by C. A. Harms
I wasn't a sappy guy, even with Karlie I'd never done all the sweet gestures that women love. Maybe I'd been partly to blame for us falling apart too. The flowers, the sweet messages, or the snuggling shit, it was never me. I wanted to be that guy for Sadie.
After getting Gus back inside I went searching for my phone and pulled up her number.
Me: Tonight, let me make dinner for you. Then maybe a movie to follow.
Sadie: You cook? I'm impressed. Or is it going to be something like grilled cheese or mac n cheese?
Me: And what is wrong with grilled cheese?
I sat down on the couch, still holding my phone in my hand as I smiled down at it. Like she could actually see me, but Sadie made me happy, so it was hard to control.
Sadie: Nothing actually, it's one of my faves.
Me: I promise to make you something more complicated than grilled cheese.
I contemplated my next thought, wondering if I was being too forward, and then dropped all doubt and went for it.
Me: However if you really wanted grilled cheese we could always save that for breakfast tomorrow when we climb out of bed.
Feeling excited and maybe a little nervous I wanted for her to respond. As time went by the nervous energy built and then fear that I'd made a mistake by sending the last message. Hurrying around my place I got dressed in my uniform, strapping on my gun before grabbing my keys and tossing Gus a bone.
I wasn't due at the station for another hour which gave me time to stop at Sadie's booth before jumping over to the station to grab the cruiser. Most of my day would be spent on foot, but having it was mandatory when in uniform.
Parking my truck in the first available spot I found I climbed out and started toward Blossoms. Each business set up a booth just outside their stores and those that didn't have stores used the sidewalk around the main square to display their crafts.
I wasn't sure of my plan, I just knew that I wanted to see her.
Crossing the road, I jogged to get out of the way of oncoming traffic and offered a wave to Seth Thomas as he hung out his window to say hello.
I moved through the crowds that were already forming. All the townspeople coming out to show their support and to take part in the festivities. I've become the guy that everyone in town knows and on any other given day I'd love to stop and catch up, but today I had a purpose.
Seeing Levi, with his arms stretched up and over Sadie as they both tried to balance a tall display irritated me slightly. I knew there was nothing there, and as far as I know, there never has been, but I still didn't like how close he stood behind her. After last night, after the way she touched me and allowed me to do the same, I felt like I had some type of claim on her. Maybe we hadn't labeled it yet, but she was mine as far as I was concerned.
That meant if any man was going to be pressed up against her, t had better be me.
"Does it look straight?" Sadie sounded muffled still hidden behind Levi.
"Looks straight to me." She peeked out from under Levi's arm and smiled at me. Levi chuckled I'm sure picking up on my irritation. Ignoring him I spoke directly to her. "I had time to help you before I started at the station."
"I know, but I hated to bother you." Stepping out into the open, I moved toward her, and yes it may have been very immature on my part, but I kissed her.
"It wouldn't have been a bother,” assuring her I narrowed my eyes at Levi when I found him knowingly smirking.
Levi was a friend, and like I'd said I knew there was nothing there. But seeing another man standing so close to her, offering her the help I was more than willing to give set something off inside of me.
"You never responded to my text, did I scare you off?" Still holding her close I gave her the room she needed to pull her phone out of her back pocket. With a few taps on her screen, she smiled and then I felt my own phone vibrate.
"Did you just text me?" Feeling a little less tense, I released her, and she laughed as read my own phone.
Sadie: Grilled cheese for breakfast sounds perfect. But you should know that I steal the covers.
When I looked up, she hooked the waistband of my pants and tugged on me. Once I was close enough for her to whisper, she instantly eased my mind. "Stop scowling at Levi, he's not the man I want."
Then she walked away, looking back over her shoulder offering me a wink.
"Next time you go all caveman you should make sure you don't have an audience." Levi slugged my shoulder and that's when I looked around, seeing everyone that was close enough to witness Sadie and my encounter was staring directly at me. Most with pleased smiles but there was one that I wasn't so sure about.
Sadie's father.
Burt and I have never had a problem. Hell, he did the plumbing in my house, but that was before I'd just publicly staked a claim on his daughter. I had a feeling there was a very serious talk coming my way. If there was one thing that Burt Michaels didn't tolerate it was anyone hurting his girls. Sadie and her mom were his everything.
He reminded me a lot of my own father in that way.
So, if what the man needed was to lecture me on the outcome of what hurting Sadie would lead to, then I would willingly listen. And when he was done, I would proceed to tell him the ways I’d already planned on doing just the opposite. Because Sadie’s happiness was what I wanted, and I was determined to give her everything possible to ensure she held a smile on her face daily.
I’d even be willing to go one step further and assure him that I was falling for his daughter, she was my breath of fresh air and I had never felt this good.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sadie
* * *
"You and Wyatt?" My father left it like that as he moved around me and offered a questioning glance back over this shoulder. I worried my lip wondering what my father was thinking at that moment. I'd never been the kind that dated much, so seeing this side of my father different. I also don’t know of any bad history between him and Wyatt, but I’ve also never asked.
It made me nervous to think that my father may be disappointed in me.
Maybe I should have said something to him and my mother but I wasn't even sure yet what Wyatt and I were actually doing. Having fun? Putting a label on something I had no idea what to call felt forced.
"Papa looks angry," Anna bumped her shoulder to mine and stood next to me. Both of us staring ahead at my father and Levi as they each carried out item after item and placed it on the stands or display tables. "What's going on?"
"He's just mad that I hadn't told him about me and Wyatt."
"That you are an item?"
"Are we?" I worried my lip glancing in her direction. "We're getting to one another, or dating, seeing one another, whatever. But are we actually together, together?"
"I would say so, yes." I could see the questioning look in her eyes. "From what you've told me things are going really good. Last night was exceptionally hot." I reached out to shove her and she laughed.
“Hey, you should be glad he didn’t read this morning’s gossip column of the MC Scoop,” she shrugged, and my stomach did a weird little flipping thing. “Or maybe he has and that’s why he looks so irritable.”
Today’s entry flashing in my mind once more…
* * *
Hot Spring Hanky Panky…
* * *
A scorned girl, and the scorner! Who’d have guessed that the girl with a grudge against a certain hometown hero would have led to a steamy night in some even steamier waters.
Well, Mason Creek, hold on to your socks because I believe that this is just the beginning. Florist, falls for man in uniform, ahh, the possibilities.
Stay tuned for more details. And cover the eyes of those little ones because holy hotness, if the windows are fogging and the truck’s rocking, my advice…keep on a walkin’.
* * *
Nothing was sacred in this town, I swear. I didn’t have to fill Anna in on all the details of my night with Wyatt, she could have just read the article. I
’m sure half the town has and suddenly I felt like every set of eyes was on me.
Anna was my person thought and I couldn’t wait to tell her the very instant I saw her. I filled her in on everything and yes in turn she’s told me all her stories too. Some of those stories have scarred me for life because she and Beau were definitely experimental. I shivered at the thought.
"His ex is back in town," I'd chosen to ignore that fact since I'd run into her at the coffee shop when meeting him. I don’t know why I felt it necessary to tell Anna now.
"So."
"Should I worry?" This made her laugh and the tension I was beginning to feel faded.
"Absolutely not," she was so sure. "They struggled for a long time Sadie, I'm talking years. That relationship was a new mess unfolding daily, a train wreck to be honest. With you he isn't the same, he's happier. Karlie was a tremendous weight around his shoulders, he was moody, distant and honestly just an ass to be around. But if I know one thing to be true, it's that you have nothing to worry about when it comes to Karlie. That's been over for a long time."
The crowds grew thicker, and I was able to see a lot of people that I hadn’t had the chance to visit with yet.
The best part about the day was when Hattie and Hazel Jackson stopped by. The two of them were a riot, always going back and forth like they were competing for the final word. Neither willing to lose that battle it would go on forever.
Looking up pasts them as they continued to debate on whether they should buy the wreath with the golden-brown ribbon or the burnt orange I noticed Wyatt across the street. He was talking to a younger couple, the guy showing him something on his phone. I watched taking the opportunity to see him in his element.
It still amazed me how everyone seemed to love him so much. They spoke highly of him, always going on and on about how talented he was with carpentry among other things.
"He's handsome, that one," I was caught looking and both Hazel and Hattie grinned at me. "It's a shame what that girl did to him, hurting him the way she did. He’s too good for that.” I felt my chest grow tight. "But I never really liked her much anyway. The way she'd flaunt herself, half-dressed shaking her bottom for all the men's attention. When the only man that should have matter was the handsome one, she had at home.”
"It wasn't much of a surprise when word got out that'd she been sleeping around."
Again, I glanced to where Wyatt stood and found he was now looking back at me. Both of us caught up in conversations but wishing we were alone. Or at least that's what I was wishing for. When he offered me a wink before continuing on, I watched him until I couldn't see him any longer.
Then almost immediately I missed him and couldn’t wait for the day to get over so we could be alone together once again.
"That smells amazing," I rounded the large island in Wyatt's kitchen and went straight for the stove. Leaning over the pan he'd just removed from the oven I inhaled the sweet aroma.
When he stepped up behind me and moved the hair away from my neck, I leaned closer, and he kissed the space beneath my ear. "I told you it wouldn't be grilled cheese." I felt him smile as he pressed a kiss to my neck. "Let me feed you."
Yes, please. And then after you do, we can eat this amazing smelling food.
He stepped back and started to set the table and I felt like such a hussy. But in my defense, we've been dancing around this physical attraction now for weeks. I was more than ready to take the next step.
We were seated at the table, Gus laying on his bed across the room chewing on his bone. I took the first bite of chicken and tried to hide the moan as the flavor ignited with my tongue. When Wyatt chuckled, I'd known I’d done a poor job.
"So good," I mumbled covering my mouth. "Are you sure you made this and not your mom?"
He watched me grinning, obviously very pleased with himself and he should be. The man could cook, and really well.
The conversation was light through most of the dinner. Gus pawed at my leg wanting attention and Wyatt continued to shew him away. I was surprised he wasn't hassling me but then again, he was bipolar. The minute Wyatt is gone that's when he turns into Cujo.
We moved to the living room with the promise of a movie but when we sat down on the couch, Wyatt turned his body to face mine and linked his fingers through mine. "I wanted to talk to you about something,"
"Uh oh," the fun was over.
"No uh oh," sliding in closer he placed our joined hands on my thigh and used his free hand to push the hair back from my face. "Things have been going really good, and I know that we've not talked much about what that means, but I'd like to."
"Did Anna say something to you?" I was going to strangle her.
"Why, did you say something to her?" I could tell that it was going nowhere fast, but I held his stare and refused to give him any more information. But truth be told if I found out that she spilled the beans on what we talked about Beau was going to have to hide her out so I didn't kill her.
"Today, I think I pissed your dad off."
"No, it's me." This was actually embarrassing; we were adults, and I shouldn't be worried about my father at the moment. "He's upset because he had no idea we were," I paused unsure of how to explain what was happening. This was the part I was so confused about.
"We were what?" When I didn't answer he pulled me closer and positioned me on his lap. "What are we, Sadie?"
I tried to look away, but he stopped me, cupping my cheek and refusing to allow me. To ignore his question. "What are we?"
"I don't know," saying it out loud disappointed me. We've been so caught up in the lust that I'd never really considered how I'd feel if that's all it was. Not until now that is. It saddened me to think that maybe that's all we were and that when that was over, once that had passed, we'd go back to ignoring one another.
"Look at me," I'd closed my eyes trying to fight off the discomfort. "Baby, please."
Slowly I do as he asked and find we are so much closer, him staring directly at me, his thumb gliding along my jaw. "I want people to know that we're together and for me, that means that there is no one else. I only want you."
A few silent seconds pass.
"You seem surprised," he added.
"I just wasn't sure where this was going." Suddenly I felt so vulnerable. Wyatt had pulled me into his lap, the warmth of his palm against my cheek and the way he was looking at me left time feeling raw.
"Being with you, whether we're sitting in a coffee shop, or we're trespassing on my neighbors land—"
I gasped in shock. "You said we weren't trespassing." My eyes widened in horror as I thought of what would have happened had we been caught.
Wyatt chuckled, "You're something else, you know that." He'd broken the tension and I was extremely thankful for that. "This is not a fling." I shook my head, fully agreeing to his words. No fling would ever make me feel the things I was feeling. No fling would ever make me fear the ending. "What you make me feel, that's not gonna go away tomorrow, it's not gonna disappear in a month. What's happening between us, it’s something special and I don't know about you but I wanna run with it. I want to keep it, build on it."
Again, I nodded because honestly, what could I say? I was a mess once again and my throat felt bound up with emotion.
"I let you go once, I don’t plan on making that mistake again."
And I was done. This man!
Chapter Twenty-Five
Wyatt
* * *
My hands shook as I lowered one strap and then the other, watching as Sadie's bra fell to the floor at our feet. Stepping in closer I pulled her lips back toward mine and too her mouth, kissing her slowly.
I wanted everything about tonight to last, but the urgency flowing through me was making it so hard to maintain some control. This woman was chipping away at every wall I'd ever built, burying herself in every area she could. Her beauty and her grace was overwhelming, the way she lit up a room without even trying, I wanted to surround myself with her and dr
own in her sweetness.
Sadie stepped closer to me, lifting her arms, she wrapped her hands around the back on my neck and tugged at my hair. Deepening the kiss, she pressed her chest to mine, and I could feel the hardening of her nipples beading against me. With every single shift they seemed to grow even harder.
Reaching around I gripped her ass, pulling her tighter and she began climbing up me. Holding her securely, I allowed her to encircled my hips, linking her ankles together behind me. Only being separated by a thin layer of clothing I could feel how aroused she was. Shifting against her I swallowed her moan as I begin to walk toward my bed.
Lowering her to the mattress, I covered her body with mine and shifted again, thrusting forward enjoying the way she welcoming the movements. Opening her legs wider I moved in as close as I could and kissed along her neck, sucking along the way. My body was humming, as was her own, trembling with anticipation. I know we were both so desperate for what was about to happen, but I fought against the urgency and prolonged it the best I could.
I wanted to memorize every single inch of her, I wanted to drive her to the point of no control, and only then would I sink inside of her silkiness and give us both everything we’ve been craving for weeks.
Moving slowly over her, I paused at her chest, nipping on one hard peek, before the other. Flipping the small bud with the tip of my tongue her back arched and I looked up to find her watching me. The look in her eyes, the anticipation of what was to come drove me further. Gently sucking her nipple into my mouth, she lifted her hips as if searching desperately for any amount of friction where she needed me most.
Kissing and tasting her, I moved over her stomach, pausing only long enough to hook the sides of her panties and pulled them free from her body. Tossing them to the side I didn't take my eyes off her when I descended.
Sadie was breathtaking, my heart beating so fast in my chest I felt lightheaded from the rush.
