Page 39 of Saddled in Secrets (Cloverleaf Meadows #2)

A fter we rinse off and get dressed, Bianca tugs me downstairs for whatever she’s planned next. If it’s anything like her first surprise, I’m in for a treat. My dick twitches in my jeans. Damn thing is never satisfied.

Which is a direct extension of my obsession for this woman. She pulls me around a corner and I willingly follow like a trained pet. Another hurried yank from her makes me wince. The shirt I chose is the softest I own, but it’s still agitating my skin.

Bianca glances at me. “Are you sad?”

I force my expression into a neutral mask. “This is my excited face. It’s rusty.”

Her snort calls bullshit. “We can’t stay in my room all day, Stalker. I’ll do you dirty again soon.”

My cock gives another giddy throb. Meanwhile, there’s an irritation blazing across my chest that won’t be concealed for much longer.

My face is flushed and I’m starting to get hot.

That can be easily written off as a lingering effect from the shower.

Abnormal bumps appearing on my body are harder to explain.

It’s a miracle she hasn’t noticed yet. The burn is beginning to creep higher without remorse. Too bad turtlenecks aren’t my style.

Brody is in the kitchen when we enter. My friend barely looks up from whatever he’s reading on his iPad. I’m about to exhale the breath burning in my lungs when his eyes flick over to me.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Fuck off,” I grunt. Now isn’t the time for pleasantries.

Bianca agrees and swats his arm. “Don’t be an ass. It’s his birthday.”

Brody studies me like a problem to solve. “Did you eat chocolate?”

Heat blisters my skin in confirmation, but I don’t verbally reply.

The peppy party planner scoffs at her brother. “Yes, I let him have dessert for breakfast. His protein diet will survive. It was just a little bit.”

He huffs right back at her. “That’s more than enough to cause a reaction. Right, Colt?”

Bianca whirls to face me. Her flawless beauty is scrunched in scrutiny as she gives me a slow once-over. My hand lifts to cover the evidence she doesn’t know to look for. The hives are peeking out of my collar at this point.

Sunlight from the nearest window glints off her dark hair as she comes up empty. “What’s he talking about?”

Words fail me. My tongue might be swelling, but that’s unrelated to the chocolate. I don’t want to disappoint her, which is how I got myself into this itchy mess.

“He’s allergic,” Brody drawls to burst my discretion.

Bianca slaps her palms to her cheeks. “Holy shit! I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“No,” I bark.

She barely blinks at my harsh retort. “Just let me find my keys.”

My gentle grip hooks her elbow before she starts the search for her purse. “I’m fine.”

Her gaze is frantic when it collides with mine. “How can you say that? You’re having an allergic reaction!”

“It’s just a rash,” I pacify. “More of a nuisance than anything. My throat doesn’t close or anything.”

The tight pucker of her lips isn’t convinced. “Let me see.”

Hesitation turns my muscles into lead. “I’d rather not show you.”

Bianca’s sharp intelligence zeroes in on the palm still resting on my neck. She circles my wrist and plucks off the makeshift bandage. Without even looking, I know the exposed skin is red and bumpy. Her horrified gasp confirms it.

Tears flood her eyes, gutting me with a dull knife. “You’re not fine.”

“This is just temporary. It’ll clear up by tomorrow.”

“How far does it spread?”

My jaw clamps shut, grinding the truth into dust.

Her watery gaze narrows and she yanks my shirt up. Another strangled noise rips from her. “What the fuck, Colton? It’s all over!

“Barely a flesh wound,” I mutter.

But her stricken expression pinches tighter. “Why did you let me feed you chocolate?”

“Is that a serious question?”

“But you’re suffering.”

I grip her chin in a gentle hold, tilting until our lips brush. “Haven’t you learned by now? I’ll do anything for you.”

A red hue flushes her face to match mine. “Still should’ve stopped me.”

I chuckle, but it lacks humor. “Just for the record, I’d slurp chocolate off your tits even if it killed me.”

Brody gags. “There goes my morning.”

We don’t acknowledge his exit from the kitchen. Bianca is too focused on my condition. A stray droplet trickles down her cheek and I thumb it away. The sight of her misplaced guilt is twenty times worse than the allergic reaction.

“Please don’t cry,” I rasp.

But another tear escapes. “I did this to you.”

“No, I did this to myself. It was my choice. I’d make the same one in a heartbeat.”

“That’s harmful for your health,” she scolds.

Real laughter spews from my throat. “Good one, baby girl. Love is what’s keepin’ me alive. If I have to suffer a rash to make you smile, it’s a small price to pay.”

Her bottom lip wobbles. “I don’t deserve you.”

A reflexive motion drags her against my chest. The close contact singes my flesh, but the desperation to comfort her takes precedence. It’s a pain I’ll gladly endure just to hold her.

Bianca must feel the flames wafting from my upper body. Delicate fingers peel the cotton from my burning skin with the upmost care. I can’t stifle a hiss.

“Sorry,” she whimpers while tugging the fabric over my head. “You’re burning up.”

“Part of the reaction.”

Her palm shakes on the way to covering her gaping mouth. “Is there medication you can take?”

I shrug. “When this happened before, ice and aloe vera did the trick.”

She’s already rushing toward the freezer, dumping cubes into a bowl. Her free hand grabs a wrapped gift from the table before snatching a green bottle from the cabinet. A jerk of her chin suggests I haul ass to the front door.

My feet remain firmly planted. “Let me help you carry stuff.”

Bianca recovers from her upset. The concern is replaced with a scowl as if I personally offended her bubble of chaos. “Outside, Stalker.”

I’m nothing if not willing to fulfill her desires.

We step onto the porch between the two stone pillars that stretch to the roof.

Benson Farmstead is a work of rustic art.

My gaze appreciates the sprawling view of sun-dappled pastures and fallen leaves.

Spud is playing tag with the other dogs while I’m herded to an oversized deck chair.

The cushion cradles my ass, which thankfully isn’t inflicted with this awful itching.

It’s too quiet as I stare at the pups across the manicured lawn.

A glance at Bianca finds her frozen and gawking at my back.

My smirk is rewarded with a glare. “How’s it look?”

“Like you were attacked by a hive of rabid bees.”

“Do bees contract rabies?”

She dumps the contents from her arms onto the lounger beside me. “Not the point.”

“Just tryin’ to make conversation.”

“We can talk about how I ruined your birthday,” she mutters.

“Princess,” I chide. “That’s the opposite of what you did.”

Her eyes roll. “Let me find you a mirror and see what you think.”

“C’mere.” I tug her in front of me, caging her curves between my splayed thighs. “Believe it or not, just celebrating the fact that it’s my birthday is more than anyone has done for me since I can remember.”

Her slim shoulders hunch. “But I wanted it to be special.”

“Trust me when I tell you that it is. We’ll never forget the day I had an allergic reaction after licking chocolate off your breasts.”

Bianca stifles a laugh between her pressed lips. “I suppose. Are you able to open your present?”

As if she even needs to ask. I’ve been staring longingly at the wrapped box since she set it down next to us.

Birthdays weren’t acknowledged growing up.

Christmas was a date to earn our keep by stealing from others.

We never received a gift. That means I’d pop every blister on my palms to see what she got me.

I tear through the paper slowly, wanting to savor the moment. Bianca is jittery as I take my time. When I lift the lid, all the air whooshes from my lungs. Anything my wildest dreams dare to conjure can never compete with this.

The agony stabbing into my flesh is instantly forgotten. My fingers tremble as I unfold the crocheted blanket. It spills over in a woolly cascade. The size is massive—big enough to fit two of me.

There’s a quake in my voice when I ask, “Did you make this?”

Bianca quirks a brow. “Is that a serious question?”

I’d laugh at her regurgitating my earlier quip, but I’m too emotional. My vision is blurry. The sting at the bridge of my nose is foreign and uncomfortable. A lump expands in my throat until it’s hard to swallow.

“Incredible,” I manage to croak.

“Oh, no. Don’t you dare.” She fans my eyes. “You cannot cry.”

I sniff in vain, mostly for her benefit. “Can’t help it. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

“Don’t let my brother hear you say that.”

“He’ll get over it.” I fondle the soft texture that’s priceless. “I’ll cherish this forever, Princess.”

Bianca kisses my quivering lips. “The color is for your eyes. A blue that sparkles if you’re willing to look close enough.

There are a few dark flecks that speak of your past, but the light inside you conquered it.

That goodness stretches far and wide like the ocean.

The depths are bottomless but safe. I feel protected in those turbulent waters. ”

Fuck. I choke on a sob. Only this woman can bring me to tears.

The fight for composure is a battle I’ve never fought, but I come out victorious. “Is that how you see me?”

She nods. “You’re always there when I need you. Reliable. Steady. Endless.”

Fire reignites in my eyes. “Is this real?”

“Yes, my love. My stalker,” she blubbers and dips to press our foreheads together.

“Love you,” I whisper into her mouth. “Ruining me all over again.”

“Ditto,” she sighs. “Okay, you need relief.” Before my dick can perk up, she grabs the aloe vera. Two squirts fill her palm with a green blob. I suck in a breath when the cooling sensation touches my chest.

Her glistening eyes search mine as she rubs my shoulders. “Okay?”

“Perfection,” I groan.

“When I planned to spoil you, this wasn’t what I had in mind.”

Another low sound slips from my parted lips. “I’m not complaining.”

“Are you enjoying this?” Bianca spreads the aloe across my chest.

I shudder under her caress. “Your hands on me are a gift I’m grateful to receive.”

“Seems you’re easy to please too.”

My head hangs forward, totally lax. “Did you actually have an agenda for today?”

“Mhmm,” she hums while massaging my back.

“After an actual breakfast, I thought we could stroll along Main Street. I wanted to show off my first boyfriend to the masses. Spread the news like wildfire. After that, we would’ve swung by the fairgrounds.

The food trucks for Haunted Harvest Haze are already lined up.

One of them serves a meat tornado. If that doesn’t satisfy your protein diet, I’m not sure what will. ”

“Your pussy,” I mumble as she slathers me in another cool layer of goo.

“Nope, you’re cut off.”

I straighten into a ramrod post. “Excuse you?”

Her pert nose tips skyward. “Only rest and relaxation until you recover.”

My palms roam the long length of her legs, gripping tight when I reach her ass. “I beg to differ.”

“Oh,” she laughs. “You’ll be begging all right.”

“Tell me more,” I rumble.

“You’re gonna sit here in the shade like a pampered king while I go ride my horses.”

“Do I get to watch?”

“If you behave.”

“Will you let your hair down?” I tug at the end of her braid.

“If you ask nicely.”

“Please,” I blurt automatically.

Bianca wipes the excess moisture from her palms along my arms. “You’re lucky it’s your birthday.”

“And tomorrow, we can do everything else you had in mind. It’ll still be there. By then, I’ll be good as new.”

“Along with matching Halloween costumes.”

My smirk rises for the occasion. “Something like that.”