Holding You (Love Wanted in Texas #3)(65)

Pulling back, I looked at her. Her eyes were half closed as she wore a lidded look of satisfaction. “Colt,” Lauren whispered as I slowly pulled out of her and carried her over to my bed. Laying her down, I stood and removed my pants. Sliding in next to her, I pulled her into my arms as she let out a satisfied sigh.

Whispering against the back of her head, I smiled as I said, “I missed you, sweetheart.”

“Mmm.”

Chuckling, I held her tighter. “I take it you needed that.”

“Mm hmm.”

Moving my hand down between her legs, I rubbed her clit through her lace thong.

“Can you not speak?”

Giggling, Lauren responded, “Nope. Too relaxed.”

Turning over, Lauren faced me as we looked into each other’s eyes. “Colt? I’m scared.”

Frowning, I placed my hand on the side of her face. “Of what?”

Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she opened them again as she pursed her lips together. “I’m so happy and everything seems to be falling into place. When I got home, Daddy gave me three horses to tend to this summer. I don’t just mean brushing and tending to their stalls; I mean, he wants me to build a breeding and workout schedule for each of them. He’s taking me tomorrow to meet some of his contacts and well . . . I . . . I just don’t . . .”

A tear rolled down her face and my world stopped. Reaching with my thumb, I wiped it away. “Baby, what? Tell me.”

Sniffling, Lauren said, “I just don’t want this to be a dream. Everything is so perfect right now.”

Smiling, I kissed her softly on the tip of her nose. “Everything is perfect and it’s going to stay perfect. I promise you though, you’re not dreaming.”

Giving me a weak smile, she narrowed her eyes and asked, “Did you talk to him, Colt?”

My heart felt as if it had stopped beating. I would never lie to Lauren, but I wasn’t sure how she would feel about me talking to her father about her. Closing my eyes, I whispered, “Yes.”

Soft lips touched mine as I opened my eyes. Lauren barely pulled her lips back from mine as she spoke. “Thank you.”

Feeling my heart slam against my chest, I was overcome with the sense of relief that she wasn’t mad at me and also with my love for her. “There isn’t a damn thing I wouldn’t do for you, Lauren. I will forever be by your side no matter what.”

Moving in closer to me, Lauren gave me a sexy smile. The air in the room was charged as my dick slowly came back to life. “No matter what?” Lauren asked as she moved her hand up and down my chest.

“No matter what, Lauren.”

Snuggling her face into my chest, she let out a deep breath. “I feel so safe like this. Like nothing in the world could ever possibly tear us apart when you’re holding me.”

Pulling her in tighter, I whispered, “I plan on holding you forever.”

“Mmm, I like the sound of that.”

Lauren quickly fell asleep in my arms as I held her. We didn’t leave my room the rest of the night. I woke Lauren up twice during the night to make love to her. After giving her body the attention it deserved, I soon fell asleep, finally able to push down the uneasy feeling that kept creeping up every time I thought of our future.



SMILING, I WATCHED as Lauren took Mighty Mike around the track at a slow and steady pace. It was almost as if the stallion knew how precious she was to me, so he was being extra careful.

Trotting up to me, Mike stopped on a dime and flared his nostrils at me. “He feels amazing. Powerful, yet I can tell he’s holding back.”

Nodding my head, I ran my hand down Mike’s neck. “He is for sure powerful. Mr. Betrim, your dad’s new trainer, said Mike’s probably one of the fastest horses he’s ever worked with.” Lauren was running her hand up and down Mike’s neck and I could almost see it in his eyes he was falling in love with her. Standing in front of him, I said, “She’s mine, dude, so don’t even think about it.”

Lauren giggled. “Jealous are we, Mr. Mathews?”

Giving her a wink, I held up my hand to help her down. Sliding off with ease from the giant horse, she walked around him. Her hand on his body at all times. “He’s built for speed that’s for sure.” Worrying her bottom lip, she kept walking while I held Mike’s reins.

“What’s running through your mind, Lauren?”

Glancing up at me, she said, “Breeding him. He needs to be with a broodmare that’s built for speed as well.” Picking up Mike’s front left leg, she took a look and dropped it. Standing, she walked in front of the horse and brought his head down to hers. They stood there for a good three minutes, just staring into each other’s eyes.

“Mia,” Lauren whispered.

Pulling my head back I asked, “Lucky One Time, Mia?”

Smiling, Lauren looked up at me. “Yep. Mia. She’s a beautiful sorrel quarter with the perfect temperament for this guy. Her fifteen hands and strong build will hold up to him I have no doubt.”

Looking back at Mike, I nodded my head. “Who was the sire?”

Lauren smiled, “One Time Jack. Dam was Lucky Lady. I’m telling you, Colt, we put those two out to pasture and not only will they breed but I’m almost positive Mia will give him a run for his money. I think leaving them to be on their own, they’ll work it out. I’m positive.”