One and Only (Wilder Family, #1)

by Karla Sorensen

At his side, his hand clenched in a fist. I exhaled in a huff. “I know, I know, it’s not ideal. You hate change and surprises, and now you have to share your bed with your wife who you do not find even remotely attractive.” “Don’t put words into my mouth, Greer,” he cut in. “That’s not what I said.” His voice, so low and rough and charged, had my mouth going dry. He was right. In my nerve-laden babbling, I’d said the words without thinking. “What did you say then?” I asked evenly. He gave me a long, unreadable look. “Not that,” he finally answered.

Beckett glanced at the bed, staring hard for a beat. “I like to sleep closest to the door,” he said. He held my gaze for a long moment, and I finally nodded. “You got it. You can be my body shield if someone breaks in.” “That’s the idea,” he murmured. “Though knowing you, you’d probably have your taser out before I even wake up.”

Tell as much of the truth as possible, even if it’s the only thing we do.”

Every inch where we touched, Greer was warm and soft, the gentle lull of her even breathing was soothing enough that if I hadn’t been so impossibly turned on, I might have been able to slide right back into sleep. I pinched the bridge of my nose and counted to five, willing my body into submission.

“Olive—she’s exactly like you. No one’s ever really said it, but she’s quiet. Serious. A bit reserved when you meet her,” she continued, like she wasn’t yanking on some raw, exposed part of me that I’d never heard anyone verbalize before. “She doesn’t like a loud, crazy environment if she’s not expecting it. Makes it easier to think about how to fit in here,” she said. Then she smiled. “I’ve got two peas in a pod as my brand-new roommates, so it helps that she’s exactly like you, as long as you guys can make room for me while I’m here.” Then she patted my arm and walked back toward Olive, leaving me in stunned silence, wondering what the hell Greer Wilder was going to do to my life—and my heart—while she was in it.

I had been sharing a bed with the hottest man I’d ever met in my life, who I’d traded vows with, and I’d kept my hands off.

I crossed my arms and watched as he let himself in the house. His eyes landed on me and his mouth curved in an adorably crooked grin. “Wife,” he said in greeting. My eyebrows arched slowly. “Husband.”

“You’re not her parent,” he added quietly. “No matter how any of this feels, no matter what role we’re playing every day, you are not her stepmom, Greer, and it’s not your responsibility.” My eyes stung, and embarrassment prickled like ice all over my arms and hands. The breath tangled in my lungs, unable to come out clean or easy or smooth. It wasn’t anger or defensiveness; it was humiliation.

“I know she’s not my daughter.” My throat tightened at the words.

but I can’t apologize for protecting her in the same way I’d protect anyone else in my family.” I paused, my voice threatening to crack on the last word. “I had to do something,” I whispered.

“Not mad is a good start,” I ventured. “I mean, you’d have every right to be if you wanted. I did ask a kid if he knew what happened when you took a nail gun to someone’s balls.”

“I’m not mad,” he said again. His eyes were on fire. “I’m trying very hard not to kiss you right now.”

“So even if it feels real. And the attraction between us is real. You’re deciding to leave it the same because it’s easier in your head if it stays that way. The risk of acting on it is too much for you. Am I getting that right?” My jaw clenched. I managed a nod, unable to tear my gaze away from hers. The way she looked at me was hypnotic. I’d fall into her so easily if I let myself. Greer licked her lips and exhaled slowly. “Okay.” I blinked. “What?” She searched my face. “I hope you change your mind, Beckett.”

“I’m gonna take a shower,” she called over her shoulder. “In case you’re wondering.” I muttered something foul under my breath. “I’m gonna go … hit something for a while.” As she walked away, she laughed, and I used that sound as fuel while I worked every ounce of frustration clear from my body.

But fucking A, I wanted to know if my husband had a dirty side too, and there was no way I could tell her that.

But there were so many things I couldn’t give her, that I didn’t feel capable of. So I managed to pull the words out and take the risk that I might say too much.

“Relentless,” I answered immediately. “There is no escaping how beautiful you are, Greer.”

Greer turned, mouth gently hanging in shock. “Did you just … mark your territory?” she whispered, a gleeful smile curving her lips. I clenched my jaw. “No.”

It didn’t feel fake.

“I’ll have to throw down if they try anything with my husband,” she said lightly. “Because if there’s only one shot to be had with you tonight, then it’s fucking mine.”

Today was the first time I felt like I had the right to touch her. Like I was justified in how proud I was to have her by my side.

It suddenly felt like Greer was giving so much more to this situation we found ourselves in. She was bringing life into our house and warmth. She made my daughter laugh; she made me laugh. And she was bringing us an army of people who wanted nothing more than to embrace me and my daughter, make us feel loved and welcome. What was I giving to her in return? I’d given a day. I’d given her a performance that brought joy to her family. That was it. “I’ll be right back,” I told her, my voice ragged.

against her temple. “Touch her and I’ll break every fucking bone in your hand,” I murmured. The words came out with soft brushes against her skin, belying the absolute savagery of how much I meant them. Because it’s what I’d wanted to say. It’s what I’d wanted to do. If I didn’t get to touch her—this wild, fearless creature that was almost, but not quite, mine—then I couldn’t imagine anyone else doing it either.

If there was any place in my life where I couldn’t be selfish, couldn’t dive headfirst into the thing I wanted, it was with him. Because I cared. I cared about him too much. It wasn’t fake, and it wasn’t forced. And if I dared think it, I knew I was falling in love with him, maybe just a little too much.

I wasn’t sure that I’d come out of this without a broken heart.

“I had no idea how spoiled I’d feel with someone else making the coffee first. I’m not sure I can ever go back.”

“You’d ruin me, if this goes wrong,” I admitted. Her face went slack with shock. “And I can’t afford to be ruined right now. No matter how badly I want to try.”

Tim paused, Cameron and I trading a look. “Might want to change now.”

All of it was too much. Something I’d lied to get. Something I’d done nothing to deserve. Not for myself or for Olive.

“Nothing about our life—then or now—was perfect or convenient. And definitely not like we planned it. And some of that is watching how our children have to move through the hard. The things they’ll do, the lengths they’ll go to avoid feeling it.”

The idea that he might look back on this someday and view it in that light—view it as a selfish indulgence, view us as a mistake—was a ruthless slice of pain to the parts of me that were the most tender.

so we could stay just like this. Me and him and Olive.

It would be so much easier if I didn’t love him. But I did. That was why I nodded, and as I did, my heart shattered like glass. “Yeah,” I whispered. “You’re doing the right thing, Beckett.”

“This was all me,” I told her. My voice was hoarse, choked with emotions that I couldn’t stop. “Blame me. Please don’t punish him for this.”

“It’s over,” he said, voice ravaged and weary and heavy with emotion. When I took a step toward him, he shook his head. “I need to be alone right now, Greer.” Our eyes met and held, and without another word, he turned and strode into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him. Ten minutes later, my clothes shoved into my suitcase and my face wet with tears, I got into my car, turned it on, and started the drive back home.

“I’m sorry, Greer. I really thought you two were…” She paused. “The dream.” Her words caused a splintering down the center of my chest, jagged and sharp. If I tried to touch it, it would make me bleed.

Erik paused. “Can’t I do one scary big brother talk? I’m never around to intimidate anyone anymore,” he asked his wife. She pointed at the house, face unflinching. “No.”

When he took a few steps closer, I saw the fire roaring in his gaze. “I’m here to get my wife.”

“I’ve been ready for weeks,” she said, her mouth curling into a sinful smile. “You’re the one who finally caught up.”

“Next time, I get you in a bed,” I growled. “We have days and weeks and months, and every time I wake up with my hands on you, this is what’s going to happen. I’ll wake you up like this every fucking day because you’re mine, Greer.”

“You know I’m falling in love with you, right?” she asked quietly. I smiled. “You think I’d want to get rid of you after this?” Greer grinned. “I’d like to see you try.”

“This is what I imagined,” he whispered hotly. “This is what I wanted to do to you, Greer.” “Yes,” I panted. “Yes.” “My wife,” he growled, pushing in hard. “Yes.”

He shook his head. “No. I just hate coffee.” My mouth fell open. “You… what?” Beckett sucked my bottom lip into his mouth, soothing it with his tongue when he released it. “Don’t drink coffee,” he answered matter-of-factly. I sat up and stared down at him. “You don’t drink coffee?” I repeated. He wedged his hands behind his head. “Nope.” “But…” Beckett sat up and laid a hard kiss on my gaping mouth. “I had this gorgeous woman living in my house, and I wanted to do something nice for her. That’s all.”

“You made me coffee every morning,” I said. “You set out my favorite mug. Every day.” His smile was gentle, his eyes bright. “Yeah. I think maybe I was falling in love with you a bit earlier than I was willing to admit.”

“No. You’re in this with me. You’re my wife, Greer.” I smiled, relief sweeping through me like a tidal wave. “I will be, as soon as the courthouse opens tomorrow.” He ducked his head, eyes intent and face serious. “You’re my wife now. Whether that paper has been filed yet or not.”

She smacked my ass. “I’ll show you later just how that last touchdown made me feel,” she whispered into my ear.