by J. L. Beck
"Aren't you supposed to be studying?" Wyatt asks from behind me. He startles me and I whirl around in his desk chair with a hand clutched to my chest.
"Jesus Christ Wyatt, hasn't anyone ever told you not to scare your girlfriend half to death?"
I'm glaring at him, but it doesn't faze Wyatt at all. He walks over and pulls me up out of his chair to wrap his arms around me. My stiff posture lasts about half a second before I relax into him; I slide my arms around his waist to hug him tightly.
Kissing the top of my head, he says, 'Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you; you just looked like you were miles away. What's going on in that pretty head of yours?"
"Nothing," I mutter, burying my face in his chest so that he doesn't see the pleased blush on my cheeks. I'm not used to the compliments he gives me yet and each time he says something sweet it embarrasses me. Scarlett's going to get a huge kick out of this nicer version of myself.
Wyatt doesn't say anything; he just waits for me to come clean with what I'm thinking, so finally, with a sigh, I tell him. "I'm just thinking about what it's going to be like tomorrow when everyone comes back. Everything will change, and I'll have to share you."
His arms tighten around me in reassurance. "Things don't have to change just because everyone is coming back. Them being here doesn't mean we can't be together does it?"I can hear the uncertainty in his question, and want to kick myself for not explaining what I meant.
"No! That's not what I meant, Wyatt. It's just..." I trail off, trying to gather my thoughts before continuing, "Our roommates will all be home tomorrow, along with Max, Annabelle and Scarlett. Things will just be different."
Pulling back to gaze down at me, Wyatt frowns, "Different how?"
"Just different! You'll still be here; I'll be at the dorm. Classes start back Monday which means I won't see you as much, it just won't be the same as it is right now." I sound like the boy-dependent girls I can't stand. The ones who change their lives for whoever they are with, but I'm beginning to understand why they do it. Thinking about everyone returning to school makes me want to hole up in Wyatt's room and never leave. I'm worried that once everyone comes back Wyatt won't need me anymore.
Wyatt stiffens against me, and I realize that I just said that last sentence out loud. Before I can defend what I said, he drops his arms from around me and backs up. His eyes are wounded, and the fact that I'm the one that put that emotion there makes my chest hurt.
"Is that what you think? That I've been with you this week because I was lonely? That I took you to meet my family, who I never take anyone to meet, because I was bored?" His voice is incredulous, and rising with every word. "Goddammit Peyton! I've been chasing you for weeks! This isn't just a way to entertain myself." He runs both hands through his hair, pressing his palms against the side of his head before taking a deep breath, he shouts, "I'm in love with you!"
I can only stare at him in shock, my jaw practically hitting the floor. He said he loved me the first night we slept together, but I figured it was just a reflex. You know, sleep with a girl, and tell her you love her, even if you don't mean it. I tried to just pretend it didn't happen because I didn't want to know for sure that he didn't mean it. My moment of silence costs me, because I stare at him dumbly, until finally he turns on his heel and walks out of the room without another word, slamming the door behind him. The sound of the door slamming shut snaps me out of my stupor and I take off after Wyatt, terrified of what's going to happen next. I don't have to go far, because Wyatt's standing at the sliding glass door, one hand on either side of frame, with his forehead resting against the glass. He looks defeated, and I have no idea how to make this better.
Unable to help myself, I rush over to him, squeezing between the glass and his body to wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face in his chest. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I whisper over and over, wanting nothing more than to redo the last thirty minutes. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded."
Wyatt steps back, removing my arms and letting them drop to my sides. Raising an eyebrow he crosses his arms over his chest, making his t-shirt stretch across his shoulders and pecs in the most delicious way and drawing my eyes down to them. He clears his throat and my eyes fly back up to meet his. He's smirking at me, but it doesn't last long. "Then how did you mean it Peyton?" he asks, the disbelief in his voice obvious.
"I wasn't trying to say you were bored," I say with a sigh, knotting my fingers together in front of me. "It's just, you're popular, everybody likes you, and I'm the bitch no one wants to be around. You could have your pick of any girl on campus, so why would you put up with my shit?" The knot in my throat makes it hard to speak, it's taking everything I have not to break down and cry. I've got to make him understand that this is about me, not him. For all my bitchiness, I'm really just a girl who's desperate for love, for someone to give a shit and put me first. Of course I'm fucking everything up and not making anything clear to him.
Wyatt still looks upset, but he no longer looks like he's trying to decide between throttling me or throwing me out of his apartment. That makes me a little braver, and I tell him, "I just don't want to lose you, and I'm terrified that once everyone comes home you'll realize that you don't want me anymore." Glancing up to see him watching me, his expression softer, more accepting, I blurt out, "I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you, so that would kill me."
Finally, one side of Wyatt's mouth curls up in a grin and he starts towards me. "You're pretty sure? Or you are sure?"
I sigh in relief, "I'm sure. Absolutely, positively, 100% certain that I'm in love --" Wyatt's mouth on mine cuts me off as he presses me into the glass door. Wrapping his arms around me, he lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist automatically. He kisses me like it's the last time he's ever going to kiss me, his tongue tasting every single part of my mouth.
"You make me so damn crazy," he says around my lips before wrapping his hands in my hair and pulling my mouth to his again. My hands are gripping his shirt, trying to pull him even closer to me. I don't ever want this to end. I have no idea how long we stay like this, kissing each other almost desperately, but finally Wyatt's hands let go of my hair, traveling down my back to grip my ass. Once he has a good hold on me, he carries me back to his bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him and laying me down on the bed. He slowly undresses me before shedding his own clothes and climbing on top of me. I'm more than ready for him, and after sliding the condom over his erection, his eyes meet mine, silently asking if it's okay before he slams inside of me hard and holds himself still, buried deep inside as he allows me to get used to his size before he really starts to move.
It's different this time, Wyatt is less controlled and it feels more urgent than it did before. Gone is the sweet, gently lover from the previous times we've had sex. This time, Wyatt's more focused and it's like he's trying to claim me. I can feel myself climbing, getting closer to the edge and the longer he thrusts, the more erratic he gets so I can tell he's getting close too. Gripping his arms, I try to press harder up against him to get the friction I need, but Wyatt puts his hands on my hips to hold me steady.
"Please Wyatt," I moan, my voice breathy. I'm so close, but I'm not one of those girls who doesn't need stimulation to get there.
Wyatt stares down at me, the look in his eyes fierce as he shakes his head. "Don't move," he growls.
I start to whimper in protest, but it's cut off when his fingers trail across my hip to the apex of my thighs before his thumb presses down right there in the exact spot I need him to be. His thumb moves in slow circles at first, driving me out of my mind until I'm almost crying. "Please, oh god, Wyatt," I pant as his thumb begins to press harder.
Wyatt pinches my clit between his finger and thumb and that's it. I'm flung over the edge into my climax and am barely aware of his thrusts speeding up before he slams into me hard, finding his own pleasure. His head drops down into so that his forehead is resting between my breasts and his breathing is just as heavy as mine. Bringing
my hands up I run my fingers through his hair soothingly as he continues to shudder above me. We lay like this until both our hearts slow to normal before Wyatt finally slides out of me and gets off the bed.
When he comes back, he lays down beside me and pulls me back into him so that my back is against his front. I can feel his breath ruffling my hair as he wraps his arm around my middle. Taking my hand in his he entwines our fingers together and I can feel his body relax along mine. As his breathing begins to slow, I close my eyes and revel in the sense of belonging. Something I've never really felt before. I fall asleep easily, remaining wrapped in his arms until morning.
As my eyes open, I become aware of the warm, naked chest my cheek is resting on and the strong arm wrapped around me. My hand is splayed on his hard abdomen and Wyatt's still asleep, his breathing deep and even. Even though I've been sleeping in his bed for the past few nights, this is the first time I've woken up before him, so I take advantage of it. Balancing myself on my arm, I start at the top of his head, gazing at him in wonder. He's so freaking adorable when he's sleeping. Wyatt's face is relaxed and the worry lines that are usually present on his forehead are smooth, his mouth tips up in a small smile making me wish I knew what he's dreaming about.
I trace his full lips with a finger, unable to keep my hands to myself. His hand at my hip tightens and my eyes fly up to meet his now open ones. His expression is amused and I know I flush bright red. He's caught me studying him which makes me feel vulnerable. Add to it the fact that waking up with someone else is still pretty new to me and I'm feeling bashful, which is completely unlike my usual abrasiveness.
Wyatt turns suddenly to grab his phone off the nightstand, looking at it before he falls back onto the bed with a groan. "What is it?" I ask, alarmed.
"It's almost noon. Clay and Emmett will probably be back soon, and I'm sure they won't be alone." His eyes are apologetic and I know he's not looking forward to sharing me anymore than I am to sharing him.
Sitting up, I wrap the sheet around me more securely, hoping that feeling less exposed physically will help with how exposed I feel emotionally. The fight that we had yesterday shook me much more than I would have thought, and it made me realize just how attached I am to Wyatt. His lips touch my shoulder and I flinch, unprepared for the touch. Wyatt puts a hand on my cheek, turning me to face him. He studies me, his eyes moving back and forth between my own. When he doesn't find the answer he's obviously looking for, he frowns and the lines I was so happy were gone just a few minutes ago are back.
"What's wrong, baby?" he asks gently, the concern in his voice obvious.
I try to turn my face away, but his hold is firm. "Nothing," I murmur, "I'm just a little nervous about all of this."
Dropping his hand from my cheek, Wyatt turns slightly so that he's facing me instead of just sitting beside me. "Nervous? About what?" I know he's confused, and maybe nervous isn't the word I should have used. This is all just so new to me.
"Everyone is going to be staring at us, wondering what went on this week. I just don't know how to deal with it." I shrug, trying to play off how uncomfortable I suddenly feel.
Wyatt knows me enough by now that he knows I'm getting ready to withdraw from him. It might just be self-preservation, a way to keep myself from getting hurt, but he grips my upper arms, pulling me around so that we're facing each other. "Who cares what everyone else thinks or wants to know? What happened this week is between us and only us. Quit worrying so much about what everyone else thinks."
He's right, but I always worry about what everyone else thinks. No matter how much I act like an untouchable ice queen, and trust me, I've been called that too many times to count...especially by Brad. Ugh, he's the last person I want to think about. Wyatt pushes me onto my back before hovering over me and pressing his lips to mine. "I know I said not to worry, but if we don't get up soon, everyone will be here and you'll be smack dab in the exact situation you're trying to avoid." Getting up, he extends a hand to me and pulls me up so that I'm standing in front of him. Wyatt wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me into his still very naked body. "Come on, let's take a shower," he whispers against my lips.
After sharing the shower, which was another new experience for me - who knew showers could be so...enjoyable? - Wyatt makes us breakfast. It's nothing fancy, just scrambled eggs on toast, but it's delicious. "Wow. Good in bed and you can cook? Will wonders never cease," I say teasingly, and he smiles at my words.
"What can I say...you're a very lucky girl Peyton Williams," he says with a laugh and I grin back at him, enjoying the back and forth banter.
I feel more at ease with him than I ever have with anybody else, even Scarlett. There's just something about Wyatt that makes me let go and lower the walls I keep around myself. He teases me, but he's the type of person who never takes it too far. I never have to worry that he's masking a nasty thought with a joke. There's been entirely too many people in my life who would.
We're standing side by side at the sink doing dishes, me washing and him drying, when the front door opens and loud voices yell his name. Wyatt looks over at me with a half-smile before shouting back, "In here assholes." Shaking his head at their replies, "are you decent" (Emmett) and "Dude, you didn't fuck her on the table did you?" (Clay), he mouths "I'm sorry" as they walk into the small kitchen. Emmett has his arm around Olivia and Clay is leering at SarahBeth who looks about as uncomfortable as I am around him while Max and Kat just shake their heads.
Clay's look changes to sorrow when he looks over at me. "Oh man, I was hoping y'all would be naked," he groans with a wink as I roll my eyes at him.
Emmett smacks him on the back of the head and everyone laughs. Obviously, this is something that happens often for Clay, someone always seems to be smacking him for making a suggestive comment.
"Hey Peyton," Max says with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about Clay and his poor manners. I promise he wasn't raised in a barn."
"Don't worry about it," I tell him, waving away his apology as Kat comes over to give us both a hug. I'm still not that comfortable with hugs though, so it's a little stiff, but she doesn't say anything about it.
After she hugs both me and Wyatt, she looks between us thoughtfully, "Something looks different..." she trails off when Wyatt puts his arm around me and smiles proudly.
Her eyes widen, but just as she starts to say something, Clay shouts, "Go Wyatt! You actually did score!" Coming over, he holds out a fist for him to bump, but Wyatt pushes it away with a frown.
"Shut up you moron." He says grouchily before grabbing me by the hand. "Come on Peyton." Wyatt pushes past everyone, heading for his room. Closing his door, he deflates with a sigh before looking down at me nervously.
"What is it? What's wrong?" I ask, worried about what's going through his head. Was the reality of us being together too much for him? I quickly run through the events in the kitchen in my head, but come up with nothing. I don't know why he's looking at me like he's afraid I'm going to bite his head off. When he still doesn't say anything, I start to panic, "Will you please tell me what's wrong, Wyatt?"
"Hey," he murmurs, pulling me into his arms so that I can rest my head on his chest, "I'm fine. I promise."
"You are not fine," I argue, crossing my arms over my chest. "Fine isn't leaving the room where all your friends are, and it definitely isn't pulling me into your bedroom away from everyone else. Are you...are you ashamed?" My voice cracks on the word, and is much lower when I continue. "If this is too much --"
Wyatt cuts me off. "Don't be an idiot," he grumbles, and I can feel him shaking his head back and forth against the top of mine. "I was just worried about how you'd react to Clay putting all our business out there. I know you're pretty private and I know you were worrying about how it would be with everyone here now. I just...I didn't want you to have to deal with that." Still keeping me tucked under his chin so that I can't see his face, he says softly, "If you want to go home, I'll understand. Just...will you let me stay?"
"You really are an idiot," I say with a huff. "Clay doesn't bother me. I mean, yeah, he's an ass and he has absolutely no filter, but I knew people were going to wonder what went on this week. I'll be okay."
Pulling away, Wyatt looks down at me, studying me carefully. "Who are you, and what have you done with the Peyton Williams I met a few months ago? That Peyton would have kicked Clay's ass...and then mine too just for being friends with him."
Laughing, I punch him lightly in the stomach. "Jerk. I'm still the same girl. I'm just not as uptight." Looking up, I give him the naughtiest smile I can, or at least I hope it's naughty, and not just a weird grimace. "I guess you relaxed me this week."
Now, it's his turn to laugh. "Oh, is that what it is? Well, I guess I'll have to make sure you stay relaxed then, huh?" After a moment, he opens the door and gestures out toward the main room. "Well, are you ready to face the firing squad then?" Instead of answering, I grab his hand and lead him back to the kitchen, where our friends are all still talking, only now, Scarlett and Annabelle are here too.
"Peyton!" Scarlett screeches before running over to me. I try to push Wyatt in front of me, but it's no use. Scarlett flings herself into my arms, jumping up and down with her arms wrapped around me, leaving me no choice but to wrap my free around her. "Ohmigosh! I missed you soooo much! How was your week? Did you and Wyatt have a good time?" She barely takes a breath as she looks down to where Wyatt's hand is entwined with mine, "Ahhh!" she screams, "Are you guys together?!?"
