Page 54 of Fixing to Be Mine

It’s like we’re walking onto a Hollywood set, and the two of us are the main characters.

“I’d agree with that,” he says.

Our hands brush together, and then Colt catches mine, interlocking our fingers like they belong there. I feel that electric shift again. It’s the same one I experienced the moment our eyes met in Remi’s kitchen when he dropped that mug and it shattered across the floor.

As we enter the fairgrounds, laughter and gossip are already in motion. Sweat gathers at the back of my neck, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way in my entire damn life. Colt greets everyone we pass by name, even the little kids, offering howdies and head nods. The small talk he makes is smooth and polite. He’s incredibly charming, and I find a man with manners very sexy. But I remind myself that the bar I have set for men is in hell. It’s why I don’t trust myself or my decisions right now.

Colt glances over at me, and his perfect lips tug at the corner of his mouth. “Lookin’ real good, darlin’.”

My cheeks heat, and I almost forget the role I’m supposed to be playing to fool the town. “Do you think they’re buying it?” I lean in and ask him.

He leans over and whispers in my ear, “No doubt ’cause I almost am.”

His hot breath and lips so close to the softness of my neck makes me lose my fucking mind.

“Stop flirting,” I tell him as my heart pitter-patters a little harder.

If he doesn’t stop, I might do something I shouldn’t, like trip the wire between our boundaries. He’s walked the fine line, but hasn’t crossed it.

I’m not convinced he will, and I don’t know if I can.

It’s a dangerous place to be while the clock counts down. Part of me doesn’t want to leave with regret because what if Colt Valentine is the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me?

We walk hand in hand, past a small crowd near the food trucks and deeper into the heart of it all. The scents of charcoal and cattle settle in my lungs, and the excitement of the crowd watching mutton bustin’ washes over me. Kids hang on to the back of sheep as they bolt out of the gate super fast.

Colt covers his mouth and yells, “Keep holdin’ on.”

A few seconds later, the little girl rolls off on the ground.

“Do they raise you to do that?”

Colt licks his lips, meeting my eyes. “Yep.”

He glances away, and I’m so damn thankful for it.

I cannot fall in love with this man. I cannot.

With an easy stride and cowboy confidence, he pulls me away so we can continue the tour around the arena and vendor area. I like seeing him in his element, but he’s never too far from me.Our bodies constantly touch, and neither of us pulls away even though it drives me wild.

“Thirsty?” he finally asks, looking up at a six-foot lemon on top of a booth.

“Oh, you havenoidea,” I mutter, waggling my brows at him.

“I got something that will quench your thirst,” he adds, shooting me a wink as he steps up to the booth.

I snicker beside him as he orders us two of the biggest hand-squeezed lemonades possible. A minute later, we’re holding lemon-shaped cups. I take a sip, hoping this cools the heat bubbling inside me. It’s sweet and refreshing, like Colt.

“The last public event I was at was with Tessa,” he says. “Everyone thought I’d get back with her.”

“Oh,” I say, twirling the straw around in my big cup. “Being here is a bigger deal than I thought.”

“Apparently. Too many people in my business.” He takes a long drink before scanning the crowd.

“You’re proving them wrong,” I tell him. “Good job. You should be proud. That shit is hard to do, not everyone can. It’s sending a clear message.”

“Which is?” he says.

“You’re moving on. Congrats.”

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