Page 11 of Wolfish Heart (Billionaires of Wolfe Mountain #1)

KADEN

D riving out to the first data point, I sip my coffee while smiling to myself. That was definitely the best night of my life. And it’s only the beginning.c Unbelievable.

I thought long and hard…no pun intended…about dumping today’s work on one of my brothers so I could spend more time in bed with Zoe. But I know she’s got more filming today, and I think she’d be more comfortable doing that if she’s totally alone.

She hasn’t come out and said it yet, but I sense tension between Zoe and her mother, maybe almost like she’s afraid she’s not good enough. I don’t want to pry, but I’ll have to ask about that at some point.

Zoe and I were so affectionate with each other as I was leaving that it had me wondering what we’ll be like in a year. Five years. Am I going to be the first of my brothers to get married? To have a kid?

I can see in her gorgeous eyes that Zoe is a bit nervous about how fast things are going.

I can also tell she doesn’t quite know what to make of my status here on the mountain, or of the sudden stratospheric rise of my company.

I think it’s going to take some time for her to become comfortable with it all, but I’m going to help her every step of the way.

When I reach the first data collection spot I check the camera and audio feeds. The birds have been chirping nonstop all day, and the webcam footage looks just fine. I use a cloth to wipe the lens and dust off the audio inputs.

After logging in to our personalized recordkeeping chart, I throw the truck back into gear, then start driving to the next point, wondering if I should stop for a coffee on the way.

I’ve barely made it to the main road when my phone rings. “Hey, Mom. How are you doing?”

“Kaden! How could you be dating someone and not even tell me?”

I should have known this was coming. Mom has been gently suggesting that my brothers and I start dating soon. And by gently, I mean, not very.

“It’s…pretty early, Mom. There’s no huge announcement to be made yet.”

“You’ve been parading her around town at every restaurant. That sounds like an announcement to me.”

“Mom, I met a girl and we’ve had dinner a few times. That doesn’t feel announcement-worthy to me.”

“She’s been having work done on your house!” Mom practically squeals. “Kai was talking to Clark, and he mentioned it. Now, if she’s moved in and is renovating the place already, I really think that I should be allowed to meet her. Has she met your brothers yet?”

“Not yet.” I pinch the bridge of my nose as I try to hold back an exasperated sigh. “Look, she’s a bit quiet. I don’t want her overwhelmed by the entire family at once, okay? You’ll all meet her soon. I promise.”

“Will you at least invite her to Sunday dinner this weekend?”

“That depends. Is it just going to be you and Dad, or the entire family?”

There’s a long pause. “I’m…not sure yet.”

“Just give me a couple of weeks, okay, Mom?” I decide to give her a few details so she can feel better informed than the rest of the town.

“Zoe is a lovely young woman. Right now, she’s shooting videos for her mom’s specialty graphic design training courses.

She’s also got a great eye for matching different kinds of wood: maybe you two can talk about your furniture refinishing thing. ”

That’s assuming Mom is still into that by the time they meet. Mom goes through hobbies like some people go through tissues in allergy season.

“Oh, that would be lovely! Fine, I’ll wait for you two to settle in before I force a dinner invitation down your throat. Just – know that it’s coming.”

“Great. Looking forward to it.”

“You know, if you boys just went ahead and sold that company of yours, you’d have so much more time to visit your father and me. Live a little more, you know, relax and enjoy?—”

“We’re not selling.”

“Marylou said she heard Wolfe Security was worth a fortune these days. You could sell it now while the market is good, or up, or whatever they say?—”

“Gotta go. Bye, Mom.”

As I visit the next few stops, checking and cleaning the equipment, I start hoping that Mom isn’t going to make some excuse to drop by the house. Zoe’s a bit shy and she’s still finding her place here. An interrogation by my mother is not going to help.

I get home and pull into the driveway to see Kingston walking from his truck to the front door. As I jump out of the truck, he whips his head around to look at me.

“Wait. If you’re here, who’s inside?” he asks. “I swear I just saw a shadow go past your kitchen window.” Before I can answer, he grins. “Whoa, has that girl moved in already?”

“She hasn’t moved in, she’s just using my office.” I point to his truck and snap my fingers twice. “Out.”

“What, I can’t even meet her?”

Before I can tell him that I’d rather he wait, the front door opens. “Hey,” Zoe calls out. “I heard voices.”

“I’m so sorry, baby. Did we interrupt your video shoot?”

“Not at all. I was making coffee.”

My brother rushes over to extend his hand. “I’m Kingston. The second brother in line.”

She smiles sweetly. “Zoe. Nice to meet you.”

“What kind of videos are you shooting?” he asks.

She leans against the door frame, giving him a quick rundown. I notice that she’s not inviting him inside, though.

“If Zoe is still working for the day, we need to leave her alone,” I tell Kingston firmly, tipping my head toward his truck. “She’s on a deadline.”

He holds up his hands. “Okay. Sorry to interrupt. There’s just been some pretty wild rumors zipping around town.

Now I can report that this nice, perfectly normal young lady is using your house as a video recording studio.

” He chuckles, flashing me a wink. “I mean, nobody would ever believe that a girl this pretty would actually fall for you.”

I drop into a fighting stance with my fists lifted and an exaggerated snarl on my lips. “You wanna go, buddyboy?”

There’s a flicker of nervousness in Zoe’s eyes until Kingston bursts out laughing, walking right past me and clapping me on the shoulder. “I’ll get out of your hair. Have a good one.” He turns to Zoe. “Keep an eye on this troublemaker, okay?”

She waves goodbye, then we go back in. As soon as I hear his truck is gone, I pull Zoe into my arms, pinning her to the wall for a slow, deep kiss.

“Maybe next time it’s my turn to make the rounds, you’d like to come with me,” I whisper against her ear. “It’s a nice drive, with lots of birds and scenery…”

“It’s not top-secret?”

I shrug. “We usually only check some of the points, not all of them on the same day.”

“In case you’re ever followed?”

“You got it.”

Zoe gives me an adorable grin. “I wanted to get through a few more sections today. And…not that I mind… I’m going to have to fix my lipstick.”

That brings my attention to her lips, and I almost feel a growl simmering in my throat as I dive in for another long, steamy kiss. “Can you stay for dinner, baby?”

“Umm. I don’t know yet. I want to stay in the zone.”

“No problem. Carry on.” I step back, click my heels together and salute as she goes back to the office with an amused eye roll.

There’s a prickle in the bottom of my stomach. We’ve been spending almost every single evening together. It’s natural for her to need space, of course…

But I don’t like it.