Page 11 of Wild
I hear quiet voices when I reach the upstairs landing. Her door is cracked open, and soft light from within is shining into the hall. I tiptoe closer, hoping to catch an unobstructed glance of the woman who has changed so much on the ranch just by being here.
“I think I’m ready, East,” she says.Who the fuck is East?
“You think so, huh, princess?” My dad’s voice is deep, but his tone is playful. I’ve never heard him talk to anyone like that. Is that what he considers flirting?Jesus. It’s a wonder he ever got a woman, let alone kept her long enough to have kids.And did he just call her ‘princess’?Weird.
It’s not until I hear Beau coming up the stairs that I realize I’ve stopped outside her door, listening to them banter back and forth for some time. Turning to look at him, I put my finger to my lips, hoping he’ll take the hint and remain silent.
She giggles, and it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard, even if it is for my dad and not me. Nodding my head toward the other end of the hall, Beau and I quietly move in sync toward our rooms until we’re both standing awkwardly in front of my door.
“Wanna kill some zombies?” I ask, wanting to get our friendship back to normal as quickly as possible.
“You’re on!”
Beau
Fuck!
Gage noticed, I’m sure of it. I tried to play it off, but things have been strained for the last few days, ever since I forgot myself while we were sparring.
Each night, I’ve had nightmares where he confronts me, accusing me of betraying our friendship because I want more. I’ve gone out of my way trying to be normal, but I think I’m overcompensating. I’ve noticed him watching me, and I wonder if he’s waiting for me to make a move that he’s uncomfortable with so he can make a clean break.
There are many things I can—and have—live without. Gage Barrett is not one of them. I need him in my life in whatever capacity I can get him, but until I can contain my lust for him, I’ll just have to keep taking cold showers and rubbing my cock raw thinking about his muscular body and tight, firm ass.
Enough worrying about things I can’t change. I need to get up and focus on the things I can control. Work on the ranch is never done, and I don’t want to miss dinner tonight.
Last night, West called a family meeting. We were all suspicious until he announced that Quinn would be joining us for dinner tonight. Apparently, she finally got the all-clear from Doc to move around the house a little each day and is ready for introductions.
“She’s nervous,” West cautioned, pinning us each with a serious stare, ending in a stare off with Kain. “Just remember, she’s part of this family for as long as she’s here.” We all looked at each other at that comment. He spends all his free time with her, but I don’t think any of us had actually considered that he might have real feelings for this girl.
From what little I’ve seen through the crack in her door as I passed by or through the reflection as she sits at her windows, she’s stunning, so I can’t fault him for his attraction. But declaring her a part of the family rather than a special guest? That’s a significant step for the old man.
Kain stands abruptly, glaring down at his father. Beside me on the couch, Gage tenses, his eyes locked on his brother, muscles coiled to strike. They’ve never gotten physical during a disagreement, but I don’t want to be the one to get in between any of these guys. Gage is shorter than the rest of us by an inch or so, but he’s nearly as muscular as Kain, and that bastard is built like a tank.
Shaking his head, Kain breaks first, whipping his head around to glare at the rest of us like we’ve personally offended him. “You’re all idiots,” he hisses, storming into the kitchen and slamming out the back door. It seems to be his go-to move these days, allowing him to escape easily to the safety of his cabin.
“I’ll talk to him, Pop,” Brooks says, ever the peacemaker. West nods before continuing.
“Like I was saying, Quinn…is nervous.”
Am I the only one who caught that pause?I shake it off as Gage pops his knuckles and addresses his father.
“Of us?” Gage asks, his leg bouncing anxiously.
Before I can stop myself, I reach my hand out and lay it just above his knee, pressing down firmly. He freezes instantly, his eyes never leaving West, and I pull back, cursing myself silently
“Her story is hers to tell,” West replies cryptically.
“Jesus, Dad. How well have you gotten to know this girl?” Gage exclaims, his leg bouncing again, faster than before, his agitation growing. This time, I keep my arms crossed, my hands safely out of reach, and white-knuckled fingers clamped firmly on my biceps.
“We’ve gotten to know each other,” he confesses, his eyes dropping to look at the floor as a blush blooms over his cheeks. “I wasn’t just going to make her stay alone up there in the guest room, day in and day out. She’s been…sheltered. I told her she could decide when she was ready to meet everyone, and now she is.”
With that, he looks up, scanning our faces to gauge our reactions.
I give him a subtle smile and nod. “Can’t wait.” While it’s true, I’m also eternally grateful for the distraction from this situation with Gage.
The day drags slowly as I count down the hours until we finally get to meet the enigmatic Quinn Smith. When it’s finally time to call it a day, I release my horse into the paddock and make my way to the house to clean up for dinner.
The events of the last week have been rolling nonstop through my mind. Not for the first time, I wish I had someone other than Gage to talk to, someone who could help me process the confusing feelings and emotions I’ve been experiencing since I came home from the Army.