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  Wild Child

  Bella Jewel

  Published by Bella Jewel, 2017.

  ~*WILD CHILD*~

  All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any form without prior written permission of the publisher, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

  WILD CHILD

  Copyright © 2017 Bella Jewel

  WILD CHILD is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I hope you all enjoy this short, but totally sexy novel! Thanks for reading. I think you’re all going to love Slade and Rachel just as much as I did writing them. Enjoy!

  PROLOGUE

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THRITEEN

  FOURTEEN

  EPILOGUE | Six months later

  THE END

  Read on for an excerpt from | The Watcher | Available May 2017 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks

  PROLOGUE

  ONE

  TWO

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  As always, my heartfelt thanks to every single blogger, reader and author that has supported my journey. From reading my books, to sharing them, to raving about them, to being there for me. Thank you. My career would be nothing without any of you.

  A massive thanks to Ben Ellis from BE Designs for this gorgeous cover. Not only did you come in at the last minute, you did an absolutely incredible job. I honestly have no words to explain how grateful I am to you for all the help you put in. I’m forever in your debt.

  A big, heartfelt thanks to Ready, Set, Edit for doing this book for me at the last moment. I really appreciate the time you took to help me out, and how patient you were when my kids weren’t well!! Thank you so much, lovely.

  And of course, to my admin, MJ, for ALWAYS keeping my page running beautifully. I couldn’t do it without you, girly. I love your teasers and your passion; thank you for taking the time out of your life to help this poor girl keep everything running.

  And, last but certainly not least, to my loyal readers. To each and every one of you that picks up my books and give me a chance. To the reviews you write, good or bad. To the time you take to make me a better person. You make this real for me; never stop giving such love and passion. You make our journey so amazing.

  I hope you all enjoy this short, but totally sexy novel! Thanks for reading. I think you’re all going to love Slade and Rachel just as much as I did writing them. Enjoy!

  PROLOGUE

  “I can’t believe you’re actually doing it, you’re leaving,” my best friend, Lara, says, her eyes on mine, her expression sad.

  I reach over, trying to hold back the tears clogging my throat, and pull Lara in for another hug, gripping her as tightly as I can, bringing her close even though our bodies are already squashed together. “I know, I’m still not sure I’m ready,” I say, stepping back and swiping my eyes as a rogue tear escapes and trickles down my cheek.

  “It’s not that far,” Lara says, her own eyes glassy and red. She’s trying to make me feel better, I know this, but she looks as devastated as me about the fact that for the first time in forever, we’re going to be apart.

  “No, it’s really not,” I nod, trying to reassure myself that I’m making the right choice and everything will be fine.

  “It’s such an amazing opportunity,” Lara whispers, taking a deep breath and then exhaling slowly. “I’m so proud of you.”

  I swallow again, trying to control my emotions. I know she’s right, but leaving, making the choice to change my entire life, it wasn’t easy. “I don’t know what I’ll do without you, Bethy, and Noah. You guys have been my family for the last few years. I’m not sure how I’ll ever enjoy another Friday night without Bethy leaping all over my lap and you and Noah making sickly love faces at each other.”

  Lara laughs, her eyes lighting up. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to manage. Maybe you’ll meet a nice man in Colorado Springs. A mountain guy, perhaps.”

  I purse my lips and am already shaking my head before the words come out of my mouth. “I’m sworn off men, certainly mountain men.”

  She raises her brows at me. “You did decide to rent a cabin ... at the edge of the mountains ...”

  “It was the cheapest option,” I point out, feeling uneasy again.

  Maybe I made the wrong choice taking this job. I know nobody in Colorado Springs; I’m literally starting all over again on my own. I’ve been a city girl for a long time, and while Colorado Springs isn’t some tiny place, it’s still not what I’m used to.

  “You’ve lived in a city your whole life,” Lara says, as if reading my thoughts. Then she proceeds to bite her bottom lip to stop herself from laughing. “How in the hell are you going to cope in a cabin?”

  I cross my arms, trying to ignore my pounding heart. “I’ll be fine, thank you very much. It can’t be that hard.”

  Noah snorts from his silent position against the car—all dark, broody, handsome-ness that he is. I shoot him a glare, and he grins at me. Anyone can see why Lara adores him. Outside of enduring a crazy serial killer together, they just fit. They’re made for each other. Some people are like that, I think. They are just two pieces that fit together perfectly, as if they were broken at some point and have finally found a way back to each other, so they can make themselves whole again.

  “Don’t laugh, Noah,” I huff. “I’m not as prissy as you all think.”

  “You ever chopped wood for a fire?” he asks, raising his brows.

  I swallow, and cross my arms. “Well, no, but it can’t be that hard.”

  “You ever killed a spider bigger than your own hand?”

  My face pales, he’s kidding...Right? “Now you’re just being mean.”

  Lara gives him a look, and he chuckles. “You’ll be fine, Rach. People are helpful in smaller places like that; you’ll make friends easily.”

  I exhale, rubbing my arms again. “Well, I have to hit the road if I’m going to make it before dark.”

  Lara’s lip trembles again. I try to avoid staring at it, because if I do I’m going to start crying again, too. And that’s not going to help anyone.

  “Stop crying,” I say, fighting back my tears. “I’ll visit on weekends when I can, and we’ll talk all the time on the phone.”

  “I’m going to miss you so much,” she chokes out, hugging me again.

  “Me too,” I say softly. “Give Bethy an extra hug for me when she wakes up. I’m going to miss her like crazy.”

  “I will. Drive safe, and text me when you get there.”

  I nod, stepping back and turning to my car, sliding in the driver’s seat. I stare at Lara and Noah’s apartment then around the block one last time before pulling out onto the road. I watch the city disappear into the distance, and the old life I created going along with it.

  Only when I’m out on the
open road, do I let myself cry.

  Really hard and really ugly.

  It’ll be worth it. It will.

  I’ve got this.

  ONE

  “Here are your keys and all the information in regards to your tenant agreement is in the cabin. I’ve put directions on how to get there on the back. If you have any questions, there is a list of phone number in there. We’re always happy to help. I hope you like it.”

  I stare at the kind, young lady dangling a set of keys at me. I snap out of my daze after a few seconds and take them, mumbling a nervous, “Thank you so much.”

  Then I turn and rush out of the office I rented the cabin through and back to my car. It’s January in Colorado Springs, and the weather is crisp out, enough for me to have a jacket on. It isn’t unfamiliar weather, but the idea of being in a cabin alone with it? Not so appealing.

  I glance at the directions on the back of the paper the lady gave me to get a better idea of where my cabin is. The sun is just beginning to set, so I know I’m not going to get a lot of time to find it before dark. It isn’t far away, of course, but I do need to set up enough to sleep the night. I got some food just before I arrived, so at least I don’t have to worry about going to the store until tomorrow.

  I pull out onto the highway and follow it just out of town, making a few turns until I reach the dirt road that leads to my cabin. They assured me when I rented the place that I wasn’t stuck out here alone, that there were neighbors. As I drive closer and turn down the avenue my cabin is on, I can see three cabins all situated on a cleared surface.

  Each has their own driveway and their own little gardens, but otherwise they’re basically all sitting in the lush, open area where the grass is so green it appears almost fake, but I know it isn’t. That’s the only clear space, however. The cabins back onto thick woodland that looks up into the mountains. A few large, shady trees are situated around the clearing. It’s very homely and extremely picturesque. The views are out of this world. Snow-capped mountains as far as the eye can see.

  I glance at the number of my cabin and realize I’m the furthest to the left, nestled on the edge of the woods. The cabin in the middle is a good fifty yards away, so definitely not too close but close enough to get help if I need it. That’s fine with me; I needed some solitude, I wanted to get away from the bustling city life. Sometimes, it feels like I just can’t think, let alone find time to myself.

  I park my car in the driveway and get out, staring at the small cabin. It isn’t tiny, but it isn’t massive, either. What it is is cheap. I’m not going to be able to afford a great deal. I’m starting as a trainee assistant at a law office on Monday, a job I’ve been hoping to land for a while, but as a trainee, the pay rate isn’t over the top at the start. If I do well and eventually become a full-time law assistant, which is what I hope to do, then it’ll get better.

  But for now, I won’t be spending my weekends on the town, that’s for sure.

  Taking a deep, shaky breath, I walk toward the cabin and up the front steps. They creak beneath my toes, and doing what any normal person would do, I stop and jump up and down a little to ensure they’re not going to fall out from beneath me. Whoever came up with such a bizarre way of testing something flimsy sure didn’t think it through.

  I step up onto the small wraparound deck lining the small cabin and stare. It’s furnished, which I paid a little extra for, but it was worth it. I didn’t own any of my furniture in my old apartment, as it too came fully furnished. There is an old swing chair on the patio, a small table and chairs, and a shoe rack. I smile, feeling a little more at ease, and walk up to the front door.

  Sliding the key in the lock, I exhale the breath I didn’t realize I had been holding, then I turn the key and push the wooden door open. The lights aren’t on, and it takes me a few seconds to find them. When I do, I flick them on and stare around at what I’m going to be calling home for some time.

  It’s not as terrible as I imagined in my mind; in fact, it’s actually quite quaint. The floors, walls, and even the kitchen are all wood, but it doesn’t seem overbearing in any way. It works, the different shades blend together perfectly. It’s one big living area, with the kitchen, the living room, and dining room all in one large open space. I walk in further, dropping my purse down, and I keep moving through.

  The furniture, from what I can see, is old but in good condition. The couch is a pale yellow, but it looks comfortable and clean. There is a glass dining table with four chairs in the dining room, a few book shelves and wooden pieces around, and some nice paintings on the walls. The kitchen is small, but it works, and after a quick check in the cupboards, it has everything I’ll need.

  I move to the door off to the left of the kitchen and open it to find a bedroom, the main one, from what I can see. It holds a queen bed, a few bedside tables with lamps, and a desk in the corner near the large window. It looks warm and even has a fire place. I move out and down the small hall-like creation to the second bedroom, which also holds a queen bed but is a lot smaller than the first room.

  The last thing I find is the bathroom, which is also the washing room. The space is big enough that it doesn’t seem at all cramped. A large bath, a shower in the corner, and a sink are on the left of the room, and to the right is the washer and dryer, as well as a shelf holding a range of different colored towels.

  I can work with this.

  The sun is slowly disappearing outside, and a cool breeze whips through the open door of the cabin. I walk over, carefully closing it, and move to the fireplace in the living room, staring at it. There is no wood in it. I glance around wondering if it’s electric, but it isn’t. Where do I get wood? Is there some outside? I can already tell I’ll need it tonight; I don’t handle the cold on a good day.

  I have a few more minutes before the sun disappears completely, so I rush outside and past my car, moving around the cabin a few times. There are a few simple gardens, a small shed, but no wood. Frowning, I walk back around the front and glance over at the cabin to my left. I guess there is no time like the present to meet my neighbors and maybe ask for some wood?

  Right?

  I hope they like me.

  Better yet, I hope I like them.

  ~*~*~*~

  I walk up the front steps of the cabin closest to mine. There is a little light coming from the inside, but no noise to be heard. I hope I’m not disturbing them, whoever is in this cabin, that is. I raise a hand and quietly knock, obviously too quietly because nobody answers. Frowning, I knock a bit harder. Nothing. I try again. Still nothing.

  Maybe nobody is home?

  “He won’t answer.”

  I squeal at the sound of a small voice behind me and spin around to see a young boy standing behind me. He’s maybe nine, possibly ten, with a mop of blond hair, big blue eyes hidden beneath square glasses, and a small frame. He stares up at me, and for a moment, I’m not entirely sure what to say. Does this child live here? Gosh, I didn’t even hear him come up behind me.

  “Do you know who lives here?” I ask him, finally finding my voice.

  He stares at me some more, taking me in. “Yes, I live here.”

  “Oh,” I say, exhaling a little. “I’m not meaning to bother anyone, I just wanted some help with, ah, the fireplace.”

  The little boy stares some more, really fixated on my face. “What’s your name?”

  “Rachel.”

  He purses his lips. “That’s a pretty name. I’m Ryder, like the bike.”

  I smile. He’s cute, dorky, even, but has the coolest name of any kid I know. “It’s nice to meet you, Ryder. Do you live with your dad?”

  His eyes skitter away for a second, and then he nods sharply just before the door swings open. I spin around so quickly I nearly lose my footing then open my mouth to speak to my neighbor, but instead of any words forming, my mouth just hangs open as I stare at the man filling the door frame.

  Sweet. Baby. Jesus.

  I can’t make my mouth close
, and I’m trying, believe me, I’m trying, but the man in front of me ... I’ve never seen anything like him. Never in my life. Not for a single second. Sure, I’ve seen pictures resembling the man standing in front of me, maybe even movies, but I’ve never seen a man like him in the city. He’s certainly not the type you see getting around at the mall, or sitting in little coffee shops.

  He’s huge. That’s the first thing I notice—his frame fills the doorway. He’s easily over six foot and has the biggest biceps on any male I’ve ever laid eyes on. His chest is broad, narrowing down, but not too much, into an extremely muscular body. His legs are thick and strong. He’s wearing a pair of faded denim jeans, ripped around the knees, and a red and black checkered shirt, open and flowing in the breeze, revealing a huge, muscled, bronze chest.

  It’s his face, though. Covered in a rugged beard, not too long, not too short, just enough to give him a dangerous masculine edge. Dark hair, messy, falling over his forehead complements his masculine face that hold a pair of the deepest, darkest, brown eyes I’ve ever seen. His nose is slightly crooked, obviously having been broken at some stage.

  He’s a mountain man. Through and through.

  And I’ve never seen anyone like him.

  Lara would lose her ever-loving mind if she knew this man was my neighbor. God, she’d pop a top.

  “This lady is from next door,” Ryder says. “Her name is Rachel. She can’t find any wood for her fire. She needs help.”

  I didn’t tell Ryder I couldn’t find wood, I just said I needed help with the fireplace, but I don’t say anything. I wonder if he was near my cabin? Shrugging it off, I open my mouth to speak to the giant standing in front of me, still not saying a single word. He’s just glowering at me, like I’m in his space, bothering his alone time, and like he wants me anywhere but on his front porch.

  “Ryder, inside,” he says, gruffly.

  His voice is like ... gravel. Rough, husky, deep, and terrifying. Ryder nods, looking over to me once more. “Nice to meet you, Miss Rachel.”