Chapter Seventeen
Amelia
I can’t remember the last time I woke up this sore, but it’s the delicious kind of ache I welcome—a reminder of what Colton and I shared last night.
Against the shower wall, from behind, on his knees, on my knees—it’s surreal to think about after trying so hard to resist our attraction, but I don’t regret it.
Even if this is only temporary, it was impossible to restrain from giving in to what we both wanted, and only a matter of time before I gave in to my feelings.
But I am surprised when I feel his warm mouth between my thighs before I even crawl out of bed. I vaguely heard him slide out early this morning, so Sam wouldn’t catch us, but I have a feeling he didn’t bother going back to sleep.
“Colt, what if the kids walk in here?” I whisper, spreading my legs and grabbing onto his head.
“They won’t,” he says positively, then slides his tongue up my slit.
I gasp at how sensitive I am. “Did you lock the door?”
“They’re plenty distracted—eatin’ breakfast and watchin’ YouTube on my phone. We have at least twenty minutes.”
“I don’t let them have screentime this early,” I groan, pushing my hips into his face.
“Would you like me to go in the kitchen and take it away?” he muses, thrusting two fingers inside me.
Panting, I shake my head. “Don’t you dare.”
“Didn’t think so.” His taunting voice sends a shiver down my spine, and then he’s devouring me like I’m the only thing he’ll eat today.
“Colt, I’m almost there. Don’t stop,” I plead, moaning as he kisses, licks, and sucks every sweet spot he can find.
His barbell piercing slides around my clit, edging me closer.
“Please, let me come,” I cry out when he slows his pace.
“Mm, love hearin’ you beg for me.” He leans forward, pushing my T-shirt up, then places tender kisses over my hips where my stretch marks sit.
“If we get interrupted before you let me finish, it’ll be the last time you touch me,” I threaten, needing him to stop teasing me. I’m ready to get my vibrator and do the job myself.
“So mouthy first thing in the mornin’,” he quips, pushing the covers back and revealing his naked body. “Don’t worry, baby. Gonna give you exactly what you need.”
Kneeling, he strokes his erection and slaps my pussy twice before slowly entering.
“Ohh, fuck.” My head falls back as he fills me, sending waves of pleasure deep in my core.
“Gotta be quiet, darlin’.” He pulls out before slamming back in, then finds the perfect rhythm.
Wrapping my legs around his waist, I bite my lip and dig my nails into his biceps as he brings us over the edge. I grab his pillow and scream into it while he buries his face in my neck and moans in my ear.
“I wanted to last longer, but fuck, you feel so good.”
“Not sure my body could’ve survived much more after last night,” I reassure him. “Certain I won’t be able to walk as it is.”
He dips down and presses his lips to mine. “Gonna take Sam horseback ridin’ with Bodie today, so you can stay and relax with Raven and Lily as much as you need.”
My heart races at him getting lost again. “You think that’s a good idea considerin’ what happened yesterday?”
“He’s adventurous and wants to explore the ranch. Better I take him so he doesn’t wander off again. Plus, we’re gonna talk ’bout safety and rules for stayin’ with an adult.”
“Thank you,” I say softly.
“For what?”
“You’re a good role model for him, and I appreciate how much you care.”
He stares intently into my eyes, brushing wild strands off my face and caressing me gently. “I care deeply, especially for you, Amelia. That’ll never change.”
His words make me choke on my emotions, and I wish I could say them back to him, but I can’t guarantee what’ll happen once we leave. My life is complicated, chaotic, and nonstop busy.
And the last thing I want to do is give him hope just to break his heart.
“I’m gonna get cleaned up so I’m ready by the time Bodie and Raven come over. I told Sam to get dressed once he finishes eatin’, so you might wanna check on him if you get up.”
“I will.”
He kisses me once more before climbing off the bed. When I lose the warmth of his body, I realize we didn’t use a condom.
Instead of panicking, I get dressed, use the guest bathroom, then check on my kids.
They’re still at the table, mostly finished eating, staring at Colton’s phone. Remy’s sitting on guard between their chairs, watching me as I approach.
“Mornin’, my loves.” I kiss Sam’s head, then Lily’s cheek, but they’re too focused on the screen to acknowledge me.
Reaching between them, I take it and turn off the video.
“Hey!” Sam whines.
“You need to finish eatin’ and get dressed if you wanna go with Colt today,” I remind him.
“Fine,” he grumbles, shoving more food in his mouth.
Lily’s already done, so I lift her out of the booster seat and bring her into the kitchen to clean up.
“You have a syrup face,” I tease.
Her little tongue wiggles around her lips, trying to capture every last drop.
“Auntie Raven’s gonna play with us today.”
“Yay! Can we play dolls?”
“Of course. Whatever you wanna do.” I grab a washcloth and get it wet before wiping her sticky face and hands. “Maybe Auntie Raven can drive us into town so we can get out of the house for a bit and do some shoppin’.”
“You think that’s a good idea?” Colton asks, and I nearly jump out of my skin.
“Shit, I didn’t hear you.”
As soon as I face him, my jaw hits the floor.
He’s not in his usual work attire of slacks and a button-up shirt. Dark-wash jeans hug his muscular thighs with a gray T-shirt that stretches tightly across his chest so his nipple piercings peek through. But it’s the black cowboy hat on his head and his worn boots that have me drooling.
“Sorry,” he says, as Sam announces, “Bad word!”
“Go change,” I remind him, noticing the way he holds out his palm. “I’ll pay up later.”
“You always say that,” he grumbles before walking away.
“Since when do you dress like a cowboy?” I take in the view, checking him out from head to toe.
“When I go ridin’ or am forced to help in the pastures.” He adjusts his hat slightly. “You like it?”
“Uh-huh.” I lick my lips, forcing my eyes up. “Very much.”
“Didn’t peg you as the type who was interested in rugged men.”
“Why’s that?”
He shrugs casually. “You’re kind of a city girl, so I figured you preferred city boys.”
Although he’s not wrong, I wouldn’t consider any of my exes that.
“No…I tend to attract the criminal-types.” I snort. “Not on purpose, though.”
“Guess that means I have a chance.” His wicked grin sends
“Maybe I should come with you if y’all wanna go into town,” Colton offers. “Bodie, too. Just to be on the safe side.”
“What time do ya think y’all will be back? Lily still needs to nap this afternoon.”
“Not sure.” He scratches along his jawline. “If you can’t wait, maybe bring Bellamy with you. She’s more familiar with downtown than you and Raven.”
“Sure,” I say.
“And Wilder’s been postin’ random photos and locations on your social media pages to look like you’re still in Sugarland Creek, so if your stalker is followin’ ’em, you should be fine to go out for a few hours.”
“Assumin’ he believes I’m postin’ accurate information,” I counter. “If he hasn’t been seen since the night he showed up at my house, I’m not sure he believes I’m still there.”
“I dunno, but Wilder mentioned the sheriff hopes to get security footage from nearby businesses this week to see if they catch him leavin’ the store. If so, they can grab his license plates and search who the SUV belongs to.”
“That’d be a relief.”
Especially since I don’t want to be a sitting duck waiting for him to reappear, but I also can’t hideout in Colton’s house forever. I need to get back to my job, and Sam has school in less than two months.
Plus, we’ll get cabin fever if we don’t get out of this lockdown and back to our lives soon.
Sam’s ready by the time Bodie and Raven arrive. I’m not sure how long she’s staying, but Bailey’s in good hands until she goes back. I texted Bellamy earlier, and we made new plans for the day, so she’s on her way too.
“Be good,” I remind Sam, squeezing him in my arms. “Do not wander off.”
“Mom, I know.”
“I mean it. You stay with Colt and Bodie, no exceptions.”
He grunts when I tighten my hold on him. “I will.”
“And you be careful ridin’ a horse. Wear a helmet. And no goofin’ off.”
“Mom, we gotta go.” He pushes me away, and I reluctantly release him.
“Okay, I love you.” I kiss his cheek before standing.
“I’ll send photos so you don’t worry,” Colton offers, keeping his distance since we have an audience. There’s no point in telling anyone since this can be nothing but a short-term thing. Once we’re back home, we’ll only be left with the memories of Willow Branch Mountain.
“That’d be great.”
Remy shoves his snoot in Sam’s chest, and he gently pets his head. “I’ll be back.”
“Have fun,” I call out the door as Bodie holds Sam’s hand.
“I ride horsey too!” Lily squeals.
“Sorry, sweetheart. Not today,” I tell her. “Maybe when we’re back home, you can ride with Auntie Noah.”
She’s a professional horse trainer, so I’d trust her to put Bailey on a safe, kid-friendly horse.
I’ve been too nervous to let her try it, but she’s always eager to go when Sam goes with Wilder.
“Not fair.” She folds her little arms, pouting.
“I’ll make it up to you, okay?” I promise, kissing her forehead.
“When you’re a little bigger, I’ll take you,” Colton promises, holding up his hand for a high-five, and she reluctantly smacks it.
Raven takes Lily to the living room, leaving Colton and me alone.
“Text me when y’all go to town and when you come back, please.” He pulls me in, slanting his mouth over mine and teasing his tongue with mine. “Have a fun girls’ day.”
“Oh, we will. We decided to drop Lily off at the daycare so she can play with kids her own age for a while, then we’re meetin’ up with your mom and Aunt JoJo at the strip club for lunch and margaritas.
Bellamy says there’s a Chippendales show every Sunday durin’ brunch, which is ironically hilarious considerin’ most women are probably comin’ from church. ”
He pinches his brows, unamused.
“What?” I ask slyly. “That’s probably the safest place for me. No stalker’s gonna follow me into a place with half-naked men and tons of rowdy women throwin’ singles at ’em.”
“Mhm,” he murmurs, tight-lipped and crossing his arms.
“Are you jealous?” I quip, mirroring his stance.
“Nope.” He blows out a stressed breath before leaning in and brushing his lips against my ear. “Just remember whose tongue was inside you this mornin’.”
“To be fair, it was more than your tongue,” I sass back. “But what does that gotta do with anythin’?”
“Means you’re mine, at least while you’re livin’ in my house and sleepin’ in my bed, so no happy hour lap dances by strange half-naked men.”
We’re so focused on each other, neither of us realizes Bellamy’s arrived and walked up the steps.
“You’re not the boss of her,” she snaps at Colton.
Hopefully, she didn’t overhear everything he just said, but if so, she doesn’t look surprised.
“Now I’m gonna buy her two lap dances.”
I laugh when he rolls his eyes at her.
“You were supposed to come over and hang out. Why the hell did you plan a whole outin’?”
“’Cause she’s bored as fuck, Colt. We’ll protect her,” she reassures him. “I’m the DD, so don’t worry.”
“I’m not gonna drink too much anyway,” I say. “But it’d be nice to get out from these same walls for a couple hours.”
“See? She’s gonna lose her mind if she can only look at your ugly mug all day.”
“As opposed to your bright and shiny personality.”
“Precisely.” She grins, then walks between us into the house.
“Pretty sure she was dropped on her head as a baby,” he murmurs.
I inch closer, not quite touching, but more than what would be considered friendly. “I have no interest in strange half-naked men dancin’ on me, so you don’t gotta be concerned,” I say, repeating his earlier words. “I’d much rather watch you naked.”
Even if we’re technically not in a relationship, I wouldn’t be pleased to hear that he was going to watch pretty girls dancing shortly after our intimate night and morning together. And he doesn’t need to be distracted by the thought of me being there when he’s watching my son.
He grabs a hold of my waist, closing the gap between us, then crashes his mouth on mine.
“That could be arranged.” He winks before pulling away. “Have fun. See you later.”
I wave as they drive away, grinning like a fool, then quickly realize when my stomach somersaults with butterflies that I’m in deep, deep trouble with this man.