A Soldier's Roots (Roots series Book 2)

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A Soldier's Roots (Roots series Book 2) Page 13

by Tessa Elaine


  I walk up behind Sarah, almost afraid to reach out for her. I don’t know how she will react right now and I feel like I’m approaching a wild animal that I have cornered. I throw caution to the wind and wrap my arms around her waist, pressing my lips to the top of her head. I feel her relax and I take that as a good sign.

  “Princess,” I whisper. “I’m sorry.” I don’t really have anything to apologize for, but I don’t know what else to say.

  “You have nothing to be sorry for, your conquests are none of my business.” Fuck me! I’m going to kill Lucas.

  Sarah starts to pull away from me, but this shit is not going left unsaid. Taking the cup of hot coffee from her hands, so I don’t burn the fuck out of both of us, I set it in front of her on the counter. Spinning her little ass around in my arms with her protest hanging on her lips, I slap her ass down next to her coffee.

  Sarah’s eyes are wide, and she's looking at me like she’s going to throttle me. That shit will just have to wait.

  “I’m not going to stand here and defend myself because I don’t have shit that I need to defend. Whatever is going on in that head of yours or whatever you think I did, you need to forget about it.” I’m on edge. I don’t like her thinking she's a notch on my bedpost, or that I’m some man whore.

  “Wyatt,” she starts, but she’s going to let me finish.

  “No, princess, you’re going to sit that pretty little ass right there and let me say my peace.” Sarah lifts an eyebrow at me, but I see a hint of a smile tug at her lips.

  “By all means,” she waves a hand at me. Her sassy mouth might get her bent over my knee. Damn, there goes my dick, just thinking of spanking her ass then burying myself inside her and I’m rock fucking hard.

  Focus, Cruz, don’t let your cock distract you from the mission.

  “This town might think they know what they're talking about but let me tell you. They don’t know shit. Lucas doesn’t know shit.” Sarah still doesn’t look convinced. “Princess, the only pussy this dick has been in since before I left for the desert is yours.”

  Sarah’s breath hitches and I hate using such crude language with her, but I’m trying to get my point across. I need her to know the truth, not some rumors a small town with nothing better to talk about than my made-up sex life.

  “What about the women that you have been out with, Wyatt. You can’t tell me I was seeing things.” No, I can’t tell her she didn’t see what she saw, but I can tell her the truth.

  “That was me trying to find a distraction,” I tell her. The look in her eyes says I need to elaborate. “I couldn’t have what I wanted, so I was trying to move on. I can’t make my dick get hard when it knows what it wants.” She rolls her eyes at me. I tip her head up and brush my lips against hers.

  “He only stands up for this sexy little blonde that’s had my heart longer than she knows.” Sarah giggles but I see her eyes start to water.

  “Wyatt Cruz, did you just tell me I give you a boner, and you love me all in the same sentence?” She wraps her arms around my neck.

  “Guilty, princess.” I wink at her, and she shakes her head, but her smile is full blown, and I put it there.

  I kiss her shoulder and make my way up her neck, needing to taste her skin, her lips. What I wouldn’t give for a few more hours with her this morning.

  “We both have work to do, but I want to see you tonight. Your house or mine?” I’m not giving her a chance to second guess this. We’ve both been doing that way too much.

  “Mine,” she says. “I want to fix you dinner. Bring Mutt.” She kisses me again, and I help her off the counter, and we both head out for work.

  The whole way to the office I am picturing a future with Sarah. Waking up and slipping inside her warm body, taking a shower, and worshiping every inch of her, having breakfast, then kissing her before we both head to work. Coming home to her every night, crawling into bed, and ending our night deep inside my princess. Fuck, I need to stop these thoughts. Can’t walk into the office with a hard-on.

  Before I step out of my truck, I send her a quick text and smile at how fucking gone I am for her. Yep, I’m done for.

  Me: Miss you already, Princess.

  Chapter 18

  Sarah

  Sweet baby Jesus and all that is holy in this world. The last twenty-four hours have been crazy. My mind is going ninety to nothing, and my heart is all over the place. Let's not forget my stomach, because it's filled with butterflies and this flip-flop thing that is making it hard to breathe. Wooo, how does a girl process all of this?

  The drive to my house is a daze of rushed actions, getting dressed, and grabbing everything I need for work. The drive to work is filled with thoughts of Wyatt and the delicious things he did to my body. When my brain finally catches up with the events of last night, I feel the ache between my legs.

  I don’t think there is a man alive that could have me panting like a bitch in heat, just at the mere thought of him naked and on top of me. I’m getting hot all over, and I’m thinking I should have brought a change of panties. If I can’t stop thinking about last night, I am never going to get anything done.

  As I’m settling down to work my phone goes off, and my heart jumps, hoping its Wyatt.

  Wyatt: Miss you already, Princess.

  I don’t know if my heart will survive all this. One second its racing and the next he has it doing this crazy skip thing.

  This morning hearing my brother talk about Wyatt’s flings had my stomach twisting. I wanted to hide under a rock at the thought of being one of many to him. I didn’t want to be just another warm body to temporarily fill his bed, I want to be more.

  After hearing the truth about Wyatt, and yes, I believe him, I’m mad at everyone else, including myself, for thinking he sleeps around. I can’t lie though, it was such a relief to hear him say he hasn't been with anyone. I didn’t know I could be this jealous, but I guess when it comes to Wyatt all bets are off.

  Hearing him tell me he loves me and has loved me makes me happy and sad all at the same time. I feel like we wasted so much time when we could have been together. But I also know Wyatt wasn’t in the right place when he came home, and things might not have gone well if we tried then.

  I send Wyatt a text back telling him I miss him too and slide my phone back into my bag.

  Lunch comes, and I want to call Wyatt to see how his day is going. I know he’s with Lucas, and I should not act like a stage four clinger, but I have this overwhelming urge to talk to him. Trying to tamp down that urge, I decided to call Elena instead and see how she is. I haven’t talked to her since we got back and come to think of it, I haven’t talked to anyone.

  Shoot, where is my head? Oh right, it’s stuck on a gorgeous man with deep brown eyes, arms covered in tattoos, and muscles that I want to run my tongue all over.

  Before I can think about it too much, I hit call and let the phone ring. The second she picks up I know I’m in trouble.

  “Well it’s about damn time, I wasn't sure when you would come up for air,” Elena says.

  “I’m sorry...wait. What?” Come up for air, what is she talking about?

  “How is Wyatt, Sarah?” Oh, if I cussed there would be a string of words falling out of my mouth right about now.

  “Elena,” I start to deny it, but she’s not hearing it.

  “Don’t you Elena me, I might be pregnant, but that doesn’t make me dumb.” What can I say? I press my head to my desk and groan like I’m physically ill.

  “Does Lucas know?” I wanted to tell my family in person not let them think I’m hiding anything from them.

  “No, I don’t think he knows yet. It won't take long for everyone to figure it out though.” She laughs.

  “How did you?” We haven’t been anywhere together, heck we haven’t even seen anyone. I slap myself on the forehead before Elena even says a word.

  “You didn’t show up to Wednesday dinner, Lucas hasn't heard from Wyatt, hell I haven’t heard from you. I just put
two and two together. Plus, you were talking to him while we were in Seattle. I could tell then something was up.” She sounds so smug on the other end of the phone. Like she should get a freaking gold star for her detective skills.

  “How bad do you think this is going to go?” She knows exactly what I mean.

  How will Lucas and my parents take it? If it turns out bad how will that affect Lucas and me? Lucas and Wyatt have been friends forever; will he call things off if Lucas blows up?

  My head is starting to hurt, and I want to go back to Wyatt’s cabin and hide with him. Shut everyone else out and their opinions.

  “Sarah, don’t worry about Lucas. He loves you both and wants you both to be happy. He might be mad at first, but I know he will get over it.” She pauses for a second and I wait. “You are happy, right?”

  “I love him, Elena, you know I have forever. Last night at his place…” She cuts me off so fast I can’t finish what I was saying.

  “You spent the night!” She screeches in my ear.

  “Yes…. Elena, I told him I love him, and he said it back.”

  “Aww.” She coos into the phone, and I can’t help but smile.

  “He has been amazing, I want to tell everyone, but I don’t want it to fall apart.” My mood is fast shifting at the thought of telling everyone about us. Why can’t things just be easy, why can’t I picture my brother being happy for us?

  “You slept with him.” I’m groaning again because she is getting completely off topic.

  “Elena.” I try to get her back on the problem that I’m having, and sex was not the problem.

  “Was it good?” Gees, only she would ask me if the sex was good in the middle of my meltdown.

  “Can we please get back on topic here?”

  “So not that good? That tends to happen when you have been fantasizing about a man for that long. Building him up in your head to something that he can’t compete with.” My God does she ever stop. I love her, but sometimes I want to tape her mouth shut.

  “Elena, the sex was amazing, beyond amazing. I’m not worried about that, I’m worried about losing him because of everyone else putting their nose in it. You know how my family is, they let me live my life, but they don’t hold back their thoughts.”

  “Sweetheart, I know this sounds cliché, but if you love each other, it will all work out.”

  I know she’s right and I’m ready to fight for us even if it's against my own family, but is Wyatt ready? Will he fight for us when it comes to Lucas? I never thought I would have to compete with my brother over a man, but I can’t deny how close they are. They are brothers in every sense of the word.

  “Thank you, Elena. I will tell everyone soon. Will you please not say anything to them yet?” I know the last time I asked her to not say anything about who I’m dating it caused a spat between her and Lucas, but I need to be the one to tell them.

  “I hope this is the last time you ever ask me to keep a secret from Lucas. You know I love you, and I want you to be happy, I want Wyatt to be happy. I’m rooting for you girl.”

  “Thank you.”

  We say our goodbyes and plan to have lunch this weekend. I love having Elena back in my life.

  The rest of the day goes by, and as I’m heading out to my car, I see Lex. She looks like she lost her best friend. I’m worried about everything that has happened. School is hard and being in high school is even harder. The social status of a teen is important to them. I feel like sometimes this is the animal kingdom and only the strongest survive.

  Lexington is strong, but she is also the sweetest girl I know. She hasn’t met a person that doesn’t love her, but after the incident with Steve, things have changed. The kids at school are taking his side and believing his story. Which is completely absurd. The boy is going around saying Lex asked for it then got him jumped. He's leaving out the truth. The part where she said no and he tried to force her anyway.

  I’m really glad Dean was there, I don’t even want to begin to think about what could have happened. I love her like a little sister and would do anything for her family.

  “Hey Lex, how are you dear?” She gives me a forced smile and a shrug of her shoulders.

  “Talk to me girly.” I open up the passenger door and silently offer her a ride.

  Lex climbs in, and we leave the school parking lot. I start to head in the direction of her house, but she asks me if she can just hang out for a bit. How can I say no? Wyatt is supposed to be over for dinner, but maybe Lex and I can have a couple hours of girl time.

  As soon as I pull in my drive, I send Wyatt a quick text letting him know his sister is here. We make our way in, and I put on a pot of coffee then dig around for the chocolate chip cookies I had stashed for emergencies. I put the cookies and coffee down on the table and sit across from her.

  “Alright, I have let you stay quiet long enough. Talk to me, Lex.”

  “Sarah… What do I do? I know school is almost over, but do I really have to deal with everything that's going on? They are all acting like I’m the bad guy and Steve was the victim.” She pauses for a minute and runs her hands through her hair. “Today I have been cornered in the bathroom, called terrible names, and had my locker vandalized. Mama is already worried to death about my mental state, which is fine, but I can’t tell her what's going on. If I go to Wyatt, he might go to jail for multiple assaults. All I want to do is talk to Dean and tell him how sorry I am for all the trouble I've caused. They kicked him out of school for protecting me, Sarah. He lost his job!” The last part comes out as a sob, and I stand from my chair to go to her.

  I try to comfort her and let her cry it out. I can take care of some of it at school, like with the bullies and the vandalism. As for her mom’s worry, that will forever be there. I know my mom still worries over all her kids. I’m helping Dean the only way I know how, with helping him get his GED.

  When Lex finally calms down, we finish our coffee and cookies and talk the rest out. I promise her I will do everything I can for her. I also promise to get in touch with Dean and see how he is.

  “Thanks, Sarah. I don’t know what I would do without you. You are the only one I can talk to.”

  “I’m always here for you.” I’m about to offer her a ride home when I hear the front door open.

  “Princess, where are you beautiful?” Wyatt’s voice booms through the house.

  My heart flips and sinks at the same time if that’s even possible. I love hearing those sweet words from him, but I look up at Lex, and she’s giving me the eye.

  “He’s not talking to me,” she says with a smirk.

  Shoot!

  I walk out of the kitchen to head him off and try to act like I texted him to give her a ride, but Wyatt has other plans. He sweeps me up in his arm and kisses me senseless. I can’t stop my body’s reaction when I wrap my arms around his neck and lose myself in that kiss.

  “Big brother is finally going after what he wants,” Lex says behind me. Wyatt groans and it’s not the sexy groan when he's turned on.

  “Shut it, smalls.” Wyatt is shaking his head and sitting me back down on two feet.

  “Don’t you ‘shut it smalls’ me. What the hell you two. When were you planning on letting the rest of us in on this?” I haven’t turned around to face Lex, yet I just hide my face in Wyatt's chest.

  He has one hand on my hip, and the other is still buried in my hair, holding me tightly to him. Like I would ever want to move.

  “Look, little sis, this is still new. We are finding our footing first, and then we will tell everyone, I promise. Now you just have to keep that big mouth of yours shut until I talk to Lucas and Sarah’s parents.”

  I turn around, so I can see Lexington's face, to see if she will give us the chance to tell everyone first. She puts a hand to her chest like her big brother's words wound her. Then she winks at me.

  “Fine, but I'm putting in my two cents.” Wyatt huffs, and Lex continues. “It’s about fucking time, and if you hurt her Wyatt, Luc
as won't be the only one kicking your ass.” I look up at Wyatt, and I know my smile is huge.

  “You're supposed to say that to her, not me.” He tries to give Lexington a hard time, but I can tell he's pleased with her taking my side.

  “I like her more,” she says then sticks out her tongue at him.

  I giggle at their brother-sister antics and hold on tighter to Wyatt.

  “How about I give you a ride home, I'm sure Mama is worried.” Wyatt kisses the top of my head, and I let him go.

  “Don’t let me interrupt.” Lex winks and gives me a quick hug.

  “Get your ass in the truck, smalls,” Wyatt tells her. Lex runs out the door laughing, and he just shakes his head.

  “I'll be right back, princess.” Wyatt kisses me again, this time slow and sweet. Giving me a taste of what's to come.

  “Mmm… I will get dinner going,” I whisper against his lips.

  “The only thing I want to eat is you.” I feel my whole body flush, and I know Wyatt sees it. His smile is devilish, and it has my thighs clenching. Before I can say another word, he smacks my bottom and rushes for the door.

  With thoughts of what the night will bring, I try my best to stay focused on the task at hand. Making dinner for Wyatt without burning the house down.

  Chapter 19

  Wyatt

  With Lexington in the truck I drive her to our mother's house. Wishing like hell I didn’t have to leave Sarah, but I know Lex wasn’t at Sarah’s for no reason. Something's up, and I’m worried about my little sister. Everything that has happened and I haven’t even asked how she is. What kind of brother does that make me?

  I’m all Mama and Lex has after our father left us. Lex wasn’t even born yet when good ol’ dad decided to up and leave. Took everything Mama had and left us. But if you hear it from Mama, she always says she got the better end of the deal.

  All I have ever wanted, even from a young age, was to see Mama and Lex happy. Never caring about myself, always putting them first and trying so hard to give them everything they need. They deserve the best.

 

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