Page 85 of The Reason I Married Him
“Is that what you were doing?” I ask as we cross the street at a crosswalk. “Showing off?”
“Yup. Got you all tingly, didn’t I?” He nudges me with his elbow.
“Not even a little.”
“Dammit,” he says, snapping his fingers. “Here I thought you were wishing you were the food on my plate.”
“Oh my God,” I nearly shout, causing him to throw his head back and laugh.
“Was that not the case?”
“No!”
He chuckles. “Hmm, maybe I have to entice you some more.”
“There will be no enticing and no . . . eating,” I say.
“Shame,” he says, his voice full of mirth. “Not only am I good at eating, but I fucking love it.”
My cheeks go red hot as he opens the door to The Sweet Lab for me, and he guides me in, his hand feeling like fire on my back.
I shouldn’t let a comment like that get to me, but I honestly can’t remember the last time anyone has gone down on me. Not that I should be thinking about it, but Wyatt brought me there. Matt was okay at it, but when he didn’t make me come right away, he grew tired and stopped altogether. It should have been a red flag for me. So the thought of Wyatt claiming that he loves doing it, or at least insinuating it, makes me feel all weird and tingly inside. I don’t want to have such intimate knowledge about Wyatt’s talents.
That kind of knowledge makes my mind wander, and I don’t want my mind to wander, not when this is contractual.
“God, it always smells amazing in here,” he whispers in my ear, the feel of his lips near my head sending a chill down my arm. “It might be my new favorite place. Although that burger.” He pats his very flat, very ripped stomach.
“Wyatt, two times in one day, how did we become so lucky?” Harriot says as she greets us.
“Can’t keep me away. Also, I think it’s about time I share a slice of pie with my girl, don’t you?”
Harriot glances at me, and a large smile spreads across her face. “You know, I heard there was a new couple in town, but I didn’t want to believe the gossip. Are you telling me it’s true?”
Wyatt puts his arm around my shoulders and brings me into his broad chest. “Very true.” He kisses the top of my head, and I watch Harriot visibly swoon.
“Well, isn’t this some of the greatest news? We’ve been hoping you would find someone,” Harriot says to me. “After what Matt did to you, then for him to come waltzing back into town as if he didn’t insult the very place where you two fell in love. Just disgusting.” Okay, Harriot, we don’t need the backstory. “But here you are, with a bestselling author. How did this even come about?”
“My brother and her sister,” Wyatt says. “They left me part of the farm, and well, when I found out, Aubree and I got in touch. It wasn’t love at first call, that’s for sure, but the more I spoke to her, the more I realized she was pretty awesome. Then I met her in person, and that was it. Game over.”
Harriot clutches her chest. “So it was long distance?”
“Yup,” Wyatt continues. “Lots of texts and phone calls and FaceTimes.”
“Are you staying here for a while?”
Wyatt nods. “That’s the plan.”
“But I heard you’re staying at the inn.” Harriot’s brow creases. “Wouldn’t it be more cost-effective if you just stayed with Aubree?”
I feel myself grow stiff with nerves because, yes, that would make sense. Why wouldn’t he just stay with me or my family?
“I kind of surprised her by coming to Almond Bay. I didn’t want to bombard her, so I booked a room at the inn. Hoping she invites me to stay with her once my reservation expires.”
“Oh, I think she will,” Harriot says in a conspiratorial voice.
“Me too,” he says. “Until then, I’m going to enjoy these nights as much as I can.”
“You’ve got a good one,” Harriot says to me, and I realize...it’s my chance to turn on the charm.
