Page 65 of Concealed

“But you’re changing that pattern now.”

He’s staring at me, and it’s clear that he doesn’t mean I’m changing my life – though I am. Wyatt is referring to me changing my preference for losers and finally picking a good man – him.

It’s me who leans into the contact, and I have never been kissed how Wyatt does it. I always thought I could take or leave kissing, but that’s because my partners apparently didn’t know what they were doing.

Wyatt does.

His mouth is firm and strong, and even though I took control and touched my lips to his first, there’s no question that he owns this moment.

He pulls me onto his lap and tangles one hand in my hair to angle my head, and the other locks around the small of my back.

Heat courses through my body and ribbons of excitement flow through me. No matter what happens between us long-term, I always want to remember that there is a man out there who can make me feel wanted, needy and safe all at the same time.

Wyatt.

I’m about to make a joke that sex on the beach isn’t just a cocktail when he gently pulls away and kisses my eyelids one at a time.

“I’m going to take you home now so you can get some rest,” he says softly.

Chapter 15

Wyatt

Itwasn’teasytostop myself from having Rebecca last night. It wasn’t easy to convince her that abstaining was a good idea either.

But the more time I spend with her, the more I want her to be my girlfriend. And that’s going to take patience and going slow whether she likes it or not.

It would be easy to fall into bed together, but I don’t want easy.

I want her – all of her.

Now, I need to prove it to her and convince her that I’m worth taking a risk on.

I’ve been working so much and spending all my non-sleeping time with Rebecca, so I’m running on fumes. I jump a mile when Wallace puts a coffee on the desk I’m sitting behind while waiting for the morning briefing to ramp up.

“You’re late,” I accuse.

“You look like one of the undead,” he cracks back.

“Can’t argue with that one, man. I feel like it.”

“Have you been studying?”

He’s referring to the detective’s exam, and I’ve barely cracked the book open. I need to up my game knowing that I’m competing with someone who hates me, but I’m guessing that Grant isn’t a fan of a guy like Brian anyway.

“I will be… Soon.”

“I want you to make it, kid. Don’t fuck up.”

The way he says it doesn’t make my stomach bottom out the way it does when my dad berates me. Wallace isn’t angry, hostile, or disappointed. He cares about me and wants me to do well. And it’s been a long time since a father figure has given a shit.

“I’m sitting in on Dean’s sting operation tonight,” I remind him. “But I’m going to make studying a priority.”

Somehow.

We go through the motions of sitting through the briefing and half-listening to the night shift recap. Drunk and disorderly charges, a few teenagers street racing, domestic disturbances, and rowdy tourists causing trouble and starting fights on the beach – all the usual shit.

But my mind is on tonight.

---