“That’s why I’m here!” She put her hands on her hips and leaned forward, her eyes fierce as they looked up at me. “Right? Get married. Get rid of Stark. That’s what I was doing.”
“Through the mayor’s office. Those two are hired thugs.” I pointed to where the dust was still settling from Stark’s men’s rapid retreat.
She gave me a hard stare for a moment, then she let out a breath and relaxed. “I had to keep you from overreacting.”
“Overreacting? They threatened Alyssa!”
“Ahem.”
I turned to the door where my mother was exiting. She had her purse in one hand and the box that Alyssa’s new cowboy boots had come in.
“The boots don’t fit, so Alyssa and I want to go to town to exchange them. If that’s okay with you, Sinclair.”
Alyssa followed Peggy out the door. “Is it, Mama? Please. They’re so cool. They’re red!”
Sinclair nodded. “Yes, of course. Listen to Miss Peggy, okay? Show her your manners.”
“I will,” Alyssa rolled her eyes.
“I’m sure she’ll be fine. Maybe we can get ice cream while we’re in town too.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my keys. “Take the SUV.” I tossed them to my mother. “It’s safer for a family.”
This time my mother rolled her eyes, but she caught the keys and she and Alyssa got into the SUV and drove away.
Finally, they were gone and I could let loose the chain of expletives clanging around in my head.
“You can’t engage those-”
Sinclair put her hand on my chest. “Stop, Wyatt.”
She surprised me so much, my tirade got caught in my throat.
“From now on, if they come, I’ll get you.” She turned and headed back into the house.
It took me a minute to realize I’d been dismissed. I rush
ed up the steps, following her inside. My body was still pumping with adrenaline.
“Hey.”
She turned to me. “Problem?”
“I really needed to pummel them.”
“Relax, Wyatt. They’re gone.” She gave me a pretty smile, and just like that, what had been fighting hormones pumping through me shifted to something different altogether.
She quirked a brow. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’ve got pent-up energy to use up.” I stepped closer to her. Since we’d been home, she’d kept to her no sharing of my bed rule. Even if she slept in Alyssa’s room tonight, I had to have her in my bed now.
Afraid she’d dismiss that too, I took her hand and pressed it over my achingly hard dick.
Her eyes widened. “Does that happen when you’re pissed, too?”
“No. It happens when you’re around.” The need to make her mine, to make her see that we could be a family was nearly blinding me. “I’m going to toss you over my shoulder and take you to bed.”
She laughed. “You’re going caveman on me?”