Page 60 of Colt

Or maybe that’s just the ardent morning sunshine that slants into my apartment. I wouldn’t say the air is crisp yet, but it is a little cooler. The sky is spotless.

It’s going to be a beautiful day.

Colton touches his gloved fingertips to the brim of his hat. “Mornin’, Dallas.”

I hold a hand up to my forehead against the sun. His handsomeness hits me like a baseball bat to the backs of my knees. How is he doing this? Greeting me casually, like we didn’t do filthy things together that still make me blush and want to die?

“Uh.” My brain is not functioning. “Hi. Hello? Hi.”

“You busy?” he asks.

My stomach bottoms out. “Depends who’s asking.”

“I am!” a little voice chirps up, and that’s when I realize the cowboy behind Colton is none other than his son, Dean Wallace. “Please please please come for a ride with us. I got sick last week but now I’m better, so we can finally ride together, Miss Lainey. My dad says we can teach you how to do it because we’re experts.”

I bet your dad said that.

And I bet he meant it in exactly that way I think he did.

Judging by the playful gleam in Colton’s eyes, he was definitely being a perv.

I notice he’s not growling today, however. And the angst I saw in him at the barn seems to have disappeared.

“Hey, Dean!” I give him a wave. “I didn’t see you back there. How’s it going?”

“Great. But I’d be better if you said yes.”

Laughing, I feel heat rush to my face. “You’re a persistent little dude, aren’t you?”

“Yup.” He grins.

I glance at Colton. He’s not being mean today, but I can’t tell if he’s just keeping himself in check around his son or if he really does want me to come riding with them.

“A cow almost kicked me today,” Dean says. “But I didn’t let him.”

“Thank goodness for that. But I’d hate to hold y’all back. If you were planning to go for a ride without me⁠—”

“Aw, c’mon, Lainey. It’s gonna be so fun. It’s easy, I promise,” Dean replies. “I bet you can keep up with us.”

Laughing, I try to tuck my other hand into the front pocket of my jeans. Only I’m not wearing jeans, so I end up awkwardly coasting my palm down the side of my sweatpants.

Smooth.

I look at Colton and wait for him to chime in. We wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want you to join us, he could say. Or, Hey, we’re still enemies, but I’m willing to play nice.

He doesn’t, of course. Just looks at me, his eyes moving slowly up and down my body. A spark of heat ignites in my center. I ignore it.

Try to at least.

“Da-ad,” Dean says. “Tell Lainey it’s okay if she comes with us.”

Colton blinks, shaking his head a little like he’s waking up from a trance. “Lainey, it’s okay if you come with us.” The timbre of his voice—the familiarity of it—sends a tingle down my spine. “So come.”

You look so pretty when you come.

“Yes,” I blurt. “I’d love to.”

I tell myself I’m saying yes for Dean. He’s cute as a button and a true delight to be around. Agreeing to go for a ride with him has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that his father will be with us too.