Page 52 of Colt

“Was out for a ride. Better question, what the hell are you doing out here?”

“Nash let me take some videos of him explaining how to ride a horse. I figured I’d, um”—she blushes—“try out his tips.”

She smells so fucking good. Her skin is warm. I can see the frantic thump of her pulse in the hollow beneath her ear.

“You shouldn’t be here alone.” It’s the only thing my short-circuiting brain can think to say.

“You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that.”

“I don’t sneak.”

“Yes, you do. It’s almost like you wanted me to fall off this thing.”

“Would you leave if that happened? I’d never wish an injury on anyone, but…”

“Even in a cast, I’d stay. Just to spite you.”

I’m fighting a grin. “Sorry, the only butt I’m wiping is my son’s.”

Lainey grabs my hand and tries to pry it off her body. “You’re such an asshole. Let me go.”

“Only if you stay outta my way. We talked about this, remember?”

She cuts me a withering glare over her shoulder. “You were the one creeping on me, Colton. I’m innocent in all this.”

Fuck, she’s quick.

She’s calling me out. And now her eyes flick to my mouth and flash with something like…

Like hunger.

A surge of heat hits me squarely between my legs. I hate not being in control of my body. My thoughts.

I hate her.

“I was just doing my job,” I bite out. “Which requires me to⁠—”

“Whatever.” She’s clawing at my hand now. “Let me go, or I’ll scream. I can get off by myself⁠—”

“Of course you can. I saw evidence of that the other day.”

“Fuck you.”

“Thanks but no thanks. Now turn around and put your hands on my shoulders.”

Her eyes glitter. The anger I see there—damn it, I’m curious to know what it’s about. Doesn’t make sense for a perfectly put-together princess like Lainey Brown to be pissed at the world.

“No,” she spits out.

“You’d best listen, Dallas. I got handcuffs on me.”

That makes her laugh. “Stop. You don’t have⁠—”

“Wanna bet?”

“So you’re the sheriff now too? In addition to being the foreman and an asshole?” Finally breaking eye contact, she shakes her head. “Where do you find the time?”

“Don’t need much sleep. I will throw you over my shoulder if you don’t start listening, Dallas.”