Page 23 of Save A Horse (Texas Rose Ranch #1)

Colt

D aisy was leaning against the counter and I was leaning against the one across from her, licking my lips and taking in her gorgeous body.

Neither of us had put our shirts back on yet, and I was very easily distracted.

She took my breath away. The mess we just made was completely worth it.

I would have made that mess to get even one little taste of her.

She crossed my arms and I was afraid of what was to come, knowing that her folding her arms meant one thing- that she wanted to talk. I hated those words. I'm sure they might just be the most dreaded words for any man to hear. Usually, they didn’t mean anything good.

“Colt?”

“Hm?”

“We really need to talk about what happens next. I can’t pretend like everything’s fine.” I wish we didn’t have to talk about anything. I wish this could be our life and we didn’t have to worry about anyone else. I just want us .

“I know.”

“We need to figure out where we go from here.” I nodded. “You and I both know we aren’t just friends…I mean, after a scene like that…”

We aren’t just friends. We are so much more than that.

We were almost more than that as kids, and we probably could have been more if I hadn’t been so stupid and backward and just manned up and told her how I felt.

I could tell she longed for me as much as I did for her back then, but I never got around to sharing how I felt.

That is still my biggest regret to date.

We lost so much time and maybe if we had been together, she would never have left.

And then I wouldn't have missed her as bad as I did.

I wouldn't have shed tears for her.

But this is now, and I can't change the past. I have to make up for what happened before and do what I need to do this time to hold onto her. My heart longed for the beautiful and stunning, curly headed, brown eyed girl that took my breath away and always made me turn my head.

“Yeah, but that’s what my dad thinks. He thinks we’re just friends…

or at least we can get along sort of like we used to.

I don’t think he knows the full extent of our friendship…

before things started heating up between us.

” I brushed my hair back. “If we tell him now, I’m afraid it will complicate things. ”

I made a promise to my dad, and I was so afraid of hurting him that I was terrified to tell him the truth. I have never, not once, broken a promise to my dad. My word meant something, and now what was I to do?

“What do you think will happen?”

“I’m not sure…but what if he doesn’t take it well? I don’t want to lose this summer with you because of a mi sunderstanding.”

She sighed, just barely where I could hear.

The thought of not having Daisy here all summer hurt me.

This was the first time I had seen her in seven years, other than at my mom’s funeral, and it was really starting to feel like old times…

you know, without all the kissing and touching we’ve done.

But I’m sure that would have been done back then, too, if only. ..

“I hate hiding this.”

“I do, too, Daisy.”

I wanted to shout the way I felt about her from the rooftops. I wanted everyone to know how I felt, especially Daisy. I wanted people to know she was mine, and I wasn’t going to let go this time.

“Maybe we can have it all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe we can be together when your dad isn’t around, and we can go out sometimes and go riding…and we don’t have to tell him.” Would she be my secret? Did I want her to be hidden? I really didn’t, but what other choice did I have? I couldn’t lose her again.

My heart couldn't take that heartbreak again.

“I do want to enjoy this time with you...that sounds like a plan…because honestly, I just can’t keep my hands off you.

” I was looking at her, glancing down at her body once more, and I just couldn’t help myself.

I knew my dad would be back soon, and I needed one last touch.

I moved closer, wanting to feel what was mine.

I grabbed her neck from behind and pulled her in to steal one last kiss.

“I kind of like having you as a secret.” Honestly, the sound of that was starting to grow on me.

Maybe it was turning me on a little bit, or maybe I still hadn’t come off the high from our fun just a little while ago.

“It might be kind of fun.” She winked, and I could tell she was enjoying this. “So, let’s just take it one step at a time.”

“Deal.” I slid my hand down her leg, tempting her. I knew what I was doing. I loved to watch her as her body took over.

“So…we can have our own little adventure with this?”

“Whatever you want, darlin’.” I meant it. Whatever she wanted, as always, I would give her. I would give Daisy the world.

“Sounds like something out of a movie, like we’ll be in our own little world.”

“You always did like a thrill.” She knew I was right, and her grin said it all. “My dad should be home soon. I can make dinner if you want to go shower.”

“Wouldn’t suppose you have time to join me, would you?” Oh, she has no idea how badly I want to take her up on the offer, but my dad could be back at any minute, and the only thing worse than me telling him I broke my word to him is for him to come home and find it out by us showering together.

“Better not…you know…” The look on her face said she knew what I meant, and she got off the counter, picked up her shirt, and headed toward the bathroom. I grabbed a rag and dampened it to wipe off my body, then put my shirt back on and heard the water running.

I hadn’t heard my dad pull up yet, so maybe I could spare a minute or two.

I knew I didn’t have time to do what I wanted and hop in there with her, so instead I leaned against the door frame, listening to the soft sounds of the water cascading down her body.

My mind drifted, picturing Daisy inside.

If I were in there right now, I would find ways to make her laugh, listening to her laughter echo off the tiles.

I could see her splashing me for trying to touch her- playfully of course.

I would splash her back, then my urges would take over, and I would pin her against the wall, taking in her whole body and kissing her until I could no longer breathe.

Daisy’s appeal was undeniable, and I could only imagine what it would be like to be in that shower with her, feeling the water’s warmth against my skin, and I feeling her touch.

I shook my head slightly, knowing I needed to snap out of it and cool off before I got myself into trouble.

I made my way back into the kitchen and pulled out some steaks from the fridge.