Page 72 of Untamed

That does it. In the blink of an eye, I’m up on my tip toes, getting right in his face. “You can’t be serious right now!” I snap, my blood boiling. “I just had to watch yourex-girlfriendpractically climbing you, along with every other buckle bunny throwing themselves at you, while you ignored me all night. And now you’re worried about someonetalkingto me?”

Colter doesn’t move an inch, though I see the flash of annoyance in his green eyes. “What did you want me to do, huh?” His voice is strained with barely restrained anger. “Your whole family, along with fucking Brandon, were there. Brandon’s always watching, like a hawk. I couldn’t exactly kiss you, hold you, or do anything else I wanted to fucking do to you in front of them, could I?” His words are rhetorical, but he isn’t finished. “No, I couldn’t. I’m this close.” He holds his thumb and forefinger about an inch apart emphasizing the distance. “To getting what I’ve worked so hard for. I’ve been trying to claw myself out of the hole I dug for myself and I’m almost there. I’m not about to throw it all away by being reckless.”

I stumble back, my feet unsteady as the weight of his words settles over me. He’s right. I can’t deny that. I would never stand in the way of his dream, but that doesn’t mean tonight didn’t hurt. I shake my head, trying to swallow down the sting of this fucked up situation.

“I get it, Colter. I do. Rodeo means more to you than anything else.” The words taste bitter as they leave my lips. It’s a low blow but it’s how he’s made me feel. Second best to everything else in his life. And who can even blame him. We’re not official and never will be.

His features soften and he reaches out, wrapping both arms around me, and pulling me in close. His forehead drops to mine.

“Sunshine, no. You know that’s not true,” he murmurs, his voice laced with vulnerability. “I just need to prove myself, and once I do, things will be different. You know the warning yourfather gave us. I need this job for now. But make no mistake, my feelings for you…” he trails off, his lips brushing mine. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone before.”

His words hit me deep inside. I can see the weight of the pressure he’s carrying. Tears burn the backs of my eyes, as my throat thickens with emotion. I hate feeling this way, but at the same time, I can’t help it. My feelings are valid, but my situation is also very different from Colter’s. He has so much more at stake than me, even if I could lose the most important thing of all. Him.

I sigh and say the only thing that will lighten the mood right now. “Okay. But for the record, I hate your ex-girlfriend.”

Colter chuckles, his fingers gripping my chin so he can press a tender kiss to my lips. “Same. You don’t have to worry about her.” He pauses, pulling back to look at me. “Or any other woman.”

Despite the tension still coursing through my body, I can’t help but smile. “Yeah?”

He nods, grinning. “Yeah. But for the record...” He repeats my words, his gaze turning serious. “I hated seeing you with that guy. I hate seeing you with any man.”

I laugh softly, shaking my head. “That was nothing. Just friendly conversation.”

“Yeah?” he mimics me again, a playful twinkle in his eyes.

Grinning, I press a kiss to his jaw, whispering. “Yeah.”

Just then a throat clears, breaking us out of our trance. Our gazes shift to Nova, who stands there with a knowing smile. “Aww, as cute as you two are, we need to get out of here before someone spots you.”

With a sigh, I reluctantly pull away from Colter, but he doesn’t let me go far. Grabbing my hand, he laces our fingers together. “Come on.”

I frown, tugging on his hand. “What if someone spots us driving to the ranch together?”

Nova cuts in, shrugging her shoulders. “I can take you. Or you can stay at mine.”

Colter shakes his head, tightening his grip on me. “No. It’s fine. I have a surprise for you anyway. I’m taking you to our spot.”

My heart skips a beat, stomach tightening with desire. Our spot being the clearing where we had sex in the back of his truck.

“Ugh,” Nova groans dramatically, rolling her eyes. “I’m still traumatized from walking in on you that night. I don’t need to hear any more of that.” She pushes off her car and rounds the front to the driver’s side. “See you tomorrow, lovebirds.” With a final wave she climbs into her jeep.

With a hand on the small of my back, Colter leads me to his truck, easily lifting me into the passenger seat and buckling me in like I’m precious cargo. He closes the door behind me before rounding the front and climbing inside. He looks more relaxed than I’ve seen in days. Leaning back against the leather seat, a sense of calm washes over me. But just as I start to relax, Colter speaks, his voice low, teasing.

“Now it’s time for your birthday present.”

A thrill runs through me as Colter pulls into the clearing.

The night is dark, with only a sliver of moonlight coming through the trees. The last time we were here, Colter taught me how to blow him—something I’m eager to do again. Will that be my gift? God, I hope so.

As he puts the vehicle in park, he glances over at me. “Stay in the truck, Sunshine. Don’t get out until I tell you to.”

I arch a brow but obey, watching as he steps out and moves toward the back of the vehicle. Curiosity tugs at me, but I push it aside. Whatever he’s up to, I won’t have to wait long to find out.

Colter calls my name, snapping me out of my thoughts. A smile curls my lips as I push open the door and step out, rounding the truck. But the moment I reach the tailgate, I freeze. A gasp falls from me. My hand flies to my mouth, my chest tightening with something I don’t want to think about right now. Because laid out in the bed of the truck are blankets and cushions, soft and inviting. Tea light candles—nineteen of them, to be exact—flicker, surrounding a small cake with yellow frosting with the numbers one and nine standing proudly on top.

Tears prick my eyes. Emotion tightens my throat. It’s such a simple gesture, yet it means so much to me. More than the fifteen-thousand-dollar designer bag Mom sent. More than the big check Dad deposited into my bank account. Sure, I appreciate those things, but this? Colter doing this… it’s everything.

He reaches for me, and without hesitation, I slip my hand into his, letting him tug me up into the bed of the truck. He wraps his arms around me and dips his head, his lips dropping to my ear. “Happy birthday, Sunshine.”

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