Page 12 of Wolfish Heart (Billionaires of Wolfe Mountain #1)

ZOE

M aybe I should have stayed at Kaden’s last night. But it suddenly hit me that I didn’t want to appear clingy, or like I didn’t have my own life.

Oh, who am I kidding. I needed some space. Meeting Kaden’s brother so soon felt like everything was becoming super real, super fast, and I still don’t know how I feel about that.

I shuffle my feet into a couple of yoga poses and roll my neck and shoulders while waiting for the coffee maker in Henry’s kitchen. Once I’ve given my entire body a quick stretch and the coffee’s ready I sit down at the kitchen table, staring out the window and making a mental pro and con list.

I love everything about Kaden: the way he makes me feel, the way he’s so encouraging. And don’t get me started on the unbelievable lust that’s blossomed out of nowhere.

I can feel my cheeks getting flushed just thinking about it. Everything in that department is perfect, even the way he seems to adore my curves, which do look at little smaller next to his massive bulk.

But his family… How will they react to a total outsider being with their first born?

Not to mention, the town probably had ideas of who Kaden should end up with. Someone more interesting than me, and from around here.

And his brothers. How close are they? Kaden seems fairly tight with Kingston, at least – watching him challenge the guy to a fight was hilarious as soon as I realized he was kidding.

If the brothers don’t like me, I’m screwed. If his mother doesn’t approve, I’m also screwed. A deep shudder runs through me. If any of his friends or neighbors thought for one second that I was after him for his money, I would feel terrible.

I pull my laptop over to check my email. I see one from Mom with the subject line “Video feedback”. As always, she writes as if I’m someone she’s hired, not her daughter who kind of automatically ended up working for her.

Reading quickly, my shoulders begin lowering. She loves the way I present the content. She loves the earthy-casual office set. She even loves that time I was interrupted with a loud bird call from right outside the window and turned to wave before continuing smoothly. I was worried about that.

But of course she suggests I wear more contouring makeup to look more angular, with higher cheekbones. More like Mom.

There are also a few picky comments about my lack of jewelry, but I ignore those. If people are watching these videos for fashion pointers, they’re in the wrong place.

Just as I’m about to close the laptop, another email arrives from my Aunt Emily.

Apparently, Mom sent the videos to her as well.

Scanning her email, I breathe a sigh of relief.

She says I seem natural and relaxed on camera and loves the videos.

Which means she’ll definitely be saying the same thing to Mom. That’s helpful.

Then I get to the end, and gasp in disbelief. She asks if it’s really true I’m dating Kaden Wolfe. She clearly doesn’t believe it.

How could she even have heard about that already?

Snapping the laptop shut, I return to my coffee, my heart sinking. Kaden couldn’t really be my boyfriend for the long-term. Normally I don’t care what people think, but what about him?

Well, even if this relationship doesn’t last, I should just take my cues from him. There’s no harm in a summer fling while he’s so generously letting me use his office, right?

Even if my heart is already completely invested in this incredible man who is way too gorgeous and worldly and wonderful for me, I need to be a realist and protect my fragile feelings.

It feels totally backward, but I need to listen to my head over my heart.