Wild as Her (Beckett Family #2)

Chapter 4

Wild

Present - Three years later

M y sister just dropped the bomb of all bombs.

Indie Jones needs a place to live. And wouldn’t you know it, I just so happen to have an empty room—actually, an entire empty house .

That woman hates me for reasons I’ve never dug too deep to discover, but I’ve always loved her fire.

It’s probably a terrible idea for us to live together, but what am I, if not a gentleman?

I know that she most likely won’t accept my offer, but she’s my sister’s best friend, and I’d feel like a total ass if I didn’t at least make the offer for her to reject.

Living alone is something I’ve never liked, which is why, on my days off, I do all I can to stay out. I was living with my buddy Kam for a while, but he was moving in with his girlfriend right at the time my dad decided to move to Alaska, so I jumped at the opportunity to buy Dad’s house. I’ve always wanted my own place, and my childhood home felt like the right one for me. I sure as shit couldn’t let some stranger own it.

Now that my brother has moved in with Lucy and my buddy Carson has moved to the city, I have way too much alone time. I need to find someone to move into this house with me before I lose my shit. My little wildflower would be perfect. I love giving her a hard time, and I know she loves it just as much, even if she denies it.

Do we have a history? Yes.

But only because that’s the way she wants it. I’ve been willing to give us a go many times, but she put a hard stop to that before I ever had a chance. I’ve never had a shot in hell with that girl, and I really don’t know why. Sure, I pick on her sometimes, but she decided long before that that I had no shot. We’ve both always been attracted to each other, so I know that’s not the issue.

I’ve never been in a relationship that’s lasted more than a month—if that—and I’m not saying that’s what I’m looking for with Indie. But after we slept together three years ago, she made it very clear that she wanted nothing more from me beyond that one day we had.

Going above and beyond is my specialty, so I’ve made sure to push every one of her damn buttons over the years just to get a glimpse of that fire inside of her. And fuck do I love it.

Leaving my siblings to browse for an engagement ring for my brother’s girl, Lucy, I step outside and pull my phone out.

Heard about your little issue.

Wildflower

Ok.

Have you found a place to stay?

Wildflower

No.

I have a spare room, and I’m right down the street. Wouldn’t be too hard to move here. Oh, and I have a killer workspace you could set up your art stuff in.

I’m not lying, either. The views from my brother’s old workshop are fantastic. Those large windows let in tons of light, which I know artists go crazy for.

I waited the rest of the day and never heard back from her.

I checked my phone an embarrassing amount and even tried restarting it to make sure it was working properly—it was. My little firecracker is just coming to terms with the fact that her options are slim in this town when it comes to finding a vacant place to rent.

As I’m getting ready to go out for the night with my buddy Kam, my phone dings.

Wildflower

Fine.

Like the ass I am, I play dumb.

Why, thank you. You ain’t too bad yourself.

Wildflower

You’re such an idiot

Wow. Having mood swings today, Dr. J? Are we riding the red rip tide this week?

Wildflower

Oh my fucking God, Wilder. I’m not talking about my bodily functions with you.

I laugh to myself, knowing how pissed off she’s getting. I love to rile her up.

Wildflower

I’ll take the spare room if you’re still offering.

It’s all yours.

Knowing I didn’t quit piss her off enough, I add.

Fair warning, roomie. I keep the house cold. So if you need to crawl in bed with me, feel free. Also, I sleep commando…feel free to do the same.

Wildflower

No thanks, I’ve had enough small dick in my life.

You must need a reminder course. Again, my door is open; feel free.

Wildflower

I changed my mind. I’ll sleep on the street.

I’m honestly shocked that she agreed to move in. When I didn’t hear from her all day, I assumed she must have figured something else out, and I was a bit bummed—hence the impromptu night out. I’m perfectly aware that I’m the last person Indie would want to be stuck living with. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thrilled with the idea and that a shot of excitement didn’t pump through my veins when I saw her text come in.

Deciding to leave well enough alone, I pocket my phone and head out the door.

“Man, this place is packed tonight,” Kam hollers over the live music. His arm is slung over his girl’s shoulder as she moves to the beat.

The band on stage is putting on a helluva performance, but the place is so damn crowded I can’t even lift my arm without hitting someone. We come out to The Rusty Spur almost every weekend that we are both off of work. Not because we love the overcrowded, hot room with sticky floors, but because in a small town, pickings are slim.

I take the last swig from my amber bottle. “I’m gonna head outside for a minute,” I yell back, and Kam nods. I squeeze my way through the tight crowd in search of some fresh air.

I love staying busy, but lately, I’m finding these nights out at the bar less and less appealing—it just doesn’t have the effect it used to.

Pushing the door open, I narrowly miss the drunk blonde stumbling past me with a look of pure rage in her eyes. I shake my head and let out a small laugh. I’d hate to be on the receiving end of that.

Stepping out into the cool air, I inhale deeply as I tip my head back, peering at the star-lit night.

“Just don’t give up, do you?” I hear that voice I love so much, and pinpricks skate down my back.

My gaze darts in the direction I heard it coming from. Leaning against the wall, I spot her, a waterfall of red waves flowing over her shoulders as smoke passes from her lips.

“Well, hello there, Wildflower. What brings you to this lovely establishment this fine evening?” I toss my empty glass bottle in the trash can and step closer.

“It’s a bar, Wild. What do you think? And you avoided the question.” She pulls the cigarette to her lips again and inhales, the red tip glowing brighter.

“I’m not stalkin’ you if that’s what you’re implyin’. Like you said, it’s a bar—the only one in a thirty-mile radius, I might add.” I pluck the smoke from her fingers and take a drag for myself. “You really need to quit this shit. It’ll kill ya.”

Blowing the cloud of smoke out, I toss the rest of the cigarette to the ground and crush it under my boot. I don’t smoke, but I know the only way I’ll get it away from her is by participating. In the past, she’s told me she only smokes when she drinks, but that’s still more than is good for her.

Indie looks like she doesn’t buy what I’m selling. Her brows draw closer together, but my eyes slip down to the thin tank top strap slipping off of her shoulder.

“Trust me, I have plenty of women lined up wantin’ to move in with me. I don’t need to beg you to do it.”

Not that I’d ever invite any of them. But she doesn’t need to know that.

I move in closer to her, and the light breeze sends that delicious coconut scent of her hair my way.

“You’re such a pompous ass,” she says, shaking her head.

“You like my ass?” I tease.

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head again.

“This is why I shouldn’t do this,” she scoffs as she pushes away from the wall to walk back inside.

My arm shoots out, stopping her. She gives me that evil glare she’s mastered for me as she leans her back to the wall. I close the distance between us even more, keeping my arm next to her head.

“We don’t always have to fight, Ind,” I say in a low voice. “You wanna go back to our place? See if we can work this out?” My eyes meet hers and trail down to her perfect pink lips.

She scoffs again, but I can read the expression on her face like it was the back of my hand. She’s trying to act unaffected, but that nervous little laugh she lets out tells me all I need to know.

“You can’t handle me,” she responds softly with a smug expression.

Now, it’s my turn to scoff.

“I think we both know that ain’t true… good girl .”

Her amber eyes dig into me as she bites down on her cheek. Pushing my luck, I lean in as close as I possibly can without touching her, wanting desperately to taste her lips again. Her mouth parts, waiting for me to do what we are both thinking.

Peering back up from her plump lips, I meet her heavy-lidded gaze.

Fuck, what am I doing?

If I want this living situation to last more than a damn day, I need to remember that she doesn’t want me like that. This can’t end up with us sharing a bed again. Not yet, anyway.

Her breathing grows heavier, and I’m not sure if she’s about to initiate the kiss herself or slap me. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell with her.

Making the right decision before I do something I’ll regret, I use all of my willpower to straighten and turn to walk back into the building, never looking back in her direction.

“See you around, Wildflower,” I holler over my shoulder.

Her words are muted behind me from the roar of the crowd inside the building as I pull the door open to go back inside The Rusty Spur.

Living with Indie might be a lot harder than I thought it would be. My willpower is strong, but dammit, I’m only human. I don’t know how I’m going to manage to keep myself off of her. And that’s exactly what I need to do in order for this to work for both of us.