Chapter 11
COLTON
I’m going to keel over and fucking die.
Dandee huffs at me, letting out a small moo as she nudges my hand so I will give her scratches, and the sound does nothing to help the throbbing pain in my temples.
Cash chuckles as he helps me push the herd toward the gate before I can call it a day. Working in silence, I give Dandee a couple scratches so she’ll get on with her herd.
“I can’t believe the heifer likes you. She’s picky as hell,” Cash says, watching us.
I roll my eyes. “Dandee,” I spit out before I can think about it. “You mean Dandee doesn’t like your prickly cactus of a brother? That’s not picky, that’s basically survival instincts.”
“Nah, she doesn’t like me or Dawson either,” he says, not taking the bait. “Wait…Did you name the fucking cow?”
He’s avoided talking about Rhett all day, hiding behind “he’s busy,” like that’s supposed to be enough. Like he’s just allowed to disappear with no explanation after what we did last night. Running from anything that could make him feel something outside of what he’s used to.
“She deserved a name, and she reminds me of a cute dandelion you’d find in the fields.
So, Dandee.” A flicker of surprise passes before I fix my face.
“But we aren’t skipping that part about Dawson…
All animals like Dawson.” From everything I’ve seen, Dawson is the farm animal whisperer—loving them as if they’re his kids.
“I know, that’s what drives him crazy. She’s immune to his charm.”
We follow the herd, closing the gate behind us, and make our way back up to the house so that I can rinse off before heading home when we see Tierney on the front porch.
“Hey, boys! Hard day?” She smiles, giving us both a look that suggests she can see through the facade and that we’re clearly way too hungover for work today.
Cash rolls his eyes, and I nod, both of us chiming in at the same time. “No, ma’am.”
She lets out a soft laugh. “Dinner is ready. Why don’t you join us, Colt? I’ve got a couple projects I need help with, and it’d be easier to go over it all at once.
I go to make some excuse, wanting to just lie in my bed, when Eli’s truck pulls up beside the house. Dawson and Rhett hop out of the cab.
Any desire to leave instantly dissolves when my eyes land on Rhett.
I haven’t seen my man all day, so, of course, I’m about to take up the offer to insert myself into family dinner.
I’ll be family one day, anyway.
“That sounds great, Miss Tierney. I just need to clean up real quick.”
She smiles at me, before greeting the boys.
Cash and I rinse up at the outside spigot, and I feel his eyes burning into the back of my head, sending a thrill down my spine, but I don’t turn around to meet his gaze.
Walking in the front door of their house, I’m hit with the smell of something amazing, and find the table is loaded up with rolls, steaks, green beans, and corn on the cob. The sight makes my mouth water.
Seeing the seat next to Golden Boy open, I slide into the chair, casually moving our seats closer together—just enough for me to reach him.
The only sounds are forks and knives touching plates and some chewing.
Taking a bite of vegetables, I slide my hand under the table, brushing my fingers against Rhett’s thigh.
He tenses, but takes another bite of steak, as if I’m not there.
Come on, Golden Boy, acknowledge me. I know you want to.
Keeping my hand on his thigh, I dig my fingers into his jeans, gripping his thigh tighter this time. He sucks in a breath, but coughs to cover his tracks.
“Are you okay?” Tierney asks, her brow raised.
“Yeah, sorry. It went down the wrong pipe.” He acts like he’s grabbing his napkin off his other leg and throws my hand off his leg. His calloused fingers feel warm against mine.
Tierney shrugs her shoulders and clears her throat to gain the attention of everyone else at the table.
“So, as you know, Grandpa’s birthday is tomorrow, and it’s a big one—he’s turning seventy-five.
After talking to your dad and uncles, we’ve decided to throw him a surprise party tomorrow night.
Luke’s got him out at dinner right now so that we can make a plan, and he’s going to get him off property tomorrow morning for us to set up.
I’ll need you all to help me make this happen.
Got it?” Her eyes scan each of her boys, ending on me.
We all nod as I place my hand on top of Rhett’s under the table. Slowly, I start rubbing circles on the back of his hand. He tries to jerk away, but I tighten my fingers around his.
No, baby, you don’t get to pull away. Not when I’ve missed you so much.
Tierney goes on, telling Dawson and Cash what she needs them to do tomorrow.
Taking a risk, I push past Rhett’s hand and move my hand into his lap, stroking over the seam of his jeans, feeling his dick throb.
Pressing harder against him, I stroke my fingers slowly up and down, tracing his length. He grabs my wrist, hard. One moment, it feels like he’s trying to pull me closer, and the next, it’s like he’s trying to push me off. As if he can fight what’s between us any more than I can.
Good luck.
He throws my hand off before Tierney turns her attention on us.
“You two will need to set up the barn. I have some streamers that need to go up, but mostly, I need the main area of the barn clean enough to fit tables for about twenty people, give or take a few. Do you plan to bring Molly, Rhett? Just making sure we have enough chairs.”
She raises her eyebrows. She already knows the answer, but forcing Rhett to admit what happened the other night is satisfying. Dawson and Cash exchange a look and then we all look at Rhett.
Rhett says softly, “No. She won’t be coming around anymore.”
Tierney has the decency to look sad for him.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I really thought she could be the one.
” She looks back over at me, trying to change the tone.
“Colt, I’m excited to see Sloane. It’s been a few months since they’ve been back home, with all the traveling she’s been doing around the midwest.”
Her words feel like someone just poured ice water all over me.
“My dad and mom are coming?”
“Yeah, they’re coming. Plus Aria, Matt, and Halle. You know y’all are family, sweetheart.”
Fuck. I have to face everyone tomorrow, when all I want to do is get Rhett to myself.
Lovely.
My chest tightens a bit, and I rub at my sternum.
“Yeah. It’ll be good to see them.”
“I think so too. They’ve been traveling so much lately!
Just be here at your normal time and y’all will be done by noon so that when he comes back the barn is all ready to go.
” She gets up and starts picking up plates and empty dishes.
Eli hops up after her, helping with the dishes, while Dawson puts his plate in the kitchen and bolts out the door, mumbling about his new colt.
I follow suit, picking up my plate and thanking them for dinner.
Once I make it out into the night air, I move to the side of the porch where nobody can see and fish out the squished pack of cigarettes from my back pocket, pulling one out, along with a lighter, and lighting it up.
Taking a long drag, I let the smoke settle deep in my lungs before slowly exhaling. I lean back against the porch railing, eyes drifting out over the stretch of farm in front of me.
Anxiety claws its way up my throat, so I take another drag, forcing the anxiety back down where it can’t reach me.
My parents are great…parents. But sometimes they forget that I’m a grown man who can handle most of life’s problems. They’d rather I was their little boy forever.
I know that’s why they didn’t tell me they were coming. Because if I’d known, I would’ve found some excuse—any excuse—to avoid being here all day.
Instead, I’m stuck with the weight pressing down on me—every expectation, every watchful glance. It makes me feel like I have to stay in control, constantly thinking before I act. And when I’m around Rhett Thornwood…I can’t.
I’d burn it all to the ground just for a taste of him again.
Speak of the devil.
I don’t even have to look—I can feel him hovering, all nervous energy.
“You gonna keep avoiding me, Golden Boy? Or are you gonna come around the corner and join me in my misery?”
He appears a second later, slipping around the corner, hand dragging through his hair. He looks stressed—wound tight—but still unfairly, and undeniably, fine as hell.
Damn…
“Yeah…Uhm…Can I get one of those?” He gestures to the cigarette in my mouth, and I can’t help but grin.
“Damn. That’s a bold way to ask for another kiss.” I give him a teasing wink, holding the cigarette between my teeth.
Disgust flashes across his face with a mix of heat that I don’t miss.
“I meant a fucking cigarette, Colt. I told you, that meant nothing.” His tone is defensive, but the shake in his hand tells me that tonight shook him too.
Too bad I don’t care enough to deal with any of that right now. I just want him.
“Why? Are you scared because you liked it?” Pushing off the railing, I close the distance between us, stopping just shy of us being chest to chest. “Looks like we’re about four inches apart again. Gonna take it? Or maybe you’ll shut me up again. Please shut me up again, baby.”
I don’t move an inch, testing to see just how far I can push him until he breaks again.
He clenches his jaw, trying to act unaffected. “I. Told. You. That was a one-time thing. Don’t read too much into it.” He grinds his teeth, eyeing my mouth like he’s still starving.
“Didn’t I also tell you that you weren’t my type? Since you want to lie to me, I can do the same. Instead, how ‘bout this. You beg? I might give you what you want.”
“I don’t fucking want you, Colt.” He pushes against my chest, hands staying firm against me. I take another drag.
“I meant a cigarette, Rhett. What did you think I meant?” I smirk, blowing smoke in his face, eyeing his hands on my chest. Looking him dead in his eyes, I challenge him, lowering my voice to just above a whisper as I say, “Beg.”
Dropping his hands to his sides, I watch the war in his head rage—not wanting to give in to me to get what he wants—the cherry of my cigarette illuminating his face.
He mumbles something, and I think it’s supposed to be a please.
Hell no, motherfucker. That’s not enough, and we both know it.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you. Could you repeat that?”
“Fuck you,” he grumbles, fire burning in his eyes. “I said please.”
“Soon, Golden Boy, soon…Until then, here.” I pull two new cigarettes out of the pack.
He stares at me like I’m stupid. Looking from the cigarette, to me, then back to the cigarette. “The lighter?” he asks, as if it’s obvious he needs one.
“Oh, shit, did you need that too?” I give a quiet, disapproving click of my tongue. “That’s gonna cost you extra.”
“Colt, stop the bullshit. Just for once, light my fucking cigarette.” His arms cross his chest, cigarette sitting unlit in his left hand.
I should probably be nice, but I’ve never given a fuck about what I’m supposed to do, and won’t be breaking my bad habits now.
“Get on your knees, cowboy.”
He looks like I’ve just punched him in the face. “Hell no. I’m not sucking your dick.”
“I didn’t ask you to suck my dick yet, Rhett. Boy, isn’t your mind exactly where I want it to be, though…”
Shifting my eyes, I see the outline of his hard cock in his jeans. “Just kneel, and I’ll light it for you. If not, I’m sure we can ask your brother for a lighter. He’ll give you one.” I blow out a smoke ring, then a smaller one, into the middle of the first.
He stays silent for a moment, not wanting to give in, before he sinks to his knees in front of me. His eyes meet mine, and he stays silent, waiting for me.
No, come on, don’t disappoint me. I expected more from you.
I kick his knees, spreading his legs apart so he can’t hide the clear hard-on he’s got from this, causing him to lean forward, gripping my leg.
Much fucking better.
God, he looks good on his knees. My dick is practically weeping at the sight of him this way.
Pulling my lighter out, he touches the cigarette to his lips, and I light it for him. Mine is almost out again, so I check my phone for the time as he inhales the first drag. I watch as some of the tension leaves his shoulders.
Dragging myself away, I pull my leg from his arm, missing the contact already.
I crowd his space so that my hard-on is directly in front of his face.
Grabbing his chin, I jerk his head up, and his eyes meet mine.
Grinding the cigarette butt between two fingers, I tuck the cigarette into my pocket with the other one.
I grab his from between his lips and bend down to replace it with my lips.
He’s tense for only a moment before he matches my kiss, sliding his tongue against the seam of my lips. I grant him entry, our tongues and teeth clashing in a fight for dominance I don’t plan to lose.
Finally, I pull back, placing the half-burned cigarette back in his mouth. Stepping off the porch, I grab my helmet off the post. “Good night, cowboy. Don’t miss me too much.” I wink, placing my helmet on and taking off down the dirt road, leaving him in my rearview.