by A. M. Myers
“Or dead,” he adds and I cock my head to the side as I scowl at him.
“Huh?”
“Your aunt, baby. She was a cold ass woman and she never did anything to help you deal with what had happened to you.”
“Don’t blame her. She was damn near fifty when she took me in and she never wanted children so to have me forced on her just sucked.”
He clenches his teeth and his body tenses underneath me. “No. You were just a kid and had a horrible thing happen to you. You didn’t deserve her apathy.”
“Wyatt, it could have been so much worse. Besides my parents dying, I was incredibly lucky that I didn’t end up with someone who wanted to hurt me more. Do you know what could have happened to me?”
“Of course, I do,” he growls. “But that still doesn’t make it okay. She barely even paid attention to you. Do you remember that time we both snuck out and slept in the treehouse? My parents were fucking frantic and Aunt Myra didn’t even realize you were gone.”
“It could have been worse,” I repeat. It’s the same thing I tell myself every time I think about what happened after that awful night. I got lucky with Aunt Myra.
“Whatever. I’m just glad my parents took you in after she died.” I shudder as the memory of coming home from school and finding my Aunt Myra dead on the floor from a heart attack fills my mind. Shaking my head, I try to clear the image from my mind as I meet his eyes.
“I got lucky then, too.”
He fights a smile as he shakes his head. “Naw, baby. That wasn’t luck. That was me begging my parents for days and promising them everything under the sun if they would let you come live with us.”
“What?” I ask, my jaw dropping in shock. “You did that for me? Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“I made them promise they wouldn’t tell you because I wanted you to feel wanted. I wanted you to know that you were loved.”
“Baby,” I breathe, a smile stretching across my face as I lean down and press my lips to his. How in the hell did I get lucky enough to find this man not only once but twice? Pulling back, I flash him the biggest smile. “I love you.”
He wraps his arms around me again and steals another quick kiss before releasing me to lean back on his hands. “I love you, too, Pip. Speaking of which…”
“Yes?” I ask as I arch a brow. He sucks in a breath and my belly flips as I try to figure out what he’s going to say. It has to be big to put that nervous look in his eyes.
“I got you something at the market yesterday.”
I scowl as he reaches into his pocket. When in the hell did he have time to get me a present yesterday? I was always with him. My eyes widen as he pulls out a silver chain with a double infinity symbol on it and grabs my hand, dropping it into my palm.
“Wyatt,” I whisper as I pick it up and study the gem encrusted charm. “This is gorgeous.”
He nods. “It seemed perfect for us since we’re starting over. Or, at least, I hope we are…”
“Oh, Wyatt…”
“I know it’s scary for you and, baby, I'm here to support you and your recovery one hundred percent but please don’t make me do it at a distance.”
I chew on my bottom lip as I meet his eyes. “If we move too fast and I freak out again…”
“I won’t let that happen,” he says, cutting me off as he leans forward and wraps his arms around me again. “If you want me to go to therapy with you so I can learn how to help you or if you tell me you need space for a couple of hours, you got it. Whatever you need, I'll do it but I don’t want to live without you anymore.”
“Anything?”
He nods. “Anything, baby.”
“I don’t know,” I whisper, my heart thundering in my chest. “What if I start leaning on you again?”
“I think it’s okay to lean when you need support, sweetheart, just don’t forget how to stand all on your own.”
My belly flips as I stare back to him, my mind screaming for the right answer but I can’t come up with anything. I want so badly to agree to this but I can’t go back to that dark place, I won’t survive being stalked by the man who killed my parents again.
“Please, trust me, baby. Now that I know what you went through and why, I can be here for you the way I always should have been. I don’t want to take your strength. I just want to make you even stronger.”
I shake my head. “I’m not strong, Wyatt.”
“That’s where you’re wrong and I am really hoping you’ll give me a chance to prove it to you.” His eyes plead with me to give this a chance, trust him with not only my heart but my fragile mind and I suck in a breath as my belly flips again and my heart thuds in my chest.
“Okay.”
A brilliant smile stretches across his face. “Yeah?”
“Yeah, we’ll give this a real shot,” I answer with a nod and he laughs as he crushes me to his chest and slams his lips down on mine. My body relaxes in an instant, melting in his lap as my eyes close and we both spill everything we’re feeling into the kiss - pure joy with a little bit of fear mixed in. But I let it all go. There was a time in my life when I trusted Wyatt with every piece of me and I need to do that again. Now that he knows, now that there are no more secrets between us, he would never let me fall apart again. When he pulls away, he starts planting kisses all over my face and I giggle as I try to push him back and his answering laugh warms my very soul.
“Now that we’ve got that sorted out, there are two other things I wanted to talk to you about,” he says and I arch a brow, as I flash him an expectant look.
“Let’s hear ‘em.”
He stares up at me, his gaze so sure that the last of my worries disappear, ripped from me and pulled out to sea by the tide.
“First, I think we should back out of the leases on both of our apartments and find a place together.”
“Okay,” I agree, nodding my head. I’m not particularly attached to my apartment and I can’t wait to be living with Wyatt again. “What’s the second one?”
“How do you feel about having a baby?” he asks, a trace of nerves flitting across his face as my heart skips a beat. It’s everything I wanted, everything I have been hoping for but is it too much too soon? It occurs to me that up to this point, we haven’t used any protection and my heart start to beat a little faster as I consider the possibilities. He slips his hand into my hair and pulls my gaze to his as he offers me a reassuring smile. “Trust me, Pip. I’ve got you if this is what you want.”
“Oh, God,” I whisper, burying my face in my hands as my chest feels light as air and a smile stretches across my face. Am I really going to get everything I want? When I open my eyes again, I meet Wyatt’s gaze and after searching my face, he gives an encouraging nod that makes my belly flip. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
He flashes me that brilliant smile again and pulls me to him, surrounding me with his arms and crushing his lips to mine as he falls back into the sand, sweeping his tongue into my mouth. I moan into his kiss as I cling to his t-shirt, wishing I could rip it away and feel him against me. One of his hands slips down to my ass as I grind against him and he groans before pulling his lips from mine.
“You better get back up to the house before I just take you right here,” he growls in between desperate kisses and I shake my head, trying to climb off of him but he keeps pulling me back down.
“No way. Sand in places sand was never meant to go is not sexy.”
He finally releases me and I stumble to my feet as he jumps up behind me and throws me over his shoulder. His hand lands on my ass with a smack and I squeal as he starts walking back up the beach with determined steps. The smile on my face makes my cheeks hurt but I can’t stop it as I imagine our baby in Wyatt’s arms and I slap him back as butterflies flutter through my belly.
“Hurry up, Landry. Time to put a baby in me.”
Chapter Twenty
Piper
“Happy?” Wyatt asks as he walks into the living room of the adorable little f
armhouse we just closed on yesterday and I force a smile to my face as I nod. Ever since we got back from our trip to Charleston, he has been amazing about checking in with me and making sure I’m feeling okay and when I’m not, giving me the reassurance I need to let the fear go. In a lot of ways, it feels like we’re newlyweds again and I can’t imagine being any happier than I feel now but getting back together, buying a house, and trying for a baby is a lot to take on at once and there are moments when the part of me that always remembers the dark time in my life is screaming at me to be more careful. But that part gets quieter and quieter every single day because Wyatt and this new life that we’re building together makes me so damn happy that I’m running out of room to harbor that fear.
“Deliriously,” I answer, my smile feeling more and more real as he sets the box in his arms down and walks over to me. His arms wrap around my waist and he pulls me closer, searching my gaze to a lie but he won’t find any. It’s odd to how the two polar opposite emotions can exist within me simultaneously but it’s working and despite any moments of hesitation I have or any trepidation I feel, I can’t remember the last time I was this happy. When Wyatt and I were together before, there was always this darkness within me that our love could never quite banish because I didn’t know how to deal with what had happened to me. But now, with the new tools I’ve learned from Dr. Brewer, I can appreciate what we have and I can completely live in the little moments that bring me more happiness than I could have ever imagined.
“Good.” He flashes me a grin before leaning down and sealing his lips over mine. I sigh into his kiss and mold my body to his as I run my hands down his arms before going back up and playing with the hair at the base of his neck. He hums against my lips and a shiver runs down my spine as he pulls away. “Shit, babe. We’ve got people coming over soon.”
“We can be quick,” I whisper, leaning for another kiss but he cuts it short as he pulls back and laughs, shaking his head.
“Later, I promise. I’ve got a surprise for you before everyone gets here.”
I frown as I drop my hands to my sides and he chuckles again, poking my bottom lip as it juts out in a pout. The sound of laughter has me fighting back a smile of my own as he spins me around and presses up against my back, covering my eyes with his hands. His lips brush against my ear as he instructs me to start walking and a wave of desire floods my body. God, I can’t get enough of this man these days and if it wasn’t for work and the need to eat, I don’t either of us would get out of bed.
We stop and he turns me to the side as he presses his lips just below my ear. “Ready?”
“Yes,” I answer as I fidget in his arms. What the hell kind of surprise could he have planned for much in such a short amount of time? We just got the keys yesterday and he hasn’t left my side since then. As he pulls his hands away, my eyes flutter open and my lips part as I gaze around the room, taking it all in. The once white walls are now a pale mint green color and there is a gorgeous mahogany crib set up on one wall with a matching changing table across from it.
“When did you have time to do all this?” I whirl around to face him and he grins as he reaches up and brushes his thumb over my cheek.
“I left the back door unlocked after we came to look at the house yesterday and I had some of the guys set this up last night. They only did a little ‘cause I figured you would want to decorate yourself…”
“And because they’re bikers, not interior designers?” I ask and he laughs, nodding.
“That, too. Anyway, I know it’s not much but it’s a start and hopefully soon, we’ll have a baby to bring home to this room.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, unable to put into words how much I love what he did for me. As his tongue tangles with mine in a heated kiss, I can see the life we both want, images of babies running down the hallway, their little feet slapping against the hardwood floors and their laughter echoing off of the walls fill my mind and tears sting my eyes. That life is something I want so, so badly and I can’t wait until it becomes a reality.
Wyatt’s hand slips into my hair and my back hits the doorjamb as he groans and grinds his hips into me, his kiss becoming more heated. I slip my hands around his back and under his shirt, pressing them against his skin as he starts kissing down my neck. The air punches out of my lungs as I tip my head back and close my eyes, warmth spreading through my body with each press of his lips.
“Baby…” I breathe, my fingertips digging into his skin as his teeth graze my neck. “I need you.”
The doorbell rings and both of our heads snap up as we struggle to catch our breaths. His eyes meet mine and I’m ready to tell all our friends to go get lost when he pulls away with a tortured look on her face.
“We’re picking this up later.” His voice leaves no room for argument and I barely hold back a whimper as I grip the door frame to keep myself up right. The doorbell rings again and he runs his hand through his hair. “Also, you stay here until you don’t look like you want me to fuck your brains out.”
I run my hand up my body as my skin tingles with need before I reach out, grabbing his hand and pulling him back to me. I steal a kiss and another. “Maybe just fuck my brains out real quick and then I won’t look like that anymore.”
“Baby,” he groans, his eyes closing as he sucks in a breath and rolls his forehead against mine. “They’re at the goddamn door.”
“They can wait.”
Whoever it is starts banging on the front door and the sound reverberates through the empty house as Wyatt growls. He pulls away from me again and takes a few steps back before holding his hand up when I push off of the door frame to follow him. “I was serious before. There is no way in hell I’m letting the guys see you like this. I’ll fucking murder them.”
“They’re all married now, Wyatt.”
“Doesn’t matter,” he growls, turning and stomping away from me. A smirk spreads across my face as I suck air into my lungs and try to get my mind off my husband’s naked body and all the things I want him to be doing to me. The sound of muffled voices drift down the hallway and I take another deep breath as I smooth my hands over my maxi dress before combing my fingers through my hair. When my heart rate has finally slowed to a more acceptable pace, I walk out into the living room with a smile pasted on my face.
“Hey, sorry to hear about your mom,” Wyatt says to Kodiak as I step up next to him and slip my hand into his. He glances over at me, his eyes still raging with need and my tummy does a little flip as I turn my gaze back to Kodiak and Tate. I’m glad they’re the first ones to show up since I already met them a few days ago when they stopped by my apartment so Kodiak could talk to Wyatt.
“What’s going on with your mom?”
Kodiak’s face is somber as he sighs and Tate wraps her arm around his waist. “She passed away a couple of days ago.”
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” I whisper, pain blooming in my chest as the smile melts off my face and Wyatt gives my hand a squeeze, reminding me that he is here and I can lean if I need to. A feeling of calm washes over me as I glance up at Kodiak. “What happened?”
“They said it was an aneurysm.” Tears shine in his eyes and he clears his throat. “I guess the good thing is that it happened fast and she didn’t feel any pain.”
I nod, my heart aching for him as memories from the day of my parents’ funeral flashes through my mind and the ache I’m so used to intensifies. With all of the things going on and how happy I’ve been, I’ve been thinking about them a lot lately, wishing they could be here to see what I made of myself and the wonderful man who always has my back.
“How is your sister holding up?” Wyatt asks and Kodiak clears his throat again, nodding. He looks thankful for the distraction and I can’t say that I blame him. I’m pretty fucking thankful for it, too.
“She’s doing okay. As soon as she gets all Mom’s stuff taken care of, I told her I want her down here with us.”
I scowl.
Is he no
t going to go to her funeral?
“You’re not going to head up to Alaska?” Wyatt asks, beating me to it and Kodiak shakes his head, glancing over at Tate, who rolls her eyes.
“Nah. Mom wanted to be cremated and have her ashes thrown into the ocean and we can do that here. Besides, I can’t leave Tate right now.”
“For the of God, Lincoln,” she growls, pinning him with a glare. “Women have been having babies since the dawn of time. I’ll be okay alone.”
His gaze snaps to hers, hard and determined. “I’m not going.”
“I swear to God…”
“Just keep the taser in your purse, woman,” he growls and they stare at each other for a second before she rolls her eyes and turns away from him.
“I’m not going to break, you know.”
He shakes his head again, completely ignoring her comment as my gaze bounces between the two of them. Wyatt told me that Smith’s wife, Quinn, and Moose’s wife, Juliette, we're pregnant but he never mentioned Tate.
“You’re pregnant, too?” Wyatt asks like he’s reading my mind, glancing between the two of them and they share a look before Tate turns to us, fighting back a smile.
“Yep. We’re going to tell everyone today.”
The doorbell rings again and Wyatt release my hand to go answer it as I watch Lincoln and Tate share another look full of love. When Wyatt told me he wanted to introduce me to everyone, I didn't really know what to expect but if these two are any indication, I think I'm going to like them. I was already leaning that way, though, after hearing Wyatt talk about how they gave him a purpose when he was lost and became like a second family to him.
I just hope they don't judge me too harshly for the past.
Three more couples pile into the living room and Wyatt walks back to my side and introduces me to them.
“Babe, this is Storm, his wife, Ali, and their baby girl, Magnolia.” There is a hint of humor in his tone as he says the baby’s name and I scowl at him but he just ignores it as he points to the second couple. “This is Chance and his wife, Carly, and this is Moose and Juliette.”