Page 83 of I'll Keep Her Safe

Daisy sendsthrough a few of the photographs an hour later, surprising me. I thought she’d need longer to get them ready, but the shots she sends are gorgeous, capturing the details and colors of the plants, a feast for the eyes. They look great as I excitedly load them up onto the website, then prepare some posts for social media. The more I can show him the possibilities with this idea, the better.

My phone vibrates on the counter, and I pick it up, wondering if it’s Wyatt. But when I look at the screen, I see it’s an unknown number. I hesitate, not wanting to answer, but it could be someone inquiring about the lunch catering. With a sigh, I accept the call.

“Hello?” I wait, listening, but no one responds. “Hello, Poppy speaking,” I try again, pulling the phone away to check the call is actually connected. It is. Weird. Pressing it back to my ear, I try one more time. “Can I help you?” The sound of breathing comes through the speaker, then the call drops out.

I look at my phone, blinking, my mind going to the place it always does in these kinds of situations.Kurt. But why would he call me and not say anything? If there’s one thing Kurt likes, it’s the sound of his own voice.

Shaking the thought off, I set my phone aside to focus on making a roasted cauliflower dish for dinner with a head I picked up from the garden today. While it’s roasting, I pop upstairs for a quick shower, peeling my apron and clothes off in the bathroom, my mind on Daisy’s words from this afternoon as I step under the steam.

The truth is, I do want a future with Wyatt. Desperately. I wantallof my future with him. No man has ever made me feel the way he does, so safe, so seen, so supported. I know it’s only been a short time since we got together, but it feels like longer. It feels like things have been brewing between us since I moved in, even if I didn’t realize it. I think of what he told me when we first slept together in Napa, that he’s wanted me since Bailey’s party, and satisfaction sinks into my bones, because I wanted him since that moment too, whether I could admit it or not. And suddenly, I understand why he was so difficult when I first moved in. It wasn’t because he didn’t want me there—it was because he didn’twantto want me there. He was fighting feelings for me and pushing me away. It makes so much sense now.

I didn’t mean to fall in love with him so quickly. It just happened, but I wouldn’t change it, and I don’t think he would either. I’m sure he wants what I want, or he wouldn’t take the risk he’s taking with Bailey. He wouldn’t make love to me like I’m the most precious thing he’s ever touched. He wouldn’t have told me he loves me in a way he didn’t know was possible.

I mean, okay, he hasn’t said it since, but neither have I. Maybe he thinks I only said it because I was caught up in the moment after we made love. But I’m sure he meant it.

Right?

I recall the times Kurt told me he loved me, only to turn around and act as though I was someone he could barely tolerate. Then I catch myself, shoving the memories away.

I willnotcompare him to Wyatt. They couldn’t be more different.

And the reason I know that is because Wyatt is doing everything he can to help me bloom, after Kurt tried to bury me. He’s done nothing but lift me up, champion me, and I suddenly ache to give him the same in return. I’ve got the website and marketing plan for his new business, but it doesn’t feel like enough. I want to give him more. I want to give him me, all of me. Everything.

A sound from downstairs snaps me from my thoughts, and I suddenly remember the cauliflower roasting in the oven.

“Shit,” I mutter, turning the shower off and stepping from the tub, drying myself roughly with my towel. I spy my apron on the floor and quickly yank it around me, tying it at the back as I descend the stairs to the kitchen.

The cauliflower isn’t ruined, though. I breathe out in relief as I adjust the temperature, adding more time to the oven timer. Then I notice what the noise was: Sugar knocked a stack of plastic measuring cups off the counter. I gently scold her as I bend to scoop them up, placing them on a high shelf where hopefully she won’t reach them.

“You’re trying to kill me.”

Wyatt’s voice makes me jump, and I spin around in surprise. I didn’t hear him come in. His eyes rake over me, naked apart from my apron, and he kicks off his boots, heat flashing in his gaze as he stalks across the kitchen.

“From now on, I want you to greet me like this every night,” he growls, dragging his nose along my neck, his hands sliding around to cup my bare ass.

I giggle. I hadn’t meant to greet him dressed like I’m about to shoot a porn film, but I’ll do whatever he asks if he responds like that.

“Okay,” I agree, kissing his neck. He smells like earth and sweat, a primal smell that makes my core clench with need. “What else do you want?”

“You, baby. Just you.” He sighs into my hair, but I don’t want him sweet right now. I want him dirty and demanding. I want him to take from me like he never lets himself. I want to submit to him.

I shake my head, pushing him away. “I’ll give you whatever you want, Wyatt. Right now. What do you want?”

He stares at me, his eyes darkening with understanding. “Whatever I want, huh?”

I nod, swallowing. My heart beats wildly as he reaches for his belt buckle. The clink of him slowly undoing it might be the hottest thing I’ve ever heard.

“You sure about that, Poppy?”

There’s a dangerous glint in his eyes, and I get a flashback to when we fucked after the shower and he warned me,be careful what you wish for. Seeing him give in to that was amazing. I want him to do that again.

And even though he looks as though he could eat me alive right now, I know I’m safe with him. I trust him more than anyone.

“I’m sure,” I purr, biting my lip in what I hope is a seductive manner. Apparently it is, because he tosses his belt aside, sliding one hand into my hair, guiding me down.

“On your knees for me, pretty girl.”

29

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