Page 21 of Wyatt (The Black Roses MC #5)

The next three days are spent with Colby, enjoying some much needed quality time with my son since I don’t have to work.

We spend one of the days at the lake with Linc, Charlie, Knox, and Mia.

Knox bought Colby a fishing pole for his birthday last year, and with the summer weather in Massachusetts, it’s the perfect time to catch some fish.

I love watching the way the brothers take Colby under their wings.

They grew up with a single mom, then they had Trick and Gramps to look out for them when they landed in Shine as kids.

That was something that worried me when Colby was a baby.

Would he have any positive male role models?

It’s not like his father would—or could—ever be one.

And even if his paternal grandfather lived here, from the stories Mia’s told us, it doesn’t sound like he would be particularly hands-on.

And don’t even get me started on my own father.

To this day, he’s never reached out to meet my son.

Colby asked before we left if Wyatt and Pepper were going to be there.

I didn’t call to ask him if he’d like to join us.

After the little rendezvous I had with my toy—and one of the most intense orgasms I’ve had in my life while whispering Wyatt’s name—I’m not sure I can look the man in the face.

At least not without turning as red as the tomato I was slicing for our sandwiches.

When we get to the lake, he isn’t there.

I’ll admit—to myself, anyways—that there was a touch of disappointment. Jesus, I’m so fucked up over this whole thing. One minute I don’t want to see him and the next I’m let down he isn’t around.

“He’s on a run,” Mia says as I’m unloading the car.

“Who?”

She just gives me a look that says Don’t even try to play games with me, sister , but she doesn’t comment further.

It was an amazing day in the sun—fishing, watching Colby get excited then scared when Knox tried to get him to unhook the fish he caught, and sitting under a giant shade tree with my friends, enjoying lunch and homemade lemonade.

Even if it did seem like something was missing.

That something being the six-four biker who’s probably having a good time riding to God knows where, doing God knows what, with God knows who.

Not that I’d know what they actually do on a run.

But whatever it is, he’s perfectly entitled. He’s not tied down—he doesn’t answer to me or anyone else.

I manage to keep him out of my thoughts for the three nights I’m off work.

I don’t pull out my toy or think about him before I go to sleep.

Okay, that last one isn’t entirely true, but I don’t act on any of my fantasies.

If I’m going to get over the idea of him, I need to stop considering him as an option, and that’s certainly not going to happen if I pretend he’s with me while I get myself off.

Tuesday night rolls around, and I’m back at work. It was nice having a few days to myself without being surrounded by all things Wyatt. It gave me some perspective that I think I desperately needed.

That perspective flies right out the window about an hour before we close and he comes strolling in.

I’m beginning to think that talking to the girls about it wasn’t the best idea.

I never had this kind of trouble tamping down my desire for the biker who just walked through the door.

Before I admitted anything to my friends, I was able to pretend they were crazy for thinking it was anything more than friendship.

Now, the idea of something happening between us consumes me.

I thought I had a handle on it, but I was clearly wrong. So, so wrong.

“Hey,” he says, giving me his usual warm smile. It isn’t forced like the one he wore the last time I saw him. It’s natural, comfortable, and just as infuriatingly kissable as usual.

Wyatt and his damn smile.

“Hey, yourself,” I say, attempting to sound light and carefree. I’m not sure it lands. “Heard you were out of town.”

“Got back a few hours ago. Thought I’d come check on you.”

“Me?” I cock my head to the side in question. “Why?”

He shrugs as I set a beer in front of him. “No real reason. Just haven’t seen you in a few days.”

“Oh, I’m good. Went to the lake and took Colby fishing." I smile, remembering the way he nearly dropped the fish while he was gingerly trying to unhook it.

“I wish I could have seen that. I’ve been telling him I’d take him. I feel kind of bad that I wasn't there,” he says, returning my smile with a soft one of his own. “If it’s okay with you, maybe I can take him out later this week.”

“You don’t have to do that. He knows you had to work.”

“Maizie, I want to. Plus, Pepper told me he missed him, and I hate to disappoint Colby and my dog.” He releases a light chuckle.

I slowly shake my head back and forth. “There he goes having all kinds of conversations when we’re not around.”

Wyatt’s lips kick up in the corner. “I told you, he’s shy.”

“Mm-hmm,” I hum and turn to refill drinks for the group sitting at the end of the bar. I grab a few things from the back to start restocking before it’s time to close. When I walk back over to Wyatt, he’s nearly finished with his first beer.

“Another?” I ask, pointing to the bottle.

He nods, and I place a longneck in front of him.

“So, have you had another date with that guy? What was his name?” His tone is meant to be casual, but I catch a hint of tension in it.

“I don’t think I ever told you his name, but it’s Steven,” I answer. “We have one set up for this Saturday, actually. He’s coming to town, and we’re going to have dinner at the new steak house that opened last month.”

Wyatt nods. “Nice. I’ve been meaning to try that place out myself.”

“I’ll let you know how it is.”

It’s not often Shine gets anything new in the way of restaurants, and the variety is seriously lacking. Either that, or I’ve just eaten everywhere around here about a thousand times already.

Wyatt doesn’t say anything else on the subject as he sips his beer. The mood seems to have shifted a bit, the air a bit thicker. It’s probably my imagination, but Wyatt looks to be gripping his beer bottle a little tighter than necessary.

But that’s crazy, right? He’s the one who asked me about Steven.

I go about my business and finally cash out the last of my customers. Well, except Wyatt, but the brothers aren’t expected to pay. One of the perks of being an MC member, I guess.

Wyatt stands from his seat and starts putting chairs up on the tables. I grab the key from the register and make my way over to the door to lock it.

“This damn door needs to be fixed,” I say, pulling it as hard as I can so the lock can line up correctly while simultaneously turning the key.

“Here, let me help.” Wyatt comes to stand behind me and grabs the handle, tugging it a bit harder, and I’m finally able to slide the dead bolt in place.

I expect him to move when it’s locked.

But he doesn’t.

Slowly, I turn around, my body between the door and Wyatt’s wide body. His hand stays on the handle and it brushes against the small bit of exposed skin between my tank top and jeans. A shiver travels down my spine, and the nerve endings on that small patch of skin light up.

Wyatt’s other hand reaches up, and I feel the soft brush of his fingertips against my cheek as he swipes a piece of hair that’s come loose from my ponytail.

He tucks it behind my ear, and as if on instinct, my head tilts into his touch.

He doesn’t drop his hand. Instead, he allows his thumb to brush my lower lip.

He’s studying my face as though he’s never been this close to me before—and he hasn’t.

Wyatt has always kept a respectable distance, but he sure as hell isn’t now.

He’s intently watching his thumb slide back and forth.

My breath hitches, and his gaze collides with mine.