Don't You Wanna Stay

by Kait Nolan

  She saw the tub first, a massive soaker in a gleaming copper. It sat on the exact vintage patterned tile she’d lusted after at Restoration Station. On the opposite wall, a vanity had been made of the antique buffet from the barn. He’d refinished it to a polished mahogany sheen, exactly as she’d wanted. A toilet had been tucked in a little alcove beyond, with a pocket door just waiting to be slid shut. And with a dawning sense of wonder, she caught sight of the shower reflected in the antique mirrors over the vanity. It was massive, somehow combining vintage lines and shapes with modern, spa-like elegance.

  A potent tangle of gratitude, awe, and lust bloomed in her chest as she soaked in the space. Like the kitchen island, he’d plucked it straight from the pages of her design sketchbook. A dream come to life.

  “I knew you hadn’t quite settled on a wall color yet, so I stuck with a basic cream. Something that would suit on its own if you liked it, but work as a primer coat if you didn’t. And I know you’ll want to pick out the rug and linens yourself, so I didn’t—”

  Deanna launched herself at him, yanking his mouth to hers in a desperate, delirious kiss. His stubbled cheeks were rough beneath her palms, and the body he wrapped tight around hers was hard. She wanted it. Wanted him with all his big-hearted, thoughtful gestures. She needed to know if that generous nature extended to bed. Or the shower.

  And tonight she intended to find out.

  Through all these months with Deanna, Wyatt had caught glimpses of deep wells of feeling, always quickly shut away and controlled. He’d wondered what she would be like if she finally let go. As her fevered joy flowed over him, he thought he’d happily drown in it. He’d inspired this, and he intended to ride the wave as far as she was willing to take it.

  “Does the shower work?” she gasped.

  “All plumbed up.” Not that he’d done more than test the water. He’d figured she’d want dibs on the first real shower.

  “I need to be inside it with you inside me.”

  “Fuuuuuck,” he groaned.

  “Yes.” She kissed him again, her fingers dragging at his clothes as she stumbled across the room. “I had one beer. I am sober as a judge.”

  “Thank God.”

  More than on board, he shoved that prim little cardigan off her shoulders and tugged at the sleeveless sweater beneath, breaking the kiss to pull it over her head. Her bra was exactly the sort of lacy confection he’d expected. Classy and sexy, like the woman herself. Her skin was silk beneath his work-roughened fingers as he worked loose the clasp and drew the fabric away.

  He cursed again with reverence as he took in her breasts. Those high, round globes rose and fell with her unsteady breaths, her nipples pearled and rosy and begging for his mouth. A flush worked its way up her chest and throat, climbing into her cheeks. Wyatt dragged his gaze to hers, making sure she was still alright with this.

  Lifting her chin, Deanna reached for his hands, bringing them up to cover her breasts. Definitely still on board. He shifted his grip, circling her nipples with his thumbs and watching her eyes fall to half mast on a groan that went straight to his already iron hard cock.

  “I’ve been dreaming about your hands on me.”

  “Have you now?”

  “Mmm.”

  “Where?”

  Those eyes glittered up at him, the gold flecks seeming to glow with her arousal. “Everywhere. It’s been terrible for my sleep, knowing you were on the other side of that bathroom door.”

  He’d had plenty of sleepless nights himself for the same reason. “Did you want me to come to you in your bed?”

  “Sometimes. I also feel really guilty about that stupid cot.”

  Wyatt laughed. “I’m used to it. Not that I don’t appreciate an actual bed when I’m in one. Sleeping is definitely not what I’ve imagined when I’ve thought of yours.”

  “We’ll get there. Shower first.”

  Officially the best date ever. “Happy to oblige.”

  He paused to turn on the water and tug off his shirt before coming back to take the hands she’d dreamed about on a tour, down her torso, to her belt.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  “So are you.” Her fingers skated down his abs as she rose to her toes to kiss him again.

  By the time they’d stripped off the rest of their clothes, the shower had filled with steam. With an expression of pure, unadulterated lust, Deanna opened the door and tugged him inside beneath the waterfall spray. She tipped her head back, wetting her hair and groaning with pleasure as the water drummed down on them both. “Just so you know, I’m moving into this shower. This is now my place. I’m never leaving.”

  With a rumbling laugh, he drew her against him, loving the wet slide of her flesh against his. “Then allow me to give you your first shower warming gift.”

  Spinning her so that her back was to his front, he palmed one breast and slid his free hand down the slope of her belly, slipping his fingers between the golden curls between her legs to find her drenched. She let out an inarticulate sound, somewhere between a gasp and a moan as he found her clit and circled. Her head fell back against his chest, her arm rising to hook behind his neck.

  “More,” she demanded.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Wyatt slid a finger inside her, curling it until her hips chased the motion. She began to rock, rubbing her ass against his erection until he was tempted to bend her over and drive inside. Sometime maybe, but not now. Not when this was likely her first time in two years. Clinging to his control, he added a second finger. Tight. She was so tight. He needed her loose and languid, so he trailed his lips down the column of her throat, listening for every hitch of her breath, every groan of pleasure as he played her body.

  She skated over the edge on an almost silent shudder, her walls clamping around his fingers, her nails biting into his nape. When she went limp, he pressed a kiss to her shoulder and eased her down on the bench.

  “Okay?”

  Head lolling, she peered up at him through the steam. “I’d forgotten man-made orgasms could be that good.”

  “Oh, darlin’, we’re just beginning. Hold whatcha got.”

  Slipping out of the shower, he dove for his pants, fumbling for his wallet and the condom he’d stashed there. Ripping it open, he rolled it on and stepped back into the steam.

  “Did you have plans for me tonight?” It was amusement rather than censure in her tone.

  “No expectations. Hopes. That you’re surpassing, by the way.”

  “Happy to oblige,” she murmured, throwing his words back at him as she rose. “Sit.”

  Because it put her breasts right at mouth level, he complied, curling his hands around her hips and pulling her close enough to suck one budded nipple. Deanna’s fingers threaded into his hair.

  “Mmm, much as I’m enjoying this, there’s the small matter of you having destroyed the structural integrity of my knees.”

  “Hearing you say structural integrity is weirdly hot. Come here.”

  He helped steady her as she straddled him, settling those slim, muscled thighs on either side of his hips. He’d imagined this as he’d installed this bench. Thought of her braced over him, her eyes hot and hungry on his as she took him in.

  Reality was so much better than his fantasy.

  She sank down, down, down. A slow, ineffable slide, until he was buried inside her as deep as it was possible to go. Leaning forward, she pressed her brow to his as her body adjusted to his girth.

  “Okay?”

  “So, okay,” she gasped. “Why weren’t we doing this weeks ago?”

  “Because the shower wasn’t ready?”

  “Should’ve built it first.”

  He was laughing as she began to move, a shallow rise and fall. Though he held her hips, he let her set the pace and rhythm, taking what she wanted. They watched each other as steam billowed and pleasure built anew. When her thighs began to tremble, he gripped her tighter, adding his own short, sharp thrusts, until she lost her grip on t
hat magnificent control and shattered around him, pulling him over the edge.

  He locked his arms around her, holding her close as their bodies continued to quake and the water rained down.

  “I vote we end every day exactly like this.”

  “Sold.” Wyatt liked this. Not just the sex—although, holy hell, that was stupendous. But her. Living with her, being with her. She was a partner. He’d never wanted one, never realized he’d needed one. But he wanted her. He wanted this house and the life they were building in it.

  The part of him basking in a post orgasmic glow wanted to put the whole thing out there. To say the thing, make the plans, and ride this roller coaster. But it was too soon. Deanna’s trust was a fragile thing, as was her confidence in what they were doing. She’d come a long way from that first day of panic at Restoration Station, but there was still so much to do, so much to prove. She needed more time. And there was another, deeper part of him that wondered if, at the end of the day, at the end of the project, he would be enough for her.

  Oblivious to the direction of his thoughts, Deanna sighed, dropping her brow to his. “Thank you.”

  Shaking off the worry, Wyatt mustered enough energy for a smile. “For the orgasms or the shower?”

  Her laugh made her inner muscles clamp around him again. “I mean, both. But not just that.” She straightened, sifting her fingers through his hair.

  Wyatt leaned into the touch.

  “For all of it. For helping me save this house. For giving me the confidence to pursue the thing that I love. For giving me a way to pursue it. No one’s ever believed in me like that.”

  He understood that belief was a powerful thing. His foster mother had instilled that in him before the Sullivans had adopted him. His brother had reinforced it all these years, even as his parents had undermined it.

  Because the water was cooling, he reached past her to shut it off. “You make it easy. I’m just calling it like I see it. You’re a powerhouse. And I’m thrilled to see you finally turning all those talents to yourself for a change. You deserve to follow your dreams instead of someone else’s.”

  The smile she beamed absolutely lit him up inside.

  “I really like this whole supportive boyfriend thing.”

  “Is that what we’re calling this?”

  “Well, live-in lover and business partner feels like too much of a mouthful, so…”

  “Boyfriend it is. Even though it totally makes me feel about seventeen.”

  Her smile turned impish. “How about you carry me to bed, and I can remind you of how very adult we can be?”

  “I am here for it.”

  And he was for the rest of the night.

  Chapter 14

  “We don’t know how old this siding is, so power washing is too big a risk. It could further damage the wood. So that means we’re going to do this the old-fashioned way with scrapers. Since there is probably lead in the paint in a house this age, safety first.” Deanna slid her mask into place and demonstrated the proper technique for both the collected volunteers and the camera being trained on her by Simon.

  “The goal is to remove any loose paint. As you go, make a note of any damage: dry rot, wet rot, any warped boards. We’ll have to replace it before we can move forward.” They’d get more footage of examples as the day wore on and splice them into the montage. “Everybody clear?”

  “Aye, Captain!” Wendy offered a smart salute with her scraper.

  “Fantastic. Wyatt and the guys are replacing the joists supporting the second-floor gallery today, so steer clear of the front of the house. Otherwise, let’s take advantage of this gorgeous weather and get some work done!”

  A cheer went up, and Simon gave a thumbs up to indicate he’d stopped recording. “I’ll be back later to get some progress footage.”

  Once he’d gone, Deanna gave a round of hugs to her girlfriends. “Seriously. Thank y’all for coming out to help today. We need all the help we can get to knock these renovations out in time.”

  Bennet blew her a kiss. “We’ve got you, girl.”

  They all donned their masks and moved to the nearest wall to scrape.

  Wendy attacked her stretch of siding with vigor. “Gotta say, it’s really cool to see you doing all of this. I mean, I knew you were into HGTV and stuff, but it’s a totally different thing knowing you actually know stuff. I never imagined you’d end up on a show yourself.”

  Deanna laughed and climbed up one of the ladders. “Neither did I. Turns out Wyatt has a lot more faith in me than I had in myself. He’s really good for me.”

  “A refreshing change from the limp-dicked weasel. You deserve a good guy. Extra bonus points that this one is good, sweet, and hot. It’s not exactly a hardship splicing together video each week.” Bennet waggled her eyebrows.

  Jasmine propped an arm against a lower rung of the ladder and peered up. “We’ve been taking bets on whether this glow you have going on is because you finally wised up and dragged that tall drink of water into your bed.”

  Deanna was grateful for the mask hiding her face. “I’ve got plenty to glow about. I’m doing work that I love. I’m dating an interesting, attractive man who shares my interests. And I’m finally free of the albatross of a job I hated. I keep waiting for the panic to set in, but I feel so much lighter being able to dump all that stuff off my mental plate. I deleted all the social media alerts related to all my clients, and I can actually leave my phone in another room without worrying I’ll miss something. Nobody’s calling me with their latest disaster or changing their mind at the last second or just never saying thank you for saving their ass. I feel so much relief. Quitting my job was the best thing I could have done.” She paused, unable to hold back a feline smile. “But yeah, the multiple orgasms definitely don’t hurt.”

  Her friends whooped.

  “Now you’re just bragging,” Wendy complained.

  Deanna could only shrug. “What can I say? I prefer having him in my bed than in the room next door.” Above and beyond the fact that he was a generous and inventive lover, she enjoyed starting and ending her day with him, talking in the dark about her dreams. Their dreams. It was an intimacy she’d never shared with Blake, one she’d become addicted to.

  Wendy shifted over to a new section of siding. “It’s about time you were with someone who put you first.”

  “As he should,” Bennet agreed. “Just don’t forget which rooms we have cameras set up in.”

  “Yeah, we won’t be making that mistake again.” They were very, very careful.

  “Again!” Adry squeaked.

  “After the kiss. Geez. We’re not going around christening every room in the house. It’s still a construction site.” Not that she hadn’t thought about it. She had some particular fantasies involving that island he’d built for her.

  Jasmine snorted. “Well, freedom and regular orgasms look good on you.”

  “Oh, my.”

  The words startled Deanna so much she nearly toppled straight off the ladder. Dropping the scraper, she grabbed the rung in front and held on, heart hammering. Once she was certain she had her footing, she slowly turned her head.

  Sure enough, her mother stood just a few feet away, one hand pressed to her throat, eyes wide.

  Great. Just freaking great.

  Had she overheard the part about Deanna quitting her job? Probably not. She wasn’t shrieking in panic. So it was just the stuff about Wyatt. Not a whole lot better.

  Drawing on all her poise and pretending Valerie hadn’t just gotten a front-row seat to her girlfriends’ discussion of her sex life, Deanna climbed down the ladder. “Mom. I wasn’t expecting you.”

  “You’re living with him? Sleeping with him?”

  I am a grown ass adult who can make her own decisions. I do not need my parents’ approval.

  She squared her shoulders. “That’s not really your business.”

  “So it’s fine for you to parade your relationship on the show for all and sundry to see,
but you won’t tell your mother?”

  Deanna blinked. “You’ve been watching the show?”

  Valerie looked hurt. “Of course I’ve been watching the show. I want to support you.”

  For a long moment, she could only stare at her mother. She’d dreamed of her parents actually supporting her decisions for years. But with all their judgment and anxieties over mistakes she’d made in the past, she’d never imagined they’d really be on her side. Had she been wrong about that?

  Valerie continued. “And really, I would have thought you’d tell us something so important as you finally dating again.” The hesitation before “dating” made it clear she didn’t approve of everything that entailed, either.

  And risk you judging him, too? No, thank you.

  But Deanna didn’t want to fight. She tugged off her mask. “It’s still new. And we’ve both been really busy working hard on the house. Why don’t you come inside and see the progress?”

  She didn’t think the subject change would work, but she needed to get Valerie away from everyone else before she embarrassed her any more. She steered her mom around the back of the house, toward the side door leading into the kitchen.

  When Valerie got her first look at the rehabbed kitchen, the expression of stunned delight was more gratifying than chocolate. “Oh, this is lovely.”

  “We’ve got the appliances on order, and the floors and backsplash will be some of the last things we tackle, but it’s coming along.”

  Hesitant, her mother moved into the room, laying a hand on the island. “You designed this?”

  “She sure did. Your daughter has a hell of an eye.” Wyatt strode in, flashing his host smile. “Good to see you again, Mrs. James.”

  “This is really good work.”

  He circled the island and slid an arm around Deanna’s waist, creating a united front. “We’re an excellent team.”

  She wanted to kiss him again, her mother be damned.

  “I understand that’s personal as well as professional.”