Page 56 of Wild Desire

"I felt the love when I was there yesterday. It was just as potent as ours."

I nodded. I could agree with him on that point, but when it came to scarcity and abundance, we were very different. I had to think about how we'd pay for college in a few years. I wouldn't let Christopher stay and get a job to help the family. No more sacrifices for the good of the family. Unless they came from me. "That's nice of you to say."

Killian frowned. "I believe it."

"That's nice to hear. Thank you." I was a little overcome with emotion. Killian saw me in a way that no one else ever did. No one was ever interested in getting to know me and my family. I threw up walls, and no one bothered to even attempt to scale them.

Killian nodded, satisfied with my answer.

I had to get through the next few weeks. He'd be on the mend soon, and then he'd be gone. Back to his home, wherever that was. Probably a hotel room in every town he raced in. It wasthe life he wanted. Mine was here. With my family and my new businesses.

"How is your assistant business going?" Roland asked.

"We just got the option working on the app," Eli answered for me. "We're telling guests as they're checking in about the service. So far, we've had a good response. Now we need people to use it."

"I'm keeping a close eye on it," I said, "because I may need to hire more employees." I hated the idea of sharing the profit with everyone. But I baked donuts in the morning, assisted Killian most of the day, and needed time to spend with my family. There weren't many hours in the day left.

"Killian will be heading back to work soon enough. Then you'll have more time," Roland said as if it wasn't a big deal. I didn't like the idea of Killian being gone. I'd gotten used to living with him. Would I stay in the condo without him? It would be so big and empty.

I wanted to hold onto the idea of him for as long as I could. I didn't want to say goodbye to the possibility of us. A tingle ran through my body. I liked Killian, and if I wanted to stay true to myself, I might need to make another move on him. At the very least, tell him how I felt. It would hurt if he didn't feel the same way again, but at least I'd know. I wouldn't spend the rest of my life wondering what if I'd taken advantage of this situation.

I'd noticed his physical reaction to me. He'd been hard in the bathroom and that time he woke up from a nap. Now he could have been thinking about anyone, or maybe it was me. The curiosity was driving me crazy.

"I think you're amazing to start so many businesses. I can barely handle the one," Scarlett said. "And that's more of a passion project. I love what I'm doing so much that I don't worry about numbers."

Eli put his arm around her. "That's my job."

Oliver snorted. "It's a good thing you're having me look over it. Eli's not the best at staying on a budget."

"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm the big idea guy." Eli puffed out his chest.

Oliver raised a brow. "Your big ideas come with an even larger price tag."

"We all have our strengths, and we're working within them to make Wilde Ski Resort the best it can be." Roland raised his is glass, and everyone followed suit.

"To the future of Wilde Ski Resort. May we create a business that will last generations. May it lift up our children and generations of Wildes."

I clinked glasses with those around me, smiling, but inside I was filled with emotion. I wanted the same for my family. Was it too much to hope for? Eli had paid me for the first month of my donut business, which was more than I needed, and for my services I provided to Killian that didn't feel like that much.

Sure, I was providing a service, but I was enjoying it too. It felt like helping a friend, not work. It wasn't a hardship to assist Killian in the bathroom.

The crazy part was that I paid for the mortgage and other expenses and had money left over because I wasn't paying rent. I needed to talk to Killian about that. It didn't seem right. But at the same time, it was exciting to have money to put into savings.

I thought it was the first time I could say I had something in the bank. For a rainy day or even to buy myself something. That sounded selfish, but I hoped I'd get to the point where this was my life. I was building the businesses and my wealth. I was making a difference in my family's life and my own.

For the first time, I could finally see it, and I owed all of it to the Wildes. Without them, I'd still be dealing with Cal and his price cuts.

Conversation carried on around us, and I felt content to just be a part of it. The Wildes weren't mine and probably never would be. But I could enjoy this for as long as Killian was here. When he left, I'd be merely a resort employee. No different than my mom.

After dinner, we helped clean up, and then I drove Killian to the lodge. In the elevator, he said, "Do you still want to see the hot tub?"

"It's early yet."

"We have the whole night ahead of us."

"How have you been feeling? You haven't asked for pain meds in a while." He could be taking them without me knowing, but I had a feeling he wasn't.

"A lot better." Killian smiled.

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