Page 17 of A Man in Uniform

Lifting a finger to her cheek, I run it over her flush skin. “You really are so damn beautiful, Story, even your laugh is sexy as hell.”

Her cheeks turn redder, and goosebumps break over her skin. But a piece of me still feels a level of reserve.

What is she feeling? Is there anything left for me at all?

She made it easy when we were together before, everything about her always exploded with confidence. But I can see the change in her eyes, in the way she looks at me. The darkness looms with sadness.

I never expected her to wait for me, no matter how much I secretly wished she would. Exhaling a deep breath, I pinch her chin and lift her face so I can look her directly in the eyes.

“What? What is it?” she asks.

“Look, I just need to know one thing. How many guys have you. . .” Pausing, I bite my tongue and choose different words. “You know, were there a lot?” My brows lift, hopeful she won't hit me.

She sits in silence for a moment, lips pulling back tight. “I'm not fucking anyone else if that's what you're asking, Wyatt.”

“Why do I find that hard to believe?”

“You don't have any right to even ask me that question to begin with. You're lucky I gave you an answer at all.” Her words trail off, jaw crooking to the side.

She's right, but I don't care.

Gliding my hand down between her shoulder blades, I can't stop the grin from spreading across my face. “You're right, Story, it's none of my business. The problem I have is I still see you as mine.”

I watch her stop breathing as she sucks in a quick gulp of air and holds it in. I can see her thinking, unsure of what to say.

A cool sweat breaks across my skin, the small droplets surrendering to gravity, tracing the dips of my spine. I'm waiting, I won't break the silence. This is her platform to tell me what she wants.

Forcing out an exhale, she shakes her head side to side. “You left me, you left me and I haven't heard from you for years.” Tilting on her hip, she adjusts her body, and glares at me through slit lids. “How can you sit here and try to claim me as yours?” she asks, her voice trying to maintain some composure.

But I hear it. I hear the slight hiccup. I hear the dip in her tone as her voice cracks and spits. “I'm not your property, Wyatt, I never was.”

“You think I'm joking, don't you?” I ask, shoulders snapping square.

She purses her lips and looks forward. “I don't know what you want me to say.”

“Well, I know what I'm feeling, and I know what I want.” My brows arch high, mouth drawing taut. “And my gut's always right. We both know that.”

She can't see it, she's refusing to. Story isn't letting herself open up to what I know she wants to feel. I can still read her body, same as before. Her muscles tremble, her eyes hooded as she nervously nibbles on the inside of her cheek.

She's afraid, I know she's afraid.But this isn't fear of the dark, this fear of me and opening herself up to me.

Story is a girl whose emotions and thoughts are painted on her face. The way her slender fingers curl around the ridge on her jeans, the quick flutter of her lashes against her eyes, it tells me she wants to be mine; but fear has spun a web around her spine.

She hasn't realized how intricately I'm studying her. She sees me, watches me even; but she's avoiding my eyes at all costs.

Leaning back on one hand, my head tilts up at the sky. “You see that star right there?” I ask, pointing up.

“Which one? There's a whole sky full.” Story leans in, trying to follow the line of my finger.

“That one, right at the tip of my finger.” Shaking her head yes, I say, “Just watch it.”

Her lips seal tight, tugging down against her chin. “Alright.” Squinting her gaze, I watch as her eyes spread wide. “It's moving, why is it moving like that? Stars don't move like that.” Her neck twists, looking at me, then back at the bright moving speck.

“Because it's not a star, it's a satellite.” Shifting onto my elbow, I set my head in my hand and hold it up.

“How do you know that?”

“Because I know things, just like we both know you're mine, You've always been mine. That's something you can't change, Story, no matter how much you try.”

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