by Ava Walsh
Lauren came against his tongue and she moaned his name. Cole kept at her, licking and sucking as the release went on, hard and fast. He pulled away with a deep intake of breath and looked up at her from where he rested his chin against the lowest part of her body.
“I want to taste you,” Lauren whispered as his eyes widened for a moment. “I want all of you, Cole. I want you forever.”
Cole moved to his back and watched Lauren as she moved over him, taking him into her mouth. He was hard and long and Lauren moved all the way over him, taking him deeper. Cole slipped his hands into her hair and held her. He watched every movement that she made. “I love you,” Cole whispered. She moved faster. He didn’t come inside of her mouth, pulling her away before she straddled him. “Yes, Lauren. Baby, yes,” he breathed. Lauren lowered herself onto him, taking all of him inside of her as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back.
They rocked together hard with their needs taking control over them. Lauren knew that she was still sensitive from before and that she was close. She moved harder and felt him swell inside of her. They came with loud cries and jerky movements. Lauren gave into her body, feeling his warmth inside of her, and came right along with him.
She dropped beside him, breathing heavily. Her stomach hit the mattress. “Did it get better in the last few weeks?” Lauren wondered aloud. Cole chuckled.
“It’s always good, baby,” he replied and slid a hand over her back. “I just think that we fell a little harder for each other tonight.”
“Because of the wedding?” Lauren asked. He stared at her body slumped over.
“Not just that. I realized tonight that I want to be the one waiting for you to walk down the aisle. I know that you were meant for me.” Lauren lifted her head and stared at him. He smiled. “I’m not asking, not yet. Just know that you’re it for me.”
“Did you feel this way about Kelsey?” Lauren asked.
“I thought so. She was great, and we were comfortable. I thought that we’d end up married and just settling down but life wasn’t meant to work out that way.” Cole shook his head. “I hated losing her that way, I hated what it did to her family. I missed her then, and I do now, but it’s nothing compared to what I felt the night that I first saw you. It was like being shocked or something.” Cole smiled. “I’ve never had that before. I thought it was just in the movies.”
“So did I,” Lauren replied with a shy smile. “I didn’t know that you felt that way that night.”
“I didn’t want to be that guy. You’d just landed, and I know that everything was new to you out here. I thought that you looked a little mad to see me there at the house,” Cole teased her. Lauren blushed.
“I thought that Jane had set it up for you to be there. I knew about you, but I was surprised to see you.” Lauren met his eyes. “I thought you were so handsome, but I didn’t know what to say or do.”
They showered after talking for a while. They cleaned Lauren up and messed around in the shower. Then he dried her off and led her right back to bed.
They made love a few times that night to make up for the time that they’d lost. Sometimes they were sweet and slow, other times passionate and a little rough. Lauren would doze in between in his arms, and they slept in late the following morning. They could, because Cole and Adam got this weekend off.
Chapter Nine
Lauren got up first and pulled on a robe before she walked into the kitchen. She made coffee and looked outside as she always did, amazed by the view. Every morning, Lauren thanked God for bringing her here, even if it was under unfortunate circumstances. She prayed for her father in Heaven. Lauren wanted to believe that she was meant to be happy even when there had been challenges in the past.
Lauren glanced at the coffee that was brewing and looked in the fridge for something to make for breakfast. There were eggs, bacon and bread for toast and she got started, smiling. It wasn’t anything fancy, but Cole appreciated everything that she did for him and showed it every chance that he got.
She thought about the night before and stopped flipping the bacon for a second. Cole wanted to marry her down the line, and she didn’t know if she should be scared or not. She was so young, and he was her first love, but she felt like he was the one. It could work with them, so she pushed aside her worries and smiled.
“Mornin’, baby.” She glanced up to see Cole smiling at her with a pair of workout shorts slung low on his hips. “Whatcha got going on over there?”
“I thought that I’d make you breakfast,” Lauren responded as her phone rang on the counter. Cole walked over to unplug it from the charger and glanced at it with a smile.
“Jane?” she asked.
He nodded and she grabbed it with a grin. It wasn’t a long conversation, but Jane thanked her for everything that she did for her to make her wedding great. She told Lauren that they were catching their flight and that she’d see Lauren in a week and a half.
Lauren sniffled as she hung up and Cole looked up from the stove. “I can’t believe that she’s married now,” Lauren said.
They finished the food together and sat at the small bistro table by the window, looking over the land as they ate. Cole suggested going into town for the day and just walking around a bit, and she agreed with a yawn.
They left a couple of hours later, dressed in jeans and t-shirts. Cole led her to the truck and opened her door before he started the engine and headed to the main road.
They wandered around the stores and laughed together as Cole would look at this and Lauren would look at something else. He led her into a jewelry store. She stared at him and panicked a little, but laughed when he told her that he just wanted an idea of what she liked. She had fun trying on rings and they joked over the serious feelings in the air.
They moved down the street, to a couple of stores that stood side by side in a row. Lauren couldn’t stop thinking about the ring as she wandered into a pet store. She noticed a little gray kitten that was crying and trying to climb out of his enclosure.
“Oh, look at him, Cole!” Lauren exclaimed. She cradled the furry baby in her hands and lifted him to her face. “Hi, tiny guy,” Lauren cooed. Cole watched her with a smile on his face. The kitten made her miss her cat from Georgia. It had died just before her father. “He reminds me of my Stormy back…back in Georgia.”
“How about we take him home? You’re home during the day and might need a writing buddy,” Cole said. She stared at him.
“Really?” she asked and he nodded. “Oh, thank you. Thank you!”
They paid the adoption fee for the kitten and Cole bought some of the things that they’d need for him. When they were done, Lauren carried the kitten to the car carefully. “There’s a carrier for that, Lauren,” Cole teased her as she kissed the little gray nose.
“My baby needs to be held. He’s scared,” she told him and held it even closer to her body.
“I think I’m a little jealous of that cat,” Cole murmured. He unlocked the truck and put the stuff inside. He then ushered Lauren and the cat inside and drove them home, all the while taking glances at the two. They pulled into the driveway and got out, setting the cat down so they could set up the litter box and some of the toys.
Lauren sat on the floor and stared at the kitten. She was trying to come up with a name. “Not Stormy…how about Blue?”
“He’s gray, baby.” Cole looked down at them and smiled.
“Yeah, he is, but his eyes are so blue. Baby blue,” Lauren decided. She smiled up at Cole. “Thank you, Cole. I love you.”
“I love you,” he replied and he shook his head.
They stayed in to play with the kitten until they got hungry. Lauren laughed as she scrounged together chicken, potatoes and some frozen vegetables. There wasn’t much left in the fridge and she shook her head. “I think that I forgot to shop with all of the wedding stuff going on.”
“We’ll take care of that. There’s enough left for tonight,” Cole assured her and he stepped over to hel
p her. He grilled the chicken for them outside, and she cooked the other food inside, giving the kitten a little bowl of food as they ate.
They went over to Jane and Adam’s cottage to make sure that everything was fine over there and cleaned up a bit before going back to the truck.
They went to bed early and made love while Baby Blue slept on the couch. They were just finishing up when he decided to join them. Lauren giggled and snuggled up against Cole. The cat curled up above her head. “Is this what it is like to be a parent?” Lauren asked softly as she waited for his answer.
“Maybe something like having a cat.” Cole pulled her closer and kissed her. “How many kids do you want?”
“I don’t know. I never thought about it, but I think more than one. I was an only child, and there were times that I wanted a sibling. But I still feel so young,” Lauren replied as she looked at him. “How about you?”
“At least two,” Cole replied. Lauren nodded. She understood why he’d want that. He’d introduced her to his parents and his brother Thomas a couple of weeks after meeting her, and she loved them. “I like the idea of them having someone to play with.”
“Didn’t you fight with Luke?” Lauren asked. He laughed and the kitten shifted in his sleep.
“At least half the time. It drove Mama crazy, but we bonded through those times. It works out in the end,” Cole said and he closed his eyes.
“I’d imagine so,” Lauren said back. She watched him fall asleep. She stroked the kitten softly and thanked God for her life.
Lauren stayed awake for a little longer and thought about how nicely everything had worked out. This was where she was meant to be. This was home.
Chapter Ten
The week passed with Cole getting back to work and Lauren being home during the day with Baby Blue. She got a lot of work done to make up for the time she ended up taking off to help with the wedding. It was nice to just relax and work, fixing lunch when Cole stopped by during the day and dinner when he got home. They spent lazy evenings watching television and just hanging out together.
They went to the cottage the night that Jane and Adam were due back to clean it up and leave them the dinner that Lauren had cooked, along with a chocolate cake. That way, Jane and Adam wouldn’t have to get right back into real life and could relax on their own in their house. Lauren was glad that Jane was back. She’d missed her a lot.
Cole and Lauren went home and snuggled with Baby Blue, who was getting to be affectionate towards them both. He might understand that he could do no wrong in Lauren’s eyes, but the cat curled up next to Cole every chance that he got as well. It was sweet, and it got Lauren through her days with a smile.
As always, Cole left early the following morning, before the sun rose. Lauren stayed under the covers with Blue and slept a little longer. When she got up to make a fresh pot of coffee, there was a knock at the door. Lauren smiled as she ran over to open it. “Hey,” Jane said and they hugged each other. “Thanks for all of the food! It was so great to come home to!”
“Come in for coffee?” Lauren asked. Jane nodded. She looked relaxed and happy. They walked into the kitchen and Lauren poured her a cup. “How was the trip?”
“It was incredible and so different than anything I’ve ever seen before. We had a great time but Adam said he wanted to come back home to his cow town.” Jane smirked and Lauren laughed. “I have a lot of pictures that I need to sort out.”
“I can’t wait to see them,” Lauren told her as they sat at the table. “Was he bummed to go back to work?”
“I think he missed it, being the kind of guy that never misses a day and works overtime if they need him. It was great just being us somewhere else, though.” Jane looked at Lauren with a curious gaze. “How were things here?”
Blue had announced himself with a high-pitched meow before Lauren got a chance to tell Jane about him. “We have a new baby,” Lauren said. Jane gasped and stood up. She moved slowly towards the kitten before leaning down and offering her hand.
“Where and when did you get this sweet little thing?” Jane asked. She scooped Blue up in her hands and came back to the table.
“At one of those pet stores that does adoptions. We were just wandering around with no intentions of buying anything, and he cried out to me…literally.” Lauren scratched his head. “Cole paid the fee and bought some things for him, and here we are. It can be a tad annoying having a kitten, but he’s a love for the most part.”
“I need one too. Either a little kitten or a puppy,” Jane said and they both giggled. Lauren noticed a smile pass over Jane’s face and she tilted her head.
“What is it?”
Jane sipped her coffee and stared at her friend for a long moment. “I went off the pill the day of the wedding. Am I crazy?”
“Well, some would say that you’re too young and that you need to take some time being married. But I think it’s a great idea since you guys are already settled at the house and all. Why not?” Lauren rattled. Jane laughed. “So I’m going to be an aunt?”
“Not yet, but maybe soon.” Jane winked and shook her head. “I can hear the town already, but we need to do it for us. I think Adam will be an amazing daddy.”
“I agree, and you’ll be a great mom. The grandparents are going to be thrilled,” Lauren told her. Jane looked at Blue.
“I still might get a pet, though. It’s good practice right?” Lauren listened to her talk about every part of their tour and the food that they ate. They spoke of the cottage and the ranch. Lauren was happy that Jane was home and finally Jane looked at her as she poured another cup of coffee. “So I saw Kim talking to you both at the wedding. What was that about?”
“She said something about them being next. So weird!” Lauren told her. Jane shook her head.
“They were together when they were teens. That’s stupid. It wasn’t Kim that he is thinking of marrying. I believe that it might be you,” Jane said as she looked speculatively at Lauren.
“We talked about that and about his relationship with Kelsey. He told me that it wasn’t what he thought it was, not once he met me. I know that he loved her and misses her, though. I felt so insecure for the longest time, but I’m okay now,” Lauren told her. Jane smiled.
“You have no need to be insecure. The past is the past, and you are Cole’s future,” Jane assured her and Lauren nodded. “You guys looked so cute at the reception. It probably wasn’t ideal to meet everyone from town all at once, but you’ll settle in.”
Jane brought in her computer, and they worked from Lauren’s house since the kitten was there. Jane called Adam and told him to come over there for lunch as well as dinner, which the girls cooked together.
Adam was just as struck by Blue as his wife was and Lauren snuggled with Cole as she watched her friends cuddle him. Based on their expressions, they were already silently planning on having their own pet. Lauren imagined a future where Jane would hold a baby and Adam would be a father. How much would that change everything?
She let her mind wander to herself and Cole having a baby as well and it made her smile. He was already a pushover for the kitten. Would he love a baby just as much? But Lauren told herself to slow down and get married first. She was still so young. As Cole wrapped his arms tighter around her, she realized that he made her want so much more from life than ever before.
The friends talked as late as they could with the schedule of Cole and Adam in mind before the newlyweds headed home for the night. Cole helped Lauren wash dishes as Blue played with a spring in the corner of the room. “It’s good having them back,” Cole said.
“I know. I had a great day. I think we’re going to start working from here though, because of Blue. Jane’s in love with him,” Lauren told him. She looked up into his handsome face. “We’ll be cooking more.”
“Fine by me. Between the four of us, we can manage just fine,” Cole replied, setting a plate on the rack to dry. “Adam said they’re trying for a baby.”
“Yeah, Jan
e told me too,” Lauren admitted, looking at Cole. “I think it’s great.”
He kissed her and pressed her against the marble counter as his tongue moved with hers. “I do, too. They’ll be amazing parents, and we’ll get to reap the benefits…at least until it’s our turn.” Lauren smiled against his mouth. He lifted her and moved between her parted legs while he kissed her again. They didn’t make it to the bed, this time, instead losing themselves on the counter as she wrapped her legs around him.
Lauren giggled as they walked through the darkened house with Blue in her arms. “It’s cold in the bedroom, you know.”
“I think we heated things up just fine,” Cole argued and he led her into the bedroom.
Chapter Eleven
Everything went back to normal once Jane and Adam were home. The girls worked from Lauren’s a lot to keep an eye on Blue until Jane found her husky puppy, Rocky, a month later. After that, they switched up and were all pleased when they saw that the animals got along well together. Blue wasn’t an outside pet as Rocky was, but they tore through the houses playing until they both collapsed. It added a lot of excitement to their lives, and Lauren found herself happy with her life.
She got more work as a freelancer and started bringing in real money to help with the household.
It was at that point that Cole suggested buying a house. Theirs was only two bedrooms, and he thought they might need something bigger down the line. One night, Lauren saw a real estate brochure on the kitchen counter. It featured a place by Jane and Adam’s that had four bedrooms and a good yard. “Is this what got you thinking, baby?” she asking, smiling at him.
“Maybe a little. I just want more room because once we’re married, we are going to become a family,” Cole teased her and Lauren laughed. “Let’s at least take a look at it this week.”