“Okay, sweetheart, why don’t you run along to the bathroom, then I think it’s time to take a nap.”

  Scarlett’s brow furrowed immediately. “But I’m not sleepy.”

  “Yes, you are, baby. Now, don’t argue. Come here.”

  When Scarlett obeyed, he made quick work of removing the butt plug and grinned to himself as she ran off to the bathroom. When she came back, she was a sight more subdued than when she’d left.

  “I’m still not sleepy,” she told him. He pointed firmly at the couch and though she stuck out her lower lip, other than that small pout, she made no protest. She came over to the couch and lay down, even giving him a small smile when he spread a blanket over her.

  “Thirsty?”

  “Yes,” she replied, seeming surprised to realize that she was.

  Colton wasn’t surprised in the least and had, in fact, come prepared for such. When he held out the bottle full of grape juice, he watched as many emotions flickered over her face. There was surprise, of course, as well as confusion and perhaps a bit of disgust.

  “What do you want me to do with that?” she asked at last.

  “What do you think?”

  “You can’t want me to… to drink out of it.”

  “I do.”

  “But that’s for babies!”

  “As a matter of fact, it is. And that’s okay, because you’re my baby today.”

  “But—”

  “Don’t you want to be my baby, Scarlett?” She didn’t answer, except in the form of biting her bottom lip and looking away. When they flickered back toward him, though, they were full of a shy desire that he read loud and clear. This time, when he offered her the bottle, she reached out and took it.

  From the moment that her lips touched the nipple, she seemed to be in her own world. She seemed contented and at peace in a way he’d never seen her before. He sat down and just watched as she drank until she was finished and fell asleep. Even then he didn’t move from his spot. He knew she needed to rest, and he wanted to stay with her while she did.

  Chapter Five

  When Scarlett’s eyes fluttered open, she had a flash of momentary panic. She didn’t know where she was, only that her ass felt sore in a way she’d never felt before and her eyelids felt heavier than lead balloons. She almost let them slide shut again until she caught sight of Colton in the rocking chair. Suddenly, everything came rushing back and she felt embarrassed, humiliated, and tenderly loved all at once. This man seemed to bring a mix of emotions along with him, but he made her feel things that she didn’t know she was even capable of.

  “Hey there. I didn’t think you’d be up for another hour at least.”

  She smiled shyly. “I am still tired.”

  “Then rest. You need it.”

  “Have you been there the whole time?”

  “What, in the chair? No, I was on the ottoman for a while, then I moved.”

  “I… I thought you’d have gone home by now.”

  “And leave you alone?” He seemed shocked at the suggestion, which made her feel good in a way that, if pressed, she wouldn’t have been able to explain. “No, I’d rather stay and make sure you’re okay.”

  “I’m more than a little sore.”

  “Well, that’s to be expected. But otherwise?”

  Other than what? She wondered. Then she realized what he was asking. Was it possible that Colton—big, strong, rodeo-winning Colton—was insecure? “I know I deserved to be punished, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  There was no denying the visible relief that washed over his face. “I’m sorry I had to be the one to do it.”

  “I wouldn’t want anyone else to do it.” She hadn’t intended to tell him such a thing, even if it was true, but when his face broke into a smile, she couldn’t regret it.

  “I hope that’s not your way of sayin’ that your other boyfriends had stronger spanking arms.”

  “No, not at all,” she giggled, tickled at the idea of anyone else even trying. She didn’t think she would put up with it from anyone but Colton.

  “Ah, speakin’ of boyfriends…”

  She tensed immediately. Here it comes, she thought. She knew they’d come around to it eventually, but she’d hoped for more time to be like this, just laughing and joking with one another.

  But instead of finishing, Colton stood up and walked toward her. He scooped her up into his arms, quilt and all, and sat back down with her cuddled in his lap. It was easy to sink into him, to lie her head on his chest and inhale his delicious, manly scent. Being in his arms helped her relax considerably, and suddenly this line of conversation didn’t seem so bad.

  “I heard you got a visit last night.”

  “Mrs. Fettermen?” she guessed, even though she already knew the answer.

  “Like I said, when they told me you called out sick, I hightailed it over here and she caught me in the hallway. She actually thought I was your ex, at first.”

  Scarlett winced, wondering what the old lady had said to Colton. She might be up in years, but that didn’t mean that her tongue wasn’t sharper than anyone Scarlett had ever met. “I’m sorry, Colton.”

  “You’re sorry?” he echoed. “Hell, I’m the one who’s sorry. If I’d had any idea…”

  “I should have told you,” she mumbled. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. I just…”

  “Never mind that. What’s done is done. Could you tell me what happened?”

  It was the last thing she wanted to do. Yet, because it was Colton, and because she felt like her lie had earned him the right to know, she closed her eyes and recounted the events as best she could. Just the memory had her shivering and wanting to crawl deep, deep under the covers, but Colton was holding her tight and squeezing her hand as she recounted the story.

  “I don’t know about this, Scarlett.”

  “What?” She furrowed her brow at him. “You don’t know about what?”

  “This is the second time in a week you’ve had a nasty run-in with this guy. I don’t like it.”

  “Well, I don’t much like him either, which is why he’s an ex.”

  “Don’t make light of it. This is serious.”

  She shrugged, becoming irritable. “I don’t know what you think I can do about it.”

  “Well, for one thing you coulda called the cops last night. Did you think of that?” He barely paused for an answer before he continued. “I really think that if you got out of this neighborhood, if he didn’t know where you were…”

  “I see.” Her voice was as tight as a rubber band stretched to its limit.

  “Scarlett, I’m just trying to keep you safe.”

  “Well, I didn’t ask you to keep me safe. And I don’t think I need some guardian angel.”

  “Really? I don’t think I’d be the only one to disagree with you on that one. Should we invite Mrs. Fettermen over to see what she thinks?”

  Scarlett scowled. “I don’t care what she thinks, and I don’t care what you think. I told you before—I don’t have the money that it would take to move. I know that might be hard for you to understand, so I’ll guess you’ll just have to take my word for it.”

  “Scarlett.” His voice was full of surprise and sternness all at once.

  “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to come across as disrespectful, but at the same time I need you to understand that this is just the way it has to be.”

  “Okay.”

  “Okay?” she echoed, looking up at him with wide, hopeful eyes.

  “Maybe you could… I know the trailer isn’t much, but I’d feel a whole lot safer if…”

  “Colton… are you asking me to move in with you?”

  “Ah, well, not exactly. I mean… well, what if I am?”

  She was immediately torn. On the one hand, she knew that he enjoyed living the bachelor life. The piles of beer cans and the sink full of unwashed dishes hadn’t been lost on her. The fact that he would be willing to bring her into his world that had clearly been built for a party of one was touching. On the other hand, they definitely hadn’t known each other long enough to start living together. Her heart was tugged every which way until she wasn’t sure which side of her would win out.

  Yet, when she opened her mouth to respond, she suddenly knew what she wanted to say. “That’s very sweet, Colt. Really. But I can’t.”

  His brow furrowed in obvious confusion. “Well, why on Earth not?”

  “Because I like having my own place.”

  “At what cost, though?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I think you know, Scarlett.” He ran his hands through his hair, making it stand on end. “I know you want your independence, and I don’t fault you for that, not one bit. But how can I protect you if I’m not here?”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

  “I just want you to be reasonable.”

  “I’m not being reasonable?” Now it was her turn to arch her eyebrows. He should have seen the warning sign for what it was, but it seemed like he wasn’t interested in reading signs at the moment.

  “Scarlett, you had a guy push you around in your own apartment.”

  “Thanks for the reminder.”

  “Look, I’m not trying to be difficult, it’s just—”

  “You sure about that?”

  He broke off, frowning hard at her. “I thought we already talked about that tone, little girl.”

  Oh, no. He wasn’t going to get out of this one by using that stern, authoritative voice of his, no matter how sexy it was. “I think you should leave.”

  His frustration turned to bewilderment in two seconds flat. “Scarlett, I’m not trying to argue with you here—”

  “Then don’t,” she countered softly. “It’s obvious we’re not going to agree on this one, and I don’t have it in me to argue. So let’s just take a beat and see where we are tomorrow… okay?”

  “Okay,” he repeated, but he clearly wasn’t happy about it. Still, he took no time in disentangling himself from her and standing up.

  “Talk soon?” As she looked up at him, she wondered if she was making the right decision. She knew he just pushed because he cared about her. That couldn’t be a bad thing, right?

  “Yeah. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He bent down and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. When he stood back up, he paused, looking at her. It seemed like he was waiting for her to stop him, but when she didn’t, he walked out of the apartment, reminding her to lock the door behind him.

  * * *

  “You sure about this, bro?” Jason asked, eyeing Colton warily as he saddled up his horse.

  “Reckon I am or I wouldn’t be up at ass-crack of dawn,” he grumbled.

  “Woo-whee, what’s got you in such a funk, little brother? Oh, let me guess. It’s some girl.”

  Colton cut his eyes at him. “How’d you guess?”

  “It’s always some woman or another with you, bro. Though I have to say I’ve never seen you race for one. Is she still holdin’ on to the V-card?”

  “Shut up, Jas.”

  “Well, shoot, you ain’t got a lick of humor about you this mornin’.”

  “It’s too early for it. I haven’t even had my coffee.”

  “If it’s too early to crack a smile, I reckon it must be too early to race. You must really like this one.”

  “Hmph,” was the only answer Colton would give, despite his brother’s ribbing.

  Though he couldn’t use the exact words, Jason really was worried about his younger brother. He’d never seen him wound this tightly before a race, and it wouldn’t help him any. What he needed to be was focused, but loose, and in his opinion, Colton’s mind was anywhere but on the race.

  “How’s the shoulder?”

  Colton grimaced at the mention of it, but then ducked his head to hide it. Unfortunately for him, Jason had already seen. “It’s alright.”

  “Yeah? You wanna prove it?”

  His head snapped up and he gave his brother a fierce look. “I don’t have to prove anything to you, Jas.”

  “You’re right.” He leaned against the horse stall and appraised his brother. “You don’t. But the way I figure it, the fact that you don’t want to means one of two things: either you no longer care about what I think—fat chance of that—or that shoulder must be botherin’ ya somethin’ awful.”

  “Or maybe I just think you should mind your own business,” he snorted. “Ever think of that?”

  “Naw, can’t say that I have.”

  With an annoyed backward glance, Colton began to lead his horse out of the stall, causing Jason to jump back. “Well, maybe you should.”

  “Look, all I’m sayin’ is, she must be someone pretty special.”

  Colton gave him a hard look that told him to back off, but Jason wasn’t very good at leaving well enough alone.

  “So she’s not special, then?”

  “Look,” Colton blew out his breath in a huff, “she just needs the money, okay?”

  “So?” he shrugged. “You’ve got money.”

  “Yeah, well, maybe I just want to work off some steam, okay?”

  Jason was silent for all of a second as he took this in. Then he hooted so loud, it made the horse stamp the ground. “Wait just a minute. Are you tellin’ me—”

  “Please, don’t make this into a bigger deal than it is.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it. But since when do you care about what a woman needs?”

  “I’m not a complete dick, Jason.”

  “Not at all. I’m just sayin’ that you don’t normally keep them around long enough to find out what they need.”

  “Your objections have been noted, bro.”

  “Does this mean what I think it does?” Jason asked, feeling his grin widen until it was like to split his face. “Should I tell Melisa to start plannin’ a family supper?”

  “Knock it off, okay?”

  “You know, I think the last time I met a girl of yours was when you needed a ride to your junior prom.”

  “Yep. And there’s a reason for that.”

  “‘Course,” he replied easily. “You don’t want any of them to get a gander at the more handsome Fuller brother. But I am married, bro, so you can stop worryin’.”

  “I gotta go. Race starts in ten minutes, and I’ve listened to your bull long enough.”

  “Okay, but just tell me, am I warm? Do you think she might be the one? ‘Cuz I gotta tell you, your third wheel has really been bringin’ me and the wife down.”

  Colton had been walking away, but at the question he stopped, his back to Jason. “I don’t know,” he called over his shoulder. “It might be nice to have her meet the family. But if I bring her ‘round, it’ll only be so she can see for herself what a jackass you are. I can’t quite do it justice in my stories.”

  Jason took two strides forward and clapped Colton on the shoulder. “Hey, man. Good luck out there.”

  “Thanks, bro.” Colton gave him a grin before shaking his hand off and leading his horse out of the stable.

  * * *

  “Hey.” Scarlett eyed Colton warily on the other side of the counter, holding a pot of coffee in midair. “Did you come for lunch?”

  “No, actually. I came to… to give you this.”

  She eyed the thick white envelope he slid across the counter, but didn’t move to touch it. “What’s that?”

  “Uh, it’s just somethin’ to… to help see you through, for a little while.”

  Her brow furrowed as she looked from him to the envelope and back to him again. “Excuse me?”

  “Just…” Colton glanced around before leaning across the counter toward her. “You know, for what we talked about. You told me… well, you said you didn’t have the money, so…”

  Scarlett’s eyes widened and she took two steps back, recoiling. She moved back so suddenly that a little of the liquid from the coffeepot sloshed out, instantly staining her uniform. She was so shocked right now that she didn’t even notice. “I’m sorry, what?”

  Colton looked just as confused as she felt. “You said you needed money, so I got you money.”

  “I can’t take that,” she hissed, feeling her body flush from her neck up.

  “Of course you can. Why couldn’t you?”

  She glanced around to see if their conversation had attracted the attention of the diners. Though they were getting the occasional sidelong glance, so far they were in the clear. She needed to get him out of here before folks began to think they were getting treated to dinner and a show.

  “Look, Colton, while I appreciate what you’re trying to do, I work for the money I need, and I do just fine on my own.”

  The more she talked—particularly in that reprimanding voice of hers—the more his confusion gave way to irritation. “Oh, really, is that what you call it?”

  “If I want to move, I’ll move. It’s that simple.”

  “Oh, so you don’t want to move, is that it? You like living in that hellhole, you—”

  “Hey!” she protested, none too quietly. Her flush deepened as she felt more stares slide their way. “You need to go.”

  “Scarlett, I just came here to give you a gift. I was just tryin’ to be nice—”

  She walked toward him and slammed the coffeepot down on the counter. She knew the only restaurant was probably looking by now, but what the hell? In for a penny, in for a pound. “I don’t need you to be nice. I am not going to be your kept woman, alright? I’ll live where I want to live, and I’ll live there alone.”

  Colton shook his head, appearing mystified. “I will never understand women.”

  “No, I don’t imagine you will,” she snapped.

  His eyes narrowed at her tone, but they both knew there was nothing that he could do about it just then. Not that she would have let him. “Fine. I came to give it to you, and now I have, so I guess I’ll see you later.”