Page 15 of Ever After All

Just when I thought Wyatt might mock me and that there might be a tilt of a grin on his lips, he looked at me quietly, and his expression softened. He exuded a sense of protectiveness that helped me to feel safe, helped me to let go with him in a way that I couldn’t with anyone else.

“Anything you want, sweetheart,” he whispered.

My entire being felt as if it were arching toward him, near frantic for him. There wasn’t much space in this bathroom, yet, the distance between us felt like a chasm.

The seconds ticked by. It couldn’t have been maybe more than two or three seconds, yet, it felt like forever before he took a step closer. He lifted a hand and brushed one of the locks of my hair that had fallen loose away from my cheek. His finger brushed along the shell of my ear. Every subtle touch struck sparks that leaped over the surface of my skin and kindled the heat already burning inside higher and higher.

His fingers curled into a light fist, his knuckles brushing down along my neck before his hand unfurled again. He palmed my cheek, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. My mouth parted. I could hardly breathe as my pulse pounded so hard I could hear the rush of it in my ears.

Once again, my voice betrayed all the secrets I wanted to keep. Well, one very specific secret — that I was desperate for him, that I wanted him so very, very much.

“Please, Wy—” His name was cut off, just as his lips brushed over mine.

I whimpered in relief. His kiss was all too brief, another brush of his lips, a tease with his tongue, and then he lifted his head. At the look in his eyes, my knees went weak.

“We’re gonna need to get out of this bathroom,” he said flatly.

“Oh!”

I was nearly shaking from the force of desire humming through my body. I had truly forgotten where we were. It was as if nothing existed outside this little bubble, this force field of electricity surrounding us.

I swallowed when Wyatt stepped back, and his hand dropped away from my cheek. “I’m gonna walk out. If there’s anyone in the break room, I’ll say something so you know, and you can lock the door. If you don’t hear me say anything, give it a minute and then come out. I’ll be in my office down the hallway in the brewery area. You’ve been back there before, right?”

I had to clear my throat to speak above a whisper. “Yes. But I don’t know where your office is.”

“When you go through the swinging doors into that area, it’s the third door on the left. Just walk in. I’ll be waiting.”

Before I could say anything else, Wyatt had slipped out of the bathroom. I had to force myself to listen to hear if he spoke. When I didn’t hear anything for a minute or so, I carefully opened the door and looked around. There wasn’t a soul in sight, but I could hear the muted sounds from the crowded restaurant and the busy kitchen. The volume increased as I walked out of the break room into the hallway. I peered both ways. I felt as if I was committing some kind of crime.

I dashed down the hallway in the opposite direction from the restaurant and hurried through the swinging doors into the production area. Once the doors swung shut behind me, the sounds filtering down the hallway became much quieter. Adrenaline rushed through me, spinning like a storm within my desire.

I counted the doors as I dashed down the hall. My shoes actually squeaked on the tiled floor when I stopped in front of the third door. I was nearly out of breath as I reached for the handle. Before I could even touch it, the door opened, and Wyatt stood there. I hesitated for a beat, but then he reached for my hand and tugged me toward him. He closed the door behind us with his other hand. The sound of the lock clicking was loud.

I stared at him. His hand was warm around mine, his touch anchoring me inside. “This is your office,” I said.

* * *

“It is.”

Still out of breath, I took a moment to glance around. There wasn’t a desk, but a large round table took up the back of the space. Neat stacks of papers occupied one side of it, and a notepad with a pencil rested atop it. Two chairs flanked it. Wyatt stepped backward, pulling me with him. Not that he had to pull hard. I would’ve gone anywhere with him.

I was still getting my bearings. In the other corner near the door was brewing equipment and a large whiteboard on the wall with notes written all over it.

“Should I take you on a tour?” Wyatt asked.

I finally brought my eyes back to his. I was instantly locked in his intense gaze.

I blinked and tried to collect myself mentally before giving up the fight. “Just kiss me. Please.”

I thought he would kiss me, and I could forget all the worries and doubts tumbling in my mind, bouncing off each other and careening around like an out-of-control pinball machine.

“In a minute. I just need to ask you something.” At my nod, he asked, “What do you want this to be?”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re married. I think it’s worth seeing if this can be something more than how we feel when we’re together. I’m not even going to ask you how good it is when we kiss.” Heat rose in my cheeks. My heart pounded along in a mad dash.

I couldn’t lie to Wyatt and try to play it off. The moment we touched, I felt bracingly alive. Our connection was intense and fierce, underlaid with a passion I had never experienced before.

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