Page 27 of Pretty Wild

Probably just how he likes it.

Well, Mr. Wright, you’re in for a rude awakening. You might be alone out in your private little section of the park, but your neighbor is about to remind you of just how close she really is.

I slip back inside, close and lock the door, and head toward the bedroom. Tomorrow, I put my plan into action.

Tomorrow, I show Marcus exactly what’s missing from his life.

Fun.

9

MARCUS

Istep outside into the night air, Buddy hot on my heels. Ever since Ryan stormed off, she’s all I can think about.

That kiss.

Yeah, I can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve replayed it over and over and still haven’t figured out what came over me. Other than I was completely stunned by a mixture of her beauty and the fire that danced in her eyes. It didn’t even matter she was basically telling me off. I found her refreshing and not like any woman I’ve ever met.

That’s why I pulled back and told her to leave, because if I didn’t, the next step was to throw her over my shoulder and carry her to my bed.That’swhat I wanted to do, not send her away, but I couldn’t let my body make any decisions. I needed to use my big brain, not the smaller one in my pants that was ready to get her naked.

Everything about Ryan was wrong. I mean, don’t get me wrong, she’sveryright. But not for me. I prefer simple women who don’t spend hours upon hours in front of a mirror. One who wants to spend time outside, like me. Feeling the wind in her hair as we take the boat for a ride, the heat of the flames as wecook food by the firepit, or getting splattered with mud as we tear down one of the old trails throughout my property.

Ryan doesn’t fit that picture.

She’s more of a fancy iced coffee in an artsy café type. Her purse probably costs more than half my wardrobe, and as hard as I try, I just can’t picture her laughing when getting covered in mud.

Buddy trots down the stairs and starts sniffing around the yard, searching for the perfect spot to do his business. I’ve let him out a few times without the leash, and he does well. He usually stays close to the house, checking every few minutes to make sure I’m still there. If he wanders too far, I call, and he comes running quickly.

I recall what Ryan said about her parents. Her dad is some big shot producer? Maybe that’s why the name sounded familiar. I just assumed it was someone who lived here years ago, but perhaps the reason was simply because he’s well-known. Not that I watch a lot of movies, but that doesn’t mean anything. Just because I don’t go to the theater or subscribe to movie channels doesn’t mean I don’t know who Matt Damon or Julia Roberts is.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I tap on the internet browser and do something I rarely do. I type in someone’s name and search.

Ryan Marcotte.

Instantly, the screen is filled with information. News articles, photos, and more all appear. I scroll down a bit, tapping on one of the photographs. The image of Ryan fills the screen, her smiling face, while gorgeous, looking…well, fake. Her smile is tight and doesn’t reach her chocolate eyes. She looks completely put together and beautiful, yet so different from the woman I saw earlier with a ball cap on her head.

I scroll down, encountering more and more photos, but it’s not the ones of Ryan looking proper and perfect that grab myattention. It’s the photographs of her appearing a bit…wild. A party girl, with a drink held high above her head and a guy grinding up on her ass. This persona is…shocking to say the least, because she looks nothing like the Ryan I’ve met.

There are also a few pictures of her and a guy. He’s obviously famous, with his blinding white teeth and his perfectly styled hair. His tuxedo on the red carpet looks like it costs more than I make in a month.

Buddy barks, pulling my attention from my phone. “Buddy, come here,” I holler into the night, slipping the device back into my pocket.

The dog comes running, his tail wagging and his tongue dangling.

“What’d ya find? Was there a critter out there?” I ask, crouching into the dirt.

Buddy comes and stands beside me, waiting for his pets, which I happily give. I listen, only hearing the breeze rustle the trees. I stand up, walking over toward my garage. Buddy remains right by my side with each step and waits while I take another listen. When I don’t hear anything out of the ordinary, I move to the path that leads to the other cabin. A part of me wants to walk the trail, to make sure everything is all right with Ryan, but unless she summons me, there’s no reason for it.

She’s my renter for thirty days.

Nothing more.

But then I remember that kiss once more, and all I can think about is how much I’d like to cross that line with her. March over to her place, cup her jaw with my hands, and plunder her mouth. I’m not normally an aggressive man, but with Ryan, the desire is strong. It’s a river running deep inside me, with raging waves and an undertow threatening to pull me under.

Buddy sniffs the air and whimpers. He takes a step forward, like he’s about to track whatever scent he’s on, but fortunately, he doesn’t take off. “No, Buddy. Stay.”

He drops his ass in the dirt, sitting beside me and watching. When nothing shows itself, I reach down and pet his soft head. “Come on, Buddy. Let’s go eat and have a bath.”

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