As her eyes closed and he tilted her head back, she knew this night was going to end in satisfaction instead of frustration.
Melanie ran a hand down his hips and pressed as close as she could.
Wyatt moaned and pulled away. “You’re killing me.”
She giggled and lifted her knee to run against his leg. “You dropped your paintbrush.”
“Fuck the paintbrush.”
His lips found hers again with hot, impatient kisses. Wyatt lifted her offered leg and wrapped it around his waist as he backed her up against the back of Josie’s bar. His hips pushed against her, the heat and friction of him made her stomach spasm. Made her want.
Wyatt pulled away, then changed his mind and returned with a force that made her breath catch in the back of her throat.
He held her against the wall, his hands rounded on her ass, kept her pinned, and seemed content to kiss her until she wept for air. Only her body wanted more than air, she wanted more.
It was her turn to pull away. “Take me to your castle, Wyatt.”
He hesitated, his lips hovering over hers, his breath short and hot. “What about the inn?”
She shook her head. “One guest. Miss Gina said . . .” Melanie didn’t elaborate. “It’s fine.”
He kissed her again, sucked her lip between his teeth and gave a tiny bite. “You’re sure?”
“Are you going to make me beg?”
His eyes grew wide, his grin even wider before he released her and wrapped his fingers around hers. Wyatt started toward his truck, then detoured to the back door of the bar. He poked his head inside and yelled. “We’ll be back in the morning, Josie.”
Laughter followed them as they drove away.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Wyatt’s home sat on the opposite side of town from R&B’s. The single-story ranch sat on a little bit of land, as did most of the homes in the area. As a kid she’d passed this place continually en route to her family home, which sat on a hill behind his.
The house was dark with the exception of a single porch light.
They’d driven to his house with only a few words.
Are you sure about this?
More than sure.
It was the holding of her hand the entire trip to his home that turned her to mush. The cab of Wyatt’s truck wasn’t exactly small, and his reach had to be uncomfortable . . . but he held it anyway.
He pulled into the driveway, then lifted a finger in the air when she reached for the door. “Hold up.”
She let go of the handle and waited for him to run around the truck to open the door for her.
“You’re crazy.”
“A little,” he agreed as he grasped her hand and tucked her into his side. “The house isn’t as bad as Luke led you to believe.”
The second her foot stepped through the front door, she thought Luke had it completely right. The bare living room held a couch, a hillbilly coffee table, and a TV.
“Do you want something to drink?” he asked as he led her to his kitchen. Obviously this was one of the finished rooms. Granite countertops and modern appliances were the cornerstone of the warm and inviting space. Brushed nickel pulls on the aged maple cabinets matched the longneck faucet over the sink. Melanie was innately happy Wyatt wasn’t into a cold, modern style of living with hard edges and uninviting surfaces.
“I’m good,” she told him. After turning a full circle, she asked for a bathroom.
“I have two, but the one in my bedroom is the only one working.”
She pointed down the hall. “That way?”
“End of the hall, double doors.”
She passed a couple of closed doors before making her way into Wyatt’s bedroom. Rustic wood furniture filled in the generous space. Dark colors adorned his unmade bed and a copy of Lee Child’s latest novel sat on the side table. One rustic red wall accented the room and drew her eye to a single piece of art. The Oregon coast with sea cliffs and crashing waves was captured in the same muted tones of the room, blending perfectly with the decor. To say she was impressed would have been an understatement.
When she stepped into the bathroom and switched on the light, she let out a tiny gasp.
The space was huge compared to most of the homes in River Bend. A deep vessel bathtub sat in front of a large window, the double vanity had glass sinks and a furniture base that she would never have thought would work together, but they did. It was the shower that was the most impressive, however. She couldn’t help but duck inside the space and gawk. A rain showerhead hovered on the ceiling with a fixed head on one side and a removable one on the other. The glass enclosure kept the space bright and cheery despite the dark tiles that covered the wall. It was stunning . . . all of it.
She caught her reflection in the mirror while she was washing her hands a couple of minutes later.
What a mess. Paint was everywhere, her eyes held tiny circles from many late nights and not enough sleep. How could Wyatt look at her and do anything but cringe?
She removed the band from her hair and attempted to run her fingers through it and untangle some of the mess a labor-filled day caused.