Page 68 of Wild

I hadn’t ever seen Colton this relaxed, this… happy, even while doing his possessive growling. It was because of me, of us, of the bite. He didn’t have to worry about moon madness any longer, and we’d laid it all out. There was nothing between us now. And, apparently, I smelled like him.

I tugged on his shirt, and he leaned down. “If I smell like you, then does that mean you smell like me?” I whispered.

He grinned. “Abso-fucking-lutely. They’ll know I’ve been used and used well.”

My mouth fell open, and I swatted his rock hard abs.

He laughed, and I stomped over to the empty chair beside Audrey. “I want some cake,” I announced.

Clint picked up the large knife and sliced me off a chunk, placing it on a clean plate. He passed it around to me, and Johnny handed me a napkin and fork.

“Coffee?” Levi asked, rising and going over to the pot.

“Please,” I said.

I watched as Colton dropped into a seat across from me and was given a slice of cake as well. His eyes were on me as he took his first bite.

“The cake’s incredible,” Audrey said, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

“I’m sorry the reception was ruined.” I looked to her, saw she was relaxed and smiling, just like Colton had been. That meant her wedding night had been a good one.

“I’m glad Colton found you. He came by looking for you. We were really worried.”

I glanced at Colton, but he didn’t say a word. He hadn’t told me he’d bothered Audrey and Boyd after I’d left. “He did.”

“I don’t have to ask if everything’s okay.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Everything’s fine.”

Audrey made a show of sniffing the air. “Oh yeah, I definitely smell him on you,” she teased with a big smile. “Just kidding. My nose doesn’t work like that.”

I rolled my eyes. “God, what is it with all of you and sniffing?”

Glancing around the table, all the guys smiled, but didn’t look the least put out.

“I knew you’d been with Colton the second you showed up the other day,” Boyd said. “It surprised me because he hadn’t shown up yet, and you two weren’t supposed to know each other.”

I put a hand to my face. “Well, I guess I smell like him permanently now, so it’s not like you’ll be able to know every time we have sex.”

There, I said it.

“Oh, they’ll know,” Colton added. “Because I won’t be able to stop smiling.” He grinned, and my heart melted.

“Do you need me to look at your bite?” Audrey asked. “I should probably dress the wound.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s good,” I whispered, then shoved cake in my mouth. The lemon flavor was just right, and the sponge was moist. The frosting cut the tang, and I was pleased.

“You’re both here to stay?” Rob asked, taking a swig of his coffee.

Colton looked to me. “I’ve got papers to deal with. Some red tape. But yeah.”

“I’m going to finish school. Somewhere,” I added, so they all knew I didn’t plan to spend the next year in LA.

Colton nodded. “We’ll get here. Soon.”

“Good.” That was the extent of Rob’s enthusiasm about our moving to the ranch, but I was used to him being cool with his emotions. “We’ve got a barn to repair.”

I set my fork down. “I can help with that. The barn’s old so it wasn’t made with pre-fab trusses. I can work with the contractors to ensure the roof not only meets code but can withstand a hurricane.”