Free Wilde For You (The Wilde Sisters Book 3) by Marianne Rice Page B

If he had a nickel for every time he heard that in therapy growing up. It only took fifteen years for him to finally believe it.
    “I have nothing to show for myself, Luke. No job, no money. No clothes. Dylan…he made me…dress a certain way. Eat particular foods. Diet. Wear my hair…” She ran her hand down her limp hair before picking at the sub roll.
    “I’m assuming the asshole didn’t pick out today’s wardrobe?”
    Rachael tried to smile, wincing when her grin threatened to escape, and touched her cheek. “He’d be mortified.”
    She looked like a homeless woman, but he supposed she was. After Rachael picked at her sandwich she agreed to lie down and take a nap. When she zonked right out it gave Luke a few minutes to catch up on his messages from work and family. Not wanting to talk on the phone and wake her, he stuck with texts. The first he sent was to his mom to tell her Rach was okay and they’d be home in a few days; then he sifted through the thirty-seven unread texts.
    Taking care of work first, he rescheduled his shifts. When he got back he’d be working seven days a week and wouldn’t be around to help his sister. At least Rachael would have their mom. And Lucy. The sisters were never close but they would have time to connect when they were reunited. They needed each other whether they knew it or not.
    Instead of responding to all of his siblings’ texts, he replied in a group message, giving them the low-down on Rachael. The last text he opened was from Sage.
    Damn, his heart sped up just looking at her name in his inbox.
     
    Let me know if you’d like to schedule an appointment. My calendar is filling up.
     
    He laughed despite himself. The minx left that message on purpose. She couldn’t come right out and say she missed him, although he knew she did, and she didn’t want to sound needy. Not her style.
    The woman was a complicated mix of strength, stubbornness, and sass with a dash of compassion. Offering to be a surrogate for her barren sister was one of the most selfless acts of love he’d ever seen. Uncomfortable with her generosity, Sage Wilde did not like people to see the caring side of her. Upfront and brash was more her style.
    His fingers lingered over his phone before he replied:
     
    Family emergency in California. I’ll be home soon. Don’t fill up all your slots on your calendar. I’ll need a few hours for our next…appointment.
     
    He hit Send and grinned.
    “I recognize that look.” Luke glanced over at Rachael, who pulled herself to a sitting position, leaning against the headboard. “Who’s the girl?”
    “How are you feeling?”
    “You’re evading.”
    “Hungry?”
    “For some gossip.”
    “I’m not one to kiss and tell.”
    “Ah.” She smirked. “So there’s kissing. Anything else? Wedding bells?”
    Sage? Wedding bells? She’d probably planned her share of weddings for other people, but he couldn’t see her being content in a church with a white dress. She was more a tropical island wedding girl. Nothing too emotional or sentimental. Too bad Luke and his family were the sentimental type.
    “Hm. Very telling. Not only are you evading, but your mind is picturing marriage. Kids. House. You’re quite obvious, Luke Riley.”
    “Shut up, kid,” he teased. “Let’s get out of here.”
     
    ***
     
    Sage
     
    I’ll need a few hours. Oh, what Luke Riley could do to her for a few hours. The possibilities were endless. The cold water she sipped did nothing to cool the burning she felt in her cheeks and her chest.
    It had been way too long since she’d last had sex, and it seemed even longer since she had seen Luke. A family crisis in California? She remembered him talking about a sister out there. Something serious must have happened for him to leave with no notice and to stay away for so long.
    Not that she knew him very well. They’d only gone out a few times, if their encounters could be considered as much. More like somewhat planned chance