TWO
Raven
“Raven Wetherspoon! Why do you have that just-fucked look on your face?” My roommate, Lexi, crossed her arms accusingly.
“What? You’re crazy.” I piled my hair on top of my head in a loose bun.
“You were out late last night—don’t bullshit me. I hear everything that happens in this apartment.”
“I was working with Chase. He hurt his foot.”
“Right, I heard that part. But that doesn't explain the flush or the swollen lips. Raven! Were you kissing someone last night?”
Heat flamed up my cheeks as my friend surveyed me, head tilted.
“Well, it’s weird, but I think it’s someone I used to know…” I frowned, remembering the wrinkled Polaroid photo I had from when I was a kid. I’d been carrying it around for years, never thinking it was possible I’d see him again.
But he was the reason I’d moved back to this town, right?
I frowned at my inner monologue. My dad had ripped me and my family from this little country town when I was only in third grade. One day, he just decided he wanted to move us back to the city, said he couldn't get as much work done here.
I’d hated the city.
Hated every moment.
So I guess it was no accident I was back here where I’d been the happiest. Even if I’d been only a kid. It just seemed like life went to hell after that move. Dad worked more, Mom drank more, I escaped into school and swimming and volleyball more. The day I turned eighteen and moved out to go to college had been the best day of my life.
Until I’d moved back here.
Veterinary science degree in hand, I’d returned to my real home, the place where I’d left my heart.
I’d never expected to run into the other half of my heart again… But had I?
Was I kissing him last night?
“You need to kiss and tell, sister. That dreamy look on your face is making me desperate for deets.”
“His name is Colt. I think he used to go by Colton…”
“So why not just ask him point-blank?” Lexi asked.
I shrugged, butterflies battering the inside of my stomach. “What if it’s not him? I’ll just look like an idiot. And if it is him, I look like this desperate girl who’s pined for him all these years.”
“So? You have, haven’t you? I’ve seen that photo you carry in your wallet.”
I frowned, not liking Lexi’s particular brand of truth.
“And what if it is him? We get together for old time's sake? I want to see if there’s anything there first…chemistry, you know?”
“Huh, looks like there was loads of chemistry last night.”
“Shut up,” I giggled, covering my face at the memory of his lips on mine.
“He’s the last boy I kissed. Isn’t that messed up?”
Lexi’s eyes shot wide open. “Excuse me?”
“He was my first kiss, under the cherry tree in my parents’ yard.” I smiled, remembering the day. “My dad caught us, and less than a week later, we were living in a penthouse in the city. I was forbidden to ever come back, ever talk to Colt again.”
“That’s fucked up.” Lexi frowned. “Your dad is kind of a dick,”
“Tell me about it.” I groaned. “I was going to go back to the ranch today, but it’s weird if I see him now, right? What the hell do I say?”
“Well, first question. Is he a good kisser?” Lexi winked.
A grin split my lips.
“So that’s a yes.” She laughed. “Why not start with, hey, so how about that kiss?”
“God, you're no help whatsoever.”
Lexi only shrugged. “It’s an interesting conversation starter, and isn’t that what’s gonna be on both your minds anyway?”
I wrinkled my nose at her before she shoved on her shoes. “I’m going for a run. Good luck today.”
“Can’t I just hide in bed, sit this one out?”
“’Fraid not, Raven. Big-girl panties up.” Lexi blew me a kiss before slipping out the front door of our apartment.
“Ugh. But my bed is so warm, and it’s calling me,” I groaned, hauling back down the hallway and into the bathroom to get into the shower and then head to the Circle C.
Chase needed me.
And maybe, deep down, I needed to see if Colt was the boy I thought he was.
I didn’t believe in things like fate or soul mates, but the idea that Colt had been right here this whole time made cartwheels spin through me.
And if it was him, would he even remember me?
I was still thinking that exact thought as I pulled into the yard at Circle C an hour later. My eyes darted around the ranch, searching for Colt. I parked the truck, turning toward the barn when I caught sight of my beautiful boy walking across the paddock—and at the end of his long lead…Colt.
My stomach somersaulted as I watched him talk to the horse, urging him on, feeding him a handful of grain as he made his way closer.
“Mornin’,” Colt called when I approached.
Jesus, just the sight of him in those dusty blue jeans made my knees weak. He was gorgeous, the way he filled out that cotton T-shirt like an Armani model. Every anxiety I had about seeing him eased away when he drew closer, an easy smile spreading his cheeks.
“Didn’t sleep much last night, thought I'd check on him. He’s looking good this morning.”
“Yeah, he is,” I breathed, eyes still focused on Colt’s.
Could it be him? Was this the boy I’d spent all my summer nights with? Lying out under the stars? Talking about our dreams and complaining about our parents?
I looked for some familiar spark, something recognizable, but time had changed us both so much.
I felt like a completely different girl than I’d been then.
“Wanna ride?” Colt held out his hand.
Oh Jesus. Sweet Lord, did I want to. I stretched my hand out, our fingers connecting as energy pulsed between us. His palm glided up my arm, clasping my elbow and leading me into him. Every hard angle of his body fit into mine, the desire to connect our lips so strong it felt inevitable.
As if being in the same space with him without touching was the greatest of sins. A thousand emotions rushed through me when his lips grazed mine, parting them slightly with his tongue.
I melted against him, hands winding through his hair as arousal burned along my nerves. Every piece of me wanted this man.
I didn’t care who he was or who I was; this felt too right.
“Morning,” I whispered finally, our lips still brushing together.
“Woulda slept better if you were in my arms last night.” His thick words made me swoon in his broad arms.
“Me too.” My eyes fell closed as I soaked up his masculine scent. Woodsy, leathery, a hint of spice, he was everything that made my heart gallop out of my rib cage.
“So how about that ride?” He brushed a thumb across the arch of my eyebrow, eyes traveling the contours of my face as if taking me in, committing me to memory.
“Yes,” I murmured. “Come with me?”
He arched one thick eyebrow. “You sure?” He tipped his head, taking me in. “Way you ran out of here last night…”
I shook my head. “I'm sorry. You just took me by surprise, and that kiss…that kiss was…”
“It was a good kiss, right?” A cocky grin split his cheeks.
“It was wow,” I said as his hips worked against mine, the sharp steel of his cock biting into my abdomen and making me want to drop to my knees, suck him into my mouth, and make him come until the only name on his lips was mine.
But what name would he call me?
I had to tell him.
I should tell him.
But his arms felt so good, his smile so warm, his lips so…
“Got somethin’ on your mind, Raven?” His self-confident grin deepened, and I think I fell a little harder. Was this really the man Colton had grown into? He was always so kind and attentive, but now he was all broad and gorgeous and godlike.
“It’s just…sometimes it feels like we’ve met before,” I said softly, wondering if he’d pick up on anything.
His eyes burned into mine, that sweet grin lifting his lips and sending my heart racing.
“It does feel like that.” His hands ran up my waist, slipping under the hem of my shirt and sending shivers through my system.
“How ’bout that ride, cowgirl?” he drawled at my ear.
Oh God.
I’d ride straight into the fires of hell with him if that’s what he asked.
He grabbed the hair at Chase’s neck and hauled himself up onto my horse, then held a hand out, eyes watching me intently. We’d ridden side by side a few times and chatted, but never double. Never wedged between his strong thighs…
But under his gaze, I felt untouchable. Like a princess. Like an angel. Like I was born to do anything.
“Don't keep me waitin’, beautiful. Not sure if Chase and I could stand it.” He grasped my hand and pulled me up, nestling me between his thighs. “Been waitin’ a lifetime for you.”
Colt’s words sent my world spinning on its axis.
Did he know?