Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)(115)

“How was I supposed to respond? Anything I said would’ve been the wrong thing.”


“Some of the things she said were an outright lie. Any positive response about me or our relationship would’ve been better than the flip crack that we’re just havin’ fun and you weren’t pickin’ out wedding announcements.”


“Aren’t we just having fun? Dating for kicks? Nothing serious, right? Especially since you were out with another woman last night?”


“Just like that, you believe what Cat told you?” He threw up his hands in total exasperation. “You believe what Cat thinks she saw?


Without askin’ me? Without trusting me?”


“You’re a fine one to talk about trust, McKay.”


“Don’t you go there. This ain’t got nothin’ to do with me not playin’ some stupid trust game in A.A. meetings.”


“Fine. It’s not a game. But it is about trust. So I’m asking you now, Colt. Who was she?”


“No, you’re not asking me, you’re accusing me. Expecting me to defend myself when I’ve done nothin’ wrong. When the reason I haven’t explained anything to you is because I haven’t talked to you in the last two goddamn days. You said you needed space, remember?”


She moved to the wall separating the living and dining rooms, folding her arms across her chest. “That is not the issue.”


“You’re damn right that’s not the issue. You immediately jumped to the conclusion I was seein’ another woman behind your back.” He resisted the urge to shake her. “Do you honestly think if I was sneaking around that I’d do it in the restaurant next to your business? In the same building as your apartment?”


India bit her lip and looked at her feet.


Colt expelled a bark of laughter. “Don’t you go all wet-eyed and coy on me. You’d be better off pickin’ a fight because you know it’s impossible for me to resist the hellcat in you. Then you’d get what you want from me, just like you told Cat you would.”


Two red spots appeared on her cheeks.


“I wondered what that comment meant. I’d foolishly hoped you were bein’ cryptic with her because she’s a mean, gossipy hag and it’d drive her crazy.” He paused. “Then I found the calendar in the bathroom. I know exactly what you want from me.”


“What? You had no right—”


“And neither did you. No right at all, to be another person in my life who takes away another one of my choices. To take something from me I would’ve freely given to you, if you just would’ve asked.”


Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I’m not the only one who jumps to conclusions, Colt.”


He said, “Tell me I’m wrong.”


She countered with, “No, you tell me I’m wrong.”


A standstill.


Jesus. He had to get out of here. Now. He shuffled to the door, everything inside him heavy as lead. Like dead weight, which fit since he felt dead inside.


“That’s it? You’re just leaving?”


For now. “Yep.”


“Great. So what happens now?”


“I don’t know. I need time to think.”


“But—”


“I gave you time to get your head on straight, more than once in this relationship, I expect the same courtesy from you.”