Page 29 of Saddled in Secrets (Cloverleaf Meadows #2)

I wake with a smile that has little to with the sated thrum between my thighs. There’s a scruffy cheek nuzzling into the curve of my neck from behind. Contentment is a lazy sigh as I snuggle against the wall of muscle. Colton’s lips curve upward into my skin, revealing his own happiness.

“Mornin’, baby girl.” His coarse rasp tells me that he hasn’t been awake for long.

“Mhmm,” I murmur and press my ass into the hard ridge prodding at me. “Off to a very solid start.”

We’re naked in this snug embrace. It wouldn’t take much more than a tilt of his pelvis to slip that pierced tip inside me. But Colton doesn’t abandon his objective. The man’s willpower deserves a gold medal.

My body relaxes against his. I promised not to pressure him and I have every intention of sticking to that. Besides, physical affection without the expectation of sex is very cozy.

“Our intimacy is exposed,” I mumble.

A gruff chuckle puffs along the slope of my shoulder and he hugs me tighter. “How’d you sleep?”

“Like a rock. You?”

“Best night of my life.” His lips drift along my skin in a silky caress. “How’s your back?”

I stretch, wiggling to find any kinks. “Feels great.”

“This bed might be a keeper.”

The warmth of our cuddle cocoons me. “Won’t hear me complain, Stalker.”

And I may never leave.

Colton’s right arm is slung over me while the left is tucked underneath. Tattoos decorate both, but two particular designs catch my eye.

“What’s with the boot print?” I trace the tread permanently etched into his flesh.

“Got that done after you needed a boost.”

A furrow creases my forehead. “When was that?”

“About three years ago,” he states simply.

Faded memories whip through my mind, searching for the one he’s referring to. “Wait. Are you talking about when my hip seized and I had trouble swinging a leg over Luna?”

His nod fills me with that fluttery sensation I now associate with him. “You left a mark on me.”

I suck in a sharp breath. That’s one of the few interactions we had before our ill-fated trip to Europe. My gaze shifts to the replica of a lasso cinched around his bicep. The meaning smacks me in the face seconds later.

“And this is from when I used you for roping practice?”

“No question about it,” he chides.

But I’m stunned regardless. He’s obsessed to the point of inking these seemingly forgettable instances into his flesh.

Gosh, that’s incredibly sexy. Tingles spread in my lower belly as I bask in his level of devotion.

If our relationship continues progressing at this pace, I’ll be trading my last name for his by Monday.

“The secrets are spilling,” I murmur.

“All you have to do is ask.”

“Feel like it’s my turn to reveal something, but you probably know—”

“Who’s Scout?”

I snort at the impatience in his rough timbre. “That’d be you.”

Colton goes still. “Explain.”

“Well,” I begin but immediately pause. “You’re getting two secrets for the price of one. First, it might be somewhat of a shock to learn that I’ve always found you attractive.”

His grunt isn’t all that impressed with my confession. “Kinda figured when you propositioned me for sex on the plane.”

“Hmm, yes. I’m very subtle.”

“One of the many qualities I admire,” he teases.

I soak in the carefree energy wafting off him. “Umm, so… yeahhhh. Scout is what I call you in my fantasies. That fictional version puts out like a wild stallion.”

“Unbelievable,” he grumbles.

“Yes,” I breathe. “He’s really something.”

Colton’s fingers tickle my side and I squeal. “You’re such a brat. I’ve been jealous of myself.”

Laughter and uncontrollable spasms contort me until he relents on the attack. My chest heaves while I take a moment to recover. “Silly, Stalker. If it makes you feel better, I’d always picture you when I got myself off. Scout is the solo star in my clit closet.”

That terminology almost turns his exhale into a chuckle “You won’t need to rely on fake scenarios ever again.”

“Thanks for that. Just these past two days, you’ve stuffed me full of filthy material.” My hand roams along his forearm, stopping at the two hair ties on his wrist. The faded band has been there for months, but the second is new and very familiar. “Did you steal this from me yesterday?”

“They’re both yours.”

I blink at the different styles. “Why do you have them?”

“It’s mainly a coping mechanism.” Colton reaches to snap the elastic against his skin. “The guy who got me into the underground fighting scene told me to try it. Reminds me that I’m not the worthless criminal my father raised me to be. I used regular rubber bands back then.”

Emotion lodges in my throat. “You used to fight?”

“Did a lot worse than that, Princess.” Colton clutches onto me harder as if I’ll try to escape. “But yeah, that’s where I was when Brody found me.”

“I didn’t know that.” There’s a sting along the bridge of my nose. It’s difficult to picture my protector in those conditions. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

“Later,” he deflects.

Which is fair. The weight of his secrets far outmatches mine. But that doesn’t stop me from fiddling with the coping mechanism he displays.

“Does it work?”

“Not until I tried it with one of yours.” His deep inhale tells me there’s more to it.

“Your hair was in a braid when I first saw you. I had this unexplainable urge to take it out, let the length fly free. That was very symbolic for me. And then, as if you’d heard me, you left an elastic in the barn.

It was like you were giving me permission to use it to chase off my demons.

I’ve kept one of your hair binders on my wrist ever since.

Whenever I feel the need to snap it, I’m reminded to be the man worthy of you. ”

Unshed tears blur my vision. There’s a noticeable pitter-patter in my heart that can’t be ignored. I can actually feel my guard crumbling into dust. My palm slaps my chest, making sure I’m still in one piece.

“Oh, no.”

Colton’s entire body goes rigid. “Was that too much?”

“If you’re referring to the feelings I’m catching, then yes.”

The tension seeps from him in a low rumble. “You’re thinking about loving me?”

I fan my watery eyes. “Something like that.”

His palm roams the expanse of my stomach, traveling upward to cradle the hand I still have resting over my heart. “Trust in me, baby girl. I want to spend my life making you happy.”

“Uh-huh, that’s becoming clear.” I sniffle and wipe at my cheeks. “But are you happy?”

The hitch in my voice has him flipping me around to face him. “Why are you crying?”

A choked scoff dribbles from me. “I’m not.”

“Did I upset you?” Those bottomless blue eyes dig deep, peeling away years of avoidance and indifference. “Tell me how to fix it.”

Affection threatens to burst out of me in a rainbow of glitter and fairytales. “Could you maybe get me a tissue?”

Colton twists to grab the box on the nightstand. The swiveled motion puts his back to me. That’s when I notice another tattoo. Down the center, from nape to pelvis, is a detailed design of a crooked spine.

I sit upright to get a better look. My eyes widen at the recognizable shape. It’s double curve scoliosis—the same type I suffer from.

“Is that…?” My voices fades into a tremble.

“Yours,” Colton confirms. “It’s from your latest X-ray.”

I reach out with a shaky hand and trace the dark ink. The piece is massive, impossible to miss unless I’m under the influence of a very pierced penis. How I didn’t notice yesterday is almost alarming. But now, it’s captured my undivided attention.

“This is stunning,” I murmur while admiring the quirky vertebrae. “You make scoliosis look very sexy, Stalker.”

From over his shoulder, his gaze finds mine. “You do that all on your own. I just stole another piece of you to carry around with me.”

“Why did you choose my spine?”

“Aside from the obvious, it represents strength. You don’t let anything stop you. Even when you’re in pain, you don’t quit pushing. It’s perseverance and grit, which can’t be bought. Those thrive inside you. I feel that mantra in the depths of my soul.”

A fresh wave of adoration for this man crashes over me, stealing my voice for a moment. “Um, wow. Your perception of me is rather badass.”

His chuckle is gravelly. “That’s what you are. My unbreakable princess.”

“More of a stubborn brat, but I’ll accept an upgrade.” My mouth meets his tattooed skin, pressing kisses along the S-shaped bend. “What do you tell people when they ask? It’s not easy to hide such a large dedication.”

He twitches under my soft touch. “Anybody that sees me without a shirt on is a guy who knows better than to fuck with me.”

“Hmm,” I mumble into his shoulder blade. “Do your men know how you feel about me?”

Colton’s hand rests on my thigh, carving an upward path to my ass. “You’re not my dirty secret, baby girl.”

“What if I never returned your affections?”

His fingers grip a fistful of my butt, squeezing gently. “I preferred not to consider such an unlikely possibility.”

“Oh, my. How your cockiness has grown.”

“You stroke my ego very well.” He whips back around, pinning me beneath him in a fluid motion. “Are you ready to love me yet?”

Another lump tries to clog my throat. “I think so, but it’s all happening so fast. It’s too soon, right?”

His eyes blaze into blue flames. “You never let the rules define you. Why start now?”

As usual, the man has a good point. My lips part with the words he’s been longing to hear. The rush in my pulse is ready for this step. Colton goes still above me, just waiting for the signal. But then several interruptions happen at once.

His groin pressed flush against mine sets off an internal alarm. The telltale pinch in my bladder warns me that the sheets will be soaked for an entirely different reason if I don’t take care of business immediately. I wiggle while an apologetic wince creases my features.

Spud’s patience chooses that moment to vacate the premises and he jumps onto the bed. He nudges me with his wet nose until I untangle myself from Colton’s embrace. Before I can scoot off the mattress for double potty duty, my phone begins to rattle on the nightstand.

I grab it on my way to the bathroom, stopping short at the name flashing on the screen. A quick swipe answers before I lift it to my ear. “Hey, Dad.”

“Good morning, Bee!” His tone is especially chipper for whatever time it is. “Hope I didn’t wake you.”

My gaze flings to the clock. “It’s after eight.”

“I know how you like your beauty sleep,” he chuckles.

“Uh, right. I’ve been awake for a while.” I glance at Colton lounging against the pile of pillows. The urge to snuggle against him again weakens my knees. “No worries.”

“That’s great to hear. We’ll be there in ten minutes. Wanted to give you a heads-up.”

Dread is a rock plummeting in my gut. “Ten minutes?”

“That’s what the noisy map on Brody’s phone says. Damn thing won’t be quiet.”

“My brother is with you?”

“And his lovely wife.” Dad sounds entirely too pleased, still taking full credit for their union.

“Ohhh-kayyyy,” I chirp. “See you then!”

My finger jabs at the red circle to end the call before he can deliver more disturbing news.

I swivel my bare feet on the wood floor to face the naked man tenting the covers with his massive erection.

Colton isn’t bothered in the least. Meanwhile, my heart is pounding from the approach of a cockblocking stampede.

“My family is almost here.”

A smirk slants his kissable lips. “And?”

I gesture wildly at our current state of undress. “We look like we’ve been banging all night.”

“Close, but not quite.” His casual indifference irks me straight to the toilet.

After relieving myself and turning on the shower, I call out to him over the stream. “I’m gonna rinse off. Feel free to put some clothes on.”

But Colton’s irresistible appeal fills the doorway. “Want some company?”

My mouth goes dry. There’s a physical clench in my vagina that refuses to deny him. “Uhh… Spud needs to go out.”

His head shakes in the negative. “There’s a doggy door. It opens and closes with the tap of a button.”

My jaw drops. “Since when?”

“Since I planned for this to be your safe haven. Wherever you go, there’s at least one pampered pup not far behind.”

I’m smacked with a lusty dose of appreciation. “Good grief, Stalker. Could you be more considerate?”

“Maybe if you let me conserve water. Not to mention that breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” he recites while striding toward me. “I’ll eat fast.”

It takes all of two seconds for me to forget about our incoming guests. “There’s no need to rush. I don’t want you to get a stomach ache.”