Page 100 of Brim Over Boot
I get the rest of my metalworking supplies out, setting everything up on my workspace. The forge is at temperature now, but I wait to start working on the crown, not wanting to miss Colton’s message.
Finally, my phone pings.
Itisa picture. I click to expand it, my breath catching in my throat. Colton’s pants and briefs are tugged down on one side, exposing his right ass cheek. Mottled bruises pepper his skin. Nothing too outrageous. Just small blooms of color I sucked to the surface of his skin.
But just above the marks, visible below the tugged-up hem of Colton’s shirt, is my name.King. I trail my finger over the letters on the screen, heart pumping viciously.
Me: Gorgeous.
I’m not the least bit surprised by Colton’s response, but I laugh all the same.
Colt: Oh, fuck you, you possessive prick.
I am possessive of the man, aren’t I? Possessive of his pleasure. Of his pain. Possessive of those marks I left all over his body and the way he looks when his scowl drops and I see the man beneath all that anger, feigned or otherwise.
But I’m not the only one guarding this thing we’ve stumbled into. And I’m not going to apologize for it. I wouldn’t ask him to, either.
Me: Maybe next time some girl who’s far too young for me starts flirting, you can show her your ass.
It’s a mental image that has me chuckling.
Colton doesn’t respond for the longest time, so I give him a prod, wanting him to know I’m teasing. Mostly.
Me: Don’t worry. Jealousy looks good on you, little Colt.
He calls, much to my surprise.
“Hello?”
“I wasn’t jealous,” he spits in greeting. “And shewasfar too young for you.”
“That’s what I said,” I point out, amused. “Andyouinvented a girlfriend to get her off my back. What d’you call that?”
“Helping you out,” he replies, making me huff a laugh. “Why didn’t you tell her to stop?”
Oh, did I hit a nerve?
Not jealous, indeed.
“It was harmless,” I answer. “Nothing was going to come of it.”
“She didn’t know that.”
“Did you?” I ask carefully.
He’s quiet, not answering.
“Colt… I won’t be flirting with anyone else.”
“None of my business,” he mumbles.
Oh, hell no. “Nuh-uh,” I tell him. “You listen and listen good, Colton Darling. What I said the other night? That wasn’t a lie. You’re mine until you tell me otherwise. So this prickly, indifferent thing you’re trying to pull off? Just know I see through it. I seeyou. And I’m telling you I won’t be flirting with anyone else. Got it?”
He’s breathing hard enough for me to hear. “You’re not letting this go, are you?”
“No.”
“We’re wrong for each other, Noah. We don’t fit.”
