Page 20 of Evergreen Desires (Wildheart Chronicles #1)
JAKE
Pulling into the driveway brought a sense of relief.
The car's motion had made my stomach churn, a reminder of the drinks I'd had.
To distract myself, I focused on Beau, admiring his features and the affection in his eyes.
But there was something more in my chest, a deep stirring of emotions, though I was unsure if it's due to him or the alcohol.
I'd had experiences in the past where beer goggles clouded my judgment, leading to disastrous relationships. I didn’t want to make the same mistake again.
Beau had been open with me, answering all my questions without hesitation.
Sometimes his responses were carefully chosen, while other times he was blunt and straightforward.
But one particular question lingered in my mind—the one about whether he was into me.
He’d responded immediately, calmly, and without any doubt, saying yes.
He’d been open about his attraction to me from the beginning.
He’d even encouraged me to snoop to get to know him better.
Yet doubt creeped in. Was he hiding something behind his words or my own lack of understanding ?
As the car came to a stop, Beau parked at the front door, not bothering with the garage. He rushed to my side, opening the car door to help me out. When his hand touched the small of my back, a spark ignites inside me. Fuck it. I turned toward him and leaned in for a passionate kiss.
But the kiss didn’t stay sweet. It quickly became heated, fueled by the fire of desire that'd been building within me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, wanting to consume him. Yet something felt off. He was kissing me back, holding me, but he wasn’t fully letting me in.
His lips remained sealed shut, denying me the deeper connection I craved.
Wait... why wasn’t he opening up? Beau claimed to be into me, but was he just saying it? Horror filled me as I considered the possibility. I released my grip on him and took a step back, or at least I tried to. I ended up bumping into the Jeep instead.
I looked at him directly in the eyes, hurt seeping into my voice.
"Why?" I asked, my voice tinged with anguish. Why didn’t he want me? He’d said he did, but now with me willing in front of him, it felt like he was withdrawing.
He’d told me all about how he’d wanted me, but did he really mean it?
Or did he just love the chase, the act of courting me?
"Jake, my knight, you've had a lot to drink tonight. I want to make sure you really want... I need you to want me, all of me, the real me," Beau replied.
I scoffed. "Is this your version of the 'it's not you, it's me' cliché? I thought you were being honest with me, that you were trustworthy. That you liked me." Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to blink, refusing to let them fall. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
"I do like you, a lot. I just want you to know me, without anything clouding your judgment," Beau explained slowly, looking me in the eyes as he spoke.
"Well, you've sobered me right the fuck up now!" I snapped.
Beau took a step closer, attempting to put his hand on my back again. "Come on, let's go inside and talk."
I jerked myself away, my emotions swirling inside me. "No, you go inside. I need some fresh air and to walk around a little."
Beau looked at me with surprise and a hint of fear. "It's not safe for you to walk around, especially in the groves. It's easy to get turned around, especially in the middle of the night like this. And the nocturnal wildlife— "
"I'll be fine!" I snapped, taking a deep breath. As I saw the genuine concern in Beau's eyes, my tone and stance softened a bit. "I won't go into the groves. I'll just walk around the back and stay near the tree line and the clearing."
Beau still hesitated, his gaze filled with worry. "I don't want you to get hurt or lost. Are you sure you don't want me to come with you? I'm happy to walk with you."
"I'm already hurt and lost," I admitted, my voice steadying. "I'm trying to fix these feelings, and I need time to clear my head. I'll stay around the clearing in the back." I strived for a calm yet forceful response, hoping Beau would understand that I needed time alone .
Beau nodded slightly, indicating that he accepted my request for solitude. "I'll be right here inside, waiting for you. I do want you, please know that. I just want it to be done right. Okay?"
With those words echoing in my mind, I turned away and began my walk around the side of the house.
I took a giant loop around the clearing, hoping that the repetitive movement would help me gather my thoughts.
I fixed my gaze on the barn, planning to walk near the tree line, pass by the greenhouses, and make my way back to the house.
Maybe I'd repeat the loop a few times. I heard Beau open the back door of the house, most likely so he could listen for my call.
Despite our argument, I appreciated that he was giving me the space I needed and not trying to control me.
I slipped my hands into my jean pockets and started my slow meander along the tree line.
The darkness enveloped me, with only a sliver of a moon casting a faint glow.
The lack of light created an ethereal atmosphere, accentuated by the gentle breeze that rustled through the trees.
It was remarkably quiet, and I was grateful for the solitude.
My mind began replaying the events of the evening—our drive to the bar, the enjoyable dinner, the drinks, and the argument between Beau and Rich.
Apart from the fight, there were no red flags.
And honestly? Maybe it was my fault. Now that I had some space, I could see that I’d maybe overreacted—and maybe Beau was right.
I was drunk. Maybe now wasn’t the best time.
Beau seemed genuinely interested in me. Nothing made me suspect any ulterior motives.
Even the argument with Rich appeared to stem from Rich's anger rather than anything Beau had done.
Beau didn’t really know me, yet he'd come to my rescue.
He'd helped fix my car, provided me with things I needed (including shelter), and showed me nothing but kindness.
He even told me he liked me. And now, he'd given me a job—an opportunity to explore my passion for photography. But what did he gain from all this?
Crunch. I froze in place, my heart pounding in my chest. That sound.
.. I recognized it from my walks yesterday.
It was the sound of pinecones being crushed underfoot.
There was something big lurking in the trees ahead.
My heartbeat quickened, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
"Be careful," a male voice harshly whispered.
"I am. I'm trying to find other entrances to the greenhouse," another man's voice replied, sharp and hushed.
"We need night-vision goggles. It's too dark to see anything clearly," the first voice grumbled.
"This is the middle of the woods. Did you expect streetlights to illuminate our way?" the second voice retorted.
"Shut the fuck up."
Ding . Damn it! Of course, I would receive a text message at that moment, in the middle of the night.
I quickly silenced my phone and hid among the trees, my heart pounding in my chest. Shadows loomed around me, and I couldn’t make out any distinct figures. I tried to steady my breathing, not daring to move or make a sound.
What the hell was happening? Who were these people, and what were they doing here? I felt a mixture of fear and curiosity, but my priority was to remain hidden. My mind raced with questions, but I knew I needed to be patient and wait for the right time to make my next move.