Page 21 of Branded Mountain Man
"You were."
"Yeah. I was."
Sloan turned to face him fully, taking in the nervous tension in his shoulders, the way his hands flexed and unflexed at his sides. "Why didn't you call?"
"Because I wanted to have something to offer you. Something real." He gestured toward the cabin, the workshop, the careful beginnings of a life built for more than one person. "Not just apologies and promises. Something you could touch."
"Colt—"
"I know it's not much. I know you have a job, a life down in the town. But I thought maybe..." He stopped, took a breath. "I thought maybe we could figure out how to make it work. If you wanted to."
Sloan looked at him—really looked at him. The guilt was still there, would probably always be there in some form. But underneath it was something new. Something that looked suspiciously like the man he might have been before the fire, before Marcus, before three years of self-imposed exile.
"What about your brand?" she asked quietly. "Your punishment?"
Colt's hand moved instinctively to his side, covering the scar through his shirt. "Still there. Still mine. But maybe... maybe it doesn't have to be the only thing that defines me."
"And if I said yes? If I said I wanted to try?"
"Then I'd probably have a heart attack from relief."
Sloan laughed, surprising herself. "That's not very romantic."
"Give me time. I'm out of practice."
She studied his face, seeing past the casual words to the vulnerability underneath. He was terrified she'd say no. Terrified she'd point out all the very reasonable obstacles between them and walk away again.
Instead, she stepped closer and placed her hand flat against his chest, right over his heart.
"I have vacation time saved up," she said. "Maybe I could stay for a while. Help you finish the cabin."
Colt's eyes went dark, and his hand covered hers. "How long is a while?"
"I don't know." She paused, watching his face. "How long do you want me?"
He hesitated, his throat working like he was trying to find the right words. "I don't know what I'm doing here," he said finally. "I don't know how to be with someone, don't know how to make this work. But I know I don't want you to leave. Not today, not next week, not ever." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Forever. I want you forever."
The honesty in his voice made her chest tight. "That's a long time."
"Not long enough."
Sloan rose up on her toes and kissed him, soft and sure and full of promise. When they broke apart, Colt rested his forehead against hers.
"I love you," he said quietly. "I know it's too soon, I know it's complicated, but I love you."
"I love you too."
The words came out easier than she'd expected, true and simple and right. Colt's arms tightened around her, and for the first time in two weeks, Sloan felt like she could breathe again.
"So," she said against his mouth. "Show me this cabin you built."
"It's not much to look at yet."
"I don't care."
Colt pulled back to look at her, and the smile that spread across his face was like sunrise after a long, dark winter. "Come on, then. Let me show you your home."
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