Midlife Wolf Captured My Heart (Fated To The Wolf #7)

14. Dakota

14

Dakota

D akota was feeling restless, so he went to the mountain with his gear. He had an idea for a new series of books that featured the flora and fauna of a specific region. It made sense to start in his home state.

Although he had always been more comfortable with his human side, animals still seemed unafraid of him as though they accepted him. They were still cautious but didn’t automatically disappear into the trees the moment he arrived.

He got pictures of bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, ibex, and pika. Suddenly, the birds started screeching and flew into the air, and the chipmunk he was focused on scampered away. Dakota heard the crunch of breaking twigs and felt the presence of another human.

Whirling around, he came face to face with three men who were armed with more than a camera.

“Whatcha doin’ there?” one of the men asked.

Dakota eyed them warily. “What does it look like?”

His grip tightened on his camera as he faced the three men. The air around them thickened with tension. The mountain’s earlier peaceful atmosphere was shattered.

“You think you’re a smart ass?” a second man asked.

“Nope. I think that I’m holding a camera taking pictures of the wildlife and that makes it obvious that’s what I’m doing here. Plus, everyone in Angel’s Creek knows who I am and what I do.”

“We’re not from around here,” the leader sneered.

“Obviously. Only tourists would act this way.” Dakota’s heart was pounding a million miles an hour. He had an idea that these men might belong to the group of hunters Zac warned everyone about.

“Who are you?” the second guy asked.

Dakota briefly wondered if the third guy ever talked but decided not to ask. However, he watched him closely because of the adage that it was the quiet ones who were dangerous. His fingers moved over his camera and he tried to tilt it so he could photograph their faces.

He sighed heavily as though it was a burden to answer the question. “I’m Dakota Higgins, of course. I’ve written a ton of books about wildlife and done several documentaries about endangered species. I’m practically the face of the nature channel.”

His tone made it sound as though the men had to be neandertals to not know who he was. Dakota hoped that if he sounded self-important enough, the men would leave him alone.

The first man took a step closer to Dakota. “Funny thing. Animals don’t usually just pose for pictures. I can’t think of any reason why they would let you get close enough unless there was something special about the photographer?”

Dakota shook his head and rolled his eyes exaggeratingly. “Animals instinctively know who’s going to hurt them and who’s not. There are tons of famous activists who have been able to get close to animals, like Jane Goodall and Steve Irwin.”

“Who?” the second man asked.

“Really?” Dakota asked, sounding bored. “Have you guys been living under a rock? I don’t have time for this. I have several pictures to get started with, anyway.”

His heart pounded as he pushed past them and started down the mountain. He listened intently for sounds of pursuit. They appeared to be arguing over something. Their voices carried through the trees although he couldn’t make out the words. Dakota finally drew in a breath when he slid behind the wheel of his truck. He didn’t even bother putting on his seatbelt until he was a mile down the road.

When he finally got home, he grabbed a beer from the fridge and opened his computer. After uploading the pictures, he sent an email to Zac. Ran into three guys on the mountain while I was photographing wildlife. I’m not sure if they were hunters or assholes. I managed to get a picture of one of them.

He sent the picture and leaned back in his chair, running his fingers through his hair.

“I’m getting too old for this crap.”

During his time in the field, he had run into a lot of bad guys, especially poachers. Normally, he had protection with him, although he didn’t think about carrying anything in his own hometown.

His computer blinged. Thanks for the heads-up. Glad you’re safe. I’ll send out a message to everyone, letting them know the hunters might be in the area.

He thought about doing some work but was too keyed up to sit in front of the computer. Normally, when he was restless, he would go take pictures of something. Unfortunately, that was what got him stressed out. Instead, he went to the gym and worked out for a couple of hours.

After he showered, he checked his phone and smiled when he saw the text from Sadie. I’ll buy pizza if you bring the beer.

He texted back, Deal. What time?

A few seconds later his phone buzzed. Come as soon as you can get here. Let me know when you’re on your way and I’ll order a large supreme with thick crust.

Dakota smiled. I’ll be there in twenty.

He stopped by his house to grab his computer and visited the liquor store. Exactly twenty minutes later he was on her doorstep.

She hugged him, took the beer, and invited him in. The pizza arrived five minutes later. He told her about the ordeal on the mountain.

Sadie put her hand on his arm. “You must have been terrified.”

“Let’s just say that I was a little nervous.” He grinned.

“Mm-hmm. I should let Matthias know.”

“I sent an email to Zac with the picture of one of the men I managed to get. I’m sure that he’ll send it to Matthias and Lucious. If you want to let Matthias know, though, it couldn’t hurt. If I get his email, I can send him the pic as well.”

Sadie grabbed her phone and quickly tapped out a text to Matthias.

“I’m amazed at how fast you can text. It takes me a lot longer.”

She grinned wickedly. “I’m of the cell phone generation, sir. Not the rotary phone generation.”

“Ouch. That might have hurt my feelings.”

Her phone buzzed with a message from Matthias. Thanks for letting me know. Zac filled me in. I sent out emails to everyone.

After they ate, he opened his computer and let her read the first chapter of his wolf book.

“Wow. This is really terrific. Even people who don’t care about animals will be captivated by this. I can picture your photographs with just your words.”

“Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

“I’d better get a signed copy when it comes out. As a matter of fact, I’d better get an advanced signed copy.”

“You got it.”

A few minutes later her phone buzzed again. “I wonder if Matthias has an update.”

She frowned when she saw who the text was from. “I’ve told him twice that I’m not interested in rekindling a relationship.”

Dakota raised his eyebrows.

“It’s Billy. He came to the house and asked if I would give us a second chance. I told him ‘no.’ Then, he asked again at the ceremony honoring his grandfather. I told him ‘no.’ He just texted me and asked if he could take me out to dinner tomorrow night.”

“You’re not telling him no because of me, are you? Because you know that we’re not…”

A look of pain crossed Sadie’s face, which she quickly banished. She shook her head. “No. It has nothing to do with you. It has everything to do with the fact that I don’t have any feelings for him at all. What we had was puppy love. Neither of us is the same person we were before. He is in love with what was and who I was. He doesn’t know the Sadie I am today.”

“It is easy to get caught up in memories and a longing for what was. However, as they say, whoever they are, you can never come back home, because while home might not have changed, you have, and you’ll see it from a new light.”

“Yep. It makes me think of Deanna Carter’s song, Strawberry Wine. Part of the song asks whether she misses her old lover or if she misses her innocence. It’s too easy to mistake the two because the old lover represents part of that innocence.”

“It could be.”

“It might also just be that I’m familiar. Before he left, we were together. Now that he’s back, it is comfortable that we are together, especially since he just lost his grandfather.”

“That makes sense.”

Sadie shook her head and typed two words: “No.”

“Abrupt.”

She sighed. “I was nice the first two times. Apparently, he isn’t going to understand niceness.”

“Makes sense. Do you want me to talk to him?”

“That’s sweet, but no. I will handle my own problems.”

Dakota grinned at her. “Ooh, sassy and independent. I like that in a girl.”

“There’s a whole lot here to like.” Sadie waved her hands over her body.

“Yes, ma’am, there is.”

He leaned over, wrapped his arms around her, and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was sweet and gentle at first but quickly became passionate. Their breaths mingled and fires exploded inside of his body.

“Let’s go to the bedroom. I’m not sure my couch can handle a lot more of last night.”

“We can try the kitchen table, cabinet, or washing machine.”

“Adventurous, huh?”

“That’s my middle name.”

“I think we’ll save the appliances and other exotic places for another day. My bed is nice and soft.”

“As you wish, my dear.”

They slowly undressed each other, dropping their clothes on the floor and stepping out of them. He pressed his lips to hers and walked her backward to her bed. They fell onto the soft mattress. Dakota reached between her legs and smiled when he discovered that she was hot and wet.

He straddled her and pushed his way inside of her. She moaned and wrapped her arms around him as their bodies moved together to a song that only their souls could hear.

Her velvety walls massaged his shaft, sending bolts of lightning speeding through his body. He inhaled her scent. It was intoxicating. Words of ecstasy and feelings he could never name poured out through their connection.

Sadie moaned and raised her hips to meet his. She bit her bottom lip and he could feel her pussy tighten around him, massaging him, milking him. An overwhelming flame exploded inside of him and he groaned as he shot his seed deep inside of her.

Once the orgasms ebbed, he lay next to her and pulled her into his arms. She snuggled tightly against him. He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head.

Dakota knew that his feelings for her were deeper than just a casual fling, but there was no way he could give up his travels. The old cliché that he hated because it didn’t make sense literally, “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too,” popped into his head. Unfortunately, it fitted the situation. He couldn’t have the woman and his travels. At some point, he would have to choose.