“Ah, you aren’t too bad yourself, cowboy.” Why didn’t I tell her? I had no way of knowing how much I would regret not telling her for all the years to come.
“Well, let’s head on back. Dinner’s probably about ready.”
“Good. I’m starving.”
? ? ?
When we got back, I knew my dad had already called it a night and was in bed, knowing the mornings always came early around here. I brushed a hand against Daisy’s knee to let her know to hang tight while I got out of the truck to open her door. My dad taught me at a young age that although a woman could open her own door, she should never have to.
“Thanks.” She started heading for the house, and I couldn’t help but look at her from behind. I grabbed her arm, pushing her back against the truck. I slightly licked my lips, in awe that this whole night was real and that someone as amazing as Daisy was standing in front of me.
“You know…” I pulled her behind me, leading her to the back of the truck. I couldn’t let her go in just yet-not when I wasn’t quite finished and the primal urge was still inside me, not ready to be tamed. I let the tailgate down. I put my hands under Daisy’s thighs and somehow they felt like a perfect fit. I placed myself between her legs, looking at those mesmerizing eyes of hers. “This dress hugs you just right, and those eyes shine brighter than the stars.” My hands remained on her thighs while I planted another kiss on her, but this time on her neck. I knew what I was doing to her, and I was feeling the same. “You’ve got a way of making this ol’ cowboy feel like the luckiest man in the world right now.” I smiled mischievously. I moved a hand behind her head and pulled her in as close to me as I could, trying to soak up every ounce of her.
“Colt…” I could barely make out my name coming from her lips.
“Shh…” I continued kissing her.
“Colt…” I tried to ignore her again, but with my hands on each side of her face, I paused for a moment, looking into her eyes. “You’ve got to give me a chance to catch my breath or I’m not going to make it.” I was making things so much more complicated by doing what I was doing, so I pulled back. Although, I couldn’t help but smile with a pleased grin. I helped Daisy off the tailgate and shut it.
“Come on. Let’s get you inside to bed.” I led Daisy inside, my hand pressed gently against the small of her back.
Chapter Twelve
Daisy
This night had been unforgettable. Dinner was great, just getting to talk to Colt again like when we were kids. Slow dancing to the same song that my parents used to dance to in the kitchen all those years ago made me feel so close to my mom at that moment. And that kiss…well, more than one kiss, but still, they were more than I ever could have imagined or thought of. There were so many feelings I felt tonight that I hadn’t in a very long time, and I had Colt to thank for that.
This wasn’t the first time I had been in Colt’s truck, but this was the first time that it had felt different sitting in the seat beside him, feeling the wind coming in from the window in my hair. This didn’t just feel like two friends killing time and having fun with each other. This felt like more, and I was eager to see where it was going.
Most of the time, as kids, we rode horses together, but Colt occasionally took me on drives once he got his license, up until my mom died. After that, I rarely got out and didn’t feel up to being around Colt or having any fun. He was so excited to finally get his license, and he loved to tell me that he could teach meto drive if I wanted. My dad had been teaching me, but I let Colt take me out a few times just because I knew he was proud of himself, and I could tell how much he wanted to. The last time we rode together in this truck was a couple of weeks before my mom passed and the heartbreak hit. I had just turned 16 and Colt was 18, almost a high school graduate. Even with the slight age gap, we still loved being in each other’s company, and he was still my best friend. As a kid, I thought we would always be inseparable...but people grow up and things change.
? ? ?
“Where are we going?”
“Just wait. I know the perfect spot.” Colt drove for what seemed like forever, probably because I was so curious to know where he was taking me. He had said that it was a surprise, and as much as I enjoyed a good surprise, the anticipation was killing me.
“Are we there yet?”
“So impatient…but yes, we’re here. Stay here. Give me a minute.”
I sat in the passenger seat once Colt stopped the truck and got out in a rush, waiting for him to tell me I was good to get out. The music on the radio was playing quietly, a pleasant background to the sounds of nature around us. Colt had driven us to a spot off the side of the mountain, telling me I would love it, although I wasn’t sure what ‘it’ was.
“Come on out.” I walked to the back of the truck, and Colt had let the tailgate down and added a blanket to the bottom of the bed inside.
“What’s this?” He plopped down on the blanket, patting it to tell me to sit down. I hopped up, sitting beside him, feeling the cool breeze against my skin. I rubbed my arms, trying to warm them a bit.
“Here.” Colt threw a blanket around me and I took it graciously.
“Thanks.” I wondered why he had chosen to bring me here. Itfelt different being at this spot with him. This seemed like such a special place, and I wasn’t sure why I was special enough to be here, but I was thankful that I was who he thought of bringing along.
“Look.” He pointed toward the sky, and I turned my head in that direction.
The overlook was the perfect spot. I looked at the sky, ablaze with different colors. The pinks, purples, and oranges swirled together like a painting. It was breathtaking. At that moment, I thought this kind of view could only be seen from the country. There was no way something could look this beautiful in the city. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. We sat in the bed of his truck, listening to the sounds of the crickets and other critters around us as we watched the sunset. It was another one of those times that I spent with Colt and never wanted it to end.
“This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”
“Yes. It is.”
