by A. M. Myers
I shake my head as I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her closer. “Didn’t you hear me last night, baby? I’m never walking away from you again.”
She smiles but that damn fear flicks through her gaze again, so quick that I would miss it if I wasn’t paying attention, and it fucking kills me.
Why the fuck is she so scared of being with me again?
God, I have to fix this.
“I have a really important question for you, Pip,” I tell her and she smiles up at me as she nods.
“Shoot.”
“You still like your eggs over easy?”
She laughs and nods. “Yes. You still hate eggs?”
“Yes!” I exclaim with a mock shudder as I back away from her and open the fridge. “The road trip of nineteen-ninety-six ruined eggs for me forever. You know this.”
Her sweet laugh is music to my fucking ears. As I open the fridge, she pushes off the counter and steps up behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist and splaying her hands across my chest as she presses a kiss to the center of my back. In the simple touch, I can feel everything she is not saying and I smile as I grab the carton of eggs and turn back to her. Wrapping my free arm around her back, I press a kiss to her head and she sighs before she pulls away with a soft smile on her face.
“Hey, you know what I dreamed about last night?” she asks as she grabs a mug off of the shelf and fills it with coffee.
“When in the hell did you make coffee?”
She grins, shaking her head at me. “It’s set on a timer so I don’t have to deal with bullshit in the morning.”
“Shit, I forgot how grumpy you get in the A.M.,” I shoot back with a laugh and she shakes her head again. With the steaming cup in her hands, she walks across the kitchen and sits cross legged on one of the dining room chairs. I arch a brow as I start opening cupboards, looking for a pan to cook in. She points one out. “Next to the stove.”
I open the cupboard she mentioned and grab the pan. “Thanks.”
She nods in response and I grin as I set the pan on the stove.
“Now, what were you saying about a sex dream?”
Laughing, she rolls her eyes. “I didn’t have a sex dream, you pervert. I had a dream about that little vacation we took to South Carolina right before you deployed. Do you remember it?”
About two weeks before I deployed, I took leave and Piper and I went down to Charleston for a little getaway, something to remember during the year we were going to be apart and we spent five days on the beach or in bed, loving on each other and wishing we didn’t have to go back. I glance over at her and nod.
“Yeah, I do.”
She smiles. “We should do it again someday.”
“Yeah,” I agree as I open the carton and grab an egg. That trip was amazing and by the time we got back, Piper and I were so connected that I had no doubt in my mind that we were going to make it. Too bad I never saw the storm coming until it was too late. Just as I’m about to crack the egg over the pan, I turn to her.
“We should do it.”
She rolls her eyes. “I know. I just said that. Geez, pay attention, Landry.”
“I was paying attention, Pip.” I glare at her playfully as I set the egg back down in the carton and walk over to her. As I sink into the chair next to her, I grab her hands. “I’m saying let’s go back now.”
“We can’t just go back now.”
“Why not?”
Her gaze flicks up to the clock above the sink. “Because I have to be at work in an hour.”
“Yeah, but, do you, though?” I ask. “You are your own boss and I think Eden would understand if you bailed for a few days to spend time with your husband.”
“Don’t you dare use Eden’s obsession with getting us back together to your advantage,” she grumbles, her eyes betraying her mood. As much as she wants to be a responsible business owner and partner to Eden, she knows this sounds like a damn good idea. We can get to know each other again and really talk about everything. By the time we get back, we’ll be unbreakable.
“Come on, baby,” I urge, squeezing her hands between mine before leaning forward and cupping her cheek. “We need this.”
She sighs.
“Okay. Only because you look so pitiful when you beg.” She leans forward and kisses me before standing up. “I’ll call Eden and get her to cover or reschedule my shoots for the next three days if you’ll find us a house on the beach to rent.”
I nod. “Deal.”
Flashing me a huge grin, she jumps up to go grab her phone and as I watch her walk away, a feeling of peace settles inside me. This trip is going to be perfect and by the time we get back, that fear I see in her eyes will be gone, banished from our lives forever.
Chapter Seventeen
Piper
“I can’t believe you still have this thing,” I say as I run my fingertips over the multicolored stitching on the bench seat of his old Ford Bronco and take a deep breath. It smells exactly the same as I remember. I can’t identify it or compare it to anything but to me, it has always brought me a sense of peace because the scent is burned into my brain and forever associated with Wyatt. Peeking over my shoulder, I smile as my gaze lands on the back where Wyatt and I would cuddle up and make out down by the river on Friday nights.
When he was fifteen, his dad pulled into the driveway with this thing on a trailer. It looked like shit and it hadn’t ran in years but the two of them spent the next seven months fixing it up. I would go over to their house every single day and sit in a lawn chair, tanning, while they cranked on the engine and made it like new again and on his sixteenth birthday, his dad tossed him the keys and told him it was his. I’ll never forget the look on his face as he stared up at the truck he’d been working on for so long or the way he pulled me into his side and threw his arm over my shoulders as we took it for that first drive.
He scoffs and I turn back to him as he shoots me a look that makes me giggle. “Of course I still have it.”
Patting the steering wheel like he has to reassure the truck of his love, he shakes his head and I giggle again as I lean my head back against the seat and turn to stare out of my window as the endless ocean crashes against the shore. Butterflies flutter around in my belly and I can’t wipe the smile off of my face. I’m living in a level of happiness I honestly forgot existed today and I pray that I’m not going to wake up anytime soon. So many times over the past ten years, I’ve had dreams just like this one where Wyatt and I are together and back in Charleston, reliving the best time in our lives and I’ve had to pinch myself several times during our drive up here to remind myself that this is real.
Last night was incredible. After our talk and Wyatt’s little declaration, we reconnected and it was everything I could have wanted and more. Overnight, everything changed and sometimes it is easy to forget that we were ever apart but I know it is not always going to be that way. Right now, I’m happy and so fucking in love with my husband but I’m not foolish enough to think it will be this easy. There are still things we need to talk about and we need to learn to be with each other again, which will take time and patience.
I just hope I can handle it.
To be honest, I’m scared shitless. The last time Wyatt and I were together, I was so codependent that when he had to leave, I couldn’t even function without him and I don’t want to fall back into those same bad habits. He makes me feel so safe but I can’t rely on that anymore or I’ll be right back where I was before. We need to take things slow but that’s easier said than done… especially with Wyatt. He was never the guy to tread lightly or be cautious. He runs into things full-on with no plan and no fear at all. It’s so different from me that you have to wonder how we ever got together but even if I can’t explain it, it works. We work and I’m so fucking happy to have him back. Just the simple fact that I’m sitting next to him in his truck and we’re not yelling and screaming at each other and he doesn’t hate me anymore… I never thought this would happen. And when
Eden forced us back into each other’s lives, I couldn’t even hope for this when the issues between us seemed so big and impossible to overcome.
“I think this is us,” Wyatt says as he slows down and pulls into the gravel driveway in front of little blue cottage with a bright pink door that might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Each window is framed by white shutters and it’s private… or as private as you can get right on the beach in Isle of Palms. There is an empty lot on both sides of the house and our closest neighbors only have one car in the driveway so we don’t have to worry about crazy parties going on all night. I grin as I peek over at him and slap my hand on his thigh.
“Damn, you did good, babe.”
He nods with a smirk on his face like he already knows he did good and reaches across the seat, unclipping my belt and pulling me toward him as hunger fills his eyes.
“Wait, you’re gonna crush the food!” I yell, placing my hand on his chest to stop him and he sighs, glancing down at the bag of chicken and sides we picked up on the way over here as he releases me.
“I’m not hungry.” His stomach growls, betraying him and I laugh as I back away from him and grab the food.
“Sure, but let’s go eat anyway.”
His smile widens and he flashes me a predatory look before he turns and opens his door. “Fine. I’ll eat dinner and then I’m eating you.”
“Wyatt,” I gasp and he laughs as he slams the door behind him and walks around to the back to grab our bags. I hop down with the bag of food in my hand and meet him at the front door as he punches a code into the little box attached to the door. It beeps and a secret compartment pops out, revealing a key.
“Fancy,” I mutter and he glances back at me with a smirk as he unlocks the door. It swings open to a bright, airy, all white color scheme that has a quintessential beauty feel to it and memories from our first trip here rush back to me. We stayed in a hotel that time but it was right on the beach and if we weren’t playing in the ocean, we were in bed or in the hot tub just trying to soak up as many moments together as we could. Hell, I don’t even think we showered separately that entire trip.
“Come on. Let’s take a tour,” he says, grabbing my hand and heat settles in my chest at the feeling of his touch and I nod, fighting back a smile as he leads me into the kitchen before turning down a hallway. At one end is a bedroom and a bathroom with a large walk-in shower and at the other end is a screened in back porch that leads out to a yard and a pool. I point to the little round table next to the pool.
“Let’s eat here.”
He nods and releases my hand. “Sure. I’ll go see if I can find some plates and stuff.”
As he turns and walks back into the house, I sit down and set the food on the table before looking out at the water and sighing. The sun is sinking into the ocean, fire red merging with cool blue as intense purples, pinks, and oranges streak across the sky. A light breeze ruffles my hair and the sound of the waves crashing onto the beach soothe my soul as I take a deep breath. I can’t remember the last time I was this relaxed. Then again, I also can’t remember the last time I took a vacation. When I called Eden this morning, she was ready to rip me a new one but when she found out who I was with she was all too happy to cover some of my shoots and reschedule the others for me. Her only stipulation was that I spill all the details as soon as I got home but I would expect nothing else. Honestly, it is a miracle she let me leave without a full rundown of events. Giggling, I imagine how much it has to be driving her crazy as I shake my head.
“What are you giggling about out here?” Wyatt asks, walking up behind me with two plates, silverware, and a couple beers. I shake my head again as he sets them down.
“I was just thinking about how crazy it has to be making Eden that I didn’t tell her everything that happened before we left.”
He scoffs as he sits down and passes me a plate. “She a good friend to you, baby? Or can I keep being mad at her?”
“You can do whatever you want but she is my best friend and she really did mean well.”
“Yeah,” he answers, meeting my gaze with a smile. “I suppose it worked out all right in the end but that girl has got boundary issues.”
I nod. Truthfully, I can’t argue with him but I know Eden and I know her heart was in the right place when she put this whole little plan into motion. “She’s working on it.”
“Mmhmm,” he hums, his gaze full of doubt as he peeks over at me and I laugh as he puts a big piece of fried chicken on my plate before holding up one of the sides. “Mashed potatoes or mac and cheese?”
I roll my eyes as I lift up my plate and hold it out to him. “Both. And a biscuit, please.”
He chuckles as he scoops some potatoes onto my plate and pours a little bit of gravy over the top before grabbing the mac and cheese. Once he plops the biscuit next to everything else, I set my plate back down and take one of the beers from him.
“Sorry it’s so small,” he says, glancing around as he finishes loading up his plate. “It was all I could find at the last minute. Apparently whoever originally rented this place out for the next five days cancelled last night.”
I shake my head as I look up at the little cottage. “I think it’s perfect. We have everything we need and if this trip is about us reconnecting, I wouldn’t want to be in a hotel or some big house with tons of neighbors around.”
“Yeah?” he asks, his lips twitching with a hidden grin as he arches a brow. “There something specific you need privacy for, Pip?”
“Maybe… I’ve kind of always wanted to have sex in a pool,” I say, my gaze flicking to the pool next to us and he sucks in a breath as his gaze drops down to my chest and he licks his lips. Goddamn, the man is going to kill me. He grabs his fork and nods to my plate.
“You better hurry up and eat.”
I lean back in my seat and cross my arms over my chest. “Oh? And why is that?”
“Because you started talking about getting fucked in that pool and now my cock is hard as a rock.”
“Oh,” I whisper, a shiver working its way down my spine as my eyes flick to the pool before snapping back to him. His hazel eyes are molten, staring at me like a man possessed and my hand shakes as I lean forward and grab my fork but nothing on my plate looks good anymore. Without a word, he stands up and walks over to me.
“Wyatt!” I scream as he lifts my chair up with me still in it and carries me over next to his chair before setting me down again. I watch him as he goes back around the table, grabs my plate, and sets it down in front of me before returning to his chair. “What was that for?”
He grabs my hand, laces his fingers through mine, and lifts it to his lips, pressing a kiss against my skin. “You were too far away.”
“Across this tiny ass table?” I ask and he just shrugs.
“I don’t make the rules, baby.”
“I see,” I whisper as I reach over and press my hand against his chest. “And what if I don’t feel like eating anymore?”
He glances over at me and grins. “You’re going to need your energy.”
“You’re talkin’ a big game, Landry.”
“Try me,” he growls, tucking his finger under my chin and turning me to him before slamming his lips down on mine. His kiss is demanding, full of need and I whimper as I wrap one arm around his neck and straddle his lap. Fingertips dig into my back as he groans and trails kisses down my neck.
“Wyatt.”
“Fuck it,” he snaps, lifting me out of his lap and setting me back in my chair. “You don’t move. I’m gonna go put these plates in the fridge and we can eat afterward.”
I nod, the air punching out of my lungs as I cross my legs and watch him pick up our dishes and walk into the house. As soon as he’s gone, I glance in both directions before stripping my shirt over my head. Thank God, we both decided to wear our swimming suits in the car or the few neighbors we have on this vacation would be getting a full-on show. Standing up, I bend over and shove my shorts down my legs as
the screen door creaks behind me.
“Goddamn,” he breathes as I stand up, kicking my shorts off as I peek over my shoulder at him. His lips part and his tongue darts out, trailing along his bottom lip in a way that makes me imagine it trailing up my body and I shudder as a grin stretches across my face as I take a step toward the pool.
“Come and get me.”
He starts toward me, yanking his shirt over his head as he goes and I squeal and take off running for the pool. When I reach the edge, I plop down on my butt and slide in before kicking away from the wall and moving to the middle of the pool. There is a huge splash as he jumps in after me and I spin around to watch him. When he surfaces again, he brushes his hair back and stares me down like he wants to devour me. My belly twists with need and I smile as I kick my feet, still swimming away from him but he’s gaining on me quickly.
“Where are you going, sweetheart?”
I cock my head to the side. “I told you to catch me. Did you think I was kidding?”
He growls and dives under the water in my direction and I dart to the side to try and escape but he wraps his hand around my ankle and drags me back to him as he pops out of the water and flashes me a hungry smile.
“Gotcha.”
“Oh, no,” I whisper with mock shock and fear, shaking my head as I flash him wide, damsel in distress eyes. “What will I do now?”
He drags his hand down the side of my body, leaving a trail of heat as he goes that contrasts with the cold water and I gasp as he grabs my thigh and lifts it to his hip, his fingers digging into my skin. “I can think of a few things.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
“For starters,” he whispers back, his breath heating my skin as he leans in and lets his lips hover just above mine. My heart hammers in my chest and my body aches for his touch. “You could kiss your husband.”
“Mmm,” I moan with a nod before pressing my lips to his and wrapping my arms around his neck. He hooks my other leg around his waist and moves us to the edge of the pool as his tongue tangles with mine, teasing me with the promise of more as my back presses against the tile on the wall of the pool. His hands roam over my body, giving me what I thought I wanted but it’s still not enough and I whimper as I rock my hips into him, feeling the steel of his erection against my entrance.