Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28678 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 143(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28678 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 143(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Colt’s gaze drops to that necklace, and he frowns. He might look the same, but I know I don’t. I was a little girl the last time he saw me and now I’m a grown woman.
Pushing from my seat, I walk on feet that feel as if they’re made of wood. I have to crane my neck to look up at him because he’s so much taller than my five foot frame. He’s wearing a gray t-shirt with a long-sleeved plaid button-up layered over it. His blue jeans and black boots complete the look while the Stetson shielding his eyes make him seem every bit the imposing cowboy.
My mouth is dry and now that I’m up close to him, I can see the flecks of gold in his eyes. I wet my lips, watching heat flare in his gaze. He’s not attracted to me, is he?
I have to be reading this wrong. Taking a deep breath in through lungs that are as narrow as a straw, I manage to wheeze out the words, “I’m Parker’s daughter.”
Grief and sorrow sweep over his features. I was young when my dad died but since then I’ve watched so many documentaries on the military and the bond the soldiers form together. Colt didn’t just lose a co-worker that day. He lost a brother.
“Sierra,” he says the name softly, like he’s testing out how it tastes on his tongue.
The way he rolls the name so gently feels like a caress. Even though I’ve never been with anyone, I feel a strong wave of heat rush over me. There’s a sudden awareness of my body, of the heaviness of my chest and the ache between my thighs. No man has ever caused me to feel even a second of physical attraction…except my father’s best friend.
“You’re looking for me,” he barks the words. I imagine this strong man barking commands at his troops. Then an image of him ordering me around in bed strikes me. I imagine he’s holding my hands above my head, demanding I take every ounce of pleasure he’s going to give me.
I should be terrified. I’m running from a horrible situation. But there’s something about the way that Colt is looking at me. I see fire and lust in his gaze and something more too. Something protective and so very alpha. Something that tells me this man will keep me safe.
“Yes,” I repeat. I’m not sure what else to say. Telling him that I’m running from Albert because I don’t want to be sold to the highest bidder isn’t exactly something I want to do in a crowded diner.
He frowns and waits for me to explain. When I don’t, his scowl deepens. “Why are you here, Sierra?”
There he is, saying my name again and making me feel like I could melt into him. All I want right now is for him to take me in those strong, tattooed arms and promise me everything will be alright.
I hesitate and finally manage to say, “It’s a long story.”
Colt
She’s lying. If there’s one thing I don’t tolerate, it’s liars. But there’s something about the way that Sierra is looking up at me. She’s making me want to slowly strip down her defenses and protect her. Hell, her defenses aren’t the only thing that I want to strip down. But now that I know she’s Parker’s daughter, there’s not a damn thing I can do.
Sierra is touching that necklace again and I realize she’s nervous. I can’t figure out why she’s nervous. Is it because she’s lying to me or because she knows that I know that she’s lying?
“Your card, Colt,” Lorna interrupts my musings and pushes it back across the counter.
I grab it and shove the plastic into my wallet while I try to make a game plan. Where’s her luggage? Other than the backpack in her hand, she doesn’t have anything with her. Unease slithers through me. She’s in trouble. It would explain the oversized jacket and ballcap despite the warm weather and the way she keeps darting a glance around the place.
She’s trying to look completely at ease but her tells are giving her away. She’s fuckin’ terrified. The idea makes me want to roar with rage. Precious little angel should never be made to live in fear. I want to find whoever put her in this headspace and knock him around.
But that won’t help her. Right now, she needs peace and comfort. Just like she did all those years ago at her father’s funeral. Daphne, Sierra’s mother, stole the show that day. She’d always longed to be an actress and with so many people watching, his funeral was the perfect stage. In all of the drama, most everyone overlooked a scared little girl whose life had forever changed.
“Where are you staying?” My voice comes out wrong, all gritty and filled with the lust that I’m trying to ignore. I could say that I’m going to hell yet that’s not true. I already live there. But the flames are suddenly hotter with this beautiful woman standing beside me.