CHAPTER 18
“Rise and shine, sweet thing. You’re burnin’ daylight.” A mug of steaming coffee wafted under her nose.
Lydia fought opening her eyes. “It’s still dark,” she mumbled, turning toward the back of the couch and burrowing deeper into the comforter Colton insisted she take from the bed.
Colton’s amused laugh washed over her. “You’re on cowboy time, darlin’. We got a full day.”
He was right, but she wasn’t ready to face it just yet. She’d hoped now that she was in San Antonio, she’d be able to catch up on lost sleep, both from lying awake nights replaying being with Colton, and churning out two pairs of boots in record time.
“Suit yourself.” The coffee table legs scraped against the thick carpet, and she registered the sound of the mug being placed on the glass top.
What peaked her curiosity was Colton’s change in breathing, and what sounded an awful lot like moving. Holy shit, he wasn’t? No. It didn’t sound like what she imagined jacking off to be. Besides, Colt would never be that crass, would he? She pulled the comforter over her head and chased sleep. But when he grunted, she had to see what was going on behind her. With a yawn and a stretch, she rolled over, cracking an eyelid, then sat bolt upright. “Yoga?”
A chuckle rose from the floor as Colton moved from cobra into downward dog, shifting his gray boxer brief clad ass to eye level. Oh hello. She was barely awake, but her lady parts woke up with a rush of heat at the sight of his hard muscles moving through a sun salutation. “Gotta stay flexible,” he grunted as he dropped into chaturanga, triceps bulging from the effort of holding himself inches from the floor. He stepped hopped to the edge of his map with the ease of a practiced yogi, then grinned down at her. “You might say it’s my secret weapon.”
Secret weapon indeed. She stared unabashedly at the bulge in his drawers. She swallowed, suddenly parched. “Coffee?” she managed to utter hoarsely.
“Ah, so you’re one of those?”
She dragged her gaze up, locking eyes with him. He reached for her cup, clearly entertained, and offered it up. “What do you mean, I’m one of those?”
His dry laugh sent a shiver through her insides. She leaned her head back on the couch, eyes shut. It was too early to think straight, especially when seeing Colt in his glory had her regretting her hands-off policy.
“One of the first jobs I had the first winter I was in Steamboat Springs was to make sure the coffee was ready before morning chores. I had to get up before the ass-crack of dawn and make sure the coffee was hot and ready before the rest of the wranglers hit the barn. There were some that’d greet me with a smile, and others who grunted and stewed until they’d had a few cups.”
She definitely fell into the latter category.
“Sleep all right?” He asked, returning to his sun salutations.
She grunted an affirmation, staring as he moved through the series of poses, letting the coffee slowly bring her to life.
Colt moved into warrior two and slid her a look, mouth tipping up. “You could join me.”
Her tired muscles ached to join him, but she needed at least another cup of coffee before she could even think about movement. “I’d rather stare at your fine ass,” she retorted before she could stop herself. Her body flushed. Add verbal filter to the list of things that didn’t function before coffee.
He dropped his head back with a laugh. “I like you first thing.”
She snorted and took another gulp of the coffee, secretly pleased he’d added cream and sugar.
“This is good,” he said from downward dog. “Now, when people ask, I can tell them how adorable you are first thing before the coffee’s hit your system.”
She saluted him with her mug. “Perks to sharing a room.”
He stopped and stared down at her, cocking an eyebrow. “Always perks to sharing.”
Somehow, she didn’t think he meant it the same way she did. She fixated on his impressive bulge. Only looking away when he laughed at her again.
“Morning wood. Can’t help it.” He cupped himself loosely. “Of course,” he started with a dramatic sigh. “If you hadn’t insisted on sleeping on the couch, I could be waking you up to this every morning.”
He was teasing her. Trying to get a rise out of her. His voice dripped with unexpressed laughter.
“Maybe I don’t like morning sex,” she said loftily.
He snorted. “Then you’ve never had it the right way. I promise you darlin’, you’d fully enjoy morning sex on my watch.”
“That’s a pretty bold statement.”
He turned back into downward dog. “I don’t make claims I can’t back up,” he grunted. “Fully.”
True. Colton might be cocky as all get out, but he wasn’t a bullshitter. She respected that about him. She drained her cup. “I’m going to hit the shower.”
“Want me to join you?” he called as she climbed over the couch.
“You wish,” she shot back with a laugh. At least in the shower, she could hide from his glorious body and the memory of the kiss he’d greeted her with the previous afternoon. Or so she thought. As she stepped into the stream of hot water, her mind replayed every movement, every glance. The way his eyes had lit in appreciation at dinner the night before when she told him about her first runway show, the way he’d tucked her into his embrace as they’d strolled along the Riverwalk, taking in the lights and revelers. She knew it was for show, that they could run into the Carters at any moment, but on more than one occasion, she’d imagined what it would be like if there was really something between them. She rinsed those thoughts to the far recesses of her mind as she washed the conditioner from her hair. Colt might be entertaining and incredibly easy on the eyes, but he wasn’t relationship material, let alone husband material. Soon enough they’d part ways, and better that happen with her heart intact.
She jumped as a knock sounded and the door creaked open. “You gonna stay in there all morning?” Colt called out.
“I’m not going anywhere as long as you’re in here.”
His voice sounded on the other side of the shower curtain. “I’d like that very much.”
The innuendo set her stomach flip-flopping. The bad thing was, she would too. But if she engaged in a battle of wills, he’d sweet talk her right into bed. Best to ignore and divert. She turned off the water. “Hand me a robe, please? And no peeking.”
His low rumble echoed off the walls. “Darlin’, I’ve already seen you pink and wet. No need to hide it.”
“Incorrigible.”
His hand reached through the curtain, dangling the robe. “Appreciative is all.”
She snatched the robe from his hand, slipping into it and wrapping it up to the neck. “Thank you.” She pushed back the curtain, bracing herself for his nearness.
He stood with a hip braced against the counter, legs crossed, arms folded across his chest, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. His eyes darkened, and she instinctively tightened the belt. “You’re beautiful, you know.” The husky burr in his voice sent a blaze of arousal through her, rooting her to the floor. “You don’t have to dress all sexy, or wear make-up, or do your hair fancy. I like you best like this.”
His frankness unnerved her, set her pulse hammering. Heat bloomed across her chest, creeping up her neck. Looking at him was too much, and she studied his feet. “I don’t know what to say,” she murmured, just above a whisper.
“Don’t need to say anything,” he said just as softly. “I just wanted you to know.”
She looked up at him, genuine appreciation filling her. “I… that’s sweet of you. No one’s… no one’s ever told me that before.”
He shook his head. “Damned fools. All of ’em.”
She waved toward the door. “I’m gonna get ready.”
He lifted his chin in acknowledgment. “It won’t take me too long.” His mouth pulled up. “I’m not hiding.”
She let out a huff as she slipped through the door. Incorrigible indeed. But she couldn’t stop smiling as she got ready, opting for a pair of denim skinny jeans, a white blouse, and her favorite pair of heeled booties, the last pair she’d made while at Christian LaSarte. She loved them, and today she’d take all the confidence boosting she could get.
Ten minutes later, Colton strutted out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist, hair damp. She held his gaze in the mirror, before breaking it to apply her lipstick. Ogling him would just wind her up and wouldn’t change a thing.
“What time do you need to be to the exhibition hall?”
“Nine. What’s your day look like?”
He gave her a crooked grin in the mirror before opening the closet where he’d stowed his suitcase. “Before or after watching you work?”
“You mean pestering me?”
“Call it what you like. You’re watchin’ me work tonight. Turnabout is fair play.”
She scoffed. “Hardly. But I wouldn’t mind the company,” she admitted. “I’m a little nervous.”
“People are gonna go crazy over those boots, hon.” The sound of him shoving a leg in his jeans floated her way. “Don’t worry about a thing. I can stay most of the day. I’ll have to visit my other sponsors, and I do have to see a jeweler about a ring.”
Her stomach fluttered, more from his words than her nerves. “Oh.” She perched on a chair next to the dresser. She was ready to go, and there was nothing left to do but ogle him as he finished getting dressed.
“Tell me what you like.” He pulled a blue plaid shirt off a hanger and slipped it on. A shame to cover up that six-pack.
She shrugged. “Nothing flashy. Something simple, understated. I never thought about it, really.”
He folded his arms, shaking his head. “Uh-uh. I’m gonna get you the biggest, baddest-ass ring I can find. My reputation as a cowboy and a gentleman hinges on it.”
Her chest tightened with laughter. “Because size matters?”
He hooked his thumbs through his belt. “Hell, yes. In buckles, boots, and babes.”
She groaned, shaking her head. “Where do you come up with this?”
He shot her a grin. “You bring out the best in me, sweetheart.”
She rolled her eyes. “Seriously. Nothing flashy. I prefer my flash to be on my feet.” She pointed to her booties.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Several hours later a shiver raced down her spine, and she turned in time to see the crowd parting in the exhibition hall aisle. Colt carried himself with such easy power and purpose, people naturally stepped out of the way. She spied his Stetson a half-head above everyone else three booths down. What she wasn’t prepared for was the jealous twinge that grabbed at her gut when three young women stopped him for a photo. She had half a mind to stalk over and shoo them along. Another jealous wave hit her. They were rubbing up against him like cats in heat. Who did that?
He means nothing to you she reminded herself harshly. Furthermore, she couldn’t fault his behavior. He wasn’t flirting with them, merely being polite. As much as she didn’t like it, he wasn’t dishonoring their agreement. Fangirling was bound to happen. He was too good-looking, his face too recognizable in rodeo circles. He caught her staring, and excused himself from the ladies, making a beeline for her while still holding her gaze. He stopped inches from her, eyes dancing. “Hi.”
So much promise in a single word. It was a crime, the way it affected her. “Enjoy your fans?”
He raised his brows with a grin. “Not as much as I’m enjoying you.”
Oh.
She should know better than to open herself up to comments like that. But she had to admit, she enjoyed his praise. She moved with a little more sass in her step when she knew he was watching, commenting.
“I have something for you.”
“Yeah?” Butterflies launched in her chest.
He nodded, taking her left hand. “Shut your eyes.”
The butterflies turned into kickboxing ninja grasshoppers, but she complied, biting her lower lip in a failed attempt to not grin like a kid who’d just been given the keys to the candy shop.
He slipped the ring on her finger, and she opened her eyes. “Ohmygod it’s enormous” she squealed, as she stared at her finger, then Colt, then back at her finger.
“You might want to keep that information private, darlin’,” he answered wryly.
The thing was huge. And heavy. The way it dwarfed her finger, the center stone had to be three carats, at least. The diamond was cut in a way that it flashed blue, green, and purple. It was surrounded by smaller diamonds, and even more around the band. The thing glittered like the Chrysler building in summer. She held out her hand, turning it in the light. “This is your idea of not flashy?”
His mouth twitched.
She tried not to smile back, but failed as she dissolved into giggles, shaking her head. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”
He smirked and shrugged, studying the ceiling. “Payback,” he mouthed.
“Oh, you devil.” She covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. “Fine. I’ll wear it. But you have to promise to take it back when this is all over.”
Something fierce flashed in his eyes, and his face went taut. He shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“Colt,” she insisted, glancing down at it again. “You can’t keep this. I don’t even want to know how much it cost.” She shook her head. “Please tell me you insured it.”
“Don’t you worry about it. Just enjoy it.”
“What happened to being discreet?”
“This is more fun.”
Maybe. She felt like she’d borrowed a piece for the Met Gala. “I hope you know what you’re doing. If mama finds out–”
“We’ll handle it,” he said, the cocky note returning to his voice. “Now give me a kiss. There’s a crowd watching.”