Wyatt

by Fisher-Davis, Susan

  The man leaned back in his chair and laughed. “You don’t even know my wife, so what’s it matter?”

  “The fact that you have a wife is what matters. Go home to her.” Olivia was getting angry and that was never a good thing. She felt Becca lean across her.

  “Go home, Jerry. I do know your wife and Carol is a wonderful woman.”

  “Why are you here, Becca? You’re married too.” Jerry glared at her.

  “Girls night out, not that it’s any of your business. I’m not here looking to hook up either. I happen to have a man at home I love. Don’t do this to Carol.”

  Jerry folded his arms across his chest and stared at her. He was a good-looking married man who had trouble keeping it in his pants. The entire town of Clifton knew about his wrongdoings. Most women avoided him, though a few took him up on his offers. He signaled for another beer. Olivia glanced over toward the bartender to tell him no and her eyes landed on Wyatt. He was sitting on a barstool with his back to the bar, his elbows resting on the bar behind him. His gaze was roaming the room, but he hadn’t spotted her yet. She elbowed Becca and nodded toward him.

  “He’s cruising,” Olivia said.

  Becca glanced at her best friend. “Probably.”

  Olivia blew out a breath. “There’s no ‘probably’ about it. He is.”

  Emma, the third member of their party, stood. “I think I’ll go say hello.” She smiled. “He is my brother in-law, after all.”

  Olivia reached out to stop her but Emma moved away from her laughing. Olivia watched as Emma made a beeline for Wyatt. He hadn’t seen her yet, but Olivia knew the minute he’d spotted Emma. He straightened up on the stool and smiled at her. Olivia watched as Emma nodded in the direction of their table, and groaned when Wyatt peered around his sister in-law, his gaze settling on her. She saw his jaw clench and his lips flatten into a flat line. Who in the hell was he to get angry at her being here? He was here. She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest when she saw Emma leading him back to where they were seated. He stood beside it and glared down at Jerry.

  “Jerry, you need to leave the women here alone,” Wyatt said.

  Olivia did everything she could to stop the shiver that ran through her at the sound of his deep, sexy voice. She’d wanted him since the first time she’d laid eyes on him. He stood six foot four with hair as black as a raven’s wing. A straight, narrow nose sat over a gorgeous pair of lips, bowed upper lip and a full bottom lip, which screamed, “Suck on me.” His eyes were such a dark brown they appeared black. In fact, Olivia was beginning to think they were black. She just needed to get close enough to look to be sure. He’d never let her though. For some reason, he kept his distance from her, despite the fact they were constantly thrown together. Her best friend, Becca, was married to his oldest brother, Jake, and her other friend, Emma, was married to the next older brother, Gabe. They were always together, but never together. She’d made it clear to him she wanted him and yet he still stayed away. Oh, he was always polite to her but that was as far as it went.

  Olivia wanted to lick him all over. Her eyes instinctively went to his crotch. This time the shiver emerged. His jeans fit him like a glove and the soft denim cupped his sex just so that she couldn’t pull her attention away. She knew what the backside looked like too. His jeans looked as if they’d been made specifically for him. His black T-shirt hugged his biceps, his chest, and she could make out the six-pack abs under it. She wiggled in her seat. Whoever thought she’d want a cowboy? The black Stetson sat low on his forehead.

  Jerry stood. “I’m not doing anything wrong, Wyatt. You need to butt out.”

  Wyatt smirked. “Not doing anything wrong, huh? How about the fact you’re married and hitting on these women?”

  “I’m only hitting on Olivia. The other two are married.” He dropped down onto his seat again.

  Wyatt laughed. “That’s rich. You won’t hit on a married woman, but you’re a married man hitting on a woman.” He pulled Jerry up out of his seat by his shirt collar. “I think it’s time you went home to Carol, though why she wants you is beyond me.”

  “Come on, Wyatt. There isn’t a man in this place who doesn’t want Olivia.”

  Wyatt’s eyes met hers. “Yes, there is.”

  Olivia hissed in a breath and stood. “I’ll see you two tomorrow,” she said to Becca and Emma then strode out the door.

  * * * *

  Wyatt swore under his breath as she strode past him with her head held high. His gaze shifted to his sisters-in-law to see them glaring at him. He stared at them, waiting for the lecture he was sure was coming. Becca stood and narrowed her eyes at him.

  “That, Wyatt Stone, was totally uncalled for.”

  “I’m just telling it like it is.”

  Becca laughed. “You’re such a bad liar.” She sat back down and ordered another drink.

  “You’re not driving, are you?” Wyatt asked her, feeling protective of the two women.

  Becca shook her head. “Nope. Emma is. She’s only drinking Coke.”

  Wyatt swore under his breath. Pissing off either Becca or Emma was not a good idea. His brothers would gang up on him if they learned of it. He smirked as he realized they’d have to gang up on him since he could kick their asses separately and they knew it. Wyatt was a Marine, and a badass sniper, the best in his unit. It didn’t matter that he’d been out of the Corp for seven years. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

  “Good. I don’t want to have to bail you out of jail.”

  “Go away, Wyatt. I’m pissed at you right now…and take Jerry with you.” Becca waved her hand at him dismissively.

  Wyatt frowned when he realized he was still holding onto Jerry’s collar. He unclenched his fist from the man’s shirt. Jerry turned and took a swing at him. Wyatt ducked but Jerry clipped his jaw, sending him backwards. Jerry pounced on him. Well, here’s the fucking fight you were looking for. Wyatt pulled his fist back to punch Jerry, but a strong grip locked onto his arm. He spun around to see Clifton’s Sheriff, Sam Garrett. Sam was staring at him.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Wyatt. Don’t make me run you in.”

  Wyatt raised his eyebrows. “Run me in? He started it.”

  “He’s also so damn drunk he can barely stay on his feet,” Sam said.

  Wyatt nodded and Sam released his arm. “I’m leaving anyway. I was just trying to get Jerry to leave them alone.”

  “I’ve been here making rounds and I was watching him. Liv was handling it. If it had gotten out of hand, I was going to intervene.”

  Wyatt put his fingers to the brim of his hat, nodded to Becca and Emma, then headed out the door. Outside, it had stopped raining and he took a deep breath of the late September air. Soon, fall would move in and he knew snow wouldn’t be far behind. His eyes roamed the parking lot, and he swore aloud when he saw Olivia sitting on a bench across the street. He headed over toward her and halted in front of her. His breath whooshed out when she raised those gorgeous eyes at him.

  “Why do you hate me?” she asked sadly.

  “I don’t hate you, Olivia.”

  She snorted. “Well, you sure have a weird way of showing me you like me, cowboy.”

  He sat down beside her. “I’m not looking for a relationship, Olivia. I’ve been there and I had my heart torn apart. I sure as hell don’t want to go through it again.”

  “You think you’re the only person who’s ever had their heart broken? I found my fiancé screwing my college roommate.” She sighed.

  “I know I’m not but I’m not going through that again,” he grumbled.

  “I’ve made it pretty clear how I feel,” Olivia whispered.

  Wyatt laughed. “Hell, Olivia. You’ve done everything but lie down and spread your legs for me.”

  Olivia abruptly stood. “That was a little crude, even for me,” she said. “Well, you can bet your ass it will never happen now, cowboy.” She marched off across the street.

  Wyatt watched h
er cross the street and only after a slight hesitation, he ran after her and grasped her arm, spun her around to face him and pushed her back against a truck.

  “You just don’t get it do you?” he said through clenched teeth.

  “Let go of me.” Olivia jerked away from him, pushing at his chest. Wyatt stepped back and glared at her. He swore under his breath. “What is it I don’t get, cowboy?”

  He leaned down close so she wouldn’t miss a word. “I don’t want you.”

  Olivia laughed. “I don’t believe that—not for a minute. I’ve seen the way you look at me.” She poked his chest with her fingertip. “You want me, Wyatt Stone. You just don’t want to want me.” She gave him a hard shove and strode away from him.

  “Son of a bitch,” he roared and ran after her, stepping in front of her. “Are you so sure about that?” She nodded. “Wrong. If I wanted you, I’d have you.” He stepped back when she stepped closer to him, gazing up at him. She grinned at him.

  “I know when a man wants me and you do, cowboy. You just won’t go for it for some weird reason.”

  “You know when a man wants you, eh? So you’ve been with that many, huh?” He smirked. “Are you telling me you’re a slut, Olivia?” Wyatt wasn’t ready for the slap she gave him, and his head jerked back and a red-hot heat stung his cheek.

  “That’s twice you’ve said something totally uncalled for. What does it matter to you if I am, if you don’t want me?”

  “Maybe that’s why I don’t want you,” he said then swore when he saw tears fill her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. Christ, she has balls.

  “I hate you, Wyatt Stone and I’m so glad I finally see the real you. Now get the fuck out of my way and don’t ever speak to me again.” She marched around him, got into her vehicle, and drove off. He stood in the street staring after her.

  This was just great. How were they going to be around each other now, when she hated him? Their family threw them together constantly. They had no clue about how Wyatt felt. Getting involved with Olivia would tear him apart again. She’d made it clear she wanted him, but he couldn’t take the chance. The chance he’d fall and she wouldn’t. He groaned. She was so beautiful and he’d love to feel her under him, above him, or any other way he could think of.

  Shit! His traitorous body went rock hard. Just thinking of her was all it seemed to take. Anytime he was close to her, his body betrayed him. He loved inhaling her perfume. His cock started to ache just thinking about inhaling her feminine scent. He wanted to bury his face between her legs and taste her.

  Jesus Christ! What the fuck was he going to do? Did she really hate him now? Why wouldn’t she? Fool, you implied she was a slut. He didn’t know anything about her, not really. Only that she was Becca’s friend, and they’d been together since they were thirteen and before that, Olivia had been in foster homes. But he had no idea why she was. Where were her parents? Were they dead? From what he’d heard, no family had ever adopted her. He’d bet she was a real wild child since she didn’t back down from anything now. He smiled when he thought of her glaring at him. She was tough, there was no doubt there. Sighing, he walked back to his truck, climbed in, and headed home. He needed to get some sleep. It didn’t look like he was going to get that release he needed from a fight or a woman tonight.

  Chapter Two

  Olivia sat at the table with her laptop open in front of her, working on next season’s reservations. The Clifton Bed and Breakfast was a goldmine for Becca, and Olivia loved working here but for the past week, she couldn’t concentrate. A certain dark-eyed cowboy kept invading her thoughts more than usual. Damn him! She knew he wanted her and yet he insisted on lying about it. Why would he pretend he didn’t want her? He saw other women, she was sure because she’d heard rumors about him with them, so if he just wanted sex, why not her?

  Shaking her head, she tried to get back into her work but finally gave up, and closed the laptop. She wasn’t going to get anything done today, so she headed for the front desk and smiled at Stacy Miller, who was sitting behind the counter. Olivia took a seat beside her.

  “It won’t be long and we’ll be closing for the season,” Olivia said, thinking aloud.

  “Wow, hard to believe. The B and B did so well this year. I mean last year was good but this year was amazing. Becca is so proud of herself.” Stacy grinned.

  Olivia laughed. “Yes, she is and she has every right to be. Now with the cabins on the property, she’ll have even more people next year.”

  Stacy groaned. “I know.” She turned toward Olivia. “How are the reservations looking for next season?”

  “We’re already booked solid.”

  “We’ll be busy for sure with all the rooms and cabins full.”

  “Poor Evelyn. I’m sure Becca’s going to have to hire more help in the kitchen. Evelyn can’t cook for so many people alone.” Olivia shook her head, truly wondering how Evelyn would do it.

  “How is that going to work anyway? All those people won’t fit in the dining room here.” Stacy frowned.

  Olivia was about to answer her when the front door opened, and Becca entered. She smiled at them in greeting.

  “What are you doing here, Becs?” Olivia grinned, always happy to see her best friend.

  “I was just heading home from town and I wanted to ask you to dinner tomorrow night.” She folded her arms across the top of the counter. “How are things going?”

  “Great. We’re all booked for next season. Stacy and I were wondering how the meals were going to be done. Not everyone will fit in the dining room at the same time.”

  “Hmm…I suppose the folks in the cabins can call here to let us know they want dinner from here, and then they can come here to pick it up or just like the guests staying here, they can go into town.” Becca smiled at her. “Of course, they can always use the little kitchenettes in the cabins since pots and pans are going to be provided and prepare their own meals. As for breakfast, we can do the same or have separate seatings.” She turned to Stacy. “You and Josh are more than welcome to come for dinner too.”

  Stacy smiled at her. “We’re going to my mom and dad’s for dinner, but thanks for the invite.”

  “No problem.” Becca turned to Olivia. “You’ll be there, right?”

  Olivia nibbled on her bottom lip. “I suppose so.”

  “You suppose so? What does that mean Olivia Rene Roberts?”

  Olivia shrugged. “Is Wyatt going to be there?”

  “Of course he is. Why?”

  “I don’t want to be around him.”

  “It never bothered you before.” Becca’s eyes narrowed as she stared at her.

  Olivia blew out a breath. “Never mind, I’ll be there.”

  Becca stared at her, waiting, but Olivia wasn’t going to spill her guts to her. She knew, without a doubt, Becca would tell Jake and the shit would hit the fan as a result. Olivia mentally shook her head, deciding she couldn’t do it. No matter how rude Wyatt had been, she couldn’t bring that kind of tension between everyone. Her eyes met Becca’s, and she knew her best friend knew something was up. They’d been friends far too long not to be able to read each other. Becca finally nodded.

  “All right. Be there at six. I’ll see you then.” She turned from the counter and left.

  “Since when don’t you want to be around Wyatt?” Stacy asked with raised eyebrows.

  Olivia groaned. “Is it so obvious?”

  Stacy laughed. “That you want him? Yes. Everyone knows it.”

  Olivia stood and faced Stacy. “Well, I don’t anymore. Long story, but I’m past it.” Liar! She knew she’d never be past wanting Wyatt. “I’ll be in my apartment if you need any help. I’ve got reservations to work on.” She knew Stacy didn’t believe her but thankfully, she didn’t say anything as Olivia walked away.

  * * * *

  At exactly six o’clock that evening, Olivia pulled her car up by the back door and glanced around. She didn’t see Wyatt’s truck anywhere. Blowing out a br
eath, she pushed the car door open and stepped out. As she started toward the porch, she heard a vehicle coming up the drive and when she saw it was Wyatt’s truck, she quickly stepped onto the porch, knocked, and entered the kitchen. Becca and Emma both turned and smiled at her. Olivia flashed a quick smile at them.

  “Is there anything I can do?” she asked them.

  “We just need to set the table. Can you grab some plates? Wyatt’s not…” Becca started but then stopped when the back door opened, and Wyatt entered. Olivia turned her back to him.

  “I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it,” Becca’s voice held a smile as if his being there surprised her.

  “Now why wouldn’t I make it?”

  Olivia refused to turn and look at him. It was going to be hard enough getting through the evening being at the same table with him, there was no way she could look at him. She pulled the plates down from the cupboard and carried them to the table in the dining room. Walking around the table, she set each plate down at a place.

  “Do you really think this is going to work?” Wyatt’s voice came from behind her.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She turned to find him leaning against the doorjamb, his arms folded across his broad chest and one hip cocked. The red T-shirt he wore stretched tightly across his pecs and flat stomach. The short sleeves stretched tight around his biceps. Her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own as they skimmed down his body to land on the fly of his jeans. She’d love to know, firsthand, what was behind it. She bit her lip to keep from groaning. She lifted her eyes to meet his, and they held there. His lips rose in a slow smile.

  “The hell you don’t, Olivia,” he muttered, his gaze not wavering.

  She stared at him. She loved seeing him with his cowboy hat on, but he looked even sexier without it. His hair was so black it appeared blue under the overhead lights and curled slightly where it touched the collar of his shirt. Her fingers itched to comb through the strands. She took a deep breath and exhaled in an exasperated huff.