Page 26 of Hard To Fall
“Me, too.” I’m beginning to sweat, trying to keep my composure. “Show me what you like. Get there, sunshine. You’re too wet for me to hold off much longer.”
She grabs my hand, sucks on my pointer finger, her tongue swirling around my tip, and then places it on her clit. “Touch me, Colt.” I stroke her clit with the same rhythm, and then she’s grabbing the sheets and calling my name.
“Colt! Yes!”
“Lily, oh my God!” I come with an explosion, that electrical sizzle climbing my spine is too much to hold off. I continue stroking, bringing us down slowly, never wanting this feeling to end.
I collapse on her chest, her hands in my hair, and I feel an overwhelming closeness to her. This is new, and I let myself daydream for just a moment about what comes after riding.
~~
Later, when the storm is quieter and the outside world feels far away, she lies curled against my chest.
My arm is around her, and her head is on my shoulder.
“You okay?” I ask quietly.
She hums. “More than okay.”
I stare at the ceiling. And for the first time in a long time, I smile, feeling like I don't have to do it all. I’m not alone in the weight of the ranch, the rodeo, and most of all, myself. I don’t feel like I’m running.
Lily isn’t trying to take from me; she’s giving. She’s my mirror. She lost her ride, too, her identity, but she found a way to come back. Maybe she’s here to teach me that. And honestly, what scares me the most is that I want her to.
CHAPTER 10
LILY
The rain is gone,and morning light slips through the curtains, ready to reveal the day.
I wake up curled against warmth. Colt is solid and still, breathing peacefully beside me.
His arm is over my waist, loose but protective, like his body knows something his mind doesn’t want to admit. My back is to his front, and the steady thump of his heartbeat radiates through me.
For one perfect second, I don’t think. I don’t think about how the conversation went last night, or how he gave me a bit of himself, and I, him. I don’t think about how similar our situations are, and I definitely don’t think about what happens next.
Because I already know.
This isn’t a moment in time, it’s not a fling, and it certainly isn’t a mistake. But Colt Callahan doesn’t do anything halfway. So he’s either going to be in with me or out. And all I can do is lie here with this emotionally barricaded man and let him decide what he wants. Because if I push him, he will move in one direction.
I shift carefully, and his grip tightens instinctively.
“Don’t,” he mutters, voice rough with sleep.
I freeze, and my heart does something stupid and wild.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I whisper.
His body relaxes, and his hand cups my breast. His thumb slowly brushes over my nipple, back and forth, back and forth. It’s a calming technique for him, but for me? He’s lighting me on fire. And if we do this again? I’m not sure my sunshine will be able to push the storm I feel inside away.
He wakes slowly, and the moment he realizes where he is, his body stills. It doesn’t feel like rejection, but it damn sure feels like the control he’s been grasping onto, or the walls that he’s got are sliding back into place.
“Morning,” I say softly.
He swallows. “Morning.” Silence stretches, and I feel his breath on my neck.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
