One Look: A grumpy, single dad small town romance(50)

21





LARK





Despite his filthy words, Wyatt’s tenderness came through loud and clear.

He never rushed but made sure each measured stroke was designed to light my nerve endings on fire.

The rough edge of his whispers against my ear made me dizzy as I pulled him deeper into me. When both of us were sweating and spent, I curled into him, stealing his warmth and being comforted by the slow, steady rhythm of his breathing.

Wyatt’s hand moved in lazy stretches up and down my back. The grip he had on my heart was tightening.

The wild look in his eye when he finished and made good on his promise to watch his cum seep out of me was dirty and delicious. The possessiveness that filled his gaze had my heart tumbling, and when he swiftly moved to help clean me up, my throat grew thick.

After a long stretch of minutes, I walked him to the door. Indecision was warring in his eyes—he didn’t want to leave any more than I wanted to see him go, but we both knew it was for the best.

He had Penny to look after, and whatever was blooming between us was supposed to be casual. Friendship with a side of lewd and deliciously naughty sex.

Wyatt stroked my face before he kissed me gently, and I tried my best not to swoon against the doorframe. Watching him leave was yet another poor decision. He stopped on the driveway, lit only by the moonlight and the glowing bulb at the base of the stairs. He looked up, smiled, and placed a hand over his heart.

I needed to remind myself that this was temporary. I had a whole life ahead of me that didn’t include professional football players or sexy single dads or even men who know how to balance dirty sex with tender touches.

Still, it was hard to not let myself get lost in wondering what it might be like to be chosen by a man like Wyatt Sullivan.





“Prop it there. To the left.”

“Dude, you’re in my shot!” Joey balanced my phone on a little cooler, a novel, and my beach bag before stepping back. Michael and Kevin were looking at the lines I’d scribbled on paper and checking themselves out in the camera.

I looked around again. “Maybe I should do this somewhere quieter.” We had found a little alcove with massive sand dunes looming over us, providing a little bit of privacy, but I still felt incredibly shy and awkward.

“No way. It’s authentic.” Joey stepped back and nodded. “It’s perfect.”

I smiled at him. “Ready for your directorial debut?”

“Director and leading man,” he corrected with one finger pointing at me.

I rolled my eyes at him. “Yes, of course. How could I forget? Ready, Pen?”

I had only just confided in the players that I needed to record a scene to submit for the upcoming television series. Surprisingly, they had jumped all over it and were determined to help. Joey had even asked if I could introduce him to Chase Singleton when I got the role. I laughed and rolled my eyes but was also touched at his confidence in me.

Penny grinned from her seat in the sand, ready to push the record button. “Let’s do it!”

I cleared my throat and dipped my chin to signal that I was ready.

We bumbled and laughed through seventeen takes.

Michael and Kevin were taking their roles of background beach bums so seriously. They pointed off in the distance, inspected seashells, even splashed together in the surf.

I dissolved in a fit of giggles when Joey walked up, looking like a young Johnny Depp with pursed lips and brooding eyes.

He sighed and planted his hands on his hips. “You aren’t very good at this. Stay in character.”

His annoyance only ratcheted my laughter higher. My sides and cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. I had to get it together.

I cleared my throat and tried again. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Do you want this job or not?”

I laughed again and pushed away the tiny little thought of eh, not really that popped into my head. “Of course I do. I’m used to performing in person. I think the camera is messing with my head.”

Joey planted his hands on my shoulders. He was a running back—a fast thinker, quick on his feet, and strong. His lanky frame loomed over me, but his young face made my heart soften. Despite his carelessness at times and flippant attitude, he was a really good kid. My grin was cheesy, but I couldn’t help it.

“You’re right.” I schooled my face. “I’ll be serious. I promise. From the top?”

It took another eleven tries before Director Joey was satisfied. It was a simple scene where I was supposed to frantically ask another beachgoer if he had seen my missing child. Very emotional and slathered with drama. I imagined little Penny in the role of my daughter—lost and in danger—and it was surprisingly easy to drum up the emotions I needed to give a convincing performance.

Together we watched the final playback.

“Dude, are you guys holding hands in the background?”

Kevin and Michael grinned. “We were being an authentic beach couple. What about it?”

As the clip ended, I hugged our group and thanked them again for their help. It was perfect. I slipped the phone back into my pocket. I could decide later if I would even send it out. “All right. Lunch is on me. Sand Dollar or Derpy Dogs?”

Penny’s little fist shot straight up into the air. “Derpy Dogs!”