Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)(40)

“No! Colt and I aren’t having sex, which is why the kiss was such a big deal.” She took a deep breath. “Colt and I have had our…issues come to a head in the last two weeks. We’ve been friends for so long that it shocked both of us to figure out we don’t want to be friends anymore…ah hell, we’re dating, okay?”


“Since when?”


“Since last night. He came over and helped me with the girls, because I was stressed. After they were in bed, we ended up talking for hours. Which was different than all the other times he and I have talked for hours. Then this morning, he played outside with Eliza while the twins napped. But he did lay a sloppy, wet kiss on me before he left and Little Miss Tattle-Tale saw it.”


Kade didn’t utter a word, which bothered India worse than if he would’ve chewed her out. “I don’t know how to say this.”


Not good. “Just spit it out, Kade.”


“You’re family, Colt is family. There’s more at stake here for everyone than the two of you datin’ for a while and then callin’ it quits. I’m as close to him as I am to Buck. I don’t wanna see him get hurt. He’s been hurt enough.”


India looked away.


Kade put his finger under her chin and lifted her face back up.


“But I don’t wanna see you get hurt either. You’ve had your share of hurts too, Indy.”


“What are you getting at?”


“I don’t know. Just be careful, okay? Be mindful. And just so you know, I’m gonna tell him the same thing. Even if it pisses him off. Ever since he sobered up, he’s wary of family getting into his personal business.”


Yeah. She’d figured that out before he’d shared some of his backstory with her.


She opened her mouth. Closed it. But ultimately blurted, “Colt was involved in a big fight with his family last night before he came over.”


“Ah hell. What happened?”


“I don’t know. He said something to his dad, Colby and Cord said something back, and then Cam jumped in.”


“Shit.”


“Yeah. Evidently Cam told everyone off. Then he took off.


Colt wasn’t real anxious to get to the ranch today.”


“I can imagine. Is that why he was hanging around, teaching Eliza to throw rocks?”


“Teaching her? That kid is a deadeye. She was teaching him.”


Kade grinned. “That’s my girl.”


“You might give him a call tomorrow to see if he’s all right.


And remind him of our date.” She winked. “It wouldn’t hurt my feelings at all if you hinted around to him that I’d liked to be romanced. Flowers, poetry, expensive chocolate, hand holding at the movies, walks in the park, fine dining…you know, normal, traditional dating stuff.”


“That ain’t you at all, Indy,” he scoffed.


“Maybe that’s who I’d like to be with him.”


The dumbfounded look on Kade’s face was priceless.


Chapter Ten


Dating Week One


The back door opened. India craned her neck and her stomach performed a loop-de-loop when Colt sauntered inside.


The man simply didn’t play fair. He wore a pair of faded Levis that hugged his every thigh muscle. Her gaze followed the contours of the black long sleeved T-shirt molded to his broad chest and wide shoulders, giving him the appearance of a sleek, black panther. He exuded confidence, sexiness and raw magnetism.