Page 5 of Wolfish Desire (Billionaires of Wolfe Mountain #2)
KINGSTON
Istare into my fridge, less than thrilled with any of the options. I end up making a sandwich with leftover chicken and part of a spinach salad that still has a bit of life left. Funny, I was just at the grocery store with Sierra and didn’t even think of myself.
I eat while standing in front of the window, wishing that she were here. Even a quick lunch would be nicer with her around. Is it weird that I miss her already?
Is it also weird that I didn’t tell my brothers about her last night? We normally tell each other pretty much everything. I just can’t quite wrap my mind around the idea that my dream girl simply appeared in a parking lot as I was driving by. That kind of stuff happens in movies, not to me.
Then I chuckle, looking around my enormous kitchen that opens onto the massive living room.
I still can’t believe any of the success with the company happened either, especially so fast. It’s ridiculous!
But everything has worked out perfectly.
Maybe I should take the same approach with Sierra: just try my best and go with the flow.
As to my brothers, they will understand that I need to figure out what’s going on before I share it. Which means I need to establish that Sierra and I are on the same page.
She hasn’t exactly said how long she’s in town. Even though technically I could work remotely and live anywhere, leaving my family would be difficult. I hope Sierra falls in love with Old Hemlock Valley and wants to stay.
What the hell is wrong with me? Talk about getting ahead of yourself. First, I need this lovely woman to come on another date with me.
I grab my phone and am already pacing when she picks up. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s me. Is it too early for another date?”
I love that she doesn’t hesitate. “Not at all. I’d love that.”
“How about dinner at my place? I’m not the best chef, but…” I chuckle. “It’s probably in the dating rules and guidelines somewhere that you’re supposed to check out a guy’s home, make sure he’s a good person and all that.”
She laughs sweetly. “True, I’ve read about that.
I’m supposed to make sure that you have a bookshelf with actual books on it, and that your bathroom is clean.
What was the other thing…” She hums for a moment.
“Oh, right – make sure you don’t have a row of mannequins dressed as ex-girlfriends or anything else completely insane. ”
“Fair enough.” I laugh with her. “Talking of checking a person out… You never actually told me your last name.” There’s a few seconds of dead silence, and I wonder if the call cut out.
“Unless you’re in the witness protection program or something,” I add.
“It just feels like something I should know.”
She laughs too hard, making it sound unnatural. “Cushing. It’s nothing sinister, I just forgot.”
“All right then, Sierra Cushing, shall I pick you up at six?”
“I have my car back, remember. I could just make my own way to your place.”
Crap. I want to drive her so that I know she’s safe on these mountain roads.
But I know the Dirty brothers wouldn’t have given her car back if they didn’t trust it.
Also, I can’t be so overprotective that I frighten her away.
“Sure. I’ll text you a map. Your phone will be charged in case anything happens, right? ”
I can almost hear her rolling her eyes. “You know it. Safety first.”
“Great. See you soon, beautiful.”
“See you.”
I love that she sounds flustered whenever I tell her how gorgeous she is.
I head for my laptop that’s sitting on the dining room table. She couldn’t be one of those Cushings, could she? As in, well-known and old money?
After a quick search, I find a family photo with a smiling Sierra taken at least ten years ago. Staring at her father, I know I’ve seen his face before.
A quick search brings up a profile for James Cushing. Of course! He was one of our early investors. I remember now, I saw him again at a tech conference a few years ago.
Why would Sierra be so cagey about that? Unless… Maybe she’s trying to find herself without the influence of her family? I could certainly understand that.
I fling open the cupboards and fridge and take a good long stare, then grab my keys. I’m going to need groceries, and a plan for a proper meal. I might not impress her with my cooking, but I want her to see that I’m trying.
I need this precious girl to understand how special she already is to me.
I haven’t read those women’s “rule books”, but I’ll bet that’s in there somewhere.