Twenty-Six | Harlow
Itighten my hands into fists at my sides, trying to get my bearings after nearly exposing that Colson and I don’t hate each other anymore. The stadium noise fades behind me, giving me a much-needed moment to breathe.
There’s an open area near the back that’s dark and secluded, with little around except the bulls lounging in their pens and the barrels they’ll use for the barrel race during the break before the championship round.
My chest rises and falls chaotically, my heart feeling like it’s trying to shatter my ribs. The soft snorts from the bulls around me do nothing to calm my pulse.
As if I can sense that they aren’t the only presence, I spin around to see Colson regarding me with a look I can’t decipher.
His eyes are dark and ominous. His soft blue shirt stands out against his riding vest and black chaps, which feature his sponsors’ logos.
The faint light above makes him appear like a god of beasts.
That thought makes me tremble—stirring a need that shouldn’t be there.
He lets out a distressed chuckle. “You really going to keep acting like you hate me all season when we’re at events?”
“Yes,” I grit my teeth, as if I’m in pain admitting it. “It’s easier that way.”
He shakes his head, not believing a word I say. “Really? Because it damn well looked like you were about to run into my arms.”
I shrug. “I momentarily forgot how I actually feel about you.”
“Yeah?” His head slants, his eyes dark and ominous beneath the shadow of his hat. Colson slowly stalks toward me. “I’m a very perceptive man.”
I swallow. “Colson, you’re up soon. They’re going to be looking for you.”
“Harlow,” he bites back.
“Fine! You’re making me confused as hell. It might not be hatred anymore, but I don’t know how I feel about you.”
He takes another step. As if he’s injected me with his venom, I don’t move. I can’t. I’m not sure I want to. “Careful, dust bunny. It sounds like you’re starting to tolerate me.”
Colson moves until he stands before me, peering down into my soul so deeply that he digs himself further into a heart that wants to forgive him more than my head does.
His breaths are ragged, and I know I’m not the only one fighting a battle in my head.
The temptation is written all over him in the way his focus is locked onto my mouth, like he’s barely holding on to his control.
Colson knocks me off balance when his thumb lifts to my face and drags down my bottom lip.
“Do you know how many times I’ve wondered how these lips taste?” His husky tone has my legs quivering and my nipples hardening beneath my vest. “If they are sweeter than the teasing words and sarcasm that’s meant to pull at my sanity.”
My eyes drop to his mouth. There’s no hesitancy. “Maybe I’ve wondered the same about yours.”
“Yeah?”
I nod nervously to answer him.
He starts to remove his hat. My body is acutely aware of what’s coming before I have time to prepare for the impact. Colson’s hand cups the back of my neck, his head dipping lower to seal his lips over mine.
Oh, dear Lord.
At first touch, the contact has a bolt of electricity short-circuiting my brain. Sparklers fire under my skin, searing my nerve endings.
In the beginning, his mouth is soft and gentle, gliding over mine, but when I grasp his forearms to keep myself steady from the onslaught of unexpected feelings invading my core, a guttural groan emanates from deep in his throat.
His other arm weaves around my lower back, hauling me into him.
A gasp is torn from my chest, the man taking it as an invitation to explore my mouth further.
Colson hungrily swallows the sound, his tongue so much sweeter than I imagined as he expertly tangles it with mine.
His teeth nip my bottom lip in a way that has my pussy clenching with the need to feel more. Anything.
He’s ravenous as he dominates my lips with his.
I’ve never been kissed like this in my life, like it could implode the world around me.
It’s hungry.
Explosive.
Devastating because it’s on its own level, and I know nothing will ever be the same after this.
I won’t be the same.
If this man fucks like he kisses, then this is a fall that might be worth the risk.
We should be worried that someone will accidentally walk back here. But those thoughts fly right out the goddamn window when our need drives us to cling to each other as if it’s the only way to stay afloat because the aftershocks will surely drag us under.
He bends down, moving his hands to the backs of my thighs. My arms weave around his neck so I can latch onto his frame as he lifts me effortlessly, my legs locking around his firm abdomen.
Not once is there distance between our mouths. They’re magnetized together—fused in a way that has heat flooding between my legs. I’m wet. So goddamn wet for him. Colson’s branding me with his mouth, and I want to feel it sear every inch of my skin.
If kissing him feels like this …
I’m fucked.
He walks forward with me in his arms as he lowers me onto the top of one of the barrels.
My legs open instinctively, his hips thrusting forward to drag the hard length of his cock concealed in his Wranglers across my core.
He’s huge. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ve soaked through my jeans at this point.
It’s like this kiss is allowing him inside my head to read my thoughts. He pulls back, still standing between my legs, leaving me breathless and gasping for air.
“Holy fuck,” he breathes.
As if he can’t help himself, his fingers find my jeans. I don’t stop him as he expertly pops the button. It’s a tight fit, but he slides a rough hand into my pants and under my panties. He presses a palm into my thigh, opening me up further to give him access.
As his fingers glide through my arousal and over my clit, the pleasure he brings me is another bomb fracturing my walls.
Colson lowers his head to my shoulder, releasing a groan of satisfaction when he drags his finger through my seam.
“Yeah, you feel like you hate me.” He lifts his gaze, his hot breath brushing across my swollen lips.
“Your mouth may say one thing, but I know the truth in the way this sweet pussy pulses against my fingers.”
His name is a broken whisper. “Colson—”
His hand moves, only the tips of his fingers sinking into me, making me shudder, before he slowly pulls his hand out of my jeans.
There’s no pause in his movements as he thrusts his fingers, glistening with my arousal, into his mouth.
It’s the hottest thing I’ve witnessed in my life as his tongue wipes away any trace of me.
Colson’s eyes hold mine as he releases them with a pop. His smile is so arrogant it could make me come right here on this barrel.
He reaches forward, tucking a lock of blonde hair behind my ear. “How does it feel knowing that when I ride in a few minutes, I’ll still have your taste on my tongue?”
“Uh—” I can’t form a coherent thought as my body pulses with the need for more.
He laughs, rearing back. “Might want to focus, dust bunny. After this ride, I’ll be in the championship round with you, and I know how badly you want to kick my ass.”
I leap off the barrel, buttoning my jeans. “How am I supposed to focus for the final round now?” I can’t keep the whine from slipping through my voice.
His lips quirk at one corner, and it’s absolutely devastating. “I may be your coach, but I’m also your competitor. Can’t take it too easy on you.”
I bite the inside of my lip, shaking my head. “God, you are way too competitive.”
He turns and struts away, his tone hinting at the smirk he’s wearing. “You’ve met your match, Harlow Hartt.”