Wyatt (16 page)

Sharon smiled at her. “That’s not true, Olivia. I simply
want to
borrow
it.”

Olivia snorted. “Like anyone is ever going to believe that
crap.”

Sharon shrugged. “We need to speak in private.”

Olivia glanced over her shoulder to her friends and nodded.
“It’s fine. She won’t be staying long.”

After a slight hesitation, the women left Olivia and Sharon
alone. Olivia turned to stare at Sharon.

“I want that money, Olivia. Did you get it?” Sharon asked.

“No. I told you I’m not giving you any money. You may as
well leave Clifton.”

“You really shouldn’t give me an attitude, Olivia. I want
that money and I want it now.”

Olivia leaned in close to Sharon. “Not going to happen.”

Sharon jerked back. “What do you mean? You really have no
idea what you’re doing by not giving me that money. I know how crazy you are
over Wyatt. Do you really want to see him hurt?”

“Wyatt can take care of himself.” Olivia shrugged. “He does
dangerous things every day.” She hoped Sharon wouldn’t call her bluff. Inside,
she was terrified Sharon would make good on her threat. All of a sudden Sharon
laughed.

“Oh, you’re good, honey, almost as good as your mother but
not quite. The thing is you
are
scared I’ll have him hurt, or take him away from you. You just want me to think
you don’t care.”

Olivia shrugged again. “Think what you want.”

Sharon chewed on her bottom lip. “You’re in love with him. I
know you wouldn’t want him hurt.” She leaned closer. “But know this, daughter
of mine I will do anything I can to get that money.
Anything
.”

“What the hell are you doing here?” Wyatt growled as he
strode into the foyer.

Olivia watched as Sharon’s eyes shifted toward him. Olivia
did the same. His hair was damp on the ends as if he’d just stepped from the
shower. She wanted to groan because he looked so good. His eyes moved to her
and then back to Sharon.

“I came to speak with my…Olivia,” Sharon said.

“I’m sure Olivia’s not interested in anything you have to
say.” He glanced over to Olivia and raised a brow. She nodded in agreement.

“We’ll talk again, Olivia,” Sharon muttered.

Olivia watched with relief as the woman who had given birth
to her spun on her heel and left the premises. The breath whooshed out of her
as she sat back on the stool behind the counter. She put her hands over her
face. What was she going to do? She was her mother yet all she could think of
was that she had to get Sharon to leave. If it took money to accomplish that
then Olivia would give it to her…anything, anything at all to get her out of
her life.

“Are you all right, darlin’?” Wyatt put his arm around her.

“I should just give her the money so she’ll go away.”

“No.” Wyatt’s voice booked no argument.

She gazed up at him. “If it will make her leave—”

“No,” he said through clenched teeth. “Let Sam do his job.
Maybe he’ll find something on her. Just give him a little more time,
sweetheart.”

Exhaling on a loud huff, she nodded. “All right, I’ll wait
for Sam.”

Wyatt kissed her. “How much longer are you going to be here?
I’m lonely for you,” he whispered against her lips. She wrapped her arms around
him as he deepened the kiss, but then they sprang apart when someone cleared
her throat.

“You two need to get a room.” Becca grinned at them.

Wyatt laughed. “I think you’re right.” He glanced at Olivia.
“Let’s go, darlin’.”

She grinned happily as he took her hand and began leading
her across the foyer. She glanced over her shoulder and waved goodbye to Becca,
Emma, and Stacy standing in the doorway.

When they arrived at Wyatt’s home, Olivia headed straight
for his bedroom with him on her heels. She spun around to face him once inside
the room. He strode up to her, took her face in his hands, and kissed her.

“I need you so much, sweetheart,” he said before pressing
his lips to hers.

Olivia smiled. “I need you too.”

Wyatt pulled her sweater off over her head then unhooked her
bra. He groaned when he gazed at her breasts. Her nipples were already
distended and eager. He placed his hands over them and rubbed the pads of his
thumbs against them. She moaned and felt her body come alive. Wyatt quickly
disposed of her jeans and then chuckled. She pulled back to stare at him.

“What’s so funny, cowboy?”

Wyatt chuckled again as he gazed at her panties.

“You don’t like my little hearts?” She laughed.

Wyatt rested his forehead against hers. “Sweetheart, you
could wear pajamas with feet in them and I’d think they were sexy.”

Olivia laughed then hissed in a breath when he pushed them
down her legs and his hand moved between her legs. He lowered her to the bed,
and then stood again to pull his clothes off. She watched his every move until
he was naked, then she lowered her eyes as she took in every bit of his
beautiful body from his broad chest, over his rippled stomach, and finally, to
his hard shaft. She scrambled to her knees and wrapped her hand around him. He
closed his eyes enjoying the feel, and then pushed her down on the bed before
stretching out alongside her.

His hands slowly roamed over her, making her squirm. Unable
to resist, she ran her hands over him until she wrapped her hand around him
tightly again. Wyatt groaned and pushed into her hand making her slide her hand
up and down the length of him until he put his hand over hers to stop the
action.

“I can’t wait, Olivia. I need you now.”

He moved over her and slid into her inch by inch until he
could go no further. Her legs wrapped around his waist while Wyatt moved slowly
in and out of her. Suddenly, he pulled out, making her whimper. Grinning, he
rolled her to her stomach then lifted her hips until she rested on her knees.
Then he thrust into her hard, making her cry out his name. He repeatedly pulled
out and thrust back into her hard.

Feeling the rhythm, Olivia lifted up on her hands and moved
back against him, meeting his every thrust. She groaned as her orgasm grabbed
her so she began moving against him harder and faster. She felt his body
stiffen when he groaned her name and came.

Olivia fell forward with Wyatt on top of her, rewarding her
with kisses to the back of her neck even while both of them fought to breathe,
their bodies slick with sweat. He rolled off her but rubbed his hand down her
back. She suddenly felt overwhelmed, tears stinging at the back of her eyes. A
feeling of panic washed over her, as if her world was suddenly ending.

“Olivia?” When she didn’t answer him, he put his hand on her
shoulder and rolled her toward him. “What is it? Did I do something wrong,
sweetheart?” She shook her head. “Then tell me what’s wrong.”

“I can’t,” she whispered.

Wyatt scooted up to sit against the headboard and pulled her
against him. “Why can’t you?”

When she tried to get out of the bed, he grabbed a hold of
her.

“I think you need to tell me what’s going on in that
beautiful head of yours.”

She pushed against him. “Let go of me, Wyatt.”

He quickly let go of her. She got out of bed and went into
the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She sat on the closed toilet and
sobbed. How could she tell him what was going through her head when she knew if
she did, he’d want out of this relationship, which wasn’t a relationship
according to him. Wiping her wet eyes dry and taking a deep breath, she stood,
exhaled even as tears threatened again, and turned on the shower. Even with
water running over her tear-stained face, she heard him enter the bathroom. She
could see his reflection in the mirror. He leaned against the counter and
folded his arms across his broad chest. He had only his jeans on.

“Olivia, I need to know what’s going on with you.”

She shut the shower off and reached for a towel and quickly
covered her nakedness. She raised her eyebrow at him. “Do you mind?”

Wyatt straightened up. “Do I mind? What the fuck does that
mean?”

They glared at each other. With a surly grumble, he turned
and left the bathroom. Olivia let out a ragged breath.
How do you tell a man who doesn’t want a permanent relationship what
you just shared was the most fantastic thing you’ve ever experienced?

It had been mind-blowing sex. The best she’d ever had. He
was a fantastic lover and she was going to lose him because of it. She’d never
have that again with any other man. Wyatt would walk away and she’d be in hell.
A hell she knew from the very beginning would eventually happen. She stared at
her reflection in the mirror and shook her head. She knew there was no way she
could tell him,
Well, you see, my
gorgeous sexy cowboy, you just gave me the most amazing orgasm I’ve ever had and
now I want to spend the rest of my life with you because I’m crazy in love with
you.

Yeah, that would go over real well, about as well as walking
through church with a cow paddy on your heel. She entered the bedroom a few
minutes later only to find it was empty. Dressing quickly, she walked down the
hallway, glancing into the living room, only to find it was empty too. She took
a deep breath and headed to the kitchen. It was also empty. Where was he?

Olivia strode to the back door and peered out just in time
to see Wyatt riding Cochise out of the barn and heading toward the north
pasture. They were moving at full speed. That was her obvious cue to leave. He
made it clear by not sticking around that he didn’t want to deal with her
anymore. Blinking back tears, she returned to the bedroom and packed her
suitcase. After calling for Punkin, she got into her vehicle and drove back to
the B and B. Once inside, she collapsed on her sofa and sobbed until she had no
tears left and fell asleep.

* * * *

Wyatt rode Cochise into the barn and wiped the horse down.
He shook his head thinking of what had happened earlier. There was no way he’d
ever understand a woman. They’d just had fantastic sex and she acted as if she
wanted nothing to do with him afterwards. He swore aloud. Cochise turned his
head to look at him.

“What are you looking at? It’s not my fault she’s mad,” he
grumbled when Cochise snorted. He led the horse to his stall then as he was
coming out, he almost ran over Kirk.

“Sorry, boss. I didn’t see you,” his ranch hand mumbled.

Wyatt sighed. “No problem. Hey, are you doing all right?”

Kirk blew out a breath. “Not really. I’m real sorry about
Ben.”

“Did you and Ava talk? Is she still leaving?” Wyatt asked,
changing the subject away from Ben Collins. He placed his hand on Kirk’s
shoulder. “You can tell me anything. It goes no further than right here.”

“Yes, she is.”

Wyatt was shocked. “You have no idea why?”

Kirk sighed and shook his head. “I still have no clue. We’ve
always gotten along great. I’ve had to move to a motel since Ben took off.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“I didn’t want you thinking I was just worming around for a
raise.”

“Christ, Kirk. I wouldn’t think that. I know you well
enough.” Wyatt took his hat off, ran his fingers through his hair, and then
resettled his hat.

Kirk glanced away. “I’m just staying at the motel until I
find a place.”

“Let me know if you need anything. I’ll help you any way I
can,” Wyatt told him.

Kirk nodded and strolled away. Wyatt blew out a breath,
headed toward the house, and halted when he saw Olivia’s vehicle was gone. His
heart hit his stomach. If that didn’t shout out she was finished, nothing did.
He was sure they’d talk about what happened and work it out, but apparently
not.

Olivia wasn’t a fickle woman. When she wanted something, she
went after it. Hell, he knew that better than anyone else ever could. She’d
been after him since they first met two years ago. So what in the hell was her
problem now?
Son of a bitch!
He
couldn’t let this go. He was going to find out exactly what her problem was and
if she wanted to end this, she needed to tell him to his face.

Wyatt drove his truck to the B and B. Snowflakes swirled in
the headlights. It was late October after all. It wouldn’t be long before the
weather would get much worse. He wanted Olivia at his home with him. Shaking
his head, he couldn’t believe he’d even pondered the idea. He never had women
at his place but he couldn’t stand being there without her.
Shit!
He was in trouble now. From the
very beginning, going into this with her, he knew he was taking a big risk with
his heart. It was why he didn’t want to get involved with her in the first
place.

“Think with the head on your shoulders, not the one between
your legs,” he muttered.

When he pulled up to the back door of the B and B, he
noticed the place was dark. She usually had a light on since she was there
alone now. He glanced around and sighed with relief when he saw her vehicle.
She was home—unless she’d gone out with someone. Still, Olivia would’ve left a
light on. He hopped down from his truck, took the steps to the back door two at
a time, and knocked. When no one answered, he tried the knob and found it
unlocked.

“Olivia,” he called out and saw the door to her apartment
open slowly.

“Wyatt? What are you doing here?” Her voice sounded raw.

“I want to know what the hell’s going on. I thought we’d
talk about it when I got back from my ride, but you were gone.” He strode
toward her. “You have something you want to tell me?”

“Like what?”

“If you’re walking away from this, then you need to tell me
now—to my face.”

Olivia’s eyes widened. “I’m not.”

Her response made him swear as he pushed his way into her
apartment.

“Then what the fuck was that about, Olivia? You left and I
thought we’d talk about it when I got back,” he practically shouted.