And running into Spencer today just reaffirmed what she’d felt for him was nothing at all compared to what she felt for Wyatt.
Why she was trying to fight it now was just a mystery she was ready to solve.
“You like to prove things,” she said. “But sometimes showing is just as well without the words.”
He tilted his head to her. “That makes me think you’ve got words to say you aren’t sure you want to.”
She started to pull his shirt out of his shorts and over his head. “Actions are always better than words.”
He lowered his mouth to hers. “They are. How much action am I going to get?”
“As much as you can handle,” she said, lifting her shirt over her head and diving on his bed. “Come join me.”
He did, reaching for her, pulling her close, and holding her more gently than normal. Rather than race to the end like she always wanted to, she embraced it as she embraced him.
Softness and tenderness really did have a place between them and Wyatt showed her exactly what she’d been missing and craving without even knowing.
And when morning came around, she realized that it was time to stop fighting everything so much.
It was time to stop being competitive and serious and just let go and be herself.
Wyatt was one of the most confident, happy, laid back people she knew. He had a balance in his life, one that she could learn from. And she was damn well going to, starting now.
No more holding back.
She got out of bed when he was in the shower and went to the kitchen to start breakfast. Normally she didn’t do much special during the week, but they had time so she made omelets, not spicy this time, and poured his coffee for him.
By the time he was walking into the kitchen, she had the food set up on the island. “What’s this?”
“Breakfast for us. I thought it’d be nice to start our weekday like this. Kind of calm and relaxing.”
“You being calm and relaxed?” He picked a fork up and cut a tiny piece of the omelet off and put it in his mouth tentatively. Then he said, “This is good.”
“I’m a pretty good cook. No reason to give you heartburn before work.”
“I appreciate that. So what’s the occasion? It’s like you’re a different woman today.”
“Maybe I am. Maybe I had an epiphany last night in your bed.”
“Oh,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “What move was it? I’ll make sure I use it again.”
She wiggled into his arms. “No moves. Just you being you.”
“Are you going to tell me I’m right about something again? I like to hear that.”
She closed one eye at him. “I’m sure you do. Let’s just say you’ve worn me down.”
He lifted her chin. “Now I’m just waiting for you to catch up with me.”
“I think I have,” she said.
“And you aren’t saying the words first?” he asked.
She laughed. “Do you really think I’ve changed that much?”
“You do like to finish first,” he said. “In all aspects.”
“Very cute,” she said. “Can I help it if you’re that good in the bedroom?”
He shook his head and sat down to eat once she moved out of his arms to sit too. “What every guy loves to hear.”
“Eat your breakfast, or take your time and I’ll eat fast. Then I’ll jump in the shower and we can leave.”
She finished her omelet in a few big bites, then dashed to his room to get her clothes before she said she loved him. Their conversation was enough for her to know how he felt and she was sure he knew how she felt.
As much as she was trying to let go, those words just weren’t ready to be said yet.
38
The Most Important Thing
Wyatt followed Adriana to work and parked in the doctor’s lot, then waited for her to walk over and meet him.
Last night might have been the best of his life.
Not the sex. It was always great with her.
But the intimacy. The laughter. The smile. The look of love in her eyes.
She still didn’t say the words he wanted to hear. Not the words that had been trapped in his mouth for weeks.
For someone who never shut up, those words that hadn’t ever been said to another woman just wouldn’t come.
Too many times she’d taken things he’d said out of context. Twisted them to what she thought they meant. Though there wasn’t a way to twist these words in a negative light in his eyes, he was sure if anyone could do it, it’d be Adriana.
But their conversation this morning did make him feel like he was covering a lot of ground. Or she was. Maybe they could be on the same playing field for once.
He caught sight of her walking toward him, but her name was called, forcing her to stop and look at someone behind her.
He saw her stance change and knew she was ready for battle and made his way toward her at almost a half jog just in time to hear her say, “What part of just leave me alone don’t you understand?”
“But I love you, Adriana.”
Oh no. Some other man didn’t just say that to his woman. “Is there a problem here?”
“Who are you?” the man asked him.
“I’m Adriana’s boyfriend. I’d like to know who you are and why she told you to leave her alone. As if she’d said it to you multiple times already?”
“Boyfriend?” the man said. “You didn’t tell me that. Why didn’t you, Adriana?”
“It’s none of your damn business. And if my mother minded her own business you’d have never known or come looking for me. Just leave.”
The ex? He followed her here? Was he stalking her? How could he not know this?
“Adriana, go in the building and I’ll take care of this.”
“No, Wyatt. I’m going to say this to his face again. I want nothing to do
