Page 79 of Untamed

My body stiffens with tension and rage. How fucking dare they? I’d shrugged Garrett’s threat off as nothing more thanjealousy, but maybe I should have taken it seriously after all. Fucking assholes, both of them. Still, even with the threat hanging over me, it won’t stop me from seeing Mila. Even if it’s sneaking around under the cloak of darkness when everyone else is asleep. I need her, at least one more time before I leave.

And I will have her.

“I hear you,” I reply, irritation lacing my tone. “I’ll have that beer, Leroy. We can stay here, maybe play a couple of rounds of cards?”

He exhales a relieved breath, a smile tugging at his lips. “Sounds good. Finish up, and I’ll grab some of the other guys and meet you in the bunkhouse.”

Nodding, I ignore Leroy as he walks away, pulling my cell phone from my pocket. Unlocking the screen, I scroll to the message thread with Mila and quickly type out a text.

Me: I know you probably don’t want to see me, but I need to see you. Brandon and Garrett have been in your father’s ear, and he’s suspicious. Can you meet me in our spot at 2am?

I don’t specify where our spot is, in case anyone sees the message. Mila knows exactly where I mean. We might not have much, but the little loft will always be our place. My phone vibrates almost instantly, alerting me to her response.

Sunshine: They’re such assholes. But yes, I will. Nothing could stop me from saying goodbye.

My chest tightens as I click the side button, darkening the screen before sliding my phone back in my jeans pocket. Mila really is all that’s good in this world.

Brandon and Garrett may think they have the upper hand, but in the end, I’ll always come out on top.

Mila is mine. And once I finish this tour, the whole fucking ranch will know it.

My mood begins to lift as I make my way across the gravel toward the barn. Tonight has been long and torturous, pretending to have fun with the guys, while my mind was on Mila. All I could think about was getting through the hours so I could be with her.

Garrett eyed me with a smug, skeptical look, the entire time we played cards. I returned his glares with disdain and irritation. I wanted nothing more than to punch him in that arrogant face of his, but there was no way I’d give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten under my skin.

While I never considered Garrett a friend, I thought there was at least mutual respect. Turns out, I was wrong. It only took one fuck up on his part, and instead of owning it, he decided to shift the blame onto me. His sudden anger and hatred are misplaced; he knows that, and so do I. But I’m not going to waste my breath trying to fix it. He needs to come to terms with it himself. Take some accountability. Only then will he realize that he has a problem, and maybe he’ll do something about it.

Sliding the barn door open, my gaze immediately goes to the loft. A smile curves my lips when I see the light on. Mila is already here. I close the door behind me and take the stairs two at a time. The second I push the door open my eyes find the woman who’s changed me irrevocably.

Her head snaps up from her cellphone, a smile spreading across her beautiful face. She sets the phone down and stands, closing the distance between us. My chest constricts almost painfully, like all air is being squeezed from my lungs. I feel like I can’t breathe, but as soon as her arms go around my neck andshe rises to her tiptoes, pressing her lips to mine, everything eases.

Mila anchors me. She calms my racing thoughts and pulls me from the darkness that threatens to swallow me whole. And still, I can’t keep her.

“Hi,” she whispers shyly.

My arms instinctively wrap around her waist, and I pull her in close, dropping my forehead to hers. Emotion tightens my throat, my voice gruff when I speak. “Hi.”

Mila’s face falls, her unique blue grey eyes filling with unshed tears. “I’ll miss you, cowboy.” she whispers thickly.

I reach up, brushing a thumb across her soft cheek. “It doesn’t have to be forever. I just need to sort my shit out. Become worthy of you.”

She sighs, shaking her head. “You are worthy, Colter Grady. But I know you need this. I just wish things were different. Wish I could come with you.”

I lean in, and unable to resist, I brush my lips against hers. “I want that more than you could ever know. But right now, it can’t happen.” I rub my nose against hers. “But you better believe when I win this tour, when I’ve made something of myself, I’m coming back for you. And I’m going to shout from the rooftops that Mila Becker is mine.”

She chuckles softly, her eyes twinkling as she teases. “What makes you think you’re going to win, cowboy?”

I smirk, the confidence in my voice clear. “Because there’s no other way. I want you and that means I have to win. I’m doing this for you, for us. Once I’m out from under your father’s thumb, all bets are off, and you’re mine, Sunshine.”

Mila raises an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful smile. “I thought I was already yours?”

“You are. You will be,” I growl, the words possessive.

Mila grins, her eyes filled with mischief. “Well then, cowboy,” she says, pushing up on her tip toes, her lips brushing mine. “You’d better show me just what being yours means.”

A surge of heat rushes to my groin, my cock hardening in my pants. Dropping my hands to her ass, I lift her effortlessly, her legs instinctively wrapping around my waist. Mila laughs, the sound carefree and light despite the heaviness of the moment. Striding to the bed, I lower us, and position Mila so she’s straddling my lap.

I reach up, cupping her cheeks. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Sunshine.”

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