Feeling Wyatt’s hand embracing hers gave her some much-needed reassurance. “I think I am,” whispered Nev. She was still working to come to terms with what it meant to have someone know the truth about her.
“You know… I believe you. About all of it. Also, I still want to help you, if you’ll let me,” Wyatt added softly.
Nev pulled her hand from his and stood up to look at him. “Why?” she asked, sounding dubious.
He watched as she paced slowly back and forth with her head down. “Because,” he started to reply before she cut him off.
Nev felt herself growing more and more upset. Her hands started trembling, and her pacing grew more and more frantic. “No, you can’t. You just can’t. Either you should think I am a liar or—even better—crazy. Or… or you should believe me and realize I am not worth the risk. I have never been worthy of it,” she said, her eyes swelling with tears.
Wyatt laughed briefly and replied, “A liar, no. Crazy though? The cave swim may have sealed my judgment on that.”
Nev scowled at him and then returned to her pacing. Her agitation grew with each and every step.
Wyatt, realizing he had only made her more upset, moved to intercede her pacing and placed a hand tenderly on her cheek. “You’re wrong, you know. You are worth it,” he said sincerely.
His words fell upon her heart and with them a sense of serenity. Listen to your heart, Nev thought, remembering her father’s words. Nev closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking up at Wyatt. His sandy blonde hair was dry and full of the curls she had grown so fond of. She pushed a bit of his hair back from his eyes and nodded slightly at him. She found herself desperately wanting what he said to be true. Yet, after being alone for so long, she didn’t dare let herself believe it. “Are you sure? It’s not too late for you to walk away,” she whispered shakily.
Wyatt pulled her face gently towards his until there was only a hint of space between them. “I am quite sure,” he said, smiling warmly and savoring the sensation of her breath on his skin. The desire to kiss her built within him, but this time he wanted it to be her decision. It was clear to him that so much in her life had been decided for her. He wanted her to, at least, have control over this. She deserved to finally have a choice in something, and Wyatt was determined to provide as many opportunities for that as he could.
The late morning air was cool, but she felt her skin warming despite this. The walls she had built that last night of her childhood began to crack and crumble. She may be making a mistake, but the pain and the loneliness had become almost unbearable. Nev found herself feeling desperate to be touched, and she didn’t have the strength to deny it. This time she would let her walls fall. This time she would allow herself to be vulnerable—at least for a while.
She let her lips brush lightly against his and felt him wrap his arms around her waist in response. She breathed in deeply as he pulled her close. Placing her hand on the back of his neck, Nev’s fingers swiftly moved to play with a curl of his hair. The anticipation of feeling his lips against hers caused her breath to flutter. Still, he hovered just beyond her. A building sense of energy and warmth swirled through her, as it quickly began to reach a crescendo. Finally, she was unable to resist her desperate yearning for his touch. She leaned into him and kissed him passionately as her fingers rapidly abandoned his curls, and she pulled him into her kiss.
Wyatt eagerly met her increasing desire with his own. He moved one hand between her shoulder blades and pulled her deeper into his embrace. He slid his other hand down her back before stopping at her waist. His fingers slipped just below the small of her back and under her tucked shirt. Her skin felt warm and soft as his fingers traced light patterns upon it.
Nev’s breath quickened, and her need for his touch became an insatiable hunger. She was unsure of how to sate it, but she was not going to let her anxiety be a wall. Not this time. She could feel his hand slide slightly farther down her back, and it caused her to whimper softly with anticipation and a sense of uncertainty.
Wyatt pulled back from her, leaving only a hint of space between them. Gazing into her eyes deeply, he became utterly enraptured. They were like mysterious pools, beckoning him towards them. Powerless against their draw, he found himself wanting to touch, taste, and revel in her body. He realized if they went much farther, however, stopping would become increasingly unpleasant. Perhaps for them both. Despite wanting to fully be with her, he couldn’t live with wondering. It couldn’t be like it had after their first kiss. Beyond needing to feel certain, he also would never be able to live with knowing that he’d caused her pain. He needed to know she was sure she wanted this. All of this.
Nev looked at him with growing concern. “Did I do something wrong?” she asked, feeling uncertain and worried.
“Wrong? No, definitely not. I just… well, I want to make sure you want this. If you don’t… it’s okay. I’m going to help you, regardless of anything else,” he assured softly.
Nev thought for a moment. “I do. I’m tired of being alone, and I want this. I want you. It’s just that I… have never. Well, I have just never,” she replied, feeling suddenly embarrassed.
Wyatt grinned as he pulled her close, “No worries. Truly.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. Smiling at her, he said, “You really are a beautiful and amazing woman. And I
