Page 135 of Chasing the Wild
“You don’t mind that I turned up uninvited?” He’s still holding me tight and I’m clinging to the material of his shirt like he’s going to evaporate in a cloud of smoke if I dare loosen my grip, but there’s a line that forms between his brows. He lets his thumb glide back and forth, tracing my cheekbone, where dampness lingers as evidence of all my crying.
I shake my head. “These? These are happy tears.” The happiest.
“Thought it best to hang over here. Didn’t want to risk that you’d be puffy eyed for your photos… then while I was hauling ass to get here in time, I started to worry that maybe you’d see me and youwouldn’tcry, and then if that was the case I’d feel like a right asshole for crashing your graduation.”
My lips roll together. God, this man.
“Colt—”
“Wait, let me get this out, Layla…” He brings his thumb to rest over my lips, interrupting me. “I’ve driven all night rehearsing what to say. Do you know how many times over these past months I sat in my truck and nearly drove to find you? You’re right here, deep in my bones, angel. I can’t even tell you, having to physically stop myself from coming to hunt you down, it was hell. These months have been the worst fucking time of my life.
“I’ve been sitting in the truck all morning staring at this goddamn phone I’ve tried to learn how to use—and I suck at this shit by the way—figuring out how to even fucking find you, knowing that you were here and that it was your graduation. That it was going to kill me if I couldn’t see you achieve this amazing thing in person. Yet, all the time, feeling like I don’t deserve to be part of any of it, but that I’m hoping to fucking god you’ll let me. That you’ll let me follow you around this earth, wherever you want to go from here on out, because it doesn’t matter how much I love the land and the ranch, I loveyoumore.More than I ever thought was possible for an asshole like me. You own my black fucking heart, and I couldn’t go another day without telling you how deeply I’m in love with you.”
My heart sits in the back of my throat as my cowboy pours his out to me.
“I love you, Layla. This thing struggling to beat inside my chest when you’re not near, is yours. Whether you want it or not, and I don’t blame you if you never want to see me again… but I had to give you the time and space to achieve this incredible thing you’ve worked so hard for… and I had to come and tell you, had to see your beautiful green gaze fall on me at least one final time, and tell you that every night, these emerald eyes are all I see… all I will ever see will be you.”
He pulls the hand that has been settled against my spine around to slide between us. Wrapped inside the brown paper, tied with rough twine that I instantly recognize as from the barn, are an assortment of wildflowers from the paddocks of the ranch. I can smell the faint traces of hay and pollen and they’re the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen. They feel like home, dwarfed in the big, calloused palm of this man who I am entirely consumed by.
He feels like home.
“Colt?” I sniffle, tracing the edge of the paper and gently touching one of the soft petals, before returning his stare.
“Mmm?” His palm slides beneath my loose curls to cup the back of my neck. Fingertips playing against my skin.
“Kiss me, please.”
“Thank fuck.” He breathes, ducking his head to crush our lips together.
He tastes of mint and love, and all the parts of him I’ve missed so deeply. The wetness of his lips finds mine, and the tingling scrape of his beard against my skin is everything.
It’s soft like rain, tender, while also being just the perfect amount of rough. The epitome of Colt and the type of man he is.
He doesn’t press further. Although the blood singing beneath my skin wants nothing more than to throw my arms around his neck and climb him right here, there will hopefully be much more time for thatlater. God. I hope so. I hope this means he’s here and he’s not going anywhere.
With a groan, he pulls back slightly and rests our foreheads together.
“Tell me I’m not dreaming right now?” he murmurs. Voice husky.
“Umm… hate to interrupt.” Sage’s voice drifts through, bursting our little bubble. When I tilt my head to look her way, a little sheepishly, she’s got a grin a mile wide and a glass of champagne in each hand.
“Hi… uhhh…” My throat bobs a quick swallow, and I reluctantly turn away from where I’ve managed to plaster myself against Colt’s front.
Sage’s dark eyes are bouncing all over the place, taking in the bunch of flowers, the sight of the cowboy behind me, and fix with lightning precision on the place where his palm covers my hip. I feel every fingertip outlined as the weight and heat of his hold seeps through the material of my dress, tugging me against his torso.
Thank god he doesn’t seem in the mood to let go of me, because I don’t think I’m capable of standing straight on my own right now.
“Crimson Ridge cowboy, I presume?” My best friend takes a sip from one of the glasses.
“This is my best friend, Sage.” I fluster.
“Colton Wilder. Pleasure to meet you, Sage.” I can feel the man behind me make a motion to dip his head in a nod. His strong fingers press harder into my hip, signaling that he hasabsolutely no intention of letting go of me, even if it must be taking everything in him to override his usual inclination to offer a handshake. But then, Sage raises her glass in return with a dazzling smile—her own version of a greeting right now, seeing as both of hers are full.
Colt’s well ingrained cowboy manners are let off the hook for now.
Except, my best friend narrows her eyes on mine as she cocks her head to one side. That grin turns wicked, and she lasers in on me with a look I can interpret without any words needing to be exchanged.
I scrunch my face up.I know. I know.
