by Alexis Anne
His breath became ragged but he didn’t let me go. No, if anything he held me tighter. “I want to protect you. I want to wrap you up and keep you safe from anything that might ever hurt you. You’re mine even though you’re not.”
God, how I wanted to be his. And have him be mine. It was just so right. “I feel the same way, Colt. I have this overwhelming need to make you smile and take away the stress.” I ran my fingers over the lines beside his eyes and mouth. “It’s like it’s my job to protect you from yourself and I don’t know what to do with that feeling.”
“Lily,” he whispered just before he kissed me. I opened to him, let him take me deep. I wanted to get so lost inside Colt I would never, ever find my way out.
I pulled back and rested my forehead against his chest, trying to catch my breath. “I think I love you, Colt, but I’m afraid if I say that out loud it will be too much.”
His hands roamed from my hips to my hair, pulling me up for another wild kiss. “You already said it and we’re both still here.” He ground against me. “I don’t have to think, Lily. I know. I love you. I’ve loved you since The Westerly. I loved you when I thought you were Annie and I love you even more now that I really know you.”
Oh god. “Yes. Yes.” My hands were everywhere. In his hair, under his collar, pulling at his shirt. I needed him. I pushed him to the ground and straddled him. “I love you Colt Landry.”
And then I rode my cowboy as the sun dipped behind the hills.
CHAPTER 20
When we got back to the house we were a mess. A ridiculously happy mess, but a mess.
So I was a little embarrassed when I realized we had guests.
Well, not guests. Three very special people had returned.
“Ted!” I yelled across the foyer. Grayson flinched. “Sorry Grayson.”
But he didn’t look upset. Nope. Instead he smiled. “It’s nice, Lily. This house has been too quiet for too long.” He shot Colt a look and I remembered something Colt had said once. That the house used to be filled and now it was empty because everyone died or left.
This crazy overwhelming feeling of joy overtook me. The house wasn’t quiet anymore and it never would be again, if I had any say in the matter.
“Hey Princess,” Ted said. “Charley can’t wait to see you.”
“Where is she?”
“In bed. She can move around now but she can’t lift anything and she’s exhausted.” He looked tired too, I noted.
“Evangeline giving you a run for your money?” I ruffled his hair.
“She’s a joy.” Then he cocked an eyebrow. “Who happens to think night is the time to party.”
I’d been reading up on babies in order to become the world’s greatest aunt. “She has her days and nights reversed?”
“Yep. The little demon child.”
“She’s an angel.”
He grunted. “Anyway. I just wanted to say hello and tell you we were back for the last two weeks of shooting.”
That hit me.
Last two weeks.
And then what? “I’ll let you get to sleep.” I kissed him on the cheek but instead of letting me go he grabbed my hand, giving it a squeeze.
“Good night Lily Pad.”
Colt was giving us one of his jealous scowls as we parted ways. I just shook my head because what was he going to do? Ted and I were friends. Period. Colt was just going to have to get used to sharing a small part of me. I wasn’t resentful of Charley and I didn’t think she was resentful of me, either.
But then again, I think she had a better understanding of what our relationship was about. Colt hadn’t really gotten that time in yet.
“Take me to bed, Cowboy. I’m exhausted for some reason.”
His eyes lit up and a knowing smile replaced his frown. “I’d be happy to. As long as it means you’re in my bed tonight.”
I slid a hand around his waist. “Was there another choice?”
He smacked my ass mischievously. “No.”
* * *
THE THING about declarations of love and feelings of jealousy is that it makes you possessive.
And maybe a little neurotic.
I think that’s why Colt had taken to waking me with sex each morning. Sometimes he was between my legs as I came out of my slumber, other times he carried me half asleep into the shower where he woke me up with warm water and his cock.
But since I wasn’t needed until noon today he’d decided to take the morning off and really enjoy a long morning together. He even had food sent up so we wouldn’t go hungry.
In fact he was feeding me now. Feeding me because I was tied to his bed and couldn’t feed myself.
“You’re right. The berries you grow are better than anything you can buy in a store.” I had probably eaten more fruit and vegetables at Landry Ranch than I had in the last few years combined.
It was really helping my diet.
So were the hours of sex.
And Colt? Well, he’d eaten a feast from my body. “Do you want more?”
I shook my head. “All I really want is an orgasm.”
“Hmmm . . . I can arrange that.” But instead of touching me anywhere that would accomplish that, he moved to my feet. He untied my left and ran his thumb up my arch.
Whoa. I felt it on my foot but I also felt it inside. “Do that again.”
“You mean this?”
My inner muscles fluttered as he repeated the movement. “Yes!”
For the next ten minutes I received the most erotic foot rub of my life. It was topped off with me literally on top of Colt, teasing him ever so slowly to climax.
It was a really good morning.
“We need more coffee,” I called into the bathroom. I was dry and dressed in the shirt Colt intended to wear to the office that day. I was wearing it because I wanted him smelling like me all day.
Possessive feelings ran deeply in both directions.
“I’m going downstairs.”
“Okay!” he called back.
The house was normally pretty quiet during the day. Evangeline was now the exception to that rule. She really was a good baby most of the time but when she wasn’t happy, well, she really wasn’t happy.
“Lily,” Christina hissed the minute my feet touched the bottom stair. “Over here.”
“Well good morning to you, too.” That’s when I realized Christina looked upset. Her hair was a mess and she was in a t-shirt and jeans. “What’s wrong?”
“Mom’s here.”
My stomach flipped and butterflies took flight. “Your mother? I thought she wasn’t coming until we left.”
Her eyes grew round. “She wasn’t. She’s here to see you.” Then she took my hand and pulled me deeper into the hallway. “I’ve been trying to talk her out of this for hours, Lily, but she’s being stubborn.”
“Talk her out of meeting me? Why?” My stomach began to sink. Because you’re trash. It wasn’t fair to jump to that conclusion but why else would a mom be upset about a girlfriend?
“She won’t tell me specifically. I assumed it was your family problems but she insists it’s not.”
“And she’s upset?”
Christina nodded quickly. “She’s pissed. I’ve never seen her like this. And trust me, working with your mother, you get to see everything.”
I glanced down at my mostly naked state. “I can’t meet her like this.” Talk about nuclear levels of mortification. Hello Mrs. Landry. It’s so good to meet you. I’ve just been fucking your son for the last three hours. He’s thoroughly satisfied with his three orgasms. How are you?
Yeah, that wouldn’t go well.
“Lily Lawrence?” An unfamiliar but feminine voice said from behind me.
I wanted to die. “Yes?” I spun on my bare heel putting on my best boss lady face.
Colt’s mother was beautiful. She had long dark hair and clear skin, dressed in a red skirt and matching polka-dot blouse. “Jacquelyn Hunter Landry.” She held out her hand. “I thought it
was about time I met the woman playing my part.”
Thank god Colt didn’t have some sort of mom-fetish or this word play would get creepy fast.
“It’s my great honor to meet you Mrs. Landry. As you can see I need to change before I can properly greet you.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Let’s not play these games. You’ve spent all morning in my son’s bedroom and you’re wearing his shirt.”
Oh god. “Still, I think a pair of pants are in order.”
She didn’t move a muscle on her perfect face. “You didn’t need them to go prancing about as if you owned this house, now did you?” She waved and Grayson appeared. “Coffee in the family dining room.”
Then she turned, beckoning me to follow. I shot Christina a look that screamed help me but she just shrugged. Grayson on the other hand at least looked horrified on my behalf.
Bright mid-day sun poured through the floor to ceiling windows. Jacquelyn sat at the head of the table and indicated she expected me to sit to her right, so I did. At least now my bare legs were hidden beneath the table. Now, mind you, I wasn’t embarrassed by my legs or the knowledge that Jacquelyn knew I was banging her son. Nope, I was pretty happy with my body and my life. What I was nervous about was the fact that Colt’s mother was clearly upset with me about something and I didn’t know what it was.
It’s really hard to strategize a defense when you don’t know what you’re fighting.
Grayson appeared with the coffee. “Thank you,” Jacquelyn said.
Grayson turned to me. “Colt had to take a business call. I told him you were gathering your costuming for the day and would be back to say goodbye before you left for filming.”
He was an angel. If Colt knew I was meeting with his mother or worried as to why I’d been gone so long, he’d be down here in full-on bear mode. And while I loved how much he cared, I got the feeling I was going to need time and peace to deal with whatever his mother had in mind.
I took my coffee black and sat back. “How can I help you, Mrs. Landry?”
She poured cream and sugar, stirring them together. “We’re going to have a nice chat, you and me. We’re going to get to know each other for a bit and then, after you film your last scene today, you’re going to pack your things and leave.” She arched an eyebrow and slid a folder across the table.
“What’s this?” My hand shook as I reached for it, my cool reserve slipping. I didn’t like the look on her face or the tone of her voice. Plus I wasn’t leaving Colt. I didn’t care what was inside this stupid folder. “If it’s about my parents I’m afraid you’re a day late and a dollar short. The whole world knows about them.”
“It’s not about your family.”
I flipped open the folder and my heart sank. “I don’t understand.” There was so much. It was more than I could comprehend at once.
“The first five pages are the reason I don’t want you anywhere near my son and daughter. And the last five pages are the reason you’ll obey.”
I wanted to vomit. Of all the things I’d worried about over the years, of all the reasons I gave Colt to be wary of me, I hadn’t seen any of this coming.
CHAPTER 21
“You may call me Jackie.” Colt’s mother carefully sipped her coffee, eyeing me the entire time. “You are a cool one, aren’t you?”
I wasn’t cool. I was stunned. She was basically accusing me of espionage. “Why are you here, Jackie?”
She set down her coffee on the delicate saucer and folded her hands in her lap. “As I said, I’d like to get to know you before I send you on your way. I’ve already spoken with your director so I know today is your last day of shooting.”
I planned on staying on as long as I could before my next film—which meant for the foreseeable future since I still hadn’t landed one.
“You’ve made up a very elaborate story.” I flipped back to the first page. “But it’s just a story.”
“Tell me, how have you enjoyed living my life?”
“I haven’t been living your life. I’ve been acting a role based on your life. I’m not a method actress.”
“Aren’t you? You’re sleeping in my old room. You’ve made yourself at home in my home.”
“It’s Colt’s home and he’s welcomed me into it.”
“But this isn’t where you met.” She leaned closer. “Rather coincidental isn’t it? You happen to meet him on vacation and then just so happen to be working on his ranch for an entire summer?”
Coincidental? She was making it sound like I intentionally hunted Colt down. “I like to think it was serendipity that brought us together twice. As I’m sure you know, the film wasn’t originally planned to shoot here. And when we were on vacation I wasn’t signed on to the movie. It may be coincidental, as you say, that we’ve had our lives intersect twice in a year, but there was no intention behind it.”
“Are you absolutely certain?”
I wanted to scream Yes! You’re nuts if you think I was set up with Colt! But I didn’t. Instead I calmly tried to address her accusations.
“I had no idea Colt had any political ties until Christina and I had dinner a couple of months ago. It was only then when she explained what she did for a living that I had any idea she was a Hunter or that the Hunter family was so entrenched in politics.”
I still didn’t really understand.
“You can see why it’s alarming to me though? A woman with a volatile family history suddenly gets cozy with my son while my daughter is in the middle of a tough campaign? One that will determine her future?”
“I have nothing to do with my brother-in-law’s family. This connection you’ve drawn is ludicrous.”
Adam’s grandfather was kind of a big deal in politics. When they started dating I only paid attention because the McKinley’s were American royalty and as the handsome grandson to the Senator, Adam had been semi-famous for a few years.
I had no idea Senator McKinley would become president. And I certainly didn’t spend enough time with the man for there to be some nefarious plot against a family I’d never met until my vacation.
“The McKinley’s and the Hunters have been bitter political rivals for decades. It’s no secret both parties have done underhanded things in the name of politics.”
“It may be no secret to people who care about politics . . . I don’t. I have bigger fish to fry.”
She sipped her coffee, as cool and serene as ever. “Yes. Your lovely parents. How convenient it would be to have the President of the United States step in on their behalf. Perhaps in exchange for a small favor?” Her eyes narrowed. “I’m very aware of your family loyalty, Lily. I admire it. In fact, if I weren’t so worried about my own family I might like you quite a lot. But as it is, I can’t take that chance.”
“I’m not going to stop seeing Colt.” Even as I said it, I knew if she pressed I’d have no choice.
“You will.” She flipped the folder to the second set of pages. The ones that showed she knew exactly what had happened to Ted all those years ago.
I loved Colt, but I couldn’t throw Ted under the bus. Jackie had me and I really didn’t have a lot of wiggle room.
But I did have some.
I closed the folder so I didn’t have to look at the pictures of the night I sent Ted to rehab.
“Okay. Let’s talk. Woman to woman. I respect your fears. I can see where they’re coming from, even if they’re unfounded.”
“Do you love my son or are you just playing house?”
The question was so blunt I decided to be just as blunt in reply. “I love Colt. I love how much he wants to protect his family and how hard he works. I love his dogged work ethic even though I want him to stop before he kills himself with stress. I love that he walks the fields in the mornings because this ranch is in his blood and he feels closest to it when he’s out there.” I pointed out the window. “I love that he forgave me for everything, that he cares about what I need, and that when we’re together I can’t imagine ever being as hap
py as when I’m with him.”
That stunned her into silence. I don’t think she was prepared to hear just how well I knew her son.
Not that it bought me a ton of goodwill. In her next breath she reminded me who had the upper hand. “Well then this will be easy. If you truly love my son the way you say you do, then you’ll leave.”
“No.”
“Yes.” She pushed the folder into my hands. “This will stay between us. I may be protective of my children but I’m not cruel. If you love my son the way you say you do, then you’ll leave. I don’t care what story you concoct, but you’ll leave. You won’t set foot back on the ranch or speak to Christina or Colt until after the election.”
November.
It wasn’t that long off. Barely six weeks. But it was too long.
“If,” she continued, “what you have is real, it can wait. You can prove to me this story I’ve concocted is, in fact, a story. Once Christina is elected with no interference from the McKinley’s you can reconnect with Colt.”
“Or you could just trust me. Do you really think Colt would have such bad judgment as to let a woman into his life who would hurt his sister?”
She laughed without humor. “I’ve never liked my son’s mistresses. He did have one that nearly brought this ranch down. So yes, I believe the right sex can blind a man.” Then, I assume because she could, she twisted the knife. “Who do you think he sees on those business trips he keeps taking?”
CHAPTER 22
The thing about little white lies is that they lead to deeply felt, dark and dirty pain. Colt and I were good at half-truths, which made us particularly good at causing each other pain.
As I slammed out of the dining room I ran right into Christina. “What is it? What happened?”
I ignored her. I was too blind with jealousy and rage. I grabbed her hand and dragged her into the library. “Does Colt still see one of his women on business trips?”