Page 23 of Tempting Wyatt

As we’re leaving, Laurel surprises me with a hug.

“Thank you for the amazing dinner. And dessert,” I say as I follow Wyatt toward the back door.

“Try not towear her outtoo much, brother,” Isaac calls out, earning a burning glare from Wyatt.

I bite my lip to hold in my laughter. I’ve determined that Isaac is secretly a fourteen-year-old boy, trapped in a man’s body.

But when Wyatt places his hand on the small of my back, I can’t suppress the responding shiver. I feel like a nervous teenager myself.

“Cold?” he asks as we step outside.

“I’m good,” is all I can manage.

He climbs onto the waiting ATV and cranks the engine. I climb on behind him, and for a second, I contemplate placing my hands on the handles behind me. But it feels more natural to wrap my arms around him, so I do.

He stiffens, and I worry that I made a mistake and am making him uncomfortable. But when I start to pull my hands away, he grips them with his, keeping them securely against his torso.

“Hold on.” The low rumble of his voice vibrates through his back, and I feel it in my chest.

He’s warm and solid. My body gravitates toward him the entire ride down the dark trail. The earthy scent of the woods only adds to the experience that ends all too quickly. Maybe I imagine it, wishful thinking and all, but it seems like he takes his sweet time—unlike the first time he drove me down here, when he seemed to be in a hurry to escape.

When we reach the cabin, he helps me climb off the machine and walks me to the door.

The energy between us is different now. Still as electrically charged as it’s always been, but there’s an intimacy that wasn’t there before. Maybe it was the dinner or the conversation in my car earlier.

“I had a great time tonight. Thank you.”

Suddenly, it feels like we’ve been on a date, even though it was the furthest thing from it.

“Yeah? Sutton might try to follow you home when you leave.” He smirks, but something dark passes in his gaze.

I laugh softly. “She’s welcome to visit anytime she likes.”

He holds my stare. “Better not tell her that.”

I can’t help but smile. Is this banter? Does my axe-wielding, rugged rancher do banter?

Makes me wonder what else he does. I shiver again.

It’s at that moment I remember I left my vibrator behind in California. That’s. . . unfortunate.

“Let’s get you inside before you freeze,” Wyatt says, gesturing at the door.

I don’t correct him. Better for him to believe I’m cold.

I open the door with the code Laurel gave me. But when I step inside, Wyatt doesn’t follow. He remains rooted on the porch and appears to be battling himself.

“You want to come inside? I have coffee.”

Interest flickers in his eyes, but it’s gone as quickly as it appeared.

“It’s getting late,” is all he says.

I smirk at him because he isn’t old enough to think nine at night is late. In LA, people are just now heading out to grab dinner.

“Late for people who get up at four thirty in the morning,”he clarifies. “Which you will be tomorrow. Get some rest. I’ll pick you up here at five.”

“Wyatt,” I call out before he’s off the porch.