Page 50 of Win Big

When we arrive at my place, Wyatt parks on the street. He jumps out to open my door, and leads me to my condo.

I was all relaxed and mellow until this moment. Now uncertainty grips me.

“You kept me out way too late,” Wyatt says. “It’s past my bedtime.”

I splutter. “What? You’re the one who keptmeout!”

“Nah.” He brushes his lips over my cheek. “Now it’s too late to come in and make out with you.” He shakes his head. “I know it’s disappointing, but you’ll survive.”

I’m both aroused and... yes, disappointed. And relieved. I should be relieved.

I smile, though. He took an awkward moment and made light of it. “Damn. If I’d known, I would have insisted we leave hours ago.”

His eyelids lower and his lips part enticingly. “Maybe next time.”

There shouldn’t be a next time. But my own lips part too, hungry for his kiss, and I close my eyes as well. His mouth meets mine... warm... firm... delicious.

My belly quivers and flips, a little ache starting up low down inside me. I pull in a slow breath as he eases away from me, my eyes fluttering open. I stare into his dark orbs, and he touches my face. I love how he does that.

“Good night, princess. I had fun.”

“Me too.” I have to be honest. “Good night.”

He waits until I’m safely inside, the door locked behind me. I lean against it, listening to his footsteps on the sidewalk, then his vehicle starting.

Wow. That was a crazy date, but... I really did have fun.

I’m not even hungoverthe next morning, just tired. And yet I seem to have some weird adrenaline thing going, a fizzy, excited, energetic feeling every time I think about Wyatt and the crazy stuff we did last night. So I’m buzzing through my work all morning. I check in on the photo shoot where Wyatt is decked out in Hockey for All gear and smiling at the camera in various poses. All is going well.

At lunchtime, I’m on my way out to grab something to eat. Passing by the front reception counter, I see a group of people crowded around the receptionist Jennifer’s computer.

“What’s going on?” I pause. Maybe they’re watching something from the All-Star Game in Vancouver.

Jennifer looks up at me. “Is Wyatt Bell gay?”

I jerk back, nearly falling over. “Pretty sure he’s not,” I say casually. “Why?”Why are you asking me?

“There’s a picture of him online—the On the Town blog. In some kind of gay BDSM fetish-wear.”

I blink. My insides go hot, then freezing cold. I grip the edge of the counter. “What?”

“Come see.” She gestures.

I round the desk and peer at the screen at which Jennifer; Brenda, the chief HR officer; and Kate, the CFO, are all staring.

“Jesus.” I can only gape at the picture of Wyatt wearing that singlet last night.

But it’s not just that... it’s a picture of Wyatt with his arm around the guy who works in the store, and they’re smiling at each other, looking for all the world like they’re a couple.

“I didn’t know he was gay when we chose him to be the ambassador for All,” Brenda muses. “Is he out?”

“He’s not gay.”

I frown. I’m confused and my mind is spinning uselessly. Lack of sleep probably isn’t helping.

“Are you sure?” Lisa eyes the image doubtfully. “Wouldn’t it be good to have an ambassador who’s gay?”

“He’s not gay.” I keep saying that.