Page 23

I was exhausted. Everything that could possibly go wrong today did—and then some.

First thing this morning, Jace and I found out the cattle in the back pasture had somehow busted through the fence. We spent what felt like forever chasing them down and corralling them.

Before we even had a chance to catch our breath, the hay baler broke down while Dad was out in the field.

We fought with that stupid machine until we finally got it working again, only for Mom to call and tell us the water line under the kitchen sink at the main house had busted.

So, we had to drop everything, drive into town for parts, and patch it up.

By the time I finally dragged myself back home, I felt like I’d been chewed up and spit out twice over.

But finally, I was on my way to the guesthouse—to Ellie.

The closer I got, the more the butterflies stirred in my stomach.

Get it together, man .

As I stepped onto the front porch, the warm, sweet aroma of fresh pecan pie wrapped around me.

Jackpot.

I knocked on the door, heart pounding, the anticipation of seeing Ellie just about killing me.

She opened the door, sticking her body out halfway.

“Sorry, sir. Whatever you’re selling, I’m not interested in it,” she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“What if I’m a cowboy selling kisses?” I bargained back, leaning against the doorframe, giving her my best cocky grin.

“Mmm… I might be interested,” she said, swinging the door open wider.

“That’s what I thought.” I closed the space between us, wrapping Ellie’s tiny frame in my arms, pressing a kiss to her soft lips.

“Get in here before someone sees you.”

She grabbed my arm, yanking me through the door and into the house.

“You know they can still see my truck parked out front, right?” I teased.

She rolled her eyes. “What excuse did you use to get away?”

“I told them you made me a homemade pecan pie and I was just coming by to pick it up,” I said, smirking.

“And what made you so confident I would actually make you one?”

I grinned, tightening my arms around her just a little. “Because, darlin’, I know you love any chance to test your baking skills, which are amazing by the way, and a McKinley never forgets a promise, especially when it comes to pie.”

She laughed, the sweet sound causing my pants to fit just a little tighter as the seconds ticked by.

“Well, lucky for you,” she said, turning and walking towards the kitchen, “I just pulled it out of the oven about ten minutes ago.”

I followed, captivated by the sway of her hips as she moved. “Smells better than anything I’ve had in a long time,” I said, and I wasn’t just talking about the pie.

She glanced over her shoulder, catching my eyes on her body, her cheeks flushing pink.

“Behave,” she warned playfully.

“No promises,” I murmured, closing the distance between us again.

Before she could protest, I pinned her gently against the kitchen counter, my hands braced on each side of her body. Her breath hitched as she stared up at me.

“Colt…” she whispered.

“Just one more kiss,” I said, my voice low and rough, before I dipped my head and captured her mouth with mine—slow, deep, claiming.

She melted into me, gripping the front of my shirt like she couldn’t get close enough. I groaned against her mouth, sliding my hands down to her waist and pulling her flush against me.

Every part of me ached for her. It had been since the second I watched her drive off this morning.

I didn’t make it to the table.

I grabbed her by the hips and lifted her onto the counter, stepping between her legs and claiming her mouth again, deeper, rougher this time. Ellie gasped into the kiss, running her fingers through my hair and tugging just enough to drive me half-crazy.

I slid my hands up under her soft T-shirt, feeling the heat of her skin, the dip of her waist, the curve of her back as she arched into me.

She tugged at my shirt, desperate, pulling it up over my head and tossing it somewhere behind us without a second thought. Her palms roamed over my chest, nails lightly scraping and leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

“God, Ellie,” I muttered against her lips, my voice breaking on her name.

“I missed you today,” she whispered back, threading her fingers through the belt loops of my jeans, pulling me even closer.

I kissed a path down her neck, savoring every hitch of her breath and every little sound she made. My hands slid lower, gripping the backs of her thighs, pulling her tight against me, needing her to feel exactly what she did to me.

I kissed her like a man starved—like I’d spent the whole damn day thinking about this moment. Because I had.

Ellie’s fingers dug into my shoulders, anchoring herself as I pressed her against the kitchen counter, my body fitting perfectly between her legs.

I grabbed the hem of her shirt, pulling it up over her head in one swift motion, my hands running up her bare sides, memorizing every inch of her soft skin.

She shivered beneath my touch, her breath coming out in a shaky gasp as I dipped my head and traced kisses along her collarbone, down to the swell of her breasts.

She was beautiful—flushed and breathless.

She was mine.

I fumbled with the button of her jeans, desperate to get them off, to feel more of her. Ellie lifted her hips in silent permission. I stripped them down her legs, leaving behind nothing but a tiny scrap of lace that had me cursing under my breath.

“You’re killing me, El,” I growled, my hands sliding up her thighs, spreading her open for me.

“Then do something about it,” she whispered, her voice wrecked and needy.

That was all the invitation I needed. I pulled her off the counter, spun her around, and pressed her body forward, leaning her over the marble slab.

I hooked my fingers on the lace thong, ripping it off before tossing it aside. I undid my jeans next, my hands shaking.

I shoved my body against hers, sliding my cock along her slick welcoming heat, notching the head at her entrance.

I pushed in slow, inch by inch, gritting my teeth against the urge to lose myself completely. Ellie held onto the counter with both hands, her head falling forward with a soft cry that just about undid me.

“Colt,” she whimpered, pushing her hips back against mine, making her take me deeper.

The counter creaked under the strain of our movements, but I didn’t care. All I cared about was Ellie—the way she felt, the way her body moved in sync with mine, the way she looked at me like I was the only man in the world .

“You’re so damn beautiful,” I panted against the back of her neck, thrusting deeper, harder, unable to hold back anymore.

Her body jerked in small spasms, clamping down on me, her release inching closer and closer to the edge.

“I’m right there, baby,” I ground out. “You can do it, El.”

With one final thrust, we shattered together, Ellie crying out in pleasure as I groaned my release.

I held her close, her body trembling against me. My heart thundered in my chest as I pressed kisses to her hair, her forehead, and every part of her I could reach.

And then, like a movie reel playing behind my eyes, images I’d never dared to imagine before flashed through my mind.

Ellie barefoot in our kitchen, laughing as she baked cookies, flour dusting her nose.

Ellie glowing in a white dress, twirling in slow circles at our wedding.

Ellie cradling a tiny baby against her chest, swaying gently, singing a soft lullaby.

Damn.

I was so far gone for this woman. Ellie had no idea how fast and how hard I was falling.