Page 193 of Things Left Unsaid

His voice is low, gritty, as he rumbles, “I can’t give you the world, Zee, but I can give you the Seven Cs. This place has my heart until andifyou’re willing to safekeep it.”

My chin butts my chest. “You don’t love me.”

A soft bark of laughter escapes him. It isn’t loaded with humor, more a release of tension. “I think I’ve always loved you. Just like you’ve always loved me. But girls are smarter than boys. You figured it out sooner than I did.”

“That was ten years ago,” I dismiss, though he’s right.

“Yeah. Ten years ago when you were jailbait. I saw you as a kid. Because you were. You were to be protected and shielded. Now, I feel the same—” There’s no denying the sharp ache in my chest is disappointment. “—butdifferent.It’s an evolution I didn’t anticipate and that’d probably have never developed if my sperm donor hadn’t forced us to be together.”

Fen, working on his own agenda, steps closer to Jas. I could think it’s a move on Colt’s part, but there’s no mistaking the designs the Percheron X has on the white Camarillo who deigns to accept the attention.

Just like I do.

When Colt’s other hand cups my cheek, I could pull back.

But I don’t.

When his thumb smoothes along my jawline, I could nudge Jas into a jog.

But I don’t.

No, I tilt my head to the side so his large, warm, callused palm can touch more of my face.

“Don’t go,” he rasps. “Stay.”

My eyes flutter to a close. “I wasn’t going anywhere.”

“Sure you were. One round of IVF or ten, you were going to leave. Whether it was to the Bar 9 or to be the first McAllister to live in Pigeon Creek proper in two hundred years, you were going to go.”

“Not New York?”

“No. A part of me used to worry… but you wouldn’t deny me or the child a relationship.”

“You know that but didn’t know I couldn’t hurt Loki?”

There’s a slight pressure on my jaw as tension whispers through him. “I’ll never forgive myself for thinking the worst of you, and I’ll spend every day that you let me helping you work up the courage to go to the cops about Clyde.”

“Cody’ll be the head of the marshals soon.”

“Would you tell him?”

“M-Maybe.”

His thumb pinches my chin. “Good girl.”

He takes control of Jas’s reins. I’m not sure if she’s my wingwoman or a traitor but she remains steady as I find him taking up a whole lot of my personal space, which is some feat on a horse.

He moves ever nearer.

Looms over me.

His face takes up the horizon ahead until all I can see is him.

Until all Iwantto see is him.

A breath shudders from me as his mouth finds mine. It’s our second kiss today, but it’s all the more powerful because of his admission. Because of where we are. Because of the creature I’m riding.Because.

The tremor that works through my body should agitate Jas, who’s a very sensitive creature. But maybe sheismy wingwoman. She plants—stays firm and holds fast—as Colt’s hand slides around my nape and pins me in place as he teases my mouth. Dropping soft and reverent kisses here and there. Cherishing me with how gentle he is at first. Little pressure aside from how he’s controlling the weight of my head.

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