Faded memories whip through my mind, searching for the one he’s referring to. “Wait. Are you talking about when my hip seized and I had trouble swinging a leg over Luna?”
His nod fills me with that fluttery sensation I now associate with him. “You left a mark on me.”
I suck in a sharp breath. That’s one of the few interactions we had before our ill-fated trip to Europe. My gaze shifts to the replica of a lasso cinched around his bicep. The meaning smacks me in the face seconds later.
“And this is from when I used you for roping practice?”
“No question about it,” he chides.
But I’m stunned regardless. He’s obsessed to the point of inking these seemingly forgettable instances into his flesh. Gosh, that’s incredibly sexy. Tingles spread in my lower belly as I bask in his level of devotion. If our relationship continues progressing at this pace, I’ll be trading my last name for his by Monday.
“The secrets are spilling,” I murmur.
“All you have to do is ask.”
“Feel like it’s my turn to reveal something, but you probably know—”
“Who’s Scout?”
I snort at the impatience in his rough timbre. “That’d be you.”
Colton goes still. “Explain.”
“Well,” I begin but immediately pause. “You’re getting two secrets for the price of one. First, it might be somewhat of a shock to learn that I’ve always found you attractive.”
His grunt isn’t all that impressed with my confession. “Kinda figured when you propositioned me for sex on the plane.”
“Hmm, yes. I’m very subtle.”
“One of the many qualities I admire,” he teases.
I soak in the carefree energy wafting off him. “Umm, so… yeahhhh. Scout is what I call you in my fantasies. That fictional version puts out like a wild stallion.”
“Unbelievable,” he grumbles.
“Yes,” I breathe. “He’s really something.”
Colton’s fingers tickle my side and I squeal. “You’re such a brat. I’ve been jealous of myself.”
Laughter and uncontrollable spasms contort me until he relents on the attack. My chest heaves while I take a moment to recover. “Silly, Stalker. If it makes you feel better, I’d always picture you when I got myself off. Scout is the solo star in my clit closet.”
That terminology almost turns his exhale into a chuckle “You won’t need to rely on fake scenarios ever again.”
“Thanks for that. Just these past two days, you’ve stuffed me full of filthy material.” My hand roams along his forearm, stopping at the two hair ties on his wrist. The faded band has been there for months, but the second is new and very familiar. “Did you steal this from me yesterday?”
“They’re both yours.”
I blink at the different styles. “Why do you have them?”
“It’s mainly a coping mechanism.” Colton reaches to snap the elastic against his skin. “The guy who got me into the underground fighting scene told me to try it. Reminds me that I’m not the worthless criminal my father raised me to be. I used regular rubber bands back then.”
Emotion lodges in my throat. “You used to fight?”
“Did a lot worse than that, Princess.” Colton clutches onto me harder as if I’ll try to escape. “But yeah, that’s where I was when Brody found me.”
“I didn’t know that.” There’s a sting along the bridge of my nose. It’s difficult to picture my protector in those conditions. “Do you wanna talk about it?”
“Later,” he deflects.
