He grins down at me.
“So far I’ve noticed my stalking doesn’t bother you. It’s you thinking I might leave that seems to be the hang up.”
I start to push him away, but he tugs me closer, tipping my head back with a finger under my chin.
“I have no problem stalking you wherever you go. The only thing I can’t do is go another year without doing all I can to have you. All of you, this time. I’m tired of being fake. Tired of feeling fake. Tired of fake people. Tired of everything superficial. I want my life to be real, and that means I have to be just as real.”
My breath comes out shaky, and my gaze flicks to his lips before I shiver even more.
“Shit,” he says, dropping my chin. “Let’s get inside. You can use the shower to warm up and I’ll get you some dry clothes.”
“I need my boots,” I say as he lifts me, causing my breath to catch in my throat. “What are you doing?”
“Carrying you to the house. Got some grass that likes to cut up feet. Killian and Hale are going to help me get rid of it, but for now, you’re barefoot and the grass is still there.”
How is it that this tech-geek has somehow seamlessly fit himself in on the Vincent corner of crazy, and he doesn’t even bat an eye? It’s all I’ve ever known, but during my travels, I’ve realized most people…would call the law. Hence the reason we have to deal with the troopers every summer when some vacationers stumble upon something…crazy.
He carries me effortlessly, and I lean against his warmth.
“My boots,” I say again. “I have to—”
“I’ll go get them as soon as I get you inside.”
I smile for no real reason. “They’re in—”
“They’re in a box inside a chest that is latched and resting in Penny’s yard. I know. I told you I stalked you all day and night.”
He looks down as I try really hard not to kiss him, and he grins at me. “Stalker game is about to get strong.”
For no reason at all, I giggle.
I freaking giggle.
God help me.
Chapter 13
Wild Ones Tip #4
A Wild Woman always takes her hair seriously, but only the girls know why.
LIAM
I have an ace in the hole, but I’m saving it, hoping it doesn’t come down to me winning her over with something superficial to keep her.
She walks out wearing my boxers—that are rolled at the waist several times most likely, hence the reason they’re so short—and a T-shirt that hides them from sight. Her hair is wet, and it makes her look entirely different, because it’s more wavy than curly.
“It dries frizzy if I don’t have my hair stuff for the ringlets to form,” she sighs.
I already know this, of course, because I spent every waking moment with her for three mind-fucking weeks. Even though I was in excruciating pain, those were the best three weeks of my life.
Which tells you just how stale my life had gotten.
“I have all the hair stuff you need in the bathroom down the hall. I remembered all your girly shit from when you were at my house.”
Her eyebrows knit together.
“You bought my hair supplies?”
I shrug. “You were vicious when it came to your hair.” I mock a shudder, and she laughs. “Since I wanted to have you over here as often as possible, I stocked up on supplies.”
Her hesitant smile forms, and I lean back, studying her. As always. I hate trying to figure her out, because she always throws me a curve ball right when I think I’m having a break through.
She glances at my laptop near the table.
“How’s the wifi?” she asks with a small grin.
I battle my own smile.
“Slow as fuck, but serves its purpose. I only need it on occasion.”
She darts a glance to the Loki sculpture that’s proudly sitting on a stand, but then her eyes take in all the art on the walls, and a small breath passes through her lips. It’s all the things she painted while she was at my house.
Which is a lot. Kylie paints fast. And she paints more when she’s trapped inside.
She clears her throat, bringing her eyes back to mine. “Still have an Audi?” she asks, surprising me with the random shift in conversation.
My lips twist in wry amusement as I shake my head. “No. Realized early on four-wheel drive was a necessity, since, when it rains, the dirt sections of the road get really muddy and impossible to drive through. Killian and Hale went with me to trade it in on a Jeep.”
She perks right up. “You have a Jeep?”
I nod slowly.
“Then I guess I need to show you how to drive it.”
My eyebrows go up as she stands.
“I know how to drive it,” I tell her as she heads to the bathroom.