Forever Mine by Goode, Ella (uplifting books for women .TXT) 📗

“Wyatt has made it clear when the firm does something with Meredith that it’s done through me.” I point out.

I’ve done all their stuff since meeting Wyatt. I shouldn’t because I royally messed up the first one, but I’ve been doing great since. The holiday party was killer this year. But that’s beside the point. “And Meredith explicitly told me they were going on a date.” She was never one to keep her private life private.

“Of course she did. That woman isn’t blind, Lucy. She knows that Wyatt is in love with you.”

I roll my eyes at her. For some reason people don’t think a man and a woman can be friends without there being something romantic. Crap. I guess I am in love with him. There might be something to that theory.

“People that are in love with other people don’t go on dates.”

She lifts a brow at me. Double crap. I did that so that’s not necessarily true either.

“Maybe he wanted to use this as an opportunity to get this whole wedding thing together and doesn't want you to worry over it. I bet he wanted to surprise you.” I bite my bottom lip. Maybe.

As fast as he’s rolling with us getting married, I could see him throwing money at Meredith to get this all handled. She would also be great for spreading the word too. The more Eden talks, the more I start to think I may have overreacted. We’re not really even a couple.

I don’t love the idea of us being married and him dating others, even though this will only be a marriage on paper. The rumors will swirl, and I want no part of that. My mom was so in love with my dad and ignored the cheating for years.

He ended up leaving her for one of his mistresses. My stomach tightens, thinking that very thing could happen to us. What if he finds the woman of his dreams while he’s fake married to me? Then what? We’re going to need ground rules. Another list might do the trick. The last one didn't work out so great. Maybe this one will be more successful if we make it together.

“I should go face the music.” I stuff my now empty cup into the trash can. “Thanks.” I give her a hug.

“My sofa is always open.” She opens the door for me so she can lock it behind me. I give her a wave as I start to make my way back toward Wyatt’s place. Or is it my place too? I wonder if he was annoyed with seeing my crap everywhere.

When I round the corner I almost get run over. Wyatt comes skidding to a halt. “Shit.” He looks a little disheveled. His shirt is unbuttoned, and his hair looks messy, as if he were running his hands through it. It’s not like him to not look put together.

“You always run into women?” I tease. The look he gives me is one I think he uses in the courtroom because I’ve never seen it before, and he looks pissed. It’s slightly hot. I swallow, my eyes going to his lips thinking about how he kisses me.

“Where have you been?” He grabs my hand, not waiting for an answer.

“I can come and go as I please. Married or not.”

“I worry.” He locks his fingers with mine, leading me back home. Home. That sounds way too good.

“You went on a date with Meredith. Really, Wy? Of all the women out there. Not to mention it looks like you’ve been making out with someone.” I turn my nose up, hating the jealousy I feel.

“Wy?” He smirks at the nickname. I glare over at him. “Business. Nothing more, nothing less.” I know he wouldn't lie to me. “Promise.” He gives my hand a squeeze.

“She made sure to call me to make sure I knew all about her date with you.”

His hand tightens in mine. “I’d never date that woman. Is that why you left? You think I’d kiss you and then go out with another woman? You know me better than that.”

“I don’t. I’m sorry. This is a lot, and I’m having trouble playing catch up.” He leads me up the stairs to the stoop, opening the front door. He pulls me in. “We should make a list.”

“No more lists, Lucy.” He clicks the lock back into place before taking my jacket from me to hang it up.

“Not exactly a list. More like rules or guidelines. Such as dating.”

“Dating?” He turns back around to face me with that dark look on his face again. I step back, running into the wall.

“I don't think we should be dating other people.”

“There will be no dating.” He takes a step closer to me.

“Right, but what if you meet someone? Someone you think could be your one. Or—”

“Lucy.” He cuts me off, clearing the last of the space between us. “Shut up,” he says before his mouth claims mine, and I indeed shut up.

Chapter Thirteen Wyatt

The only time Lucy has been unconcerned about the marriage thing is when my fingers were inside her, and I’m okay with that. My fingers can stay inside of her all day and all night as far as I’m concerned.

This is not her studio, though, and the bedroom isn’t five strides away. It’s up a flight of stairs. The closest horizontal surface is the sofa with the fuzzy pink blanket, and my onslaught of her senses hits pause. While I have been planning for this event, our wedding, our union, since we first met, this is all new to Lucy, and she’s having trouble adjusting.

I lift my mouth from hers. “I know I’m rushing you. Tell me what you need to be comfortable here and with me.”

She blinks a few times as if having trouble processing everything. I take her by the hand and draw her up the stairs. “Make a list. I’ll check it twice.” I give her a crooked smile,