Page 145 of Colt

I huff out a laugh as he rolls this thumb over my clit. “I’m not apologizing for that.”

I also really, really wanna kiss you right now, but I’m scared.

“I’m not asking you to.”

My body arches on a rising tide of pleasure so pure I want to cry. I come. Again.

He comes a beat later. Pressing a kiss to my neck, he breathes, “I know you’re afraid, honey. I am too. But I’m here, and I’m trying. I want—I want this to work.” He noses the hollow underneath my ear. “I want you.”

Shit, now I am crying. Happy tears. Sad ones.

I don’t say anything. I just hold him and let him hold me back. Wondering all the while if this is Colt’s way of asking me to stay.

CHAPTER 28

Coronation Day

LAINEY

The song from Frozen loops through my head as I go through my notes one last time.

It’s finally gotten chilly at night, so Dean, Colt, and I have been snuggling on their couch to watch movies after dinner. Dean’s requested Frozen three out of the past four nights, and I think I have the whole movie memorized at this point.

I smile at my reflection in the mirror, even as I’m hit by a wave of nerves.

Presentation day is finally here. This is not my first rodeo, and I’ve already gotten the thumbs up on Double U Ranch and part of the color scheme. I feel fairly confident that the rest of my concepts, like the home page for the site, the logo, and a few taglines, are solid. I’ve worked hard over the past couple months, and I’m super proud of what I’ve come up with.

I look cute in my bell-bottom jeans and button-up shirt, which I figured was a casual-yet-polished nod to the cowboys and cowgirls I’ll be addressing in a few minutes at Paige and Dale’s house.

But I am still really, really nervous.

Let’s be real, that’s no surprise. I care deeply about all my projects. But this one feels different.

It is different. I just have a funny feeling that nothing is going to be the same after this. Working here—accepting this job, getting to know these people—has changed me in ways I never anticipated.

The Wallaces have come to mean a lot to me. Which means I care about what they think.

Last night, I sent an email to the entire family with my presentation attached. Everyone replied back with a quick “thanks!” or “excited to dive in.” But otherwise, I haven’t heard boo. Even from Colt, although I know he’s busy catching up on work around the ranch. We took a rare night off from hanging out so I could put the finishing touches on the presentation and practice my delivery.

I miss him. Dean too.

I miss them both way more than I should.

My phone rings, making me jump. Jogging over to the kitchen table, I see that Mom is calling.

“Hi.” I don’t try to hide the surprise in my voice. “I’ve been trying to call you.”

“Hey, Lainey. I know. I’m sorry about that, I just…we missed you on Thanksgiving. I missed you.”

The old guilt trip. Funny enough, I feel more annoyed than guilty. “I missed you too. Listen, I’d love to talk, but I’m actually about to head out to present my ideas to the Wallaces.”

“Oh! That’s right. You mentioned that in your voicemail. Good luck. I know they’re going to love what you show them.”

Nothing like a little whiplash. First Mom tells me running my own branding business isn’t a “real job,” then she commends me for being good at it.

Which is it? I want to ask. Do you approve of my choices or not?

Although it strikes me that while I’d love to have my parents’ approval, I’m not sure that I need it anymore. I’m proud of the work I’m doing. The Wallaces really have loved my ideas so far. My clients are happy.