The Wildcat (Playing to Win, #2)

by Bella Matthews

“They’re not all assholes, Daddy,” Gracie tries to placate Dad. “If they’re an athlete, they’re an asshole,” Nixon agrees, then looks away again. “We’re kinda made that way.”

I play along with it most of the time. It’s just easier to give people what they expect than to fight to be seen differently.

Some days I’m just grateful that I’ve managed to keep the kids alive for another day. I don’t need the responsibility of another living creature. Maybe a fish. They seem low maintenance.

“And that dumbass over there is Callen.” “Why am I a dumbass?” Callen pushes back. “Because you got hurt during the fourth quarter, showing off. Grandpa chewed your ass out in the locker room. And now you’re on our couch, sulking like a little baby.”

“They take a bit to get used to. But they’re not as insane as it looks at first fucking glance.” Everly spins on her heels. “Hmm . . . pretty sure we are, E.”

“Well, she’s sixty-seven and kind of reminds me of my mom.” There goes that smile again. “Soooo, there’s that.” “Good answer, Wilder,”

“Are you going to design my wedding dress for me, one day, sissy?” “Like I’d trust anyone else with that.” I link my pinky to hers, then lean my head on her shoulder. “Got the guy picked out yet?” “Not yet . . . Just the dress. How about you?”

“No, Cinderella. We rushed this once. Now, we’re going to take it slow. You’re going to let me take you out again. You’re going to let me pick you up at your door, without arguing, and walk you back at the end of the night. Because that’s what you deserve, and that’s what a man does. We’re going to slow this down, so maybe the next time you’re acting skittish, you’ll stay still instead of pulling away . . . until you’re ready to push forward. I’m a patient man, Everly, and something tells me you’re worth every second of the wait.”

“You might be old enough to vote and drink, kiddo, but I’m still young enough for your father to kill me.”

Why does tired sound sexy? My white swan yawns, stretching her arms above her head. Because he’s tired from taking care of his family. It doesn’t get sexier than a man taking care of the people he loves. My black swan rolls her eyes before she leaps away. Orgasms are sexier.

“Uh . . . I was hoping to find Everly,” I half mumble, caught off guard for the second time in just a few minutes. The woman by the rack hides her laughter at my obvious discomfort. “Can’t say I have one of those for sale.”

“Not a date.” “Dates are romantic. Trust me, a screaming baby and the Disney channel are about as far away from romance as you can get.”

“Listen. I’m starving. I’m sore. And I’m horny. And you’re bitching because a gorgeous man in gray sweatpants, that probably show off what I’m betting is an enormous dick, brought you coffee and is taking you home to make you dinner. Bad-ass bitch is better than calling you a scaredy cat. Now, embrace the fear. Enjoy the dinner. And let him get to second base. Love you. Gotta go.”

“The kids are easy. It’s my brother who’s probably gonna be a pain in the ass.” “Oh, pain-in-the-ass brothers, I can handle.”

“Hey, asshat. Did you bring home din . . . ner?” He looks at me, dragging his eyes over me from the bow in my hair down to the toes of my shoes, and I resist the urge to flinch. Instead, I lift my eyes to Cross. “You Wilder boys do not make the best first impressions, do you?”

“Yeah . . . That’s Ares,” Cross groans. “Watch out for him. He’s not housebroken.”

“And why’s everyone picking on me?” “Because you just checked me out like I’m a stripper,”

Ares smiles, and Cross growls. Legit growls. And it’s surprisingly hot. Like panty-melting. And I’m wearing expensive panties.

“Well, she’s a smoke show and a ball buster.” Ares watches Kerrigan lead Everly out of the kitchen. “Any chance she’s got a sister?” “She’s got a twin sister,”

“You know you’re a douche, right?” The fucker smiles. “It’s one of my better qualities.”

“You’re going to destroy me, Cross Wilder.” “I’m pretty sure you’re going to save me, baby.”

She’s okay with rushed, but this woman needs to know she deserves so much more than that.

“You gonna run, Cinderella?” “Not yet, big man.” It’s the yet that I’ve got to work on.

You don’t have to marry the prettiest girl at the game. Marry the girl screaming the loudest because her team is losing. That girl is going to raise winners, and you want your kids to be winners.

“Oh, come on. We’re watching football. Don’t pull the girl-talk shit during the game,”

“Do not make me an innocent bystander.” “Like you’re so innocent.”

If Cross thought his house was a shit show, he ain’t seen nothing yet.

Yeah . . . and now I’m glad I’m holding Jax. It would really suck if I hit Everly’s brother.

My daughter, who doesn’t talk to strangers. “It’s okay. Daddy says Uncle Ares gets hit in the head too many times, and ice is hard. We have to be nice to him.”

“He’s like a brother.” “I’m way more sane than your brothers, evil twin,”

And no offense to Everly, but she’s got boobs, and Jax is a boob man. The minute his head hit those, he was a happy baby.

“You’re happy, and my kids are happy. It’s a good day.”

“Daughter dearest, do you know me at all? The only bad part about being pregnant with all of you was giving up caffeine. And it was the only time in my life I’m ever going to do that. Now sit and tell me why you’re here.”

“Well, you’re drinking caffeine, so at least I know you’re not pregnant.”

What’s his name? What did he do? And can I use it in my next book?” “Why does it have to be a guy?” I protest pitifully. “You’re in my kitchen, eating ice cream from a carton on a Saturday night instead of out with the girls,”

“You two haven’t been sneaking the tequila into your tea, have you?” “No, dear. Whiskey goes in tea.” My mother, ladies and gentlemen.

“I’m falling hard, and I’m petrified.”

“And if he hurts you, Uncle Sam could make him disappear,”

“Sweetheart, relationships are scary. But you’re my fearless girl. Scary hasn’t ever stopped you before. Are you going to let it now?” Some days, I wish I could be the good twin. Fearlessness is overrated.

You’ve been parked in front of my house for thirty minutes. Either you’ve got something on your mind or you’re casing the joint. And since your condo might be worth two of my houses, I’m thinking it’s the first thing.

My ass would look great in one of those cat burglar suits. Cross It would look better up in the air, bright red, and covered with my handprints. But that would require you coming inside. Cinderella Is that a promise?

We might destroy each other, but I’m not going down without a fight.

“I need you so fucking much, Everly. You’re mine, baby. Mine to take care of. To protect. And I’ll tell you as many times as you need to hear it.”

“You want to tell me why you sat in front of my house for thirty minutes?” “There are other things I’d rather be doing.”

I lose the ability to think, or care, or breathe. Breathing is overrated.

“You’re fucking right, I’m yours. And I don’t share, Everly. Not with anyone. Not even a past that haunts you. You’re gonna let me in one day, so I can destroy those demons for you.”

Patience I can do. But with her mouth on me, restraint is way fucking harder.

But I’ve got to go grab a condom first. I didn’t exactly think to put one in my pocket when I thought you were sitting in front of my house ready to end things.”

“Because once you let me inside you bare, I’m not letting you go, baby.” “Don’t let go, Cross. Even when I run. Don’t let go.”

She asked me not to let go even when she runs. I guess she hasn’t realized I’m not going anywhere. Unless it’s to chase her.