Stay With Me ~ Kristen Proby

by Kristen Proby

  He takes my hand in his, and I look into his eyes.

  “I know, Amelia. You don’t need to apologize, because you didn’t do it on purpose.”

  “I still feel bad,” I reply, blinking away tears. “But, you need to know that we didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not attracted to Jace romantically. He’s your brother, and I think he’s a nice guy, and maybe we’ll be friends. That’s it.”

  “I know,” he says softly as I gently rub some ointment on the cut, then reach for a bandage. “I realize that I overreacted. Like I said earlier, I trust you both. I would just rather you spent time with me rather than an ugly dude who doesn’t deserve your company.”

  I laugh and put the first-aid kit away, then wash my hands and look up in the mirror to find Wyatt standing behind me and looking at me.

  He’s so fucking handsome. His hair is also wild, a little longer and darker than Luke’s. His eyes are always so intense when he looks at me.

  And that tattoo . . . well, it does things to me.

  He wraps his arms around me from behind and holds my gaze in his.

  “Are we okay?” he asks.

  “We’re okay,” I confirm, but then frown. “But, Wyatt, you were right before. We have to learn to talk to each other because, otherwise, our ghosts will ruin us, and I don’t want that.”

  I turn in his arms and smile when his hands roam from my back to my ass.

  “I’m being serious.”

  “I can be serious and still grab your ass,” he replies, then tips his forehead against mine in that sweet way he does.

  “I love you,” I say, just blurting it out before I lose my nerve, and he pulls his head back, his eyes pinned to mine again. “I love you, Wyatt. I’ve wanted to say it for a while, but the timing was wrong.”

  “If I’ve learned anything tonight, it’s that life is too precious to wait,” he says, his lips just inches away from mine. “And I love you, too. Fuck the timing.”

  “This is my owl,” Olivia, Nat’s daughter says to me the next day. I’ve come to their house to talk to them about the possibility of staying at the house longer.

  “It’s a beautiful owl,” I say to the adorable five-year-old. She has dark hair and green eyes, just like her mama. I mean, Luke and Natalie are two of the most beautiful people on the planet, so of course, their children are gorgeous. “What’s her name?”

  “Owlivia,” she says with a giggle. “Do you see what I did there?”

  I laugh as the girl sits next to me, as if she’s at home here. “I do see what you did. Well, I think it’s awesome.”

  “She doesn’t have any babies,” she informs me, her face suddenly serious. “But I have three babies.”

  “She’s big into siblings these days,” Luke says as he walks into the kitchen and makes a cup of coffee. “Would you like some?”

  “No, thanks, I’ve had mine already.”

  “I’ll take some, though,” Nat says as she breezes in, looking fantastic as if she hadn’t spent half of the night worried about a house fire.

  “You need to eat, too,” he reminds her before kissing her square on the mouth.

  “Daddy kisses Mommy all the time,” Olivia informs me. “Auntie Jules says it’s gross.”

  “Do you think it’s gross?”

  She just giggles and shakes her head no. “It’s because Daddy loves Mommy.”

  “That’s right.” I kiss her smooth cheek. “So, first of all, the clean-up crew was already in the backyard this morning. You move fast.”

  “I have work to do,” Nat says with a shrug. “Were they there too early bugging you?”

  “No, I was already up,” I reply. “And I was at Wyatt’s anyway. I just stopped over there to get fresh clothes and stuff. And, I have a favor to ask.”

  Luke passes Natalie a plate of fresh fruit, and they both turn their attention to me.

  “What’s up?” Luke asks, and I’m suddenly tongue-tied. Why can’t I just talk to Natalie? It would be so much easier. “Actually, let me ask you this first. Have I offended you somehow?”

  My head whips up, and I frown. “No, of course not. Why?”

  “You seem uncomfortable around me, and I want to make sure that I didn’t do something wrong.”

  “No.” I shake my head and then laugh. “Honestly, you make me insanely nervous.”

  Natalie grins at him and chews on a strawberry. “Told you.”

  “I don’t know why, because you’ve always been nice to me, Luke. But you might be one of the only people I’ve ever met who makes my palms sweat.”

  A slow smile spreads over his ridiculously handsome face. “Is it the movies?”

  “Maybe? Mostly, I think it’s just that you’re hot. And I mean that in the most respectful way possible.”

  “No, I get it,” Natalie says with a helpful nod. “He’s totally hot.”

  “Does Daddy have a fever?” Olivia asks in my lap, making us all laugh.

  “No, sweetie,” I reply. “He’s fine.”

  “Can we move past this nervousness?” Luke asks me. “Maybe you just haven’t been around me enough to realize that despite the debonair good looks, charming smile, and classy ways, I’m just a normal man.”

  “And, here we go,” Nat says, rolling her eyes. “You’ve given him a big head.”

  I laugh and shrug a shoulder. “Yes, we’ll get past it. I’ll wear gloves when I’m near you.”

  “What’s the favor?” Natalie asks.

  “Well, if I were to decide to move home permanently, would it be possible to rent the house from you until I find a place of my own?”

  Natalie sets her plate down and claps her hands excitedly. “Of course! And you don’t need to pay us, silly. You can stay as long as you want.”

  “Absolutely,” Luke replies, nodding and smiling.

  “I really don’t mind paying rent. This house is in a prime location and could be bringing in a lot of income for you.”

  “It’s convenient for the family,” Nat says, waving me off. “Are you really going to move home?”

  “I think so, yes. I have some things to tie up in L.A., and my new business venture will be out of there, so I’ll have to commute a bit—”

  “I do the same,” Luke says with a nod. “It can be a pain, I’m not going to lie, but it’s doable, and being near family makes the hassle worth it.”

  “That’s what I’m thinking,” I agree. “I’ve missed everyone, and with Dad’s scare last week, I just think that it’s time to be home.”

  “Well, you won’t get an argument from me,” Nat says. “I suspect a certain handsome architect had a hand in this decision?”

  “No.” I shake my head, but Nat just cocks a brow. “Well, partly. I haven’t told him yet.”

  “Might want to,” Luke suggests. “The man’s a goner over you.”

  “We said the L word last night,” I confess and then shake my head in bewilderment. “I definitely didn’t expect to find him when I came here last month. I just wanted to work and be with the family. But here he is, and this may sound so incredibly cheesy, but he’s totally changed my life. Turned it upside down, that’s for sure.”

  “Love does that,” Natalie says, looking at Luke. “He came out of nowhere on the beach and accosted me.”

  “I didn’t accost you,” he says with a laugh.

  “You were ready to smash the hell out of my camera,” she reminds him.

  “I thought she was the press,” he says to me.

  “But I was just taking pictures of the sunrise,” she adds. “And once he believed that I wasn’t trying to get rich off of photos of him, he didn’t let me out of his sight.”

  “I mean, look at her,” he says with a smile, his arms crossed over his chest, and hip leaning against the countertop.

  “Jules is right. Y’all are a little disgusting.”

  ~Amelia~

  “Do you need all of that?” Wyatt asks a week later as I gather my things to go out of town with him for a few days. Jule
s and Nate invited us to go to their beach house on the coast, and I couldn’t be more excited. Our trip to Orcas Island was fun and new, but the Washington coast is my home away from home, and I haven’t been out there for a few years.

  I’m practically giddy.

  “I don’t understand the words coming out of your mouth,” I reply and turn from my suitcase, propping my hands on my hips and blowing a strand of hair out of my face. Wyatt smirks as he pushes his blue Henley up his forearms, revealing the ink on his arm, and my lady bits quiver.

  They fucking quiver.

  “All I’m saying is,” he continues, but then stops when I keep staring at his arm. “Hey, my eyes are up here.”

  “That’s what she said.” I look up at him and smile. “I have a thing for your ink. I don’t know what it is. I’ve seen other men with tattoos before, but I didn’t want to nibble on them quite the way I do with yours.”

  “Well, that’s handy,” he says and smiles at me in that way he does when he’s particularly amused with me. “May I finish?”

  “By all means.”

  “We’re only going to be gone for three days. You’re not even taking your camera.”

  “I know. I filmed two videos ahead of time this week, and Nat came over, and we did a bunch of photos for social media, so I have plenty to post. I’m ahead of the game. I just need my phone and my laptop. Nate assures me that the Wi-Fi is good, so I’m ready.”

  “So why do you need ten outfits?”

  “Because I’m a woman and I don’t know what the temperature will be at the beach. A girl needs options, Wyatt. Don’t you know this by now?”

  He shakes his head and laughs softly.

  “I don’t think this is a high-glam weekend. Not that I don’t love it when you get dolled up.”

  “Really?” I smile and lean in to kiss his muscular shoulder. “That’s sweet.”

  “Haven’t you figured it out? I love every look you have, and you have many.”

  Could he be any sweeter?

  “If you keep saying things like that, we’ll be late,” I reply and turn back to keep throwing things into my suitcase. Actually, throwing is the wrong word. I have a system, with packing cubes and lists.

  It feeds my organized soul.

  “Did I tell you that the pool will be open when we get back?” I ask and do a little booty shake in excitement.

  “About six times since we woke up,” he replies with a laugh. “You love that pool.”

  “I know it seems silly, but I really do. I like to work outside when I can, and it’s just so peaceful out there with the trees and privacy.”

  “It’s a great outdoor space,” he agrees. “You don’t have a pool in L.A.?”

  “My building does, but it’s not private, and it’s not nearly this nice. Besides, it’s usually too hot to sit by the pool.”

  My phone rings, and I frown when I see Jules’ name.

  “Oh no,” I mutter before accepting the call. “Please tell me you don’t need to cancel.”

  “I could, but then I’d be lying, and I don’t like to do that,” she says, then sighs. “I’m sorry, Lia, Stella came down with a bug, and I don’t like leaving her when she’s sick. Nate and I are going to have to sit this one out.”

  “Well, damn.”

  I toss a pair of panties on the bed and sit on the edge of it dejectedly.

  “You and Wyatt should still totally go.”

  Hope springs. “Are you sure? We can plan it for another time.”

  “No, I mean it. Nate’s minions already stocked the place with groceries and the linens are fresh. Even the gazebo has been cleaned, and the cushions replaced this year. It’s beautiful, and if you don’t go, it’ll go to waste.”

  “That might be a bit dramatic,” I reply with a smile. “But I won’t say no.”

  “Good. I’ll text you the code to the front door. Enjoy it. And if you have any issues, just call, and Nate will take care of it right away.”

  “Nate sure is handy.”

  “Girl, you have no idea.” She laughs and then groans. “Shit, Stella just threw up in her bed. If anyone ever tells you that being a parent is always glamorous, they’re lying. Love you. Have fun. I’m totally jealous.”

  “Thanks again, and I hope she feels better.”

  I end the call and glance up to find Wyatt leaning his shoulder on the wall, his hands tucked into his pockets, watching me.

  “We’re going alone,” I say. “Stella’s sick.”

  “And they’re okay with us still going?”

  “Jules insisted.” I stand and continue packing. “And, frankly, I don’t want to say no. I’ve been to Nate’s place once before, and it’s so nice. Are you still up for it?”

  “A chance to get you alone at the beach for three days? Hell, yes, I’m still up for it. And just so you know, you’ll need way less clothes now that it’s just the two of us.”

  I laugh, but when I look back at him and see the lust in his eyes, I know he’s not kidding.

  I can’t fucking wait.

  The McKenna beach house is beautiful. A blue, two-story home with a wrap-around porch and tall evergreen trees surrounding it. It’s both elegant and comfortable.

  The front door is wide, pine, and has a beach scene etched into the oval glass.

  “Wow, I was expecting something more—”

  “Rustic?” I ask with a smile as I help Wyatt pull our bags out of the back of his Lexus. “I know. But this is way better than a rustic cabin. Come on, I’ll show you.”

  Someone decorated the space in subtle beachy tones, blues and greys in the furniture and rugs. There’s an enormous rock fireplace in the middle of the living area.

  Jules hung photos from their wedding and baby photos of Stella on the walls. They’re in black and white, and immediately draw my eye.

  “Let’s take our bags upstairs, and then I want to go down to the beach,” I say, and Wyatt nods, still looking around.

  We choose a bedroom that faces the ocean but isn’t the master. Once our toiletries are unpacked, we make our way downstairs.

  “This kitchen is amazing.” I run my hand over the black granite, enjoying the brightness of the white cabinets, and the huge French doors that lead out to the backside of the wrap-around porch.

  “The ocean is churning today,” Wyatt says, standing at the doors, his hands on his hips as he watches the waves below. “And we’re up awfully high.”

  “I know, there’s a staircase down to the beach,” I reply as I open the fridge and take stock of our supplies. “Man, Jules was right. Nate had the place stocked well.”

  “Excellent. We won’t have to leave.” Wyatt walks to me and circles his arms around my waist, burying his face in my neck. “I have you all to myself.”

  “You have me all to yourself when we’re at home,” I remind him.

  “Not the same,” he says, his lips moving deliciously over my skin. “Family could show up any minute. Work interrupts. It’s always something.”

  “I’m excited, too,” I reply and turn in his arms, hugging him tightly. “And I’m ready for a long walk on the beach, Mr. Crawford.”

  “Well, then lead the way, Miss Montgomery.”

  I take his hand in mine and lead him out of the house and down the long staircase. We stop at the gazebo.

  “This is great,” he says. “We’ll use the firepit later.”

  “We even have the makings for s’mores,” I reply with a grin. “And all of these cushions are brand new. I’ll be out here a lot.”

  I continue down to the sand and grin at the roar of the waves, the smell of salt in the air, and the cool breeze hitting my cheeks.

  “It’s always cool on the Washington coast.”

  “Mm,” I reply with a nod. “Hard to believe this is the same ocean as the one in southern California. Honestly, I prefer this.”

  “Why?”

  “Fewer people. The water is more passionate. Moody.” I shrug. “I think it’s beautiful.”
>
  He kisses my hand, and we walk down to where the sand is wet and packed, making it easier to walk. After about five minutes, I take off my shoes and leave them in the sand, planning to retrieve them on the way back.

  “Good idea,” Wyatt says, joining me.

  “So, I have some really good news,” I begin. He looks down at me with raised eyebrows, curiosity all over his face.

  “Tell me.”

  Why am I suddenly so nervous?

  “I’ve been thinking quite a bit since I’ve been home that maybe I’d like to stay here. Permanently.”

  His hand tightens on mine, but he stays quiet, which is good because I need to get this out.

  “I think it really hit home for me when my dad was in the hospital. Not only do I miss the good things in L.A., like babies being born, and engagement parties, and weddings, but I’m also far away when the bad things happen. What if he’d died and I wasn’t able to get here right away?”

  He nods, listening intently.

  “I love my family, Wyatt. They’re fun and they may be quirky, but they always have my back, no matter what.”

  “You have a great family,” he agrees.

  “And I have you,” I continue. “I am not trying to put any kind of pressure on our relationship at all, but the fact remains that I have you, and I don’t want to live a three-hour flight away from you. I want to be close to you.”

  “I’m definitely on the same page there, sweetheart.”

  I grin. “So, I spoke with Natalie and Luke, and they’ve agreed to rent the house to me until I find a more permanent place. I also needed to speak with my brand sponsors in L.A. to make sure that they’d help me make the commute work, and they’re on board.”

  He stops walking and turns me to face him.

  “Are you telling me that this is for sure? That you’re not just throwing it out there?”

  There’s so much hope in his eyes, it almost buckles my knees in relief.

  “I’m for sure relocating to Seattle,” I confirm, and am swept up in his arms. He spins us around twice and then begins kissing the hell out of me, just as the sky decides to open up and dump on us.

  Wyatt doesn’t seem to give a shit.