Page 15 of Wolfish Desire

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I nod, slipping my hands slowly down her back to cup her perfect ass. “Hell yeah. Crazy fast. But it also feels right, don’t you think?”

Sierra nods slowly. “Yeah. It’s just…” She trails off, biting her lip.

“You don’t trust it yet? I can respect that. Baby, take all the time you need to make any big decisions. Me, I’m just going to operate under the assumption that everything will work out great, and you’re going to realize, hopefully sooner rather than later, that we belong together.”

Holy shit. Did I really just say all that out loud?

I needn’t have worried. The delighted look in Sierra’s eyes tells me she likes the idea.

“So, do we need some candles for our next romantic dinner?” I ask, indicating a display.

“Sure. What kind?”

“Hey, you’re the artistic one. Anything you like.”

She selects some light green tapers and white ceramic holders. I encourage her to get some votives and holders for the bathroom too, or maybe the bedroom.

On the drive back to my house to get her car, Sierra suddenly says, “Tell me something weird that you’ve learned through your work.”

“Hmm… That’s an interesting question.” I drum my fingers on the steering wheel as I think. “Oh! I know. I was surprised to learn that I’m pretty good at educating potential clients about our technology. Convincing them that using natural input is safer because it’s organic, and that keeping some of our company low tech isn’t just a quirk, it makes us more stable. Plus, we need fewer servers. The birds come up with numbers without any extra effort.”

“I’ll bet some of the top brass at other technology companies don’t actually understand the technology,” she laughs.

“Exactly. They were repeatedly promoted because of their management skills, not their technical expertise.” Reaching out, I squeeze her knee. “Were you always creative?”

She thinks for a second. “I’ve definitely always made things with my hands: baking, crocheting, painting flowerpots.I switched to the natural arrangements because Chloe needed them, plus it was a fun way to make some money on my own.”

I release her knee to turn left into the long driveway, then park beside Sierra’s car. “I’m not quite sure how to say this…” I get out of the car and walk around to open her door, wrapping my arms snugly around her. “I know you were hesitant to tell me that you come from a family that’s quite well off. I really don’t care one way or the other, but now that you’re here, I want you to have a comfortable life doing whatever makes you happy. If that means taking endless university courses to become the world’s foremost expert in pinecones, great. If you want to spend the next ten years helping me create a huge vegetable garden, that’s also great. If you want to work from home and make endless arrangements, I’ll make you a workshop and help you set up shipping.”

She smiles warmly as she meets my eyes. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

Her cheek rests against my chest. “For not having any expectations or preconceived notions. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

I obviously have some idea, since I feel the relief that flows through her body as we hold each other.

I don’t want Sierra to leave, but I know she needs to get back to her house and have a little time and space.

Though she will just be a ten-minute drive away, I miss her already.

I’m already fantasizing about the day she moves in with me. I feel like that’s going to be the day she’s really and truly mine.

10

SIERRA

Lizbeth Avenue is such a pretty street. The entire town is stunning, but I especially like the trees that border the sidewalk here.

An older man wearing a flannel shirt hurries to open the door to the drugstore for me, since I’m carrying a large cardboard box to mail to my sister. “Morning, miss.” He flashes me the friendly, open smile that everyone seems to have around here.

“Good morning. Thank you very much.”

If I’m completely falling in love with Old Hemlock Valley, I’m falling for Kingston even more. Everything about him just feels solid, even though just thinking about him makes my stomach go all fluttery and my head spin.

The post office is in the far back corner of the drugstore. “What are the contents, dear?” the lady behind the counter asks.

“Can we just call it a gift? It’s some small arrangements of twigs and pinecones and stuff.”