“She’s not your type?” He shook his head.
“My type currently has her hands around my neck.”
In Colt’s arms, the world seemed to shrink. All the noise and people around us faded away. I felt one of his hands move from my waist, pressing gently against the small of my back. I let him lead, guiding me in a slow, rhythmic sway. I breathed in, taking in the scent of his cologne- still the same, woodsy scent he had always worn -and felt so much comfort. Looking up at him, his eyes had a hint of a sparkle in them. He had such warmth inside his eyes that were radiating, making me forget any doubts I ever had about this working between us.
I will be leaving tomorrow, and I had pushed that thought into the back of my mind, not wanting to think about it. I didn’t want to think about leaving my home again, and Colt.
As the music continued from the band, Colt pulled me in closer, his head resting on top of mine gently. I let one hand slide down to his chest, and I could feel the steady beat of his heart in sync with mine. It was comforting and a reminder of our special bond.
The song was nearing its end. Colt moved his head off mine and tilted my chin up with his hand. His gaze was intense and loving. Time stopped as he leaned in, his lips meeting mine in a soft and tender kiss. So many unspoken feelings were in that kiss, and I was afraid time was almost up for me to spill my heart out to Colt, letting him know exactly how I feel. Our connection, though, was evident. A spark ignited within me, leaving me breathing heavily and wanting more.
“Come on.” Colt took my hand and led me to the door.
Outside, the night air was a good contrast to the humidity of the summer day. It had started to get warm inside the bar. Thelive band had clearly drawn in a lot of people tonight, and I could feel the heat from that many being gathered in one place.
Colt led me to his truck, and I remembered this scene all too well. He leaned against the hood of the truck, turning to face me. He had an expression of pure desire and hunger that mirrored my own. We both wanted more than the kiss we had inside. With one small tug, he drew me to him. I watched him look at my lips, and I took my own peek at his.
“Darlin’, I’m dying from the lack of the sweet taste of your skin on my lips.”
I wasn’t sure of anything else he could say that would make me feel the way I was feeling in this moment. It was the perfect chance, and I took it. I threw my arms around his neck and eagerly rushed my lips onto his. The kiss was anything but gentle.
It was passionate, fiery, full of longing and need.
His hands roamed my back, and I could feel a tingle down my spine. With each touch, we pulled the other closer, like we were trying to become one. Nothing else mattered but his touch and the feel of his lips on mine. There was electricity running through my body, and I could feel the undeniable pull that drew us together.
Colt could very well be my forever.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Colt
Last night, after we got home, I kissed Daisy goodnight outside in my truck. My dad was home in bed when we got back. The realization that summer is over hit me hard as I lay in bed, and I knew I wasn’t ready for the next morning.
The sun peeked over the horizon and cast a golden glow across the ranch. I was out on the porch, leaning against the wooden railing with a coffee in my hand. I needed some time to myself while my dad was off with the cattle. I looked out at the fields, the world just beginning to wake up. The sounds of nature around me filled the air, but it couldn’t take away my thoughts. They were heavy as I thought about Daisy and how quickly our time together had slipped away, leaving nothing but sweet memories that played out in my mind.
I knew Daisy was only supposed to be here for the summer, but with how things have played out the past couple of months, I was hoping it wouldn’t end here. We talked a little about it, but nothing completely concrete. We both had been living in the moment and enjoying each second that we spent together.
Now, though, Daisy had to leave to go back to Dallas. The thought twisted in my gut, and I felt sick. I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that filled me. We had a romantic time at John’s at our picnic, and just last night, we shared a moment in the bar. It was the perfect reminder of that first moment we truly gave in to temptation and let ourselves give in to each other. We have shared more laughter, secrets, and kisses that have lit a fire within me that I haven’t felt since the two of us were kids and spending as much time as we could with each other.
The reality of distance loomed over me like a dark cloud. I took another sip of my coffee, letting the warmth seep into me. Although nothing could create the heat I felt when I was around Daisy.
Leaning against the wooden railing, I replayed moments from this summer that we shared in my head. I thought about riding horses together, taking her out in my truck, going to the bar, dancing, the picnic, swimming together…so many memories were made that changed our relationship and that let our once strongfriendship blossom into something more. I thought about the way her laughter echoed in my ears, the way her smile brought me joy, the way her eyes sparkled in the light, and the way her lips were so soft against mine.
I smiled, thinking about all the kisses we shared, especially that first one outside the bar against my truck. It was the best kiss I've ever had, and it made me want her even more than I did when we were younger. That night felt like a dream; it was perfect. But dreams have a way of colliding with reality, and the reality is that Daisy has her place and job in Dallas. She has a life there, and who would I be to ask her to give it up?
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. I set the coffee cup on the wooden railing and took off my hat, then ran my other hand through my hair. I heard the creaking of the wooden boards under me and turned to see Daisy coming out to join me. Her hair caught in the morning light, and after all this time, she was still taking my breath away. She is beautiful. She is stunning. I looked her over and saw the sadness in her eyes. Maybe this wasweighing as heavily on her as it was on me.
“Hey.” She spoke softly.
“Hey.” I forced a smile, not sure what to say. “Sleep well?”
“Not really. A lot on my mind. You?”
“Same thing.”
“I kept thinking about today and leaving.”
“Me, too. It’s going to be tough without you around. This summer went by too fast, didn’t it?”
