“What’s that, cowboy?”
“Being in that damn bachelor auction.” I lean in for a kiss, slow and sweet.
Funny how life is. My boy Gentry finally got his Christmas wish granted and is dating my sister. I won’t be surprised if they run off to Vegas and get hitched. Nate and Liz are exclusive, and I’ve never seen her happier. Hallie even started doing business with Liz, selling a variety of artisan breads and scones exclusive to The Tea Spot. They’ve come a long way.
And so has Sawyer Farms. I locked down a massive deal with Echo Ridge—yeah,thatEcho Ridge. Getting Zane Wyatt’s stamp of approval hit me harder than I expected. Said our quarterhorses are the kind of stock a ranch could build a legacy on. Coming from one of the most successful cattle ranchers in the world, it hit good.
Hallie’s arms slide around my neck with a contented sigh. “You are so much more than anything I wished for in high school. You have a glass of wine waiting at my duplex on long days, my kitchen spotless. You pay attention, except when the Spurs are playing, but that’s alright. I know how to distract you.”
My dick tightens at the memory of Hallie on her knees. Why does she think I ignore her now during sports? It’s my favorite part of watching it on TV.
“And you showed up at every performance ofMy Fair Ladyjust to cheer me on.”
“Who else was going to sit between Harrison and Lorelai?”
“Their parents? And that was one show, Colt.”
I lean in, capturing her mouth. I loved watching her on stage, shining in her element. Her lips part, inviting me in, and I can’t help but groan as the taste of her floods my senses. Heat blooms between us like wildfire, and I back her slowly against the fence, my hands memorizing every curve.
“Colt.” Her words whisper against my mouth, rough with need.
I let my hands wander to her waist, pulling her closer until I can feel her heartbeat racing against my chest. The world narrows to just us, her fingers threading through my hair, tugging enough to send electricity curling down my spine.
She bites my lower lip gently, and something primal awakens inside me, my restraint unraveling with each passing second. My cock is hard as fuck, leaking in want.
My fingers slip underneath her shirt, skimming the satin hugging her full breasts. The slight arch of her back drives me wild, her taste dangerous and promising. I kiss down her neck, my teeth scraping gently at the pulse hammering in her throat,and her body strains closer like she wants to fuse us together right here against the fence.
Her lips quiver against mine, and it takes everything in me not to rip her shirt clean off like. She does like that. My hands slide under the satin, cupping her tits, my thumbs teasing her taut nipples. Her whole body shudders in pleasure, and she grips my cock through my jeans.
“Hallie…” My voice actually cracks. “If you keep doing that, I’m gonna ruin you right here.”
“Oh?” Her whisper is all innocent sin. “Right here, cowboy?”
I groan, dropping my forehead to hers. “You’re killing me.”
“Pretty sure I’m keeping you alive.”
She’s not wrong.
Hallie Emory has saved me in ways she doesn’t even know. And the way she’s looking at me now, hungry, trusting, and all hers, it hits me deep enough to rattle.
I hook my thumb and forefinger on the clasp of her bra, ready to pop it open… then freeze.
Because I want the first time I take her out here to be slow. Intentional. One of those memories she thinks about ten years down the road and still blushes.
I pull back an inch and grin down at her, wicked and promising. “We’re not doing this against a fence, sweetheart. Not yet.”
Her frustrated whimper is the hottest thing I’ve ever heard. When her nails dig in slightly with the tiniest tug, it sets my blood on fire.
“But,” I add, sliding my hand down the curve of her ass, squeezing hard enough to make her gasp, “I am gonna take you inside and make you forget your name, your bakery, and every damn cookie recipe you’ve ever memorized.”
“Colt…” Her hips shift forward, a subtle roll against mine that nearly shreds the last thread of patience I’ve been holding onto.
“Yeah, Cupcake?”
Her fingers curl into my shirt, eyes dark and pleading. “Take me inside.”
trusting, and all hers, it hits me deep enough to rattle.
