The Rainmaker : Cole : A Von Larsen Crime Family Novel

by Piper Page

  7

  Cole

  She is outstanding in every way. Sunny is the perfect prize, and I must win her and make her mine. Watching all those men in the banquet hall drool over her made my blood boil with jealousy and desire for this woman. The level of tension she brought to my body was akin to the tension I felt dealing with new shipments and funneling the money into our various accounts. She deserved to enjoy that money, with me.

  Holding her in my arms as we traversed the dance floor was the apex of the evening. It was magical. I swear I could feel every breath she took as her body pressed against me, and soon, we were breathing as one. Sometime very soon, she and I would dance another dance that would steal both our breaths away. If I could, I would make that time tonight.

  Holding her this close, my body could feel every curve, every angle, and it strove to memorize that feeling. The palm of my hand slipped lower down her back, testing the waters, until she stiffened in my grasp and I halted the motion.

  * * *

  Respect her, Cole.

  * * *

  These words were hard to live up to, more difficult than other promises I had made in my years. I ached for this woman in my arms. My mind couldn’t throw away the visions of her slipping out of this dress. The Gucci fabric on my bedroom floor, her form draped in my sheets, her eyes begging for me to join her. The ways I could make her tremble, and not from the jitters, either. I wanted her to feel the intense pleasure that could be between us. I longed to hear her lips say my name in passion.

  * * *

  Think of something else, Cole.

  * * *

  I was trying. Each picture I put in my head, she was there. In my office, she was my assistant, walking in to give me my messages in nothing more than some sexy lingerie. She appeared in the shipyards, under the yellow glow of a street lamp, red pumps and a trench coat, nothing more. Driving down the coastline, top down on the convertible, her hand on my knee, her mouth on my ear. I was crazed. I went to the only place I could.

  While she was in my arms, I thought of why we were all here. My words up there on the stage were from my heart. I wanted better care for anyone that had to experience even the smallest part of what my mother had endured. Looking at Sunny while she laughed and let herself go, with dancing and champagne, I knew my mother would approve of her. I wished she were still alive to meet her. One day, I would tell Sunny all about the number-one woman in my life.

  * * *

  Until you, Sunny Banks.

  * * *

  The gala began to wind down, and soon, I was swamped with guests wishing me well and saying good night. I kept hold of Sunny’s hand and made a point to introduce her to each person who took the time to say goodbye. I wanted them to know her, to have a sense of how I hoped to be connected with her. I was never a man to pussyfoot around what I wanted to achieve in my life. Sunny being with me was no different. By one thirty in the morning, Sunny was looking tipsy and tired, and I was ready to make our exit.

  I reached for her hand. “Are you ready to escape?”

  Her lips curved into a smile, and her glossy eyes twinkled in the low light of the room. “With you Mr. von Larsen, of course.”

  It was obvious to me she was feeling the effects of the alcohol and it was loosening her inhibitions. Most men might have seen this as an opportunity to get some action. I won’t lie, I’d have liked to take part in any action Sunny would offer me, but I was also a gentleman. I would not take advantage of her. I wanted Sunny, but only if she wanted me as well. Instead, I would use the champagne-induced casual calm to get to know her more. That tends to loosen the tongue.

  “Shall we?” My hand swept out to indicate which direction we were taking.

  “Yes, we shall.” Sunny gathered the length of her dress in one hand and maintained a firm hold on my hand with the other. We moved out of the hall and down the winding grand staircase that took us to the lobby. At one point, Sunny yelped, and I spun around to catch her in the nick of time. Her body jutted forward on the steps, and I swept her up into my arms, saving her from tumbling downward in a crash of pain and embarrassment.

  “Careful there, Grace,” I teased.

  She blushed.

  * * *

  So beautiful.

  * * *

  “Are you alright?” My arms held her tight to my body, supporting her until she was once again sure-footed.

  Her giggle filtered out to the space around us. “I lost my shoe.”

  “Just like Cinderella.”

  “I suppose that makes you my prince?”

  “I wouldn’t object.”

  Sunny dropped her eyes. Her unhindered flirtatiousness must be sobering her up. I gave her a warm grin to let her know I understood we were only joking. “Well, Cinderella, can you stay out for 3am tacos? Or would you turn into a pumpkin? I know the best place in town, tastes just like the tacos in Mexico.”

  She wiggled free of my arms and retrieved her shoe, sitting down on the step to put it back on. “It was the coach that turned into a pumpkin, not Cinderella. And I wouldn’t know, I’ve never been to Mexico, or out of the country at all, really.” She wiggled her toes and tested the safety of the shoe before standing back up. Her hand found mine once again. “My dad was really strict with us growing up, and well, he never let me do the whole ‘spring break’ thing.”

  * * *

  Damn.

  * * *

  Her tongue was still willing to tell me facts, but now, my plans were not as easily attained. I wanted to take her away. Skiing in Alps, exploring ancient ruins, sipping wine in Italy, and sunbathing in Aruba. “Tell me you have a passport at least?”

  Her small hand slapped my chest with no force, and she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Yes, Mr. Fancy Pants, I have a passport. In college, I thought about going to Dubai with my nursing education, but then I was offered a job in Galveston, and I thought it would be better to stay close to my family.”

  “Okay, well tacos here in Houston tonight, and next week, we’ll try Mexico to compare.”

  We pushed through front doors of the building and made our way the waiting car. Tonight, I had my usual driver, so I could give her my full attention. I held the door open for her and then followed in behind her.

  “Cole, thank you for this whole day—I’ll never forget it, but I should get back to Galveston.”

  My heart dropped. “Are you sure? Not even one taquito?”

  She laughed. “I have Sunday school to teach in the morning, but I’ve truly enjoyed every minute with you tonight.”

  * * *

  Holy shit, she’s a good girl.

  * * *

  “I did too. Thank you, Sunny. Let’s get you home.” I gave her a genuine smile. At least I had the next hour and half with her before I felt the cold emptiness of not being near her. The car dropped us back at my office, and I held her close as we ascended in my private elevator to the rooftop and the waiting helicopter.

  “Cole, the view is amazing. Look at all the stars!” Sunny was mesmerized. None of these stars could compare to her, though. “On my sixth birthday, my father gave me one of those certificates that makes you the owner of a star. So, I would always try to figure out which one was mine. I never could tell, but it was fun to look at them.”

  “You’re close with your father?”

  “Yeah we all are.”

  “How many of you are there?” I held her hand as we chatted. She seemed fully accepting of my touching her.

  “Four of us, but I am the baby. I suppose that’s why he was always so protective, me being the youngest and the last. I mean, I know cops are overprotective for the most part, but I always felt he was tougher with me.”

  * * *

  Fuck.

  * * *

  It was just my dumb luck that I was falling for a cop’s daughter. This was not going to bode well. My plans for Sunny and I started to fall apart the closer we got to Galveston. How could our story be ending so soon? Because it was
a fairytale, I answered myself. Perhaps I wasn’t meant for anything more than the business. Maybe that was all I would ever have. Why? It wasn’t fair. Hadn’t fate already fucked up my life enough? When did I get, the Cinderella ending? I maintained my hold on her hand, but the remainder of the flight was silent scenery for both of us. At one point, Sunny dozed off, and I needed to wake her when we landed.

  A car drove us to her bungalow, and I walked her to the front door. My heart was in pieces.

  * * *

  So, this is the end.

  * * *

  Sunny inserted her key into the lock, and a sensor triggered the front porch light. “Very secure of-” My words were cut off by Sunny’s lips pressing to mine. I was stunned, fully taken aback by her kiss. I felt her slight form press against me, and without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around her slim waist and lifted her off her feet. I let myself drown in that embrace like I was starving for it. Her mouth was hungry, and I was willing.

  “Can I come in?” I didn’t release her. I never wanted to let her go. The hell with her father being a cop. I wanted Sunny, no matter what the consequences. I’d leave all the underside of the business to my brothers to have Sunny, every single fucking penny.

  Her breathy answer made my heart soar. “Yes, you can come in, Cole.”

  8

  Sunny

  Cole’s mouth tasted like a fruity island breeze, warm and delightful. I felt my feet moving backward across the threshold and into the foyer. My ears heard the door shut and the automatic lock click. From beneath my closed eyelids, I could see the change in the brightness of the room as the sensors detected our motion and the area lit up with the overhead light fixture. Not once did my lips leave Cole’s. I had kissed boys, even men before, but never were the effects so strong. It was as if his tongue were strumming the strings of my heart through my mouth. I wanted more. I needed more.

  We walked in unison through the foyer and into my living room. Muffled moans of desire and passion filled the quiet space. Were they mine? Were they his? It didn’t matter, we were in the moment together. His hand found its way up the back of my neck and into my hair, fingers cradling my head into his open palm. The other hand cupped the side of my face. Was he afraid I was going to slip away?

  * * *

  You shouldn’t, Sunny. This is moving fast.

  * * *

  Ignoring my instincts, I gripped Cole’s biceps, digging my fingers into his hard muscles. Who taught this man to kiss? Was it possible for kissing to be a natural talent? If so, he ought to have made a career out of it. I could kiss him all day and all night long.

  * * *

  Breathe.

  * * *

  Right, I need to breathe. With a little difficulty, I pulled away and gasped for a fresh lungful of air. “Wow.”

  Cole beamed. “Was that to your liking?”

  I wasn’t going to lie. “You are very skilled, Cole von Larsen.” I waved my finger at him, wrapped my arm for protection around my middle and took a step away. “Would you like to sit down?” I indicated the suede sectional arranged behind him. “I’m going to get a drink. Do you want a drink? I need a drink.”

  Those blue eyes, apparently created to entice every living woman over the age of twenty on God’s green earth into a love spell, twinkled with amusement. “I’ll have a bottle of water if you have it, thank you.”

  Water? He was going to sober up, and I wanted another glass of champagne. I should have water too. If I had water, this daze might fade. That wouldn’t be bad. My head would be clearer. I could look at the full situation and not feel like I was in some princess storybook anymore. That was what Cole had created here, a fairytale day, complete with the misfit princess at the ball. He sat himself down on the sofa, his arms spread out across the back, this man spread open fully and inviting me to return and collapse into his embrace. And my body was begging to do just that.

  * * *

  Get a drink, now.

  * * *

  Every clink of glass, every creak of a cabinet, even the rushing water as I rinsed the two glasses in the sink sounded ten times louder than usual to my ears. Were my senses so overly heightened, or was I nervous and accidentally making more noise than usual? The top twisting away from its plastic seal on the water bottle sounded awkwardly loud in my little galley kitchen. Cole must have been thinking I was a bull in a china shop by now. I needed to get these shoes off. Each click of my heels on the stone tile was a hammer driving a nail. I popped them off and left them lying in the middle of the kitchen floor before returning to Cole with his glass of water.

  “Everything okay?”

  I nodded and sat down beside him. “Mmmhmm, my feet were killing me. Heels are not meant to be worn that long.” I curled my stockinged feet up beneath the sequined material of my gown, leaning on the back of the sectional and propping my chin up with my hand. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m perfect.”

  * * *

  Yes, you are.

  * * *

  I took a sip off my glass and set it aside. What next? I wanted to taste his mouth again, and I wanted him to disappear and leave me with my lovely thoughts. It was a conundrum swirling around in my tipsy brain. I didn’t put on this white lace bralette, tiny thong, and matching garters for nothing. I knew full well what I was thinking when I looked at the lace over my bare skin. I wanted Cole to see it. Should I show him? Maybe a little striptease, right here in my living room? I glanced over to a portrait of my family resting on my mantle. Definitely not the living room. We could take our little soiree into my bedroom. Would that be too much of a commitment? What if he really was like one of those men from the steamy books I’d had no shame in reading? I was not prepared in any shape or form to delve into that world in real life. Would Cole want to be in control of me, just like he seemed to always be in control of what was happening around him, his business, the employees at the spa, his guests, the food we ate? My heart was beating so fiercely I thought it was going to pop right out of my chest.

  * * *

  I wish you’d just kiss me again. Go for it, Sunny.

  * * *

  My hand brushed over my thigh, and the shimmery material fell open at the slit, exposing my upper thigh. I didn’t look down, even when Cole’s eyes did. Was I trying to convince myself that it was all unintentional, would that justify my actions? I could feel the air of the room caress my flesh over the top of the lace cuff on my thigh-highs. With a slight adjustment of my hips, he would to see cut of my panties. Did I want him to?

  Cole rested his hand on my knee, and like a startled cat, I nearly jumped off the couch and dug my nails into the ceiling above us.

  “Sunny, relax, sweetheart. I’m not going to do anything you aren’t one-hundred percent on board with. I promise.”

  I smiled and lowered my eyes to his hand. “Will you kiss me again?”

  “Would you like that?”

  I nodded, biting on my bottom lip. Cole leaned in close. His breath was warm on the flesh of my mouth. I relaxed my lips and felt them brush against his. It was an instant spark that made me gasp. His hands were back in my hair, and our tongues were enjoying a grand game of hide and seek, each chasing after the other. I could feel my body slipping back onto the seat cushions of the sofa. The weight of Cole’s frame on mine was comforting and terrifying. How far was I willing to go? We were reaching critical mass here, and I would have to wave him in or call a halt to the play, and I’d have to come to a decision fast. My mind whirled through distant memories of college when I nearly agreed to call the end to my virginity after a night of drinking with my roommate’s brother. He was handsome and smart, but not a boy I would marry. I didn’t love him, I was just uninhibited by alcohol. Was I being that same college girl now? Was it the magic of the moment, the enchantment of the evening? Did it matter anymore? My body wanted him, my mind wanted him.

  Cole’s breath was raspy in my ear. I placed my hands on his shoulders and drew my head back away from his face,
pressing back into the cushy softness of the seat under my head as my body and mind decided what they wanted.

  * * *

  We should stop.

  * * *

  He sat up, disappointment flashing in his eyes before they softened. “Are you all right?”

  I looked at him and pressed my mouth to his once again. My lips missed his in an instant, and I wanted nothing more than to feel them on me again. I wanted more. I wanted all of him. I let go of my inhibitions, blowing them into tiny bits. My fingers gripped at his neck and his shoulder. I heard myself let out a wanting moan. Cole’s body tensed in my hands, against my body.

  “Sunny,” he breathed, my name mumbled between our mouths.

  “Yes, Cole?”

  He pushed up and drew his hand through his hair, leaving me feeling cold and empty on the cushions of the couch. “I think I’d like that drink now.”

  “I agree.” My voice was breathy in my own ears. I managed to get us both a glass of white wine, even though my hands were trembling uncontrollably. It was good that he had stopped us. I knew that I was not going to be able to. “Here you go.”