Wild Love (The Wilde Brothers #1)

Chapter 3

3

ELI

I gripped the handlebars tightly as I maneuvered down the steep terrain, avoiding tree roots and rocks. The ride was rough, requiring my full concentration. I couldn't think about Scarlett and what she was doing in town or how long she'd be here.

I'd been meeting up with my brothers and Chance for years on this kind of outing, but I'd been wanting to try something more adventurous for a while now.

By the time we reached the base of the mountain, sweat was pouring down my back. I drank heavily from my water bottle while I admired the view of the lake at the bottom. Then I pulled out a granola bar. It wasn't enough to satisfy me, but it would carry me over until dinner.

This was our longstanding tradition: an adventurous outing and steak dinners. We never deviated, but I'd been itching to do something different.

Xander pulled off his helmet and ran a hand through his hair. "We heading back to the lodge? I'm starving."

"You can't handle it? Getting too old," I teased him .

He wobbled on his bike so he could lean over and smack me. "You're older than I am."

"Whoever's last gets dinner," Oliver called out, always willing to bet that someone else paid for meals and drinks.

"You're on." I threw my trash into my bag and took off for the lodge. This part of the trail was flat, and I allowed my mind to wander. The surprise at seeing Scarlet in the dark, how gorgeous she was in the moonlight with her eyes flashing with irritation. The sweet hitch of her breath when I touched her.

Xander beat me, but I wasn't focused on winning.

"You cut me off," I complained to Xander as I ripped off my helmet and wiped the sweat with my sleeve.

"Stop whining," Xander said. "We should all know by now that I'm the fastest.

"We actually don't know that," Oliver said, happy to go through the statistics on how often we each won.

"Only a nerd would actually keep a spreadsheet of your brothers' wins." But that was the only way Oliver won arguments growing up. He sounded smarter than the rest of us and was willing to back it up with stats.

Inside, we took showers in the locker room. Then we headed to the nicest restaurant on the grounds. We were seated at the table I always used when my brothers ate dinner with me.

After we ordered our steaks, Xander asked Chance, "How long will Scarlett be sticking around this time?"

I leaned forward, not quite understanding the agitation that bubbled up whenever Xander expressed interest in her. "What's it to you?"

Xander huffed out a laugh. "We had a good time the other night."

"You hadn't even wanted to come to the gala," I shot back.

Xander's forehead wrinkled. "Why do you have a bug up your ass about Chance's sister? "

"Just looking out for a friend." I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, hoping no one else read too deeply into my reaction. Yes, I was attracted to her, but I shouldn't care if my brother wanted her. It wasn't like I could ever make a move on my best friend's sister.

"Xan, stay away from my sister. She's off-limits." Chance looked from me to Xander. "In case it wasn't clear, she's off-limits to all of you."

"Shouldn't she make up her own mind? I get the impression she'd be pissed that you're interfering," Xander pointed out.

Chance sighed, his expression defeated. "I'm asking you as my friend to stay away from my sister. She doesn't make the best decisions."

It was starting to irritate me that Chance said that so often about her. I just remembered how Kylie was upset about how we treated her over the years. We hadn't made her feel welcome, and in the end, it pushed her away. "You should stop saying shit like that."

Chance's gaze swung to me. "What are you talking about?"

"Maybe the reason Scarlett doesn't stick around is because you and your parents criticize her all the time."

Chance narrowed his eyes on me. "How do you know?"

I shrugged, trying to pull off nonchalant, but I didn't quite make it. "I don't know anything about Scarlett." And I certainly wasn't going to admit to her brother that we'd had a moment on the deck of the lodge. "Kylie lived in Paris for years because she didn't think she had a place here at the lodge or in our family. We said things over the years that gave her that impression. I just don't want the same fate for you."

Chance frowned. "Scarlett only stays a few days, maybe a week, before she's off again. You might be onto something."

The waitress brought our food, and we dug in. Smaller conversations broke out at the table: talk about the football season and happenings at the lodge .

Chance leaned in to ask, "How should I handle the situation with Scarlett?"

I kept my gaze on the steak in front of me, cutting it into tiny pieces. "I'd give her some space, make her feel respected."

"I don't disrespect her." Chance sounded offended.

"You don't trust her to make her own choices. You have to step in and protect her. What message are you sending?"

Chance leaned back in his chair. "I never thought about it like that."

"With your dad being a sheriff too, I can only think he did the same."

Chance shook his head. "That's probably true. I just worry about her. What kind of life is it to travel from one place to another, never settling down?"

"I don't know. But it isn't your choice to make." It wasn't the kind of life I ever thought about. But then again, as the eldest Wilde, I'd known I'd take over the resort. It had been only a matter of time. I'd run a little wild after college, but I reined that in when my dad said it was time for me to take on more responsibility. Now I was more controlled. I regulated reckless times for outings with my friends and flings with women passing through.

"You know, she only comes home because she doesn't have her own place."

"What does she do again?" I never had a reason to pay close attention to news about his sister before, and she kept mentioning something about it being her job to move around.

"She works for theater groups that travel around, putting on shows. When the show is over, she hooks up with another one. She's essentially a nomad."

"You're her home base. That's a good thing."

Chance blew out a breath. "I suppose you're right. I should be grateful she has us to come home to." He was lost in thought for a few seconds, then admitted, "But this time feels different. "

"How so?" I wiped my mouth with the cloth napkin and threw it on my empty plate. I was uncomfortably full from the steak and potatoes. But it was excellent as always. I'd have to compliment the chef. I'd lured Jared from a larger city with a promise of part ownership in the restaurant.

"It's just a feeling I'm getting, and I never ignore my intuition."

"Maybe it's financial troubles, and she doesn't want to bother you with her problems." I couldn't imagine she made much as a traveling actress, but I didn't know anything about the industry.

"It's possible."

"I'd give her some space, let her know you're there for her, and let her be herself." I had a feeling Chance and his parents tried to put Scarlett in a box, and she just didn't fit. I admired her free spirit, her desire to live all over the world even if I didn't have the same temptation.

"My parents are so happy. They want to have a barbecue at the house. You and your brothers are welcome."

"Wouldn't miss it." I didn't make the family gatherings as much as I used to. When we were kids, we were over at each other's places so often; Pam and Bart felt like a second set of parents. We figured out quick that it was best to hang out at the lodge because my father wasn't the town sheriff, and we could get away with more. But I appreciated how involved Chance's parents were.

"Thanks for saying what you did about Kylie. I never thought about it like that. Maybe I should talk to Scarlett about it."

"I'd let it go. If she wants to talk to you, she will." I had a feeling Scarlett wouldn't want to trouble her family with anything. She was strong and independent, the kind of woman I was attracted to.

"You want to play some pool?" Xander asked, throwing his napkin on the table and pushing his chair out .

"You're on," I said, content to spent time with my brothers and Chance.

Since it was relatively early, we commandeered a pool table and some high-top tables nearby. Oliver set up a tournament complete with brackets he wrote on a napkin.

We drank, cheering and ribbing each other as we played. I loved nights like this. I worked hard and played hard. I was content. I didn't need anything else in my life.

I was sitting at a hightop table with Oliver when a flash of red caught my eyes. It was a woman playing darts in a red sweater and black jeans that hugged her ass. When she turned, I caught her face: Scarlett. What was she doing here?

I didn't want to alert Chance. So I excused myself and headed for the bathroom. She was with another woman, Marigold. Her childhood friend. I remembered her being at Chance's house a lot when we were kids.

When I approached, Marigold headed for the bathroom, and I changed course, stopping next to Scarlett. "What are you doing here?" I intended to ask a managerial question, like How are you enjoying your night? or Can I get you anything else? but instead my asshole side came out.

Her face screwed up as she turned to face me. "Playing darts with a friend."

I was conscious that my brothers and her brother weren't far away. I only had a few seconds to spend with her without arising suspicion, and it wasn't going well. "You having fun?"

"I was until you showed up." Her eyes were flashing with irritation, and I couldn't blame her.

"Can I get you another drink?" I looked for a table nearby with their drinks.

This time, fear flashed through her eyes. "I don't take drinks from anyone."

"That's smart," I said carefully. "But I'm your brother's friend. "

Scarlett snorted. "I don't know you."

I inclined my head. "I'll send the bartender over with whatever you want tonight. Drinks on the house." I would have said on my tab, but I had a feeling she'd refuse.

Her eyes softened. "Thank you."

Out of my peripheral, I saw Marigold approach. I leaned in and whispered, "Have a good night."

I swear she trembled, but I might have been imagining things. I moved away to tell the bartender their tab was on me for the night. Then headed back to our pool table.

"You're up," Oliver said when I approached. He tipped his head in the direction of Marigold and Scarlett. "What was that about?"

"I put their order on my tab for the night." I stretched my neck, worried he'd know that I couldn't leave Scarlett alone.

Oliver raised a brow. "You're too generous."

Knowing Oliver was tight with money, I said, "I'm paying for it. Not the resort."

His shoulders lowered as he chalked the end of his pole. "Still."

"Is the resort having financial issues that I'm not aware of?" I asked him.

Oliver tended to freak out about money things that weren't actual issues. I chose to believe that money would always come in, and the resort would continue to be a success. Oliver was usually worried that something could change for the worse.

His brow furrowed; he was in full business mode. "We're at a plateau. If we want to increase revenue, we need the expansion."

"I'm working on it." Anytime you wanted to do construction, there was permits and contracting issues. I set up the balls in the triangle. "You break."

Oliver leaned over, eyeing the shot, then broke it at an angle. I focused on the game, but I was aware whenever Scarlett moved from the dart board area to the bar. Guys approached them, but Scarlett seemed to have a knack for sending them on their way. I wondered if she already had a boyfriend or she wasn't interested.

I shouldn't care what my best friend's sister was doing in my bar, but I did.

When Oliver sank my last ball, he clapped me on the shoulder. "You're distracted."

"Just thinking about the expansion. I'm anxious to get started."

Oliver nodded, and just like that I'd deflected him from my real issue—Scarlett St. Claire.

Xander won the tournament, and for once, I didn't care. My mind was on other things. Like why Chance was worried about Scarlett. What was really going on? I wondered if she'd tell me, a virtual stranger, if she wouldn't talk to her brother.

It was a sick way of getting closer to her when I should be staying away. I was hyperaware that Marigold had left, and Scarlett sat at the bar alone. She was a siren for single men.

One by one, my brothers drifted away, probably to their homes. I lived in a penthouse suite on the top floor of the lodge. I liked to be nearby in case anyone needed me. It was far enough away from the hub that I could take a break.

When Chance approached Scarlett and she shook her head, he stopped in front of me. "Keep an eye on her."

"Of course."

Chance touched my shoulder and said, "You're a good friend."

I shrugged because I wasn't. I was having dirty thoughts about his sister. That didn't sit right with me.

I'd keep an eye on her but wouldn't think about how sexy and confident she looked sitting alone at my bar, swirling the tiny straw in her drink. . I had a feeling she'd be that confident in bed; she'd tell me exactly what she wanted.

"Text me when she heads home," Chance added .

"Didn't we just talk about giving her space? I don't mind keeping her safe at my bar, but I'm not going to track her for you."

Chance shook his head. "You're right. I'm an idiot."

I touched his shoulder. "You're a good brother."

Chance nodded. "Thanks for putting up with me."

"Have a good night." I watched Chance walk out.

The bar was already clearing out for the night. When I was certain Chance was gone, I headed over to Scarlett, who hadn't moved. I braced a hand on the counter next to her, brushing my chest against her shoulder.

Scarlett turned to face me, a smile playing on her lips. "Can I help you?"

Her lips were red, and her long eyelashes batted up at me. If she were a stranger, I'd want to take her to my room. But I couldn't use any of my lines on her. She was my friend's sister. I needed to ensure she was safe, and all I could think about was hitting on her. I was the worst kind of friend.

"I wanted to make sure you're okay. I promised Chance."

Scarlett rolled her eyes and shifted her body toward the bar.

I leaned my elbow on the countertop so I could see her face. "He worries about you. But I told him to give you space."

Her eyes widened. "You did?"

"I told him how Kylie moved to Paris because we didn't offer her a place here. We pushed her away.”

Scarlett wrapped her lips around the straw and sucked, and all I could think about was those red lips stretched around my dick.

"Don't give him hope. I'm not a hometown girl. I'll be getting the itch to leave any day now."

I ignored the twinge of pain that caused me. I shouldn't care what her plans were unless it hurt Chance. "I told him to give you space and respect your decisions. You're your own person."

"Why are you getting involved? "

"Chance is my friend. I worry about him." And he in turn worries about his sister. I didn't want to see him hurt.

"You want a fresh drink?" I asked, wanting to draw this out.

She stood, bringing her body close to mine. "I'm good for the night."

Reluctantly, I stepped back. "Did you drive? I'll walk you out."

She dangled the chain strap of her purse over her shoulder. "I used a service."

I followed her, waiting while she got her coat from the host, telling myself I was just fulfilling my duty to Chance. "I can drive you home if you want."

"You drive all the single women home?"

"Never, actually. I make sure they have a car." I was serious about safety on my property. I hired security to walk the parking lots and escort women to their cars. And I always paid for a car if they couldn't drive themselves.

"You're a real knight in shining armor."

I chuckled without any humor. "No one's ever said that before."

She pulled the coat tighter around herself. "Maybe they didn't see it."

I scoffed. "I don't let anyone close enough to make observations."

She pursed her red lips. "Isn't that interesting?"

Her cheeks were red from the cold.

I pulled up the app and ordered her a car. "It will be here in two minutes. I'll wait with you."

Scarlett scanned the driveway as if she could see the car arriving. "You don't have to."

"I want to."

Scarlett gave me a disgusted look. "Is this because you promised my brother you'd babysit me? "

"He asked me, yes. But I would do this regardless. And it's not babysitting."

She scrutinized me for a few seconds, then nodded. "I can see that about you. You're a good guy."

"Don't tell anyone. You'll ruin my bad-boy image."

"You mean the wild and reckless one you and your brothers had in high school? You really drew the girls in with that. It was genius." A smile spread over her face that sent my heart racing.

I wanted to say it wasn't drawing her in, but I'd promised myself I wouldn't get involved with her.

The car pulled up to the curb. I verified the license plate and the driver's name before opening the door for her.

"Thanks for the ride," Scarlett said with a smirk as she slid inside.

I shut the door, sensing she knew exactly what she was insinuating. Now all I could think about was her riding my cock. I wouldn't get that vision out of my head anytime soon. It was going to be a long night.