“I wanted to bring you here because this is where I first laid eyes on you. You didn’t see me when I came in to interview with Sheriff Locke, but I certainly saw you. When I was hired and assigned as your partner, I figured it was fate stepping in. Then you barked at me in that voice of yours and I nearly swallowed my tongue. I’ve wanted you ever since that first day, but now it’s so much more than that. Seeing you on the ground, covered in blood, stopped my heart. Just like my dad dying was a wake-up call for me, seeing you hurt was another one. I love you, Oakley.”
My eyes burned as my heart swelled in my chest. “I love you too, Wyatt. Doesn’t even matter what your last name is. I see you.”
I put my hand on his cheek, wishing he’d hurry up and kiss me, but Wyatt had other ideas. “I came clean to the sheriff. Next Monday is my last day here before I transfer to the San Mateo office.”
I gasped. “What?”
“Sheriff already knew about my prior last name. He said he’ll put in a good word for me. They won’t hold my millions against me as long as the paparazzi thing dies down, which I’m sure it will. I’m kinda boring now.”
I barked out a laugh, speechless that he’d done all the things I’d asked of him before. He was leading with honesty and I would too.
“All that honesty is sexy as hell, Lieutenant.” I lifted my head and grazed my lips across his. I needed him kissing me in the next half a second or I might just have to put him in a headlock.
Music came on suddenly, startling the hell out of me. Wyatt chuckled as my head spun around, trying to figure out where the noise was coming from. It was an upbeat song I’d always loved, Someone To You by BANNERS.
“Hold that thought, sweetheart,” he mumbled, putting me down.
The lights flipped on and people jumped out from behind every surface, shouting “surprise!” Betty, in her usual sweater set, pulled a ribbon and a banner unfolded from the ceiling over her desk.
Get Well, Oakley
Charles walked out of the break room with a cake in the shape of a cast. These knuckleheads were throwing me a party for getting my ass shot.
A smile split my face, even as I gripped Wyatt at the surprise of seeing every deputy I worked with clapping me on the back and pulling me into hugs. Sheriff eventually pushed a deputy out of the way and grabbed me by the arms.
“Just a little party to let you know we’re thinking of you, Lee. You better get well quick because I can’t stand any more of your pathetic voicemails asking for a desk job.”
I opened my mouth to defend myself, but he pulled me into a rough hug before the words could form. And then I was being pulled away by Wyatt, who brought me back to the center of the room, careful to give me time to limp there in that stupid boot.
The music kept playing, but everyone settled down. Wyatt held my hand, a glint in his eye that made my stomach clench. He got down on one knee and my eyes went round. The whole department went up in shouts. Wyatt turned to everyone and shushed them before turning back to me.
“It’s not what you think.” He winked and I couldn’t stop the nervous giggles. Highly unprofessional of me, but my body wasn’t cooperating with the serious protocol that had been engrained in me. “I want to promise you in front of all our coworkers that I will make you my priority for the rest of our lives. I won’t hide how I feel about you ever again. This promise ring is a symbol of that.” He slid a plain gold band out of his pocket and onto my finger. “And one day soon, when you’re ready, I’ll replace that one with a proper engagement ring.”
I thought I might have somehow drunk a bottle of champagne without remembering. My head was about to float right off my body. The cool metal ring felt foreign on my finger. Foreign, but a welcome change. I knew he’d paid for it out of his pocket when he could have just dipped into his trust fund and bought a damn yacht and named it after me. The little circle of gold meant more to me than all the European vacations in the world.
“Stand up, Lieutenant,” I barked in my best drill sergeant voice, knowing this would be the most important answer in all my life.
Wyatt swallowed hard and stood.
I gazed up at him then, memorizing the moment, the sounds of the party fading away as I looked at the man who loved me enough to be his true self in front of everyone and, most importantly, me. I could only give him the same gift of honesty in return.
There wasn’t much thought, only a heartfelt need to be closer to him when I jumped right into his startled arms. He caught me like I knew he would. My legs wrapped around his waist and I ran my fingers through his hair to press my lips to his. His scent surrounded me and I knew I’d found my home in his arms. The place erupted around us, but I couldn’t have cared less. My tongue swept inside, claiming this man lewdly and graphically in front of my boss and coworkers and anyone else who looked our way.
Because I’d learned something important: loving someone—and showing it—didn’t make you weak. Only refusing to acknowledge
