by Kaci Rose
We run the back fence, and it looks good. Then I notice where we are. Out by our cabin, I look up to see Colt has noticed too. Without a word, we make our way to the cabin and tie the horses up in the shade.
No sooner are we inside the cabin, does he have me pinned up against the door with his lips on mine.
He has one hand at the back of my neck, pulling me into him. The other hand is on my hip, pinning me to the door. The hand at my neck glides down over my shoulder, over my breasts, and rests on my hip.
I wrap my arms around his neck and deepen this kiss with a moan. He presses into me even more, and I can feel him hard and ready for me, pressing into my stomach.
His hands reach down to cup my ass, and I take the opportunity to wrap my legs around his waist which causes him to groan.
“Sage…” his whispers against my lips.
“This is our cabin, Colt,” I whisper.
“Sage, I want you so bad,” he groans.
“Then take me. I’m yours, I always have been.”
He pulls back to look me in the eye. “I need you to understand what this means.”
He kisses my neck. “Once I’m inside you again, Sage, you’re mine. I’m not letting you go again. Things will be scary. We will fight, but we will do it together. If you run, I will chase you because. You. Are. Mine. If you need more time, I’ll give you all the time in the world, Sage. Once we cross this line, there’s no going back.”
Since that kiss the night in his truck under the stars, there has been no going back for me. What we felt all those years ago was strong, but what I feel now? It’s earth shattering. There’s no going back. There’s no walking away.
I am his. I’ve always been his. I will always be his.
Am I scared? Yes, but being scared isn’t a reason to stop you from taking the leap. The best things in life aren’t easy. For most of them, you will be scared to do, try, or say.
So yes, I’m scared to trust Colt again, to be us again, but that means that it’s going to be worth it coming out on the other side.
“I’m yours, Colt. This also means you’re mine. Only mine.”
“Sage, Sage, Sage, I’ve only ever been yours. There’s no one else for me. I love you with everything I am, and I’m not going anywhere.”
My heart races. It’s the first time I’ve heard those words in years. I soak them in and let them heal me.
“I love you too, Colt.”
With that, he moves from the door to the small bedroom and places me on the bed. We remove our boots before he turns back to kiss me gently and then reaches for my shirt. He looks me in the eyes, making sure it’s okay. I nod, and he removes my shirt.
He takes in my lace bra and runs his thumbs over my breasts, causing my nipples to harden even further.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He reaches behind him and pulls his shirt off. Holy mother of cowboy abs, there’s a reason everyone loves cowboys. The hard, manual labor gives them a body that I just want to sink my teeth into.
I push him back on the bed and stare.
“Your body is definitely different,” I say, running a finger over each ab. Then I trace the tattoo over his heart. It’s a heart covered in sage leaves. My eyes lock with his.
“When did you get this?” I ask, still tracing my finger over it.
“A few weeks after you left the first time.”
I move to look at the tattoo on his arm. To anyone else, it looks like a collage of places from around the ranch. To me, I know exactly what it is, and it makes my eyes water. It’s the barn where he saw me for the first time, the church where he told me he loved me the first time, the graveyard where we kissed for the first time, the wagon tracks from our first date, the creek from our first makeout session, and the cabin from where we made love the first time.
I trace my finger over each one. “When did you get this one?” I must know.
“A week after Megan’s graduation.”
The tears roll down my face; I can’t stop them. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me down to the bed next to him. Then wipes my tears.
“It’s always been you, Sage,” he whispers.
I can’t get the words out, so I lean up and kiss him. Then I lean down and run my tongue over the ridges of his abs. His tosses his head back and moans.
He groans my name a few times before grabbing my hips and flipping me over. He reaches behind me and unhooks my bra. Instead of going for my breast, his lips land on the circle bullet scar on my shoulder.
I’m instantly back to our first time, in this bed, his lips on that scar. He runs his tongue over the scarred flesh, and it causes my whole body to shiver.
Then he moves to the new scar, the straight line from the knife. He kisses along it, so sweet he brings tears to my eyes. When he looks up and sees the tears, he kisses the corner of my eyes.
He slides my pants and panties down until I am bare to him. He pulls my legs open wide and stares at my glistening pussy lips. He moves his mouth to cover my clit and sucks firmly, causing my hips to buck.
I feel his smile on my pussy, proud he still remembers my body so well. As his tongue continues its assault on my tight bundle of nerves, he inserts his middle finger and strokes me before adding a second finger. After a few more strokes, he hooks them, finding that perfect spot inside me that causes me to shatter and fall apart, screaming his name.
He sits up looking at me before he stands and takes off his pants and boxer briefs. He goes to the nightstand for a condom.
“Shit.”
“What?” I ask, concerned.
“No condoms.”
I grab his hand. “I’m clean, and I’m on the pill. Have been for years.”
He closes his eyes. “I’m clean too. The paperwork is in my room.” Then he climbs on the bed and settles over me. “Why are you on the pill, love?”
I know he’s wondering because I had told him it’s been years since I’ve been with anyone.
“It helps with my periods.” He nods then frames my face with his hands. “I’d love nothing more than to take you bare. I’ve never done that before, but I want it with you. Are you sure?”
“Yes, Colt. I’ve never done it either, but I want to with you.”
He leans down to kiss me, all gentle and sweet, then looks up at me. Never breaking eye contact, he slides into me, only pausing once he’s fully set inside me.
“Colt…”
“Fuck, Sage. You feel so damn good,” he says as he thrusts.
He reaches down and strokes my clit. “I’m not going to last very much longer. I need you to come,” he grunts out.
He angles his hips and thrusts harder. His mouth kisses down to the spot below my ear, and he nips me there, causing me to climax again. A few more thrusts, and he joins me.
He rolls to his side, taking me with him so we don’t lose the connection. Then he kisses me so tenderly.
“I love you, Sage. This is it. This is us. Forever.”
“I love you too, Colt. Forever”
I rest my head on his shoulder. “Seems fitting.”
He laughs. “That our first time after all these years is where we had sex the first time back then?”
I smile. “Exactly.”
He kisses the top of my head. “I agree.”
After a few more minutes, he asks, “So, does this mean you’ll sleep in my bed with me tonight?”
I smile. “No.” I watch his face crumble. “But you can sleep in mine.” And he smiles again.
CHAPTER 14
Colt
It’s been a week since our time in the cabin, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this happy. I get to wake up every morning with Sage in my arms, and I get to start my day inside her. We get up and shower together then head down to breakfast.
After breakfast, we go our own ways on the ranch, sometimes meeting up for lunch. After dinner, we go for walks and talk about everything and anything.
We’ve talked a lot ab
out the past and our feelings and how we hurt each other. We’ve worked out several misunderstandings and talked about how we should have handled it and how we would handle things in the future.
We’ve had many talks about our plans as well as where we see us going and how we’d be as a family. When that topic came up, I don’t think I can keep the smile from my face. Picturing Sage round with my child and us starting a family that we’ve both always so desperately wanted.
After our walks, we come in and watch TV. I get to spend every night in bed with her and fall asleep with her in my arms.
This is how I always pictured our life when we were making plans for our future. This is the life I want. If I thought Sage would say yes, I’d ask her to marry me today and then run off to Vegas to make her mine.
I know Sage though. When I do pop the question, I don’t want any doubt in her mind about us. I want to give her the big romantic proposal she deserves and the wedding she has always dreamed of.
I look over at Sage, still asleep with her hair fanned out on her pillow. She looks like an angel. I’ve always thought so. Back when she had all her nightmares, and I’d be in bed with her, I wouldn’t sleep much. I would be up watching her sleep. She would catch me a lot and just smile and snuggle in closer to me.
I lightly move the hair out of her face, and it causes her to stir. She blinks, open her eyes, and smiles at me. This makes my heart clench every time. My Sage is so not a morning person; having her wake up and smile at me makes me feel ten feet tall.
“Did you sleep at all?” she asks me, and I can’t help but smile and kiss her forehead.
“Yes, I woke up about ten minutes ago.”
Sage doesn’t move; she keeps watching me then slowly brings her hand up to my face. I close my eyes and soak up her touch. It has healing powers, I swear it does. When I open my eyes again and look at her; the look of love and passion in her eyes takes my breath away.
“I love you, Colton. I don’t know how you’ve managed to do it, but you’ve healed by heart and managed to steal it all over again. I love seeing the little things you do for me to show you love me. I love hearing it when you say it. I love starting and ending every day with you, and I love the future we have planned.”
I can’t stop my eyes from misting over. “I love you too, Sage. I’m not me without you, and I don’t ever want to be without you again.”
I lean in and kiss her as we ignore the alarm clock and make love soft and sweet that morning. By the time we get downstairs, everyone is already gone.
I know what I need to do today, so I head off to find Blaze on the east side of the ranch, saddling up a horse at the barn.
“Late start today, huh?” he jokes.
I smile. “What are you up today?”
“Riding out to check a few pastures. We need to move the Delta cattle herd next week. I also want to check the fences.”
“Want some company?” He looks me over and then nods.
I saddle up my horse, grab some supplies, and off we go.
I can’t help but notice the difference just a few weeks can make. Before Sage and I started talking again, I would love the monotony of ranch work like this. You can zone out, and it’s quiet. I used to love that. No one out here to bug me.
This is where I’d come to think. I’d do my job and before I knew it, it would be dinner time. Days would fly by, and I’d look forward to the next time I could get out in the fields again.
Now, not so much. I’d rather be by Sage’s side, watching her, listening to her talk and laugh. I now hate being all the way out here and away from her. Time seems to drag on.
Even when I try to put her out of my mind to focus on what I want to talk to Blaze about, she’s right back there, taking over. What is she doing? Is she thinking of me? Can I get back and pull her into the barn office and bend her over the desk?
Shit, I need to get my mind off Sage. Riding a horse with a hard on isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world.
We’re silent for the first twenty minutes before Blaze speaks, “What’s on your mind, Colt? I know you aren’t out here for my bubbly personality.”
I shake my head and take a deep breath. I just need to say it, “I want to ask Sage to marry me.”
Blaze is silent. “Have you guys worked through your shit?”
“Yeah, we’ve been talking nightly. What we should have done different, what we’ll do from now on. She’s always been the one, and it doesn’t matter if it’s now or ten years from now. I’m going to do everything possible to make her happy and marry her.”
We cross the creek, and I continue, “I know we hurt you keeping this a secret, and I’m sorry for that. I want you to know I came to you first. I haven’t talked to anyone else about this. I need you and me, and you and Sage to be okay before moving forward.”
He sighs. “Sage came to me last week. We had lunch and talked it all out. She cried, and I gave my blessing to all this. I think she cried on purpose, but I can’t prove it,” he grumbles. “You two are my best friends, and I hate that you hid this from me but so long as you promise not to do it again, and you make her happy, I’m okay with it. But I still stand by Sage. If you hurt her, I’ll kick your ass. I’ve spent my life keeping people from hurting her, and that includes you.”
I smile. “Good. She needs you. I swear it. I’ll go to my grave doing everything possible to make her happy.”
He nods. “I forgive you guys, but I still reserve the right to bring it up and pick on it anytime I want.” He smiles.
“Understood.”
“You’ll be my best man. If I must suffer Riley and Sage’s wedding planning twice, so do you.”
With that, I laugh. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Please keep this between us. I’m going to talk to Mom and Dad tonight, the guys tomorrow, and Riley and Megan last. Those two can’t keep secrets.”
“I don’t keep secrets from Riley…” He pauses. “Make sure you talk to her tomorrow, or I will.”
“Deal.”
Heading back to the ranch, I stop at the graveyard. Mom and Dad told me as soon as they knew both of my parents were dead, they were adopting me. It was never a question. For that reason, they asked if I wanted my mom buried in the family graveyard here at the ranch, and I agreed.
I tie my horse to the fence before heading through the gate toward the front right corner under the cedar elm tree. I sit next to my mom, take a deep breath, and let it all pour out. I tell her about everything going on with Sage from the time she was in the hospital until now.
It’s calming to tell my mom, and I feel bad. I should be out here more.
“Mom, I’m going to ask Sage to marry me. I know you always liked her. I wish you were here to help her pick her wedding dress and stand by me for photos. Sage will want to get married at the ranch church here on the property, I know it. We’ll give you the grandkids you always wanted, and I promise to bring them here. We can do afternoon picnics as I tell them stories of their grandma who watches over them.”
My eyes tear up. Mom always did the best she could to protect me and take care of me. So many times, she went without, so I had what I needed. I always wanted to grow up and take care of her. That was the plan, but best laid plans and all that.
I spend another half hour talking to her before heading back to the house for lunch.
After lunch, I head over to Mom and Dad’s house. I enter via the kitchen and instantly smell her homemade banana bread. It’s my favorite, and it makes my mouth water, even though I had had Sage’s baked mac and cheese for lunch.
I walk up behind Mom and give her a hug.
“Hey Mom.”
“Hey baby. Everything okay?”
“Yeah, can I talk to you and Dad about something?”
She wipes her hands on her apron and turns around to study my face.
“Of course, baby. Your father is in his study. Head on in and let me clean up. I’ll be just a minute.”
I head into Dad’s study,
and even though the door is open, I knock on the doorframe.
He has always had an open-door policy for us kids. We’re free to come and go from the study. He has never hidden anything from us. No matter how many times he tells me I don’t have to knock, I still feel like I need to.
His study commands authority and attention. When you walk in, there’s a large window on the back wall that looks out over the barn, so he can watch the ranch hands from his office. Sage loved the idea so much, she set up her office at the house the same way.
The windows let in a lot of light, so the study is always bright, but it has dark-wood walls lined with bookcases filled with books. Lots of books on the history of the area and the ranch. Many journals from the family and tons of ranching books.
All of us kids loved being in here reading them, especially Sage. That thought brings a smile to my face. Dad has a large wood desk, the kind you picture in any large office; he uses it mostly used for storage.
In one corner of the room, we have had many talks in a comfortable sitting area. We would come in, sit, and read while he did the bookwork.
Dad looks up when he hears me knock and smiles at me.
“Hey son, come on in. Did you stop in and see Mom already?”
“Yeah, she’ll be here in a minute. I was hoping to talk to you both.”
I watch Dad’s face fall just a bit. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, it’s good news, I hope. I hope you’ll take it that way anyway,” I say, getting nervous.
Dad stands from behind his large wooden desk and sits in one of the armchairs in the little seating area with the couch and a second armchair. This is the same seating area mom and dad would have many talks with us kids growing up and My nerves are now getting the best of me.
Mom walks in and closes the door. I take a seat on the couch and Mom sits in the other armchair. I watch Dad look at Mom like she hung the moon. He reaches over and takes her hand in his before giving me his attention. I have a brief glimpse of moments like this with Sage and our own kids one day.
I rest my arms on my legs, rub my hands together, and take a deep breath. Then I look up and look Dad in the eye like he taught me.
