Page 37 of Hard To Fall
I grumble low. “Feel free to do it every night.”
She speeds up, and I finally can’t wait any longer. I grab her waist, stilling her and pound into her from underneath. She throws her head back in ecstasy, screams my name, and I come right there with her, in the moonlight and quiet of the ranch. Where the barn now holds all our secrets, we fall over the edge together.
Hours later, we lay on that same blanket, now on the ground inside the barn, as the bales had fallen apart. I drape my shirt over her, not that anyone is out here, but I’d fucking rip anyone’s eyes out for looking at what's mine, and stroke her back. Her head rests on my chest, and she insists I keep that hat on.
“Got a thing for cowboys, sunshine?”
“I got a thing forthiscowboy.” She wraps her hand around my cock, and my laugh turns into a moan as she lazily strokes me.
“You’re in so much trouble,” I say as I roll her to her back and climb over her once more.
“I thrive on trouble, Colt. Bring it.”
CHAPTER 14
LILY
Even though thedoors are open, I feel like we’re in our own little world inside.
The night brought heat, laughter, and moments of lingering looks where I thought there was more to say. Now it’s just horses shifting in their stalls and the occasional gust of wind from an almost-still night.
I’ve got his flannel draped over me, loving the smell of him on my skin, and I’m pretending not to notice the way he keeps nervously flicking the brim of his hat.
Colt Callahan, who rides through injuries, looks nervous because we stopped kissing long enough to talk.
“Does the quiet make you nervous?”
“Never has before.”
I smile. “So, it’s just me? Noted.”
He huffs. “It’s not you. I’m just thinking.”
The night settles again, and I realize he’s not going to give up any feelings, which means I have to.
“I didn’t quit riding because I wanted to,” I say, and his head lifts to me. “I tell people it was a choice.” I shrug. “But the truth is, my knee chose for me.”
His body locks up like he’s afraid of what I’m going to say next.
“I was good,” I admit. “Not just small-town good but good enough for circuits. I had big plans that included shiny buckles and all that.” I laugh softly. “Then I had one bad landing, and suddenly, I was ‘the girl who used to.’”
His jaw tightens. “I hate that phrase.”
“Me, too.” I twist the sleeve of his shirt around my fingers. “Rehab worked for a while, but it wasn’t enough. Surgery helped me walk again, but riding was out of the question.” I let out a breath. “And one day, I realized I wasn’t scared of failing anymore, but I was scared of never becoming anything else, especially because I didn’t know what was next.”
He watches me like I’ve just spoken aloud every one of his thoughts.
“I don’t know who I am without it,” he says quietly.
The honesty in his voice makes my heart ache. “I know what you mean,” I answer. “That’s the worst part.”
He drags a hand over his face. “Doc told me I should’ve quit a year ago.”
I nod because I had a feeling this had been going on for quite some time. I’ve seen the way Colt walks when he thinks no one’s looking; it’s not good.
“And you didn’t,” I say.
“Couldn’t.”
