Wyatt

by Fisher-Davis, Susan

  She opened her eyes and glanced down. “I can’t believe you got me on a horse.”

  Wyatt grinned at her as he nudged Cochise into a walk. She clung to him. Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. After a few minutes of walking Cochise around the yard, he halted the horse and let her down. He grinned down at her with smug satisfaction.

  “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked her.

  “No, but you know my motto.”

  “I don’t. What is it?”

  Olivia grinned. “Save a horse, ride a cowboy.”

  Wyatt laughed. “Let me put Cochise up and we’ll talk about your motto.”

  “Oh, we’re going to do more than talk about it, cowboy.” Olivia spun on her heel and sauntered away from him with a little more sway in her hips. She went inside just as the phone started ringing. She checked the caller ID and saw it was Gabe. She wondered if she should answer it. She shrugged. It could be important.

  “Hello?”

  “Uh, who’s this?” Gabe asked. Olivia laughed. “Liv? What are you doing answering the phone at Wyatt’s? Are you living there now?” He chuckled.

  “Not quite. Wyatt’s in the barn. Do you want him to call you back?”

  “You can transfer me to the barn.” Gabe explained how to send the call to the barn. Olivia hung up after she sent his on its way.

  A few minutes later, Wyatt came in the back door with an angry scowl on his face. “Why did you answer the phone?”

  “What?” Olivia stared at him, not understanding why he was angry.

  “Gabe thinks we’re living together now. Did you tell him that?”

  Olivia had never seen him so angry. “No, of course not, he was teasing when he asked if I lived here. I answered because I saw it was him on the line and thought it might be important.” Her voice rose on the last word.

  “Well, it wasn’t and he tortured the shit out of me. Gabe won’t let up. He’ll just keep on me about it.”

  “I don’t understand why you’re so angry. Are you upset that Gabe knows we’re seeing each other and before you answer that, you’d better remember Jake already knows we are.” She was on the verge of tears.

  “You just don’t fucking get it. Gabe loves to torment me and now that he thinks you’re living here, he’ll be telling everyone to expect wedding invitations,” Wyatt shouted at her.

  Olivia stared at him in disbelief that he would put this on her. Her entire body shook with anger. She strode over to him and stopped inches in front of him.

  “God knows, we can’t have that, can we?” She jerked back when he put his hand out toward her. “Don’t touch me.”

  “You just don’t understand.”

  “You’re so right about that,” she hissed out through clenched teeth.

  Wyatt sighed. “I just meant that Gabe will tease me about you being here. Answering the phone as if you…” He stopped when her anger became apparent on her face.

  “As if I… lived here?” she shouted. Olivia marched from the kitchen and headed straight to the bedroom. She grabbed her suitcase and started packing her clothes.

  Wyatt appeared in the doorway.

  “Olivia, we need to talk about this.”

  “I think you’ve said more than enough.” She pulled her clothes from the hangers. They swung around the bar and fell to the floor. She had to get out of here before she fell to pieces. Her heart was hurting. Snapping the suitcase shut, she lifted it off the bed and stalked toward him stopping a couple of feet from him. She raised an eyebrow at him. He frowned at her, but stepped out of the way.

  Olivia practically ran down the hall and out the door to her car. She called for Punkin and after putting her in the car, she got in and started home to the B and B. Tears clouded her vision, hard sobs tore from her so she pulled off the road. She put her head against the steering wheel and cried her heart out.

  * * * *

  The next day, Olivia sat in her apartment working on the books. Becca had a goldmine in the B and B, and it amazed everyone how well it was doing. The little town of Clifton loved the business it brought in and it looked like Becca would have to hire more people next season. Olivia rarely sat at the front desk anymore, which was fine with her. She didn’t want to face anyone right now, not even Evelyn and she loved Evelyn.

  The numbers started running together. Olivia rubbed her eyes. She hadn’t slept much last night. Why hadn’t he come after her? Because he didn’t care enough to, that was why. He’d had enough of her. She covered her face with her hands. How could she possibly have any more tears left? A knock on her door startled her, and for a moment, she hoped.

  You’re being silly, Olivia, it’s probably Evelyn.

  She stood and took a deep breath. Opening the door, she found Emma standing there holding Sophie, who squealed when she saw her Aunt Liv. Olivia took her in her arms and smiled. She carried her to the kitchen and smiled at Gabe, who was waiting there.

  “What are you doing here, Emma?” she asked bouncing Sophie while avoiding looking either of the adults in the eye.

  “Gabe and I were on our way home and thought we’d stop in to see you.” Emma smiled at her.

  Olivia knew better. “I’m fine, Emma. Don’t worry about me, I’ll get over him.”

  Gabe took Sophie from her arms and sat on the floor with her. Emma handed her daughter a wooden spoon, which she used to hit her daddy on the head. Emma laughed.

  “You deserve that, Gabriel Stone,” she scolded.

  Gabe glanced up at Olivia. “I’m sorry, Liv. It’s my fault about you and Wyatt. I shouldn’t have ribbed him so much about you answering the phone.”

  Olivia blinked back tears. Shit! Stop it! You are so much stronger than this. She tried to give him a brave smile but failed. “It had to end sometime.”

  Gabe frowned at her. “Why…”

  A sudden commotion from the direction of the front foyer stopped his words. They all hurried out to the front.

  Stephanie was standing in the foyer yelling at Stacy.

  “I’m sorry, Liv. She came in here demanding to see you. I told her to leave, but she refuses.” Stacy stood with her hands on her hips glaring at Stephanie.

  “It’s okay, Stacy.” Olivia looked at Stephanie. “What do you want, fluffy?”

  “Hiding, are we?” Stephanie smiled with an air of superiority.

  “What. Do. You. Want.” Olivia narrowed her eyes at her.

  “You couldn’t hold onto him, could you? You had him and lost him.”

  “That’s something that should sound familiar to you.” Olivia stepped closer to her.

  Stephanie’s smile faded then she laughed. “Your loss is my gain. This time he won’t have to beg me to take him back.” She stood toe to toe with Olivia. “I’m just happy he’s through with you. He never was into women who sleep with any man who comes along.”

  Olivia bared her teeth. “Back off before I knock you into next week.”

  Gabe stepped between them. Olivia glared at him. She could handle this herself. He turned toward Stephanie.

  “Get out. Now.”

  Stephanie hesitated then turned and left. Gabe blew out a breath when Olivia turned away from him and headed back toward the kitchen.

  * * * *

  Three days later, Becca stopped by and had Olivia go to the feed store with her. They rode in silence for a while until Becca finally broke the silence.

  “Are you all right, Liv?”

  Olivia shook her head. “I can’t seem to stop crying.”

  “I’m so sorry. I wish it hadn’t ended like this.”

  “It’s my own fault, Becs. I knew what I was getting into, but you know if he told me he wanted me back, I’d go in a heartbeat.”

  Becca pulled into the parking lot and shut the truck off, reached for Olivia’s hand and gave it a squeeze. When they entered the store, it seemed as if everyone turned toward Olivia. She was wondering what was going on when she spotted him. Wyatt. He was standing in the back talking with a man whe
n he suddenly turned and saw her. Olivia turned away, leaving the store without a word to Becca. She knew her friend would understand.

  While waiting in the truck, she saw Wyatt walk out of the store and go right on past her. He didn’t even look at her. She sighed in despair. When Becca returned to the truck, they didn’t speak but simply waited while the feed was loaded into the back, after which Becca started the engine and pulled out into traffic to head home.

  “Did you speak with Wyatt?” Olivia asked, breaking the silence even though it hurt even to say his name.

  “Yes. I told him about Stephanie stopping at the B and B. To say he was pissed would be a huge understatement,” Becca told her, glancing at her from the corner of her eye.

  Olivia groaned. “Why did you have to tell him?”

  “Because that crazy bitch needs to learn she can’t fuck around with other people’s feelings…that’s why!”

  Olivia’s mouth dropped open for a moment then she burst out laughing, and didn’t stop until tears ran down her face.

  “What’s so funny?” Becca asked with a scowl.

  “You…” Olivia laughed. “You…said…fuck.” She fell against the door and laughed even harder.

  Becca started laughing with her. “Jake would have a heart attack if he heard me say that.”

  They rode home laughing. Olivia felt better than she had in days. Becca dropped her off and left to head home. Olivia walked in the back door and went straight to her apartment. Punkin snuggled up to her on the couch.

  “At least you love me, Punkin girl.” She rubbed the dog’s ears.

  She wondered how Wyatt felt about Stephanie making a scene. The woman needed help. Olivia could understand being upset over losing Wyatt but it was over two years ago, and Stephanie needed to move on. Just like she knew she needed to move on too. It was over and she had to get past the hurt. When she walked away from him last week, she’d left her heart behind.

  She hugged Punkin to her.

  “What am I going to do, girl? I’ve never loved anyone the way I love that man and I know I never will again.” She choked back tears. “I shouldn’t have any more tears left. I’ve done nothing but cry since I left him. Why hasn’t he come after me? I really thought we had something, but I guess it really wasn’t the same for him. It was only sex for him. He never lied to me, just like he said he wouldn’t.” Tears began falling. “How am I going to go on without him? I’m so angry with myself. I don’t cry over men. I don’t cry period. At least I never did before I laid eyes on him.”

  She hugged Punkin so tight that the poor dog whined and squirmed. Olivia let her go and got up from the sofa. She missed Wyatt so much. Not too long ago, she’d thought of leaving Montana, so now might be the right time. She’d forever love Wyatt, but staying in Clifton and seeing him would surely kill her. Especially if he started seeing someone else and she just knew that he would. He was a gorgeous, sexy man, and plenty of women wanted him. She’d noticed that right after she first saw him.

  Olivia sighed and picked up her laptop. She could check reservations and emails to keep busy. It was her job, along with the books and the website. It would take her mind off Wyatt. Sure, it would—right.

  Chapter Eleven

  Olivia couldn’t take it any longer. The thought of not having Wyatt was killing her. She was becoming pitiful. She’d had enough of feeling sorry for herself so she decided to woman up and go after the man. Not having him was too hard for her and she was miserable without him. If she had to beg…well then, maybe she would. She was willing to take him any way she could get him. Before she lost her nerve, she picked up her car keys, grabbed a coat, and headed out. As she drove the road toward his ranch, she began to have doubts again. Tightening her grip on the steering wheel, she talked herself back to her goal.

  “You’ve never backed down from anything in your life, now is not the time to start.”

  She pulled into his driveway and parked by the back door. She glanced toward the arena figuring he was probably in there working the horses. She got out of the car, squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and strolled casually in that direction. As she entered the building, the heady heat from inside felt good. She glanced around for Wyatt. Her breath left her when she saw him. He had his back to her but she’d know that body anywhere.

  His jeans hugged his butt deliciously, and he was shirtless. She bit back a groan at the sight of him. His shoulders and back gleamed with sweat. She slowly walked toward him. It was then she noticed he didn’t have his hat on either and the ends of his hair were damp from sweat, and had started curling. He was raking wood shavings around the floor.

  When he turned her way, her knees almost buckled. She loved that chest. He raised his head and stared at her. She watched a drop of sweat roll down his chest to his rippled stomach, dip inside his navel, roll back out, and disappear into the top of his jeans. She lifted her eyes again and met his. Looking at him made it difficult to breathe.

  Wyatt leaned the rake against the wall, took his shirt from a nearby hook, and put it on. Olivia closed the distance between them and stopped in front of him. She took a deep breath as he continued to stare at her. One dark eyebrow lifted at her as if in question.

  “You’re not going to make this easy are you, cowboy?”

  Wyatt leaned against the wall and hooked his thumbs into his pockets. She moved as close to him as she could without touching him. He tensed up. She hid a smile, stretched up on her tiptoes, and ran her lips along his raspy jaw. He took in a shuddering breath. She ran her tongue along his bottom lip before taking it between her teeth, and then tugged on it. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. She felt his entire body tense and his breathing grew heavier. She moved her hands over his chest. He grabbed her wrists. She jerked back from him.

  “How long are we going to do this, Olivia, before you run off again? You can’t do that every time we have an argument. Around here, we talk about it like adults.”

  “I’m here now,” she replied repentantly.

  Wyatt grunted and strode around her, heading toward the door. Olivia couldn’t believe he was walking away. She ran after him, and when she reached him, she put her foot between his feet and pushed on his back. He went down like a ton of bricks. He hit the ground and she landed on his back. She sat up and straddled him. She leaned down and whispered in his ear.

  “You just said we need to talk things out. Well, I’m here now so let me talk. I’m sorry I got angry over the thing with Gabe. It was stupid. I should be more sensitive to how it is with you and your brothers, but I didn’t deliberately set out to cause trouble. I’m sorry, baby,” she whispered. “I’m not letting you up until you agree we talk.”

  Wyatt sighed. “You’re not letting me up, huh? Do you seriously think a little spit-fire like you can hold me down?”

  “Whether you want to admit it or not, I am holding you down, cowboy.”

  Wyatt lifted himself up as if doing a push-up with her on his back, and then he rolled to his side knocking her off. He got up in one motion leaving her sitting on the floor. He put his hand out to help her up, but she ignored it and glared at him.

  “If this,” he said waving his hand between them, “is going to work at all, we don’t just walk away when there’s a disagreement. We talk about it. You have me dating which I don’t do, so if you want to keep doing it, we talk when things go wrong. We’re going to have arguments, Olivia.”

  “You pissed me off, Wyatt. I can’t help it if Gabe took it wrong when I answered the phone and I only answered it because I saw it was him.” She stood and stomped her foot.

  “It’s never boring with you, I’ll say that,” he muttered, glancing to the ceiling of the arena.

  Olivia put her hands on her hips, and narrowed her eyes at him. He shifted his to meet hers and smiled at her. Her mouth twitched as she fought her own grin.

  “Come here, darlin’,” he said in a low tone.

  Without hesitation, she leaped into his arms, wrap
ping her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips. He kissed her, sliding his hands up to cup her face in his hands. She moaned.

  “I’ve missed you, Olivia.”

  “Then why didn’t you come after me?” She pouted.

  “You’re the one who left over something silly. Yeah, I know I overreacted, but we should have talked about it, not walked away.”

  She nodded. “You’re right. From now on, we talk it out.”

  Wyatt grinned, dropped her feet to the floor but when she frowned, he picked her up, and tossed her over his shoulder. “I need a shower.”

  “Need some help?” She snickered as she ran her hands over his butt.

  “I might. Why?”

  “There are a few parts I wouldn’t mind washing for you.” She laughed.

  Wyatt chuckled. “As long as I get to wash some of yours too.”

  “I’m sure we can work something out, cowboy.” They both laughed as he carried her back to the house, where he pushed the door open then kicked it closed behind them.

  * * * *

  Wyatt woke up, got out of bed, and moved to gaze out the windows. He gazed out over the in-ground pool, and then back at Olivia. How had this happened? His feelings for her had grown stronger than he wanted. Falling in love was not in the plan. It was just sex. That was all this was supposed to be. He sighed and went to the end of the bed to grab his jeans. He wanted to get out of here but when he saw her lying on the bed, his groin tightened. She was on her stomach with her legs slightly spread.

  He dropped the jeans and crawled up behind her on the bed. He nudged her legs wider apart. She stirred a little, but didn’t wake up. He ran his hand down over her ass. He swallowed hard when she wiggled slightly under his hands. God! He loved her ass. Mentally groaning, he leaned down, running his tongue down along her spine, and moving his hand between her thighs. She moaned loudly when he rubbed his finger over her clitoris.