Page 91 of I'll Keep Her Safe

“Me too.”

I draw a circle in the sand between us. “What do you think about?”

“I think about marrying you. Having a family with you. Living…”

Oh, God. Everything he says sounds perfect.

“Living?” I prompt breathlessly.

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard. “Living in Marty’s house with you, with your catering business downstairs, and…” he pauses here to suck in a breath, as if for courage, then adds, “Filling the house with our children.”

Joyce always wanted children. We bought a huge house to fill with them. It wasn’t meant to be.

Marty’s words echo through my head, the ones I overheard the first time I saw him with Wyatt in the garden, and suddenly I understand. I understand why he left the house to Wyattandme. My eyes sting as I think of what he missed out on, and how lucky I might get to be, to have it for myself. Because I can see it; us in that big old house, the sound of little footsteps on the stairs, a kitchen filled with love, and that beautiful garden. I can see it all.

“I want that,” I whisper. “I want that, Wyatt. All of it.”

But instead of smiling, he just regards me warily. “You’re so young, though, baby. And I’m…”

I frown. “You’re what?”

He lifts a shoulder, picking up a handful of sand and letting it fall through his fingers. “Well, I’m seventeen years older than you, Poppy.”

Frustration fizzles inside me. “This again? I’m young, but I’m not stupid. I’m not naive.”

“I know you’re not,” he says quickly. “But… what if we’re in different places in our lives? What if I want something you’re not ready for?”

“Or what if we’re both exactly where we’re meant to be?” I brush the hair from his forehead. “I spent years with a man who made me miserable, and I’ve finally found someone who makes me feel like the best version of myself. Someone who makes me feel happy, and loved, and safe, in a way I never knew was possible. I don’t care how old you are. I know what I want, and that’s you. I want a life with you. All the things you just said. And I want them now.”

He gazes at me for a long moment, his eyes shining. “You’re sure?”

I place a hand over my thundering heart. “Wyatt, I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

“Fuck,” he mutters, dashing a hand under his eye.

Holy shit, he’s crying.

“Hey.” I climb onto him, straddling his hips, wiping his cheek. “I hope those are happy tears.”

“Yes, baby.” His hands slide up my back, drawing my mouth down to his, where our kiss is salty from his tears. Mine too, I realize. Pouring your heart out to someone is a big deal.

“I’m so fucking in love with you,” he rasps, kissing my cheek, my neck, holding me tight.

“Me too.” I kiss him back, fiercely. “More than you know.”

I can feel him thickening in his jeans for me, and the ache building between my legs has me rocking against his pelvis, despite the crowded beach.

“How quickly can you get us home?” I ask between kisses, and he laughs against my lips.

“I will be getting us home in the safest way possible,” he says firmly, despite the smile playing on his mouth. “Because I need you in one piece for what I want to do to you.”

Oof. There isnothingbetter than a filthy promise from Wyatt.

We scurry back to his bike, whipping our jackets and helmets on before peeling out onto Ocean Parkway. My heart is a jumbled mess of happiness and excitement, thinking about our conversation, knowing he wants what I want, that I’m going to get to keep him. That this is real, and it’s forever.

Only…

The thought of Bailey nags at me as we zoom home along the highway, racing to get back to the house so we can make love. It’s not only the secret we’re keeping from her, it’s how desperately I want to call my best friend and tell her everything. Tell her I’m in love with the most wonderful man and he just told me he wants to marry me and have babies, and oh my God I still can’t believe it.

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