Wyatt (7 page)

“I did a lot of thinking on the way here. This shit of not
having sex until you want to… well,
it’s
bullshit and
I’m not going along with it.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is you’re not calling the shots.
At least not all of them.
If we’re dating, you know damn
well, it will only be on weekends. So you’re expecting to go out to dinner, a
movie or whatever, but only have sex when you say. No way. I won’t go along
with that.”

Olivia jerked her arm from him. “So, what are you
suggesting? Sex whenever you want it? How many times do I have to tell you I
won’t be someone you hop into bed with only when
you
feel like it?” She folded her arms across her chest and stared
up at him.

Wyatt ran his hand over his mouth and sighed. “Look, I’ll be
honest here. Sex with you is great and I want to be with you every chance I
get. How is that wrong? We can go out on Saturday nights, but you spend the
night at my place.” He held his hand up when she started to interrupt. “We’ll
spend all day Sunday together until I bring you home that evening.” He
shrugged. “If we end up in bed on Sunday, it’ll be because we both want it. If
not, that’s fine. We’ll get to know each other better, but don’t expect me to
go for however long you decide without sex, because I won’t. I’ll see someone
else.”

Those beautiful amethyst eyes stared up at him. “I told you,
if we see each other we see no one else.”

“Then you’d better make up
your fucking mind,” Wyatt said through clenched teeth.
                                                                                                                                 

“You’d want to spend Sundays together?”

Wyatt shrugged.
“Why not?
We could
go for a horseback…oh, that’s right, you’re afraid of horses.” He threw the
challenge out there.

“You know I am, so what would we do?”

“Just have a lazy day around the house. I can’t believe I’m
even suggesting this,” he muttered.

Olivia chuckled. “I can’t believe you are either. What about
Friday nights? We can do what we want on our own?”

“As long as it doesn’t involve seeing someone else, yes.”

“I’ll think about it,” she told him, spun on her heel and
entered the house.

Wyatt stood staring at the spot where she’d been standing,
and then swore aloud. He started up the steps but stopped himself. It was what
she wanted him to do.
No. Damn it, no.

He got into his truck and headed home. He wasn’t sure who
the hell she thought she was fooling with, but he wasn’t going to let her do
this to him. If he didn’t hear from her in a few days, he’d say the hell with
her, and find someone else to take to bed. Someone probably not as good or as
hot as Olivia, but that was the way it would have to be.
Son of a bitch!
He knew she had him by the balls but she didn’t
need to know she did.

* * * *

Olivia couldn’t believe he left. Didn’t he know he was
supposed to follow her inside? Damn. If he weren’t so damn hot, she’d say the
hell with him and find someone else. She snorted.
Yeah, right.
The man was entirely too sexy for his own good, and to
say he was only good in bed would be a huge understatement.

She let Punkin out to do her business and once she was back
in, Olivia retreated to her apartment where she undressed and took a shower.
After putting lounging pants and a T-shirt on, she plopped down on the sofa to
watch TV. She couldn’t believe she was sitting here at ten o’clock on a
Saturday night. The lug head should have at least taken her to a movie.

Wyatt definitely needed some lessons in the dating
department. She knew she was going to agree to his terms. The thought of
spending the night with him every weekend was mind blowing. She never thought
he’d suggest such a thing, but he was right when he said she couldn’t call all
the shots. He was going to take her out as she wanted and she’d stay with him
just as he wanted. It was a win-win situation. Did he realize she’d have to
have some of her clothes there? She still couldn’t believe he just left.

Sighing, she headed to her bedroom with Punkin on her heels
and crawled between the sheets. She wasn’t sleepy, but sitting around watching
TV held absolutely no appeal.

Why did you have to be
so adamant about not sleeping with him tonight?
Olivia groaned. They could
be lying in bed together right now.

“Stupid.
Stupid.
Stupid,” she
chastised herself. She rolled over and punched the pillow. “You’ve never been
stupid over a man before, Olivia. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Sitting up, she reached for the sleeping pills on her
bedside table and took two. Punkin jumped up on the bed with her and settled in
among the covers. She let out a big sigh, making Olivia laugh.

“Yeah, girl, I know how you feel.” She turned the light out
and hoped sleep would come soon.

Sunlight streaming through the sheer curtains woke her up.
She glanced at the clock to see it was seven in the morning. Olivia yawned and
stretched. Once she had fallen asleep, she slept well. After dressing, she
wandered into the kitchen of the B and B. Evelyn was standing by the stove
preparing breakfast. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Olivia.

“How was your date?” Evelyn asked.

“We had a good time. Dinner was nice.” Olivia poured a cup
of coffee and leaned against the counter.

“I wasn’t sure you were here.”

“Wyatt brought me home before ten.” She sipped her coffee
waiting for it.

Evelyn’s eyebrows shot up. “Ten? That’s awfully early, isn’t
it?”

“We had a little disagreement.” Olivia pulled a chair out at
the table and sat down.

“Really?
Are you going to see him
again?”

Olivia grinned. “Every chance I get.”

Evelyn burst out laughing. “Good girl. He really is a
gorgeous man. All the Stones are.”

“I agree. I remember when I first came here and met them. I
thought this must be where all the gorgeous men were hiding.”

“Somethin’ special about a cowboy, honey.”
Evelyn laughed.

“Something about a sheriff too,” Olivia said, laughing.

“You got that right. Sheriff Sam Garrett is gorgeous too.”

“Yes. If I’d never met Wyatt, I’d have gone after Sam.”

Evelyn laughed. “My good friend, Betty Lou Harper, is his
dispatcher. She told me he gets calls from women all day for one reason or
other. Sam’s a good man though.”

“I like him but he never showed any interest in me. I went
out with Ryder Wolfe one time, but we both knew there was nothing there so we
decided to be friends.”

“Now, there’s another gorgeous man. Where were all these men
when I was your age?” Evelyn shook her head. “I’ve lived here all my life and
watched them all grow up. They were hellions, all eight of them.”

“Eight?”

“Jake, Gabe, Wyatt, Ryder, Brody, Trick, Riley, and Sam,”
Evelyn called them out as she ticked off their names on her fingers.

“I’ve met Trick but don’t know him real well. I don’t think
I know Riley.” Olivia frowned.

“Riley Madison. He left here, well, close to nine years ago
I’d say. His dad is a real bastard. Used to beat Riley, I suppose once he’d had
enough, he left. Roscoe Madison will die alone just like he deserves, for
treating Riley the way he did. Ryder’s parents were just as bad.”

Olivia shook her head. “How can someone beat their own
child? Where’s his mother?”

“She left here when Riley was six. I never could understand
how she could leave her child behind with Roscoe.” Evelyn shook her head.

The back door opened and Stan walked in. His eyes went
straight to Evelyn and he nodded at her. He shifted his eyes to Olivia and
flashed a grin. “Good morning, ladies.”

“Good morning, Stan. What’s up?’ Olivia asked.

“I’m going to take a few riders out this morning. I wanted
to let you know in case you need me for something.”

“That’s fine. Carl’s still here, right?”

“Yes, ma’am.”
He glanced toward
Evelyn but Olivia noticed she had turned her back to him. “I’ll, uh…see you
later.” Stan left pulling the door closed behind him.

Olivia cleared her throat. “I never took you for being shy,
Evelyn.”

Evelyn spun around and sighed. “I’m not, except when it
comes to that man. He gets me all flustered.”

Olivia laughed. “I think you do the same to him.”

Evelyn shook her head. “No, I don’t.”

“He couldn’t keep his eyes off you, and you wouldn’t even
look at him.”

“If I look at him and he looks at me, I blush. I know a
woman my age shouldn’t still blush, but I do.”

“A woman your age?
Evelyn, no
matter what age a woman is, if the man she’s interested in looks at her in a
certain way, she blushes—whether you’re a teenager or ninety. I honestly
believe that.”

Evelyn stared at her. “You think so?”

Olivia stood and hugged her.
“Of course.
A man has a certain way he looks at a woman he’s interested in, and if she’s
interested in him too, then there’s this electricity between them. Sexual
attraction is very powerful. It doesn’t matter what age you are. We all feel
it. Wyatt told me he wasn’t interested in me, but I knew he was lying. I could
tell by the way he looked at me that he wanted me.”

“I just don’t know what to say to Stan. We rarely speak.”
Evelyn sighed. “I just don’t know what to say,” she said again.

“Talk about the B and B, the weather, what his day was like.
Just start a conversation. You know we close soon and you’ll be going back to
your apartment in town. You won’t be here every day. Evelyn, my girl, you need
to make a move.”

Evelyn burst out laughing. “I’ll think about it. Now, what
do you want for breakfast? I can whip something up for you quick before the
guests come down.”

Olivia grinned and told her what she wanted. After she ate,
she decided she was going to call Wyatt, give him her decision, and tell him
how much she couldn’t wait for next Saturday night.

Chapter Seven

Saturday night finally arrived and Wyatt picked her up at
six just as he had before. This time, they were heading into town to the diner.

“Are you sure you want to go to the diner? I mean, the whole
town will know then.”

“I don’t care.
Unless you do?”
Wyatt glanced over at her.

“Do you seriously think I care what these people think of
me? Remember, I’m the one who picked up the pregnancy test for Emma. I was
pregnant by at least five different men.”

Wyatt chuckled. “I remember. Okay, so the diner it is.”

Olivia smiled. After she’d called him to tell him her
decision, he had teased her mercilessly on the phone. He kept whispering what
he’d do to her if she were there and she was hoping he planned to do those
promised things to her tonight. She wiggled in her seat and glanced over to see
him watching at her. He grinned as if he could tell what she was thinking. Damn
the man. He probably could.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Aren’t I always?”

Wyatt smiled at her. “Good to hear.”

She knew he didn’t mean for food and she didn’t either. She
was starving for him. It’d been a week and she wanted him so much she was
tempted to say to hell with dinner, and just go straight to bed. Olivia glanced
over at him.

“We could skip dinner,” she suggested.

“No. I’ll need my strength,” he told her then laughed when
she groaned. He pulled the truck into the parking lot, found a spot, and then
he got out, strolling around to her side while watching her through the
windshield. Once there, he helped her out, only to push her back against the
truck, put his lips to hers, and nibble them. “You have no idea how much I want
you but we’re going to go inside, have dinner, and then we’re going to see a
movie.”

“Are you fucking serious?” Olivia growled.

“It’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“Damn you, Wyatt Stone.” She pushed against his shoulders,
moved past him, and headed toward the diner. He caught up to her and took her
hand in his as they entered the restaurant. It seemed like everyone in the
place stopped what they were doing to look at them. Olivia raised her eyebrow
and everybody quickly went back to his or her meals. She felt Wyatt squeeze her
fingers as he led her to a booth.

After taking their seats, Connie, the owner, came over and
gave them menus. She couldn’t seem to keep the smile off her face. Olivia
grinned when Connie winked at her.

“You’d think they’d never seen people on a date before,”
Wyatt muttered.

Olivia laughed. “They just haven’t seen
you
on one.”

Wyatt huffed. “I guess. They’ll get used to it. I’m sure
we’ll be the main topic of conversation tomorrow.”

She nodded, and then glanced toward the door when the bell
above the door rang. She smiled when she saw Becca and Jake walk in. “Your
brother just walked in.”

“Which one?”

“Jake. And Becca is with him.”

“That’s just fucking great.”

Olivia raised her hand at them and gave Wyatt an innocent
look when he glared at her. “You’re the one who said we’d be the main topic of
conversation tomorrow.”

“You two are eating together?” Jake asked as they reached
the booth.

“Looks that way, don’t it?” Olivia smiled.

Wyatt stood and kissed Becca’s cheek then he nodded at Jake.
“Actually, we’re on a date.”

The silence in the place was deafening. It seemed the entire
restaurant had heard. Becca stared at her, and then glanced to Wyatt.
“A…a date?”

“You haven’t been married so long that you’ve forgotten what
a date is, have you, Becca?” Wyatt teased.

Becca swatted her hand at him. “No, but…”

“What she’s trying to say is you two barely speak to each
other and now you say you’re on a
date,
”
Jake said.

Olivia smiled. “Shocking, huh?”

“It sure as hell is.” Jake smiled at them. “Have a good
time, you two. Come on, Red. Let’s get a table.” He started to lead Becca away.

“Would you like to join us?” Olivia asked and saw Wyatt whip
his head toward her.

“Hell no!
This has been a long time
coming. You two have a good time,” Jake told them, smiling as he led Becca to a
table.

Wyatt sat back down and sighed. “Damn. Is it really so shocking?”
he growled.

Olivia laughed. “Yes. Everyone knows how you’ve been
avoiding me since I arrived in Clifton. What do you expect them to think,
Wyatt?”

He blew out a breath. “I have no idea.” He shook his head.
“They’ll just have to get used to it.”

Olivia sat back and stared at him. “You make it sound like
it’s going to happen quite a bit.”

Wyatt’s eyes narrowed. “Why shouldn’t it?
You
in a hurry to move on to the next cowboy?”

She leaned across the table and pointed her finger at him.
“Do not piss me off with that shit again, Wyatt. I told you I am not a slut. I
haven’t been with a man since I met you.”

“What? You can’t be serious.”

“As a heart attack,” she growled.

They stared at each other for a few seconds before his lips
lifted in a smile. “Glad to hear it.”

Olivia shook her head. “I don’t understand you at all.”

“What’s not to understand?”

“You call me a slut in one breath, and then in the next
breath, you’re glad I’m not but want me. Make up your damn mind.”

“We’re here, aren’t we? It looks to me like I’ve made up my
mind and I did not call you a slut just now. Just because I asked if you were
ready to move on, did not mean I was saying you’re going to jump in bed with
another man. In fact the thought of you in bed with another man really pisses me
off.”

Olivia laughed. “Glad to hear it.”

“Christ, you’re such a fucking smart ass.”

Just then, Olivia saw Becca get up and head toward the
restroom. She sent a glance Olivia’s way and she knew Becca wanted her to
follow so she scooched out of the booth.

“I’ll be right back. Don’t miss me too much.” She winked at
him, and then chuckled when she heard him grumbling. She entered the restroom
and saw Becca standing by the sinks with her arms folded. Olivia mentally
groaned.
Here we go.

“Spit it out, Becs,” Olivia told her, squelching the desire
to roll her eyes.

“Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, I know you’re in
love with him but I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Really?
When he breaks your heart,
you’ll be fine?”

“Gee, you have a lot of confidence in me,” Olivia said
through clenched teeth.

Becca sighed. “I love you and I don’t want you hurt, and
Wyatt is not looking for a long term relationship. You know that, Liv.”

“I do know it but I’m not denying myself being with him
because of it. He’s an amazing man and I know there’s a good chance I’ll be
hurt…but Becs, what if I’m not? Isn’t there a chance he could fall too? Don’t I
have the right to find out?”

“I suppose you do. I’m just afraid for you. I swear if he
hurts you, I will cut his balls off.”

Olivia burst out laughing. “I know you will.”

“So…how is it?” Becca grinned at her.

“Oh. My.
God.
Fanfuckingtastic.
He’s an amazing lover. It was well worth the wait.”

Becca nodded. “I’m happy for you, but please be careful. I’m
here for you if you need me.”

Olivia hugged her. “I know and I love you for it. Don’t
worry about me, I can handle myself.”

“I hope so. Let’s get back out there before they send
someone in after us.” Becca smiled at her.

* * * *

Wyatt sat down and waited for Olivia to come back when he
saw Jake heading toward him.
Shit!
This won’t be good.
Wyatt sighed as Jake
slid into the booth across from him.

“Don’t hurt her,” Jake told him.

“Back the fuck off, Jake.”

“I will not. Liv is family and for almost two years, you’ve
ignored her and now you’re dating. What the fuck is going on?”

Wyatt shrugged. “I really don’t see where it’s any of your
business—”

“The hell it’s not,” Jake growled. “We all love her and if
you hurt her, I will take great pleasure in kicking your ass, and Gabe will
help me.”

“He’d have to, it’s the only way you could,” Wyatt said
through clenched teeth.

Jake sat back and sighed. “Look, I’m happy you’re finally
coming to your senses where Liv’s concerned but I also know you’re not looking
for a relationship, so don’t hurt her,” he repeated.

“We’re both adults and what we do is our business. We both
went into this with our eyes wide open.”

“Into what?
Dating? You don’t date,
Wyatt. You fuck around.”

“No matter what I do, or who I do it with, it isn’t your
business. Olivia knows what this is. We’re dating…”

“Are you sleeping with her?”

Wyatt grinned. “Not much sleeping is involved, actually.”

“
Jesus Christ!
”
Jake slid out of the booth. “I’m not going to say it again…don’t hurt her,
little brother.” He strode back to his table as Olivia arrived at the booth.
She slid in and smiled at Wyatt.

“You got the talk too, huh?”

Wyatt ran his hand over his jaw and nodded. “Apparently, you
and I don’t know what we’re doing.”

Olivia leaned over the table. “I know what I’d like to be
doing, cowboy.”

Wyatt burst out laughing, causing the patrons in the diner
to look their way. They smiled at them. Olivia laughed too.

“After the movie, we’re going to my house and you can tell
me about it.”

“Deal.”
Olivia smiled at him.

Connie brought their dinners. Wyatt had chosen the steak and
baked potato, and Olivia had ordered the trout with a salad. As they ate, the
conversation flowed easily between them. When they’d finished with dinner, they
left and drove to the theatre where they decided on an action movie. Olivia
ordered buttered popcorn, making Wyatt shake his head in wonder. She grinned up
at him.

“I love theatre popcorn.”

“You just ate.”

“I’ll need my strength,” she whispered, throwing his words
back at him.

Wyatt groaned. “We could go now.”

Olivia laughed.
“Nope.
I want to
see this. We have all night, cowboy.
All night.”

Wyatt stared at her. She was exquisite. The dark purple
blouse she wore matched her eyes and her jeans hugged her curves. She wore very
little make-up, but she didn’t need much with her porcelain skin.

“What?” she asked him.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered and watched a blush
stain her cheeks. He smiled. “I can’t believe a woman who could make a sailor
blush with her language actually blushes herself.”

“Stop…” she groaned.

Wyatt chuckled.
“Just sayin’, sweetheart.”

When the lights went down, she laid her head on his
shoulder, and watched the movie. Wyatt held her hand and leaned his cheek
against her hair. This wasn’t so bad. Actually, it was rather nice. He didn’t
mind doing this if it meant she was going to be in his bed later and spend all
day with him tomorrow. They’d go for a walk or just stay in the house and
relax. He didn’t work Sundays unless he absolutely had to. He had enough men to
do the work that needed doing and if someone couldn’t make it in for one reason
or another, Wyatt called someone in or covered for them himself.

When the movie ended, they drove to his place. He took her
suitcase from behind the seat and grasped her hand. As he opened the back door,
Bear ran out, stopping long enough for Olivia to pet him, and then took off
down the steps to find a tree.

“What about Punkin? What did you do with her while you’re
here?”

“Evelyn’s going to take care of her for me,” Olivia told
him.

He nodded. “That’s nice.”

“I love that woman. She’s a wonderful person.”

“Yes, she is. Becca did well in hiring her.” Wyatt took
Olivia’s coat off and hung it up then removed his. He picked her suitcase up,
carried it toward the bedroom, and set it inside the door. He turned and bumped
into Olivia. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were behind me.” He caught her arms
to keep her from falling.

“It’s okay.” She stared up at him. “Kiss me, cowboy. I’ve
been waiting all night.”

Wyatt pulled her closer and lowered his head. His lips brushed
hers.
Once.
Twice, and then he sipped at her lips
until she fisted her hands in his hair, and pressed her lips to his. He
grinned.

“You love to tease me,” she whispered with a smile.

He chuckled. “Oh, and you don’t love to tease me?” His lips
trailed across her cheek to her ear. “Cockteaser,” he whispered against her ear
before taking the lobe between his teeth, making her shiver.

“Kiss me,” she groaned.

Wyatt pressed his lips to hers and slowly moved his tongue
into her mouth. He cupped her face in his hands and tilted her head back to
deepen the kiss. He slowly raised his head, taking her bottom lip between his
teeth and running his tongue along it.

Olivia groaned. “Wyatt…
please
…”

“Please, what?” he murmured.

She grinned up at him. “Me. Please me.”

Wyatt chuckled. “Oh, I will for sure, darlin’.” He picked
her up and carried her to the bed where he laid her down, and he was about to
lie down beside her when he heard Bear barking. “I’ll be right back. I need to
let him in.”

“I’ll be right here, waiting for you.”

Wyatt groaned. “I’ll only be a minute. Do you want me to
bring you anything?
Water?
Soda?”

“Water and…you,” she whispered.

He nodded.
“All right.”
He quickly
left the room to let Bear in and get her a glass of water. Bear ran into the
kitchen and settled down while Wyatt filled a glass with ice, and then water.
As he walked back toward the bedroom, he looked at the glass and grinned. He
entered the bedroom to see her already under the sheet.