Page 64 of Shielded Hearts

“Who found what?” At the deep timbre of Colt’s voice, Aspen whirled around to see him striding into the kitchen.

Her heart jogged in her chest. Damn, he looked sexy as sin in workout shorts and a Black Heart Ranch T-shirt. His muscles were even more pumped than usual, and veins snaked down his forearms.

His stare lit on her. In steady strides, he crossed the kitchen to reach her. Each step he took, her heart picked up an extra beat. When he wrapped his hands around her upper arms, tingles scattered throughout her body.

All at once, she understood what Willow saw happening between them.

She gazed up into his eyes. Just like that, she promptly fell totally…completely…in love with him.

Chapter Fourteen

The mouthwatering scent of fried ham had Colt’s stomach knotting with hunger, but Aspen’s sweet, plump pout made a body part much lower clench with a different hunger.

He stared down into her green eyes, dark, vivid pools that he could get lost in far too easily. Like now.

A soft smile tilted her lips, and her eyes softened even more.

“I can see I’m just in time.”

“For breakfast? Yes.”

“No.” His smile stretched. “To save you from my sister.”

“Jerk.” Willow delivered a punch to his shoulder as she flounced over to the table and took her usual seat. But he caught her sly smile before he turned his attention back to Aspen.

“What were you two ladies talking about?” With a hand on Aspen’s elbow, he guided her to the table.

“Feelings.” Willow speared a pancake and dropped it onto her plate.

“Ew. Sounds like it was about to get messy in here.”

Aspen’s smile lit up her eyes. So did another glint that he hadn’t seen in them before.

They all tucked into their breakfasts, and a minute later, Carson entered with Layne.

“Hey, save some for us.” He’d grabbed a quick shower and had a towel slung around his neck. Layne was as beautiful as always in her fresh, sophisticated way. Her blonde hair was sleek and shiny, hanging down her back in smooth waves.

Colt couldn’t help but note that while both Layne and Aspen carried themselves with a queenly grace, Aspen was the opposite of Layne in appearance. Dark curls tousled around her beautiful face, and Aspen was more petite in height.

Both women had built good careers for themselves with thriving businesses. They’d have a lot in common. Willow and Aspen didn’t have those same links but even so, they looked to have hit it off.

“Where’s Gray? He doing okay?” Colt asked the group.

“He’s grumpy, so that means he’s doing just fine.” Willow raised her coffee mug to her lips.

“But he’s feelin’ all right?” Colt asked.

“Yes, he’s okay. Just needs some rest.”

“He’s beating himself up over what happened in the cabin.” Colt and Carson exchanged a look at Willow’s words.

“Sounds like someone else we know.” Carson dug into his ham, his appetite fueled by their workout.

Colt had to admit that he felt very different than he had when he first returned to the Black Heart. He wasn’t the same man. Whether time was a balm to his harried soul or just being surrounded by nature and around people who cared about him were behind the change, he didn’t know. But he was grateful, nonetheless.

After Aspen worked her way through a slice of ham and two eggs, she set her fork down.

“If you’re finished, I’d like to show you around.” He reached for her dish and stacked it with his own to take to the dishwasher.

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