Wild Love (The Wilde Brothers #1)

Chapter 9

9

ELI

T oday was the barbecue at the St. Claires'. I'd been at their house a million times before, but I'd never been nervous about a visit. Probably because I never had a secret crush on their daughter before. I just hoped no one noticed.

When I arrived, Pam greeted me with a hug, and I felt guilty about the improper thoughts I was having about her daughter.

"Go put that on the table outside. We have the tent up and the heaters on, so it's not too cold."

October was the last official month for barbecues. We tried to drag the season out as long as we could with tents and heaters. I'd bought them for the St. Claires a few years ago.

Outside, I greeted my brothers, and Chance, placing the veggie tray I'd brought on the table with the other food. Scarlett stood behind the table, fussing over the food, taking off lids, and placing serving spoons inside the bowls.

Scarlett smiled at me. "How nice of you to come, Eli."

"I always come to your family's get-togethers."

Scarlett raised her brow. "Always?"

"You would know if you'd been around for longer than a few days at a time over the years." That came out harsher than how I meant it. I was irritated that she didn't realize how close our families were. But then again, she hadn't been around to experience it for herself.

"Point taken," Scarlett said lightly.

I think she was used to those little digs. "I like spending time with your family, and Chance is always welcome at the lodge with mine."

"How are your parents?" Scarlett asked.

That felt like a diversion, but I allowed it. We were in a crowd of people after all. "They're in Ireland, enjoying retirement."

A smile spread over her face. "That's so nice. I'd love to travel to Europe."

I frowned. "You haven't been?"

"Just inside the US. But never outside."

I'd love to show her everything she'd been missing.

Another woman stopped by with cookies.

"Gladys, thank you so much. It's so good to see you." Scarlett hugged the older lady.

"Scarlett St. Claire. How long you here for this time?" Gladys asked as she pulled back.

Scarlett managed not to wince. "Not sure."

Maybe she was used to the remarks on her comings and goings.

"I hope you stick around for a while. It's good to have you back, and I'm sure your parents are happy to have you home."

"They sure are." Scarlett smiled as Gladys walked away.

I waited until the woman was out of earshot, then raised my brow. "That a normal occurrence for you?"

Scarlett shrugged. "It's a small town. It's to be expected."

I let out a breath. "I don't like it."

Her surprised gaze flitted to mine. "It's fine, really."

"You don't deserve to come home and hear those comments. "

Scarlett moved close to me and placed her hand on my chest. "I'm used to it now."

"You shouldn't have to be." Is that why she didn't come home often? Everyone judged her?

Scarlett patted my chest. "You're sweet."

Before I could respond, she was gone, moving around the room, greeting my brothers. She was probably thanking them for coming and being a good host, but I didn't like her paying any attention to my brothers.

I socialized but kept an eye on Scarlett. She smiled and nodded, but I wondered how many more comments she endured from seemingly well-meaning people. Her life choices shouldn't be up for anyone else's judgment.

After dinner, I helped Xander start a fire out back. "You going out tonight?"

"I'll probably hit the bars."

I sat in one of the chairs positioned in a circle around the fire pit. "You aren't sick of that scene yet?"

Xander gave me a look. "I'm not old like you, so no."

The drinking and picking up women at bars weren't usually my thing. I'd talk up a woman at my bar, especially if she was a tourist. But I didn't like to get involved with anyone local. I wasn't ready for a commitment before, but Scarlett had me rethinking my outlook on everything.

"I've done too much of that myself. By the time our performances are over, the only thing open is a bar. I'm so done with that scene." Scarlett sat next to Xander, across from me, and Marigold sat next to her.

"What are you going to do?" Xander asked her.

"I don't know. I don't want to say I'm done with the theater because I love it. Maybe there's another way, where I could stay in one spot and not travel. But that's not really a thing. Not if I want to perform in a variety of different shows."

That was the first I'd heard Scarlett even mention not wanting to travel. She acted like it was an urge she got. Like it was a compulsion. I wondered if it was finally getting old for her.

Xander nudged her shoulder. "We like having you home."

A growl threatened to erupt, but I pushed it down. I didn't have a claim to Scarlett.

A soft smile spread over her face. "It is nice to be in one place and not working."

"Everyone needs a break now and then," I said.

"When do you take a break?" Scarlett asked me, the challenge in her eyes clear.

I shifted in my seat. "I take breaks to hang out with friends and family. Go mountain biking."

"When was the last time you went on a vacation?" Oliver asked as he sat down next to me.

I stretched my legs out in front of me. "You know I can't go anywhere while we're in the middle of an expansion."

"You can trust us to handle it while you're gone," Xander said, and I couldn't help but laugh at his suggestion.

At his hurt expression, I reminded him, "You've said you only wanted to handle the lessons."

Xander's jaw tightened. "I could do more."

I narrowed my gaze on him. Did Xander want more responsibilities around the resort? He'd always been content to do as little as possible.

"You've got me too," Oliver offered.

I could trust Oliver. It was just that he didn't like to spend money. So if something came up, he'd go for the cheaper option or cut it out altogether. The only way I could control the outcome was to be personally involved in every aspect of the project.

I waved a hand at them. "I'm fine. I don't need a break."

Oliver just raised his brow.

"Where would I go? We already live in a tourist spot. "

"Maybe somewhere with beaches and sun," Scarlett said, and I wondered if she wanted to go to a beach.

"Have you ever been to the beach?" I asked, curious to know more about her life on the road.

"I drove to one when we were performing in North Carolina. After that, I always made a point to visit the beach when we were close to one. I love it."

That led into a heated conversation about snow versus the beach. My brothers preferred Colorado, but the women seemed to prefer the beach.

It was a nice night. Maybe it would be nice to have more breaks. I didn't have to be at the lodge every minute of the day.

A few minutes later, Chance arrived in his uniform.

I stood to greet him.

Oliver grabbed him a beer, but Chance waved him off. "I can't drink in uniform."

Chance sat next to me. "How are the cabins coming?"

I focused on business. "We have a couple foundations started, one framed."

Chance nodded. "I think these cabins are going to be good for the resort. People have been talking about it."

"I hope so." It was a huge risk. Everyone loved the idea, but it was a large investment in the beginning. And we couldn't recoup any money until permits were approved and the cabins were complete. If we had a bad winter, that could set us back even more.

Marigold handed Chance a bottled water. He took it from her. "Thanks, Marigold." Then to me he said, "I'm excited for you."

"Are you happy?" I knew he wanted to be a police officer because he tended to stick up for the underdog and enjoyed protecting people. But I wasn't sure he was content.

He hung his head slightly. "Lately, I've been feeling like something's missing. "

I sighed. "I know what you mean. Work, family, and friends used to be enough."

Chance lifted his plastic bottle to my glass one. "To figuring out our lives."

I bumped his bottle against mine. "To figuring out our lives."

"It's never too late," Xander said from across the fire.

I shook my head because, where I had a plan, he'd been coasting through life, enjoying the resort's success. But he hadn't done much beyond organize outdoor activities. I could easily replace him. But it was nice to say our business was family owned and run.

That was a nice selling point on the website and in the new commercials I was contemplating filming once the cabins were complete. But it was scary to do any kind of mass advertising. What if it was a waste of money? What if there was too much competition? What if everyone preferred Breckinridge to Telluride?

When Pam thanked us for coming, we took that as our cue to clean up and head home. While Pam and Bart thanked guests for coming and saw them out, we walked around the yard disposing of the trash.

I vowed to come to more get-togethers. I'd missed far too many lately. And it wasn't just because Scarlett attended. Or at least that's what I told myself.

I followed Scarlett to the lodge and parked next to her. I waited for her to get out. It sounded like she was listening to an audiobook, and I was curious to know what she liked. I preferred podcasts about business success. Would she prefer nonfiction or fiction?

"You didn't have to wait for me," Scarlett said when I appeared at her door and took the empty casserole dish from her.

"I thought I'd walk you up. It's dark. "

"I'm sure you don't normally park in this lot. Don't you do valet?" Scarlett asked as she closed and locked her door.

"I thought I'd be a gentleman," I said as we walked side by side.

"You're not usually?" Scarlett asked cheekily.

"Mmm. Depends on where we're talking. In the bedroom or out?"

Scarlett's eyes widened. "Now see, I can't tell if you're flirting or not. We didn't spend much time together growing up, but I thought Xan was the easygoing charmer."

"What was I? The uptight older brother?" I wasn't sure I liked that characterization.

"I didn't say that. You were serious, responsible."

"You make me sound so boring."

"Xan was more fun. He joked around and was always willing to try something crazy."

"I didn't realize you two hung out." I knew they were in the same grade at school.

"Not really. You were Chance's friends, and it seemed like you avoided me. Did Chance warn you off?"

I remembered the time that Chance talked to us at dinner. "Something like that."

"That's annoying. I can take care of myself."

"You know Chance. He worries about you."

"When I was a teenager, I counted down the days until I could leave Telluride for good. I always felt trapped here with the mountains surrounding the town."

"And now?" I asked as we walked through the open door. I nodded at the doorman for the evening, Charles.

"It feels nice."

Scarlett led the way to the elevator. Once we were inside, she asked, "Did you want to go for a swim? I'm not ready for the night to be over. "

"I wouldn't mind." My mind was already conjuring visions of her in that thong.

When the doors opened, Scarlett placed her palm on my stomach. "This time, I'll bring a bathing suit."

I wondered if she could feel the vibration of my heart racing out of control. "That's too bad."

Scarlett just gave me a look. "I know you're not flirting with me. Chance would never allow it. So what's your game?"

"I'm not playing a game," I managed to say smoothly.

Scarlett spun on her heel and led the way down the hall. She paused at her doorway, and I kept going to mine.

"See you on the rooftop. I'll be the one in a red bikini."

I managed not to groan until my door was securely shut behind me. I ran a hand through my hair.

Scarlett St. Claire would be the death of me and the end of my friendship with Chance.

I quickly changed into trunks, forgoing a shirt. I grabbed a wine bottle and glasses in case she was in the mood for a drink, then took the steps two at a time until I was on the roof.

The twinkling lights were on, and in the middle of the pool a figure sliced gracefully through the water. I got a flash of red as I approached. Scarlett. Was that her signature color?

I sat in a chair by the pool and waited for her to notice me.

When she finally came up for air, she smiled. Her hair was slicked back, water beaded on her skin. "You came."

"I wouldn't miss this."

She swam over to the edge of the pool.

I leaned down, my elbows on my knees. "Were you hoping to see me?"

Scarlett grinned. "I was. You're a lot of fun, Elijah Wilde."

I loved when she said my full name. It made me feel special, even though my mom only said it when I was in trouble. From Scarlett, it was an endearment .

I stood and dove into the pool over her head. When I surfaced, she'd turned to face me. "You're a good swimmer."

"Having a rooftop pool will do that for you."

Scarlett swam over to meet me, treading water since we were in the deep end. I reached out an arm and snagged her around the waist, bringing her flush against me.

"Why did you do that?" Scarlett asked me, her voice breathless.

"So you don't have to tread water." It was a practical reason for a selfish need. I wanted to know how she'd feel against my body, and the answer was pure torture. Her breasts threatened to spill out of that tiny triangle top she was wearing, and her skin was smooth.

If she were mine, I'd curl a hand around the globe of her ass and squeeze.

But she wasn't, so I settled for an arm anchoring her to me.

She looped her arms around my neck and wrapped her legs around my waist, and all the air whooshed from my lungs. Her breasts were pressed against my chest. I swear I felt the hard nubs of her nipples.

Why couldn't she be mine? Why was she off-limits? My muddled brain couldn't think beyond the press of her body against mine. My dick was already hard, and there was no way she couldn't feel it nestled against her pussy.

What was her end game? It had to be to drive me crazy.

Then she let go and swam over to the edge. "Want to race?"

I was always up for a little competition. I sliced through the water until I stood next to her. "What's the distance?"

"One lap."

"That's too easy."

"Well, I do not usually own a swimming pool. I'm sure your endurance is better. The question is are you faster?"

"Obviously, I am."

She cocked a brow. "Why do you assume that? "

"I'm taller than you, so I can reach the edge faster." There was no question in my mind that I'd easily win any race. I swam laps in this pool most mornings before lifting weights in the gym. I only varied my routine when I wanted to run on the treadmill or on a trail.

"Let's see," was the only warning I got before she pushed off the wall, her arms easily gliding through the water as she traversed the pool.

With a sigh of frustration for being outsmarted, I hurried to catch up. I kept pace with her until we were three-fourths of the way across. Then I kicked it up a notch, easily touching the side of the pool before her.

I brushed the water out of my eyes. "I told you I'd win."

She glared at me, her eyelashes thick with water.

She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. That tan skin, the globes of her breast, and the heaving of her chest. I wished she were mine to kiss.

"Let's go again," she challenged, and I grinned.

I loved a race, especially with a beautiful woman. When we were together, it was hard to remember why she was off-limits. She was too enticing to resist.