Page 89 of This Wild Heart

With the buzz of his cell phone on the nightstand, I was saved the hassle of a response. It was probably best since the first thing that came to my head was another kiss with more tongue and less clothes.

After a glance at the phone, Parker sat up, his face lit by the blue glow of his screen. His brow doing that cute wrinkly thing, and I pushed up on my elbow again.

“What is it?”

He exhaled slowly, then handed me the phone.

Milicent: Congratulations, looks like you have yourself a son.

Chapter 24

Anya

“Auntie Anya, do you want to play on my team?”

It took a second to realize that was me.

Iwas Auntie Anya.

My head snapped up, pencil still hovering over the sketch pad. Ian and Harlow’s daughter Sage—a tall, gangly bright-eyed thing with boundless energy—had skidded to a halt in front of the chair I’d parked myself in for the afternoon.

“Oh, I wasn’t sure if you needed another person to play, kiddo.”

“We probably do. Plus, you’re tall, and you can distract Parker. It works with my mom and dadallthe time.”

Ian gave his stepdaughter a fond glance, one of the rare softening in his stoic features.

A last-minute touch football game had been suggested, and the entire freaking family had moved to a large field deeper into the Wilder’s property which seemed created just for moments like this. There was no goalpost or anything, but very faint white lines lingered on the grass, faded over time, but something that had been well-maintained for a very long time.

From what I heard that morning, it had been a while since they’d done this, but gathering the family around the field lines seemed to be a familiar pattern. An ATV was parked at midfield, Greer straddling the machine with Olive in front of her. They were finishing a shared sandwich before any game play started. Two white pickup trucks—just as large as Parker’s—displaying the Wilder Homes logo on the doors had been transformed into makeshift seating, blankets lining the beds for anyone who wanted to stretch out. Cameron and Ivy were currently sitting on one, whispering something to each other that made her tip her head back and laugh.

Poppy did her best to convince her brothers she could throw a few plays, but the eight-month-pregnant belly disqualified her immediately because, according to Parker, she’d “cheat like hell” since no one would be allowed to touch her. Her current position was in the chair next to mine, arms crossed over her belly and a disgruntled frown tugging at the corners of her mouth while she glared at her brothers and her partner Jax.

On my other side was Sheila and Harlow, both cooing over something Leo was doing in Sheila’s lap. I’d been sketching almost nonstop during any free time that day.

“Whoa, you drew that?” Sage asked, eyes locked on the pad in my lap. “That’s so cool.”

“Thanks.” I turned it around so she could see it better, and her fingers traced over the line of the eagle’s back. He was larger than the others I’d been working on, and I desperately wished I’d brought some colored pencils to fill in the tawny, golden coloring I had in mind. “It’s a work in progress, but it’s getting there.”

Sage bounced on her toes. “So will you play?”

My eyes found Parker, deep in the end zone and tossing a ball back and forth with his stepbrother Erik. It was interesting to watch his dynamic with the different siblings. He was softer with his sisters, teasing them far more than he did his brothers. When he didn’t think anyone was watching, he was constantly checking in with Poppy to see if she needed anything. Earlier that morning, while we’d visited the newly finished Wilder Homes retail store, he continually pointed out things she might trip on, asking if she needed a drink or a rest. Poppy might have rolled her eyes, swatting him away when he hovered too much, but damn if I did not find that wildly attractive.

With his brothers though, he was more serious. He and Erik were talking football, and I watched while Erik demonstrated something in the end zone, gesturing for Parker to run a quick slant route, and when Erik released the ball, he clapped loudly when Parker reached his long arms out to snag the football from the air.

His body, when he was in motion, was breathtaking. It was a warm day, under the sun, and Parker had tossed on an old T-shirt, sleeves ripped off and a hole down the sides, allowing for glimpses of his obliques as he reached out to catch the ball.

“I can’t say I’m all that great at football,” I told Sage. “My athletic abilities are focused more in the gym than a sports field, but sure, I’ll do my best.”

Her victorious whoop echoed across the field, and Sheila laughed as her granddaughter punched her fist in the air and ran to tell Parker that he’d be guarding me. His eyes met mine across the field, and my stomach performed a weightless tumble.

We’d hardly been alone all day, and that was probably for the best. Night time at the Wilder house was an exercise in untapped sexual tension, especially now that the first few days had passed, and the shock of Leo’s appearance had dulled. The distraction was still there, of course, but whatever he’d overcome after the surprise shower, the clouds had cleared from his eyes.

It was dangerous.

I stood with a stretch and groan, tossing my sketch pad back into my seat. Sheila smiled up at me. “Kick his ass, sweetheart.”

I felt his presence behind me before I saw him, the warm wall of muscle almost touching my back, but not quite. “And that’s how my mother supports me. I see how it is.”

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