Page 186 of The Reason I Married Him
“Thank you,” I say shyly, very pleased with the compliment. Sometimes I feel like I walk around this town invisible. I was never the outgoing, loving one like Cassidy. Or the entertaining, funny one like Hattie. Or the solid, reliable one like Ryland. I’ve just . . . done what I have to do and never spent too much time interacting with the town if I don’t have to. It’s nice to have a compliment.
“Go ahead and grab a seat. I’ll send someone over to take your order.”
“Thanks, man,” Wyatt says as he brings me through the restaurant—as if I haven’t been here before—and right to the back deck. He then brings me to a table in the far corner, right up against the railing so the ocean is the only thing we see. “My favorite table.”
“You have a favorite table?” I ask as he pulls out a chair. I reach for mine, but he pulls me toward his chair instead, taking a seat and bringing me onto his lap.
“Yup, come here often for a bear claw and coffee. My physique begs me to stop, but I can’t.”
“Trust me when I say your physique is unaffected.”
In a shocked voice, he asks, “Are you saying you like my body, Mrs. Preston?”
“Don’t push it,” I say as he wraps his arm around my waist. “By the way, there is a perfectly good chair over there for me to sit on.”
“Yeah, but when you sit on my lap, I can feel like a manly man.”
“Do you really need the ego boost?”
“Yes, because you don’t tell me how hot or strong I am enough.”
I turn toward him and pat his cheek. “Aw, poor baby. You need to fish for compliments.”
“I do.” He pouts his bottom lip. “So if you can offer me some compliments, I’d greatly appreciate it.”
“I just told you, you have a great physique.” Leaning in, I whisper, “And I’m pretty sure I told you how big your penis is the other day.”
A stupid grin spreads across his face. “You know, I actually forgot what you said. Can you repeat?”
“No,” I deadpan, causing him to chuckle.
“Dammit.”
“Hello, the soon-to-be newlyweds,” our server says as she sets down some silverware and two glasses of water in front of us. “How are we this afternoon?”
Wyatt’s grip on me grows tighter as he says, “Fantastic. Aubree was just giving me a compliment about how?—”
“She doesn’t need to know that,” I say, poking him in his side.
He chuckles and looks up at the server. “She’s so shy when it comes to compliments. Go ahead,” he encourages. “Tell her how?—”
I clamp my hand over his mouth and say, “Two mac and cheeses please, a side salad with ranch for us to share, and this water is great. Thank you.”
The server smirks and nods. “Got it. I’ll put that in for you.”
Then she takes off.
“Aubree, now she won’t know how big my penis is.”
“Wow, what a shame,” I say sarcastically as I try to get up from his lap, but he holds me in place.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Uh, to the seat across from you.”
He shakes his head. “No, that doesn’t suit me. I prefer for you to sit on my lap . . . well, actually, if I’m being totally honest, I prefer for you to sit on my face, but I’m not sure Hank would allow that here.”
My cheeks flame as I say, “You would not prefer that.”
