Page 4 of Wolfish Desire (Billionaires of Wolfe Mountain #2)

SIERRA

My parents tended to outgrow the style of their house every two or three years, so I’ve spent my life getting used to new spaces. It’s different here at Riggs’ house, though. Maybe because I’m blissfully alone for the first time ever.

I make myself a cup of tea, then take it out onto the back patio deck. The more I think about it… Maybe I’m not entirely alone here anymore.

I slept unbelievably well after yesterday’s heart- and mind-scrambling kiss at the front door of the library. There was another one when Kingston dropped me off, too.

I don’t know if in his mind this is just some summer fling with the new girl in town or something that has real potential, but I don’t even care. All I can think about is spending more time with him. Getting to know him better. And enjoying every moment possible wrapped in his thick, strong arms.

Sipping my tea, I watch as a pair of small brown birds swoop around the end of the yard. They’re so free. So light. They need food and shelter, but apart from that they do anything their little hearts desire.

It’s kind of inspirational, to be honest. I should feel the same way, not stress over what to do with the rest of my life. Heck, I don’t even know what I want for lunch today.

Lunch. Hmm. When I’m finished my tea, I do a few laps around the huge backyard, then return to the kitchen, taking stock of what little food I brought.

My phone rings, and I grab it from the charger. “Hello?”

“Hey Sierra, it’s Walker. Your car is done. It’ll be delivered late this afternoon—”

“That’s amazing, thank you so much!”

“But there are some important rules. It’s okay to drive around town, but please don’t take it onto the highway or any remote back roads. We had to order you a new starter, and it’ll take a few days to come in. I don’t want you to get stranded, you know?”

“Got it. Just go back and forth to town. I’ll always make sure my phone is with me and charged, too.”

“That’s the ticket. Safety first.” He chuckles warmly. “Your brakes weren’t in the greatest condition, so I went ahead and tuned those up, and installed new brake pads. Griffin and I will drop it off at your place late this afternoon and leave the keys in the mailbox.”

“Thank you. You can leave the bill in there as well.”

There’s a slight snort. “Sure. Have a great day, Sierra.”

I love the way he talks to me as if he already knows me. Maybe it’s a small-town thing, but it makes me feel cared for.

It’s pretty obvious that Walker will be sending the bill to Kingston, not me. Well, I tried. Kingston doesn’t know I can easily afford it. Maybe he thinks that since it’s his town, it’s his responsibility? Or…maybe he wants to show me how he feels already?

My lips start to tingle again from the memory of last night’s kisses, then I jump with a start when the phone rings again. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s Kingston. Do you have plans for lunch?”

Even over the phone, his rich voice is incredibly sexy. “No. What’s up?”

“I have a three-minute errand to run in a beautiful part of the forest that would be just the place for a lunchtime picnic. Can I pick you up at eleven-thirty?”

“Sure. Um…jeans and hiking shoes, I guess?”

“And sunscreen.” A slight pause. “And please don’t forget those perfect, kissable lips. We’re going to be in another romantic spot. See you soon, gorgeous.”

I end the call and head for the shower, my head spinning. How can someone say something so cute and saucy, yet be so casual about it?

A few hours later, my sides ache from laughing.

Kingston and I are sprawled on a huge blanket at the edge of a meadow.

He had to check one of their “bird-listening” stations nearby: examine it, wipe its sensors, and make a note on his phone.

Now we’ve stuffed ourselves with sandwiches and pastries and have been swapping silly stories about our siblings.

I particularly enjoyed telling him how my sisters manage to find fault with every hotel they ever stay in.

“Travelling so much, what do your sisters actually do?” Kingston asks.

“My two older sisters are…” I hold up my hands to make air quotes. ‘Successful in fashion’. Chloe fancies herself an interior designer and influencer, and Brigette is a ‘designer’s muse’.”

His lips twitch as if he’s holding back a smirk. “Designer’s muse? What does that even mean?”

I can’t suppress my unladylike snort. “She swans around in his clothing, sleeps with him, and gets a new European car every six months.” My hand claps over my mouth. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. I’m not usually so catty.”

Kingston bursts out laughing. “No sweat, I get it. I wouldn’t have told anyone else but you that story of Kane and the chicken salad. What are siblings for, if not to laugh at them?”

“I dunno. It sounds like your brothers are a handful but are ultimately good guys. Plus, they have real jobs, which counts for a lot.”

He laughs. “Which sister are you making the forest arrangements for?”

“Chloe. She calls herself as an interior designer, but really she just rearranges her friends’ homes a bit.”

“So was it your mother who taught you the artsy stuff?”

My smile drops, and I freeze. Should I keep the happy mask in place, or be honest?

It’s an easy decision.

“Mom kind of…checked out when I was twelve,” I say softly. “She decided that we were raised well enough and took off.”

A furrow creases his forehead. “Where did she go?”

“Where didn’t she go? She decided to spend the rest of her life travelling. We get maybe ten emails a year with a few photos attached.” I swallow heavily before adding, “It’s a group list with her friends. I honestly don’t know if she meant to add her daughters or not.”

Two huge arms go around me as Kingston pulls me to him. After stroking my back for a moment he murmurs, “I’m sorry that your mom sucks. Is your dad at least a good guy?”

“He tries to be, which is worth something, I guess. For a while he was breathing down my neck to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Now he’s giving me some space.”

“Is he a workaholic?”

This time I mostly hold back my snort. “He checks his investments weekly. That’s pretty much it. The rest of the time he makes up global errands so he can travel and golf all over the world.”

I meet Kingston’s eyes with a start, realizing what I’ve revealed. “So…yeah. That’s my dirty little secret. I’m a directionless rich girl who doesn’t have to work for a living. I do want to, I just don’t know what yet.”

“Yeah, but you’re only—”

“Twenty-two.”

He nods. “Which means you have plenty of time to figure it out.” The pressure of his big palm at the base of my spine is heating up my entire back. “Look, I’m thirty-five and even I don’t have all the answers. And my parents and four brothers were all hardworking people.”

His forehead presses to mine. “What I’m saying is, we don’t have to be just like our families. Take the good parts and leave the stuff that doesn’t align with who we really are.”

He’s being super inspirational, but all I can think about is how close his lips are.

My stomach tightens in anticipation as his gaze drops to my mouth. His palm slowly runs up my spine, then tangles in the back of my hair, tilting our heads together gently…and then the kiss takes hold.

I thought last night was pretty darn spicy, but apparently that was just an appetizer. This time he holds nothing back. Kingston kisses me hard. Hungrily. The heat simmering between us makes my belly twist as my fingers dig into the back of his muscular shoulders.

“You’re amazing,” he rumbles, his voice thick with emotion as he kisses a line to my ear. “There’s something about you. The way you make me feel. The way you make me laugh.”

“Yeah,” I mutter with my heart in my throat, trembling from the feel of his breath against my ear and the side of my neck. “Same here.”

He lies back against the blanket, pulling me on top of him. “Just one full body kiss, gorgeous. Please?”

I shiver as our mouths meet again, my knee against his outer thigh, our chests pressed together. His hands run along my sides and hip, then cup the underside of my ass.

The way he takes possession of my entire body while kissing me senseless makes me want him. Completely. Entirely. Naked, and breathless, and…

Oh. Wow.

This isn’t a moment I’d ever really pictured before in any detail. I always felt I wasn’t in any hurry, and I would know the right time and the right guy when I got there. Well, I’m there. Kingston is definitely the one to experience this with.

He pulls me close, both of us moaning from the force of the kiss, then he pulls back with an adorable smile. “Too hot for your own darned good.”

“How can anyone be too hot?” I laugh. The tension is broken, but not the heat. He sweeps his hands all the way up and down my body again.

“You’re so hot that I’m actually thinking of blowing off my plans tonight.”

“Oh… Please don’t do that on my account.”

“I’m sure I will someday. But tonight, I can’t.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “Tonight is Brothers Brew Night at Kane’s. At least once a month we get together for beer and are not allowed to talk about work.”

“That sounds really nice.” I kiss his forehead. “And ridiculously healthy, and wholesome.”

He takes my hand as we stagger to our feet, then pack up the remains of our picnic. “You probably don’t have much food at your place. Let’s hit the grocery store and get some stuff, since you don’t have a car yet.”

“About that. It’s being dropped off soon. Thanks so much for setting it up.”

“Any time.”

After a quick pit stop, Kingston drives me home, where my car is indeed waiting in the driveway as promised. He brings the groceries inside for me, then heads straight back to the porch.

I smile up at him as he leans on the door frame. “Have a good family night.”

“I’ll be thinking of you at least…eighty percent of the time,” he grins, running his thumb along my cheekbone. “Call you tomorrow?”

“Sure.” I practically float inside, then watch through the window as he drives off.

I’ve only gone on a handful of dates. Nobody has ever interested me the way Kingston does. It was, hands down, the best date of my life.

My heart is twirling and spiraling. Nobody has ever really seen me like Kingston does.

I’ve always been the unimportant smallest sister who was in the way.

Nobody has ever made me feel like a priority.

But I already feel like the most important person in his world, and he is definitely the most important one in mine.

Does it matter if things are moving at such a breakneck pace if it all feels so good?