Page 6 of Wildest Forever

It burned in my bones.

Then I drove her out of Lovelock Bay only for her to return ten years later and turn everyone’s worlds upside down.

But it seems everyone is spinning back on their axis, except me.

I don't think I will ever feel the same again.

Sighing, I bring my glass to my lips and take a large mouthful, wincing as the burn coats my throat.

A whistle has my head snapping up as I see Marty nudging Tripp, giving him afuck, look at herlook. Tripp takes his word for it, as he and Riggs don't even bat an eyelid. They're talking amongst themselves.

Furrowing my brows, I turn to look in that direction and that's when I see her.

Sunshine blonde hair, tanned skin, sea green eyes that remind me of the ocean and freckles dotted across her nose. She is slim, petite and wearing tight high waisted jeans, a sage green crew neck tee and tanned cowboy boots.

Fuck.

I swallow down my heart that has lodged itself in my throat before it's back down inside my chest and banging against my rib cage.

It's her.

The cowgirl that showed up on the day of Riggs and Aspen's wedding.

The one who took my breath away.

But after that day she disappeared.

Never to be seen again.

Until now.

Her eyes dust across the room before they land on mine, and I give her a soft head tilt, my lips twitching before I pull my eyes and turn forward, taking a sip of my whiskey.

The heel of her boots skate across the floor and I know she is walking towards me, but I don't give her the satisfaction of facing her.

“It's you,” her soft voice floats across me and I roll my lips.

“It's you,” I mirror her words and try to fight the tug at the corner of my lips as a smirk tries to present itself.

“Finished saving the ranch?” she teases, and I scoff a laugh as I shake my head from side to side.

“Not quite,” and I focus on the bottles of whiskey that are lined up behind the bar.

“I'm sure you'll do it, Superman,” my smirk defeats me and only then do I turn to look at her, her fingers teasing the rim of my cowboy hat. “Unless you want some help?” and her teeth are bared as she widens her grin.

“I fear you'll be my kryptonite,” I sigh, my eyes sweeping over her again and I watch as her head tilts slightly, eyes narrowing on me.

“Guess we'll never know,” she laughs softly before swiping my hat from the bar and placing it on her head and I groan internally.

“You shouldn't have done that,” I whisper, and I can hear the commotion from Riggs and Tripp behind me, Marty cussing because she isn't giving him an inch of attention.

“Why's thatcowboy?”

“You know what they say,” I curl my brow as I twist my body to face her now, playfulness flitting across my hazel eyes.

“I don't,” she leans a little closer, letting her eyes fall to my lips and it takes everything in me to not lean into her.She’s brazen.

“You wear that hat...”

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