Page 140 of Unleashed
"Deal, Mr. Sterling." I hold out my pinkie. He links it with his. "No take-backs."
He turns his head and kisses our joined fingers.
"I'd never dream of it."
We lie there for a while after. My head on his chest. His hand in my hair. The bar winding down behind us. The desert stretching out in every direction, quiet and vast and full of the kind of darkness that doesn't scare me anymore. Not with him.
"Ace?"
"Hmm?"
"I really can't walk."
"I know, baby."
"You're going to have to carry me to the passenger seat."
"I know that too."
"And probably into the house."
"Already planned on it."
"And into the bath."
"Now you're pushing it."
"And into bed. And once we’re in bed, I’m going to have to take the role of pillow princess," I tease.
"Harper."
"Yes?"
"Shut up and look at the stars with me."
I shut up.
I look at the stars.
And for the first time in six years, I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, and I am never leaving again.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Ace
Harper is spending some time with her parents while I'm in for a fun day at the auction. Colten apparently desperately needs this horse, and Hunter is giving us five million to play with. Under his supervision, of course. I’m secretly on a mission to find a new mare for Harper.
But Colt knows what he's doing with this fancy horse shit. He has a team that travels the country showing them, our family ranch branded on everything. Trailers, blankets, saddle cloths. It puts our name on the map. This was what Dad loved. Making sure everyone knew who the Sterlings were. Making sure they remembered.
"This ain't quite a cattle market," I joke, nudging Colten's side as we lean against the rails overlooking the showing area.
He grunts.
"Ace, I just need you to not fuck around today. I need this horse. Alright?" His jaw is tight. Eyes already scanning the arena. He’s on edge, and I’m not sure why.
I straighten my spine. "I'm not sure why you thought bringing me was the right idea if it's that serious."
He runs a hand over his face, then grabs the rail.
