Wynn almost said he loved her but was afraid that might be pushing too hard and fast and scare her off. Instead, he kissed her soundly, letting his actions speak what he held in his heart.
◆◆◆
Scarlett’s eyes opened as Wynn finally broke the kiss. If he hadn’t been holding her against the door, she would have collapsed long ago, her legs as limp as spaghetti.
If she thought the first time they’d had sex was the best of her life, that encounter had moved to second on her list. The last few minutes had been the most sensual and moving of her life. Wynn Gallagher knew exactly how to touch her. How to linger. How to push and pull and turn her into putty that he molded in the way he saw fit. Every part of her tingled with a charged warmth that continued to vibrate within her. If she’d thought he would agree, she would have suggested they go at it again.
The back of his fingers brushed against her breasts as he refastened the clasp to her bra and pulled her blouse back together, his tanned fingers dark against the white silk. He reached the last button and slid it through.
Scarlett had wanted to tell him she loved him. Even though she knew it was too soon to have feelings so deep, much less declare them aloud. Instead, she’d jokingly asked if he knew another game to play. As far as she was concerned, the time for games had ended. She needed Wynn in her life. She yearned to make a baby with him. She could see him holding their baby, cradling it tenderly in his arms.
The fact that Wynn was such a loner made her pause, though. It kept her from uttering words of love. At least he seemed willing to make a commitment to a relationship with her. Asking for them to be exclusive was a first step in what she hoped would be their lifetime journey together.
Those green eyes bored into hers. “You haven’t answered me.”
She sighed. “When you’ve swept a girl off her feet and rattled her cage as well as you have, Wynn, it’s hard to think. Much less form an articulate answer.”
His reply was a long, drugging kiss that lit another fire within her. Scarlett banked it, knowing the embers would easily be flamed during their next time together.
“Yes,” she murmured against his lips. “Yes, I want to be with you. Only you, Wynn.”
Both hands cradled her face, his thumbs massaging her cheeks. “Good,” he declared. Taking a step back, he smoothed down her skirt. “I’m starved.”
Her heart quickened a moment and she realized he meant for lunch.
“Let me go freshen up,” she told him.
She spied her panties and went to pick them up but he snatched them before her fingers closed around the lacey material.
“I’ll keep these.” He pocketed them. “You can put on another pair.” His eyes twinkled with mischief. “Or not.”
“Hmm. I guess I’ll keep you guessing.”
Scarlett left the room and went upstairs. She peeled off the shirt and skirt, not wanting to go out in public in such a wrinkled outfit. She pulled on a pastel pink sundress.
And went commando. Just in case.
Going into the bathroom, she saw in the mirror the heightened color in her cheeks. She ran a brush through her hair and patted on new lip gloss before returning downstairs.
“I’m ready.”
They left the house and she said, “Let me drive.”
Pulling out her keys, she went to the Spitfire that he’d insisted she keep. The top was already down. She slipped behind the wheel as Wynn closed her door and came around to the passenger side.
“Where to?” she asked.
“Surprise me.”
Scarlett remembered a nearby mom and pop pasta place not ten minutes away that was a favorite of Rhett and Cassie’s and decided to head there. She found a parking spot nearby and they entered, being greeted by Luigi, the owner, who seated them in a corner booth.
“How are Mr. Rhett and Mrs. Cassie?” he asked. “We’ve been very worried.”
“Rhett is recovering nicely,” she replied. “He’s putting in many hours of physical therapy. It’s hard work, Luigi, but you know Rhett. He’s all in. And Cassie is back writing now that things have calmed down.” She indicated Wynn. “She’s hard at work on a screenplay for my boyfriend, Wynn Gallagher.”
It gave her a thrill to call him that. She’d had countless boyfriends since kindergarten but this was the first time she took pride in introducing a man that way.
Wynn offered his hand. “Nice to meet you, Luigi.”
The owner shook it enthusiastically. “The same, Mr. Wynn. My kids adore you. They will be so excited you came in to eat.”
“Let’s send them a picture,” he suggested.
As Wynn and Luigi posed, Scarlett couldn’t help but think the reserved, untouchable Wynn Gallagher from before would never have proposed taking a selfie with a fan. She hoped she’d helped him open up some.
“Let me take care of you, today, Miss Scarlett. I’ll bring you something special.”
“We’re all yours, Luigi.”
Minutes later, they had chilled salads and a long loaf of warm Italian bread. Before they finished their salads, plates of steaming penne all’arrabbiata arrived.
After one bite, Wynn proclaimed, “Luigi is my new best friend.”
She laughed. “Every recipe, especially the sauces, are from his great-grandmother. Rhett’s eaten here for years.”
“I will savor every bite,” he promised. “I’ve got lots to share with you.”
Scarlett listened as Wynn explained his desire to begin a production company and how he’d spoken at length with Dash and Sydney about how to form one and the ins and outs of daily activities beyond the big picture. She could hear his passion for giving new film school graduates and relative unknowns a
