Wilde About Her (Wilde Pack Series) Read online

  Wilde About Her

  ~The Wilde Wolf Pack Series~

  Angie Daniels

  Copyright © 2016 Angie Daniels

  ISBN-13: 978-1-941342-14-5

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. For questions and comments please contact at [email protected].

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Book List

  About the Author

  1

  As Denim entered the town of Justice, Texas, she slowed her VW Bug to a crawl. A fifteen miles an hour speed limit. Really? This wasn’t at all how she’d planned to spend her summer. Not even close.

  Welcome to Justice, home of the best iced tea in all of Texas.

  She scowled at the large billboard up ahead. The place was so small, if you blinked, you’d miss it. The mayor had come up with the ridiculous idea to put up a sign large enough for everyone to see. Luckily, Justice was so close to the interstate, it drew thousands of visitors, mostly passing through.

  It’s a nice place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there.

  The sun was beginning to set and had bathed the shabby town in orange and brown. Denim released a frustrated sigh. The colors were just as bland and boring as the summer ahead. After graduation, her college roommate had headed off to Mexico to stay in a rented hacienda, while she was going to be stuck in Dullsville USA. Nothing exciting ever happened in this town. Denim would know. Every summer, until her thirteenth birthday, she had come to Justice to stay with her grandparents.

  She traveled down First Street with its small stores displaying fashions that had gone out of style three seasons ago. Shopping… real shopping… was hanging out at Macy’s with her girlfriends and afterwards dining at The Cheesecake Factory before returning to campus to hang out or study at the coffee shop. But senior year was now over. Last week she’d graduated with a degree in hotel and restaurant management. Stupid her, had declined an internship with a Fortune 500 corporation because that would have meant being away from her boyfriend.

  Stupid girl!

  But how was she to have known her life was going to take a soaring nosedive? She was supposed to be in New York with her boyfriend Asher, who had landed a super awesome job with one of the top advertising agencies in the country. They had plans to rent an apartment in one of those trendy, high-rise buildings in Manhattan. Denim would have eventually landed a fabulous job managing a restaurant, then busted her ass taking it to the next level. It was supposed to be Asher and Denim against the world, with their lives mapped out for the next five years, and yet she was back in the last place she thought she’d ever be.

  Justice, Texas.

  She pulled into the parking lot of Pappy’s Diner, shut off the engine and just sat there, and thought about Asher and how amazing their relationship had been before she caught him in bed with another girl. And not just any girl. Her so-called best friend. Kimberly.

  The jokes on you, Denim!

  Hell, there was no telling how long the relationship had been going on. She shivered as the horror of that day slithered through her mind. The only reason she had even found out was because she had gotten off early from her job at the movie theatre and had gone directly to the fraternity house to surprise Asher. Instead, Denim got the biggest surprise of her life!

  The two had even the audacity to text and try to apologize.

  Denim, I’m sorry.

  Babe, it just happened.

  Yeah, right. Her boyfriend tripped on an area rug and fell between her best friend’s legs.

  Every time Denim thought about it, she got pissed all over again. Kimberly had been smiling in her face while sneaking around behind her back. Denim had given both a piece of her mind, then avoided them while she finished the last few weeks of school. By then bags were packed and her VW loaded before she’d even completed her last exam. The worst part was she and Kimberly were both from Tulsa, so that meant going home to her parents for the summer and risking the chance of running into her, or even worse, running into them. There was no way in hell she could have stomached that, so when Mother told her Pappy really needed her help and asked would she be interested in coming down for the summer, Denim jumped at the chance of getting away from them and her mother’s probing questions.

  So here she was, back in Justice. No more Asher. No more Kimberly. No more self-pity.

  Yeah, right.

  The Texas heat hit her like a furnace the second she opened the car door. Clearly, the humidity was going to be hell on her long, wavy hair. She stepped out in a black and white striped dress and strappy high-heels. Not a good choice for the gravel parking lot, but there was no way she was spending her entire summer, sporting sneakers and flats.

  After shutting the door, she stared over at the dingy, red building in front of her. Pappy’s Diner. Today’s special had been scribbled on the storefront window. Mouthwatering southern fried steak.

  Whoopty-freaking-do.

  Denim drew another sigh. It was too late to change her mind. She was already there, so there was no point in complaining now.

  She swung a blue Prada purse over her shoulder and was taking slow, cautious steps—so she wouldn’t fall flat on her ass—when she heard someone calling her.

  “OMG, Denim, is that you?”

  Turning around, she spotted a slender woman in her early twenties, wearing a skirt that revealed enough thigh to turn the heads of anyone passing by.

  “Denim, don’t act like you don’t know who I am!” she cried.

  Suddenly, Denim’s jaw dropped, emphasizing her surprise. “Quinn, is that you?”

  The young woman’s red lips tipped upward as she hurried over, dark, spiral curls bouncing, and threw her arms around her. “I missed you so much!” she shrieked, then drew back and faked a frown. Instantly, Denim knew the drilling was about to begin. “How come you stopped answering my letters?”

  “I guess I got older and teenagers started texting instead of writing,” she teased.

  Quinn giggled. “True, but you could have at least called.”

  She nodded. “I know. I should have, but after Grandma Bea… well, you know.”

  Quinn’s cocoa-brown eyes were warm and sympathetic as her smile returned. “I know. It’s just I really missed you!”

  Denim swallowed tightly because the truth was she had missed Quinn something terrible. Back then, they had shared everything, and at one point, she had been the sister she never had. As she noticed the piercing in Quinn’s tongue, Denim grinned and admitted, “I missed you too.”

  Quinn reared back with a look of excited curiosity in her eyes. “So what made you decide to finally come to visit?”

  While
leaning against her car, she explained. “Pappy needs my help this summer.”

  She nodded, knowingly, sending big silver earrings swinging from her earlobes. “I heard Elaine’s going to Memphis to help her Mama.”

  “Yep, so here I am,” Denim mumbled and then gave a playful roll of the eyes.

  Quinn giggled again. “It’s not so bad. It will give us a chance to catch up,” she added in a singsong voice. Denim just wished she could share in her excitement. “I can catch you up on all the gossip. And—ooh—did Pappy tell you we now have a Walmart right outside of town?”

  “I can’t wait to see it,” Denim drawled sarcastically.

  “Hey, we gotta start somewhere!” She laughed and Denim joined in the way they used to when they were two little girls getting into trouble.

  “What are you doing now?” Denim asked, taking in Quinn’s tailored, gray suit and white, flat sandals on her feet, showing off toes that were painted in a cotton-candy pink.

  “I’m attending classes at the community college and working for Daddy,” she explained. Quinn’s father was the town’s dentist. “I’m hoping to be a dental hygienist.”

  “Good for you!” Denim told her that up until a few weeks ago she’d had no immediate plans to join the rat race. Now she was looking for a job. “This chick here is tryna get paid!” They laughed some more and then started talking about celebrities gossip and fashion—two of Denim’s favorite subjects. She was having such a good time talking to Quinn and was in no rush to see her go. “You still stay at your parent’s house?”

  “Ewww, no way. I have a small apartment and a roommate at this new complex off Chestnut Avenue. Please say you’ll come by and see me.”

  “Sure,” Denim replied. “I need something to do around here.”

  She cocked a brow at her. “Gee thanks.”

  “I’m kidding. Really, I would love to hang out and catch up,” she added, with a cluck of the tongue.

  Quinn squealed and stamped her foot. “Cool! I’ll drop by the diner tomorrow and we can talk. I better go. I need to pick up some tortilla chips. My roommate is making tacos.”

  Denim waved and watched her tall, leggy friend saunter into the convenience store. Maybe being stuck in this stupid town wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  Yeah, right.

  Turning on her heels, Denim walked across the parking lot and stepped into the diner with the cool air hitting her damp skin. A bell rung overhead. She walked across the restaurant and scanned the interior, taking in the customers as a warm familiar feeling swept over her. I used to love hanging around this place.

  The diner was crowded with workers from the local tire factory and travelers passing through town wearing tank tops and flip-flops.

  “Well, well, look who’s back!” Elaine’s voice bellowed over the diner.

  Denim couldn’t resist a grin at the round woman who stepped from behind the counter. Quickly, she walked over and curled her arms around Elaine’s neck, kissing her dark rosy cheek.

  “Look at you. We need to fatten you up.” Her dark eyes narrowed as she drew back and gave Denim’s thin frame a thorough scanning. “What were you doing at school, starving?”

  She smiled. “I eat. I’m just health conscious.”

  Elaine gave a dismissive wave. “You can’t keep up your strength eating nothing but salads.”

  “Says who?” Denim laughed and took in her thick, voluptuous frame. She had known Elaine almost her entire life and she couldn’t remember her ever fixing a meal that didn’t include her homemade biscuits.

  Lips quirked, Elaine gazed at her and said, “I’m so glad you’re here to help Pappy. Summer’s a busy time, so I feel bad leaving him.”

  Dismissively, Denim replied, “No problem. I'm glad I could come down and help. How’s your Mama doing?”

  “It’s her hip again,” she hastened to explain. “This is the second time she has fallen. I’m really thinking it’s time I pack her up and convince her to move in with me. But I’m afraid that’s going to take some time.”

  “Take all the time you need. I’ve got the entire summer.” Did I just say that? Stupid. Stupid. It was the proper thing to say, but the look in Elaine’s eyes said she might just take her up on the offer. God, I hoped not!

  “Pappy told me you snagged yourself a rich kid. Lucky you.” Elaine clearly looked impressed.

  Her cheeks warmed and instead of telling her she was officially single again, Denim simply nodded.

  “Pappy will be so happy to see you! Go ahead, he’s in back and when you get done, I’m making you a hamburger.”

  As if her stomach remembered how juicy Elaine’s burgers were, it rumbled.

  The shift supervisor went over to refill water glasses while Denim wove her way through the tables and moved behind the counter. Customers were sitting on red vinyl barstools, watching the evening news that was playing on a century-old television, mounted near the window. The diner was badly in need of a makeover. Maybe she could convince her grandfather to consider some new design ideas.

  One of the other waitresses greeted Denim with a wary smile. It had no doubt been a long stressful day, dealing with customers. She introduced herself, then pushed open the swinging door and stepped into the kitchen.

  There were three staff members in back, loading customers’ orders on trays at a rapid speed. Denim spotted her grandfather stirring a pot on the stove with one hand, and scratching a bald spot at the back of his head with the other.

  “I’m home!” she announced, merrily. Pappy turned, looked over and grinned.

  “And it’s about time. I was getting worried,” he greeted, his arms outstretched as she walked over and hugged his frail middle. She noticed he’d lost weight since she’d seen him over Christmas. As usual he smelled like Old Spice.

  “Well, well, let Pappy take a look at you.” He finally released her and pushed his glasses further onto his nose as his eyes traveled from head to toe. She ruffled his hair. All gray but still thick except for the bald area in the middle. “Were they feeding you at that campus?” he asked.

  Denim laughed. The way his clothes were hanging loosely on his body, he was one to talk. “I eat three meals a day. I promise.”

  Pappy pierced her with his chocolate gaze and looked like he didn’t believe her before a smile curled his lips. “We’ll have plenty of time to catch up. Right now let me introduce you to the rest of my crew. Then I need you to grab an apron and take these carry-out orders to the front.”

  That was Pappy for you. All about business.

  Denim met the two men working at the grill and then a woman with a spiked hairdo, working at the preparation table. While they exchanged cordial greetings and handshakes, she kept thinking, this was going to be her family for the next three months. We are definitely an odd bunch.

  Denim reached for an apron hanging from a hook near the door and slipped it over her clothes. Kitty, the female, looked down at her feet, then brought a hand to her hip, frowning. “Those shoes are not safe in here.”

  Denim nodded. “You’re right. I’ll take the orders up front and as soon as it slows down, I’ll run out to my car.” It appeared she’d be wearing sneakers after all.

  After washing her hands, Denim carried the orders out and set the bags down behind the counter. A customer signaled for a refill. She reached for the coffee pot and filled his mug and then a water glass for another. While she wiped down the counter, she listened as the weatherman talked about scorching temperatures for the next few days. Hopefully, the air condition units at Pappy’s house were working.

  The bell chimed. Denim looked over toward the door and the breath left her lungs in a rush.

  OMG!

  He was definitely a hottie. From the top of his head, down to the bottoms of his black boots. Twenty, maybe twenty-two, with eyes that were a strange color—the pupils were dark, the irises gold and so intense she felt a flutter rise from her stomach and into her throat. Oh my, he was yummy. And then there was that long, a
sh-blonde hair that he wore pulled back with a black elastic band. It was wavy enough to make a girl yearn to run her fingers through it.

  As he strode over to the counter, Denim took in his attire, faded jeans that rode low on his hips and a sleeveless leather vest, showing off tattoos on both of his arms. Plates clattering in back caused her to startle, and she realized she’d been staring at him with her mouth hanging open. Quickly, Denim clamped her lips shut and fluttered her eyelashes a few times just to make sure she really wasn’t seeing things.

  Nope. Mr. Hottie was still standing there, eyes roaming over her face.

  Denim’s breasts tingled and her breathing quickened. She drew in a slow breath, hoping to calm her frantic heart. “May I…” She paused to clear the frog. “May I help you?” she repeated and still heard her voice crack. Denim, you are such a loser!

  After several breathtaking moments, he spoke, “I’m picking up a double cheeseburger and fries.” He had a wicked voice that made her stomach clench. She felt flushed and intoxicated at levels she had never reached from drinking beer.

  Her mouth went dry and she swallowed hard, trying not to stare and yet everyone else in the diner had been forgotten.

  While holding her gaze, he gestured toward the bags. “Is that my food?”

  Denim looked down at the counter, then made the mistake of meeting his eyes again. He was smiling, flashing irresistible dimples.

  “Oh! Sure! This is probably yours.” She fumbled over her words like a complete idiot as she swung around, grabbed the bag with a receipt attached that matched the items he had mentioned, and then slid it across the counter. “Uh… that will be six-ninety-nine.”

  She was practically salivating while he reached into his pocket, removed a ten and held it out. Denim made the mistake of touching his hand and nearly gasped when she felt his hot, rough skin against her own. Goodness, it was like sticking her hand in a roaring fire! With a harsh intake of air, she ripped her hand away.

  “Keep the change,” he murmured, as a smirk lifted one corner of his perfect mouth, and without another glance, he turned and walked back out the door.