Page 20 of Searching for Sunshine (Crestbrook Cove #1)

STELLA

I don’t know what comes over me, but as I listen to Wyatt say all of these incredibly sweet things to me, my control finally snaps and I can’t keep myself from leaning over and kissing him.

As soon as our mouths crash, I let out a sigh of relief at the feeling of finally having his lips on mine. The last few days have been torture, and all I’ve been able to think about is having his body this close to me.

“Fucking finally,” he groans before threading his hands through my hair and pulling my mouth back to his. I giggle in agreement, swinging my leg over him so I can straddle him, desperate to be as close to him as I can.

He runs his hands up my sides, and I shift gently, rocking against his hard cock until I cry out in surprise when I realize how large he is.

“Damn,” I mutter, and Wyatt chuckles.

“You really know how to stroke my ego,” he teases, pulling my mouth back to his. I continue to roll my hips against him and smile when I feel him start to harden beneath me.

“Baby, if you don’t stop, I’m gonna come. It’s been a long fucking time since I had a woman as sexy as you grinding on my cock, and I’m trying to behave here,” he whispers. I smile at the idea.

Suddenly, I feel the small familiar swell of anxiety start to build inside of me at the thought of having sex with Wyatt.

I’ve enjoyed sex in the past, but I tend to freeze up when it’s time to actually go for it with someone new.

I had a few selfish partners when I was in college, and I’ve been nervous about how long it can take me to orgasm ever since.

Just as I’m about to spiral, Wyatt brushes a piece of hair out of my face, and I feel the wave of anxiety I was feeling lessen at the touch.

“Behaving is overrated,” I murmur. Wyatt laughs, grabbing my hips to keep me still.

“Stels, shit, you’re so damn hot,” he groans, bringing his mouth back to mine and dropping another hard kiss to his mouth. “But I don’t want us to rush into anything here. We have a whole year of living together, and I don’t want you to feel like we have to do anything.”

“I don’t feel that way, Wyatt,” I assure him. “I’ve just spent the last few days thinking about how good this would feel.”

“Fuck, I can’t think straight when you talk like that, Stels.

” he complains in between kisses. “But, I just want you to think about this. Make sure this is what you want, okay? Maybe we can keep it casual while we’re married.

Just friends who kiss sometimes, you know?

But I want to make sure you know that none of this is expected.

I’d never forgive myself if you felt like I took advantage of this situation we’re in. ”

I pause, and after I push away the brief feeling of rejection I realize that he’s right.

We can’t afford to rush into this, and the last thing I want to do is mess up the friendship we’ve rekindled over the last few months, despite the fact that I’d love nothing more than to grind on his cock until he’s ready to come right now.

“Okay, fine. I guess you have a point,” I pout and Wyatt groans at my expression.

“Stels, don’t make this any harder than it has to be. My self-control is already at pretty much zero.”

“You’re right,” I say, dropping one more kiss to his mouth before crawling off of him and laying back in the bed. “I’m not trying to guilt trip you. We’ll take this slow and see where it goes, deal?”

“Deal,” he agrees.

“Great. Now let’s get to bed. It’s been a fucking day, and we have a booze cruise to lead tomorrow,” I tell him, inflicting as much excitement as I can into my voice.

“Fucking fabulous,” he groans, and I can’t help but laugh at his lack of enthusiasm.

“Goodnight, hubby.”

“Good morning, Stella. Do you want me to start a pot of coffee so it'll be ready for you when you get back from your run?” Wyatt asks, looking through the bedroom door from the kitchen as I’m getting out of bed the following morning.

I wrinkle my nose at him, and he laughs at my expression. “Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I cannot stand the taste of coffee. I’ll stick to my orange cream flavored energy drinks.”

“You don’t like coffee at all?” he asks. I shake my head, slipping into the bathroom in my bedroom to get dressed for my run.

As soon as I’m dressed and my hair’s in a high ponytail, I open the door to answer him.

“Nope, I honestly wish I did. But now that you mention it, do you know where I can get a restock on my energy drinks here in town? For some reason the website told me it’ll take them a few weeks to get here so I was just going to grab them from the store. I think I’m out after today.”

“Uh, nope, I can’t think of anywhere in town off the top of my head that will have them for sure but I can tell you the names of a few places you could call and ask.”

“Sure, that would be great. I’m gonna go on my run but I’ll be back soon.”

I step outside and take a few minutes to stretch before I take off, heading down the path to the beach.

I’ve been wanting to try warming up by running on the beach since we moved, and after the stress of the busted water pipe and the sexual tension between Wyatt and me from that kiss last night, I feel like this will be just what I need to get my mind off of everything.

Once I get to the beach, it takes me a while to warm up as I get used to the feeling of running with the sand beneath my feet.

I push myself as hard as I can, waiting for the calm I usually feel while running to come.

But today, it never does. For years, running has been my safe place where I can shut the world out and not have to focus on any of the things that are stressing me out.

But today all I can think about is that kiss and the way Wyatt’s mouth felt on mine.

You agreed you’re just friends, Stella. That kiss wasn’t friendly.

He seemed fine with everything last night, but what if he was just being nice?

And if he leaves because you pushed him too far you won’t just lose him, you could lose the Hideaway too, my brain reminds me over and over again. God, why is this so damn complicated?

I know the safest thing is to make sure nothing like last night ever happens again.

It makes the most sense for us to stay friendly and not cross any more lines until this year is over and he can walk away from this whole situation.

But the thought of that makes my chest hurt.

I never let myself acknowledge how much I missed Wyatt the first time I left Crestbrook Cove, too consumed with the drama of my parents’ divorce and starting my first semester of college.

But now? I realize not having him in my life might leave me feeling a little hollow.

Not to mention the fact that when he kissed me back last night, it was the first time I’ve felt anything for a guy in years.

By the time I finish my run, I’m sweaty, sandy, and more confused than I was when I started.

After making the short walk back to the cottage, I fix myself a glass of water and open the fridge, looking for my usual energy drinks.

But all that’s in there is coffee creamer and a few bottles of beer.

Thinking back, I remember I drank the last one yesterday without realizing it.

Damn it, of all the days to not be caffeinated.

Blowing out an annoyed breath, I remind myself it’s not a big deal and I can probably grab one of my drinks from a gas station on the way to the docks.

I grab a quick shower and slide into a pair of jean shorts with a tank.

It only takes me a few minutes to throw on some light makeup and brush my hair out so it can dry in the sun before I grab my bag and head out of the house.

Pulling out my phone, I send a quick text to Avery to make sure she doesn’t mind making sure the guests are taken care of.

Stella: I’m out of energy drinks. :(

Stella: If it’s okay, I’m gonna leave now so I can run to the gas station and grab one. Can you make sure all the guests are good to go and I’ll meet y’all at the docks? I want to make sure we have everything we need there too.

Avery: You and those damn drinks. You know this wouldn’t be a problem if you’d just drink coffee like the rest of the world.

Avery: I’m just giving you a hard time. I’ll take care of it. See you in an hour.

Stella: You’re the best. Thanks, Aves.

Avery: Yeah, yeah. Tell me something I don’t know. ;)

Rolling my eyes at her reply, I pull out of the parking lot of the High Tide Hideaway and head to the nearest gas station. I walk inside and smile at the older lady behind the cash register as I make my way to the drink coolers.

“Hey, honey. How can we help you today?” she calls out across the store, and I turn my attention back to her.

“Oh, I just came in to see if you had any energy drinks. Specifically the orange cream flavor, but I need some caffeine bad enough today I won’t be picky,” I say with a kind smile as the lady stares at me.

“No, dear. We don’t carry anything like that. But we’ve got a hot pot of coffee over here if you want some of that. Cream and sugar too.”

“Oh, that’s okay. Thanks anyway,” I say, trying to hide my disappointment as I head back outside.

I try three more gas stations, and by the time I pull up to the docks, I’m frustrated and already looking forward to today being over. I knew there was a reason I said I never wanted to live in a town this small, and the current lack of caffeine options is currently at the top of the list.

Walking inside, I find Wyatt and Trent sitting around the desk and going through invoices. Looking up they both raise their hands in a wave of acknowledgment, and Wyatt says, “Hey, Stels. Perfect timing. This one here’s about to give me a fucking migraine with the way he’s running his mouth.”