Going Wild (The Wild Ones 2)

Conference call—lunch—with Landon Jones about software innovation.

Motivational speaker speech rehearsal.

Dinner reservations with Jamie Klen and his wife for some sort of celebration—find out what it is we’re celebrating, exactly.

Exhibit opening.

After dinner drinks with Calvin Lawson to discuss investing in his documentary on oil or some other environmental issue—tax write off.

The more I read, the more confused I get. There are times beside each individual line of randomness.

“I can’t say I understand any of this, since I don’t know any of these people or things you’re talking about,” I tell him, feeling sort of stupid, since it’s clear he must expect me to know.

I slide the phone back across to him, and he pockets it with a smirk on his perfect lips.

“Neither do I,” he says with a shrug. “And that was just my Monday. That’s what it looked like every single day from the day I made my first big paycheck, until the day you crashed into my life.”

I frown. “I’m not sure if I’m supposed to apologize or accept gratitude right now.”

He laughs while looking down, seeming a little uncertain of himself for the first time since we crashed back into each other’s lives.

“I chased a dream. I beat the odds and became successful. I made more money than I’ll ever be able to spend, and all that money keeps making more money. And I filled my days with things to keep me from standing still and watching life pass me by.” His eyes come back up to meet mine. “Never occurred to me I wasn’t happy.”

I sit back, and he continues.

“I might have moved to Tomahawk because of you, but I stayed because I like it here. I like the pace of life. I like never knowing what tomorrow is going to bring, though it would be an entertaining schedule to read if half of these things were planned.”

I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face because I totally get a visual of that sort of calendar.

“I’m not going anywhere, Kylie. Even if you decide you want to push me away and keep your distance, I’ll still be right here. However, I’ll never let you date anyone else, because…I’ll be here.”

Just like that, I realize how right Lilah was. I was right to choose stupid instead of stubborn. I just should have stuck with it instead of second-guessing myself.

Without saying anything else, I bend over and pull my beaver flag out of my bag and slide it over to Liam.

“What’s this?” he asks, then grins. “Why’d you bring your flag?”

“Because Vick said if I’m staying here for a while, you have to raise that flag every time I’m here. But he reminded me it was only temporary.”

“I’ll install a flag pole first thing in the morning,” he says with that smile lingering, amusement sparking in his eyes.

“Then let’s find out if our crazies match,” I tell him, quoting Lilah’s married-life advice.

His grin takes up his whole face. “I have no idea what that means, but it sounds a little dirty.” His gaze dips to my shirt, and he quirks an eyebrow. “Feed the beaver?” he asks.

“Sure. Why not?” I ask, standing and pulling my shirt off over my head.

I start laughing when he playfully tackles me, and my grin spreads when his lips come down on mine. My arms go around his neck, and he carries me to the bedroom.

Between really awesome sex, a lot of laughter, and listening to his tales of Tomahawk since landing in the town of madness, it turns into what is probably the most perfect night.

I try to think of the last Friday that was this good.

None come to mind.

Something crashes in the living room, and Liam curses as he pushes off me and runs out of the bedroom, still naked. Is he going to club whatever intruder there is over the head with his penis?

Has he not ever watched a scary movie?

“Damn it, Cooter!” I hear him shout, seconds before the sound of dishes breaking and a barking bloodhound collides.

Laughing to myself, I listen and watch as a naked Liam streaks by, chasing the “damn Vincents’ infuriating dog.”

Yeah. Nothing tops this Friday.

Chapter 20

Wild Ones Tip #912

You can sit with us if you really wanna. Bring a helmet.

KYLIE

Dad is milking one of the cows when I step into the barn, my backpack on my shoulder after collecting a few things I need over at Liam’s. I borrowed his boat while he was still sleeping, mostly so I could talk to Dad alone.

Dad looks up at me, cigar hanging from his mouth, and grins around it when he realizes it’s me and no Liam.

“Well, how’s things going on the Vincent side of the lake?” he asks a little haughtily.

Rolling my eyes, I drop my backpack to the floor, and scoot him off the stool so I can take over milking the cow.