There were so many things about that statement that bothered me. I bit my lip to keep from expressing my true thoughts.
She opened her eyes and cocked her head. “You okay?”
“Just fucked out, that’s all,” is what I said. But what I was thinking was, “What will it take to make you mine?”
26
Sinclair
I wasn’t normally impressed by men who puffed out their chests and acted like cavemen, but I admitted to myself that Wyatt’s fierce protection of Alyssa was sexy. But as much as I would have liked to see those two men taken down a peg, violence wasn’t the answer. Wyatt married me to help him deal with these guys, so why he got all annoyed that I intervened made no sense to me.
Fortunately, he didn’t overrule me or insist on being a protector, but apparently, the showdown energized him. I didn’t know if he preferred having sex over beating a man up to get rid of that pent-up energy, but I did. Wow. I felt completely possessed by him. Not in a negative way but in an all-consuming way.
Back when we were teens, the few times we had sex were very nice. But since then, Wyatt clearly had practice. I tried not to think about how many women he’d been with to improve his bedroom skills and instead focused on keeping up and enjoying it.
But this time, when it was done, there was something in his expression that suggested he didn’t like it. Did I do something wrong?
He untangled himself from my legs and lay on the bed beside me, dropping his arm over his face.
“I’m sorry I’m not better at this.” Maybe it was time to try and stick to my no-touch rule.
He let out a sigh, and then reached for me. “You’re fine at this.”
Fine. Not great. Not earth-shattering. He rocked my world, but I was just...fine.
I rolled to get out of the bed, but he pulled me back. “I’m sorry. Don’t go.”
I laid my head on the crook of his shoulder and rested my arm on his chest.
“Those guys got me rattled. I was a little rough. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
I lifted my head. “No.” But this time I didn’t tell him I enjoyed it because it seemed to bother him when I did before.
His arms pulled me close. “I’m not normally a violent man, Sinclair. You don’t have to worry about me hurting you or Alyssa. I’m not my father.”
I lifted my head to look at him. “I’m not worried about that.”
“But I’m not going to let Stark’s men threaten my family. It’s just not going to go unchecked.”
It was dangerous how much I liked Wyatt calling us his family. In truth we were, I supposed, and yet, I couldn’t help the feeling of doom hanging over us.
“This marriage is a partnership to get Stark. As much as I’d like to see you beat his men to a pulp, that’s not what will make him go away.”
He nodded and leaned over to kiss my head. “I’ll keep you safe though. You can’t stop me from doing that. Especially Alyssa. She’s just a kid and it makes me sick to think that by having her here I’ve put her in danger.”
My heart ached at his concern. “They’re jerks, but I don’t think they’ll actually do anything to hurt us. Stark needs community support, and he won’t have it if his men are terrorizing children.”
He turned so he was on his side looking at me. “You know I’d do anything to protect you two, right? I mean I know I’m not her father and my mother says I’m not allowed to buy her ponies without your consent-”
I laughed, remembering I’d thought just that.
“-but she’s a great kid, Sinclair. I want to be there for her.”
Guilt sliced through me again. It was time, I decided. Time for him to learn the truth.
“Wyatt, about Alyssa.”
He pressed his finger over my lips. “I know you’re her mother, and you call the shots. But whatever happens here, between us, I’ll be here for both of you. I promise.”