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He discovered why when he stepped into the kitchen and saw an unfamiliar wicker picnic basket sitting on the counter. Beth began to pack it with the items she’d bought at the market. “Where did you find the basket?”
She looked up and beamed at him. “Someone was selling them at the market, so I bought it. Isn’t it precious? I know you’ve already got one, but this is a lot smaller and easy for me to carry. It’s fully equipped with cutlery and tableware and everything we need for a picnic!”
She looked so excited that Wyatt couldn’t help but smile too. “It’s perfect. Do we need a blanket to sit on?”
The way her face fell gave him his answer. “Oh, yes. I never thought of that, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, honey. I’ve got a blanket we can use in the linen closet here.” He retrieved a large, soft blanket and came back into the kitchen, his hand falling on the handle of the basket. “Can I carry this for you?”
“That would be great, thank you.”
He placed the blanket on top of the lid and hefted the surprisingly heavy basket up with one hand, using the other to pull Beth close so he could rub his nose against hers before dropping a sweet kiss on her mouth. “Ready? I know just the place we can go.”
Taking her hand, they went out the back door and started walking into the forest. There was a small clearing not far from the gazebo, which would give them the privacy they craved but was close enough to the cabins that they could go back quickly if necessary.
Her gasp when they arrived made him smile. “You like?”
She squeezed his hand. “I definitely like! What an adorable little space.”
Wyatt spread the blanket out on the ground, Freya ‘helping’ by jumping all over it, which made Beth laugh. He loved the sound of her laugh, because it hadn’t been something she’d done a lot of when she’d first arrived in Silverbell Shore.
Once all three of them were comfortably seated, Beth started taking everything out of the basket. Wyatt’s mouth began to water as he gazed at all the food. She’d packed what appeared to be a large version of a charcuterie board: sliced meats, cheeses, olives, along with freshly baked crusty rolls and some fruit. She kept one container close to her side, smacking his hand lightly when he tried to peek at its contents.
Beth had also packed a nice, cold bottle of white wine and two glasses, so Wyatt poured them both a drink while she dug out the final items: a packet of something, a small metal bowl, and a large bottle of water for Freya. His heart melted when she sat it down just outside the blanket and filled it up with water. It turned out the packet held doggy treats, which Freya munched on happily, stretching out on her belly next to them.
They talked while they ate, and everything was delicious. Beth shared a little about her younger years, and Wyatt couldn’t stop staring at her. It was clear she’d been incredibly close to her mother and missed her greatly, and he wished he could take that pain from her, somehow. Ease her grief.
But he knew all too well that grief was a very solitary path that nobody else could walk. Everyone grieved differently and needed to come to terms with their loss in their own time.
He held her hand and kissed the back of it every now and then, the sun shining through the trees and making her blonde hair look like an angelic halo around her head. Fuck, she was perfect.
When she opened the last container, he discovered it held chocolate-covered strawberries. They fed each other in between kisses while Freya tried to sneak some leftovers. Wyatt gave her some chicken and cheese, while Beth threw her a few olives, spoiling her completely.
He didn’t want this picnic to end. The past couple of hours had let him relax, leaving all his troubles and worries at home. He hadn’t thought about anything but the woman sitting next to him, her lips on his jaw, kissing her way up to his mouth.
Wyatt stretched out on the blanket and pulled her on top of him, wrapping his arms around her. She seemed to melt in his embrace, running her hands through his hair as they kissed over and over. He slid his hands down until they were grasping her ass, testing the waters a little, but all she did was moan as he squeezed and kissed him harder.
He needed more.
“Beth, honey,” he began in between kisses. “I need to taste you.”
His murmur against her lips stopped her in place, and she stared at him with her big, green eyes. “Taste me?”
He kissed her neck. “Yep. Right fucking now.”
When her mouth fell open, he laughed. “But we’re in the open.”
“Nobody can see or hear us, honey. This is private land that belongs to me. My closest neighbor is a ten- minute drive away.” He felt her hesitation and didn’t want her to be uncomfortable. “It’s okay to say no, Beth. I’ll respect your wishes.”
She gazed down at him for a few moments, then closed the distance between them and gave him a long, hot kiss with lots of tongue. “Yes,” she whispered.
He rolled her over carefully and got up on his knees in between her legs. The short, summery, pale green dress she was wearing fell against her, exposing her thighs and panties. They were white cotton and damp. Holy fuck. She was already wet at just the thought of him touching her. He loved that.
“I’m going to touch you now.” His voice was hoarse, and he was unable to tear his gaze away from the sight before him.
“Okay.” She placed her hands on his forearms, running her fingers up and down.
Leaning over to kiss her, he felt her relax under his mouth, her body becoming pliant. He wanted to make this so good for her, bring her pleasure like she’d never known it before.
