Page 32 of Finding Their Place

For any child, no matter their age, being second choice hurt like fuck.

I knew that all too damn well, my own heart aching whenever I thought too hard on my chickenshit dad who’d chosen self-preservation rather than me whenever dealing with my psycho mom.

When our waitress moved off, I reached over the table for Wyatt’s hand.

He wound his calloused fingers through mine, and I squeezed, my smile uncertain, eyes watery.

“Are we going to pray for our dinner?” he asked with a lopsided smirk.

“Fuck no.” I snickered and squeezed his hand again. “Just offering what support and affection I can right now. I can’t imagine the emotions you must have been dealing with all day today.”

“Anger, disappointment, elation at finding out I had a sibling I’ve always wanted…betrayed and bitter…it’s overwhelming to say the least. I know you understand quite a bit of all those feelings too.”

I held his steady gaze as that tether between us leaked from my hand into his and vice versa, tying us together. While I wanted to poke and prod, dig into his brain about his plans for seeking out his birth parents and getting together with his sister, I chose to let the matter rest.

Wyatt needed a break from all the negativity in his mind, same as I often did when depression came knocking. I desired to give him a distraction to ease the tension in his shoulders.

But what if he still needed to talk about it?

“I’m all ears as promised,” I said, “but if you’re wanting something else, a change of topic so you can enjoy your dinner, I can do that too.”

Wyatt lifted my hand to his mouth, lightly pressing his soft lips against my knuckles and sending shivers clear through my body. “Thank you, Haley.”

My hand tingled, the warmth of his kiss lingering after he released his hold. “My pleasure.” At least, I certainly hoped it would be.

He grinned as though reading my thoughts—or maybe my arousal leaked out in those two words. “Let’s eat, then maybe we can get out of here, and we’ll snuggle the hell out of each other until my mind grows quiet.”

Snuggle. Naked. Warm skin and wandering hands…

“I can think of a few ways to distract your mind faster than a cuddle fest,” I said, biting back a suggestive smirk, my pulse thrumming with heated blood.

Wyatt narrowed his gaze. “You’re a little tease.”

“It’s not teasing if I plan on delivering,” I promised, having decided to fuck going slow. I liked Wyatt, we definitely had one hell of a connection, and I wanted a a lot more than just his hard body and dick.

One of his eyebrows arched, those thickly-lashed eyes going a shade darker.

Arousal once more coursed through my body, and I shifted on my chair.

“I thought we were taking our time with this,” Wyatt murmured, the deep timbre of his voice pebbling my nipples to tight, aching points.

Thank fuck for padded bras.

“I’m using the excuse that it’s empathy making me want to soothe you,” I tossed out with a bit of sass. “Trust me—I understand your need for distraction.”

He chuckled while shaking his head and turned his focus on his steak. “Eat, Haley. Then we can decide where and how far we’re going.”

“My place because Garrett is out for the night, and going all the way is a good option,” I added, a lot more breathless than I could help, hoping like hell I could get Wyatt to agree.

“God, Haley.” He shook his head, hand clenched around a fork and serrated knife. “What am I going to do with you?”

I didn’t think he meant to really question me, so I bit back the words that tickled my tongue.

A good, hard fucking would be nice.

11

Wyatt

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