Page 55 of Billionaire Unreachable: Wyatt

Every single thing about her made me crazy, and it fucking tested my control.

But I was starting to actually enjoy this kind of madness.

I closed my eyes as she snuggled closer, her head resting on my shoulder as I savored how right it felt to be here like this with her.

One of the best parts about it was the fact that she was initiating that contact.

She wanted it as much as I did.

I still wasn’t sure why she’d run away from this intense chemistry between the two of us, but I was certain it wasn’t because she didn’t want to be with me.

Okay, maybe shewasa little touched by the alcohol at the moment, but she wasn’t totally hammered, and I wasn’t imagining the way her body responded to me.

“I didn’t ask you to come with me tonight just to help me out.” I’d had to force those words out of my mouth, but I’d already decided that figuring out what was in Shelby’s head was worth putting my nuts on a chopping block. “I asked you to come because I wanted you to be my date. I want a hell of a lot more than to just be your friend, Shelby. I haven’t been with anyone in a long time, but if you’re willing to be more than a friend, I’ll bust my ass to be that guy that you trust enough to give me a shot.”

I felt her body tense up a little as she said cautiously, “I know we have this weird attraction between us, but—”

“It’s not a brief attraction,” I interrupted. “There’s a lot more than that between the two of us. And yes, I’d like to find out exactly what it is.”

Okay, I’d thrown the idea out there, and I really hated how much I wanted to hear her answer.

She pulled her head back to look at me, her expression confused as she asked softly, “Why?”

“Why does any single guy want a single woman?” I rasped. “There’s something here. There’s something about you that won’t let me let go of the idea unless you’re not interested. Jesus! Do you have any idea how uncomfortable this conversation is for me? Put me out of my misery here, woman. You said that you trust me?”

A plethora of emotions danced in her eyes as she looked back at me, and I wanted to pick her up, carry her out of here, and make her decision for her.

But I didn’t.

This was an answer I was going to have to work for this time, and it was important enough for me to wait.

She started to shake her head slowly as she said, “We’re from two different worlds, Wyatt. I’m a chef from a working class background. I’m not a gorgeous model, a celebrity, or anyone remotely special, and you’re…Wyatt Durand.”

“Bullshit!” I said harshly. “We’re two single people who are attracted to each other. You’re a beautiful, intelligent, hardworking woman who cares about other people and about your profession and what you do. There’s no fucking reason that wecan’t.”

“You don’t date, and neither do I,” she reminded me.

“Maybe I haven’t in a long time, but you changed my mind, which rarely happens,” I admitted. “Is that the only reason you’re hesitating?”

She started to shake her head again. “No.”

“Then tell me what the problem is, and I’ll tell you that’s bullshit, too.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them again, I could see the same fear in her eyes that I’d seen in the days following that extraordinary kiss. “I haven’t dated in a long time, either, Wyatt, and I’m not convinced that’s really what you want.”

“Why?” I questioned, genuinely confused.

“I think you’re attracted to me, but I don’t think you really wantme. If I thought you really did, I’d do this. I’d take my chances and beg you to take me to bed, even though I’m not into casual sex. I want to be with you. I want to see what it would be like to be with a guy who’s genuinely attracted to me.”

Christ!

I couldn’t have this fucking discussion with her here.

Frustrated with our environment, I growled next to her ear, “Get your purse. We’re getting out of here, Cinderella.”

She sighed. “Did the carriage just turn into a pumpkin?”

She sounded so forlorn that I had a hard time staying in a highly frustrated state of mind.

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