Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
He always has been.
8
Savannah
“I had no idea you could cook,” I moan as I rub my stomach.
Not only can Wyatt cook but he’s made a freaking feast. I enjoyed watching him cook almost as much as I enjoyed eating it.
“I’ve got all kinds of skills,” he teases, pulling me from my chair and into his lap.
It’s the middle of the week and I don’t think he has any plans for going into work today from the look of things. He’s dressed casually in jeans and a buttoned-up shirt and he’s not checking his phone every two seconds like most men do. In fact, I haven't seen him with one all day.
Before today I never thought about the simple pleasures of being married—well, of a marriage between two people who want to be together. Getting dressed and making breakfast together is so simple but so perfect. But to be fair the only thing I have to compare it to is my fake marriage to Aiden and seeing how my parents were together.
Aiden's parents were always sweet to each other. They meant well, but I kept my distance from them these past few years. I was close to his mom when I was little, but when we lost Aiden’s sister things felt different. They wanted me to be something that I wasn't. I think that’s how they got so wrapped up in Aiden and me getting married. They wanted a little girl again, but I wasn’t her.
If anything it made me put distance between us. I wonder how she’s taking all of this right now. I worry more about her than my own mother. Aiden’s fiancée is sweet, so maybe now Aiden’s mom will actually get what she’s looking for. That’s the best I can hope for at this point. I want nothing more than that whole family to be happy.
Wyatt’s hand drifts across my stomach and pulls me from my thoughts. He doesn't want me to be anyone I’m not and it’s so freeing. Yesterday I thought I was going to break apart, but being accepted is a whole new feeling.
“That’s a food baby,” I tease him, and he laughs. The softness from when we were kids shows a little in his face and I see the gentle side of my Wyatt.
“It will be real soon enough,” he tells me before giving me a kiss. He runs his hand through my hair to tuck one of my long locks behind my ear.
“We’ve lost a lot of time.” I rest my head on his shoulder.
There are things I need to be doing, but when I’m close to him like this I don’t want to move. He’s right though. There will be a baby in there soon enough at this rate and we need to have things straightened out before then. Not between him and me because it’s clear this is happening. I know neither of us want my father touching the family we’re about to build together. I want a clean slate and I need to stand up to him.
“I know, and I promise to make up for it. It’s not like it wasn't worth the wait,” he says, kissing the top of my head.
He’s right. It was.
“How long would you have waited?” I ask. When would he have come for me?
“You were always going to belong to me, Savannah. Never doubt that.”
“And if I hadn't wanted you, too?” I poke at his hard chest in an effort to lighten the mood. I can tell by the look on his face he doesn't like talking about the time when we apart.
“I would have become what you wanted,” he says easily.
“You’re so full of it, Wyatt,” I laugh.
“I’d do anything for you, Savannah. Even let you marry another man if I thought it was best in the moment. Everything I’ll ever do is for you.” My heart flutters in my chest. He told me that he loved me, but this is different. It’s deeper somehow, more than love.
“I want you to be you. Promise me right now that this is you.” His words are sweet and I know that this is the man I love. He’s the cocky bastard who ruled my every thought in high school and the man who was never far from my heart. “This is me, princess. Somehow you want the real me.”
“That’s because you’re always real. That’s all I ever want.”
“I know.”
His body softens under mine as he delves his hands into my hair. He pulls me to him and our mouths meet for a long kiss that leaves me breathless.
“I want nothing more than to take you to bed, but you need to rest.” I try to change his mind but he cuts me off. “Soak in the tub and relax. I’ll be all over you again tonight,” he adds with the smile I love.