Page 2 of Wolfish Desire
Sierra tries a couple of times, but the ignition refuses to catch. She pauses, staring at the steering wheel as if counting to ten. Then she breathes deeply, gives the key a jiggle, and gives it another shot. There’s a sad whining noise followed by silence, except for the breeze picking up around us.
I hate the way her shoulders slump, and her breath turns shaky.
“Hey, it’s all right,” I say gently. “I’m not going to just leave you out here. I was on my way to Old Hemlock Valley, but I can take you anywhere you need.”
My heart swells as her beautiful deep blue eyes look up at me. “Really? I’m staying there too – well, on the edge of it.” She looks around the otherwise deserted lot. “Do you think it’s safe to leave my car here?”
“I can have someone come get it within an hour. Would that be okay?”
“Oh! Wow. Yes, thank you.”
I pull out my phone, take a screenshot of my location, then text it before making a call.
“Dirty Brothers Auto. How may I help you?”
“Hey, Walker. Just sent you a map pin to a dead car just outside Pinesley. Sounds like the starter is toast, and the door locks are sketchy.”
There’s a low chuckle. “Speaking of sketchy, what the heck are you doing out there?”
“Assisting a lovely young lady named Sierra. We’ll take the main road back to town and flag you down with the keys, okay?”
“On my way.”
“Thanks, man.” I disconnect, then hold out my hand to help Sierra to her feet. “Shall we?”
As her palm settles into mine, I’m struck with… I don’t know that I have words for it.
That wonderful feeling when you’ve been coding for ten hours, then run everything through the checker and it works on the first try. That first flicker of sunrise when you’re up stupid early for a flight to somewhere exciting. The first mind-blowing bite of Mom’s garlic mashed potatoes at Christmas dinner.
So many perfect, joy-inducing moments in my life, and yet with one simple touch, every other memory will forever be compared to this one.
Does Sierra feel the connection too? Maybe. Her fair cheeks are faintly pink as she straightens up. She turns for a secondto lean in and grab her backpack, giving me a mouth-watering glimpse of her perfectly rounded hips and ass.
The woman is so sexy that I have to swallow hard before I can even speak. “Since we don’t know how long it will take to fix your car, let’s take everything you might need.”
“Okay, sure.” She pops open the trunk and I load several plastic tubs into the back seat of my truck, along with a duffle bag.
Once we’re driving, I look over to see Sierra staring at my hands on the wheel. “What –are my nails dirty?”
This time she blusheshard.
I burst out laughing, slowing down so I can examine her eyes properly. “Please tell me you were checking for a wedding ring.”
Her eyes snap shut.
I want to grab her knee. Touch her inner thigh. Or at least hold her hand again.
Instead, I reach over and trail my fingertips along her inner wrist. “No need to be embarrassed. It’s a reasonable thing to wonder about. For the record, I’m single, and I’m going to ask you out to dinner once I get you and your stuff safely home.”
Her eyes open again, burning into mine. “And you know what? I’m going to say yes.”
2
SIERRA
Even though Kingston is driving at a very reasonable speed, I feel like I’m flying.
I’ve never felt this way about a man before. I wasn’t sure I everwould. It’s not the sort of thing I’ve ever been brave enough to wish for myself. But just touching his hand has my heart spiraling.
