Page 35 of The Pieces We've Lost

“I’d advise letting go of her right now.”

“Chill, man, she wanted this,” the silverbelly cowboy claimed, still pinning me to the wall.

No. No, I didn’t.

Maybe my silent plea was loud enough because suddenly the weight was lifted off of me and all I could see was a dark figure punching him.

What the hell?

I tried to step away from the scene and get away while I could, but then the creepy guy was gone and it was Colter in front of me. He was panting, his hand covered in blood.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I saw him follow you. I was so scared about what would have happened if I hadn’t gotten here.” He sounded genuinely scared for me, like he knew something would have happened had he not been paying attention to me.

“What are you talking about? What are you doing here?” I was so confused. How did he get here? I never saw him walk into the bar and I was paying attention to the door. I was racking my brain, trying to think of how this could have happened, but at the same time I felt this abnormal pull to him, making all of my rational thoughts and questions disappear like magic.

“I wanted to make sure you were okay. You’re safe now.” He pushed a strand of hair out of my face, cuppingmy cheek. A fire burned through me, the heat making its way all the way down between my legs.

“Colter, I?—”

“Shhh. I know. It’s okay.” He placed a finger over my lips. When he lifted it, sparks lingered in the spot where it was a moment before. His touch was electric. I wanted more of it. I’d wanted him since our moment in the back of my dad’s pickup, I could admit that now. I looked up at his eyes, my heart beating faster and faster.

This was really happening.

He moved his stare from my eyes down to my lips, one hand pressed against the wall behind me, the other finding its way up my thigh, the tips of his fingers sliding under the bottom of my dress, like he wanted to explore more. He leaned in, his eyes hungry, and then?—

I jolted awake, sitting up in my bed. My heart was racing and there was no denying my arousal as it soaked my underwear. The room felt unreasonably warm as I processed what had happened.

I just had a fucking sex dream about Colter Carson.

I took a deep breath, running my hands along my scalp.What has gotten into me?I needed to get the image of Colter out of my brain. And I needed a long shower. A cold one.

Isa was going to have a heyday when she heard about this tonight.

The last place I wanted to be again was downtown Houston, especially after that dream, but Isa was adamant on us going to this specific restaurant, Nectar & Vine. She also insisted on me driving by myself, instead of us going together. I was unsure why, we had never gone anywhere separately, but I was too tired to ask. I had worked practically all day on the ranch, trying to keep my mind off of Colter, but even manual labor couldn’t force him out of my memory.

I parked my car in one of the parking garages close to the restaurant. It required me to walk a couple blocks in heels, since Isa also insisted I dress up for this, but I would have done anything for her just because she was my best friend.

She told me the reservation was under her last name, so I checked in at the host stand in case she was already here.

“Looks like your party is already here. Please follow me.” The hostess started to lead me back to one of the more private areas of the restaurant.

What is going on?I furrowed my brow but followed along. Isabelle never booked a table in one of the dining rooms. Those were romantic. And expensive.

I was about to tell the hostess that I think she made a mistake. There had to be multiple Bennetts on the list and I would just text my friend, but we were already near the back of the restaurant. I shrugged, knowing I would have it out with Isa for spending so much money on me.

Everything made perfect sense when the doors opened up to the private dining room and I saw him sitting there. Colter Carson, aka the man who never gave up.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

colter

She walked into the room, and my breath hitched as I took her in. Her chocolate-brown hair cascaded down her back in soft curls, and she wore a burgundy dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. She was a vision, and I felt underdressed for a moment, in my black pearl snap shirt and starched jeans. I stood up, holding the bouquet of flowers Isabelle had told me to buy.

Carnations and baby’s breath are her favorites.I drilled it into my head over and over until I got to the florist earlier that afternoon. I wanted to get every detail right.

“Hi.” I tried my best not to let my voice crack as she walked over to the table. I quickly pulled out her chair for her before she could do it herself.

“What is all of this?” She looked at me with a gleam in her eye. Whether it was out of happiness or amusement, I wasn’t sure. I was just glad she was there with me, that she had actually come.

---