Page 44 of Untamed

I’m out of breath when I finish, and even more embarrassed that I just word vomited all over Colter, but he sits quietly, taking it all in. He listens with rapt attention, not a hint of judgment on his handsome face, as his eyes stay locked on mine the entire time I speak about my worries. Only when I slump back against the couch do I realize how selfish I’m being. I’vemade this all about me when Colter is the one with so much more to lose. And yet… he doesn’t look at me like I’m a self-absorbed rich brat with first world problems. No, he just stares at me as if he understands exactly where I’m coming from, even when he’s the one at a disadvantage in this…well, whatever it is.

He sighs, scrubbing a hand across his jaw and leaning back against the couch.

“Whatever I expected from this conversation… it definitely wasn’t this.” His lips curve into a crooked smile and I melt at the sight. “I’m not good with words, Mila, but I’m gonna try to be, for you.” My heart leaps, and I wait patiently as Colter gathers his thoughts. A long moment passes before he finally speaks. “I don’t really know what to say to all you just said, but I do know this. I don’t want any other woman. I want you. We don’t know what the future will bring, but how ‘bout we take the pressure off and see where this goes?” I nod, my mouth too dry to speak. “I’m aware of the risks I’m taking, and of what will happenwhenyour father finds out. And itisa case of when, not if, because believe me when I say, things hidden in the dark will always come to light.” I shudder at his words, but he continues, his eyes fixed on me. “I’mchoosing to pursue you, Mila, so let me worry about what comes next.” Colter releases my hand, reaching up and running a thumb across my bottom lip as he murmurs. “One day, we won’t have to hide. One day, the whole world will know you belong to me.”

Inhaling a sharp breath, I melt into him, leaning into his touch as I let his words soak in. Colter stares at me, the intensity on his face making me breathless. I want to cut through the tension surrounding us. My lips quirk into a smile.

“You’ve done a complete one eighty, cowboy. It wasn’t even two days ago when you didn’t want anything to do with me.” I tease, lightening the mood.

Colter chuckles, the sound of his laughter hitting me straight in the chest. I want all his smiles. All his laughter. All his genuine happiness.

“Yeah, well, what can I say. One lick of your cunt, I’m hooked.” He winks, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

I should be horrified by the crudeness of his words, but it’s exactly what I need in this moment. A giggle escapes me, and I swat at his chest. “So, you only want me for… sex?”

He runs his thumb up my cheek, across my neck and cups the back of my neck. He presses his lips to my ear, his voice a low growl. “That, amongst other things.”

“Good to know.” I nod, playing along with him. I snuggle into his body, breathing in his fresh woodsy, leather scent. He smells so good, all man, and I bask in the feel of his hard muscles pressed against me.

He has come to mean so much to me in such a short space of time, its simultaneously thrilling and terrifying. I’ve always been someone to follow the rules, to keep inside the lines that’ve been drawn for me. It’s only just dawned on me that I’ve felt suffocated, caged. Colter makes me feel the opposite of that. He makes me feel free.

“Feel better?” he murmurs, stroking a comforting hand up and down my spine.

“Yeah,” I smile, lifting my head from his chest to meet his gaze.

He nods, his eyes searching mine. A half smirk curves his lips as he jerks his head to his guitar. “Want me to play for you?”

I grin. “Yes. But first, I want to…” I trail off, my lips twisting up and unsure of how to express my thoughts.

“Want to what?” he prods, his attention never wavering from me.

My stomach dips, and before I can stop myself, I blurt. “I want you.”

He smirks like a damn Cheshire cat. “What do you mean? I’m right here.”

Frustration claws at my throat. He knows what I mean. He just wants me to say it.

Heat blooms on my chest and cheeks but I’m always saying I’m an adult. It’s time I started acting like one. “I want you to make love to me.”

Colter’s brows jump in shock, and he shakes his head sardonically. He clears his throat. “One, Sunshine, I don’t make love. I fuck. Hard. And two, I already told you, I’m not gonna fuck you on a dirty old couch like some cheap whore. I might not be able to offer you much, but you deserve better than that.”

Frustration surges in my veins. Colter and his chivalry are getting on my last nerve. “You didn’t mind about the where’s when you were letting that red head blow you on the hay bales,” I snap, my impatience getting the better of me. But it’s true. He didn’t think twice about fucking Dulcie in the barn. So why is he making such a big deal about this?

His eyes narrow as he murmurs. “That was different and you know it. Christ, Mila, you’re a virgin. I want you to look back on your first time and know I did everything in my power to make it special for you. You’re better than the Dulcie’s of this world. And I want to give you better.”

My body deflates immediately, and warmth replaces the frustration. I should be happy that Colter sees me in a different way to the other women, and I am.

But…I just want to take the next step. I’m ready to give him all of me.

My teeth catch my bottom lip, eyes scanning his face as I devise a plan to convince him this is right. I don’t want flowers, champagne and chocolate in an expensive hotel room. I want Colter. And what better place than where it all started?

“I love that you respect me enough to want to do this differently, but I don’t need anything more than this. You may think I want a California king bed in some high-end hotel, but I want it to be here. Where we started. Being in this loft, with you… it’ll mean more to me than any of that other stuff ever would.”

His jaw tics, and he runs his tongue across his bottom teeth. Desire shines in his green eyes as he watches me and when I shift my gaze to his crotch, the outline of his cock is unmistakable—thick, hard, and straining against his sweatpants.

I swallow, remembering how big he is. Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed for this. Am I ready or am I simply rushing into this because I’m acutely aware of the invisible hourglass, hanging over our heads. Will he even fit in my pussy?

I’m snapped from my thoughts when he runs his lips up my neck to my ear. “You deserve better,” he repeats once more.

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