Page 66 of Tempting Wyatt (Triple Creek Ranch #1)

“Deep ridiculous, obsessive love,” he admits, watching me carefully. “I fucked up and I will probably fuck up again in the future, but I’m yours, Ivy. And if you’re not ready now, I’ll wait. Show me all your messy, baby. Do your worst. I’m not going anywhere. Ever.”

I want to believe him, but a lifetime of evidence to the contrary makes it difficult.

He strokes my face, letting his thumb brush across my lips. “I was trying to save my ranch, and you came along and saved me. My sweet selfless Hollywood angel.”

The oxygen escapes my lungs. I sniffle loudly but can’t be bothered to be embarrassed about it.

I roll my lips inward. “If this were a screenplay, my editor would say you were being super cringe right now.”

He grins. “Well, it’s cringe or filthy when I’m groveling. Which one does my girl need?”

I chew the inside of my lip. “Probably a little of both, honestly.”

He nods. “Are you ready for that? Because we can go back to my place—no, our place, and I could let you ride my face, or we could break some shit. I could get on board with either. Preferably both.”

This man.

I shake my head and grin, as he wipes away the rest of my tears.

“I am so damn sorry, baby. I will apologize every day of forever if you’ll let me.

I saw the document on your computer, and then the messages from your agent, and I didn’t know you’d done what you did to help me and my family.

I thought I’d gotten played. Fallen in love with someone who’d made a fool of me. ”

“Never, Wyatt. You could never be a fool.” I swallow thickly and stare into his handsome face.

“I’m a fool for you, Hollywood. Since day one.”

My eyes narrow because I am made up entirely of trust issues.

“If you’re doing this because of the money, you don’t have to.

Your mom has a legally binding contract in hand,” I tell him.

“I’m still working out the logistics on how much the ranch will receive for the cowboy training camp Isaac is hosting and the fees for allowing the show to film on the property.

But I hope that money buys you some time.

” It might be a few more years before they’re fully out of the red, but it’s a start and Laurel said time was what they needed more than anything.

His stare reaches a nuclear level of intensity.

“Baby, I will sell that ranch tomorrow and move to California if that’s what you need me to do.

I’m not here to make things right because of the money.

” He presses his gaze deeper into mine. “The advance is going to cover the back taxes and stop the foreclosure proceedings. I appreciate that more than words could ever say. But without any of that, I see you how good and giving and selfless you are, angel. Isaac told me you sent Asher a care package, and I know you gave Sutton sound advice and a sober ride. I’m not here because I want anything more from you—just your heart, angel. That’s all.”

“If you’re trying to avoid the gift tax, I already figured that out. We just write it up as a loan then forgive it—” I start, but he’s not done.

“I don’t even know what gift tax is, woman. But I am asking for forgiveness. I’m here because you’re mine and I love you. I am in love with you. And Lucifer is never going to let me live it down if we have to go home without you.”

I can’t help but grin as I pat the dark horse on his nose. “He’s a good boy. Just a little misunderstood.”

“And what about me, am I a good boy? Good enough for you to come back for?”

Warmth floods my chest. “You’re a good man, Wyatt Logan. The best man I’ve ever known.” I bite my lower lip. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything upfront. About Malcolm and the screenplay and—”

His lips land on mine and I lose myself in the kiss. We’re both breathless when he pauses to speak again.

“Fuck, baby. I’m a better man because of you.” His hands dip under my thighs and the next thing I know, I’m airborne in his arms. My backside is pinned against my car. “No more apologies. I missed my girl,” he murmurs as I wrap my legs around him.

“I wasn’t technically gone that long,” I tease him. “You must’ve been right behind me.”

“Still too long.” He kisses me again deeply, his warm wet tongue tasting of mint as it slides against mine.

I lean back to look at him. “You’d really sell the ranch for me? Move to California?”

“You’re my home, too, angel. There’s nowhere I wouldn’t leave for you.” He stares at me intently. “If you decide to live on Saturn, I’m packing my bags. I won’t let you go again, Ivy. So, decide if you’re ready to do this or you need time or—”

“I just need you,” I tell him. “But I need you to promise never to shut me out again, Wyatt. And I mean literally and figuratively speaking.”

“I promise,” he says, his voice full of reverence before he crashes his lips to mine. When we come up for air, Wyatt sets me down gently.

I’m scared, scared of getting hurt again, of hurting him, disappointing him, that he’ll hate the show and hate me for it.

But I’m more scared of leaving here not knowing what could’ve been.

Walking away from a man I love who would give up so much for me isn’t something I can do.

And if I’m being honest with myself, every mile I drove away from the ranch felt wrong.

“I really would miss Lucifer so much,” I tease. “And no one makes pie like Laurel Logan.”

Wyatt scratches his beard. “I get it. You’re using me for my horse and my access to pie.”

I grin. “And the sex. Don’t forget the sex.”

“I’d definitely never forget the sex,” he growls, pulling me into a deep passionate kiss once again.

I pull back, because I just remembered something. Wyatt tilts his head toward me. “Something wrong, baby?”

I nod. “I just remembered you never showed me your rope skills. And with all my trust issues, I’m wondering if you were telling the truth.”

His widening grin steals my breath. But his voice is low and full of dirty promises when he leans in again. “As soon as I get you home, I have plenty of plans to show you how well I can tie a half-hitch.”

Warmth spreads through me—not an alarming wildfire, but a slow, steady burn I suspect will remain the rest of my life.

I don’t think a day will ever come that I don’t want to climb this man like a tree. Nor will there come a day, not a single one, when I don’t want this man more than my next breath.

He’s so much more than just a man. He’s my protector, my peace, my feeder of stray kittens, my heart, my soul. My home.

I stare into his handsome face, so thankful I’m the rare recipient of Wyatt’s sweeter side, the playful grins, and dirty teasing.

“I love you,” I say softly.

“Took you long enough.” His smile is more blinding than the mid-day Montana sun behind him.

“I’m crazy fucking in love with you, angel.

I hope you understand that means I belong to you, and you’re stuck with me.

I don’t deserve you, don’t deserve your love.

But I will spend every day of the rest of my life trying to be worthy of both. ”

Tears spring to my eyes, but they’re happy tears this time.

He swipes them away with his thumbs. “Being stuck with me won’t be that bad. Lots of perks. I come with a ranch, a family who loves you, and your favorite asshole of a horse.”

I can’t help but laugh. “I thought maybe I was crazy, but I fell in love with all of it. You, the ranch, your family.”

“We’re probably both crazy, baby, but it takes a crazy person to make it as a rancher’s wife.”

My eyes widen.

“I’m sorry I’m not the fairytale prince on the white horse, but you can change it in your script if you want.”

He sinks to one knee and looks up at me. Just like when he slid my boots on and off, his eyes meet mine with a plea in them. With love and devotion and a vulnerability I don’t expect anyone else ever sees from him. Not like this.

“I don’t want the fairytale prince on the white horse,” I tell him. “I want the rugged rancher with the rough hands on my favorite dark horse.”

“I want you to wear my ring, Ivy. And take my name. If you need time, if you’re not sure you want to marry me and want to tough out a winter in Montana first before you decide—”

I crush my mouth to his, practically tackling him in the parking lot.

“That a yes?”

I laugh with tears in my eyes. “It’s a yes. Even a Montana winter couldn’t change my mind about spending my life with you.”

He slides the ring that looks like a Logan-family heirloom onto my finger. It fits surprisingly well and feels like it was always meant to be there. We’re both staring at it on my hand when Isaac pulls up in Wyatt’s truck with a trailer for Lucifer attached.

Wyatt kisses me once more. “You ready to go home, baby?”

So, so ready.

“Take me home, rancher.”