Page 27 of Breaking Her In

Colt held me like I was something sacred. Like he couldn’t breathe unless I was in his arms. He didn’t just touch me–he worshipped me. And my heart blazed whenever I was with him.

That’s not a phase.

I drop my bag and kick it across the floor, tears rolling hot and fast down my cheeks. What am I even doing? I panicked and ran off from the ranch, only to have Jess take me right back home to my house and my father. I thought he might have gone easy on me and just me angry at Colt, but he exploded.

Colt and I were “playing with fire,” according to him, and I had “jeopardized my future” with a guy who “only wanted me for one reason.”

Somehow, my dad’s words didn’t get to me. I think it’s because I know in my heart that Coltdoeslove me and that I made a big mistake leaving him. But then why did he let me go? He could have grabbed me and stopped me from going if he’d wanted to.

I wipe my nose with the back of my hand and pull open my dresser, yanking out Colt’s flannel that I took with me when I left–the one I used to love to wear around the house. I bury my face in it and breathe him in.

I ache for him so badly I can hardly stand it.

And then I hear it.

Shouting.

Not my dad’s usual pissed-off grumble when he’s doing business. This is louder, grittier. Familiar.

It can’t be…

My legs have me on my feet before I even realize what’s happening. I race to the window, throwing the curtain aside.

And there is he is. My cowboy–my love.

Colt.

My heart nearly gives out. He’s standing out back in the yard, jaw clenched, boots planted, and covered in dirt like he rode straight here from the ranch without stopping. He looks like hell and heaven at the same time, and he’s staring my dad down like he’s ready to take him apart.

Instantly, I bolt from my room and take the stairs two at a time, my feet barely even touching the floor. I race toward the raised voices, and when I burst through the back door, they both turn.

“Lena,” Colt says softly. The way he says my name only makes the tears flow faster. I can hear the pain in his voice, like he’s been missing me forever when it’s only been two days.

He looks handsomer than ever. His sheer presence dominates the scene, despite being surrounded by multi-million-dollar townhouses and meticulously manicured lawns and gardens. All that looks insignificant compared to him–to his face, his muscles, his eyes, so intent and focused on me that my cheeks instantly start to tingle.

As does the rest of me…

Dad steps into my eyeline, blocking me from Colt. Overprotective as always, but I rush past him.

“Colt,” I whisper as I race closer. Am I dreaming? Is he really here? “What are you–?”

“I let you walk away once, Lena,” he cuts me off. “That will never happen again. I never should have let you think I didn’t want you.”

“You’re right.” I nod, not afraid to say it. “Why didn’t you stop me?”

He shakes his head. “I was afraid of the consequences. If you wanted to stay, I wanted it to be becauseyou wantedto. But now I’m here to tell you”—he takes my hand, and my whole body electrifies—“that you’re coming back with me.”

My dad scoffs behind me. “You’ve got some nerve. Showing up here after the shit you pulled.”

Colt’s body goes tense, and he looks over my shoulder. “You know what, Ed? Fire me. Don’t pay the rest of what you owe me. Hell, blackball me from every other farm and ranch in New York if that’s what you want to do. But I’m not leaving without her.”

He squeezes my hand, and the world goes still.

Colt’s voice is thunderous and filled with strength. Any reticence he had back at the house is gone. He’s here, and he knows what he wants.

Me.

And watching him stand up to my father is the world’s biggest turn-on.

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