Sculpted, tanned skin peeked out from under his buttons and I got impatient. I yanked the two sides of his shirt apart and was rewarded with a shower of pearly buttons scattering along my kitchen floor. Wyatt laughed a short, shocked bark and looked at me in awe.
“You just ruined my favorite shirt, Ms. Elliott,” he drawled out as he pulls me closer to him. He returned the favor by pulling my poncho over my head and rested his gaze on the lacy little bralette I wore underneath. I swore I could feel the heat from his gaze light up my torso, my breasts, my nipples… all the way down to my belly button and the area just above my pants. His smoldering eyes were something to behold - blue fire dancing.
“Oh, Ms. Elliott. So formal,” I teased, and suddenly I felt a chill as his eyes hardened and his face became serious. Shit, way to ruin the moment, Tori! Wyatt seemed to think quickly for a few seconds, eyes passing back and forth through his thoughts. He nodded to himself and pushed back from me. No, no, no, don’t stop!
I stared up at him, perplexed, and was rewarded with only more confusion as Wyatt dropped to his knees in front of me. He brought his head to my stomach and he took a deep breath before looking back up at me through his long, blonde lashes.
“Tori, I have something to ask you,” Wyatt whispered, looking terrified. A vague sense of understanding rippled through me and I moved my hands to each side of his face. What are you saying, Wyatt? He moved to kiss both my palms and shifted to reach into his pocket, pulling out a small little gray box. Holy shit.
“Wyatt, wha--” I tried to interrupt, but he cut me off.
“Tori, this is the only thing that I have from my past, and it’s nothing fancy. I swear I’ll get you a different ring when I have more time. But this ring was my mom’s and I want it to be a symbol of my life with you. I want you to wear it, knowing that I want nothing more than you. That you’re what holds me up and what makes me want to be a good man.” His eyes were glistening and entirely heart wrenching as he pulled the ring from the box.
His hands shook as he moved the simple gold band to my left ring finger and I was dumbstruck, surprised into stillness. “Tori, would you consider being my wife? Would you make me the happiest man in the world? Would you do me the honor of letting me call you Mrs. Preston?”
A sob broke out of my chest as I dropped to my knees in front of Wyatt. All that time, I thought he just wanted an easy lay; I thought I didn’t mean anything to him. I never knew he felt this way, or that he wanted this from his first day on the job. All the things I never knew settled on my shoulders and I was moved to tears. I grabbed Wyatt into a hug and nodded fiercely into his shoulder, unable to speak.
“Y-y-yes,” I recovered, mumbling into his neck, sniffling the tears as I moved to meet his eyes. Wyatt’s face lit up in a way that I wished I could see on repeat, over and over again. Pure joy exuded from him and wrapped us in this little bubble, our bubble. I would do anything to see this man that happy every day for the rest of my life. Our chests were resting together and, as we returned to ourselves, I realized we’re both half naked in the hallway.
“Wyatt, take me upstairs,” I breathed. He smiled obligingly, kissing the new gold ring that rested loosely on my finger. He helped me come to my feet, placed his hands on the curve of my ass, and lifted me effortlessly. Once again, I wrapped my legs around his tapered waist and brought the flesh of my nearly-bare breasts to rest against his chest. Our mouths returned to their stations, kissing each other passionately without much concern for breath. As our bodies began to move together in a sensual, intimate rhythm, Wyatt took the steps one at a time, never breaking contact with my lips or my skin.
At the top of the staircase, Wyatt managed to open my bedroom door one-handed and threw me down onto my beige chenille comforter with an ease that was entirely manly and, admittedly, incredibly hot. He stood over me, the bulge in his tapered slacks evident, and said oh-so-quietly, “Take off your pants, Tori.”
And I did.
Chapter 8
Wyatt
As soon as we entered her room, I felt the caveman totally taking over. This woman, this intellectual, eloquent, radiant woman just said “Yes.” Yes to being my wife, yes to taking my last name. Yes to being mine. I was going to burst at the seams, she had made me so happy. And afterwards, as we laid there, spent from our lovemaking, I realized this was the beginning of forever.
I couldn’t hide my smile as I rolled over Tori, her brown hair tangled in my hands. I brushed her hair away to expose those mahogany eyes that seemed to just exude energy - her energy - and I leaned down to kiss her nose, her cheeks, her chin.