Wild as Her (Beckett Family #2)

Chapter 33

Wild

I t’s been a long day, and all I want to do when I get inside the house is crash into my bed with a stubborn redhead wrapped tight in my arms.

The time flew by when I was helping Cal all afternoon get some work done on the nursery he’s building for his twins.

I didn’t really want to leave the house today, but I know Ind. She needed space and some time to process what I told her last night. I wanted to talk more this morning before she went to work, maybe even lay in bed a while longer with her. But she was gone when I woke up. A part of me worried she’d left, but thankfully, the sounds of running water in the shower calmed my racing heart.

When I got back from a quick jog, she was already gone for the day. It was early for her to leave, but she saw her chance to avoid conversation and took it.

Pulling the key from the ignition, I step out into the starry night. I’ve never been a big fan of how early it gets dark this time of year, but the sky full of stars and the crisp breeze wafting through the air has me a little more on board tonight.

When I push the front door open, I’m surprised to see Indie sitting on the couch, staring at the door like she’s been waiting for me.

“Hey, Wildflower,” I greet, softly closing the door behind me.

“We need to talk,” she says, almost in a whisper.

There’s a nervous look on her face, and it’s making me anxious as hell. I rub my palms over my pant legs nonchalantly, hoping she doesn’t see it for what it is.

“Okay.” I swallow nervously but keep my composure—I won’t let her push me away. I love this woman, and she can fight it all she wants, but I’m not giving up on us.

I feel seen with her like I never have before. She knows that I’m more than a pretty face, a good laugh, and a nice lay, which are the categories most people put me in.

When she pats the seat beside her, I walk into the living room and sit down. She smells like warm vanilla and coconut—it’s fucking intoxicating.

Her hair is up in one of those messy buns she seems to mostly live in, and she has an oversized green sweater on that’s hanging to one side, exposing her smooth, pale shoulder—a shoulder I desperately want to lean over and press my lips to.

“So, what’d you wanna talk about?” I ask, moving the moment along before my mind goes any further with thoughts of that sweater and wondering what’s underneath it.

Taking a deep breath, she turns and faces me, hands on her bare thighs.

“I need you to tell me one last time.”

“Tell you…?” my brows knit in confusion.

“That you’re okay with what I’ve told you… That I don’t wanna have kids… ever ,” she clarifies.

Before I can even speak, she goes on.

“I really don’t understand why people say I have to have kids or even a career to be successful in life. I don’t want kids, I don’t have a dream job, I don’t wanna go to school or chase after a record label.” Her voice starts to rise slightly as she begins fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. “I just wanna live my life doin’ the things I love… I’m not here to make everyone else happy. I’m here to enjoy life the way I wanna enjoy it.”

“Ind, I?—”

“All my life,” she cuts in again. “I’ve heard other people say, ‘You need to be a stay-at-home mom or a workin’ mom.’ ‘You need a dream career.’ What if my dream is just to live my life one day at a time?” She looks at me with questioning eyes.

“Then don’t listen to them,” I jump in before she can cut me off again. “I love that you’re you . You don’t have to chase some desk job or label. You don’t have to want kids.” I rub my hand over her lap and grab ahold of her hand. “The world doesn’t understand, but who cares?” I shrug, “Fuck ‘em. They can keep judgin’ each other. And me and you can keep livin’ our lives right here.” I squeeze her hand tighter in mine.

The conflicted look on her face doesn’t help me feel confident that she believes me. Her amber eyes briefly search mine for any truths I may be hiding. Seemingly finding nothing but honesty there, she bites at the corner of her lip before glancing back down to her lap. The pinched brow, fidgeting hands, and bouncing foot make it easy to see the wheels are spinning in her head.

“Indie.” I grab her chin between my fingers and turn her face toward mine again. “I love you just the way you are. I said it last night, and I’ll keep sayin’ it til the day I die; I don’t want anything or anyone else. Just you and all your crazy.”

I lean in and softly brush a kiss on her lips. “I want every bit of wild you have to offer this world… I love you, Wildflower.”

The gold in her brown eyes shines with unshed tears as the smile fills her cheeks. She thinks for a few seconds before speaking, worrying her lip.

“Besides my dad and my aunt, who I love more than anything, I’ve never really had people care about me, never had people really stick around—well, besides Wren,” she laughs, looking down at our joined hands. “And I know that’s my own fault for pushin’ people away all the time… I’m just scared to let someone in completely …” Her eyes lock on mine. “Afraid of bein’ hurt.”

“Ind—”

She holds a hand up and stops me.

“But,” she continues. “You make me feel seen, accepted.” Her eyes glisten with the remains of her tears as she sniffs, looking down at our hands again, lightly squeezing my fingers between hers. “I’m tired of bein’ alone, Wild… I don’t feel alone with you.” Her gaze comes back up to mine. “I tried to stay away, but it didn’t matter. The heart wants what the heart wants. And my stubborn heart has always wanted you, Wilder Beckett.”

Her words go straight to the rapidly beating organ inside my chest, rendering me speechless.

“I love you too, Wild,” she says through freshly tear-filled eyes. “I really do.” Her lip quivers with the admission.

All the air leaves my lungs. Those words coming from her mouth are something I thought I’d never hear. If the world were to end right here and now, I’d be okay with that. I finally got what I’ve always wanted: this woman to look at me the same way I’ve always looked at her.

Ever since the first day her eyes found mine, I knew she felt it, too. I could see it there in her amber gaze as she looked up at me that hot August night. The connection. The unexplainable pull like nothing I’d ever felt before. I’ve seen that look flash in her eyes more times than I can count, but it didn’t usually last long before that practiced annoyed and indifferent gaze always found me. But right now, she’s looking at me, really looking at me. And I feel it all the way to the bottom of my erratically beating heart.

Pulling her in closer to me, I rest my forehead against hers, breathing her in. Letting myself fully take her and her words in.

“It’s me and you, Wildflower,” I whisper between us.

She nods and wipes at the droplets coming down her rosy cheeks. The beauty of her amber-brown eyes is impossible not to get lost in when she smiles back up at me.

I can’t believe this girl is mine.

Tilting her head, she puts her soft lips on mine and holds the kiss. Her mouth tastes like sweet peppermint, and the only thing I ever want to taste again for the rest of my damn life.

“C’mon, we’ve both had a long weekend. Let’s go get some shut-eye.” I tip my head in the direction of the bedroom.

She lets out a disbelieving laugh.

“Really? Sleep?” she asks skeptically as her hand comes to rest high on my thigh.

“You’re right.” I stand from the couch and stretch my arms over my head. “I was only sayin’ that so you’d agree. Guess I don’t gotta do that anymore.” Wiggling my brows, I bend and pick her up over my shoulder as she lets out a shriek.

“C’mon, sweet cheeks, let’s go lay in bed so I can taste you.” I playfully smack her ass, and she jolts in my hold, a laugh escaping her.

I finally have my girl. And there isn’t anything that could take her from me now.