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When we got back and pulled up to the ranch, there weren’t any lights on in the house, and I knew Walt had already gone to bed for the night. Colt brushed his hand against my knee and got out of the truck. I waited a moment, my eyes following him through the windshield as he walked over to the passenger side of the truck to open my door. He was such a gentleman. I guess he was a gentleman as a kid, too, always opening my door and letting me go in front of him. His parents raised him right, and I could only imagine how proud his mother would be of him.
“Thanks.” I got out and was going to head for the house when that same rough hand grabbed my arm, pushing me back against the truck. He looked at me, slightly licking his lips.
“You know…” He pulled me behind him, leading me to the back of the truck. He let the tailgate down, picking me up with his hands under my thighs and placing me on it. He scooted in closer to me, placing himself between my legs. “This dress hugs you just right, and those eyes shine brighter than the stars.” I could feel his hands placed firmly on my thighs. His calloused hands were rough from years of wrangling cattle and riding horses, but they felt like a warm promise against my skin, a testament to the strength and tenderness that lay beneath Colt’s rugged exterior. He placed a kiss on my neck, the feel of his lips slightly tickling me, and giving me a tingling sensation that ran down my body. “You’ve got a way of making this ol’ cowboy feel like the luckiest man in the world right now.” He smiled mischievously, then moved one hand behind my head. He pulled me so close to him that we felt like one, like he was trying to devour me.
“Colt…” I let out a breathy whisper of his name.
“Shh…” He continued kissing me, each kiss making me lose myself further and further until I thought there would be no escape. This whole night had been so unexpected, but if this was any sign of what was to come, I would gladly welcome it.
“Colt…” I tried to catch my breath while his lips moved to my neck again, the feeling sucking me in and making me never want it to end. It sent shivers down my body, and I wanted his lips to linger there. Both his hands were now gripping both sides of my face. He looked up at me. “You’ve got to give me a chance to catch my breath or I’m not going to make it.” He pulled back, still smiling with that self-satisfied grin, finally letting me breathe. He reached for me, helping me get down, and shutting the tailgate behind us.
“Come on. Let’s get you inside to bed.” He placed a hand behind me on the small of my back, following me inside.
Chapter Thirteen
Colt
Iclosed the door softly behind me, not wanting to wake my dad. I wasn’t ready to deal with any of that right now. The only thing interrupting the peace and quiet of the house was the soft touches of her shoes against the floor. I stopped at Daisy’s bedroom door, taking a deep breath in and wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. I could feel her warmth, and the last thing I wanted was to leave her, but I knew I had to. I had to figure out what to do now, remembering what I had said to my dad before she came here. I pushed that thought to the side for the moment, keeping the smile on my face. I looked down at her, kissing her on the forehead.
“Goodnight, Daisy.”
“Goodnight, cowboy.” She had the tip of her thumb in her mouth, flirting with me, and smiling back. I had missed her calling me that. She always did when we were younger, and it was always my favorite nickname. It sounded even sweeter coming from her lips.
I made my way to the bathroom, making sure the doordidn’t make a sound and turning on the shower. The sound of the water hitting the tiles reminded me of the rhythm of the horse’s hooves against the earth. The steam began to rise, filling the small space. I stepped under the water flowing down and let it hit my face. I brushed my hair back out of my eyes, using both hands to do so. I had taken a shower before heading out with Daisy this evening, but taking a nice, hot shower was what I needed right now.
Once I finished, I wrapped a towel around my waist and stared into the mirror, my hands pressed against the sink. My mind was still spinning from the bar and all the little moments Daisy and I shared tonight. I thought about the way her eyes glowed in the bar lights, the way her laugh was infectious, and the way her smile nearly made me melt. I also thought about her body and how that dress she wore tonight was heavenly, how her lips tasted, and how her body seemed to fit perfectly wrapped up in mine. I could still smell her perfume and taste her sweetness, mixed with the warmth of her breath against my skin. When we touched, it was like something had been missing all my life, and I had finally found it.
The promise I made to my dad, though, was still in my mind, a weight I couldn’t shake off. He told me Daisy was off limits before she came here, and I was okay with that. I told him he had nothing to worry about. I hadn’t been on a date in a long time, so I wasn’t concerned. Besides, Daisy and I had been friends years ago, but we hadn’t spoken to each other in so long. I didn't expect anything to happen. Boy, was I wrong. I swore I wouldn’t touch her or let things become anything more than her spending the summer here to learn hard work, per her dad’s request. I made the promise out of respect, and yet every time I closed my eyes, I could see Daisy.
I couldn’t help but wonder what she looked like lying in bed in the room just across the hall. I wondered what she was wearing, if she snored, if she was a heavy sleeper or not…I wondered if I could hold on to thepromise I made. The night had been electric and captivating, and I felt a pull toward Daisy that was so hard to resist. Deep down, I knew I would have to stay true to my word, keeping my feelings hidden deep inside, a familiar feeling for me from years gone by. I would have to do it, but hurting Daisy was the last thing I thought I would ever do.
Lying in bed, my mind wandered to what the woman in the room across from me was thinking, and how times used to be with us.
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I could hear her laughter, a constant state for us. It always brought a smile to my face hearing her laugh. We spent so many afternoons chasing each other, playing hide and seek. She was ten and I was twelve one summer, playing out toward the barn.
“Come on, slowpoke!” I ran after Daisy, almost running over her when I finally caught up.
“Okay. Now what?” Daisy pointed to a tree.
“I dare you to climb the highest branch of that oak."
“I don’t know, Daisy.” I looked up, seeing how tall the tree was. “It looks pretty high. I don’t think that would be safe.”
“Safe? Colt, when did you ever skip out on something because it wasn’t safe?” She was right, but that still didn’t take away my fear and hesitation. Out of the two of us, though, she was the daredevil.
I looked at her- those big, brown eyes glowing in the sunlight, sparking with mischief- and I couldn’t back down. I couldn’t let her down. Not this girl. I wedged my foot between a forked spot in the tree, using a branch to pull myself up. I climbed higher than I ever thought I could, and when I reached the top, I looked down and for a moment thought I saw an angel. Daisy was there, cheering me on, her hair blowing in the wind. She was the prettiest thing I had ever seen. She had a way of making me feel invincible, and I had never felt it as much as I did at this moment. With Daisy by my side, I could be brave and do anything.
It wasn’t just the adventures that defined our childhood; itwas the bond that we shared. Daisy and I would sit under the stars countless nights after dinner while our parents talked or sat on the porch, sharing our secrets and dreams. I believed, in those moments, that we would always be there for each other. In my life is where I always wanted her to be.
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The innocence of our time together as kids felt like a lifetime ago, yet the memories were still so vivid, etched into my heart.
I didn’t want to hurt Daisy. I didn’t want to hurt my dad either. I could feel the weight of the heavy decision. There was so much turmoil in my heart; both sides were fighting, both ready for battle. The moonlight seeped through the curtains, casting shadows in the room, but instead of falling asleep in preparation for the early morning ahead of me, I was faced with so many thoughts racing through my mind. My heart kept telling me I had to choose.
