Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Gemma had dreamed of kissing Wyatt since she was fourteen years old.

And this was so much better than anything she’d ever imagined.

His hands on her face, his soft lips, the slow tangle of his tongue…it was so exactly what she wanted and needed. It went on and on and on and she was almost desperate for it not to end. So she did the only thing she could.

She straddled his lap.

The sexy groan he breathed into her mouth told her he approved, and then those gloriously large hands of his skimmed down her body and cupped her rear, holding her to him.

Mmm…yes, please.

Wyatt’s hard body under hers was like a fantasy come true. She had no idea why she finally decided to be bold with him, but she was pretty sure it was because they were never alone like this. Someone was always with them—typically Lucy or Mike—and she’d convinced herself they never would have the opportunity. So once it presented itself, she told herself it was now or never.

There were so many reasons this might not be a good idea, but she pushed them aside because she wanted this. Deserved this. And from the way his body was responding, he felt the same way.

Wyatt didn’t do anything more than casual relationships, and that was fine. She wasn’t crazy enough to think this was going to go anywhere—not with his sister being her best friend. Things could get messy. But Lucy was gone for the next few weeks and maybe she could just be casual with Wyatt until she got back.

I’m getting way too ahead of myself.

Pulling back breathlessly, she looked at him hesitantly. This could be the moment sanity returned and he said he had to go. So she waited for him to say something. Anything.

And then he did.

“Tell me you want more.” His voice was low and rumbly, and she wanted to hear it all night while he was in bed with her.

Slowly, Gemma shook her head, and she swore Wyatt’s expression fell for a moment. “I don’t want more, Wyatt. I want everything. Please.”

Then he kissed her again—ravaging her in the most brutal and sensual way. They were fighting to get closer, and she cursed every article of clothing she had on.

And his.

Her hands raked through his hair as his hand slid under her sweater. The feel of those warm hands cupping her breasts was possibly the most erotic thing ever. Breaking the kiss, her head slowly fell back as she sighed his name. His mouth trailed kisses along her jaw and throat before he moved up and gently bit her earlobe.

She cried out, clutching his hair. “Wyatt, can we…? I mean…my room…it’s right…”

He stood with her wrapped around him. “Yeah, we can.”

It was beyond thrilling to wrap her legs around his waist and know that he was taking her directly to her bed. He gently placed her on the mattress and immediately covered her body with his before giving her a searing kiss. It didn’t seem possible to wrap herself any tighter around him, but she did—still fearful that he was going to change his mind or come to his senses and tell her this was a mistake.

But he didn’t.

Rolling them so she was on top, he grinned up at her, caressing her cheek. “Damn, Gemma. You take my breath away.”

His words meant everything to her—and not just because of what happened today, but because he was the one saying them. Her hand smoothed down his chest, but words escaped her.

“How about I give you that everything, beautiful girl?”

Licking her lips, she nodded. “Yes, please.”

And with that, he swept her away for a night that was better than her wildest dreams.

“I see you still got your cookies and wine,” Wyatt said with a laugh and kissed the top of her head. They were snuggled up in her bed, but she had gotten up to get them a snack.

“It’s a perfectly fine combination, plus we never finished our sundaes, and I wanted something sweet.”

“I take offense to that. Some people consider me sweet,” he teased.

Giggling, she twisted slightly, looking up at him. “Aww…yes you are, and I can say that with great certainty. You are most definitely delicious.”

His gaze heated. “So are you.” He kissed her softly before taking the wine from her hand and taking a sip. “Dessert is fine, but you’re better.”

She hummed before crawling on top of him again and kissing him. “I feel the same about you. You’re a much better dessert.”

He grinned. “Still hungry?”

“Only for you,” she replied solemnly.

Wyatt sighed quietly. “Gem, this is…”

Quickly, she placed her finger over his lips. “Don’t, okay? I know. This…this wasn’t planned, and we both know everyone would freak out if they found out, especially Lucy. I just…” Her shoulders sagged. “Can’t we ignore the rest of the world? Just for tonight?”

His gaze hardened for a moment. “Is that really what you want?”

Her heart was telling her to yell no, but…she didn’t think she could handle hearing him tell her this was a one-time thing. So instead, she just nodded.

Without a word, Wyatt hauled her close and kissed her, rolling her beneath him. And for a few more hours, they could ignore everything.

Including all the warning bells going off in her head, telling her she just lost a big piece of her heart to the man she could never really have.

He hated leaving, but it was a workday, and his truck was still at the pub. Gemma was still asleep, and he debated on whether or not he should wake her up. As quiet as he was trying to be while he got dressed, he stubbed his toe on the corner of her dresser and cursed, effectively waking her up.

She looked beautifully tousled as she sat up, clutching the sheet to cover herself. “Hey,” she whispered. “What time is it?”

“Five. I need to get my truck and go home and shower. I have a crew arriving at my job site at seven, so…I’m just gonna call for an Uber and…”

“No, that’s crazy,” she said, kicking the blankets off and suddenly baring her curvy self and stretching. “I can drive you. It’s silly to call anyone.”

“I was going to do it last night, it’s not a big deal. Plus, you just woke up. I’m sure you don’t need to be up this early.”

Looking over her shoulder at him, she smiled sadly. “Please, I’m obviously awake, and besides, this is what friends do, right?”

She quickly turned away and Wyatt couldn’t tell if she was being truthful with him or not. He knew they were friends, but her voice caught a little when she said it. Like maybe…maybe last night changed things.

And not for the better.

“Listen, Gem, last night was…”

Turning, she tugged on a pair of yoga pants, and all he wanted to do was tug them right back off and say to hell with his job and his crew. He wanted to haul her back onto the bed and do exactly what she said last night—ignore the rest of the damn world.

At least for a little while longer.

Unfortunately, she now had a T-shirt on and was searching for her shoes. “I don’t want you to be late,” she murmured. “You did me a favor last night and…”

He never let her finish.

Stalking across the room, he spun her around and silenced her with a brutal kiss. When he lifted his head, he glared down at her. “I think we both know last night wasn’t about any favors. I was here with you because I wanted to be here with you.”

“Wyatt, we both know nothing would have happened if I didn’t say what I said. You were just being a good friend.” She looked down at her feet as she said it, and he wanted to shake her.

Tucking a finger under her chin, he forced her to look at him. “I made love to you, because I wanted to make love to you. I’ve wanted to for a long time. Don’t lie to yourself and think last night was because I was being a friend. Our friendship had nothing to do with anything that happened after I carried you in here last night.”

He knew she was going to argue, so he kissed her again until they were both breathless and clinging to each other.

“You have no idea how much I wish I didn’t have to go…”

“Me too,” she whispered.

Wyatt knew there was so much more they both had to say, but now wasn’t the time. So they finished getting dressed, put on shoes, and quietly went out to her car. The drive to the pub was also pretty quiet and there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that Gemma was nervous as hell to say anything to him. Last night was so completely out of character for them, but he didn’t regret it.

What he did regret was how she was treating it like it was only going to be a one-night thing.

And logically, it should be.

His sister would absolutely freak out if she knew he’d slept with Gemma, but it really wasn’t any of her business. They were both consenting adults—no one took advantage of anyone and…

Wait, did I? Did I take advantage of her?

Crap.

What the hell have I done?

Guilt washed over him, and as he glanced over at Gemma, he had no idea what he was supposed to do or say. She pulled up beside his truck and put her car in park before facing him.

“Thanks again, Wyatt.”

“Don’t thank me, Gem. Please,” he murmured. “I took advantage of you last night. You needed a friend, and I went and crossed a line.”

Rolling her eyes, she argued, “Oh, my God! Stop! You didn’t take advantage of me! I asked you to stay. I asked you to kiss me! I knew exactly what I was doing and, if anything, I took advantage of you!”

That almost made him laugh. “Um, no. You didn’t. I should have said no. I should have had more self-control. It was wrong, and…I’m sorry.”

Tears instantly filled her eyes, and he felt like the worst person in the world.

“You should go,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “For what it’s worth, I don’t regret last night, but…I think it’s for the best that it stays that way. Just last night.”

He wanted to argue and tell her she was wrong, but now wasn’t the time. He had to get ready for work and he felt like anything he said right now wasn’t going to help.

Leaning over, he placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Wyatt, I don’t think…”

“Later,” he repeated and climbed out of the car, refusing to prolong the discussion. But it was definitely going to happen.

No matter how much Gemma denied it.