Page 108 of Ride or Die

A thought occurs to me then, and my back pricks with instant worry. “What if they come at night? How will we know? Because I’ve seenTwisterand I know how those things can fall out of the sky at any time, and how they’re almost invisible at night.”

“Hey, c’mon now.” Cole chuckles, squeezing my thigh reassuringly. “You know I would never put you or the kids in any kind of danger,” he says, steadying me with an all-consuming look. “You’re safe here. I promise.”

I roll my lips together, offering a weak smile.

“Also,Twistercame out, like, thirty years ago,” Cole continues with a knowing smirk. “Meteorologists have done a lot of work in that time.”

The tension in my shoulders eases some at that because he’s right. Besides,Twisterwas just a movie.

Cole cracks the second beer can one-handed, passing it to me.

“Thank you.” I accept it with a smile, taking a much-needed sip.

“Since you’re not workin’ this weekend,” Cole says after a few silent beats.

“Or ever again,” I mutter, rolling my eyes at myself.

Purposely ignoring my jibe, Cole squeezes my thigh again. “You and the kids can come with me to Amarillo on Saturday.”

I quirk a brow. “What’s at Amarillo?”

He grins. “Panhandle Muster and Rodeo.”

“You’re riding?”

“Big pay day.” He nods, taking a pull from his beer. “Plus, there’s rides for the kids. Music. Food. Dancin’.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“Everyone’s goin’ so it’s a good chance for you to spend some time with Bailey and Darcy, and it’d be kinda nice to have my girl cheerin’ me on from the stands.” His cocky smile turns timid, and it’s possibly the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.

“We’ll be there.” I lean in and press my lips to his with a chaste kiss.

“Are you okay?” Cole asks, dragging his thumb over the curve of my bottom lip. “After today?”

My cheeks flush because I know what he’s asking. “I’m okay. A little mustache rash, but otherwise fine.” I smirk.

He sniffs a laugh. “You know you can always stop me,” he continues, dipping his chin to look at me closely. “If I’m ever pressurin’ you, or movin’ too fast, you tell me to stop and I will. Always.”

I nod, smiling. “I know.”

“The way you’ve opened up to me,” he says, his gaze dipping downwards to where his hand is rubbing up and down my thigh. “I’m so fuckin’ proud of you, baby.”

“I’m proud of myself,” I tell him honestly. “For a long time I thought I was ruined, but… You’ve made me realize it was never me who was the broken one.”

He grins at me, and then lifting his chin, he grazes my lips with his, cupping my cheek and deepening the kiss, sending a wildfire through me that reignites that dwindling flame between my thighs.

I turn so that I’m facing him completely, wrapping my legs around his waist and grinding against the bulge that’s formed in his briefs.

“You needy again, baby?” he whispers against my lips, rough hands palming my ass through my sleep shorts.

I moan softly when his finger drags against where I need him. Again. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I’ve never been like this before.”

Pulling back, he looks at me long and hard, eyes flitting between mine. “I fuckin’ love it.”

I blush at his words, and the look of adoration in his gaze. “You’ve turned me into a… horn bag.”

“Mission accomplished.” Cole chuckles lowly, his mischievous smirk lingering as he stands and lifts me with him, carrying me back inside the house. His lips find my ear, warmbreath fanning the shell and causing me to shiver as he gruffs, “Bedtime, baby.”