Page 2 of Wolfish Desire (Billionaires of Wolfe Mountain #2)

SIERRA

Even though Kingston is driving at a very reasonable speed, I feel like I’m flying.

I’ve never felt this way about a man before. I wasn’t sure I ever would. It’s not the sort of thing I’ve ever been brave enough to wish for myself. But just touching his hand has my heart spiraling.

And if just the touch of Kingston’s hand ignites a spark like that, what would happen if I actually gave him a hug to thank him for helping me?

Every single detail about him is gorgeous.

Ridiculously tall, with broad shoulders.

Yet he’s not your average lumberjack. There’s a refinement in his cheekbones and the line of his jaw.

He could be a fitness model – smoldering dark brown eyes, thick brown hair, a way of moving that reminds me of a panther.

Plus, unlike most of the men around here who live in dirty jeans and shapeless, ratty t-shirts, his black jeans are perfectly worn in. The charcoal gray t-shirt stretched just snugly enough across his chest and around his thick biceps looks designer, too.

Kingston puts on some music, and we chat about our favorite artists and songs. After about twenty minutes, he slows down as a truck approaches. They stop next to each other in the middle of the road. “These are the mechanics that I called,” he explains.

I hand Kingston my keys and he tosses them to the guy behind the wheel.

“You have to push the door in a bit and jiggle the key up and down,” I call through the window.

The guy riding shotgun gives me a thumbs up. “Don’t worry, we’ve dealt with plenty of moody cars. She’s in good hands, promise.”

They give me a friendly wave, then drive away.

“Who did I just hand my car over to?” I ask as Kingston begins to drive again.

“That was Walker and Carson Dirty. Two of the three Dirty brothers.”

“Walker Dirty? That sounds like a character on a cheesy police show or something.”

He gives me a sideways grin. “I know. But that really is their last name. Their family has been around here almost as long as mine. Good guys. I trust them to the core. And they’ll bump your repair to the top of the list.”

“Because you’re the one asking them?”

His head tips back and forth. “Maybe. But also, a nice young lady shouldn’t be up here without a vehicle. It’s not like the city where you can walk around or get a cab.”

So he can tell I’m a city girl. Also, he’s totally nonchalant about saving me. Not to mention, he didn’t even ask what the repair might cost.

That, plus the Audemars Piguet watch on his left wrist, tells me that Kingston is seriously rich – and it’s the old money nonchalance that unfortunately I know far too well.

“So, what brings you to Old Hemlock Valley?” he asks a minute or so later.

Part of me wants to spin some story about becoming one with nature or whatever. But with a single glance into his deep brown eyes, I realize I have to tell him the truth.

“I, um, had to get away from my family for a while. They’re very…overwhelming.”

He nods slowly. “Yyyyeah… I’m the second oldest of five brothers. So I’m pretty sure I understand at least part of it.”

“Five?” I sputter. “Wow. I’m the youngest of three daughters. I thought that was bad.”

He shrugs, turning onto the road that leads into Old Hemlock Valley.

“Every family in the world is weird. Haven’t met a normal one yet.

And hey – sometimes running away from it all for a while is a healthy thing.

” He flashes me a dazzling grin. “I was just running away for the afternoon myself, to do some brainstorming.”

“Anything wrong, or just clearing your head?”

“Just letting my mind blank out to figure out some work stuff. That’s when the best ideas happen for me.”

I don’t want this drive to ever end, but we’re approaching town.

“Where am I taking you?” he asks.

I fish around in my purse for my phone. “Let me look up the address.”

“Who are you staying with? I know almost everyone around here.”

“I’m renting a place from some pilot named…Riggs, I think? My dad knows him.”

Kingston slows down quickly and makes a sharp right. “Oh, I know Riggs. This is a more scenic route to his house. Only takes an extra two minutes, too.”

I’m relieved that he doesn’t ask how I found out about Riggs and his huge house that he occasionally rents out to friends of friends. I’m not sure why, but I don’t want Kingston to know – not yet at least – that I’m a directionless rich girl who has no idea what she’s doing with her life.

As we glide past the endless trees and rocky outcroppings, I feel like I’m flying again. Especially since Kingston seems to be watching me admire the scenery.

“It’s a cool house,” he says as we pull up in front. “Even if it’s a little big for just you.”

After he helps me get my buckets and bags into the foyer, Kingston pulls out his phone. “May I get your number? And pick you up in an hour for dinner? We can go anywhere you like, but I’m really in the mood for Jim’s Pizza, if that’s cool with you.”

I can’t believe he’s paying me this much attention. Nobody ever has before. Everyone’s eyes are drawn to my tall, slender sisters who look like supermodels. Or my mother, who is always wearing some designer thing direct from Paris that other people find impressive. Not that I’ve seen her in ages.

When I hesitate slightly, Kingston’s eyes grow wide and he looks mortified. “You’re right. I didn’t do this properly.”

He takes my hand, sending another zing of electricity through me as he leads me to the center of the foyer, right under the chandelier, and drops to one knee.

“Dearest Sierra, most gorgeous explorer of my mountain, may I please escort you to the town’s finest pizza establishment in a noble quest to get to know thee better?”

I’m already laughing, which makes his eyes dance even more. “Yes, just give me about an hour to shower quickly.”

My stomach tightens as his lips drift over the back of my hand. Is he reading my mind? Can he tell I’d rather shower with him?

Whoa. That thought is completely unlike me. Getting naked with a stranger is not something that’s ever occurred to me before. Now I’m craving it with a brand-new longing.

“Perfect.”

He stands, placing my hand on his chest. His wide, warm, extremely firm chest. Another shower of sparks rains through me as I realize I might honestly have trouble breathing when I’m alone with him for an entire dinner.

“See you soon.” He flashes me a wink before walking out and closing the door softly behind him.

I take a deep breath, then turn to face the stairs. What on Earth can I wear that looks both small town charming and like I dressed up for our date?

Kingston is incredible, and I love the way he’s not exactly shy about his interest in me. Realistically, there’s no way this… whatever…will last more than a short while, but I want to make the most of it.

He’s the only man who has ever made me genuinely hot with desire.