Read Online Cowboy Boots and Unadulterated Pleasures [Cowboy Boots 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Natalie Acres - Free Book Online Page A

sizzling electric current forced them together.
    The door behind her slammed, and her head snapped forward. Her eyes widened as she focused on the floor-to-ceiling mirrors in front of her. She slowed her pace, scooting her bottom back on the seat before sitting upright.
    “Colt,” she whispered, realizing he would be alarmed by her appearance.
    He stood right inside the door, gaping at her in the mirror as if he were too pained by what he saw to approach her. The swell of her left cheek, the bluish color around her right eye, and the small slit above her lip proved she had lost a battle, but more than anything else, it provided proof of a fight.
    “What in God’s name has he done to you?” He remained motionless. Except for the clenching of his fists, he didn’t move a muscle.
    “It’s not as bad as it looks,” she said, her workout effort null and void once he entered the gym. Leaving the bike, she grabbed a fresh towel from a nearby table and patted her face, wiping away the small beads of sweat.
    “I’ll kill him,” Colt rasped.
    Detecting the danger in his voice, the pain lingering behind his steady tone, she cautiously approached him. “Colt, you don’t understand this. You have to trust me and stay out of it.”
    “Like hell I do!” he screamed, placing his hand on the door lever.
    Before he could leave, she rushed him. Grabbing his forearm with both hands, she shook him. “Listen to me, Colt. You have to listen to me.” She lowered her eyes and took a deep breath. “Nothing is as it seems.”
    “Is that a fact?” he asked, brooding. His fierce gaze met hers. “So let me guess. You were sleepy this morning and you fucked up with your makeup applications?”
    “If I told you it was so, would you believe me? Would you let this thing die?” she asked, knowing she didn’t stand a chance.
    “Ah, baby,” he whispered, gently cupping her cheek as moisture pooled in his eyes. “You know I can’t let this go.”
    She caught her breath when he touched her. That gentle hand of his would eventually be her undoing. Since the night before, her thoughts had been centered around him. Oh sure, she’d lain awake many nights and fantasized about Crue and the others, too, but last night? Her thoughts had been devoted to Colt. He’d awakened feelings inside her, emotions she was certain had long since been dead and buried.
    She’d heard him the night before when he’d professed his love. Somewhere deep down inside, she’d always known how he’d felt about her, but love? She wasn’t expecting him to say that he loved her. Men like Colt knew better than to love. They protected their hearts at all costs and, in doing so, saved their potential partners a lot of grief.
    She’d seen what men like Sam Kane and Brock Donovan’s father had suffered. The Underground Unit operatives often paid their dues with their lives. The women, like Sydney Kane Donovan for example, often ended up in the cross fire, and they never had true peace of mind. Women involved with the Underground Unit and their men often spent their entire lives looking over their shoulders.
    “Colt.” She lowered her voice. “Please trust me on this. You don’t know what you’re dealing with here.”
    As if she’d delivered a blow across his face or a direct punch in the gut, Colt backed away from her. His eyes were wild, ablaze with fury. “Fuck me.”
    The phrase was not, by any means, used as a means of seduction or a sexy little demand. She’d said too much, or he’d read plenty into what little information she supplied.
    “Oh no,” she muttered, fully realizing he knew what she was now. He realized what she’d become.
    “Damn it! Tell me this isn’t so, Kelly.” He slowly shook his head from side to side as he processed.
    “Colt, let me explain—”
    “When? Damn you, when?” he screamed, rushing her. He lifted her by her upper arms and slammed her against the wall, holding her in place.
    Tears streamed down her face. She