15. Colt
Chapter 15
Colt
F riday night came too slowly and too quickly at the same time. It felt like I sat around, waiting in agony for it to arrive only for it to catch me completely off guard when it finally did. The moment we got into Eli’s car, I was a nervous wreck. I kept my hands folded tightly in my lap, my fingers fidgeting with the seam of my pant leg.
I didn’t understand what was wrong with me. Ever since the lunch date with Eli, I’d been as jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof. I wanted to be around him and nowhere near him all at the same time. There were moments here and there where I caught him staring at me, that mischievous glint in his eye, and it made my heart jump into my throat. Of course, there were the occasional nonchalant brushes of his hand against me that set my body aflame. It took very little to get me going. But each time it happened, when I was ready to risk it all just to be in his arms, he left me to my own devices.
The man was teasing me damn near to death. And now we were in the car together, headed for my apartment out on the Baker Ranch. I hadn’t told Caroline I was visiting or that Eli would be with me. I didn’t really want anyone to know. Partially because I was scared and also because I wanted him to myself with no interruptions.
The drive to the ranch felt endless, each mile stretching out before us like an eternity. We made a quick stop for beer and a pizza that we’d ordered before we left. It smelled good in the back seat, but I could hardly think about food. Eli hummed softly along with the radio, his fingers tapping the steering wheel in rhythm. I stole glances at him, admiring the way the setting sun painted his profile in golden hues.
“You're awfully quiet, Colt,” Eli said, breaking the silence. His eyes flickered to me for a moment before returning to the road. “Nervous?”
I swallowed hard, willing my voice not to shake. “No, just... thinking.”
Eli chuckled, a low, rich sound that sent shivers down my spine. “Dangerous pastime, that. Especially for meatheads like you.”
“Very funny.” Still, I couldn’t help but smile.
As we pulled onto the dirt road leading to the ranch, my stomach twisted into knots. What if Caroline saw us? What if Logan was around? I wasn't ready for questions, for knowing looks, for the inevitable fallout that would follow.
But as we rounded the final bend, I saw the ranch house was dark. No trucks in the driveway, no lights on inside. It looked like the arena was empty too as we drove around out to my apartment. A wave of relief washed over me, followed quickly by a surge of anticipation. We were alone.
Eli parked the car and turned to me, his rich brown eyes gleaming in the twilight. “Well, cowboy, you gonna invite me in or what?”
I fumbled with my seatbelt, suddenly all thumbs. “Yeah, of course. Come on in.”
We walked to the front door, the gravel crunching beneath our boots. I fumbled with my keys, hyperaware of Eli's presence behind me. When I finally got the door open, I flicked on the lights and gestured for him to enter.
“It ain't much,” I said, suddenly self-conscious of my borrowed living space that had nothing but basic furnishings. My suitcase still sat in the corner, open but never unpacked. “But it’s comfortable.”
Eli put the pizza and the beer down on the small kitchen counter. “I wondered what these looked like inside,” he smiled, glancing around. “Mom and Dad mentioned the arena was being built with some places for the teachers. But I didn’t know they’d be so nice.”
Eli's eyes roamed the apartment, taking in every detail. I watched him, my heart racing. He moved with such grace, such confidence. Even in this small space, he commanded attention, something he’d obviously learned after years working his way up the ladder at a large company. And the way his bulge shifted in those designer jeans… it was impossible to look away.
“Nice view,” he commented, peering out the window at the darkening Texas landscape. The last rays of sunlight painted the prairie in shades of gold and purple.
“Yeah, it's not bad,” I agreed, my voice sounding strained to my own ears. I cleared my throat. “Uh, beer?”
Eli turned, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Thought you'd never ask.”
I grabbed two bottles from the six-pack and popped them open, handing one to Eli. Our fingers brushed as he took it, sending a jolt through me. I took a long swig of my own quickly, hoping the alcohol might calm my nerves.
“So,” I began.
But Eli stopped me. “You know what? This apartment is cute and all, but that sunset out there,” he said, pointing out the window. “That’s just too good to pass up.”
I cocked my head in confusion “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying,” he grinned. “Grab the pizza and the beer, we’re taking this outside.”
I hesitated for a moment, but Eli was already heading for the door, beer in hand and blanket from the end of the bed slung over his arm. With a shrug, I grabbed the pizza box and the remaining beers, following him out into the warm evening air.
Eli led us to a small rise just beyond my apartment, where the view of the sunset was unobstructed. The sky was a canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples, stretching as far as the eye could see. We settled down in the grass, the scent of earth and wildflowers surrounding us.
“Now this,” Eli said, gesturing to the horizon, “is what I call a date.”
I popped open the pizza box, the aroma of melted cheese and pepperoni mingling with the crisp evening air. “Thought you hated it here,” I remarked, grabbing a slice.
Eli took a long sip of his beer before answering. “I did. Or I thought I did.” He turned to me, his eyes reflecting the fading sunlight. “But maybe I just needed the right company to appreciate it.”
My heart skipped a beat at his words. I busied myself with my pizza, afraid my face would betray the emotions swirling inside me. We ate in comfortable silence for a while, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in ever-changing hues.
“You know,” Eli said suddenly, breaking the quiet, “I used to come out to places like this sometimes when we were kids. Just to think, to get away from everything.”
I glanced at him, surprised. “Really? I never knew that.”
He nodded, a wistful smile playing on his lips. “Yeah. I had a secret spot near home. Funny how things come full circle sometimes, huh?”
I nodded, my heart swelling with a mix of emotions I couldn't quite name. “Yeah, funny how that works.”
We lapsed into silence again, but it was comfortable, filled with the chirping of crickets and the distant lowing of cattle. Stars popped into life one by one, and I found myself sneaking glances at Eli, admiring the way the fading light softened his features. He looked more relaxed than I'd ever seen him, a far cry from the polished and uptight businessman who'd decked me in the bar that night.
“You know,” Eli said, breaking the silence once more, “I never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to see the appeal of this place again.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What changed your mind?”
He turned to me then, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. “Probably this handsome cowboy I met.”
“Oh?” I grinned. “Do I know him?”
“Probably not. He’s a pretty big deal.” Eli moved close, his hand reaching up as he tipped my hat back. “Kinda short, red hair, bad attitude…”
“Short?!” I guffawed. “What do you mean, short?—”
Before I could finish though, Eli’s lips were on mine, cutting off my words. The kiss caught me off guard, but I melted into it instantly. Eli's lips were soft but insistent, tasting of beer and pizza. My hand found its way to the nape of his neck, fingers tangling in his hair as I pulled him closer.
When we finally broke apart, both breathless, Eli rested his forehead against mine. “Been wanting to do that all night,” he murmured.
“What took you so long?” I teased, my voice rough.
Eli chuckled, his breath warm on my face. “Wanted to make sure you were good and ready for it, cowboy.”
I pulled back slightly, searching his eyes in the dim starlight. “And what makes you think I'm ready now?”
His hand came up to cup my cheek, thumb tracing my lower lip. “Call it a hunch.”
This time, I initiated the kiss, pulling Eli closer with a hand on the back of his neck. He responded eagerly, his lips parting as our tongues met. The kiss deepened, becoming more heated and urgent. My whole body felt like it was on fire, every nerve ending alive and tingling.
Eli's hands roamed over my chest, fingers tracing the contours of my muscles through my shirt. I groaned into his mouth, arching into his touch. In one smooth motion, he pushed me onto my back, straddling my hips as he broke the kiss.
“God, you're gorgeous,” he breathed, his eyes raking over me hungrily.
I reached up, running my hands along his thighs. “You're not so bad yourself,” I grinned.
Eli smirked, grinding his hips down against mine. The friction sent sparks of pleasure shooting through me, and I couldn't help the low moan that escaped my lips. Eli's smirk widened at my reaction.
“Like that, do you?” he teased, rolling his hips again.
“Fuck,” I breathed, my fingers digging into his thighs. “You're gonna be the death of me, Eli.”
Eli leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear. “Oh, I'm just getting started, cowboy.”
His teeth grazed my earlobe, sending shivers down my spine. Then his mouth was on my neck, kissing and nipping at the sensitive skin there. I tilted my head back, giving him better access as my hands slid up to grip his waist.
Suddenly, a distant sound made us both freeze. The clopping of hooves on dusty earth, and it was growing louder.
“Shit,” I cursed under my breath, gently pushing Eli off me. We scrambled to our feet, trying to smooth our rumpled clothes and hair.
“Someone's coming,” I whispered urgently, glancing around. In the dim twilight, I could make out a lone rider approaching from the direction of the main ranch house.
Eli nodded, his face a mix of frustration and amusement. “So much for privacy,” he muttered.
As the rider drew closer, I recognized the silhouette and groaned internally. Of course it would be her.
“Colt? That you?” Caroline's familiar drawl carried across the quiet evening air.
“Yeah, it's me,” I called back, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just having some pizza and beer with Eli.”
Caroline pulled her horse to a stop a few yards away, peering at us suspiciously. Even in the dim light, I could see Caroline's eyebrows shoot up as she took in the scene - the rumpled blanket, the empty beer bottles, Eli and I standing awkwardly close together.
“Uh huh,” she drawled, clearly not buying it. “Just havin' some pizza and beer. At sunset. All romantic-like.”
I felt my face flush hot. “It's not- we weren't-”
“Save it, cowboy,” Caroline cut me off with a wave of her hand. “I ain't blind. Or stupid.” She fixed her gaze on Eli. “You treatin' my friend right, Eli? Or are you fixin’ to deck him in the face again?”
Eli cleared his throat, putting on a disaffected air. “Only if he deserves it.”
Caroline nodded slowly. “Good. Sometimes you gotta steer him like a mule, but he’ll get there eventually. He’s a bit of a stubborn jackass.”
My jaw dropped open. “Really? That’s what you’re going to say right now?!”
She just grinned, tipping her hat. “That’s right. Goodnight gentleman.”
And with that she rode off, leaving us both standing in the grass under the stars. Eli broke out into a fit of giggles, meanwhile I was trying to figure out whether Caroline approved, was upset, or actually wanted Eli to punch me again.
“Well, this was fun,” he said at last. “But I think, for you sanity and mine, maybe we should move this back inside.”
I let out a long sigh, knowing he was right. We were lucky it was Caroline. At least she knew the truth about me, and she wouldn’t spread it around town. But anyone else might have gotten a bit more than they bargained for and gone blabbing.
“Come on,” I said, taking Eli’s hand. “Let’s go.”