Page 30 of Colt

The man can be generous with praise.

Noted.

Not like I’ll actually do anything with that information. But it’s…surprising. Unexpected.

I can’t help it. I crane my neck to peer into the next stall. My stomach drops when I see Colton standing in front of an enormous black horse. He’s got one hand on the horse’s flank and the other on his nose.

The horse balks, flailing its front legs. The chaps make sense now. I imagine taking a hoof to the shin would be super unpleasant if you weren’t wearing some kind of protection.

But he—Colton—doesn’t even flinch. He just keeps his hands on the horse. Keeps talking in that steady, soothing rumble that has me feeling some kind of way.

“Brother, it’s all right. Easy, boy. It’s just me. We’re gonna head outside, all right?”

The horse’s sides heave. He snaps his head one way, then the other. Shuffles his hooves.

Still, Colton remains calm. Meanwhile, I’m shaking in my clogs.

“You ready now, Brother?” he asks the horse.

The horse snorts. I wonder vaguely where the name “Big Brother” came from.

Also, my mouth has gone dry.

Colton has his hands on the horse’s nose again. That’s when I notice Big Brother’s breathing is starting to even out.

Okay okay okay. So Colton Wallace knows what to do with his hands. No biggie. It’s sexy as hell, yeah, but there’s plenty of things guys do that are sexy. Like⁠—

“You always give me a run for my money, don’t you?” Colton chuckles. “It’s like you know I dig a challenge. C’mon, you rascal. Let’s get some fresh air.”

No way.

No fucking way does this grumpy cowboy enjoy being put to the test. That doesn’t compute. He was just growling, clearly annoyed at being put upon, but seeing this…

Colton glances at me over his shoulder and smirks. “Pick your jaw up off the ground, would you? Ain’t polite to stare.”

How is he calm enough to be funny right now?

How is it legal to look that fucking handsome while also being some kind of secret horse whisperer?

Ignoring the insistent beat in my chest and between my legs, I focus my gaze on the horse. His eyes are liquid onyx. Full of feeling.

“I just can’t stand the handsomeness,” I manage. “His, not yours.”

“You like the big ones, huh?”

“If you’re trying to tee me up⁠—”

“I am.” Colton has the gall to run his hand up Big Brother’s silky neck. In reply, the horse nuzzles into Colton’s chest. “Aw, now you warm up to me, huh? Only after I beg?”

“I hate you.” It’s all I can think to say.

Colton’s face creases into a handsome smile. “How do you feel about petting?”

“C’mon.” That’s Beck. “As much as I appreciate the game of tit for tat y’all got going on, Dad will skin your hide if your grossness forces sweet Lainey to quit on us.”

Colton’s eyes bore a hole through my head when he replies, “She ain’t sweet.”

“Not one bit.” But my voice drips with saccharine sweetness nonetheless. “Proud of it too.”