Page 2 of Wolfish Heart
What’s in her heart.
That she seems to trust me already feels like a wonderful first step. If we’re drawn together so quickly, that has to be a good sign, right?
Finally I release her, keeping her hands in mine. Zoe smiles up at me, looks around to see the street has cleared, then bursts into laughter. “Okay, that was a super cozy hug, but why did it make all those guys take off?”
“I’m a Wolfe,” I explain, shrugging.
Her head tilts. “Like the mountain?”
Oh wow…She has no idea.
It’s like a weight has lifted. My limbs feel lighter. Zoe doesn’t know me, my family, or my four brothers.
This is perfect. We can start fresh.
I have a chance of getting to know this incredibly gorgeous woman’s heart.
And then, making her mine.
2
ZOE
When the breathtaking stranger mentions his name, something goes ding-ding-ding in my head. I’m sure I’ve heard a few murmurs at the coffee shop about the Wolfe family – just minor things in passing, like how Josh Wolfe was going to examine a few trees on someone’s property, and somebody else was meeting Carver Wolfe at a poker game.
I guess his family is well-known, at least around here.
As I gaze up into Kaden’s deep brown eyes, there’s a flicker in the pit of my stomach, quickly followed by a zip of electricity up my spine, like when he was stroking my back just before.
There is definitely a strong physical connection between us. Which is odd, honestly. I’m used to men staring at my boobs when I wear anything other than a baggy hoodie or a potato sack. They’re like dogs drooling as the food dish is being filled. I don’t even think about it much anymore, although my skin generally crawls at the unwanted attention.
With Kaden, though, it feels completely different. He’s not staring at my chest, but at my eyes. Almost as if… I’m not sure. As if he’s trying to draw me in, maybe?
In that brief moment, pressed close against him with his solid, muscular arms around me, I felt as if his warmth was something I’d been missing my entire life. Plus, he’s gorgeous – at least six foot three, thick dark hair, a scruff of beard, and a lumberjack’s physique.
Kaden chuckles softly. “Yes, like the mountain. My great-grandfather Adler named it when they were blasting through the pass to put in a road, and beginning to settle the area.”
“Wow! So your family is seriously old school.”
His eyes practically glow. “I guess you could say that.”
I wonder if such a long history in the area brings with it certain expectations. I definitely know a thing or two about attempting to live up to those. But there’s no way his family is as pointed about it as my meticulous mother.
He looks around for a moment, then back at me. “So, you’re new in town?”
“Yeah,” I sigh. I go to set my backpack on the ground, but Kaden swings it onto his shoulder for me.
“Whoa. Pretty heavy. Carrying around your family of pet rocks?”
“Ha!No. It’s my camera, and some other equipment. I’ve been trying to find an office space where I can set up and shoot some videos for my mom’s company, but so far nobody has anything to rent short term.”
I don’t mention thatI’mthe one who, in a moment of possible insanity, suggested that I could give it a shot so Mom wouldn’t have to spend thousands on a professional. Plus, since between our shared last name and distinctive eyes it’s clear that I’m her daughter, I thought it might give her company a wholesome family kind of vibe.
Kaden frowns. “How long do you need the space?”
“About a month and a half, I guess? I’m honestly not sure.”
“What kind of office?”
