Page 71 of Wild Side

Curling my fingers around hers, I gently tug her behind me as I walk toward the agent.

“Hey, I’m Nova.” She delivers a little wave with her greeting.

I introduce myself, and Zadie introduces herself as well. Nova opens the door and walks inside, stepping to the side to let us through.

As she talks about the house, the amenities, which are essentially trash and water only, I look around and know without a shadow of a goddamn doubt that this place is not for us. Not only is it old, but it’s musty and dingy, too.

I know it’s a rental and is nicer than my little room at the clubhouse, but still, I have to think about the baby coming.

“Are they all like this?” I lift my hand to motion around the room.

Nova’s lips curve up into a smile at the same time Zadie gasps, likely upset that I said something. But this is old and dusty, definitely musty. I can make it work, I can have it cleaned, but at the same time, if there’s something better, I want that instead.

“No, the next one is a new build. The people who built it were going to use it as a vacation house. They said a vacation rental would be okay, but they’re hoping to find someone to lease it.”

“And they’re good with my situation?” I ask.

Nova dips her chin and smirks. “They’re good with it.”

“Then let’s check it out.”

A few minutes later, we’re about a mile down the road and sitting in front of a small single-story home. There is a swing on the small porch, along with a rocking chair. And there is a front yard with a landscaped flower bed.

“I wanted to save this one for last, but honestly, I think it’s exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a little on the smaller side, only twelve hundred square feet, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. They had planned on using it as a vacation home, then decided it would serve better as an investment property. But the big surprise, not only is everything brand-new, but it’s also fully furnished.”

Sold.

She doesn’t even have to open the door. I know this is where I need to be. But she opens the door anyway, and I watch as Zadie walks through. I hear her gasp before I follow behind her.

There, in the middle of the cozy living room, is my woman. She’s holding her hands up to her face, covering her mouth. Her wide eyes take in the space before they find mine. She wants it. No… Zadie needs this.

“C’mon,” Nova says. “I’ll show you around.”

I watch as the two women move down the hallway. My eyes only move when Zadie is no longer in view. I move to the kitchen and walk around, opening cabinets, and see that they’re full of cooking items. It feels almost too good to be true, like this was meant for us.

Like this is our time.

And I know deep in my heart…

That is exactly what it is.

This is our time.

When they return to the living room, I flick my attention to Nova over the small kitchen bar, my lips curved up into a grin before I ask a very serious question. The most serious question I have for the day.

“When can we move in?”

“Tomorrow.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

MAVERICK

Tearingoff her clothes and kicking off my boots, I tear my mouth from hers, my breathing coming out in heavy pants. I drop my jeans, tug off my socks, and move toward her. I am an animal searching for my prey, and I will get my prey.

My sweet little doe-eyed prey.

I lost my cut and shirt earlier, and Zadie is standing in front of me wearing absolutely nothing except a smile. A perfect fucking smile. Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I close the distance between us slowly.