by Regina Wade
“You don’t need to thank me—” Cole starts to whisper roughly against my mouth.
Ever the gentleman. Even now, when I can feel the desire rolling off him in waves, literally feel it pressing against my stomach where his huge body is pushed up against mine.
The vibration of his words hums along my lips. I don’t give him time to change his mind, don’t let him recast me back into whatever slot he was keeping me in his mind up until this point. The one that only allowed him to look at me as his buddy’s kid and not with the desperate need his eyes and hammering pulse are conveying.
Instead, I finish bridging the distance between us.
“I’m not trying to thank you, Cole.” In one swift motion I press my lips all the way against his. They’re both firm and yielding. Just as masculine as the rest of the man. “I’m trying to kiss you.”
Chapter 4
Cole
So bye, bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry. And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye. — Don McLean, ‘American Pie’
Her mouth is on mine before I fully know what’s happening.
One minute, I’m seething; furious at the sight of a bruise developing on her porcelain skin. The next, her arms are sliding around my neck, pulling me towards her ripe lips like we’ve come together a million times before.
It’s madness. Insanity, how right it feels to let this curvy blonde pull me towards her lush body. Before I can let a single clear thought work its way into my brain, our mouths meet.
The well-orchestrated fireworks display put on by the Lake Geneva chamber of commerce has nothing on the multicolored explosion that goes off behind my eyes the instant our lips touch.
She’s the perfect balance of full and soft, hot and welcoming. Supple and inviting against me, it takes all of my restraint not to simply fill my hands with all of her generous curves. Her mouth is as exotic and delicious as I could have hoped. Like coming home after a long day. New and exciting and somehow familiar all at once.
If I were the type to put more stock in things like fate, I would say this woman was the One, with a capital “O.” Funny how you can just see someone and know that the search is over.
Even as I give in to her unspoken demands, exploring the hesitant boundaries of her plump lips, I understand on some level that this won’t be our last kiss. Whoever this girl is, we were meant to find each other. Her kiss is everything I knew it would be. Shy and tender, hungry and sweet. Still, I feel like I should have made sure she really was alright first. At the very least get her name before—
I’m not thanking you, Cole.
Ice water jolts through my veins, freezing me in place. She must notice the way I stop enthusiastically responding to her tender, tentative kisses, because she darts back in the shallow water then, taking two small steps away from me. It tears at my heart to see the wide-eyed look of pain in her golden eyes when I stop touching her.
Bright, golden-brown eyes that suddenly seem even more familiar…
For a moment, broken-hearted confusion chases across her beautiful features. It takes everything in me to try and reconcile what I’m actually seeing.
There’s no way…
How could it be? Until she says my name, I have no idea that the blonde I saved, the woman of my fucking dreams, is actually David’s daughter. It makes no sense. The woman in front of me looks nothing like the Cassidy that left for college four years ago. That was a kid that occasionally tagged along while her dad and I fished for bass or grilled up some steaks. She was a bright, awkward teenager with a million great questions and a huge heart. This is a sensual, adult woman.
“You didn’t recognize me, did you?” There’s no accusation in Cassidy’s tone.
Somehow, that makes it worse. I feel like I’ve let everyone down. Her, Dave— myself most of all.
“Cassie…” I start, but don’t know what to say.
The fact is I didn’t know it was her. Of course I still would have saved her if I’d known— and probably beat that little shit until he cried— but I never would have let things get this far.
Would I?
A nagging voice somewhere inside me casts doubt on the certainty. Regardless of who Cassidy’s father is, the fact remains that the sight of her still sent me into a tailspin. Standing in front of Cassie, the sweet taste of her lips still humming along my mouth, the seventeen-year age difference between us seems to evaporate like water droplets along the lake.
“Cole.” Her tone is much cooler now. Almost clipped. Completely different from the sizzling way she was trying to crawl inside of me just a few moments ago. She could almost get away with the cool indifference she’s going for, if it weren’t for the slight tremble in her bottom lip. I want to kick myself for putting it there.
“I didn’t know you were coming this summer,” I finally manage. It takes everything in me not to give in to the urge not to pull her close and hold her. I want to smooth her hair back, cover her in kisses. “Does David know?”
Cassidy regards me warily from under the brim of her sunhat for a moment.
“I wanted it to be a surprise. What are you doing here, anyway?”
“I’ve been spending the Fourth up here with Dave ever since you left for school.” I watch her digest this information, apparently considering that she’ll be stuck with me for her summer break too, instead of just her pops. “Consider me surprised too, by the way.”
Cassie laughs at that. It’s a musical sound, full-throated and flirty. As much as I don’t want it to affect me, the soft laughter goes straight to my dick and holds on tight.
I drag a hand through my hair and blow out a deep breath.
“He won’t be here until the weekend,” I tell her. “He had last-minute clients fly in from out of town.”
To my surprise, Cassidy’s eyes light up like sparklers at the news. She takes a bold step closer to me again.
“So you’re telling me it’s just you and me at the cabin for the next two days?” The corner of her lip tugs up in the most suggestive grin I’ve ever seen. If there was any doubt as to whether or not Cassie was coming on to me before, it just sank to the bottom of the lake. It’s hard to get a hold of my own thoughts over the roar in my ears.
Cassie’s fingertips begin to snake their way back up my shoulders.
“Cassidy?” I wind my fingers around the tender flesh of her wrist. Not hard enough to hurt her in any way, just with enough force to stop the momentum with which the industrious girl is working her way back up to my mouth. “Cassie.”
When her golden eyes are looking into mine, I make it a point to unwind her from my chest and separate us. It feels like a physical ache, like being sliced apart at the soul.
“This can’t happen again, Cass.”
She pouts up at me, arms crossed at the chest. Silently, I count to ten and will my cock to calm down. Everything in me wants to drag Cassie back to the house and show her what she does to me.
“Why not?” She glares daggers at me, testing the limits of my sanity and self-control. “I’m an adult, Cole. I’m not a teenager anymore. I’m a woman and I know what I want.”
Her words make sense. Cassidy is a woman and she should be allowed to decide for herself what she wants.
But the intensity of what I feel for her is overwhelming. I won’t be able to settle for anything less than everything when it comes to this woman. I knew the instant I saw her she was meant to be mine. She’s also my best friend’s daughter. And a decade and a half younger than I am. So the only way to handle this situation is to not let it become one.
“No,” I shake my head at her before turning to head back towards my truck. “Never again, Cassidy. I’m sorry. I’ll see you at the house.”
I manage to make it halfway to the lake house before pulling off onto the wooded area behind the road. My cock is huge and heavy, swollen in my hands. And when I come, it’s Cassidy’s name that’s on my lips.
Chapter 5
> Cassidy
Said goodbye to their families. Said goodbye to their friends. With pipe dreams in their heads and very little money in their hands. — John Mellencamp, R.O.C.K in the USA
The view from my bedroom window looks different the next morning.
Stifling, somehow— as if the pane of glass separating me from the lake has thickened since my arrival. Maybe it’s just frustration coloring my view. One look at Cole Watson for the first time in four years and my single-minded focus on the man came back with a vengeance.
Worse, somehow. If I’d managed to fool myself into thinking my feelings for him were infatuation before I left for college, there’s no denying it now. I love him, plain and simple. Feeling Cole’s strong arms around me yesterday, the way he claimed my mouth with his own…
It’s all I need to know he feels the same way about me.
The only problem? Cole refuses to talk about it. In fact, by the time I got back from the water yesterday, he’d locked himself away for the night. Even after giving him time to cool off— and myself several cold showers to try and do the same— I haven’t seen another glimpse of the man since he strode away from me on the sand.
Is this it? Am I doomed to a summer of misery? A lifetime of loneliness? The thought alone is depressing as hell.
Outside my window, the morning crowds are starting to gather by the shore. Here and there, I can see couples walking, hand in hand. It’s going to be a warm day, and there are already more than a few people in the lake. Just looking at the sparkling water brings to mind the way Cole’s lips felt against mine.
I turn my back to the memory and the window, rushing down into the bright kitchen. I’m surprised to find Cole already in there, pouring fragrant coffee into two mugs. After the way he acted last night, I figured I wasn’t going to see him again for another four years.
“Good morning,” he looks up as I walk into the room.
“Morning,” I smile back at him before sliding into one of the kitchen chairs and helping myself to one of the steaming cups. “You sleep ok?”
This early in the morning, his stubble is even darker, and I can’t help but wonder for the millionth time what it would feel like brushing against the sensitive skin of my inner thighs. For an inexperienced virgin, I’ve had some seriously detailed fantasies about Cole Watson. No amount of energy I’ve ever spent on anyone else— real or imaginary— has ever come close.
“Tossed and turned a bit,” Cole grins at me over the rim of his own mug in a way that suggests he might have spent a little time fantasizing last night himself. I can’t say I’m not happy to know he’s feeling a little of the tension I’ve been carrying around for years.
“Any big plans for the day?” I ask him.
Besides avoiding me?
“Actually,” Cole eases himself into the chair right next to me. He smells like sun-dried cotton and sawdust. “I thought maybe we could do something together.”
“Like a date?” I arch an eyebrow in his direction.
“No,” his voice is low rumble. “More like two adults hanging out, just spending a warm platonic afternoon together. Behave yourself, Cassie. I just figure if we’re going to be here together for a few days, we should make the best of it. Besides,—”
Cole raises one massive shoulder casually. “The fair is in town.”
He’s doing his best to make up for yesterday. I know Cole is fighting his feelings for me. He’s also wrestling with his conscience when it comes to my father. I’ve had years to come to terms with all of those things. Looks like I’m going to have exactly one afternoon to bring him around to my way of thinking. He can call this a platonic outing all he wants to, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to convince Cole Watson that he belongs with me for the rest of our lives.
Standing up, I give him my best grin.
“Ok, but you’ve got to win me the biggest stuffed animal I find.”
“Oh?” Cole narrows his eyes at me, but I can see the corners of his mouth tilting up in a smile.
“Yep.” I nod. “I’ve never won anything before. So I want a great big overpriced prize to mark the day.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Three hours later, my arms are filled to capacity with nearly every stuffed creature known to man. Cole knows how to keep a promise, that’s for damn sure.
We’ve gorged ourselves on turkey legs and churros, stopped to listen to three different musicians, and watched the toddlers playing in dancing water fountains. All the while, he’s made it a point to stop at every booth with a stuffed animal prize and win one for me.
Teddy bears, sloths, monkeys— even one particularly cross-eyed chameleon. If there’s a stuffie to be won, I’m in possession of it. Cole has proven particularly talented at all manner of carnival games. From skeeball to the giant basketball sink, he manages to make even the impossible skill-luck combination games look easy.
“How do you do that?!” I exclaim with an excited hop as he nails another pyramid of glass bottles with a battered leather softball. Even the lanky teen working the booth seems astonished that Cole has managed to actually to accomplish it.
“You said you wanted stuffed animals,” he grins at me.
“No,” I correct him with a smirk. “I said I want the biggest stuffed animal I find.”
Cole eyes the menagerie in my arms with a skeptical eye, but keeps quiet as we maneuver through the crowds.
“There!” I use my chin to point at a hand-painted sign beneath the bean bag toss. The giant wooly mammoth is nearly as tall as I am, with glittery tusks and puffy stuffed roller skates on each of its four furry feet.
“The Wheelie Mammoth?” Cole’s groan is almost painful.
“You did promise,” I remind him with a wicked grin.
There’s a snap of electricity as Cole’s cobalt gaze burns into mine.
“That I did, Cass,” he says. The low growl of his voice sends a sexy shiver up my spine. “And I always keep my promises.”
Chapter 6
Cole
Steady as a preacher. Free as a weed. Couldn’t wait to get going, but wasn’t quite ready to leave. — Lady Antebellum, ‘American Honey’
The drive back to the cabin is the longest of my life.
Cassidy is just such a force, such a presence in my mind that I can’t help but be distracted by her. I sneak glances at her every chance I get. Her animated face, her lively chocolate eyes, her enthusiasm. I can’t believe just how much life there is in this girl.
It makes me want to give her everything she ever could dream of and more.
“Cole, I still can’t believe you got this for me.” Cassidy beams.
In her arms, perched on her lap, is a stuffed mammoth bigger than she is.
“Well, you said you’ve never won anything in your life, never been special. I had to prove you wrong. You are special, Cassidy. The most special girl I know.”
I reach over and give her hand a squeeze before putting it back on the steering wheel. I want to do more, but the windy mountain roads can be treacherous at night. I’m already too distracted by the vivacious blonde woman sitting next to me to not have both hands firmly at ten and two on the wheel.
“You’re so sweet, Cole.” She smiles over at me.
I snort. “I’m not sweet, Cassidy. You’re just on my good side.”
“Oh? I’ve never seen your bad side,” Cassidy says thoughtfully.
“Well, you’re not a bad girl, Cass,” I answer.
“Maybe I should be. Just to see what it’s like.” Cass says flippantly, a wicked grin curling up at the corners of her mouth. She gives her stuffed animal a big squeeze, then stuffs it down in the floorboard.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Cassidy.”
She doesn’t respond at all, just stretches. The low-cut top she’s wearing strains to contain her big tits, and it’s all I can do to keep one eye on the road. The thought of getting my hands or mouth on those gorgeous breasts is all-consuming. Inst
antly my mind fills with the image of her gigantic jugs wrapped around my thick shaft.
Her hands play with the straps of her top, flirting with pulling them down enough to expose more skin
“Oh, it’s so hot in here,” Cass’s tone is teasing, joking. She thinks she’s being cute, but she doesn’t realize what a dangerous game she’s playing.
“Cassidy…” I growl, letting a little bit of the hunger peak through in my voice. Just a bit of lust to spook her.
“Oh, I’m sorry Cole. Am I being a baaaad girl? Are you going to punish me?” Cass giggles.
“If you don’t stop, I just might,” I groan. We’ve slowed down to a glacial crawl, five miles an hour at most.
“Stop what? I’m just so hot, Cole.” Cassidy reaches between us, grabbing the mug of ice chips and bringing one up to her neck. I can a muscle in my jaw tic as I clench my teeth at the sight of the cold water trailing down her skin, trickling down between the valley of her cleavage.
My foot slams on the brakes, bringing the car to a complete stop. In a second I have the door open and I’m out in the cool night air, breathing in huge lungfuls, trying to relax my clenched fists.
“Cole? I’m sorry, I was just playing —” Cassidy starts as she walks around the front of the car, but I cut her off with one slice of my hand.
“No. You stay right there, Cass,” I growl again, my voice rough and hoarse with barely controlled lust.
“But I want to apologize,” Cass says brightly, closing the distance between us and laying a hand on my arm. She’s all but purring the words now. I know this is exactly what she wants.
The contact is electric, sparks flying between us immediately. She reacts as if she’d received an actual shock, pulling away, but I reach out lightning-quick and grab her arm.