Wild Streak (Alaska Wild Nights Book 6)

by Tiffinie Helmer

  “Hmm,” Dare hummed, his thoughts still on Morgan.

  “You need to get out there and date again. Gabi has this friend—”

  “Oh, hell no. You’re not setting me up on a blind date. Where’s this coming from anyway?”

  “When was the last time you had a date?”

  Dare shrugged. “Can’t remember.”

  “If you can’t remember, it’s been too long.”

  He choked out a laugh. “I think the last woman I took out was Gabi when she dumped me for your sorry ass.”

  “That was months ago. You definitely need to get back in the game.”

  That was the problem. He had no play for the game anymore. He wanted what Ryder had, not the superfluous flirting and one-night stands that had been his social life up to this point.

  Pathetic.

  How had he gotten here? And this is what Morgan wanted? He needed to change her mind, make her see the error of her ways. That was the answer.

  He straightened. “I got it.”

  “Got what?” Ryder looked at him suspiciously.

  “How to change Morgan’s mind.”

  “Good.” He frowned. “How?”

  “I need to date her. Court her, show her that she doesn’t want a causal relationship.”

  “Uh…I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t break her heart, just treat her like a man is supposed to treat a woman until she wants what you and Gabi have.”

  “Rather than you dating her, maybe find her another suitable guy.”

  “No way. It has to be me.”

  “Why you?”

  He didn’t know why, but it had to be him. He couldn’t allow any other man to take her out. After all, she might suggest to him what she had to Dare, and the bloke might take her up on it. Most likely would. Hell, he was having a hard time saying no himself, and if he was, then any other guy would jump at the chance.

  “What if it goes to shit and she’s heartbroken, or breaks your heart? You’re about to be related. Plus, there’s Gabriella.”

  “Yeah, Gabi warned me to stay away from Morgan.”

  “When did she do that?” Ryder’s frown deepened.

  “Couple of weeks ago when she caught me eyeing Morgan.”

  “Christ, man. I don’t like this. It’s going to blow up in your face, and I like your face.”

  “Good thing, since you have my face.” Dare slapped Ryder on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. It’s a good plan. Gotta go.”

  “Bro, we should talk more about this.”

  “Why? You’ll just waste your breath and I have things to do.”

  And a woman to woo.

  Chapter 7

  “Where the hell have you been?” Luke Waterman bellowed when Morgan entered the house.

  “Dad, shhh, you’re going to wake up everyone.”

  “About time they were up anyway. I don’t care that it’s Saturday. It’s past nine o’clock. Things need doing. Now where the hell were you all night and who were you with?” He crossed his arms over his beefy chest and gave her that stony look that said she wasn’t going anywhere until she explained herself. She loved her dad, she really did, but he could intimidate the glint off a diamond.

  “I was with Dare Wilde.”

  “With—” he sputtered, dropping his folded arms and advancing toward the fireplace where the shotgun hung above it. “I’ll kill him.”

  Morgan grabbed his arm. “It wasn’t like that, Dad.”

  “What do you mean ‘it wasn’t like that’? I know that kid and his reputation.”

  “That didn’t stop you from trying to set him up with Gabi,” she pointed out.

  “That’s different. Gabi and him had history.”

  “Technically, Dare and I have history. We’ve known each other all our lives, grew up in the same town, went to the same schools. Why would he be okay for Gabi and not me?”

  “You’re putting words in my mouth. For one, you aren’t even dating and you spent the night with him.”

  “I was over there giving his dogs a wellness check. We shared a few drinks and I fell asleep on his couch.”

  Luke narrowed his eyes. “You slept on his couch? Dare’s couch, not in his bed?”

  “Yes, yes, and no. What do you think? That I’m some sort of harlot, selling my wares?”

  He winced. “Damn it, Morgan, of course not. But Dare—”

  “Was the perfect gentleman. He even refused my drunken advances.” More’s the pity.

  He brightened. “He did?”

  “Yes, he did. There is nothing to be upset over. Nothing happened. Dare was on his best behavior.” Damn it.

  “He was, was he?” Her dad narrowed his bushy brows. “Why?”

  “What do you mean why? I thought Jack Wilde was one of your best friends. Do you really think one of his sons would take advantage of a drunken girl?”

  “Of course not, but Dare…well, he—”

  “Was good enough for Gabi, remember? And you still haven’t told me why you don’t think he’s good enough for me.”

  “You’re a lot younger than Gabi and younger than Dare.”

  “What does that have to do with it?”

  “Experience.”

  Which she was trying to obtain.

  She wished her brother Derek were here to talk to. He’d have an open mind about this that Gabi wouldn’t. He’d recently moved to New York to peddle his and Zoe Wilde’s designs. Zoe was an artist with hand-painted fabrics, and Derek was her equal with his designs.

  She missed him so much already and she knew Gabi did too. The three of them had been an island in the Waterman sea. They had two younger sisters, six and eight years younger than Derek, who’d just twenty. Bailey and Harper kept everyone busy, and busy enough that her dad shouldn’t be concerned with where she’d spent the night.

  She really needed her own place. Now more than ever. After being away at college, getting her degree and vet tech certification and then recently moving back, nothing had changed. She still had a curfew and parents butting into her business at every turn.

  Problem was affordable housing in Heartbreak was hard to find. She wasn’t ready to buy anything because she didn’t know where she’d be in a year. Hopefully working as a wildlife refuge officer, and that meant she could be stationed anywhere in the huge state of Alaska.

  She needed to get creative about finding her own place. There was a dry cabin outside of town that she was almost ready to take, though living without running water didn’t appeal to her. Then again, she had to fight her sisters for any bathroom time, and the cabin did have a hot spring on the property. It was the outhouse situation she didn’t want to deal with. But maybe she should consider it further. She wasn’t a prima donna, and working as a refuge officer would require her to rough it more times than not.

  “Dad, I really need a shower and change of clothes.”

  “This isn’t over,” he hollered after her. “We will discuss it again.”

  Of that she had no doubt.

  She headed up the stairs toward her bedroom, coming to a stop when screaming erupted down the hall. Her sisters were at it again. Seemed all they did was fight with each other, which she couldn’t understand. She, Derek, and Gabi had never fought growing up. But Bailey and Harper were always at each other’s throats.

  A loud bang boomed against the wall, causing her to jump. One of her sisters had resulted to throwing things. Probably Harper. She had the most violent temper of the two. Another loud thump had Morgan entering her room, grabbing a bag, and stuffing a change of clothes into it along with her toiletries.

  That did it. She needed to get out of here. Maybe Gabi would let her crash for a few days.

  Slinging the bag over her shoulder, she headed back downstairs and found her dad on the phone. He blanched when he saw her, his voice dropping to a whisper. He covered the phone and lowered it to his thigh.

  “Where you headed?” he asked, noticing the bag. �
��I thought you were going to shower?”

  “I need some peace and quiet. I’m going to see if I can stay with Gabi for a few days.”

  “You and me both.” He winced when another crash sounded from upstairs. “Ask her if she has room for me.”

  “No way. You created those two monsters. You deal with them.” She kissed his cheek. “See you later, Dad.”

  “Call your mom later after she wakes up, and let her know what you’re up to. She worries.”

  Morgan almost laughed at that. Her mother wasn’t the worrier, he was.

  “Will do.” She pulled the door closed on another scream from upstairs and ran for her car.

  The dry cabin was looking better and better.

  Chapter 8

  “If you’re after peace and quiet, you don’t want to stay here,” Gabi hollered over the sounds of construction going on around her.

  “It has to be quieter than living with Bailey and Harper.” Her words were met by a thundering boom.

  Gabi motioned for her to follow outside onto the porch. “I can’t think inside there. I’m ready to find another place to live until the work is done myself. I’ve been popping Tylenol like they’re candy for the constant headaches.”

  “You wouldn’t be able to stand staying away from all the activity. Admit it, you’re loving this.”

  Gabi smiled. “Yeah, I am. I’ll love it even more when it’s finished.”

  “I can’t believe the transformation already. You and Ryder make a good team.” She frowned. Talking about Ryder made her think of Dare. “Hey, I have a question. Why did you warn Dare to stay away from me?”

  “Uh…he told you that, did he?” Now it was Gabi’s turn to frown. “Why did he tell you that? When were you with him?”

  “Did a wellness check on his dogs yesterday.”

  “That information isn’t shared by taking care of dogs. What were you really doing with Dare? Did he make a pass at you?”

  “No, he was the perfect gentleman, damn it, and it’s all your fault.”

  “My fault. Wait a second. There’s something you aren’t telling me.”

  She knew she couldn’t tell Gabi what she’d proposed to Dare last night. Not if she wanted to retain her freedom. “I made a pass at him, okay?”

  “You what?”

  “He’s a good-looking man.”

  “I can’t argue that.”

  “Since you’re marrying the mirrored copy of him, I wouldn’t think so.”

  “Dare isn’t the right man for you.”

  “He was good enough for you for a time. What’s wrong with him?”

  “Well, nothing, really, but he isn’t the settling-down type.”

  “Neither am I, which makes him perfect.”

  “Oh, no you don’t. He isn’t the type to cut your teeth on.”

  “Why not? By all accounts, he knows what he’s doing with a woman.” Plus, she wouldn’t mind sinking her teeth into his backside. The man was yummy. A thought suddenly entered her head and she blanched. “You two didn’t…you know.”

  Oh God, had Gabi slept with Dare?

  “No, we never did. Don’t look so relieved, because you aren’t going to either.”

  “Are you really going to tell me who I can and cannot sleep with?”

  “I’m your older sister, so yes.”

  “It doesn’t work that way. I’m a grown woman with needs.”

  “You need to keep those needs away from Dare Wilde. He’ll break your heart.”

  “Maybe I’ll break his, did you ever think of that?” Morgan picked up her bag. “Never mind. I’ll find another place to stay.” She headed for her truck.

  “Now, Morgan, don’t be like that. You can stay here. In fact, I insist that you do.”

  She turned to face her sister. “Why? So you can keep an eye on me?”

  The answer was written all over her face.

  “I don’t need looking after, by you or anyone. Believe it or not, I can take care of myself just fine.” She opened the truck door and tossed in her bag, climbing in after it.

  Gabi stood on the porch, her hands raised out to her sides in frustration. Well, she wasn’t the only one who was frustrated.

  Lord knew, Morgan had spent a lot of time and energy helping out her family, her mom with Bailey and Harper, her dad with the taxidermy business, while Gabi had been off working in Hawaii, and Derek off doing what he did.

  She was tired of waiting around for her life to begin. Derek was off to New York following his dreams, and Gabi was opening an inn and starting a new life with Ryder.

  It was her time to do the things she wanted for a change.

  Chapter 9

  “Jack!” Luke boomed, sliding his considerable bulk into the booth at the Pump House. “Good to see you.”

  “You, too, Luke. I ordered us a pitcher of beer. We have some planning to do. Your call couldn’t have come at a better time since Dare is driving everyone up a tree.”

  “I figured he might now that he’s lost Ryder to my oldest girl, but what do you know about him and Morgan? I have to tell you, I was bowled over when Morgan said she’d spent the night at his place. Mind you, on the couch, but that girl of mine said she made a pass at him.”

  A smile bloomed on Jack’s face. “Did she now? I love a woman who knows what she wants and takes charge.”

  “Yeah, but your boy turned her down. Granted, I’m glad he did, because according to Morgan, she’d had a few drinks. My biggest worry is do you think he’s ready to settle down? I wasn’t too worried about that when we were attempting to hook him and Gabi up, since they had a long dating history and it looked like they were willing to give it another go. But I don’t want my Morgan hurt. She’s a lot of bluster, but she has a tender heart.”

  “That’s just it. Dare is at loose ends. As far as I’ve heard, he hasn’t taken anyone out in months. That’s not like him. I think he’s finally grown up, sown his wild oats, and he’s ready for a mature relationship. I’d be pleased as punch if he and Morgan hit it off.”

  “Then let’s make this happen. Maybe we can have a double wedding with your boys and my girls.” Luke looked off dreamily at the thought, already seeing it happening.

  “We have back up with this matchmaking attempt. Ryder called a meeting last week. Dare’s loneliness is impacting the rest of the family. Apparently, the only one we have to worry about is your girl Gabi. Seems she’s not too keen on Dare and Morgan being together. Ryder’s really worried about it, which worries me. He’s got a freaky insight to his brother. Almost paranormal like.”

  “Gabi’s always been overprotective when it comes to Morgan. It stems from when Morgan came down with pneumonia when she was little and we almost lost her. It really impacted Gabi, and ever since then she acts more like a mamma bear than an older sister.”

  Jack nodded his head. “Sorene tends to do some of that with her sisters too. Not so much with the boys, which is interesting.”

  “So how are we going to do this?”

  “Well, we need to find a way for them to spend time together. That’s always worked with the others.”

  “Away from Ryder and Gabi,” Luke said.

  Jacked nodded his agreement.

  Suddenly Luke straightened. “Morgan’s been talking about moving out and renting Orwell’s old shack just a mile from your place. I put my foot down and said she couldn’t do it. Hell, the place doesn’t have running water and isn’t fit for humans.”

  Jack scratched his beard. “But it’s close to Dare, and the trails he runs his dogs on go right through there.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that. I still don’t like her alone out there without utilities.”

  “I don’t know. Might do her some good. From what I’ve heard, she wants to expand her vet skills to working as a refuge officer. There will be times on the job where she won’t have any creature comforts. The place does have a hot spring, and we could install a wind generator for power, or a gas-powered one for that matter, so she�
��d have electricity. And if she gets into trouble, Dare is her closest neighbor with me as a second.”

  They shared a crafty smile.

  “Guess I’m kicking my kid out of the house.”

  Chapter 10

  Dare wandered around his empty apartment, picking up his phone, only to toss it down again. He’d left Morgan two messages over the last few days and she’d yet to return his calls, just texting him with:

  I’ll get back to you.

  What was up with that?

  She dropped a bomb that she wanted to sleep with him and then returned vague text messages?

  Was she contacting the other men on her list?

  Holy hell, that didn’t set well at all. He wanted to punch something, but there was nothing and no one to punch.

  He needed to see her, talk to her, make her see reason. What she had planned had regret written all over it. If not now, she would regret her decision later. But how did he talk to her if she didn’t return his calls? He had no idea where she was, where she hung out. It was late, so she wouldn’t still be at work unless she was called out for some sort of emergency. He’d already called Ryder to see if she was over at the inn. Ryder had informed him that Gabi and Morgan had a bit of a falling out and they hadn’t seen her in a few days.

  He wondered if the falling out had anything to do with him. He hoped not. One of the reasons he hadn’t jumped at Morgan’s suggestion was because he didn’t want to come between the sisters. Had he inadvertently anyway?

  Christ, what a mess. One that he needed to figure out a way to clean up. The sooner, the better, for all of them.

  Rambling around his living room, Dare surfed through the channels on the TV until he couldn’t stand it. Eska was curled up in the corner, ignoring his pacing. Damn it, he was sick of his own company. His dogs seemed sick of his company too. Not just Eska, but his whole team. He’s spent time with them earlier, giving each one attention, and then spending time cleaning up the yard—which didn’t need a lot of attention since he was meticulous about where his dogs lived. He had finished the chores—talking to each one, until they’d all curled up in their dog houses wanting him to stop his incessant chatter and let them sleep.