Chapter 8

COLTON

Watching Shayla pretend not to notice me watching her was beyond entertaining. It affirmed I'd gotten under her skin, in the best way possible. She played games with the kids while Hayden, Brock, and I discussed Brock's upcoming retirement from the Idaho Outlaws. He'd been with the United States Baseball Team since the franchise began, but he was ready to focus on other things now that he and Thea were expecting another baby.

By the time the kids' bedtime rolled around, I overheard Allie and Poppy conspiring to have a sleepover. Beau had moved on from the girls and was playing with trucks on the patio near his mom while the rest of us sat around the firepit.

Shayla sat directly across from me, but she kept her attention on my sisters as they discussed the new location for All in Bloom. She accepted another beer from Brock who wanted her to try a new brand he'd discovered. I'd tried it earlier and thought it might be too heavy for her taste, but Brock was thinking of investing, and wanted her thoughts as someone who enjoyed IPAs.

I might consider it as well, but I'd invested my salary from the Army wisely and most of the time I lived in base housing, so I really didn't have a lot of bills the past twenty years besides a personal vehicle.

Besides the property I'd purchased to build my home on, I'd put most of my money into my cement business.

The end of the evening was winding down and I tried to come up with a way to see Shayla again, sooner rather than later. Little did I know my sister my sister was already working on it for me.

The next thirty minutes were a whirlwind of amped up kids and logistics. I helped Thea clean up while still being within earshot of Shayla.

"Of course, I'm okay to drive. I didn't even finish that second beer and we've been here for hours." Shay waved off her brother-in-law's concerns.

"We can drop you off, Shayla. It's not that far from our place." Brenley yawned, then glanced over at me and grinned.

"Oh, wait. What am I thinking? Colton's renting a place not too far from you. "Hey, Colt. Can you take Shay home? We're taking the girls to our house, and it would really make me feel better knowing she got home safe." Brenley kept a straight face as she spoke and I bit my tongue to keep myself from laughing at my sister's match making. I definitely owed her big time.

"It would be my pleasure. Whenever you're ready to go, Shayla, I'm ready." I answered.

Brock and Hayden both busted out laughing, but Shayla wasn't paying any attention to them. Looks like everyone was on my side in this one.

"I am perfectly fine to drive, but thank you. Brenley really." Shayla stood with her hands on hips. Hips I couldn't wait to get my hands on.

"Okay, but just humor the pregnant lady. Please?" Brenley gathered her things and walked over to her husband, making it literally impossible for Shayla to argue further.

Walking closer to her, I offered again. "Well, you didn't have anything to eat so, it's not a bad idea. And we can wait to leave until after they do so Aria doesn't see you and me together in my truck. Sound good?" I did my best to keep the excitement at having her to myself from my expression, but it was tough. She was so damn cute when she was riled up.

Looking from my sister to me, Shayla shrugged her shoulders. "I'd forgotten about not eating. It makes sense and I appreciate the offer." She walked off to give Aria a hug while I finished with the clean-up.

Fifteen minutes later, Shayla and her unique scent of flowers and woman were in my truck. The sun was beginning to set, but there was still time to make a quick detour. "How'd you like to see my property? It's about five minutes from here and the view is almost as good as Thea and Brock's." I wanted to add, "and almost as good as the one I'm looking at," but I didn't want to appear desperate to impress her. Even if I was.

"Sure."

Her one-word answer had me wondering what was going on in that pretty head of hers. I couldn't quite get a read on her mood, but the air in the cab was definitely charged between us.

I'd picked the lot with the size in mind to add a shop next year. I was still going over floor plans with the builder, so the foundation hadn't yet been dug out. Parking near the lookout at the back of the lot, I'd angled the truck so we could see the protected wetland and meadow below.

"This is beautiful, Colton." Shay jumped out and walked to the edge.

Taking my time, I sat and watched her for a moment with the sun low in the sky and the thought of her and me building a home and family here felt more than right. It felt inevitable.

She turned back to me and laughed. "Aren't you going to join me?" She shouted.

I rolled down my window. "Nope. I like the view from here much better."

Shayla's shoulders went back and rigid at my words. I couldn't read her face to see if she was scowling or not. Damn, did I just ruin the moment? I held her gaze. I wasn't going to take back my words or apologize, but maybe I should join her. However, before I could open my door, she was marching back to her side of the truck, yanking the door open and climbing back in.

And she didn't stop climbing until she was nestled in my lap with her thighs spread open, resting on either side of my growing erection. Instinctively, my hands went to her waist. There wasn't a spare inch between us or between her back and the steering wheel.

I fumbled behind her, finding the lever below the dashboard and adjusted it as far up as it could go, then hit the electronic switch on the lower seat and pushed it back.

"I'm not complaining, but what did I say? Because I need to commit it to memory for future use. Damn Shayla, you make me harder than the cement I work with every day."

Instead of answering, she just smiled and started to unbutton her blouse.

Holy hell, she was perfect.

"Do you have a condom?" Her fingers unsnapped her jeans, and she wiggled to her backside, then shimmied out of them before climbing back.

"Damn. And yes. I just need to shift—ah, fuck, darling." She'd opened the snaps on my jeans and freed my aching cock, taking me in hand. Her forehead fell onto mine. Our heavy breaths mingled between us, and I could have died and gone to heaven in that exact moment. Well, maybe after another five or so because if she kept stroking me, I was going to go off before she could.

"Hold on, Shay. Are you sure about this? I don't want you to think I expected this, or?—"

"Shut up and kiss me." But instead of waiting for me, she dipped her head and kissed me long and hard. Our tongues dueled, but I won and set a pace that she matched with her strokes until I had to put my hand over hers.

"As good, no, as great as that feels, I need to you to stop and let me take care of you first." She leaned back with a wicked smile. I closed my eyes and sent up a prayer I'd survive this version of Shay. I fished my wallet out of my pocket and tossed it where I could easily reach it when I needed it. Thank god for bench seats. Best decision I made when I bought this truck.

I'm not sure what actually made me jump onto Colton, but once I was there, I knew I was home. And he felt so good, better than what I could ever imagine. Desperate for him, I couldn't wait. I simply acted.

When I took his velvety, hard length in hand, all I could think about was having it deep inside me. And when I thought I couldn't get any wetter, he told me he wanted to take care of me first, and a second flood of warmth pooled between my thighs. The need for release had me rocking my hips and pressing myself against his cock.

"Hold on, love. Let me. Do you know how fucking sexy you look perched above me? Your hair backlit by the setting sun and your luscious, pebbled nipples just begging to be sucked?"

Nodding, I reached behind my back and released my aching breasts, then arched closer, offering myself to him.

The first swipe of his tongue was a spark. The second had me lifting off and moving my hips again. "I need you, Colt. Please." I didn't recognize my own voice. It sounded so husky, so needy.

"I've got you. I hope you're not attached to these panties."

Before I could comprehend what he'd said, he tugged until I heard fabric tearing. Oh, my. His fingers tunneled between my folds and I wanted to throw my head back and beg him to make me come, but I also wanted the tease. I wanted it slow and to savior every moment.

"So wet for me." He rasped out then kissed my neck in hot open mouth kisses as he strummed my swollen flesh. Flicking fast, then slow, I held as still as I could. The agony of the pleasure, and the release I knew I'd find from his wicked fingers, had me holding my breath. I wanted this first time to last forever. His whispered words between kisses emboldened me to ride his fingers and not worry about what I looked like doing it.

Colton continued to stroke me, but when his kisses stopped, I opened my eyes to find his smoldering gaze locked on my face.

Sweat glistened on his forehead, and when he smiled, I nearly came.

"So, damn beautiful. Tell me what more can I do? Faster, slower?"

I couldn't have spoken if my life depended on it. It didn't matter that he was getting me off in the cab of his truck. This was the perfect place for us as far as I was concerned.

Colton's thumb began rubbing my clit, first in slow tortuous circles, then when I let out a low moan, he increased his speed and, thank god, the pressure. Sharp tingles erupted inside me and I was so very close. "Yes, please. Just. Like. That." I begged.

When my orgasm hit, I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. I rode the waves as he milked me. My inner walls clamped down on the fingers he'd slipped inside me, seeking that magical spot.

"Breathe, baby. Scream if you need to. I've got you." Colton's words released me and my cries filled the steam-filled cabin. My thighs burned, but I didn't care. I held onto his shoulders tight as aftershocks rocked my body and his fingers dug into my hips, steadying me.

I pressed myself against his cock, revealing at the hiss he released. "Your turn." I lifted myself up just enough to give him space. He grabbed his wallet, tore into the condom, and rolled it on himself in record time.

Feeling surer of myself and my body than I ever have, I lifted his chin with a finger and held his darkened gaze as I sheathed myself, taking his length inside me one inch at glorious inch at a time.

Better than I'd imagined, he stretched and filled me until I was seated in his lap. "Do you want me to move?" I teased.

"You're a vixen, and I like it. Hold on." Colton bucked once, then twice. The movements hitting my sensitized clit and I swear I saw stars.

"Um, yes. More. Just like that." I waited, and he did not disappoint.

"Lift yourself just a bit. There, right there." He groaned, then captured my lips. Kissing me as he pounded inside me, sending me even higher until another orgasm crept up on me.

Colton's thrusts became faster, deeper. How did I not know sex could be like this? Feel like this?

"You are so damn perfect. Come with me." Colton began to strum my clit once more. He shouted my name, and I tightened my hold around his neck and held on as I crested again. I didn't hold my voice back this time. Our shouts rang out and I swear our heartbeats drummed in sync with each other. He said I was perfect, but it was him that was perfect and I was another step closer to falling all the way.

Long minutes ticked by as we embraced, each riding through our bodies aftershocks and soon our breathing evened out.

"So." Colton's husky voice filled my ear.

"So." I mimicked.

"So, does this mean we'll be doing that again?"

"Oh, we are so going to do that again." How could I fight this connection? I couldn't. So I was ready to roll the dice and see where this would lead while guarding my heart—just in case.