Chapter 14
COLLIE
Did I make that orgasm comment just to get a rise out of Easton?
Why, yes. Yes I did. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat to see his face flush like it did.
There’s something about him that makes me want to leave a mark. Break him—in a good way, of course. In a downright filthy way, actually.
The longer I spend with Easton, the more I witness how tense and reserved he is. Like there’s so much he’s holding back, and he’s bound to break eventually.
I harness the power to make men crumble at my feet. But I need to be meticulous and intentional.
I don’t want to scare the guy.
But boy do I ever want to jump his muscular bones and let him take a walk on the reckless side with a woman like me.
This trip can be much more than he or I bargained for, and I know I’m the one who will have to initiate that step.
Don’t mind if I do.
“Get your ass on the horse, Collie.”
I’m playing him. Pretending like I’m scared to ride Beavis, the brown and white horse I insisted on riding from Ernest and Naomi.
Easton’s horse, Butthead, is going apeshit behind us, his sleek black frame still strapped to the side of the wooden barn, impatiently waiting for Easton to saddle him.
But I’m the holdup. Doing everything I can to get Easton’s big hands on me. Preferably on my ass.
“I’m scared.” I’m not. Little does he know, I’ve ridden a wild horse in the middle of a Peruvian desert by myself. I could steer this baby with my eyes closed.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. I thought you’ve done this before?” he mumbles, looking at me intensely.
Have his eyes always been so light? There’s a gold hue swirling throughout the mocha brown, making them appear striking in the sunlight. The sharpness in his jawline and dark brows solidifies the rugged and manly vibes he’s given me from the start.
Downright edible.
Oh, I bet he likes it rough. Hand necklaces and all.
Not to mention his smell—a combination of coffee, leather, and spearmint. So uniquely him.
“I have, but I had a traumatic experience when I was in Peru one summer. It takes me a while to feel comfortable. It doesn’t help that I can barely reach the stirrup.” I attempt to laugh.
Touch me. Help me. I know you want to.
“Here, let me help.” Bingoooo.
Without asking permission, Easton scoops his giant frame under my arm and cradles me with a swift lift. His hand palms my bottom as he ushers me up, ensuring I’m stable enough to settle on my own. “Hold onto the horn and I’ll get you strapped.”
“Ouch,” I gasp.
“What happened? Did I hurt you?” he panics, searching for something he won’t find.
He doesn’t realize it, but his palm that was once on my ass is now lying flat against my thigh, just inches away from my freaking vagina.
“Shit. I’m sorr—”
He catches himself and attempts to move his hand, but mine stops him.
“That’s okay,” I whisper, running my thumb up the web of his hand, my eyes never leaving his. But that’s when his sight drifts, homing in on our hands conjoined at my most intimate spot.
I draw our hands higher to the cusp of my hip, and massage the sore spot at a leisurely pace. The hiss that escapes his lips couldn’t be missed from across the ranch. “The ring dug into my hip on the way up.”
Easton’s Adam's apple bobs, a gulp sliding down his corded throat in anticipation. I love how unpredictable I am to him.
He nods slowly. “I didn’t mean to touch you ther—”
“I like your hands on me, Ranger. You should do it more often.”
As expected, his eyes bulge, confirming just how uptight and tense he really is. “We should get started.” He slips his hand from underneath mine and heads toward his horse, ready to be on our way.
I wouldn’t call my attempt a success, but it was definitely progress.
“Were you ever gonna tell me how profesh you are on a horse?”
Something that looks a lot like a smile crests his face. “Figured you could find out for yourself. Kinda how I discovered how much of a fucking liar you are, lost girl.”
Damn. He’s good.
I pull back the reins to slow Beavis down, Easton following suit with Butthead. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m a rookie at best.”
“Lies, lies, lies, woman. You maneuver that horse better than some equestrian trainers I know.”
I grin. “You caught me. Told you I liked your hands on me.” I wink, knowing the simple act will send him into a blind spiral. He’s too easy to fluster.
But what is making him so hesitant with everything?
I don’t get it. It can’t be his brother’s death. Not when it comes to a woman, at least. Does it have to do with the woman…with Sydney?
I’ve done everything I can to make him feel comfortable. He deserves that. And I’d like to think he is, but there’s a disconnect, and it’s driving me crazy not to know what it is.
“Yeah…about that. Sorry for acting so…weird.”
I wave him off. “Don’t be. I think we’ve already established how bold I can be.”
“I know. It’s just, I haven’t exactly had the easiest year, and things are hard for me. Things that shouldn’t be, and I’m ashamed to admit.”
That may be the most vague sentence I’ve ever heard.
“You don’t owe me an explanation, Easton. Never. But I like you, and I think we could have fun together.”
“Fun?” he drawls out, voice hoarse and breathy. Almost like he can’t believe what he’s hearing. “Define fun, Collie.”
I smirk. “I think you know what I mean. I could use some relief, and by the looks of it, you could too.”
“You’re gonna have to break that down for me, lost girl.”
“You’re tense. And I can tell you’ve got some demons going on in that hot head of yours. No judgment. That’s your business. But maybe we could both benefit and take those things out on each other. We are married, after all.” I wink.
“You and your fucking winks will be the death of me,” he exhales. “But I don’t know if I can.”
I don’t know why it never occurred to me that he could be seeing someone.
Possibly the Sydney woman I’ve heard about too many times for my liking, actually.
I mean, it would be a little strange given he intended to come here alone, without said woman.
But still. At the back of my mind, Sydney is clearly someone important to him, right?
Enough for her name to be on his extra boarding pass.
And enough for her name to be the one Naomi and Ernest assumed I was at the ranch.
Everything just feels off.
That’s not even including the conversation with his sister I overheard. I didn’t hear everything, but enough to guess Easton is going through something.
“I get it,” I tell him nonchalantly. I’d never want him to feel like he owes me an explanation, but being honest won’t hurt. At this point, he’d be doing me a favor. “You can tell me if you’re seeing someone or just not interested in me. You won’t hurt my feelings.”
“No,” he blurts out. “I mean, no. I’m not seeing anyone.”
“So, you just aren’t interested in me?”
He’s flustered and struggling. If we weren’t on horses, I’d hug him. Despite basically telling me he’s not interested.
“No, that’s not it.”
“So, you are interested?” I’m so annoying.
“No. Fuck. I don’t know, okay?” he stammers, frustrated at himself.
“I don’t know much of anything anymore. But don’t think it’s you because it’s not.
I’m attracted to you, Collie.” His gaze runs the length of me.
“Fuck, am I ever. But I’m so off in the head right now.
I’m not sure going there is the best idea. ”
That wasn’t exactly denial. Baby steps.
“That’s okay,” I tell him as kindly as possible. “I would never pressure you into fucking me, Easton. That’s not my style. Just know I’m here if you ever change your mind. Anytime. Anywhere.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Needing to change the subject, I seek out where we’re headed. “Soooo, wanna race?”
“Race?” he speculates. “I’m not sure you can keep up. Wouldn’t wanna bruise your ego.”
There’s the fun I was looking for.
I bark out a laugh and look ahead. “Hilarious. Let’s make things interesting, then. What’re we playing for?”
He contemplates for a second as we pull our horses to a stop. “Loser cooks dinner tonight.”
Before he can respond, I tug the reins and Beavis takes off, my voice calling out from behind me. “I like my steak medium rare. Fat trimmed. A1 on the side. See ya in the winner’s circle, Ranger.”
This is bliss. Being in the middle of America’s countryside with no plans, a hottie for some company, and not a thought about what’s to come next.
Except maybe getting into my new husband’s pants.
For ten more days at least.