Page 123 of Chasing the Wild
But I can’t. We can’t.
My eyelashes flutter open, and I turn my head into his touch for just a second longer, allowing my lips to meet his warm caress.
“I’d better go.”
And I step back, dragging myself away once more. I’m going to be gone any day now, and I really need to remember that this man is not mine. We can’t do this, so being strong and walking away is about all I can do right now.
It’s late.The glowing digital clock on the stove says midnight.
I’d been lying in bed tossing around and unable to sleep, and eventually decided to make my way to the kitchen and grab myself a glass of water.
Except, as I flip the faucet off and turn around, there’s someone on the other side of the island who I really, really do not want to see right now.
Chy cocks her head to one side and then leans her elbows forward onto the countertop. Her pregnant stomach is barely covered by the tank she’s got on.
“Can’t sleep, Layla?”
“Needed a glass of water.” I shrug and hold up the glass in question.
There’s a glint in her eyes as she thinks for a moment, then says words that send my blood running cold. “You know, you really should be more careful about cuddling up to your boss out in the open where anyone can see. How do you think Kaycewould feel knowing you and his dad are out in that barn getting extra cozy?”
This time my expression must be a dead giveaway because she looks triumphant. Like she’s finally secured the winning goal that she’s been taking shots at all day in the hope of scoring.
“What do you want, Chy?” I grit my teeth.
“I want Kayce.”
“Good. You’ve got him. He’s already yours.” I go to push past her and escape back to my room, but she steps in my path.
“No, you see, it’s not as simple as that. I need to make sure that Kayce doesn’t think his sweet little ex-girlfriend looks like a good idea to go back to.” She flicks her eyes up and down my body, giving me a sneer. “So it’s quite fitting really, that you’re just a slut who’s been fucking his father. Imagine how those rumors will multiply around Crimson Ridge if whispers were to start flying that Colton Wilder purposely lied to his own son and fucked his girlfriend behind his back. Because I can promise you, I’ll have everyone believing that you and Kayce were still together, still madly in love, when dear old Dad started sticking his dick in his preciousLayla. It’ll be Colt’s word against the gossip chain around town, and I’ll tell you now, this ranch will be out of business quick as a flash if they hear how he’s screwed over his own son… the upcoming rodeo darling, Kayce Wilder.”
My mouth is hanging open. This girl is a fucking calculating piece of work. She’s not only ready to take down Colt, his business, his ranch and soul’s home, but she’s ready to destroy Kayce’s career while she’s at it.
Chy looks me over. “Turns out the apple didn’t land far from the tree, did it? Colton Wilder is a littletoo muchlike his grandaddy after all.”
My fists clench. This girl is vile.
“What exactly are you after?”
“Be gone in the morning.”
My heart thuds extra hard. I don’t know what I was expecting, maybe money, but it certainly wasn’t that.
“How could I possibly trust that you would keep your word?”
“With you out of the picture, Layla? Oh, I’d have no problem keeping your not-so-little secret. Anything I might, or might not have seen, would be forgotten real fast.”
As much as I want to rip chunks of hair off this girl’s head, I love Colt too fiercely. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect that man.
“That’s it? That’s all you want from me?”
She nods and gives me a tight smile. “Yup.” She pops the P and steps aside. “Happy packing, Layla.”
Dawn crawlsa lazy path of pinks and purples across the horizon as I quietly shut the front door behind me. The scents of spring and chilled air hit my nose as I hoist my bag in one hand and carefully make my way down the steps leading away from the front porch.
Last night broke me. I couldn’t bear the thought of Colt’s life here, or the ranch, being threatened. It doesn’t make sense for me to stay any longer, not when it might blow up everything Colt has worked so hard his entire life for.
Not when I’m due to leave within the week, anyway.
