Page 10 of Wolfish Desire
Why would Sierra be so cagey about that? Unless… Maybe she’s trying to find herself without the influence of her family? I could certainly understand that.
I fling open the cupboards and fridge and take a good long stare, then grab my keys. I’m going to need groceries, and a plan for a proper meal. I might not impress her with my cooking, but I want her to see that I’m trying.
I need this precious girl to understand how special she already is to me.
I haven’t read those women’s “rule books”, but I’ll bet that’s in there somewhere.
6
SIERRA
Idrive slowly along the back roads to Kingston’s house with the windows rolled down so I can fully appreciate the fresh mountain air. There are so many little things about this area that I adore. The friendly people. The trees. The mountain scenery. The feeling of fresh oxygen enveloping me.
I take a slow corner and realize that not only is my car fixed with strong, trustworthy brakes, it no longer feels like it’s pulling more to the left than the right. Heck, they even vacuumed the interior.
Everything around here exceeds expectations.
I just hope I can figure out what Kingston expects with me. A summer fling? A girlfriend? A girlfriend with the potential to become a wife?
I turn into his driveway, hoping that I can keep my head from spinning during dinner. It’s just a meal with an amazing man. I don’t have to decide our entire future yet, and this isn’t the most important date in the world…even though I may have changed my outfit seven times and spent more time on my hair and make-up than I usually do for my dad’s annual Christmas card photo shoot.
I’mexcited. And I haven’t been genuinely excited about anything in a very long time. But every time Kingston touches me, I’m transported to another world…somewhere happy and sexy and bright.
My car rolls around another corner, and I gasp when the house comes into view.
It’s the most beautiful home I’ve ever seen in person. Huge glass windows overlooking the valley. A perfect blend of brick and huge wooden beams that together create a lavish cottage feel.
It’s like a top-level designer was tasked with creating an intimate forest cabin and didn’t know how to tone it down. It’s cozy and gigantic at the same time, if that makes sense.
I park in front, then get out and literally stop in my tracks as a shiver runs through me. Last year when I was attempting to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I always came back to the idea of a house similar to this – though not as large.
I’m barely out of the car when Kingston comes charging out the front door to wrap me in his arms.
“Yes, it’s insane, but I missed you,” he says, his hands traveling slowly up and down my back. “I can’t help it. You just feel so good right here.”
Snuggling against him feels so perfect I could almost purr like a kitten.
He takes me on a quick tour of the main floor of the house, which is just as gorgeous as the exterior. Everything is both lavish and subtle. Not trendy: built to last forever. The appliances and furniture are all top of the line. The artwork is a mix of modern paintings and stark black-and-white photos of the mountain.
A large, framed land survey showing the surrounding area hangs in the hall. Kingston stops as it catches my eye. “I’vealways preferred looking at surveys on paper rather than on a screen.”
I stare in disbelief at the massive property outline with the handwritten note, “Kingston.”
Nearby are similar-sized parcels of land labelled Kaden, Kane, Kai, and Kellan. Between the five brothers, they own a ridiculous portion of this mountain. There are other names too, probably extended family.
“Yeah, we own a lot of land,” he says, shrugging. “But we always share if anyone needs it.” He points to the south corner of his property. “Like here. The farmer on the other side of the road does a maple syrup run on his own property every spring. He uses that access point to help himself to as many of my trees as he likes, and increase his sap haul each season.”
Kingston’s eyes light up as he takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen, where he opens a high cupboard to show me some glass bottles. “He rents the trees for the very fair price of three bottles of syrup per year.”
“Sounds like a great system.” I turn towards a pot simmering on the stove. “And that smells amazing.”
Our dinner is casual and chatty, uncovering more little things we have in common. Growing basil and oregano on the windowsill because we go through so much of it. Enjoying outrageous movie trailers for bizarre films that we’ll never actually go see. Attempting to set aside one night per week just to sit and read.
It’s sweet how animated he gets when he talks about his circle of friends and his family. His one cousin, who is a medic. Three other cousins who live slightly over the crest of the mountain and keep to themselves, “but it’s nice to see them at Christmas”. His mechanic buddies, plus some local woodsmen.
He also tells me about some of his work trips that have sent him around the world. The brothers take turns presenting to new clients, because they find it a bit awkward.
Coming from such a small town, this man has a huge life.
