Say You Want Me

by Corinne Michaels

  “And what if we’re too lost? What if I’m too scared and hurt to trust him again?”

  “We’re not perfect people, honey. We’re human and we make mistakes. He’s owning that right now. He’s showing you who he is and what’s in his heart.”

  I thought I knew what was in his heart. I thought it was me. Then our life went down a very different path, and we ended up with a fissure dividing the road with him on one side and me on the other. Grief drove us apart. It didn’t have to, though. We each made choices that brought us to this juncture.

  “I love him,” I admit. “I never stopped loving him, but he hurt me so much.”

  “Love is the strongest and most beautiful thing we can bestow on another person. Have mercy in your heart, Angie. Be gracious enough to see that he wasn’t hurting you because he didn’t love you, sugar. He was hurting himself because he didn’t think he was worthy of your love. You think about that, and we’ll talk soon. Take care now.” She disconnects before I can say another word.

  I walk to the window and look at him. Are we being stupid or do we have the ability to find a way back to what we were?

  After my call with Mrs. Kannan, I start seeing things in a new light. Each time Wyatt talks to me, I try to really hear him and not just listen to the words.

  We have dinner together, and then he kisses me on the cheek and goes back to his apartment. I can’t stop thinking about what she said. Thinking about how I can find a way to fully forgive him.

  I’m getting ready for bed when my phone dings.

  Wyatt: Can I borrow some salt?

  I look at the text, unsure if I should respond. But I lean back against the headboard, which is against the wall that touches his apartment. He’s right there on the other side. It’s crazy that right now he’s this close and yet he’s so far.

  Me: I think you’re supposed to ask for sugar.

  Wyatt: Then let me borrow some of that, too.

  He’s a mess. A very cute mess. I talked to Presley today, and she told me about their talk. I was surprised she went off, but she also said she’d never seen him like that. I feel like I’m not only resisting Wyatt, I’m resisting the entire town of Bell Buckle.

  Me: It’s late.

  Wyatt: It is, but I really need that salt.

  Me: What the hell do you need salt for at eleven o’clock at night?

  Wyatt: I’m making something.

  This could go on forever, but I’m actually having fun. Talking to him like this reminds me of our time together. The bickering, the back and forth, it made us who we were.

  Me: I’m all out of salt.

  Wyatt: Then I have to ask you something about my jackass brother and Presley’s wedding. I figure since we’re both going, maybe we should make arrangements.

  Me: The wedding is in a few months. You’ll be gone by then.

  Wyatt: Not unless you’re going with me.

  Me: You’re not going to stop this until you see me tonight, are you?

  Wyatt: Not likely.

  I figured as much. I have to give him credit for persistence.

  Me: You’re a pain in my ass.

  Wyatt: Open the door, baby.

  I stare at the screen for a minute. My legs don’t seem to move. I can’t explain it, but I feel like opening or not opening this door is a decision about something that I won’t be able to undo.

  I thought maybe he’d have left by now, but each day he materializes, stays all afternoon, and then finds a way to see me later. He hasn’t pushed me other than by seeing me everywhere. And in the last eight days, I’ve been smiling. I haven’t cried, and I’ve had a sense of calm.

  Damn it.

  Here goes nothing.

  I open the door, and Wyatt is already standing there in a pair of basketball shorts and no shirt. My mind has trouble firing any thoughts about resisting as I stare at him. His muscles are taut, his chest broad, and now there’s something even sexier on his body. Wyatt got a massive tattoo on his arm.

  “You going to invite me in?” he asks after a few seconds of me just looking at him.

  “Your arm.” My fingers touch his skin as I trace the patterns. There are a bunch of intricate and thick tribal shapes. It wraps around his entire bicep, only breaking for Chinese lettering that cuts down the middle. “When did you—” I start to ask, but the look in his eyes stops me.

  “That’s the first time you’ve touched me like that.”

  My lips part. “Like what?”

  “Like it wasn’t a choice or a thought.”

  I decide not to comment on it. I’m sure I’ll get back to that at some point. Instead, I continue to explore his ink. “What does this mean?” I ask, letting my fingers graze over the words.

  “It means: together through thick and thin.”

  My eyes meet his and both our breathing quickens a bit. “Why?”

  “Because when I lost you, I realized a lot about myself. I realized that no matter what, I wanted to be with you. We lost something that was so precious to us that the thick got too hard, but we’re stronger than that. I know we are. I’ll never hurt you like that again. I want to be with you through it all.”

  Tears fall as I listen to him speak.

  “I don’t want to make you cry.” He wipes away the drops that fall. “I want to be the reason you smile again. When you were gone, I was broken, Angie. I was lost, hurt, and a fuckin’ mess. It wasn’t until I decided that I didn’t care where I lived, so long as we were together, I would be happy. I wasn’t joking when I said that you’re my home.”

  Then, from the ashes of my previously shattered heart, the pieces come back to life. All of the hurt and anger fade away. I feel the honesty in his words, and there’s not a doubt in my mind that what he says is true. I wipe my cheek, step closer to him, and cup his face. “I want you to take me home, Wyatt.”

  “Home?”

  My heart has only ever been one man’s—his. I’ve spent my entire life waiting for him, and I won’t let him go. He’s right, we’ve had our thick, and while we may not have navigated the fog the best way, we’re here now. I have to believe that even though we faltered, we didn’t fail. Loving Wyatt has shown me that it’s not a weakness to love someone. It isn’t always easy, but nothing worth a damn ever is. I walked away from him because it was up to him to start fighting. And he did.

  He fought for me.

  He loves me.

  I love him.

  I don’t want to wait anymore to be with him. I know he’s my forever love. “You’re the only home I’ve ever known. I love you.”

  Wyatt

  “I LOVE YOU, ANGIE.” I say it again, hoping she hears me. I should’ve done so many things differently, but I can’t lose her again.

  Angie looks up with her bright blue eyes swimming with emotions. “I love you, too.”

  Now it’s my turn to be stunned.

  “I’m pretty sure I was falling in love with you the first night we laid in bed and talked. Or maybe it was the morning we were all tangled up and you didn’t try anything. It could’ve been when you made me my favorite coffee, which was really sweet. Maybe it was even before that when you went stupid and told me I was moving to Bell Buckle and marrying your crazy ass. I don’t really know if I can pinpoint it exactly, but I know that there hasn’t been a moment that I’ve wanted to be anywhere but where you are. When you let me walk away, I couldn’t breathe, Wyatt. I fought myself from calling you or driving back there to make you see how wrong you were.” I watch as her face softens. “I never loved you because we were having a baby. I love you because you’re my other half.”

  My arms wrap around her as I hold her close. We stand in the living room of her apartment as it hits me. “You forgive me?”

  She nods.

  “You want me?”

  She nods again. “You would stay here if I asked you?”

  “On one condition.” I grin.

  “What’s that?”

  “I move in here. No more being apart.”
>
  Angie’s eyes brighten. “I missed you.” Her hands glide up my arms and hook around my neck. “I missed this.” Her lips press against mine, and she moves back before I can keep her there.

  Since she took her mouth away from me, I brush my thumb across her lips, watching as her eyes close and a shiver travels through her body. “Are you sure? Because I can’t lose you again.”

  “I’m sure. I tried to imagine it.”

  “Imagine what?”

  “Watching you walk away again. I tried to picture my life without you. These last three weeks were horrific.” Angie’s voice trembles. “I couldn’t do it again. I can’t leave you. Not when I feel like this. Not when it hurts. Everything inside me hurt.”

  “You love me.” I say the words as a statement.

  “Do you love me, Wyatt? Do you really love me? Do you love me enough to never hurt me like that again? I need to know you’ll be here for me.”

  She’s so strong most of the time, but she lets me see her insecurities. Angie plays the tough girl, but I get the real her. I know her family crap and how she worries that she’s not worth it. Her mother and brothers have done a real number on her, and I want to take that pain away and show her that she’s worth everything I have.

  I would never forsake that.

  “I truly, honestly, and deeply love you.” The words are straight from my heart. “I want to make you happy and prove that I’m the man you fell in love with.”

  The problem was I thought that guy died in that car wreck, too. She knew the real me was in there, hell, everyone but me did. I was so wrapped up in my own head, I couldn’t see straight. I couldn’t sleep because every time I closed my eyes, I saw her go unconscious. I couldn’t go to the fishing hole because I had to walk past my baby. The one that I held. That I loved. That I lost.

  It took my losing her and some very, very angry words from Presley to make me see that the only thing that was my fault was letting her walk away.

  “You said once that you were going to make it hard for me to resist you.” Her fingers massage the back of my head. “I just didn’t know you were going to make it impossible.”

  I’m done talking. Now, I want to show her how much I love her.

  I squat and lift her into my arms. She squeaks and holds on. “I always keep my promises, baby.”

  With her legs wrapped around me, I move to the bed. “It’s why I love you, Wyatt Hennington.”

  “Yeah?” I smile as I lay her down.

  “You made me love you because you’re honest and loving. You give love so freely that it’s infectious. I didn’t want to love you. I wanted to go to Bell Buckle, bide my time, come back to Philly.” She touches my cheek. “It turns out I didn’t want that at all. I only wanted you.”

  She’ll have all of that and more. I’ll give her the world if she wants it. I’ll buy her a damn Starbucks and run it myself if that’s what it takes to make her come back with me.

  I don’t let her say anything else before my mouth is on hers, and I kiss her breathless. I’m a happy man right now. I have her in my arms, and she’s where she belongs—with me.

  Angie opens her mouth and lets me in. Every time I get a taste of her sweetness, I fall harder. Everything about her makes me crazy—sometimes in a bad way. She’s not fake like some of the girls I’ve been around. She doesn’t go crazy trying to impress me or make me want her. I don’t have to question if what she’s sayin’ is what she means.

  Angie is all mine.

  My mouth moves down her neck, kissing every inch I travel. Thankfully, she’s wearing one of these night dress things. It makes for very easy access. My hands roam the front of her body. She lifts her chest as I inch closer to her breasts. “You want me to touch you, baby?” I ask against her ear.

  “Yes,” she moans.

  I love a woman who can ask for what she wants and demand what she needs. It’s fucking hot.

  “Tell me.”

  Her eyes go from soft to hard. There’s my girl. “Touch me,” Angie demands. “Make me remember.”

  I yank the strap down and my hand cups her breast, pulling it to my mouth. I know how much she loves this. Her fingers clutch the back of my head as I suck and bite down.

  Her moans spur me further. I love the sounds she makes. I love knowing exactly what she likes. Men want a woman to be free in the bedroom. What we do here is ours, and Angie doesn’t hold back.

  “I want you,” she begs. “I need you to touch me.”

  “I plan to, baby. I plan on lovin’ you all night long.”

  I move down her body, kissing her stomach on the way down. I kiss the scar that she’ll forever have from that night. I grip her hand and lace our fingers together as I kiss every inch of it. This will be a reminder of what we’ve lost, but also what we’ve gained.

  Faith brought us together in so many ways. She’ll always be a part of us.

  Angie’s other hand runs through my hair. “It’s okay.”

  I look up. “It is now.”

  My lips descend lower against her pussy, and I let out a soft breath, which makes the muscles in her legs tense. When I use the tip of my tongue to trace her cleft, she shudders.

  “Wyatt.” She leans on her elbows.

  She wants more. I see it in her eyes.

  Without wasting anymore time, I press my tongue down and she moans. I savor her sweetness but am careful not to let her come too soon. I lick and suck on her clit. Enjoying each movement that she makes against my mouth.

  “I’m gonna come!” She starts repeating. “Holy shit!”

  I finally give her what she wants and suck her clit into my mouth, making her explode. I hold her hips as I continue to make different patterns with my tongue, milking every ounce of pleasure from her body. I want her to remember this time.

  Then, I’m climbing up her body and pulling her nightgown with me. She lifts to remove it and then pushes me onto my back. “I love you,” she says with a grin.

  I reply instantly. “I love you.”

  “I love how you make me feel about myself.” She drops kisses on my chest. “But most of all . . .” Her body moves lower, and I lift my hips so she can remove my shorts. “I love who you are. And I love that you’re mine.”

  Angie wraps her mouth around my cock and sucks. “Fuck!” I use every bit of restraint I have to keep my hips from bucking and making her choke. She bobs up and down, taking me into the back of her throat. I have to keep my eyes closed. If I see her doing this, I’ll blow my load. I try to focus on anything but the sounds she’s making and the heat of her mouth.

  She lets out a throaty moan, and I almost lose it.

  I pull her face up, and she smiles like she knows exactly what I’m thinkin’.

  Playtime is over.

  I climb on my knees, and I use my body to push her back onto the bed. “Tell me you love me,” I command.

  “I love you.”

  Hearing it from her lips is like a piece of heaven in my soul.

  “Tell me you’re staying with me.”

  I line myself up, and she opens wide for me. I push myself just barely in and she groans. “I’m staying,” she promises.

  “Tell me, baby. Tell me why.”

  We never break the connection of our eyes. I’m giving her more of me with each promise she makes. “Because I want you. I need you. I love you!”

  That’s all I need to hear.

  I bury myself all the way inside her and give her all I have.

  Angie

  ~ A Month Later ~

  “YOU’RE SURE?” ERIN ASKS FOR the tenth time as I hand her the papers.

  “I’m sure.”

  I love this city. It will always be a part of me, but I miss Tennessee. I miss my family there, my best friend, and the life Wyatt and I were building. Wyatt basically moved into my apartment, and we’ve spent the last month finding our way again.

  He’s been fantastic. It’s been fantastic. After the second week, though, I knew I wanted to go home.
r />   We talked a lot, and I came to Erin with a proposal. She now is the face of For Cup’s Cake in Philadelphia. I’m still an owner, but a silent one. This way, Erin will be able to move forward with whatever she wants, and I have enough money to stay afloat while I figure my shit out.

  I plan to open a store in Tennessee after I talk to Mrs. Kannan. She dropped a lot of hints about wanting to retire, and Wyatt and I both agree that she is plotting for me to take her place.

  “I’m sad to see you go, but I don’t think I would stay either.” She gives me a hug.

  “He’s worth the risk, you know?” I say, looking at Wyatt standing in the bakery.

  “I’m sure he is.”

  I say my goodbyes to everyone in the store. My apartment is all packed, as is Wyatt’s. He apparently was on a month to month lease, which he failed to tell me until two weeks ago. The good thing was that since I live in a much desired area, my apartment sold very quickly. We had a contract on it the day it was listed, and the buyer pushed for a quick closing, which worked for me.

  “We should do something fun before we head back,” I suggest as we walk arm and arm. I bundle up close to him as the weather has definitely taken a turn. I can already smell the snow in the air.

  “Like?”

  “I don’t know. We could take a drive to New York. I know you’ve never been, and I don’t know when we’ll be around here again.”

  “We could,” he agrees. “Or we could go to Vegas.”

  “What?”

  “Vegas. I’ve never been there either.”

  I have no idea how we went from New York to Vegas. It makes no damn sense. “The two aren’t really alike, Wyatt.”

  He laughs. “I know, but it’s easier to get married in Vegas.”

  I stop moving. Wyatt keeps going a few steps and then turns back. “Married?” I ask in disbelief.