“Cool.”
“Unless you want to join us for food?”
“I want to go home.”
The humor fades in Wyatt’s eyes. “Right. Here we go.”
Several blocks are passed with classic rock playing and nobody talking. I’m facing the windshield, sneaking glances to his profile lit by passing street-lamps. He’s comfortable, tapping his thumb on the steering wheel.
But I’m not comfy.
That warning is in my head.
Two warnings, actually.
Two in ten minutes.
Not a great sign.
Feeling grim, I ask, “Did you hear from the vet? I didn’t call yet. I was…cleaning today.”
Wyatt’s expression darkens. “Bad news I’m afraid.”
My chest sinks in as I realize what this means. “Oh no! Really?”
He sighs, “Yeah,” genuinely disappointed.
I want to reach out and stroke his arm, console him. He was the one holding her.
Nathan asks what we’re talking about and Wyatt’s story is briefly told. His brother understands the weight of it just the same. “Sorry to hear that. What about the ducklings?”
“I was just going to ask,” I whisper, remembering how cute momma-duck was and what a pity they don’t have her anymore.
“Wildlife is filled up from the storm and who knows what else. Ever been there, Nathan?”
“Not yet. They come to us.”
“Me neither.”
Virginia Highlands is very close by. If somebody asked me whether I was relieved that we’re pulling up to my house right now, it would be a lie if I said yes. This makes two times when I didn’t want to leave him.
Two times when I knew I should.
“Thank you for driving me home.”
He leaps out and jogs around front to open my door. “Want me to carry you?”
I shake my head, and take his hand, wincing as I lower my foot to the patch of grass. “It was nice meeting you, Nathan.”
“See you, Diana,” he smiles, warning absent from his expression like it was never there.
Wyatt laces our fingers together. “I’ll walk you up. Nice place. You live alone?”
“I have a roommate.” Who was sort of in love with your brother Nicholas. If you can fall in love that quickly. Please nobody tell me that you can because I might believe them. “We get along really well. Our personalities balance each other. She’s Type A, and I’m Type Who-cares.”
Wyatt laughs while he raises our hands to lift my weight as we negotiate these steps. “Your leg really is hurting, isn’t it? I feel pretty bad about that. Why’d you go on the date if…you know what? Never mind. None of my business. Conversation for another time. Just get that thing elevated, put some ice on it.”
“I will.”
He chuckles, “You’ve been doing a great job so far.”
“Really, I’ll do that.” Rummaging around my bag I come up empty. “Uh…”
“What? Forget your key?”
“Yes, but I keep one hidden out here.”
Chuckling he starts lifting plants. The second one is where the key normally is but a dirty ring made by time is all he finds. Before he sets it into place and moves on to the next, I tell him, “I used it today. It’s normally right there.”
He points to the hiding place. “You leave your key here? Don’t tell me this is where it lives every day? Are you nuts? I was just fucking around. Never leave your key under a planter. Or your welcome mat. That’s the first place crooks look!”
“Really?”
Wyatt throws his arms up, flabbergasted. “Yes! And you have two women living here? Do not do that, Diana.” He gets closer, face serious. “I’m not kidding. If you hide a key somewhere make it really fucking hidden.”
My voice is small like a child being scolded, “Okay.”
“I mean it.”
“I know. I’ll hide it somewhere else. Where should I hide it?”
The hunt is on. “How about…” Straightening up, he eyes me. “You’re good.”
“What?”
Wagging his forefinger he calls it out, “You’re fucking with me.”
“Me? I’d never do that.”
“Yeah right! You need to find the place and tell nobody but—”
The door opens, Lita standing in the frame, sans makeup, messy-bun hanging at an angle, a grey mud mask dried onto her face with holes for her eyes, nostrils and lips. In one hand she’s holding up my keys that I must have left on the accent table.
At the sight of Wyatt Cocker, she yelps and shuts the door so fast we feel a breeze.
We look at each other.
“She thought you were Eddie, so she didn’t clean up.”
He smirks, “Guess I know how she feels about him, huh?” He cups my chin and tilts it. “I’m going to kiss you now, if you want me to.”
I close my eyes, lips parting a little, heartbeat racing. “If you don’t get the answer from this, you don’t deserve your last name.”
Heat emanates from Wyatt’s body as the distance vanishes between us. Our mouths open a little, lips barely touching at first. Then his envelope mine and we blend. A firm hand slides around my back, strong fingers applying pressure. His tongue seeks mine and I let him find it, touching together as waves of excitement drift into all of me.
He feels so good, his breath hot, kisses demanding, that I release all of my inhibitions and throw my arms around his neck, letting the kiss grow deeper with him in the lead. A thick pulse starts to throb, thick between my legs, heat building more with every lick.
Was I hurt? I can’t remember.
Nothing hurts now.
He pulls away, staring at me like he’s trying to figure something out.
I gaze up at him, and watch him lean in again, his lips open.
“No,” I moan, pressing trembling hands into his muscles. I have little willpower but something inside me says aloud, “I have to go.”
He frowns, “Right,” releasing me like if he doesn’t he won’t ever, and turns for the steps.
The old doorknob squeaks in objection. I have some of my own. But don’t look back. If I did I might do something foolish.
CHAPTER 21
DIANA
L ita is
