The truth, when it hit her, was a hammer.
“Wait a minute. That’s it. You’re right.” She couldn’t believe she’d missed it before. “It’s not American Princess at all. I need to show women how to make their lives better, not be so outrageous in mine that I hope it gets me fans so I can then show them how to make their lives better.”
“So how do you do that?”
“Oh my God. I’m an idiot.”
“Wow, never thought I’d hear you say that. Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”
She swatted at him. He didn’t duck and her hand felt like it hit iron. Okay, that was some arm he had there. As if she didn’t know it. He’d held her close only a little while ago. She’d swooned in those arms. Enjoyed it too.
“I’m fine. But I can’t believe I didn’t think of this.” Excitement bubbled in her veins. “I have the money to produce some pretty high quality video. Not a show, no way—but videos for YouTube? Yes, I can do that. I thought YouTube was too narrow for what I wanted. I thought the distribution that American Princess had would give me a bigger audience. And it will. But not the right audience, or not an audience tuning in for lifestyle tips. But if I make them myself—nice production values, quality tips—on my own channel, I can reach more women that way. Some will tune in because of the show. But if a video goes viral, it’ll get more eyes on it. Eventually I’ll hit the right audience.”
Wyatt whistled. “Damn, girl. All that from a walk by the river. Maybe you need to get out of Seattle a bit more often.”
She smiled. It felt like it would bust at the edges it was so wide. Relief coursed through her. Maybe she wouldn’t succeed this way either, but maybe she would. Maybe she needed to stop being in such a hurry and concentrate on practicing scenarios.
Paige flung her arms around his neck. He caught her but didn’t push her away.
“Thank you, Wyatt. You’ve made me see what I was doing wrong. I think I have a way forward now.”
His arms tightened around her. “I like it when you smile,” he said, and her heart did a somersault.
“You’re just saying that so I won’t give you that bad bodyguard review.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I’m so worried about my reviews.”
Standing in his arms was intoxicating. She should probably pull away, but she didn’t want to. “Do you think you might kiss me again? Just to celebrate, of course.”
He tugged her closer, until she could feel the hard lines of his body pressing into hers.
“I think I shouldn’t… but I think I’m gonna do it anyway.”
Chapter 17
The second their lips touched, fireworks started zinging in his gut, his brain, his heart. And his groin. Most definitely in his groin.
It had been a long time since Wyatt had been this juiced over a woman. Since he’d wanted to strip her naked and spend time exploring all the curves and valleys of her body.
There was just something about Paige Spencer that got to him on a primal level. It was screwed up, no doubt about it, because they were from such different lives that even if he wanted to date her, he never could.
But as their mouths melded and her warm body stepped into his, as the space between them disappeared, everything that was wrong about the situation dropped away. All he cared about was getting more of this adrenaline rush.
He cupped her jaw in both hands, slanted his mouth over hers, and took everything she gave him. His dick was rock solid. His heart slammed against his ribs. Desire beat a drum inside his brain.
Take her, take her, take her.
He wanted to. But they were in Eagle’s Ridge, in the middle of the park, and it wasn’t possible. Which was good, really, because it meant he could regain his senses.
Paige’s arms wrapped around his neck, her body arched into his, and she made little noises in her throat that drove him wild.
“Looks like it may work out this time,” a voice said, and Wyatt groaned inwardly.
“Hello, Mrs. Fontana,” he said as he set Paige away from him, arm wrapped loosely around her waist to steady her. And to keep her close enough to hide the massive hard-on she’d given him.
She blinked up at him—he could see the instant the fog cleared. She whipped around to stare at Hildie.
“Hi,” Paige said.
Hildie Fontana stood there in one of her caftans, her long silver hair clipped back in a barrette, big paste jewels winking from her fingers, smiling like she’d just stumbled onto a secret cache of weapons.
Or maybe that was him who smiled big when stumbling on weapons caches.
Dammit, think.
“We were just enjoying the cool evening,” he said.
Hildie’s eyebrows did that dance thing they did. “I can see that, yes. So how about coming over to the shop sometime to see the estate jewelry, hmm? You could find something for your lovely Nicole. To commemorate this time in your relationship.”
“Yes, I’ll do that. We’ll do that.”
“When are you going back to Virginia, Nicole?”
“Oh, uh, after the holiday.”
Hildie clapped her hands like a child who’d just been given a treat. “Wonderful! You’re going to love our celebration, dear. So much patriotism and fun. I promise you’ve never experienced its like anywhere else.”
Wyatt didn’t bother to tell Hildie that he’d spent at least two Fourths in Washington DC, celebrating on the National Mall with the fireworks exploding around the Washington Monument. He was pretty sure that one was a bit grander than Eagle’s Ridge.
But they still put on a hell of a show for a small town.
“I can’t wait.”
“Well,” Hildie said. “I have to get moving. The dogs are waiting to go out.” She pointed at Wyatt. “You bring this lovely girl to the shop before she goes home.”
“I will. Thank you.”
Hildie bustled off and Wyatt shook his head. “Well, damn. Wonder what the rumor will be now.”
Paige laughed. “It can’t get any worse, can it? According to your grandmother, she was going to have us expecting by the end of the first day she met me. Did she? Do you know?”
Wyatt frowned. “I don’t know. I don’t want to know. It was bad enough to think she’d have us engaged.”
It was Paige’s turn to frown. “Oh, come on, really? Worried I’m going to cramp your style, stud?”
He caught her hand and dragged her into him. Maybe he shouldn’t do it, but she made his heart feel lighter than it had in a long time.
“Forget Hildie and her meddling. Think about how happy you were just a few moments ago. You found a new way to solve your problem.”
She smiled up at him. “I did. But I have another problem I’m not sure how to solve.”
“What’s that?”
“You, Wyatt. It’s not fair for you to kiss me and leave me in this state.”
“What state?” He knew what state. He was in it too.
“Flustered. Hot. Unsatisfied.”
He sighed. “I told you why we can’t do anything about it.”
“Bull. I don’t believe for two seconds that your ability to protect me will be compromised. You haven’t stopped thinking about my safety. You won’t stop thinking about it. It’s ingrained in you, Wyatt. You’re a SEAL.”
He gazed down at her, his desire warring with his brain. His head told him not to do this. Not to get involved with her, no matter how lovely she was or how much he wanted her. His dick said do it. Because she was right, he wasn’t going to fail to put her safety first.
He’d failed to save Danny, but he and Danny were equals on the field of battle. He hadn’t been protecting Danny the way he was protecting Paige. He wouldn’t stop doing his job if they were intimate.
“Still not sure it’s a good idea,” he told her. “I need my head clear, not tangled up with thoughts about how to get you naked.”
Her smile heated his blood by several degrees.
“I can tell you how, Wyatt. Just ask me. That’s
all you need to do.”
By the time they got back up the mountain, he was all in. There was something exciting about Paige. She made him feel things he hadn’t felt in a long time. That had to be worth something, right?
But he wasn’t going to forget what his primary responsibility was. When they reached the house, it was after dark. He checked the perimeter on his phone before turning off the truck. It hadn’t been breached, but he wasn’t finished with securing the premises.
“Wait here,” he told her, drawing his weapon and clearing the house. The only thing waiting inside was Mr. Fluffypants, looking indignant and maybe hungry. “I get her first,” he said to the cat. “You get her when I’m done. Understand?”
Mr. Fluffypants meowed, but Wyatt wasn’t certain if it was agreement or protest. He strode back outside and went over to open Paige’s door. She turned toward him, that little sundress slipping up her legs, and he stopped her with two hands on her knees.
Then he ran his palms up her bare thighs, enjoying the smoothness of her skin. The heat. He wanted to slip a thumb beneath her panties and feel her slick flesh. But he didn’t. There was plenty of time for that.
She gazed at him with heavy-lidded eyes. When she bit her lower lip, he nearly groaned. Instead, he tugged her toward him. Her legs opened. He slid her against him until her silky panties were flush with his jeans-clad groin.
They stared at each other for a long moment. And then he speared a hand into her hair, cupping the back of her head, bringing her mouth to his.
She melted. Her arms went around his neck, her back arched, her crotch fitting tightly to his. He could feel her heat against him, and he knew he wanted to be buried inside her.
The kiss was scorching, but he hadn’t expected anything less. Tongues tangled, breaths mingled, bodies strained toward each other.
Wyatt picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he gripped her bottom and kicked the truck door closed. He carried her to the house, bumped the door open with a foot, and walked inside without breaking the kiss.
But he had to break it to lock the door and set the alarm with his phone. Paige took that opportunity to feather kisses over his jaw and neck. When he had everything locked down tight, he turned his attention back to her.
She was a grenade to the brain, her body a lethal weapon she’d lobbed into his space. He wanted nothing more than to watch her detonate. He couldn’t refuse her, even though a corner of his mind told him he should.
He wasn’t going to, however. He was aroused. She was the only woman to arouse him in months, and he wasn’t taking that lightly. Maybe Paige was the way back. The return to the land of the living.
He set her on the floor and reached for the hem of her dress. But then he stopped and frowned down at her.
Her pretty hazel eyes were glazed. They cleared quickly though.
“What?”
“Just wondering if this is what you really want.”
“Sex? With you?” She nodded. “Yes, it’s exactly what I want.”
His gut tightened and his heart soared at the same time. “Is this because you figured out the YouTube thing?” he teased.
“Of course. I always get hot and bothered over the mention of YouTube.”
He wanted to laugh. “You’re naughty, Paige.”
“I know. Want to spank me?”
Holy shit, she made him hard. “I might,” he growled. “But first I want to get you naked.”
He lifted the hem of her sundress up her thighs, her waist, her breasts. She raised her arms and he dragged the dress up and off.
“Whoa,” he said.
She wore a white bra and panties, and he’d never seen anything so pretty in his life. Her underwear was plain with a little bit of lace trim, but it was somehow sexier on her than any thong he’d ever seen.
“Your turn to remove something.”
“Go ahead,” he told her, holding his arms out. He thought she’d go for his shirt, but she unbuckled his belt instead. Then she dragged it free and dropped it. Her eyes were twin flames as she met his gaze. She flicked open the button on his fly, and his body responded.
A loud meow burst up from below. Paige squeaked and jumped at the same time. Then she glared down at the creature lurking at her feet.
“Fluffy! Not now,” she said.
Wyatt couldn’t help but laugh. He shouldn’t laugh at a time like this, and yet he found himself amused anyway.
“Go ahead and feed him,” he said. Because the damned cat wouldn’t leave them alone if she didn’t. He knew enough about the creature to realize that.
“I’m sorry.”
He caught her wrist as she started to turn away. “I’m not.” He reached around and unhooked her bra. She gasped, her eyes wide. He pulled it from her shoulders and tossed it onto the couch.
Her breasts were a wet dream come true. Firm, round, with upturned nipples he wanted to lick. Instinctively, she put her hands over them. He gently pulled them away.
“Feed the cat. I want to watch.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Who’s naughty now?”
“Me. Definitely me. I don’t mind admitting it.”
She turned on her heel and walked over to the kitchen where she proceeded to get a can of cat food and pop the top. She grabbed a spoon, grabbed the cat’s bowl, and upended the can.
Her breasts jiggled the entire time, and Wyatt’s body responded with an aching hardness that he wasn’t sure would ever be satisfied.
The cat meowed and purred and twisted himself around Paige’s legs. Lucky beast.
She glanced up at him and gave him a wicked grin. Then she dropped to her haunches and set the bowl on the floor. Fluffy dived in, all else forgotten. Paige straightened and washed her hands. Then she strolled toward him again.
Wyatt forgot to breathe for a moment. When she reached him, he cupped her breasts in both hands, feeling the smoothness of them. Paige bit her lip as he skated a thumb over each nipple.
“You like that,” he said.
“Of course I do.”
“I intend to do a lot more than touch them.”
“Oh, I hope so.” She sidled closer, her fingers finding his zipper. He ached to be free, and his breath shortened as he waited.
She hesitated, frowning.
“What?”
“Fluffy. If we don’t close a door, he’s going to be a colossal pain in the ass.”
“Like he isn’t already,” Wyatt said.
But he didn’t wait for a solution. Instead, he bent and caught her around the knees, lifting her into his arms. Then he carried her to the master, kicking the door closed behind him before setting her down again.
“Where were we?”
She laughed. And then she grabbed his zipper and began to ease it downward. “Here, I think.”
Chapter 18
Paige’s heart galloped like a racehorse as she tugged Wyatt’s zipper down. She asked herself a million questions all at once. Things like: Am I ready for this? Is it really what I want? Am I crazy? What if this makes it awkward between us? What if I like him too much? What if he doesn’t like me? What if it’s only physical?
But then the zipper reached the bottom and his dick pressed against his underwear and all thoughts fled as she palmed him. He was hot and hard, and her insides melted.
She glanced up, met his eyes, and her lungs stopped working for a long moment.
“You’re beautiful,” he said.
“So are you.”
His gaze dropped and her nipples tightened. “You have no idea the things I want to do to you.”
“I’d like to find out.”
One corner of his mouth lifted in a sexy grin. “Then today is your lucky day.”
He caught her to him, fused his mouth to hers. She’d wanted to be in control, wanted to slide his jeans off his hips and then reveal his body slowly.
But he was having none of it.
She should have known. He was a SEAL. A hardened military man accustomed
to being in control. There was no way he was ceding that territory to her.
Paige sighed as she gave herself over to it. To him. He would take care of her. Cherish her, at least for this. He wasn’t going to be rough or fast. Not this time.
She might like fast and rough with him sometime, but first they had to take it slow and get to know each other.
He lifted her like she weighed nothing and set her back on the bed. Then he came down on top of her, still fully dressed except for the vee in his jeans where she’d pushed them open.
She, on the other hand, only had on a pair of panties. It was sensual and exciting to lie beneath him with the roughness of his clothing on her naked skin. To feel like she was utterly at his mercy but also that she was safe and protected.
He kissed her until she was a puddle of happiness, and then he trailed kisses down her neck and chest until his mouth fastened on a nipple. She thought she would come unglued with a single tug on her sensitive flesh, but she miraculously didn’t. He licked and sucked until she was a mass of nerves, until her fingers curled into his shoulders and her breath came in little pants.
When she thought she couldn’t take the anticipation anymore, he moved over and did the same to her other nipple until she was ready to sob with need. Finally he continued the journey downward until he was running his tongue along the waistband of her panties.
“You want me to keep going?” he asked.
She couldn’t breathe. “If you don’t, I’ll record your negative review and distribute it to news outlets. I’ll skip the website entirely. You’ll never work again.”
He snorted. “I’d love to challenge you on that one, but the truth is you won’t have to.” He hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her panties and dragged them down her hips and over her ankles before throwing them on the floor. “I have every intention of going here,” he said, skimming his fingers over her heated flesh.
He teased her first, kissing and licking everywhere but the place she wanted him most. Finally, when she was wound tighter than a spring, he touched his tongue to her.
“Ohhhh,” she groaned as sparks flared behind her eyelids.
Wyatt (7 Brides for 7 Soldiers #4) Page 11