Page 27 of Hard To Fall
That’s it. No teasing or banter, just quiet Colt. And that Colt is worse than the one who would fight with me. This Colt is retreating.
I sit up, pulling the sheet with me. “Don’t do that thing,” I say gently.
“What thing?”
“That thing where you shut down instead of arguing.”
His jaw flexes. “I’m not–”
“You are. Your jaw is ticking and grinding. Do you know how many times a day I see that look?”
He rolls his eyes. “I’m not going to argue. I’m just thinking.”
“About?”
He exhales. “Everything.”
“Last night wasn’t a mistake,” I say.
He doesn’t answer immediately, which should be telling, but then he says, “I didn't say it was.”
“But you’re acting like it scared the hell out of you.”
He looks up at me, eyes dark, eyelashes thick, and says, “It did.”
The honesty knocks the air out of my lungs. For Colt Callahan to admit he’s afraid of something, even after this short time, is huge. I slide closer to him.
“Why?” I ask.
“Because for some strange reason, you got under my skin, and I don’t think I’ve ever had someone there before.” He shakes his head. “I don’t know how to feel about it.”
My chest tightens. “Colt?—”
“You should know I choose the rodeo over everyone,” he continues, without looking at me, “including myself. I don't know any other way.”
“That’s who you are. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, let alone afraid of.”
His mouth curves without humor. “Sometimes, I’m afraid of myself.”
I reach for his hand, and this time, he doesn’t pull away.
“Listen, last night happened because we’ve been circling each other since the first day. I didn’t hate it, and you shouldn’t either.”
He plays with my fingers but still won’t look at me.
“Sunshine,” he murmurs, “you walked into my life like that storm last night. All wild and not caring what came raining down on me.”
I smile softly. “Well, you’ve been living in a drought.”
“Ya know, you’re not just a PR girl,” he says suddenly.
He sits up, leaning against the headboard now, strong, tan chest all on display and causing me to deviate from the conversation. I blink. “Excuse me?”
He pulls me close, against his side. “You’re not just a bubbly personality,” he continues. “You’ve got grit. You’re stubborn ashell.” He suddenly rolls me to my stomach and gives me two sharp spanks, “And you’ve got the sexiest ass I've ever seen.”
I stretch my arms out in front of me, letting the weight of him settle on top of me, wiggling my ass just right.
“And you’re not just a grumpy cowboy,” I reply. “You’re loyal, and you proved you can outlast eight seconds.”
