Velvet Kisses(63)

“I’m so sorry, hon.” Her features sag. “Come here.” Jemma pulls me in, and I take in the sharp scent of cigarettes and dollar store rose water that clings to her hair. “I don’t wanna be right about shit like that,” she says it in her soft mommy tone, and I sniff back tears. Jemma pulls back, her own eyes tearing up—on second thought, they always sort of have that bloodshot appeal. “You know what else I’m right about?” She nods as if I should be able to finish the sentence.

“That I should get a baseball bat and smash in his car windows?” Please God, let it be that.

“No, hon. The fact you’re in love—with someone else. That Wyatt kid.” She smirks up at Izzy as if holding back a laugh. “Well, I think everyone at this table knows he’s all man.”

“Ladies.”

I glance up and to both my horror and delight find a smiling—definitely all man—Mr. Tall, Dark, and Dimples smiling at me.

God, I hope he didn’t hear Jemma’s daiquiri-inspired aria regarding my love life.

I hop up and wrap my arms around him. The scent of his cologne instantly loosens me.

“You don’t know how glad I am to see you.” My lips find his for far too brief a moment. “Izzy can you help Jemma with the rest of the paperwork?”

“Not a problem.”

“Thanks, I owe you one. I’ll see you both later.” I give Jemma a stern look in the event she’s poised to espouse more theories on where my heart lies.

Wyatt leads me out of the Black Bear, into the cool, brisk evening, and I can finally breathe again. Without Wyatt it feels as if I’ve spent my entire life holding my breath. I need him around like I need air in my lungs. I spin into Wyatt, my cheeks burning with the epiphany.

“Come here.” He pulls me in tight and grips me just the way I’ve needed him to hold me all day long. God, I love him.

My eyes spring wide.

“Oh, my, God!” I whisper under my breath.

I pull back and am swept away by the warmth in his eyes, by his cutting good looks that even now have random coeds twisting into him.

This big, gorgeous man is all mine. I want him to be.

I swallow hard as tears come to my eyes. Damn Jemma.

She’s right again.

I do love Wyatt James.





Wyatt





Marley.

I can’t seem to wipe the goofy grin off my face as we drive back to the house. I offered to take her anywhere in the world, and she didn’t miss a beat when she said the ranch. Not that I mind. I’ve been craving her all day. She’s taken up residency in my mind even when she’s not around. She’s the only one I think about 24/7. Somehow, in some magical way, she’s managed to erase the hurt and pain of this long life and make it worth my while to open my eyes in the morning for something other than an eight-hour shift at Capwell. I used to worship the dollar and now all I worship is her.

We pull into the driveway and head up the walk. Marley races me to the porch and slams her hand over the door.

“I win,” she pants, slightly out of breath.

“You could have saved the energy.” I lean in and take a slow, careful bite of her bottom lip. “I was planning on letting you have your way with me.”

Marley purrs as I let us in.

“What makes you so sure I want to be in control tonight? Maybe I want you to be”—her hand glides down over my abs, lower still—“large and in charge.”

“Oh, sweetie.” A dark laugh rumbles from me as I examine her from head to toe. Marley is a sex kitten, beautiful as all hell, and challenging in ways I’ve never had a woman challenge me before. “You have no idea what you’ve just asked for.”

“Sounds like you have something wicked up your sleeve.”

“Maybe.” I head over to the fireplace. “Do we have arson on the agenda tonight, or should I start a fire the old fashioned way?”

“So funny.” She deadpans taking off her sweater. I do a quick double take. Marley is in her bra and panties before I can light a match.

“You don’t waste any time.”

“Rules are rules.”

It’s true, after we added the clause stipulating no clothes at the ranch house, Marley has dutifully complied.

Monica’s nagging voice comes back to me. They’re just after one thing. I shake my head as I get the blaze going. Who the hell cares if Marley is after one thing? That “thing” just so happens to be attached to my body. I’m sort of a package deal. Besides, I’ve had enough doubts, no thanks to my ex. That’s one fire I’m putting out.

Tonight’s the night I’m going to talk to Marley about burning that ridiculous contract. I want something more with her, and I’m hoping she feels the same.