Page 212 of The Reason I Married Him
I wet my lips, and in one fell swoop, I say, “Last night was something special for me. It meant something to me. I’m not sure if it meant something to you, but it was a huge step for me. I don’t normally do this, but I don’t think I can live a year in this purgatory of not knowing, so I just need to tell you, Wyatt, that I like you.” Relief flies through me as the words tumble out. “I like you a lot and not as a friend but more than a friend. I’ve started to develop feelings for you and want you to know because if you don’t feel the same way, then I want you to tell me now so I can set boundaries for myself. I don’t want to keep slipping into your bed if you don’t feel the same way. I don’t want to?—”
“Whoa, slow down,” he says, pushing off the counter and walking up to me.
“I’m sorry, I just want you to know where I stand,” I say nervously. “And don’t feel like you have to say you feel the same way or that you don’t want to hurt me. I just want you to?—”
“Aubree,” he says, closing the space between us. “I feel the same way.”
I shake my head as he steps right in front of me. I press my hand to his chest. “Seriously, Wyatt, I know you don’t want to hurt me?—”
“Aubree,” he says in a very serious tone. “I’m being fucking serious. I’ve had feelings for you for a while now, and I didn’t want to scare you away because I didn’t think you felt the same. Why do you think I kept touching you when no one was around? Why I kept trying to kiss you despite not doing good night kisses anymore? Why do you think I nearly lost my goddamn mind yesterday when you chose to initially sleep in the other room last night?”
“You lost your mind?” I ask, feeling like this can’t be true, like this is all a dream.
“Yes,” he says in exasperation. “The entire time I was getting ready for bed, I cursed myself for even suggesting you choose what bedroom to sleep in.” He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into him. My hands fall to his chest as I stare up at him. “I want to date you, Aubree. I want to see where this can go because I think you’re incredible, and I don’t want to pretend I don’t anymore. I’m tired of it.” He cups my cheek. “I want to give us a chance.”
“I want that, too,” I say, feeling a wave of relief and excitement hit me all at once.
He smirks and then lightly presses a kiss to my nose. “Then if that’s the case, Aubree Preston, will you date your husband?”
I chuckle. “Oh my God, Wyatt, could you be any lamer?”
“I could,” he answers. “I could hold out my hand, introduce myself, and ask you where you’re from, starting at the very beginning.” When I don’t say anything, he pulls away and holds his hand out to me. “Hi, I’m Wyatt?—”
“Stop that.” I swat his hand away.
He laughs, scooping me up in his arms, and he brings us over to the couch, where I straddle his lap. His hands fall to my thighs and move up toward my hips. Once again, he notices I’m not wearing underwear and lifts one of his brows at me.
“What have I told you about not wearing underwear?”
“Nothing,” I answer. “You’ve actually told me nothing.”
“Huh, I think you’re right.” His hands roam under the hem of my shirt. “Well, for future reference, if you don’t wear underwear, I have free access.”
“Free access?” I ask. “You realize this is my body, right?” My fingers play with his light splattering of chest hair.
“Not anymore, babe,” he replies as he sinks further into the couch, bringing my hips right over his hardening erection. “You married me. That means you belong to me.”
“Wasn’t aware that’s what I was signing up for.”
“Always read the fine print, babe.” His hands travel farther up my body, dragging my shirt with him until he removes it and leaves me naked on his lap. His hungry eyes roam my chest as he wets his lips, a look of satisfaction crossing over his expression. “That’s better.”
Fascinated that I don’t feel self-conscious, I watch how he appreciates every inch of me, not even hiding that he’s checking me out. “Getting your fill?” I ask him.
“Yes,” he replies as his hands lazily run up my sides. “You have no idea how much I’ve been hiding this need to have you in my arms without you second-guessing it or questioning me.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I say as I start to rock over his hips, causing his teeth to pull on his bottom lip.
“Because I didn’t want to scare you,” he says, his hand connecting with my breast where he massages it. “Thought I’d marry you first so you couldn’t get away.” He leans forward and pulls my nipple between his teeth.
A hiss escapes my lips as I lean into his touch. This touch that I seem to be craving now that I’ve finally had him. He brings his hand up to my other breast and starts circling my nipple, over and over again, then lightly flicking it, giving me just enough to drive me crazy but never enough to be fully satisfied.
“God,” I breathe out when he releases my nipple and starts licking it. “You’re making me so wet, Wyatt.”
He releases my breast from his mouth and says, “Stand up.” When I look at him with a confused expression, he says, “Stripping down.” He removes his underwear, and my mouth waters as his cock hardens against his stomach, stretching upward, ready for me. The idea of me turning on this man will probably never get old.
It feels powerful.
It makes me feel beyond sexy.
