Page 25 of Saddled in Secrets (Cloverleaf Meadows #2)

M y jaw drops when two men haul the biggest mattress I’ve ever seen out of the back of a moving truck. “What did you do, Colton?”

“Got you a new bed.”

I gawk at the scene unfolding through the windshield.

Suspicion was raised the instant we pulled up to the house a few moments ago.

To see an unmarked vehicle idling in the driveway was a shock.

The fact Colton didn’t seem bothered in the least was a bigger one.

Our safety is supposedly at risk and he’s inviting randos to drop by? Well, I might’ve overreacted.

“But I already have a bed.” And it looked brand-spankin’-new until I defiled it last night.

He kills the ignition and slips the keys into his pocket. “That one hurt your back.”

“Most do. That’s just the way it is.” There’s a crick in my left hip as we speak.

He just shakes his head. “I’ll keep tossin’ ‘em out until we find one that doesn’t. This brand is rated as the best on the market for scoliosis.”

“Okay, that’s super thoughtful. Cue the heart flutters and romantic orgasm, Stalker. But for the record, I’m not that much of a princess.” As I sit and watch him hop out to come get me.

His long strides eat the ground, delivering him to open my door in three seconds. Colton unbuckles my belt, hoists me into his arms, and sets me on my booted feet. “You are, baby girl. That’s one reason I love you.”

The way he casually slips that into our conversation bobbles me. I swoon a bit, slumping against him. His blue stare smolders into mine. This man makes it easy to fall, knowing he’s right there to catch me.

But I’m not there yet. Not even close. I straighten and brush imaginary dirt off my jeans. The moving men are carrying the wrapped mattress toward the porch. That gets Spud’s attention.

Our dog leaps from Fern in a wide arch, landing in front of us to create a defensive wall against the intruders. Hair stands up straight on his back when he bristles. A low growl warns the guys to stop or he’ll pounce.

“At ease,” Colton croons.

I gawk when Spud’s butt meets the gravel. “The fuck?”

He shrugs. “Figured he might respond to the command. Might try it on you later.”

“Good luck with that,” I scoff. But the submissive part of me is already preening.

“Don’t talk back.” His palm lightly connects with my ass.

“Hey!” But I wiggle for another.

“Boss?” That comes from the taller of the two currently balancing what I imagine to be a very heavy load.

My brows lift at his voiced concern. “Boss?”

“Don’t recognize them from the trailer sales lot? Best of my overnight crew right there.” He jogs over to them, keying in the code for the lock pad.

I shuffle after him at a slow drag. Colton is teasing me, but the urge to thump my own forehead is strong.

With all that’s going on, it’s easy to forget he’s the head of security for our family empire.

Not to mention his permanent post within Benson Farmstead, which allows him to be glued to my side at all times.

He’s obviously in charge of many men to keep us all safe.

“Take it to our room.” He instructs as I park myself beside him. “Up the stairs. Second door on the right.”

“Got it, boss.” They move swiftly to follow his order.

Meanwhile, I cross my arms and stay put. “ Our room? I agreed to date you, not become a domesticated couple.”

“You’ve also been very vocal about wanting sex, which means we’re sharing a bed.” The man makes it tough to argue with him.

Which is why I stand quietly as the security guys heave the discarded mattress to the truck. After rolling the door down, the swap is complete. It didn’t take them longer than five minutes.

The one who spoke earlier trots back over to us. “Want us to put on the sheets and shit?”

“Like I’d let you touch my woman’s bedding. Get lost.” But Colton’s tone isn’t harsh, especially paired with him discreetly handing the guy a wad of cash.

The man dips his head before returning to his partner. They’ll probably make it back to Cloverleaf Meadows just in time to start their shift chasing off danger. Busy day for all of us.

Colton watches them leave, offering a parting wave as they disappear from view. The heat of his unwavering stare returns to me. “And now, we get to break in the new one.”

“Ohhhh,” I sway into him. “I love the sound of that.”

“Hang on.” That’s all the warning I get before he slings me over his shoulder.

Spud yips and races to the stairs. Colton follows, kicking the front door shut while bringing me along for the ride.

I hang upside down like a sack of potatoes about to be devoured for dinner.

The view of his ass from this angle is worth the head rush.

Every step he climbs raises his muscular backside for my viewing pleasure.

Our dog disappears somewhere when we reach the second floor. He’s probably claiming a hiding spot as his while Daddy does naughty things to Mommy. It’s best Spud isn’t around to see it.

As if I’m the most precious cargo, Colton gently lowers me over the threshold of our room. I stand while he moves to a pile of folded laundry on the dresser. It looks like the sheets and shit the guy mentioned. Colton clearly planned this, which injects me with another burst of affection.

With a purposeful swipe, he snatches the item on top. The fabric crinkles as he begins to stretch it across the foot of the mattress. That’s my cue to quit being a worthless lump.

My fingers pause after gripping the unexpected texture. It feels like the protective layer parents put down while their toddler is potty training. “What’s this for?”

He smirks while securing the last corner. “You’ll see.”

The man is a mystery, but I don’t question him further.

We make the rest of the bed in a seamless process.

It’s as if we’ve done this countless times together on autopilot.

When we’re done, it’s cozy and very inviting.

The green comforter resembles a meadow. I’m tempted to collapse in the center like a starfish.

But then Colton is hugging me from behind. His tattooed arms hold my body tight against his. He’s already hard, the long length of him pressing into my ass. A tame but purposeful nudge grinds him into me. I sag against him, a very willing victim in this moment.

His fingers pull the elastic band free from the end of my braid, loosening the plaited sections.

As the long length cascades down my back, he combs through it with the utmost care.

This tough guy is extremely careful with me.

Prickles scroll across my scalp and I tremble against him.

Colton groans low in his throat as if this simple gesture brings him great pleasure. It makes me feel cherished in return.

With that task complete, one hand roams under the hem of my shirt. A tremble rolls through me from the sensual contact. His palm is warm and large as he flattens it over my stomach.

“You’re mine?”

“For now,” I evade.

“Bianca,” he rumbles into the crook of my neck.

I tilt my head to give him better access. “As if you’ll ever let me escape.”

His lips drift along my skin in a tender caress. “Never.”

And I don’t want him to. That’s why I lift my arms as he drags the shirt up and over my head.

His deft fingers glide under the band of my sports bra, tugging to free my breasts from the confines.

The air is cool on my nipples and they harden into stiff peaks.

After tossing the restrictive material away, Colton doesn’t hesitate to cup my boobs in both hands.

I spill over his palms and he groans at the sight.

My chin tips to watch his face as he touches me.

He ditched his hat at some point, giving me an unobstructed view.

His eyes are latched onto my chest like I’ve hypnotized him.

This is a man possessed. That knowledge sends a jolt straight to my clit and I squeeze my legs together.

The motion jiggles my breasts in his grip.

Colton grunts and thumbs my nipples. “Fuck, you’re perfect.”

My blood heats into reckless desire. “I do have a nice rack.”

“Can’t wait to clamp these between my teeth.”

“Yes,” I whimper and thrust my chest into his grasp.

“But not yet.”

“Why?” My tone is pitiful.

“Are you sensitive?” He flicks the needy tips again, which buckles my knees. There’s a smile in his voice when he says, “Mhmm, very responsive.”

Unmistakable warmth from down below floods my basement. I mewl at the wet sensation and clench my thighs again. “Please, Stalker.”

A gruff noise rattles from him. “Look at you at my mercy. You beg very well, Princess.”

“Mhmm, I’ll be really good. Just take me. Please.” My ass grinds into his cock.“I need you.”

“How much?”

I scramble to undo my belt and show him, but he swats my hands away. “Hey! Don’t stop—”

“But that’s my job.” His fingers replace mine, unlatching the buckle from the leather.

I squirm when he pops open the button and lowers the zipper. My jeans are snug, but the denim is no match for his insistence. He hooks the waistband of my thong with his thumbs, pulling it down along with my pants. The combination of fabric and any lingering doubt puddles at my feet.

Colton’s palms travel over my freshly exposed skin, starting at my calves and coasting slowly to my ass. A low groan of approval praises me as he fists a handful of flesh. He gives my butt a light tap before stepping back to appreciate the whole view.

The fiery lust in his gaze spikes my own.

A shiver skates through me from tit to toe.

That slight ripple morphs into a limb-racking tremble when he rips the tucked duvet off the bed.

I don’t protest when he steers my movements, allowing him to spin and maneuver me to his liking.

My back meets the mattress while my legs hang over the edge.