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Smolder: The Wildwood Series

Page 17

by Karen Erickson


  “No.” Felt like a real jerk for that too. “We haven’t really been speaking lately.”

  Wren blew out a harsh breath. “I usually try to mind my own business when it comes to your love life, but that’s one of my best friends you’re messing with. And I don’t like it.”

  He steeled himself, prepared for the tongue-lashing Wren was so good at giving. “She’s a friend to me too, Wren. You know this.”

  “I do, but you two crossed over the just-friends line a while ago. Don’t bother denying it. I think she’s in love with you, Lane. She has been for years.” She paused, letting her words make an impact, which they did. It was like his insides had just been stomped on. “If you don’t feel the same way, stop stringing her along. She’s a good girl. She has a lot to offer. If you’re not going to take her up on it, let her go so she can find someone else who deserves her.”

  His heart felt like it was cracked wide open. He couldn’t imagine letting Delilah go. Not now. Not . . . ever. “Are you saying I don’t deserve her?”

  “No. You are.”

  DELILAH PACED THE short length of her living room, anxiously awaiting Lane to show up on her doorstep. It was just past eight fifteen and he’d texted her over an hour ago, saying he wanted to come over. Of course, she’d agreed. She always agreed when it came to Lane.

  He was her biggest weakness. And her one true . . .

  Love.

  She’d worried about him all afternoon, despite her anger. The fire up on Ridge Point Road had grown all afternoon and was now burning over one hundred acres. More engines had been called in and West had gone back to work about an hour ago. Harper was keeping her informed and she appreciated the gesture.

  Though really Harper had called to express her worry for West and how sometimes she really hated his job. Delilah had reassured her that West would be just fine but secretly, she could relate. They might live in a small town where nothing much seemed to happen, but Lane put his life on the line every single day when he went into work.

  And it freaked Delilah out.

  If they were ever to become something serious—keep dreaming!—would she be able to handle his job and the stresses that came with it? What if he ever got hurt? Just thinking that way left her short of breath. She couldn’t imagine something actually happening to him . . .

  There was a knock at the door and she rushed to answer it, relieved to find Lane standing in front of her in one piece, looking beyond handsome in a pair of jeans and a dark gray polo shirt. His hair was damp as if he’d just come out of the shower, but his eyes were tired. He looked like he wanted to collapse into bed and sleep for the next twelve hours.

  “Hey,” he said, his gaze roaming over her appreciatively. She’d worn a strappy sundress she knew he’d like. “You look pretty.”

  Pleasure at his words and the look in his eyes made her stand up straighter. “You look good too, though a little tired.”

  “It’s been a—hard day.”

  She wanted to wrap him in her arms and offer him comfort but she restrained herself. She should still be mad, not wanting to take care of him. “What’s going on with the fire?”

  “They’re having a hard time getting a handle on it. The weather doesn’t help matters.” He grimaced. “They’re starting to think it’s arson after all. Whoever’s doing this is getting out of control.”

  The restaurant fire was bad enough. That had put people at risk. But this new fire had the potential to put hundreds of Wildwood residents in danger. “That’s awful,” Delilah said softly.

  “I know. It’s bad. But it feels like everything’s been bad lately.”

  “Oh, come on. It hasn’t been all bad.” If he was implying their getting together was part of the bad in his life she might sock him.

  “No, you’re right. It’s just been a little rough.” He smiled sheepishly. “Okay, a lot rough.”

  And who was at fault for that? She decided not to call him out on it. “Where did you want to go to eat?”

  “Would you hate me if I suggested the BFD?”

  She almost suggested going somewhere else but she realized that by showing up at the Bigfoot Diner, they would be among locals. Yes, the tourists loved that place but so did the residents of Wildwood. If they showed up together, they were definitely going to stir up some gossip.

  “We can go there,” she said slowly. “If you want.”

  “I do. I’m starving. Though I also . . . we should talk first.” The look on his face terrified her. He wasn’t going to give her some we should just be friends speech, was he? They were too far gone for that. No way could they go back to being only friends. She was in love with him. She loved him. Wanted to spend her life with him. Fine, his job scared her but what was even scarier? The idea of Lane not being in her life at all.

  No way could she let that happen.

  He needed to apologize though. Tell her he was sorry for being such a world-class fuck-up. For always pushing her away.

  “Well, come in then.” She opened the door wider to let him in, proud that her voice wasn’t shaking and that she appeared perfectly calm. He walked inside and she shut the door behind him, about to offer him something to drink when he swept her up into his arms and kissed her thoroughly.

  So thoroughly, she was left breathless.

  “Sorry. Had to get that out of the way,” he said once he came up for air, not sounding sorry at all. He released her and she practically stumbled out of his arms, feeling like a fool.

  “Um, yeah. That’s fine.” It was more than fine. Ugh, she should’ve shoved him away but that proved impossible. With the kiss he just laid on her, she couldn’t believe she was still standing. And somehow he’d moved so fast he was already sitting on her couch, patting the empty spot beside him, indicating he wanted her to join him.

  Delilah went to sit on the couch, not as close as she wanted because she needed the distance to keep her head straight. If she snuggled up next to him they’d start kissing again. And kissing led to touching and touching led to sex. And while she’d love to get naked with him, getting naked wasn’t going to solve their problems. They needed to clear the air first.

  He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees as he stared straight ahead. Almost like he couldn’t look at her. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’m sorry I stayed away from you for the past week. I was going through some shit and didn’t know how to talk to you about it.”

  “What sort of shit?” she asked softly.

  “Panic. Worry. The usual.” He turned to smile at her, looking the slightest bit embarrassed. “My feelings for you confuse me. They always have.”

  “Why?” Oh, God. She braced herself. This couldn’t be good.

  “One minute I want you more than anything and the next I want to run away from you as fast as I can. You make me feel . . . too much.” He hesitated, took a deep breath before he seemed to decide to go for it. “My parents are—screwed up. That’s the example I had as a kid, and their relationship doesn’t come close to normal. My dad treated my mom so bad, treated all of us bad, and I hated it. Hated him.”

  “I know,” she admitted softly, earning a look from him. “I was around your house when I was a teenager. My family has always known yours. I saw what happened.”

  “Yeah.” He hung his head, linked his hands together. “After everything my dad did, I swore I would never commit to a serious relationship. I was scared I’d end up just like him and I didn’t want to put a woman I supposedly loved through what my dad did to my mom. I figured it was easier to remain alone than find someone and ruin her. I didn’t want to ruin her. I didn’t want to ruin—you.”

  She remained quiet, her throat tight, and wondered if Wayne Gallagher was aware of the lifelong damaged he’d inflicted on his children because of the casual choices he’d made.

  “But after spending so much time alone with my crazy thoughts this past week, I realized that I was just hurting myself, thinking like that. I had the perfect woman wantin
g to be in my life and I kept pushing her away. It wasn’t fair to you and really, it wasn’t fair to me either. I’m not my father. And you’re not my mother. We’re two different people, and I hope I can learn from their mistakes so I don’t repeat them.” He turned to fully face her, his gaze dark and serious. “I realized it earlier when we were arguing about the raccoons, Dee. It was stupid of me, denying myself and denying you. I don’t know why I keep pushing you away when you’re the only thing that’s truly bright in my life. Without you I’m nothing.”

  “That’s not true . . . ” she started to say but he shook his head.

  “It is. I’m a grumpy asshole no one wants to be around if I don’t have you. I’ve denied my feelings for far too long and I’m done. I need you, Dee. I need you in my life. I don’t want to lose you.”

  Her heart felt as if it swelled to three times its size at his declaration. “Oh, Lane.”

  He rushed on, not letting her talk. “And I understand if you don’t want to be with me after how awfully I’ve treated you. All I can ask is for you to give me another chance. If you give me that chance, I promise that I’ll spend the rest of my days proving to you just how much I care about you. How much I—I love you.”

  His voice was earnest, his gaze full of fear at what he’d just admitted, and she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms tight around his neck and kissing him with everything she had.

  “I love you too, you maddening, infuriating, stubborn man,” she murmured against his lips, smiling when he chuckled, his big, strong arms coming around her to clutch her to him. She thrust her fingers in his hair, pulling down his head so their lips were close. Kissing close. “We’ve wasted enough time circling each other, don’t you think?”

  “Hell yeah,” he said just before he kissed her again. Taking the kiss deeper this time, with plenty of heat and tongue, until she was pushing at his shoulders to get him to stop. “What?” he asked irritably when she broke the kiss.

  “I’m starving.” She grinned up at him, and he shook his head though he didn’t look mad. No, he looked like a man who was completely in love with her. His eyes glowed, his smile was soft, and she knew without a doubt that this man—the man who drove her crazy and frustrated the crap out of her—was the very man she was madly, passionately in love with. “Let’s go eat. We can resume all this kissing stuff later.”

  “You promise?” he asked, raising a brow.

  She leaned in to kiss him one more time. “Most definitely.”

  Epilogue

  LANE PUT HIS truck into Park and shut off the engine, turning to look at Delilah sitting in the passenger seat. “You ready for this?”

  She smiled softly at him, her eyes glowing in the waning sunlight. He’d never seen her look so pretty. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, a few dark brown tendrils curling around her face. She wore a pale pink sleeveless dress that fit her perfectly. She looked . . . elegant. Classy. Definitely not like a woman who’d be with a guy like him.

  “I’m ready,” she said, lifting her chin, the little show of determination reminding him that he’d chosen the perfect girl for him after all. “How about you?”

  “I’m ready.” He blew out a harsh breath, trying to expel the nervousness that threatened to take over him. Was he ready to face his parents? Face his entire family with Delilah by his side? He hoped no one gave him a bunch of shit. He’d already warned West, who’d claimed he wasn’t about to start anything tonight. Holden was bringing his girlfriend, Kirsten, so he’d be on his best behavior too.

  Wren was the only single one of the bunch, and he doubted she’d give him any grief.

  It had taken a little longer than their mother originally planned, but they were all going to eat under one roof tonight. His mom was beyond excited, but Dad hadn’t seemed too thrilled. Neither were his brothers or sister.

  But they were doing this for their mom. And maybe, just maybe, they were doing it for each other. To help the Gallagher family heal.

  “Let’s go then,” Delilah said. She went to turn toward her door so she could open it, but he grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her to him, sealing his mouth over hers for a quick, courage-seeking kiss.

  But as usual it turned into more. He touched her cheek. She rested her hands on his chest. He deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue into her mouth, and she responded in kind. Until she was practically trying to crawl on top of him and he had to grab hold of her arms to stop her.

  “We’re getting out of hand,” he reminded her, “in my parents’ driveway.”

  She smiled and settled back into the passenger seat, smoothing her hands down the front of her skirt. “You have a way of doing that.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Making me forget myself.” She glanced over her shoulder when a car’s engine rumbled behind them, a smile brightening her face. “Oh, good. West and Harper are here.”

  She climbed out of the truck before he could stop her, and he followed, slamming the driver’s side door and shoving his keys in the front pocket of his jeans.

  West and Harper approached them hand in hand like a united front. Harper was smiling. West was scowling. Lane could relate. He knew his brother was, out of all of them, the one least looking forward to this family-filled night. West was even more reluctant than he was.

  “I can’t believe I’m here,” he muttered as a greeting to Lane.

  Lane clapped his brother on the back. “It won’t be so bad.”

  “Got any whiskey?” West asked hopefully. “I bet that’ll get me through.”

  “Stop,” Harper said, letting go of his hand so they could link arms. “You’re going to be just fine.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

  “You two are adorable,” Delilah said, curling her arm around Lane’s.

  “So are you and Lane,” Harper said with a grin. “I love this.”

  “Me too,” Delilah said, smiling up at Lane.

  He got a little lost in her dark eyes for a moment, wishing he could tell her that he loved her, but he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t want to give his brother any ammunition. Didn’t want anyone to know what a lovesick fool Delilah had turned him into. That was their private secret.

  One he wanted to keep between the two of them.

  “Let’s go,” she said to him, and he nodded once, turned toward the front porch, and led the way, Delilah by his side, West and Harper falling in behind them.

  Lane felt good. He felt strong. He had his woman with him. His brother and Harper. Wren was already inside and Holden would be here any minute. They were giving this family thing a go once again and he had high hopes.

  With the woman by his side how could he go wrong?

  “It’s going to be fine, you know,” she whispered as they walked up the steps.

  “You think so?” he asked.

  “I know so,” she said firmly. “We’ll be fine as long as we have each other.”

  He stopped her at the top of the steps, giving her a quick kiss and earning an irritated mutter from West. He ignored his brother and smiled at Delilah. “Thank you.”

  She frowned up at him. “For what?”

  “For reading my mind. For knowing what I need. For loving me.” He kissed her again, not caring if he was giving his brother any ammunition after all. Screw it. He was with the woman he loved.

  “I do love you,” she said with a smile, tugging on his arm. “Now stop procrastinating and let’s get inside.”

  Lane laughed and opened the screen door for Delilah.

  His girl knew him far too well.

  Want more sinfully hot firefighters?

  Don’t miss the next fun and sexy Wildwood novel . . .

  TORCH

  Coming August 2016 from Avon Impulse.

  Preorder it here.

  Read on for a sneak peek!

  An Excerpt from

  TORCH

  “WHEN DID YOUR eyes get so green?”

  He turned to stare
at her, stunned by her question. Stunned even more by the dreamy expression on her face as she stared at him like she wanted to . . . gobble him up? “What did you just say?” he asked carefully.

  “Your eyes.” She waved a hand in their general direction and he couldn’t help but let his gaze drop to her chest. She had a nice one and he was always trying to sneak a peek. Now he just blatantly stared. “They’re so green. Like your beer.”

  Jerking his gaze away from her tits, Tate grabbed the bottle and held it to his lips, taking a drink before he said, “The beer isn’t green, Blue Jay. But the bottle is.”

  “You know what I mean.” She waved her hand again, nearly smacking him in the jaw. “They’re very sparkly.” When he looked at her like she was crazy, she clarified, “Your eyes.”

  “They are?”

  “Oh yeah.” She nodded, a giggle slipping past her lips. “Sparkly and green and so very pretty.”

  His entire body went warm and his dick twitched. Huh. He’d had women tell him he had nice eyes. His mother had always raved about his eyes when he was a kid, even going so far as to force him to wear green shirts to “bring out the color in your eyes”. This wasn’t an unusual compliment.

  No, what was unusual was his reaction to it. Maybe it was the way Wren watched him. Or the way she seemed to sway toward him as she spoke, like there was a magnetic force pulling them closer together. One she couldn’t fight no matter how hard she tried.

  “Thank you,” he said, his voice low as he contemplated her, skimming the length of her before his gaze returned to hers. “You have very, very pretty eyes too.”

  Those very pretty eyes widened in surprise and she pressed her lips together, blinking rapidly. “Seriously?”

  Tate nodded, wondering why she’d doubt him. Then again, she would, what with the way they gave each other endless grief. “Definitely. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that before?”

  “Not really. You certainly haven’t.”

  “I just did,” he reminded her, making her roll her eyes.

 

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