Page 70 of Untamed

Chapter Forty-Four

COLTER

I sip my water as I watch Mila take off toward the parking lot with Nova and frown, wondering where she could possibly be going. I know she’s hurting; I saw it every time I caught her gaze and though I wanted to go to her several times, to take her in my arms and promise her the world, I couldn’t.

Tonight, has been pure torture and not only for Mila. It’s taken every ounce of self-control I possess to keep my distance, but it’s been hard as hell. Especially when Brandon wrapped her in his arms and sang happy birthday. I felt the jealousy, the possessiveness gnawing away at me, demanding I show him that she’s mine. I’ve found myself getting more possessive over Mila with every day that passes, and I can’t stand the thought of any man touching her. But Brandon… when it comes to him, red hot anger takes over. He doesn’t get to touch her. He doesn’t get to be close to her in the way I want to be… did his parents never teach him not to touch things that don’t belong to him? Fucker could do with a crash course in the art of manners. He clearly has no fucking clue about boundaries.

I know Mila has no feelings for him, but I can’t forget that they’ve been intimate before, even if it was only a kiss. It’s hypocritical of me, considering my history with Annabeth andthe way she keeps trying to latch onto me.Tryingbeing the key word. No matter how many times I push her away, she just keeps coming back for more. The woman has more front than I’ve ever seen in my life, and I can’t believe I ever thought I liked her, let alone loved her.

It’s not just her though. I’ve got a small army of women vying for my attention. And even though I’m not giving it to any of them, I can’t ignore how hard it must be for Mila to watch this. Not once have I told her where we stand. In her mind, we’re just fucking. And even though I’ve tried to keep things casual, I can’t deny my feelings for her have gone way deeper. I’ve crossed the line of ‘no strings attached,’ and moved into fully fledged feelings territory, and there’s no going back for me. Mila has burrowed her way beneath my skin, and I don’t even want to attempt to cut her out.

She probably thinks I’m just like the rest of them, that I’ll play the game and move on. But there’s no moving on from Mila Becker and the truth is, I don’t want to. I want her. Truthfully, I’ve probably wanted her from the moment I met her, I was just too scared to admit it to myself. But seeing the hurt in her blue-gray eyes, and the way she walked away, I can’t help but feel I’m losing something I might never get back.

The slap on my shoulder jolts me from my thoughts. Lincoln stands beside me, his grin stretching across his face. “You did good tonight, Grady. Tomorrow, come to my office. I want to talk about what comes next.” I nod, noticing how his smile widens as his gaze flicks between all the women hanging around me. He chuckles, shooting me a wink. “Enjoy your success, Colter. Looks like any one of these women is desperate to be your prize.” He laughs, his voice laced with humor.

I don’t want to be anyone’s fucking prize. Not anymore. I want to be Mila’s.

I don’t get to respond, because he’s already walking away. I watch after him, noticing him head in the same direction as his daughter. But then a woman steps out of the shadows, almost skipping toward him. She links her arm with his and my brows furrow in confusion. Something about her looks familiar, but in the dim light I can’t place her. Before I can think more of it, I feel a hand grip my arm. I glance down to find Annabeth, her lips curled into a seductive smile, as she bats her lashes coyly. I roll my eyes. One thing Annabeth isn’t is fucking shy.

“Why don’t we get out of here?” she purrs, her voice low and coaxing. “Find somewhere quieter, where we can talk?” she bites her lip, leaning in a little closer. I can’t believe I used to fall for this shit. Years ago, my cock would have been punching holes against my zipper, ready to fuck the living shit out of her. Now she just makes me feel nauseous. “I’ve got a room at a motel just down the road. We can go there…” She trails off, her tongue darting out and running across her bottom lip in an attempt to convince me.

I barely look at her as I shrug her hand off my arm, not even dignifying her with a response. Instead, I head toward the parking lot, my mind on someone else. My little birthday girl.

I pull my cell out of my pocket and shoot a quick message to Mila.

Me: Where did you go?

She doesn’t reply right away and even when I reach my truck, there’s still no message. Frowning, I climb inside, slamming the door shut behind me, and let out a frustrated breath. My chest feels tight, my gut churning with a knot of uncertainty. I know I don’t have a right to feel like this, not after everything that’s happened tonight. I didn’t do anything wrong, but I also didn’t push those women away. It wasn’t that I wanted them around me. But it was the only way to conceal the truth of what’s reallygoing on between Mila and I. I hated that I had to do it, and I’m sure she hated it more. But what other choice do we have?

My cell vibrates, breaking my spiraling thoughts. My heart skips when I see her name on my screen, and a grin tugs at my lips as I open her message.

Sunshine: I didn’t feel like watching you, your ex-girlfriend and all the other women fawning over you. Had to get away from there. Nova has taken me to karaoke. Please don’t try to find me. I need some space.

My smile falls, chest tightening as I read her message again and let the words sink in.Space. She needs space. What the hell for? I didn’t do a damn thing to deserve this, did I? My jaw clenches, my fingers gripping the phone so hard I’m sure it’s going to crack.

I sit there for a moment, trying to breathe, trying to think straight. I don’t want to be pissed off but I am.

Taking a deep breath, I swipe out of our message chain, my thumb pressing the screen as I search for karaoke spots in the area. Within seconds,The Timbre Tavernpops up.

A slow smirk spreads across my face, and I shake my head, a laugh escaping me.

Space my ass. I’m going after her.

If she wants to be mad, she can fucking do it wrapped up in my arms.

It’s her birthday, and I’ll be damned if she doesn’t get at least one birthday kiss.

After a quick stop at the grocery store in town, where I picked up supplies for the surprise I have in mind for Mila, I pull intoThe Timbre Tavernparking lot. Pulling into a space, I put my truckin park and scan the lot for Nova’s car, smirking when I spot the red jeep near the front.

Hopping out of my vehicle, the gravel crunches beneath my boots as I stride toward the bar. My phone’s been ringing nonstop since I left the rodeo, Annabeth and Leroy never knowing when to give up. I clear the screen, ignoring their attempts to get hold of me, and debate whether to block Annabeth, but then decide against it. I don’t want her to contact me, I just know that blocking her number won’t stop her chase. I know her. Annabeth lives for games, and this one she plans to win, no matter how much I tell her I’m not interested. What she fails to understand is that she’s part of my past and that’s where she will stay.

I shake all thoughts of my viper ex from my mind and pull open the door toThe Timbre Tavern.As I step inside, the chaotic noise hits me full force. Screeching voices from the karaoke stage blend with the hum of chatter. The smell of cheap beer and tequila hangs thick in the air and irritation burns hot in my veins. I shove my annoyance aside, and push through the crowd, my eyes scanning the room for the familiar flash of Mila’s blonde hair. If it takes me all night, I’m not leaving without my woman.

I weave through people, my gaze sharp as I search for Mila. It’s then I spot Nova near the back, sitting with some guy and throwing her head back in laughter. I follow her line of sight, my eyes narrowing when I finally spot Mila approaching the high-top table Nova’s at. My gaze shifts to the guy walking at her side, my vision turning red at the edges when I see the hungry look on his face when he looks at Mila.

He’s clearly looking to get his ass kicked tonight. And I’ll happily fucking oblige him.

What the hell is Mila playing at?

---