together. We spent the rest of the day vegging out in front of the TV, eating junk food, and watching Netflix in practically nothing, which was perfect after the drive up here the day before and another long night of catching up but now, it’s time to talk. I feel like I’ve put this off for long enough and with us going home tomorrow, I want to ask all my questions now so we can truly have a fresh start.

With my muffin and coffee in hand, I walk out to the screened in porch and smile when I see her sitting on one of the chairs with her knees pulled up to her chest, watching the sunrise. Her red hair is pulled up into a messy bun but a few pieces are falling down, brushing against the strap of her tank top as she grabs a cup off of the table and brings it to her lips. She looks gorgeous down there, so damn peaceful and I hope she is feeling as good about things as I am.

There is only one way to find out, I suppose.

“Morning, baby,” I call as I step outside, the screen door creaking as it opens and she glances over her shoulder, flashing me a wide grin as her gaze trails down my naked chest.

Shit.

I wish she would have just stayed in bed so we could start this morning off right.

“Hey, you. I didn’t think you’d be up for a while.”

I nod as I walk across the grass and sink into the chair next to her. “Well, those damn birds felt like I needed to be awake now.”

“That just means you can watch the sunrise with me,” she says, laying her head on my shoulder as I peel the paper off of my muffin and take a bite. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

I turn and look at the sun peeking over the ocean, pastel pinks coloring the few clouds dotting the expansive sky before turning back to her. I can’t help but think she looks better than any damn sunrise I’ve ever seen and I smile as she peeks over at me, waiting for my answer. I nod.

“Yeah, you sure are.”

She rolls her eyes but she can’t hide the faint color staining her cheeks as she fights back a smile. “God, you’re so cheesy.”