Page 43 of In the Dust

His beard scratches my palms as I cup his face. “I missed you too.”

There isn’t a single shred of fabric allowed between us; Colton’s strong hands hastily peel everything off of me.

The stables smell of fresh rain and his cologne, sending me into an intoxicating trance I haven’t felt in a very, very long time.

His hands slide along my curves, as if he’s tracing something he sculpted with his own hands. He knows me, knows my body. His touch is familiar, inviting, warm.

His taste, it’s something magical. Filled with lakeside summers and starry nights.

“Fuck,” he breathes, his lips moving to my neck. The scruff on his face tickles me in the best possible way. He dips his fingers between my legs, and I moan when his knuckles graze the sensitive part of my inner thigh.

I peel my dizzying eyes open, watching him watch me. “What is it?”

“You.” His side smirk melts me. “You’re just as beautiful as I remember.”

My skin is already flushed, so there’s no room for blushing, but it’s been so long that this feels like our first time all over again. “You’re everything I remember,” I admit, grabbing onto him.

I moan into his lips, rocking my hips while the movements of his fingers devours my clit in the most pleasurable way. “Colton …” I dip my head back, a wave of euphoria blanketing me.

His voice is hoarse and gruff, filled with want and longing. “I’ve thought about you every fucking second of every day, Dix.”

I run my hands through his hair, along his muscled arms, down his torso … “Every single second,” I tell him, stroking him.

He’s holding back, protecting his heart. “You’re back for good this time?” His head tilts back, his sharp features illuminated by the dim lighting.

“Yes,” I lie, just needing to feel him inside of me.

He dips his hips, plunging into me. I gasp from the feeling I haven't felt in years.

“Still so fucking tight for me,” he growls. I know he wonders if there’s been anyone else. Maybe Brad, or another guy from the city. But there hasn't been. Lord knows he’s dipped his snake into every river here, but that’s not what I wanted.

I thought I was just waiting to get swept off my feet or to get married, but now, feeling him inside of me, I was just waiting for him all over again. I was too scared to let anyone hurt me like he did, but I knew deep down no one else would ever have my heart like he does to hurt me. “Only for you,” I whisper into the air, but he doesn't hear me over the beating rain on the tin roof.

As he thrusts harder, I rake my hands through his hair.

“I love you, Colton Payne.”

Lightning cracks outside, sending prickling bumps all over my skin as we come undone together. “I love you more, Dixie May.”

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