Page 37 of Wild in Minnesota

I knew I needed to check myself, but every minute I was close to her, thoughts and craziness were boiling up. Yeah, it’s one of those times I’m grateful my thoughts don’t appear in bubbles over my head. Can you even imagine? Dave drowning me in the hot tub as he cursed my name in Italian would be a sucky way to go.

Katie, Pam, and Liv found their way into the hot tub as Fern grabbed the tray next to the corner and loaded it up with bottles of beer from the refrigerator. A beautiful woman delivering beer to a hot tub while wearing a purple bikini top? Be still my beating heart. Wipe that dopy grin off your face!

Pam stretched out. “Now this is the way to do a bridal party weekend.”

Fern stopped by every person and handed out bottles before she looked over and gave me a small grin that grabbed me by the throat. She walked away and put the tray down with her back to the group.

“Oh, Fern,” Katie let out a little gasp. “I’m sorry, I knew you had cancer, but didn’t realize?—”

“It’s okay.” Fern’s eyes dropped.

Dave’s voice followed. “Yup, that scar’s a reminder that my little sis kicked cancer’s ass and that she can kick anyone else’s.” He splashed me and laughed. “Wolkowski would agree.”

I let out a groan again. “Novots, you’re just not funny.”

“I don’t have to be. Your shiner from Fern says it all.”

For the next hour, conversation and laughter filled the air, but I couldn’t tell you much of what was said as my eyes were glued to the beautiful girl with deep sapphire orbs across from me. The way she giggled when she spoke, talked trash with Dave, and fought her grin each time she caught me staring at her like we were teenagers sitting across from each other at a party. Locking eyes was a reminder that she was already under my skin.

Katie waved her hand in the air. “I’m going to melt if I stay in here much longer. Gabe, what’s the plan?”

I clapped my hands together. “Okay, agenda for tonight is as follows. Meet down in the living room in one hour for a night on the town. I have a car picking us up, so put on your party pants.”

I hopped out and passed towels around before we made our way toward the stairs.

Andrew grabbed his suitcase by the front door and started flinging little bags to everyone. “I have eliminated your need for wardrobe choices this evening. Wear these.”

With that, everyone scattered, and I saw Fern go toward her room. Over my shoulder, my eyeballs caught Dave heading back into the kitchen so I sprinted upstairs. Katie had just entered her room and shut the door so I bolted down the hall to Fern’s room, snuck inside, and locked the door behind me. But she wasn’t there. WTH? I saw her go in.

I peeked under the bed, but that was stupid. “Fern,” I whispered. My eyes found the window as I scratched my head. Had this become too much, and she jumped to her freedom?

The closet door suddenly burst open, and her arms flew in the air. “Surprise!” she whisper-yelled, standing there in her bikini top, tempting me to nail the door shut and hold her captive forever.

I couldn’t grab her fast enough as she wrapped her arms around my waist, and her lips eagerly met mine. My hands involuntarily slid to the small of her back and pulled her closer while a soft moan echoed in my mouth, sending sharp images of last night ripping through me. I could not get enough of her.

I knew her scent. It was burned into me now, and the pull to have it again caused a battle against myself that I didn’t think I’d win.

I was taken aback when she pushed with all her might, and my back hit the wall. Quiet laughter filled my ears as she pushed my arms up and held them against the wall. “I’m taking control, Gabe. I’m the boss of you.”

“You’re so cute.” I broke free as if being held by licorice. I grabbed her by the waist and tossed her on the bed as a scream escaped, and I climbed on top of her. “Do you know how cool you are, Fern Ethel?”

Her arms went around my neck as her smile lit up the room. “Yes, I’m am kind of badassy, huh?”

Fern jumped when someone started beating on the door.

Dave’s muffled voice came through the door. “Fern! Are you okay? Did you fall?”

Fuck, fuck, fuck. She pushed me.

“Oh, I’m fine. I just fell off the bed.”

“Fell off the bed. Aren’t you getting ready to go out? Why are you in bed?”

A tense laugh from the beauty beside me. “I’m not sleeping, nope. I was, ummm, jumping on the bed.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Yes, I was jumping on the bed and fell off, no biggie.”

“What the hell, Fern?” floated through the door.

“Don’t judge, Dave. It brings out the child in me.” She dramatically winked as she sat up and pushed me again, but this time, I fell onto the floor with a thud as she covered her mouth.

---