Page 79 of Wild Desire

I nodded again. ''Makes sense."

"But I need to interview people, and I've never hired anyone before." Her voice was hesitant.

"You know what you want. You just need to ask the right questions to find out if they fit the profile. You can place them on probation until you see if it works out."

Her forehead wrinkled. "What if it doesn't?"

"During one of my appointments, Lincoln mentioned his sister Aspen coming home. She's looking for work, something flexible."

"Hmm. That could be an option. Do you think she'd be interested?"

"I don't know her. But I can talk to Lincoln about it at my appointment."

She sighed. "Thank you for helping. I get so overwhelmed; I feel paralyzed about it."

"You feel paralyzed about which part?"

"The money that's coming in right now is overwhelming. My job for you is coming to an end, but it's been nice having extra money to help my mom and to put in savings. And it's great timing, because I need more time for the resort-assistant service."

"You're overwhelmed by the amount of money coming in?" I asked, trying to understand where she was coming from.

"Every time it's deposited, I get a notice on my phone, and with each one, I feel panicky. I know that makes no sense. But it feels like too much."

"You can't believe it's real and that it will continue?" I asked, trying to get a feel for what she was saying.

Her shoulders lowered. "Yeah, I think that's it."

"When I signed my first contract, and then the sponsor deals, I couldn't believe it either. I think it's okay to assume it will continue. You're a savvy business person. If you see a problem,you're going to pivot. You're going to be fine, and you have the Wildes at your disposal if you need business advice."

"I know I do. You guys have been great."

I didn't want to be lumped in with my brothers. "What am I going to do without you?" I pulled her into my lap so she straddled my hips.

She smiled down at me. "You'll be just fine."

I looped my arms around her. "How do you figure?"

"You make tons of money, everyone loves you on camera, and—" She waved her hand, trailing off.

"And what?" I'd been waiting for her to say how she felt, to tell me not to go, or something. I knew she never wanted to get in the way of anyone's dreams, but I almost wanted her to. I wanted her to lay everything on the line for me.

Noelle tipped her head slightly as she looked down at me, her hair caressing my cheek. "You love your job. You love your life."

I loved her,and that changed everything. The realization tore through me like a hurricane-force wind. My heart thumped harder, and my palms got sweaty.

"I'm not so sure that's true anymore." Everything was different. This felt like home. Not random hotel rooms.

"Of course, it is." A naughty smile spread over her face. "We should take advantage of the time we have left." She ground over my dick, and I was powerless to ignore the desire coursing through my veins. I'd always want her.

We didn't need to think about the logistics of our relationship. Not tonight. Not while she was straddling my lap, and my dick was seeking out her wet heat.

My hand caressed the silky strands that fell down her back. "You're a dream; you know that?"

A smile curved over her lips. "I love that."

I love you.But again, I swallowed that sentiment. It wasn't the right time to have that conversation. Not while she was inmy lap. She wouldn't trust it. She would assume it was the lust talking, but I finally knew what that sensation in my chest was—love.

I loved my family. I loved snowboarding. But I'd never felt this all-consuming emotion for a woman. I didn't want to announce it for the first time while she was pulling her shirt over her head and unhooking her bra.

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