Page 22 of Wild Rivals

A hint of hesitation skates down my spine, but I ignore it as I lean against the railing of the wrap-around porch waiting for someone to answer the door of the Evergreen house. It’s a little after midday and the sun is sitting high in the sky, beating down on me even from my position under the shadow of the awning. Humidity hangs in the air, and a bead of sweat runs down my spine as I stare out at the view of the mountains stretching in front of me.

This is the right thing to do.

Even if I can’t seem to rid myself of the image of Maddie.

She’s a big girl. She’ll get over it. It’s just business, and if she can’t get over it, then she’s not cut out for this.

I’ve been meaning to come out for a couple of days, ever since a little birdy told me that Jim had paid a visit to the Hart ranch on Friday. Beau overheard him chatting to Earl White—another ranch owner—in the feed store. Apparently, Jim wasn’t too happy with what he saw at Hartlands—and who can blame him? The tourists come to this town and run around like they own the place and the Harts do nothing about it. I’d be a fool not to use this to my advantage.

The door creaks behind me as it opens, and I turn, coming face to face with Lilah Evergreen, Jim’s youngest daughter. Her long brown hair flows in waves around her shoulders, and the miniskirt she’s wearing reveals her long, toned legs. My eyes travel their length, moving over her flat stomach, the curve of her breasts and the exposed shoulder that tells me she’s not wearing a bra under her T-shirt. She’s not changed a bit since I last saw her, and yet I feel nothing. No familiar stir of arousal, no twinge in my dick, nothing. Nada.

That’s not normal. Not when it comes to me.

It’s not like whenever I see Maddie.

Fucking Hart.

She’s invading my thoughts and ruining every other woman for me. What’s worse is that I won’t be able to get her out of my system like I normally would because of who she is and what she represents.

Removing my Stetson, I force my attention back to the woman in front of me and nod to Lilah. My voice comes out gruffer than I intend as I say, “Mornin’, Lilah. Is your dad around?”

She offers me a soft, seductive, smile—one that would normally work wonders on me—and tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Hey, Wyatt, long time no see.” Her gaze travels the length of my body, much like mine did with hers moments ago, before she adds, “He is, come on in.”

I follow her into the house. Pictures of the Evergreen family line the wall, depicting events over the years, from weddings to birthdays. Our footsteps echo through the space as we head for Jim’s office at the back. My focus is just over Lilah’s head, and I grind my back molars at the reminder that I didn’t seem to care about manners when I was watching Maddie leave Chapters and Crumbs the other day.

She’s fucking ruined me. I don’t even recognize this version of myself.

“How is California treating you?” I ask, more for something to distract myself from thoughts of Maddie and to fill the quiet than for anything else.

Lilah looks over her shoulder at me, her eyes hooded as they roam over me again. “There ain’t no cowboys out there. Or at least none that hold a candle to you, sugar.”

I snicker, shaking my head as I reply, “Now I know you’re lying.”

She lifts a shoulder, and when we come to the door of her father’s office, she blocks the way, holding on to the handle as she faces me. “I’m not in town for long, but if you’d like to repeat that magical summer of four years ago, hit me up.”

My chest expands as I hold her stare. Four years ago, Lilah returned home for summer break in her third year of medical school. We got drunk and fooled around, but it never went any further than some drunk groping—mostly from her—and sloppy kisses.

“I don’t mix business with pleasure, Lilah.” I wink at her, trying to keep my tone light. I’m not about to put myself in a position where I can’t get it up because she isn’t Maddie fucking Hart. At least this way, I let her down gently and don’t have to embarrass myself.

Lilah pouts before moving from the door and breathlessly replying, “Maybe when the business portion is over then. If I’m still in town.”

“Sure,” I reply, knowing full well that isn’t likely to happen.

I allow myself to watch her as she walks down the corridor, unable to stop from comparing her to a certain five-foot-nine brunette. The sway of her hips isn’t as hypnotizing, and her ass isn’t as perky. Hell, Maddie carries herself in a way that tells you she won’t take any shit. Maybe that’s why I’m all twisted up over her. She’d give me something I haven’t ever experienced before.

What am I doing?

I’m here on business, not to lust after a twenty-five-year-old or, even worse, compare her to another woman. One that has no right occupying my mind or body. Maybe I need to drive a couple of towns over, find a stranger and fuck her until I barely remember Maddie’s name, let alone the way she smells, or how the fire in her eyes burns hotter than the sun when she’s annoyed with me. Which is all the fucking time.

With my focus realigned to the reason I’m here, I knock on the door, waiting for Jim to call out. When I enter, he’s sitting behind a large wooden desk with papers strewn across the surface. He’s looking frail and less like the man I used to know.

Jim was older when he and his wife, Nelly, had their children. She’s long since passed, but there are reminders of her all around the house and even in Jim’s office, like the picture that hangs on the wall behind his desk. They’re on horseback with wide grins on their faces as they smile for the camera with a backdrop of mountains.

“Jim,” I greet, inclining my head toward him as I come to a stop in the middle of the room, waiting for him to offer me a seat. It’s the small things like that which matter to men like Jim, things my father instilled in us Wilde kids.

“Wyatt, this is a surprise.” He indicates to the chairs set in front of his desk before continuing, “Please, take a seat.”

I do as he instructs, setting my Stetson on one knee as the other bounces with the nervous energy that’s seeped in now that I’m here. It’s quickly followed by a thread of uncertainty, weaving its way through my body. It’s been there all morning, but I’ve been ignoring it. I know that what I’m about to do is the right thing. For the good of Montana. For the good of my family. At least that’s what I tell myself.