Safe With You Read online

  Robert helped Wyatt carry our bags through a door on the side of the garage building while Anne led me into the kitchen. I immediately loved their home. While Lindsay’s and my apartment had the shabby chic cottage look, Anne and Robert’s home was authentically cottage. The blue and yellow kitchen was cheery and bright, and I felt right at home sitting at the kitchen table while Anne poured me some lemonade.

  She motioned to the garage, “We have a full guest suite over the garage. I thought you and Wyatt would be most comfortable there.” Apparently his parents didn’t have any problem with us shacking up. “Thank you. I’m sure it will be perfect,” I said politely taking a sip of my lemonade.

  Wyatt and Robert joined us at the table and we all chatted for a while, mostly about me – school, my father, his run for President, how Wyatt and I met. I knew they wouldn’t get into anything too deep with me sitting there, and I knew that Wyatt needed to talk to them about Derek. So, after my second glass of lemonade I yawned and excused myself to go take a nap. Anne hugged me again, and Wyatt walked me to the door of our room. I turned and kissed him gently.

  “Go talk to your parents, Wyatt. They love you, and you all need to do this to heal.” He rubbed the back of his neck and nodded. I turned him around and gave him a gentle push toward the house.

  I went into our guest room and swore I would never leave. Everything was white – the bedding, the filmy curtains, even the wood floor had been painted white. It was like I had died and gone to heaven. Curling up on the bed I pulled the soft white duvet over me and fell asleep. I must have been really tired, because it was after 6:00 when I woke up. Pushing myself off the bed, I went to the bathroom and then brushed my teeth and ran my fingers through my hair. I wasn’t sure where everyone was, but I decided to risk it and set out for the house. Anne was in the kitchen when I entered through the back door. She smiled at me, “Did you have a nice rest, dear?”

  “Yes, thank you. Um…is everything okay in here?” She patted my arm reassuringly. “Yes, Wyatt told us of his guilt over Derek’s death. I had no idea he felt that way. His father and I have never blamed him. We are just so thankful that he is okay now. A lot of that is thanks to you, Taryn. I can see that you love each other very much.”

  “Yes, we do,” I replied. She led me over to the window that looked out over the backyard. In the distance I could see Wyatt sitting in the grass under a large tree on the far side of the pond. “Wyatt and Derek used to spend hours climbing that tree. During the summer they would be out there from sun up to sun down. Sometimes I had to take their lunch out to them, just to get them to eat.” She laughed softly at the memory.

  “I think he could use some company,” she said as she nudged me in the direction of the door. I left my flip flops at the door of the guest house and walked through the grass toward Wyatt. My toes dug into the soft grass, and I loved the feeling. There wasn’t much grass in the city. The breeze rustled through my hair as I walked slowly around the pond. Wyatt heard me approaching and held out his hand to me. I took it and he pulled me down into his lap, where I straddled him so my legs were wrapped behind him.

  We didn’t say anything, we just sat there wrapped around each other. His fingers played in my hair and I stroked the back of his neck, for a long time, just being with each other. Finally he spoke in a low voice against my neck, “Thank you, Taryn.” Before I could ask him what he meant he continued, “Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for bringing me home. Thank you for loving me.” Tears ran silently down my cheeks, and I pulled his face up so I could kiss him. I poured everything into that kiss – how much I loved him, how safe I felt in his arms, how certain I was that I was right where I was supposed to be.

  Knowing what I wanted from him now, I stood up and tugged on his hand to follow me back to our room. I led him up the stairs and into the bedroom, letting go of his hand to slowly shut the door behind us and turn the lock. He stayed standing just inside the door, and I walked over next to the bed and turned to face him.

  His eyes were still red, but the sadness from earlier was now replaced with desire and heat as he watched my fingers slowly undo the buttons down the front of my shirt. I pushed the shirt off my shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Wyatt still hadn’t moved but his gaze was intense, and I slipped off my flip flops and unbuttoned my shorts. His eyes swept over my white lace bra and panties and down my legs. I stepped out of my shorts and walked over until I was right in front of him, our bodies just barely touching.

  My hands made their way under his shirt to his stomach and his ab muscles quivered at my touch. He quickly pulled his shirt over his head and his hands came up to rest low on my hips, his thumbs tracing over the waistband of my panties. I slid my hands up to his shoulders and leaned forward to kiss his chest right over his heart. He inhaled sharply and shuddered, his hands leaving my hips to frame my face tilting my head up so he could kiss me.

  “Taryn…” he murmured against my mouth. I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist so he could not distance himself. “Don’t push me away, Wyatt. There is nothing holding us back now. I love you.” With his hands still on my face, his voice rough with emotion he said, “I love you, Taryn. More than you will ever know.” He brought his lips to mine and our tongues danced together as our passion grew. My bra and panties fell to the floor, he lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he walked us to the bed and lowered me down. When he tried to pull back I tightened my legs around his waist.

  Wyatt chuckled and murmured, “I was just going to take off the rest of my clothes, baby. This will work better if we’re both naked.” I giggled and released my death grip so he could push off his jeans and boxer briefs. My eyes wandered over every inch of his body, and I chewed on my bottom lip as I sat up. “Taryn,” he said gruffly, “if you keep looking at me like that this won’t last as long as I want it to.” I just smiled wickedly at him and wiggled my eyebrows in invitation. A slow sexy smile spread across his gorgeous face and he just shook his head and climbed onto the bed, hovering over me on his hands and knees. I tried to pull him down to me, but now he smiled wickedly.

  “Not yet…” Wyatt took his time exploring every inch of me, and by the time he did settle himself over me with his weight on his forearms, I was nearly begging him to hurry up. His breath was warm and tickled my ear when he nibbled on my earlobe and I heard the crinkle of a condom package. I stopped his hand before he could open it.

  “I’m on the pill. I want to feel you. All of you.” Wyatt dropped his forehead to mine and took a shaky breath. “God, Taryn,” he breathed as he slowly pushed into me. I was so ready that there was no pain, only a wonderful sensation as he filled me completely. When he started to move inside me I raked my nails over his lower back urging him faster. His hand ran roughly down my leg to pull my knee up over his hip. This new angle sent me flying over the edge and I cried out his name clutching at his arms. He buried his face in my neck as he found his own release.

  It was a good twenty minutes later before either of us moved. Wyatt had rolled slightly to the side so he didn’t crush me, and I poked his shoulder. “Are you alive?” He chuckled, “Barely.” I grinned, happy with the fact that I almost killed him my first time out of the gate. The sun was setting by the time we finally moved from the bed, and my stomach growled loudly.

  “Hungry?” Wyatt asked as he put his jeans back on. I was still sitting in bed, clasping the sheet to my chest with one hand. The look on Wyatt’s face was mesmerizing as his eyes traveled over me. My hair was a mess of ratty tangles from rolling around, and my cheeks warmed from his intense gaze, but I had never felt more beautiful.

  “Don’t move. I’m going to go grab some food from the kitchen and we’ll eat in bed.” I saluted him. “Yes, sir.” When he left I did run to the bathroom to clean up a bit and run a brush through my hair. I would have felt a little silly eating dinner naked, so I grabbed a pair of underwear and Wyatt’s t-shirt that was still lying on the floor. It fell to my upper thighs, just cover
ing my ass. I hadn’t heard him come back in, but Wyatt’s arms came around my waist and pulled me back against him. “I thought I told you not to move,” he murmured, pushing my hair to the side and kissing my shoulder and up to my neck. “Mmmm,” I moaned. “Although I really like you in my shirt…” The sun was all the way set by the time we got back to eating – this time naked.

  The next morning Wyatt let me sleep in, and there was a note on his pillow when I woke up. Dammit! One of these days he would be there when I woke up.

  Taryn – Went fishing with my dad. See my mom when you wake up. Love you, baby. W

  I showered and dressed in a sundress and braided my hair in two pigtails before finding Anne in the kitchen making pies. “Good morning, dear. Did you sleep well?” I blushed and nodded, thinking about my night with Wyatt that didn’t involve a whole lot of sleeping. I spent what was left of the morning and most of the afternoon baking pies with Anne. Actually Anne baked while I helped a little. I was just pulling an apple pie out of the oven when Wyatt and Robert came home.

  Wyatt came over and wiped a bit of flour off my nose and then tugged on one of my braids. “Have I mentioned how much I love these?” I wrinkled my nose and pushed him away. “Have I mentioned how much you stink?” He laughed and went to take a shower.

  That night for dinner we ate some of the fish they had caught and sat out on the patio with his parents, drinking beer and wine and listening to stories of Wyatt and Derek as children. I smiled over at Wyatt who seemed so at ease here with his parents, and he squeezed my hand.

  The next day Wyatt took me around his hometown, showing me where he went to school and where he used to work and all the places he used to get into trouble. That last one took most of the day, but I didn’t care. The only thing I cared about was seeing him so happy. I hadn’t realized how much tension and stress used to show around his eyes until it wasn’t there anymore. We were going back to the city the next morning, so we spent the evening with Anne and Robert again. The next morning they both hugged me tightly, and I promised to bring Wyatt back for visits often. And I meant it – I loved it out here in the country away from the hustle and bustle of the city I had grown up in.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Attention

  Most of the next month was spent working on my research paper, spending time with Wyatt and helping Lindsay avoid a nervous breakdown. While I had been fine with abandoning our apartment and moving back home, Lindsay was less than thrilled about moving back in with her parents. And her summer internship at her father’s law firm was boring her to tears.

  There had been a lot of media speculation about the assault charges facing Ryan and my father’s rumored run for the Presidency. Because of all the hype my dad had decided to announce his candidacy earlier than planned - right after the 4th of July instead of late August. The election was not until the following November, but Primary season started in January, and my dad wanted to get his name out there early. Or rather Blake wanted to get his name out there early. A fundraiser where the announcement would take place was scheduled for July 6th.

  My parents had hoped to keep me out of the spotlight, but the media was fascinated with me for some reason. It was public record that I was adopted, and there had been dozens of false claims by “long lost relatives” of mine. My fashion style had also been a matter of national interest lately, so Lindsay had insisted I work with a personal stylist who approved all my outfits before I stepped outside the apartment. We were going for youthful elegance, and several tabloids had compared me to Princess Kate. Now that was one headline I didn’t mind reading.

  Needless to say I didn’t leave the apartment much. I made a lot of progress on my research paper and by the week before the 4th of July it was over 80% done, which was great because I knew there wouldn’t be much time to work on it after my dad’s announcement the following week. Blake had managed to book me on a special primetime news show airing a few days after the fundraiser, where I would tell the story of my childhood before and after my adoption. I was extremely nervous about being on national television, but I knew this would help my dad’s image immensely. So I agreed and nobody but Lindsay and Wyatt knew exactly how nervous I was.

  Even with the extra time spent on my paper and prepping for my interview and trying on and approving outfits, Wyatt and I still managed to spend a lot of quality time together. Dominic still lived at the apartment with us, although when evening came and I was done with writing and Rosa had gone home he made sure to disappear so Wyatt and I could have some semblance of a normal relationship.

  One such evening in late June after the sun had set Dominic had made it clear he would be in the gym and then in his room watching TV. Wyatt was in the shower, so I left him a note on his pillow.

  Meet me in the pool. Swimsuit optional. T

  Beside the note I left my bikini. Piling my hair on top of my head I wore my robe out to the pool and tossed it on a lounge chair before dipping into the pool up to my shoulders. Five minutes later Wyatt walked out – in his swim trunks, apparently he didn’t get the memo – with my bikini dangling from his finger.

  “Uh, I think you forgot something?” I slowly shook my head, “Nope, I didn’t.” He chuckled and tossed my bikini next to my robe and dropped his swim trunks before diving into the deep end. He swam underwater until I felt his hands on my legs, then my ass, then my waist as he rose out of the water, dragging his hard body against mine. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him playfully, nipping at his lower lip then running my tongue over it. He growled, literally growled, and grabbed my thighs urging my legs around his waist.

  “I want you right now, Taryn,” he murmured against my mouth while walking us over until my back was pressed against the side of the pool.

  “Fine by me, baby. I’ve been ready since you dropped your trunks,” I whispered in his ear pressing myself against him. He groaned at my words and moved me slightly so he could thrust into me. My smiled faded into a gasp and my head fell back. It didn’t take long until we were both on fire, the water lapping around us doing nothing to cool our desire. In our signature moves, I cried out his name and he buried his face in my neck as we careened over the edge together. The only coherent thought I had in that moment was that I would never get tired of Wyatt burying his face in my neck and surrendering to me. We splashed and talked in the pool for over an hour before heading to my room, where, this time, we took our time building the fire that was always on a slow burn inside of us.

  During our trip to visit his parents last month I told Wyatt that I hated waking up without him, so ever since he has been beside me in the morning. I know he still gets up early to exercise and look at the paper, but he always makes it back to bed before my eyes open. That’s one of our favorite times together, just snuggling under the warm covers and talking about anything and everything.

  Today we were talking about my upcoming interview, and how much I would say about our relationship. In the press release right after Ryan attacked me, Blake mentioned that I was in a long-term committed relationship with the man in the newspaper photo, but he didn’t release Wyatt’s name.

  “So, I’m sure she will ask me about my ‘long-term committed relationship’. What do you want me to say?” I asked Wyatt while I rested my head on his chest. He brushed his fingers through my hair and down my back. “Say whatever you feel comfortable saying, Taryn. I have no problem with everyone knowing my name or that I’m your bodyguard as well as your boyfriend. But if you want to keep that private, I’m fine with that too.” I traced light patterns over his chest and shoulder with my fingers and he shivered at my touch.

  “Cold?” I teased. “Definitely not cold,” he said roughly. “I guess I’ll just see what she asks and what I feel like saying in the moment. It’s not like it’s some big secret anymore. And when I’m out and about more, I’m sure someone will get a picture of me kissing you. Because I just can’t seem to keep my hands off you.” I said as my hand made its way down his stomach and b
eyond. He grabbed my hand and rolled on top of me. I guess Rosa will have to warm up my breakfast for me a little later than usual.

  On the last day of June I was in my room trying on several dresses that my stylist, Selena Fox, had brought over. We were trying to choose one for the fundraiser and another for my interview, and Lindsay was due any minute to give her opinon. Half an hour later I texted Lindsay to see where she was. I didn’t want to keep Selena here too much longer.

  Me: Where r u?

  Lindsay: Late.

  Well, no shit you’re late.

  Me: ETA?

  Lindsay: 30

  I sighed and dropped my phone back on my bed. “She’s not going to make it. Let’s decide without her,” I said to Selena. Selena was as tall as me with long black hair and dark green eyes, and being a stylist, she was always impeccably dressed. When I first met her I was a little intimidated – by her confidence and beauty. But I quickly discovered she was great – down to earth and sweet. And we usually had the same ideas about what I should be wearing.

  “This one for the fundraiser,” she said holding up a sea foam green chiffon cocktail dress that perfectly matched my eye color. “And this one for the interview,” she said holding up a simple navy blue sheath dress in her other hand. I nodded, “Perfect. Thanks, Selena.” She took the dresses with her to get a couple of alterations and to find the appropriate shoes and accessories before next week.

  I walked Selena out to the foyer and we chatted until the elevator arrived. Wyatt was in the living room on his phone and I could tell he was talking to his mom. When Selena was gone I walked over to sit next to him on the sofa. “Tell her I say ‘hi’,” I whispered motioning to the phone. He nodded and then put his hand over the mouthpiece. “Are you still okay with spending the 4th at my parents’ house?”