Page 5 of Wild Desire

I was bored. Lonely even. I was used to focusing on training, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep. There was always film to go over, coaches to strategize with, and publicity to juggle. Here, I didn't have anything to do, and my brothers had kept their distance, wary of my surliness. It would be nice to have company. "I'll need you here."

Noelle's eyes widened as she sat across from me, perched on the edge of the cushion as if she planned to bolt at any second. "What time? I have other responsibilities."

"I thought you were my personal assistant. Riley is by my side as soon as I wake up until I go to bed." That wasn't exactly true, but Noelle didn't need to know that.

Noelle looked surprised for a second, and then her lips curved into a smile. "Is that so?"

"I pay her well." I believed in paying people what they were worth, and an assistant was my most valuable asset. She procured anything I needed at any time. Even when she wasn't with me. You couldn't put a price on that level of availability.

"Is that what you think matters the most?"

I frowned. "It's important."

"I'll strive to give you everything you need, but I have other businesses to run, and my family to support. I won't be as available as Riley apparently is for you." Her tone suggested that she thought there was something else going on between me and Riley.

But I wasn't tackling that tonight. I could barely think straight through the incessant ache. I opened the water bottle, threw the pills down my throat, then chugged the water.

Noelle jumped up. "You should eat something with that. It's not good for your stomach."

"How do you know I haven't eaten?" I asked her as she moved to the kitchen and returned with a banana in her hand.

Noelle sighed. "I notice things."

I thought she'd been focused on the event itself.

"You're my priority. I'll figure out how to juggle everything."

My stomach twisted with an emotion I couldn't quite identify. I wasn't sure I wanted to be a job for Noelle. We'd competed together as teens and had grown close training together. We were focused on making one of the elite college's snowboarding teams. "Why didn't you take the scholarship to U of C?"

Her lips pressed into a flat line. "I'm happy to discuss my job duties, but my personal life is off-limits."

That was interesting. I polished off the banana and threw the peel on the table.

Noelle's gaze flicked to the peel and then up to my face. "I think we should discuss what you expect me to do. Is it just errands, or will you need me to organize emails, phone calls, obligations, clean, and cook?"

Her list was extensive and beyond what I expected of an assistant. "I thought you'd do whatever Riley did."

Her brow raised. "Which was?"

There was something in her tone, like she was insinuating Riley performed other tasks for me, personal ones. That couldn't be further from the truth, but I wasn't ready to disavow her of that notion. She seemed to think the worst of me. "She was by my side ready to assist with whatever I needed. She also managed my schedule and emails. But I'll need you to drive me to my appointments, keep my fridge stocked."

"I didn't realize I'd be your chauffeur."

I didn't want to be cooped up in this condo, but now I was looking forward to seeing Noelle every day. We had been close,and then we'd lost touch. Now that I was here, I was interested in getting to know her and what she'd been up to over the years.

"I know this is asking a lot, but can I schedule your appointments around my availability?" Noelle asked.

"When are you busy with other things?" I asked, knowing she didn't want to talk about her personal life.

"I'm open during the day unless something comes up."

"What do you have in the morning and evenings?" I asked, wondering if it was a boyfriend that was keeping her busy. She'd mentioned businesses, but I couldn't remember if my brothers had told me about those.

"I'll make myself available to you at all other times. You can email or message me, but my personal life is not up for discussion."

Her tone was dismissive, and I didn't like it. "We used to be friends."

Noelle stood. "We haven't been close in a long time. This is a job for me, one that will greatly help me and my family. I'm a hard worker, but I won't compromise my other business obligations or my responsibilities to my family."

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