by Autumn Grey
When everything is ready, I dash upstairs to freshen up, strip out of my little shorts and T-shirt, then hop in the shower. I’m out five minutes later with a towel wrapped around my hair and another one covering my body. I rush to the closet, grab a white dress and a set of black cotton panties and slip them on. I remove the towel on my head and give my hair a thorough rub. By the time I’m ready, my body has been moisturized, my hair finger-combed and curled around the ends. I turn to leave the room, but freeze in my tracks. Heat washes over my body, responding to Cole’s intense perusal. He’s leaning one shoulder on the doorframe, his arms crossed on his chest.
“How long have you been standing there?” I ask, shifting on my feet. I press my thighs together to get some friction between my legs.
He drops his arms to the sides, steps into the room and pushes the door shut with one hand, trapping me inside with him. “Long enough for me to want to bite your ass and lick it. Taste you. Eat you.”
Oh.
God.
I’m still frozen in place. He ambles closer, the look on his face so dark, hungry, needy, it defies his calm pose. My brain is yelling for me to move. Run. My body is nothing more than a mess.
He lifts his hand and cups my cheek. “You are so damn beautiful, Snowflake.” He skims his thumb lightly across my bottom lip. I pant, whimper. My tongue sneaks out, brushes along the pad of his finger. I nip the skin there just a little. He hisses. A moan rumbles in his throat. His eyes are more black than gray. A storm ready to break and destroy whatever lays in its path. I want him to destroy me, then put me back together.
He pulls his hand away only to curl his fingers on the nape of my neck, with a thumb on my throat, stroking the vein there. Then his mouth is on mine, kissing me, his tongue invading my mouth without asking for permission. His kiss is untamed, feral, starved. Brutal. I’m delirious and drunk, electrified. His free hand lifts my dress and grips my thigh. Inches up and cups me between my legs. He slides one finger inside me.
Cora’s voice seeps through the door, reality slapping me in the face. I jolt, try to break free.
“We have guests waiting for us downstairs, Cole. Someone might walk in on us.”
He blinks. “Well, you’ll just have to hurry up then.”
“Hurry—” Suddenly, the finger inside me is gone and my body is being pressed against a wall before I can finish the sentence.
Cole hooks his fingers on the band of my underwear, slides them down. I lift my legs and he pulls them the rest of the way, tossing them on the floor. He drops to his knees, pushes my dress up and buries his face between my legs. He grasps my thighs and hooks my legs over his shoulders, thrusting his tongue inside me. My hands fly out, searching for something to hold on to. I grab his hair in my fists and pull. He groans deeply, sending vibrations skittering all over my body. Cole is on a mission and just because I’m skittish about being found doesn’t make him abandon his task. He pushes a finger inside me, then another while his talented tongue continues to lick me, burn me, and consume me whole. My back arches. I can feel the climax rushing through me. Then it hits me, forcing a scream out of my lips. I slap a hand over my mouth, my eyes closed, panting, panting, panting. I can’t seem to get enough air in my lungs. I’m completely and utterly ravished.
Cole kisses my inner thigh before unhooking my legs from his shoulders and standing up. With his gaze locked on mine, he cups my face in his hands and once again kisses me. This time the kiss is languorous as if we have all the time in the world, gentle as his tongue tangles with mine. Powerful. Tasting myself on him is pure bliss. His lips worship mine reverently, as if he’s sealing me to him. Then he pulls away and brushes the pad of his thumb on my bottom lip. My gaze takes him in down his broad chest and all I can think about is, I want to see him naked. Suck that nipple ring. I look down and inhale sharply. He’s so hard the zipper on his jeans looks like it might pop open any second.
I bite my cheek, meet his gaze. “Um. . .your—”
“What?” his raises a brow at me.
“Batman. He’s still—”
He rolls his eyes. “It’s ‘cock.’ I’m not leaving until you say it. In fact,” he prowls closer. “I might just toss you on the bed and fuck you until you say that name. Cock.”
I straighten on the wall. Narrow my eyes at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Want to bet?” He has this determined scary look on his face.
“All right, all right. Sheesh. Don’t get your panties all bunched up.” He laughs. I roll the word in my head. Feel my cheeks heat up as I open my mouth and say, “Cock. Satisfied?” I’m surprised I haven’t exploded or something. It’s not a bad name though. Why was I having trouble saying it? “Batman sounds cooler though.”
He steps back laughing and smacks my butt. “All right woman. Feed me.”
After dashing back to the bathroom to straighten my appearance, I cringe when my gaze falls on my flushed cheeks. Everyone is going to notice. Megs will be dying to lock me in a room so I can give her the details. I rush out and scuttle around Cole, dart for the door and bound downstairs before he can think twice and haul me over his shoulder to carry out his threat.
We are all sitting around the table, our wine glasses poised in the air, ready to toast to the most amazing brother. Dad nudges my mom’s arm, passing her a handkerchief as tears run down her face. She leans to the side to kiss my dad’s cheek. I feel my own tears burn my eyes when my parents turn to look at me and nod. Dad mouths, “You did great” and I have to blink several times to stop myself from bawling my eyes out.
Nick waves his hand to get my attention. “What time did Elon say she would be here?”
I glance at my watch and back to him. “In twenty minutes. Keep your cool, bro. Your lipstick is showing.”
He scowls. “Fuck you.”
He startles and swings around when Mom smacks him on the head. “He started it, Mom.”
Mom glares. “Mind your manners, Nick.”
I laugh and he looks at me, shaking his head. “I will get you for that one, big bro.”
After Nor takes her seat next to Cora and picks her glass up, she glances around the table, a soft smile on her lips.
“To the most wonderful, selfless man in the world, my best friend and a great father,” Nor says, her eyes finally finding mine, and I smile at her.
I swallow around the lump in my throat and say, “To my brother, my hero. A great son.”
After the toast, bowls of food are passed around. I pause and look around the table. My family and friends. Every one of them means the world to me. I couldn’t be any more blessed or happy.
The lights flicker several times, indicating someone is at the door. As soon as Nor leaves the table to answer the door, I notice the way Tate trails after her with his gaze. I nudge shoulder and glare at him.
“Stop staring at my woman before I punch your face,” I sign, glaring at him.
He sets his cutlery on his plate in favor of rubbing the spot on his shoulder, and then signs, “Calm down man. She’s a knock-out, I’ll give you that. But I wouldn’t risk our friendship like that.” He sneaks a look in Nor’s direction and turns back to face me. “Do the scars bother you?”
I shake my head. Most people don’t understand what I see in Nor. What lies beyond those white scars. “It’s simple. I see the beauty in her broken soul. I see a fighter who wears her battle scars with pride. I see my soul mate.”
He holds my gaze for a few minutes before blowing out a breath. “Dude, I think I’m crushing on you.”
“Sorry, man. I’m already taken.”
He grins at me. “You mentioned you might be working on a new project? In Jacksonville?” Tate asks. He picks up his knife and fork and continues wolfing down the food.
He looks away from me as his attention is claimed by the return of Nor, with Elon and Elise in tow. Tate straightens in his chair, subtly puffing out his chest. I can’t wait to teas the shit out of him. I go ahead and introduce him to the siste
rs. He keeps on staring as they settle in their respective seats across the table. His gaze lingers on Elise a little longer before he peeks at me and mouths, “Wow.”
I laugh, watching him dart a look in her direction again.
I touch his arm to reclaim his attention. “We’ll talk about this project without distractions,” I sign, smirking.
Later, when everyone has gone home, I slip between the sheets next to Nor and wrap my arms around her, then bury my nose into her hair. She shifts on the bed, and snuggles into me, her legs tangled with mine. I close my eyes and drift into sleep, a sense of completion filling me.
Summer
THE PAST FEW MONTHS HAVE been amazing. Cole finally moved in with us and the transition has been smooth.
I’ve been thinking about going back to school to pick up where I left off years ago, but I haven’t decided if I want to apply for Music Therapy or Psychology. Plus, the tuition is a bit higher than what is left in my college fund. I’ll need to check if the schools offer a scholarship or apply for a student loan. I managed to pay part of the hospital bills with the help of Maggie and Benjamin.
The four of us went to visit Josh today. Cora lit one of her scented candles that we made last week, and then placed it in a glass candle holder beside the headstone. She sat cross-legged on the grass and told him about the play house and that she, Joce and Cole were working on it. She also talked about Sirius, the cat. I teared up when she told Josh about his birthday party-get together which we had weeks ago. Cole took me in his arms and held me while I cried, unable to hold back the tears.
Joce was her usual quiet self as she lay a pair of black and white knitted gloves—she knitted them in her crafts club at school—beside the headstone on the grass. She was worried Josh was cold wherever he was.
We arrived back home three hours ago. The girls dragged Cole up to the roof terrace to put the final touches on their house and they have been up there since then.
Things have finally calmed down. Every time I think of Josh, I am so thankful to God that he blessed me with such an amazing friendship. He might not have lived his life to its fullest, but I’d never seen him more content. He had once told me that he couldn’t have asked for a better life.
I wipe the tears trailing down my cheeks with my hand and smile. “I could never repay you for what you did for me, Cole and the girls,” I whisper under my breath. “You are loved and will always be in our thoughts.”
After setting a beer for Cole and three bowls filled with vanilla ice cream with pieces of orange fruit tossed in on a tray, I head out to the terrace, my thoughts on the call I’ve just had with my mom half an hour ago. She and Pete will be arriving tomorrow before dinner. I’m really excited to see them.
Cole is sitting in a corner inside the house, his knees pulled up and his elbows planted on his thighs, listening to Cora and Joce discussing their plans for the house. Sirius is lying on a black and white pillow the girls set aside for him on the floor when Cole brought him over the first time a few weeks ago.
God.
That look on Cole’s face leaves me breathless. His entire world is right there in his eyes. His gaze shifts to mine and his lips tip up at the corners in that special Cole smile, spreading across his features until it reaches his eyes. Tingles sweep through me and I grin at him.
“I brought refreshments.” I point to the tray.
There’s a burst of clapping as the girl’s dash out of the house, heading for the little table.
Cole unfolds himself from the floor, and walks toward me. He looks so sexy, with the tool belt hanging low on his hips. The gray T-shirt frames his chest, outlining the nipple ring and the toned muscles beneath.
“That look on your face, Snowflake.”
I squint up at him. “What look?”
“You look at me like that every time I’m wearing this tool belt. Do you get off watching me wearing it?”
I grin. “You know I do. You drove me crazy when you took me to your father’s company and I had to watch you walking around while carrying heavy stuff and building things.”
“Say it.”
I quirk my brow at him. “Say what?”
“That I’m good with these tools. You wouldn’t know what to do without me.” He pokes my ribs without warning.
“Ow! That hurts,” I yelp.
“Admit it, and I’ll make you feel better.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re too cocky for your own good.”
He grins wide and bows at the waist. “Thanks for noticing.” He grabs me so fast I don’t see it coming and pulls me into his chest for a hug. The Cole kind of hug.
He kisses my neck and then smacks my rear, and signs, “God. I am in love with a girl who gets horny when she sees me wearing a tool belt.” He leans forward, his lips brushing my ear. “On a scale of one to ten. How wet are you?”
I turn and start walking backwards. “A hundred. And I am in love with a man who turns me on just by looking at me.” I bite my lip and slant my head down, looking at him through my lashes. “A man that drives me insane with every command that leaves his mouth. I am in love with you, always have been, and always will be, Cole Holloway.”
The smile on his face slowly fades as he closes the distance between us. “I love you, Eleanor Holloway.” He cups my face in his hands and leans down to kiss my forehead. “I will never ever let you go.”
I shiver and sigh as his lips leave my skin. “Dinner is almost ready. Come inside when you and the girls are done?”
“Cool. I will clean up first.”
I wink at him and smile coyly. “Oh, don’t clean up. You look so hot when you are dirty and sweaty.”
His jaw drops and his eyes darken. “Fuck.”
I dart a look at the girls and back to Cole. “Watch your mouth, baby.”
“Sorry.” He leans forward and grips my hips. “You love it when I do dirty things to you?”
I lift on my tip toes and nip his chin. “You have no idea. I want you in my bed after the girls go to sleep.”
“I wasn’t intending on sleeping anywhere else.”
“Good.” His hand drops as I turn to leave. I feel his eyes on me, hot and needy. My stomach tightens and heat pools between my legs at the memory of his hands on my skin, his eyes focused on me as if I’m the center of his world.
I turn and catch him subtly readjusting himself in his pants. I’ve become braver during the past few weeks after realizing my man loves it dirty. So after making sure Cora and Joce are distracted, I place a finger on my lips, suck on it and then blow him a kiss. He takes a step toward me, his body coiled tight but halts mid-stride, darting a glance at the girls. He coughs into his fist.
“You will pay for that, Snowflake,” he signs, his chest heaving with ragged breaths.
I giggle and sign back, “Is that a promise or a threat?”
He narrows his eyes at me. “A promise.”
“I’ll make sure you follow through on it.”
He shakes his head, props his fists on his hips and looks at the evening sky as if he’s praying for strength.
After dinner, Sirius hops up on the couch, and stares at me as though to tell me he is glad to be here, and then curls up in the corner and shuts his eyes.
I fucking love being here too. This is everything I’ve ever wanted. Everything I will ever need. My life is in a great place right now. I still need to fly to New York to wrap up any pending issues at Lawrence and Barnes, and also pick up my things from the apartment Simon and I shared.
Last week Dad and I finally drove to Jacksonville to meet with the client who was interested in working with BH Architects. He was looking to buy a property overlooking St. John’s river in the central business area.
Right after dinner, the girls clear the table and then focus their attention on me.
“Daddy Cole? Stay here until we come and get you.” Cora signs, squinting up at me. “We have a surprise for you.”
“Sure.” My chest warms every time t
hey call me Daddy Cole, knowing they are getting used to the idea of me being their dad.
They turn and dash upstairs without a backward glance. I smile, turning around and stroll into the kitchen. I stop at the counter, taking in the sight in front of me. Nor has added on a little more weight and she looks fucking amazing.
She’s elbow deep in bubbles, her head bowed as she washes the dishes. She has a thing for washing them by hand, even though she has a dishwasher. She says it’s relaxing and helps to sort out her thoughts.
I grab the dish towel from the counter and walk to her. Stopping behind her, I feel her body shiver with awareness, but she doesn’t turn around. I fist the tresses of hair flowing over her shoulder and lift them to the side. I press my mouth on her skin. So soft I just want to bite her, mark her. I inhale her scent deeply, and unable to help it, nip that luscious flesh with my teeth. Goose bumps pop along her arm. She leans her head back on my chest, giving me half her weight.
“You teased me,” I say, stroking my thumb against her throat. I know she’s moaning or groaning given the vibrations seeping through my fingers on her neck. I push my pelvis forward, grinding myself into her curvy little ass. “I should bend you over and fuck you right here for teasing me.”
Pink color flushes across her neck and the side of her cheek. She turns around to face me. Her mouth is parted, her quick breaths feathering my chin, and her perfect tits brushing against my chest.
She takes the dish towel from me, dries her hands, and then slings it over my neck. She tugs it a little, bringing my head close to hers and slants her face so I can read her lips. “Where are the girls?”
“Upstairs.”
She purses her lips, staring at me with those huge green eyes, which seem too big for her heart-shaped face. “Do you think we could get away with you doing that to me?”
“Do what? Fuck you?” I tease.
Her pupils dilate and her knees buckle. I use my thighs to support her weight. I’m so turned on right now, knowing that my words have that effect on her.