Page 28 of Bones

Before I could open my mouth, he reached out and pulled me against him, hugging me briefly. Then, without saying anything more, he turned and headed inside the clubhouse. That was Stitch. The man who had found me all those years ago at the diner had turned into the father I never really had and the one I so desperately needed. He was a man who didn’t waste words. If he said them, he meant them.

I considered his words, and deep down, I knew he was right. I was the only one standing in the way of what I wanted, and I was making a real fucking mess of things. Elsie was going on actual dates, seeing and talking to other men, and more importantly, she was growing more and more frustrated with me.

My window of opportunity with her was closing, and that rattled me.

It was at that moment that I realized my fear of losing her was stronger than my fear of not being good enough. It was that fear that had me charging into that clubhouse and down the hall to Elsie’s room.

When I rounded the corner, I spotted her talking with Lace. I called out to her, and she didn’t look pleased to see me. She whispered something to Lacy, and as soon as she turned to leave, Elsie started walking towards me and snapped, “What do you want, Wyatt?”

“Just a second to talk.”

“I gave you a chance to talk.” The fire in her eyes nearly knocked me on my ass as she sassed, “And you had nothing to say.”

“You asked me crap about what happened with the asshole at the club...Ask what you really want to ask.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do,” I pushed. “Do it. Ask the question you’ve been wanting to ask.”

The blood drained from her face, and for a moment, I thought she was going to chicken out. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally mustered the courage to the courage to ask, "Do you like me?”

"You know I do.” Her back stiffened when I added,“That's not the question."

"O-kay.” She swallowed hard, then continued, " Have you ever thought about us being together? Not as friends, but as something more."

“I have.” She looked up at me with doe eyes, so full of love and hope, and all my walls started crumbling around me. I lifted my hand to her face, cupping her cheek as I trailed my thumb across her lower lip. “I think about it all the time.”

Unable to resist the temptation any longer, I gently pressed my mouth against hers, feeling my world rock beneath me. I wasn’t prepared for the simple touch of her lips to set me on fire, and if the little whimper that escaped her lips was any indication, she wasn’t expecting it either.

Her soft, delectable lips called out to me, begging to be devoured. Our tongues met, and I became instantly addicted to her intoxicating taste. She wound her arms around my neck, and her fingers tangled in my hair as she inched even closer.

My hands drifted down her back and over the curves of her ass. Damn. I couldn’t believe how incredible she felt in my arms. We were both becoming lost in the moment when Elsie placed her hands on my chest and stepped back, breaking our embrace. A light blush crept over her face as she looked up at me and whispered, “I have to go.”

Before I could stop her, she turned and rushed down the hall, quickly disappearing into her room.

I didn’t move.

I couldn’t.

I needed to get my manhood in check before I could take a fucking step. It wasn’t easy. That fucking kiss was everything I knew it would be, and it left me wanting more—much more. It’s one of the many reasons why I’d waited so long to do it. Now that I had, there was no going back.

With newfound determination, I followed after her.

When I made it to her door, I stopped and took a breath.

Once I’d collected myself, I lifted my arm and was about to knock when her door flew open, and Elsie gasped, “Wyatt.”

“Hey.”

“Hey, I was just coming to find you.” Her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink as she said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just left like that. I was...”

“Go out with me,” I interrupted. “I’ll take you to dinner. The movies. Whatever you want.”

“Umm,ooo-kay.” She studied me for a moment, then asked, “When?”

“Tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at six.” I turned and started back down the hall as I told her, “And bring a coat. It might get cold.”

“I thought we were going to the movies.”

---