Page 22 of Breaking Her In

And the impossible choice I’ll have to make when he finds out about us. Because no matter what happens, I’ll never stop loving her.

9

LENA

I never thoughtI’d fall in love on a ranch. Not a city girl like me.

I expected some scrapes and sunburn, maybe a welcome dose of independence from getting out of my father’s gilded cage for a while, but I certainly didn’t expect a life-changing experience like this. I sure didn’t expect Colt.

His strong hands, his intense eyes, and the way he’s a mixture of immense restraint and manly wildness. The whole world lights up when he touches me, and when he finally gave in and took me, my life changed forever.

I’ve fallen in love with him so hard–so stupidly hard–that it actually hurts when he’s not by my side.

But this morning, he barely even looked at me when I brought him a coffee in the kitchen. He didn’t slide a hand up my shirt or even give me one of those heated looks that Iknowmeans he’s about to take me. It was like yesterday–and last night–didn’t even happen. Like the whispered professions of love were a dream I made up just to torture myself with.

I don’t know what’s up, but I still walk around the ranch glowing like I’ve been lit up inside. Every time I think about his hands on my hips, his lips at my throat, my heart swells even more.

Because I believed him when he told me he loved me. I believe what he said behind the seed shed, while I was panting and sweaty and dripping with infatuation.

I love you, Lena.

God, I love him too. So much it’s actually terrifying.

Which is why I’m stalking him right now to the tack room by the stables, creeping up on him like a goof, following the sound of his voice. The door is mostly shut, but I can hear him through the cracked wood. I don’t mean to eavesdrop, honestly, I just want to see him–maybe even sneak up on him and see if I can surprise him.

I justneed attentionfrom him!

I creep closer and reach out for the door, but when I hear my father’s name, my whole-body freezes.

“I told you, sir,” Colt bites out. “I kept my distance, just like you wanted. I didn’t touch her. Not until–”

He stops himself and whispers out a curse. I press my palm over my hand to stop myself from blurting out something stupid.

“Not untilwhat, Colt!?” I don’t know if he’s got Dad on speaker or his phone volume is just really loud, but hearing my father’s voice out here on the ranch is like a splash of cold water to the face. It feels like an invasion of a space that’s become mine–mine and Colt’s.

“Do you think I wanted this, Edward?” he growls. “Do you think I meant for this to happen?”

My heart skips a beat. Goosebumps spread over my arms.

What am I listening to right now?

“You threatened my job,my life,” Colt continues. “I didn’t let myself look at her that way at the beginning.”

I stumble back a step like I’ve been struck in the guts. Colt’s words cut through me like a razor. My cheeks blaze with embarrassment.

Threatened…

Didn’t mean for this to happen…

Didn’t look at her that way…

“What the hell…?” I whisper, too soft to be heard.

“I fought it, Ed, I fought it. God help me,” Colt continues, his voice gritty and rough. “I knew you said that if I so much aslookedat her that you’d bury me–ruin me. And if I’m being honest, Ed…” A pause. “You may have already done it. Because I didn’t just fuck up–I fell in love with her.”

His words should make me melt, but they don’t.

Because now I know the truth.

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