Free Wyatt (Lane Brothers #1) by Kristina Weaver Page A

that’s how I feel. Then I need to say that the way I’ve been lately is not the norm. I need all of that routine to make me feel all right with the world, no matter how hard you try to convince me otherwise.”
    He doesn’t like that, I can see it, but he manages to keep it to himself and gives me a nod.
    “Noted. I need to set up a routine for us. What else?”
    “Well, you probably want us to sleep together or something.”
    “Uh, that would be a positive response from the salivating man in front of you.” He laughs, looking down at his lap ruefully.
    It amuses me enough that I giggle, despite my nerves, and manage to meet his gaze.
    “I am attracted to you like you wouldn’t believe, Wyatt, and I do want you. I’m just not sure about all the set-in-stone stuff that comes along with being with you. What if we’re together and one of us wants out? I can’t—”
    “I will never want out, Ellie. I told you, I love you. I’ve never loved another woman before, so I’m going on record saying that this is my forever.”
                  “Well, what if I want to walk away?” I ask, wincing at the callousness of my words.
    What if he’s a toenail-picking kind of guy or does something equally annoying down the road? It’s not out of the realm of possibility, you know.
    “Then it’s up to me to try harder, Ellie, that’s all. If somewhere down the line you need some space and time to settle things in your mind, or if you just…don’t want me anymore, then it’s something I’ll have to accept because I love you enough to want you to be happy. I’ll do everything I can not to let you feel that way, though, so prepare to be wooed,” he says, grinning when my eyes widen.
    “Okay.”
    Now I’ve done it.
    “Okay?”
    “Yeah. Okay. Let’s try this whole dating, sleeping together, and being a couple thing. I like you enough to want to try.”
    He swallows, and I notice that he seems nervous all of a sudden.
    “You, uh…are you a…”
    I know what he’s asking, and instead of blushing and avoiding the subject, I answer as best as I can.
    “Technically. I’ve never made love before, so I’m a virgin in that sense, but the barrier isn’t there anymore. I had an episode when I was fourteen involving a horse and me landing very hard when it took off while I was on it. Trust me, though, after seeing all that blood, you’re lucky that thing is history.”
    “Okay. Good. Uh…I’m going to kiss you now, Ellie.”
    He doesn’t give me a moment to process this before his lips are crashing down on mine in a kiss that is about claiming and possession. After a few seconds, and now that he’s satisfied his urges, he gentles the contact and starts kissing me sweetly and deeply, slowing us both down till I feel like he’s making love to my mouth.
    It’s arousing, heated, soft, and romantic all at the same time, and I feel myself falling deeper under his spell. This isn’t my first kiss, but I can say that it is the first real kiss I’ve had. Ever.
    It does everything the books have talked about and so much more. With this one action, he’s got me hooked, and by the time he stops licking and kissing my mouth and pulls away, I think he knows it.
    The moment should be awkward as he pulls away and stares deep into my eyes, his hands cradling my face gently, reverently. It isn’t.
    “I knew it would be this way with you. Perfect,” he breathes before coming back to lay butterfly kisses all over my upturned face.
    “Wyatt, I—”
    “Shh, don’t be afraid, Ellie, this is exactly what making love should feel like. Let me show you what I feel for you.”
    That pleading tone and the way he’s looking at me is so loving that all I can do is nod and follow as he takes my hand and leads me out of the pool area and back into the house.
    Our trek up the stairs takes longer than it should because he keeps stopping to kiss me breathlessly, and by the time we reach the master bedroom, I’m dazed and so