30 | Makin up
CLEMENTINE
“No?”
The word hits like a lightning strike, straight through my chest.
“Tiny,” Colton murmurs, his fingers curling gently around my arms, but I shake him off.
“I can’t believe you,” I mutter, scooting back like distance might dull the sting. “I don’t even know what I expected—”
“Baby, please.” His voice cracks, soft and pleading. “What did you expect me to say?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper, heat rising in my throat. “Just… not that. Not you being such a hypocrite.”
He flinches, shaking his head slowly, like the word physically hurts him. “You wanted me to lie to you? Tell you I’d drop everythin’? Leave the ranch, Pa’s legacy, and go play city boy in a damn suit?”
“You wanted me to drop everything,” I fire back, my voice trembling. “You tried to convince me there was some magical connection between us—that it’d trump all the rest. Apparently that only went one way?”
He straightens, brow furrowed deep. “Come on now, girl. Don’t be unreasonable. I asked you to step back into the world you came from—the world you loved. You’re comparin’ that to me walkin’ away from everythin’ I’ve ever built. My old man’s ranch, Clementine.”
“I gave up everything I knew too, you know.”
He sighs, slow and heavy. “And you made it work, baby. You’re smart. You’re strong—resourceful. You said it yourself—I’m just a country boy, born to pitch hay and mend fences.”
“You don’t get to turn this around on me, Colton.” The words come out sharp, my anger the only thing holding me together.
He softens, sliding a rough, warm hand onto my thigh. “I ain’t tryin’ to, darlin’. But you’re talkin’ about takin’ a cowboy outta the country. That’s like takin’ the wings off a bird.”
“That’s what it felt like to me!”
The words tear out before I can stop them. They hang in the air, jagged and cruel and true.
That’s what it felt like to me.
It hits me harder than it should.
Not once in seven years did I let myself see it. I kept telling myself I was fine. That I was making it. That I was happy.
But I wasn’t.
I’ve been a wingless bird all this time.
Colton watches the realization dawn on me, his own face wrecked. Then he grabs me—pulls me right into his lap like he can hold me together by force of will alone.
“Clem,” he says. “You’re it for me, you always have been. And if you asked me again right now, I’d say yes. Because if your dad’s talk taught me anythin’, it’s that a love like this only comes ‘round once in a lifetime. So I’d follow you clean to the ends of the damn earth if that’s what you wanted.
But I don’t reckon that’d make either of us happy, darlin’.”
I swallow hard, fighting the sting behind my eyes. “Easy to say now—you already gave your answer. Now you’re just sweet-talking me.”
He tips his head to the side. “It’s the damn truth, Tiny. Now I want yours too—is that really what you want?”
I avert my eyes. “I know what you’re doing.”
He catches my chin, forces me to meet his gaze. “Tell me how your interview went.”
I blow a strand of hair out of my face. “I screwed it up.”
“On purpose?”
I shrug. “Maybe a little.”
“Tell me about your plans, Clementine. I know you got ’em.”
I look away, stubborn. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He grins, hands tightening around my hips. “Don’t lie to me, darlin’.”
I scoff, fumbling with my fingers. A spark flickers to life low in my chest. “It’s nothing solid—I was just… looking around.”
He nods, eyes fixed on me, patient.
My cheeks flush. “I thought maybe I could try to get into Large Animal Veterinary.”
His eyes go wide. “Baby—hell yes. That’s it. That’s you.”
My heart stutters. “You think so?”
“I know so. Clem, you’ve been lovin’ calves since you could walk. I saw those pages open on your laptop—I just figured you were learnin’ for fun. Didn’t know you were thinkin’ of makin’ it your life, but that’s exactly what you oughta do.”
I lift both hands in protest. “Now don’t get too excited. I’d have to take so many undergrad courses, and get hands-on experience, and even then I might not get accepted. It’d take years, and I’d have no income, nowhere to live, and—”
“I’ve got it.”
“And I—” I blink, his words hitting me. “What?”
“I’ve got you, baby. House, money—I’ve got more than enough for both of us. If this is really what you want, then it’s time you decide somethin’ for yourself for once. It’s your life, darlin’. Take the reins.”
My hands drop to his chest. “Colton—you’re sweet, but what the hell?”
“What?”
“You want me to move in with you? Let you provide for me?”
“There’s nothin’ I want more.”
A laugh bubbles out of me, bright and bewildered. “You don’t think that’s moving a little fast? How much time have we spent together, really? You’re not even my boyfriend.”
He slides his hands along my waist, up my neck to cup my face. His eyes glint as he speaks. “Clementine Marie Holliday, will you be my girlfriend?”
“You’re joking.”
“I’m so damn serious right now, Clem.” He’s grinning, sure as sunrise. “Be mine.”
I roll my eyes, blushing despite myself. “Whatever.”
He chuckles, low and certain. “I’m gonna need a yes, darlin’. Can’t have you livin’ under my roof if you’re not just as serious about us as I am.”
Butterflies swarm through my stomach. “We’ll talk about the living-together thing later.” My voice is breathless, already betraying me.
I lean in and kiss him—soft and slow.
Colton hums against my mouth, a deep, low sound that curls all the way through me. His hand slides up the back of my neck, fingers threading into my hair, and he tugs me closer until my chest is flush against his.
“Yes,” I whisper against his lips. “I’ll be yours.”
His grip tightens, his reply a quiet, hungry growl against my mouth. “You already are, Tiny.”
Then he kisses me like he means to prove it—slow at first, then deeper, rougher, until I’m clutching his shoulders just to stay upright.
The softest sound escapes me as my body moves on instinct, hips rolling against him. He’s already hard beneath his jeans, the rough denim biting through the thin fabric of my shorts as I press closer.
Colton’s breath shudders out, hot against my throat. “Careful, baby,” he warns, his drawl thick with restraint. “You keep doin’ that, and we ain’t makin’ it to any more talk later.”
I can’t help the grin tugging at my lips. “Is that supposed to stop me?”
He groans. “It’s supposed to warn you.”
For a heartbeat, the world shrinks to nothing but heat and want—the way his thumb strokes my jaw, the way his pulse hammers against mine.
I whirl toward the door, my hair a mess, cheeks flushed.
“To catch you both up,” I call, loud enough for Devin and Savannah to hear through the wood.
“We made up. I’m his girlfriend now. We’re probably moving in together.”
I pause for dramatic effect. “And unless you want to listen to us have sex, you better back away from the door.”
There’s a beat of stunned silence.
Then—“Not on the couch!” Devin yells, voice cracking in horror. The door flies open and Devin and Savannah tumble out. “Go back into your damn room, Clem!”
Colton’s laughter rumbles through me as he hooks an arm under my knees, scooping me clean off the couch. “You heard ’em,” he drawls, heading for my bedroom with that infuriating cowboy smirk. “Gotta be respectful of the furniture.”
I loop my arms around his neck, grinning. “Respectful, huh?”
He kicks the door shut behind us, eyes glinting mischievously as he heads straight for my bed. “Darlin’, I was born respectful. Doesn’t mean I’m plannin’ to behave.”
----
THEY MADE UP?! Do we think they really have a shot this time? Let's see Colton misbehave first ???????