Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)(95)

“Since when did you start dressing like my mother?”


Her mouth dropped open. “Omigod. You are such an ass.”


“Why does that make me an ass?”


“Because it’s none of your goddamn business what I wear.”


“Yeah? So tell me. Why did you wear a long-sleeved shirt?”


She gave him a stony stare. “Because it’s October, Einstein.”


“Fine.” He let his gaze focus on her nose, then her eyebrow, her ears and finally her breasts. “But where are your hoops? And studs? Why’d you take all of your piercings out?”


“I don’t wear them all the time.”


“Yes, you do. That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Were you tryin’ to look more acceptable to my family?”


India’s defiant posture said it all.


“Why do you give a damn what my family thinks about your tattoos, piercings and funky clothes, India? I don’t. I didn’t take you there so you could change who you are to please them.”


“Why did you take me there?”


Because you’re mine. Because I wanted everyone to see that I’m worthy of love from an amazing woman like you. “To please myself.”


“To please yourself? Jesus. You are such an asshat, jerkwad…f*ckface!” India jumped out of the cab and slammed the door with enough force the whole truck vibrated.


She’d gone beyond calling him a dickhead in a helluva hurry.


And now she was hurrying away from him.


“Goddammit, India! Get back in here.”


He didn’t hear her response but he did see her flip him off in the glow of the headlights as she walked down the middle of the road.


Colt climbed out and chased after her. “Hey, I’m not done talkin’ to you.”


“Tough shit, I am done talking to you.”


She kept walking.


He kept fuming. “Just get back in the truck, India, this is ridiculous.”


India whirled around. “You know what’s ridiculous? That I actually tried. I actually put forth an effort to be—how’d you put it?—more acceptable to your family. And to what end? It isn’t me that they aren’t seeing clearly, Colt, it’s you.”


“What the hell are you talkin’ about?”


“I could’ve shown up, painted f*cking purple, with yellow feathers in my hair, wearing a slave choker and chain and it wouldn’t have made a difference. I’m not the one who needs to make the effort because I know who you are. They don’t. It pisses me off.” She flounced off again.


She was upset. For him? Because his family didn’t understand him like she did?


“Indy, wait—”


“No. I’m too mad to deal with you right now.”


“You can’t walk home.”


“Watch me.”


Each twitch of her sexy little ass was like fuel on the fire. He wanted her. Now.


So Colt started after her. He caught her in about fifteen steps and picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder.


She kicked and screeched but he held onto the back of her legs as he spun around and headed back to the pickup.


“Let me down!”


“Nope.”


“If you don’t, I-I’ll bite you in the ass, McKay, I’m not kidding!”