“Wyatt,” I murmur as the water sluices over our bodies. “Raining.”
He just picks me up and walks back toward the house with me in his arms. My legs are wrapped around his waist, my arms around his neck, and he’s supporting my ass effortlessly. The rain is warm.
I tip my forehead against his so I can catch my breath.
“I guess you’re okay with my plan.”
“So fucking okay with it,” he agrees and begins to climb the stairs.
“We’re barefoot.”
“I don’t care.”
When we reach the gazebo, he sets me on my feet and turns to start the fire. I immediately strip my shirt over my head and let it fall to the floor with a soggy thud. The rest of my clothes follow, and when he turns back to me, I’m sitting back on the cushions, completely naked.
“You didn’t like those clothes?”
“They’re wet.” I grin and spread my legs wide, knowing he can see the most intimate part of me, and let my fingers softly drag over my skin toward my center. I bite my lip, watching Wyatt’s eyes as they follow my hand, and when I begin to make circles over my clit, he swears a blue streak as he strips out of his clothes.
“You’re so fucking sexy,” he says and joins me, laying me back over the cushions and cupping my breasts in his hands, flicking my nipples with his thumbs. “Everything you do sets my body on fire.”
“Everything?”
“Every fucking thing,” he confirms before sucking one nipple firmly into his mouth, then letting it go with a pop. “I’m permanently hard for you, Amelia.”
“That’s fine with me,” I reply and reach down to try to cup his cock in my hand, but he’s too far away. “I can’t reach you.”
“I’m going to take you, right out here in the open,” he says, ignoring me. “It’s going to be hard and fast.”
“Hell, yes,” I reply, already soaked for him. He pins my hands over my head and thrusts inside me, making me gasp as my body stretches and accommodates him. “Fuck.”
“That’s right, baby.” He bites my neck, then licks the tender spot before traveling to my shoulder. “Jesus, I can’t get enough of you.”
“Good.” I strain against his hands, but he holds firm. “I want to touch you.”
“I didn’t ask you,” he replies and pins me in a hot, controlling gaze that only makes me wetter. “You’re mine, do you understand me?”
I blink rapidly, surprised by the sudden intensity in him, and nod, completely under his spell. “I’m yours.”
He pulls out and flips me over. I don’t even have time to feel self-conscious before he straddles my thighs, pushing my cheeks together. His thumbs dive into my folds, spreading my wetness, and my pussy to accommodate his cock.
“Holy shit,” I mutter when he pushes inside me. “God, that feels different.”
“Are you okay?” he asks, and I fall in love with him all over again. He may be taking me, but he’s careful to make sure I feel safe.
“So damn good,” I confirm. “Feels so good.”
The tip of his cock pushes slightly against the deepest part of me, and with my legs and ass pressed closed, I feel more full than I ever have in my life.
I think I just found my new favorite position.
He brushes his thumb over my asshole, and I come apart, pulsing against him and crying out as the intense orgasm rolls through me.
“Jesus, Amelia,” he groans as he comes inside me.
Before I can catch my breath, he pulls me off the cushions and into his arms. He flips a switch, turning the fire off, and carries me up the stairs.
“Where are we going now?”
“To the shower. I need to wash you and bury myself inside you again.”
“You took my news well.”
He smiles down at me. “I’m a very happy man.”
It turns out that Wyatt was right. I brought way too many clothes.
Since our walk on the beach two days ago, I’ve hardly had clothes on my body. We’ve been in bed, making love, eating, watching the water.
Yes, he’s quite happy with my decision to move, and that only cements for me that it’s the right decision.
I woke early this morning, and couldn’t resist pulling on some clothes, grabbing a cup of coffee, and coming down to the gazebo to watch the world wake up. Whales were breaching when I first arrived, but I haven’t seen any in a while.
I can’t believe how different my life is, even from just a year ago. Vinnie was still harassing me, trying to tie the divorce up in court.
I guess that latter part is still happening, but I have a feeling we’re almost finished with that. Even if I have to pay him more money, he’ll be gone for good soon.
I thought I was happy in L.A., running a social media empire, attending fashion shows and influencer parties. Not that those things aren’t fun. They’re a blast. But it’s also nothing at all compared to what I have in Seattle.
And I haven’t lost that. I’ll be in L.A. monthly to work on my makeup brand and attend many of those things. I can’t believe it’s real, but it looks like I’m going to have the best of both worlds, and to say that I’m a bit giddy is an understatement.
I don’t remember the last time I felt this happy. Lighthearted. Like the weight of the world wasn’t draped over my shoulders, making me feel as if I were being pounded into the earth.
All I’ve ever wanted is to follow my passion and be supported in that. Vinnie hated everything about what I did. Hated. He mocked me and made me feel small. He hurt me.
And now, I feel as if I can do anything because Wyatt is happy to encourage and support me. He rejoices in my success with me. He’s my rock.
My phone pings with a text, and I smile at Wyatt’s name.
I lost you.
All of this is because of him. This happiness. This contentedness. This freedom. Ironic, isn’t it, that being in a relationship with someone wonderful is freeing?
On the gazebo with my coffee. Didn’t want to wake you.
I didn’t know that I was so empty inside in L.A. That I was missing something. Not that I’m not a whole person by myself. I am. I’m not one of those people who think I need someone else to complete me.
But Wyatt complements me beautifully. Where I’m a dreamer, he’s a thinker. Where I’m silly, he’s grounded.
And the love he shows me is unlike anything I’ve ever known. There are no strings. No expectations.
Just love.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says as he joins me, carrying his own mug of coffee and a small carafe. “I brought more so you wouldn’t have to go up for it.”
This, right here, is what I’m talking about. He’s thoughtful and kind.
He owns my heart.
~Wyatt~
“That’s what I have for you today, friends. I hope this tutorial helped you with how to use your highlighters and bronzers. I’ll link the products I used today below, and be sure to comment to let me know what some of your favorite products are. I’ll see you next week, but in the meantime, remember, you’re already beautiful, just the way you are. Have a great week, everyone.”
She clicks a button, and the recording stops. Without missing a beat, she immediately goes back to the beginning of the video to scrutinize herself.
She’s fucking amazing to watch when she’s working.
“I brought you something,” I say, catching her attention. Her blue eyes light up when she looks up at me, and I want to scoop her up and take her to the bedroom.
Do not pass go, do not collect the two hundred dollars.
“We had a deal,” she says, pointing her manicured finger at me.
“What deal was that?” My voice is full of innocent bafflement, even though I know damn well what deal it was.
“No hanky-panky while we’re both trying to work,” she says, taking the plate of fruit and yogurt away from me. “You’re looking at me with the look.”
“The look?”
“The sexy look,” she cla
rifies. She pops a blueberry into her mouth. “There’s no time for you and your sexy looks.”
I smirk and watch as she pops a strawberry into her mouth and chews happily.
“I didn’t even know I was hungry.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” I remind her, then lean down to lightly kiss her. “How much more work do you have here?”
“At least a couple of hours,” she replies, blowing a breath through her lips. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to stay if you’re bored.”
“I have plenty of my own work.” I kiss the top of her head and glance down at the screen where she’s already started editing the video. “You look amazing on camera.”
“Thanks.” She smiles and takes a bite of yogurt. “It’s the lights.”
“It’s the woman.” I kiss her head again, breathing in the fresh scent of her. “I’ll be in the other room if you need anything.”
“Thanks.” She doesn’t even glance up when I leave the room, already engrossed in her work.
She looks fierce, sitting there with her hair down, her makeup flawless, and that little frown between her eyebrows as she scrutinizes every second of the video, making sure it’s just so.
Her work ethic is admirable.
There are many reasons to love her. I’m completely enamored with her.
When she told me last weekend at the beach house that she’d decided to move to Seattle, I felt like I won the fucking lottery. I knew that I’d never be able to say goodbye to her when the time came. Long distance relationships just don’t work.
At least, I’ve never known anyone to make it work.
And I want this to work.
Now, I don’t have to go through the agony of knowing she’s far away, wondering what she’s doing, missing her. I want us to be a part of each other’s lives, every day.
While she’s been in her office, I’ve made myself a makeshift work area in the dining room. I have my laptop, iPad, and paper, not to mention, plenty of coffee. I could easily go home to work, but it’s been nice knowing that she’s just right upstairs.
I can hear her voice, and it doesn’t interrupt my flow in the least. It soothes me in a way I never expected.
Before I can dive back into the task at hand, my phone rings.
“Hey, Levi.”
“Am I interrupting?”
“Nope. What’s up?”
“I might have mentioned to Mom that Jace and I are coming to your place on Sunday, and she invited herself.”
“That’s fine.” I lean back in the chair and scratch my cheek. “There will be plenty of food.”
“I just felt bad. I mean, how do I tell her she’s not invited without hurting her feelings?”
“It’s fine,” I repeat and smile when I hear Amelia talking to herself. “She has to meet the parents sooner or later, right?”
“If you’re willing to let her meet Mom, you’re smitten.”
“I am,” I confirm.
“Do you need us to bring anything?”
“No, it’s going to be casual. And Amelia invited her brother and sister, as well.”
“I’m sorry, am I talking to Wyatt? My brother? The one who’s been commitmentphobic for a few years and never would have hosted a party like this at his house?”
“Ha ha, smartass. I’ve hosted parties.”
“Not grown-up parties, with families and stuff.”
I laugh. “I’m all grown up now, big brother. I’ll see you on Sunday.”
“Now you need me to take care of you.”
I glance up at the sound of her voice to find her standing at the foot of the stairs, watching me with a soft smile on her stunning face.
“Is that so?”
She nods and walks into the kitchen. She reaches into the fridge for two bottles of water and brings me one, then surprises me by climbing into my lap and wrapping her arms around my neck.
“I don’t want to get into trouble,” I murmur before she plants her full lips on mine. I sink into the kiss, losing myself in her, the way I always do where Amelia’s concerned. She plunges her fingers into my hair and makes a fist, holding on tightly.
I can’t stop my hands from roaming over her tight body any more than I can control the tides. I cup her cheek, then let my hand fall to her breast, worrying the nipple into a tight bud under her thin tank.
“Mm,” she murmurs, grinning against my mouth, and I let my hand travel farther south, under the hem of her denim shorts and panties until I find her already wet center with my fingertips. “Fuck.”
“You like that?” I ask against her lips. She nods and holds onto me tighter as I rub light circles around her hard clit, reveling in how her entire body tenses under my touch.
“What’s not to like?” Her voice is husky, she’s panting, and she’s squirming in my lap. “Fill me, babe.”
“No.” I raise a brow when she frowns at me and continue to wreak havoc on the most sensitive part of her delectable body. “I’m in control here, sweetheart. That’s right, I want you to feel this.”
“Can’t do anything else,” she says and squeezes her eyes shut. I push a finger inside her, and she cries out and convulses around me, coming against my hand.
I pull my hand out of her pants and lick my finger clean, loving the taste and smell of her. She’s the most powerful aphrodisiac there is.
“Are you going to fuck me now?” she asks.
“No.” Her eyes spring open in surprise. “I don’t want to get sent home. You’d better get off my lap.”
She looks taken aback and then starts to laugh in the husky way she does that sets every nerve ending on end. “You’re such a smartass.”
“I like to keep you wanting more,” I reply and kiss her neck before setting her on her feet. She reaches down and cups my cock through my jeans.
“Likewise,” she says, then winks and walks away, her hips swaying as she moves across the room and back up the stairs.
I push my hands through my hair and call myself an idiot.
I’m the one who has to sit here with a hard-on like a sixteen-year-old on a first date.
Hey, babe, I’m gonna be a few mins late. I’m sorry!
I grin and text Amelia back. No problem. We’ll be here.
“You have a beautiful home,” Amelia’s father says, and my mother immediately jumps in with tales of my last house and why this one is so much better.
With Mom around, I’ll never have to speak again.
Levi winks at me and passes me a beer. Everyone is here, my brothers, Amelia’s siblings, and our parents.
And so far, everyone is getting along well.
Not that I thought they wouldn’t.
Jace, Anastasia, and Archer are standing on the edge of the patio, looking out at the Sound and laughing at something Anastasia said.
Amelia rushes outside, panting, and looking as beautiful as I’ve ever seen her with her hair pulled up, minimal makeup on, and a casual black T-shirt with shorts.
“Hey, guys, sorry I’m late—” She stops in mid-sentence and stares at our parents, then at me, and plasters a big, fake smile on her gorgeous face. “Hey, everybody. This is a surprise.”
“It’s so lovely to finally meet you,” my mom says as she and Dad stand, and Mom immediately folds Amelia into a hug. “I’ve heard so much about you, dear.”
Amelia looks shell-shocked as my dad also pulls her in for a hug.
“Lia, these affectionate people are clearly my parents, Linus and Melody.”
“So nice to meet you,” she says with a nod and then looks over at her own parents. “Hi, Mom and Daddy. Have you all met each other already?”
“Oh, yes,” my mom says happily. “We’ve become fast friends. Sherri and I both love to knit, and we were just talking about our favorite yarn shops.”
“How nice,” Amelia says, that fake smile still on her lips as she looks up at me. “Wyatt? Can I talk to you for just a second?”
“Of course.” I follow her inside, through t
he house to my office, where we’re as far away from the party as we can get.
“What the hell?”
“To be fair, I didn’t know that your parents were coming either,” I say, putting my hands up in surrender. “They came with Anastasia.”
“But you did know about your parents?” she asks, her voice a tiny bit shrill.
Or a lot shrill.
“I forgot to tell you.”
“How could you forget?”
“You sat your sexy ass in my lap, and I had my fingers buried inside you,” I remind her, bringing color to her cheeks. “So, yeah, I forgot.”
She blows out a breath and hangs her head, and I immediately pull her into my arms, hugging her close.
“This is okay,” I say firmly. “Our parents were going to meet each other eventually.”
“I just wasn’t mentally prepared for it to be today,” she mumbles against my chest. “I’m not dressed for it. My hair is a mess. I thought we were just having a casual cookout with our siblings.”
“We are,” I reply and laugh when she stares up at me as if I’ve just told her the world is flat. “Really, we are. You look fantastic. It’s just our families.”
“Pshaw. Right. It’s just the first time that I’m meeting your parents, and I want it to be perfect. You only get one chance to make a first impression, Wyatt.”
“I honestly don’t think you have anything to be worried about,” I reply and kiss her forehead, then her lips. “Let’s go out there and just have fun. They love us. This isn’t a big deal.”
“You’re lucky I love you,” she says and slaps my arm, making me scowl. “You need to tell me these things, Crawford.”
“You’re such a stickler,” I reply, rubbing my arm. “A violent stickler at that.”
She smirks and leads me back outside, and we spend the next hour cooking steaks on the grill, talking and laughing.
Well, most of us do. Amelia is still tense and has suddenly turned into a formal hostess, constantly asking if she can freshen up everyone’s drinks like it’s her job.
“I’d love some more tea, darling,” Sherri says when Amelia asks, and this time when Lia takes the glass and walks inside, I follow her into the kitchen.