Page 41 of Untamed

Just Clover and me while I try to clear my head of all the damn chaos.

I head to his stall, pausing when I spot something laid on the floor outside.

A single sunflower.

A smile tugs at my lips.

There’s only one person who’d think of leaving me that.

And he happens to call me sunshine.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

COLTER

Mila avoids me all morning, taking herself off for a trail ride instead of facing me. I don’t know what’s changed since last night, but if she thinks I’m just going to let her ignore me after what happened between us, she clearly doesn’t know who she’s dealing with.

She left the loft, happy, glowing. The sunshine she radiates shone brighter than I’d ever seen before.

Mila’s happiness was infectious. I’d never felt so light, so genuinely happy. Not even winning a rodeo championship gave me the feeling I experienced last night. I’ve always expected the worst in people, have always waited for them to disappointment me, and I’ve certainly never put my expectations or emotions in another person’s hands. My mood has never been dictated by someone else. And yet, I crave the feelings Mila evokes in me. I allowed my guard to drop enough for her to see something more. Iwantedher to see more. It’s a revelation, one that has fueled my obsession with the girl I shouldn’t have ever touched.

Fuck. I even went out early this morning to pick a damn sunflower and left it outside Clover’s stall for her to find. I’ve never, not once in my life, given a woman flowers.

That should tell Mila everything.

If she’d only speak to me.

If it wouldn’t raise suspicion, I’d have saddled up one of the horses ten minutes ago and followed Mila out to the pasture. I’d show her exactly who she belongs to, make her see that I’ll no longer accept this back and forth between us, but…

Mona sidled up to me about twenty minutes ago and she hasn’t left my side since; despite the fact I’ve been barely nice to her.

From the moment I set foot on Oakridge Ranch, she’s been trying to get on my cock. Her desperation’s always been a turn off. Dulcie was forward but Mona is next level. She’s relentless. And annoying.

“You should be the one out there, Colter. You’d definitely put Garrett to shame,” she purrs, moving closer to me.

I glare down at her, my tongue running across my bottom lip as I decide how to handle this. Every person on this ranch might not know what’s going on with me and Mila but I will not have Mona disrespecting her. And anyway, if our roles were reversed, and it was Garrett or Brandon flirting with Mila, I’d lose my shit.

Mona’s eyes dilate, her tongue peeking out just a little, as she watches me closely. She probably thinks I’m finally going to give in to her flirtations. I’m not. Even if Mila wasn’t in the picture, I wouldn’t touch Mona, and definitely not now that I’ve had a taste of her.

“What do you want, Mona?” I ask, irritation coating my voice.

She grins, unfazed, and reaches up, running a finger down my bicep. “Just being friendly. You seem so tense. Did you know, I’m a trained masseuse? Never qualified but I know what I’m doing.” The purr has my lip curling up in a snarl. “Could give you a massage later tonight. Work the tension right out of your muscles.” She digs her fingers into my bicep as if to prove her point. “A big, strong, hardworking man like you deserves a littlerelaxation. Why don’t you let me take care of you?” she pouts, working her fingers into my muscles.

I shrug her off, taking a step back and putting space between us. Her face falls, confusion pinching her brows. Delusion told her she had me.

“Nah, I’m good.” I say with finality, and her smile turns into a sneer. “And Mona?”

She perks up, a hopeful smile returning. “Yeah?”

I lean in, my voice low as I growl. “Don’t ever touch me without my permission again. You hear me?”

Her features screw up in shock, but she manages to force a curt nod. Good. Me not being interested in Mona or whatever games she’s playing, might have finally sunk in.

With one last look at her, I turn and head to the pens where Maverick and some of the other guys are watching the new cattle. Lincoln bought them when he went out of town for an auction, and they were delivered yesterday. Today they will all be vaccinated and branded with the Oakridge symbol. Once the veterinarians arrive it’s going to be a busy day of wrestling with the animals.

I could do without it.

But at least it will keep my mind busy. Anything to keep me from obsessing over Mila until I can find out what’s wrong.

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