How many times had we shaken this bed last night? Every muscle in my body ached. It was a good kind of ache. Reminiscent of the ache I felt post gardening but much more satisfying.

The bed dipped beside me, and an all too sexy Colton sat hair-dripping wet beside me. “Hey, sleepy head. I made coffee.”

I lifted my head looking for a steaming cup, but none existed. “Real coffee?”

“Is there any other kind?” He brushed his fingers across my hair.

I sunk into the pillow with a frown. “I only have instant.”

He scrunched his nose and shuddered. “That’s like pretending tofu is meat.” He shook his head and pulled the cover back to expose my body.

“Tofu isn’t meat?” Feigned surprise colored my voice.

He leaned down and plucked my nipple into his mouth. A swift roll of his tongue pulled a moan from me. “This right here is better than tofu any day.”

“Ready for round … one thousand?” My mind was ready, but my body was weary.

“I wish, but I have to get on the road soon. I thought I’d have breakfast with you first.” In between rounds of tit slapping, ball swinging sex, Colton and I talked. He knew everything about my situation, and I had a good idea about his. Today he was traveling five hundred miles to Dallas to meet with his father.

“Do you think he’ll invest in your project?” I slid from the bed and grabbed my clothes from the floor. I was desperate for a shower, but it would have to wait. I had limited minutes to spend with Colton, and soon I’d be alone. Being alone out here gave me the creeps.

“You never know with him. It depends on the market. I don’t follow the price per barrel of oil, but if he’s feeling comfy, he might be generous.”

I buttoned up my shirt and walked toward the door. “Where’s this coffee you promised?”

“In the kitchen with the bacon and eggs I made.”

“Bacon and eggs?” My mouth dropped open. “I haven’t had anything but Pop Tarts for breakfast in years. Probably decades.”

“It’s a good thing we woke up here. I haven’t had a Pop Tart since I was a kid, I’m not sure I’m a fan.”

I walked past him to the kitchen. “That’s it. It’s over for us. I can’t be with someone who doesn’t appreciate the appeal of Kellogg’s breakfast food.”

He reached above me and pulled two coffee mugs from the cupboard. “Empty calories that go straight to your ass.” He pulled two plates from the oven filled with bacon and eggs and toast.

“My ass? I don’t think you had a problem with my ass last night.”

He put the plates on the table and grabbed my ass. “You have a magnificent ass, and if it was produced by Pop Tarts, I’m a new fan.”

I wiggled from his grip. “Good, because I have a three month supply in my cabin.”

Colton sat in a chair, and I sat in his lap. We fed each other until our plates were clean.

“I hate to leave you alone, but it’s safe. Don’t go out after dark, and if it helps, stay in my house. At least there’s dependable internet.” He rotated me around, so I faced him. “You could come with me.”

I nipped at his lip. “I don’t think we’re at the meet the parent’s place in our relationship.”

“No? I let you meet my dog.”

“It’s your sister’s dog, and he prefers me.” I pressed my body into Colton’s and felt his cock twitch beneath me.

“He has good taste.” His hands slipped into my jeans, and within seconds, I was naked and impaled on his cock. He stroked me long and slow. The burn turned into a fire, and I erupted like a volcano.

Slick with sweat he held me close to him. “I’m going to miss this. I’m going to miss you.”

My heart skipped a few beats and pounded against my chest to catch up. Colton Becket was trouble. He wasn’t going to get me closer to my inheritance, but he was a pleasant distraction while I figured things out. That was the lie I told myself, but my body and my heart knew the truth. Colton Becket was more than a diversion.

“Can you leave Bo with me?” I chewed on my lip and waited for him to answer. “I’d feel better if I wasn’t completely alone.”

“You want Bo to stay?”

“Please.”

“Anything for you, darlin’.”

I loved the way he called me darlin’. It was his sexy, Texas drawl that made my skin tingle each time he said it.

“Anything?”

He chuckled. “We’ll discuss the possibilities when I get back. I shouldn’t be more than four or five days.”

I knew my lips puckered into a pout. I couldn’t help it. I’d just had a taste of heaven, and the thought of being alone was like putting one foot into hell. “While you’re gone, I’ll work on your brochures.” Caught up in his body, I forgot to ask him about a name change. “What about calling your company C-Squared? It’s still you and Cara and the two Cs, but it sounds more scientific, whereas C and C sounds like a landscaping company.”

He stopped throwing his things into a backpack and looked at me. “I like it.” His beautiful plump lips spread into a grin. “I like it.”

“What about Cara? Will she like it?” I followed him to the door and walked down the steps to his truck.

“She’ll love it. Go for it.” He tossed his backpack into the front seat and pulled me into his arms. His lips grazed the top of my head. “I’m glad you came, Nik.”

Laughter doubled me over. “I’m glad I did too. After that many times last night it would have been a shame to walk away with nothing.”

“You know what I meant, brat.”

I lifted on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. “I’m glad I’m here too. Now go so you can get back.”

Bo and I sat on the bottom step of Colton’s porch and watched the black truck disappear down the road.

We spent the morning tidying up Colton’s kitchen. Bo licked the plates clean before I washed them. Next, we attempted to make the bed, but I spent more time smelling his pillow than anything else.

I tended to the garden, and then Bo and I gathered some stuff from my cabin—essentials like clean underwear, a toothbrush, Pop Tarts, and bear repellent. Needing his Internet was my excuse to move in, but it was the scent of his pillow, the smell of his soap, and of course his coffee that drew me there.

That night I got in touch with my inner graphics artist and put together the start of an amazing brochure using the photos I’d taken at the energy farm that morning.

When my computer dinged with an incoming email, I expected it to be from Max or Rachel, but it wasn’t. It was from Colton.

Nik,

Arrived in Dallas, but wish I was there. I’ve been cussing at you for the last hour for taking away the only thing that could make me smile—your photo. Snap a shot of your smiling face for me. I promise not to sell it.

C

My mouth tired from holding up the grin that wouldn’t go away. He didn’t say it out right, but he missed me. I scrolled through my photos to find one he would like, but only one fit the bill. I transferred it to my computer and returned his email.

Colton,

Good news. I haven’t burned down your house—yet. I have consumed a large quantity of your coffee, and I found your hidden supply of chocolate ice cream. Payment for the amazing brochure I’m creating for C-Squared. Here’s a picture I think you’ll like.

Nik

I pressed send and waited. It didn’t take him long to respond.

Hell Yeah! This belongs to me and me alone.

C

That was his way of confirming he wouldn’t sell the wet T-shirt photo I’d sent him. My way to tell him I trusted him.

* * *

Three days had passed with short email exchanges. Colton never discussed his visit with his father, only said it was good to see his brothers and his mom. We exchanged pictures daily. I sent him photos of our prospering garden. I zoomed in on the three tiny tomatoes that he claimed would never grow. It was a victory for me. Gordon hadn’t steered me wrong.

He sent me pictures of his … yep, his dick. And I loved every one, but I was ready for the real thing, and he wasn’t due back for days.

Bo pawed at my leg, needing to go outside.

Tonight the wind whipped across the property and everything moved like ghosts in the night. Chains clanged, and things crashed and boomed in the dark. I reluctantly let Bo out to do his business and waited anxiously by the door with the bear spray. A girl couldn’t be too careful.

Bo was nowhere to be seen, but his growl made my skin crawl. “Bo,” I yelled into the dark. “Bo, come here.” I peeked out of the door and waited. The beast ran up the stairs and nearly plowed me over. No time was wasted in bolting the door closed and running to Colton’s bed to dive under the blankets.

Bo was hot on my heels and burrowed under the sheets with me. We snuggled together, and I fell asleep.

A menacing growl woke me. It was a spine-tingling sound. The wind hadn’t let up. Something crashed on the porch, and I bolted from the bed into the living room. Someone or something was out there. Was it a bear? A burglar?

There was no time to figure it out. The door handle jiggled and turned, and Bo went wild. I gripped the bear repellent and stood behind the door. Whatever or whoever entered was going down. I’d survived everything from a full Brazilian wax to the relentless chase of paparazzi. I was not being taken out by an intruder. I was sixty-three inches of pissed off.

The minute the door flew open, Bo lunged forward, and I pressed the plunger on the spray can in the direction of the shadow.

It all happened so fast. I sprayed, and the uninvited guest fell to the floor in a heap of agony. I was cranking my leg back to give him a good kick when a voice I recognized stopped me flat.

“Nik, it’s me.”

“Oh, shit.”