by Wendy Smith
“Don’t worry about staying out late,” Rosalyn calls.
I laugh. “I’m sure we won’t.”
“Bye, Mommy.” Kaia runs to the door and hugs Brooke’s leg. “Daddy.”
I pick her up, balancing her on my hip. “How’s my girl?”
“Can I come with you?”
I shake my head. “Not this time. We’re going to a grown-up restaurant. But next time, I’ll take you to McDonald’s. Just don’t tell your mother.”
“She’s right here, silly.” She laughs.
I kiss her on the nose. “Be good for Rosalyn, and I’ll see you really soon. I promise.”
For a moment, I look to the heavens and pray she’ll be good. I’m not sure how much Brooke can take if Kaia acts out.
“Okay, Daddy.” She sighs, but doesn’t complain when I drop her back down.
“Love you.”
She blows me a kiss, and I can’t help but grin.
I take Brooke’s hand, and she gives Kaia and Rosalyn one final wave before we leave.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“There’s a small Italian restaurant I wanted to try out. And I know you love spaghetti and meatballs.”
The corners of her mouth twitch. “You remembered.”
“I remember a lot more about you than you probably realize.”
“I wish I remembered what happened before the accident.” We’re not even at the elevator yet, and her eyes are swimming with tears.
“I know. You will.”
Mike told me about this place. It’s romantic with soft lighting, and quiet. I’m not sure how he knows about it. It doesn’t sound like his kind of restaurant. But I appreciated the recommendation.
“Apparently the food is amazing,” I say.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Brooke grins.
The more time we spend together, the more she wants to remember. I guess that’s a good sign either way. If the memory of us comes back, she might also get answers as to who was after her that night. Then, maybe we can put all this behind us.
The waitress shows us to a table and gives us a menu each. I order two plates of spaghetti, a beer, and a lemonade as requested by Brooke.
I reach for Brooke’s hand.
“You can ask me anything, you know. That’s what tonight is about,” I say.
She sucks in her bottom lip, then releases it. “How did we end up back together?”
“I hired an investigator to track you down. Dad didn’t tell me where you were. And you didn’t trust me at first. Especially where Kaia was concerned.”
She nods. “I understand that.”
“But you gave me an inch. And I proved myself, and showed you just how much I love you.”
Her expression softens. “Cole.”
“It’s true. I know you don’t want to hear it, but I love you. And you love me. You just need to remember.”
Her eyes turn sad. “I’m sorry I don’t remember.”
“You will in time. I know it. Things were really different between us. We connected on a whole other level to what we did when we were younger.”
“It wasn’t all that long ago.”
I shake my head. “No. It feels like a lifetime since then, though.”
The waitress brings the drinks to the table, and nods at me. “Your meal isn’t far away.”
“Thank you,” I say.
When it arrives, the helpings are so generous that we could have had a plate between us. Brooke’s eyes light up.
“Hungry?”
“Starving. The baby wants it.”
I laugh. “You used to say that with Kaia.”
“I didn’t even know you noticed.” She frowns. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it came out.”
“You didn’t feel appreciated by me. I know that.”
She nods.
“This was something else we realized. Back then our communication was awful. Turns out we’ve both improved in that respect.”
Her lips twitch. “Me more than you.”
“You are in so much trouble when we get home.” I laugh.
She licks her lips as if hesitating to say the next sentence. “I hope so.”
My mouth falls open. “You did not say that.”
“I think I did.” The light is low, but she’s blushing.
I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable, so I look at the giant plates of food. “We should eat before our food gets cold.”
“Yes, boss.”
I laugh. “You’re being very flirtatious.”
“I like being out with you. We didn’t get to do this before.”
“Before?”
“Before Kaia.”
I nod. “I like being out with you too.”
We talk all evening, reminiscing about the past, never touching on the future. Who knows what that will bring?
I drive her home, and it’s with great reluctance that we stop outside her apartment.
I hate that we’re at her door.
I hate that I’m saying good night.
I hate everything about this.
But I’ll do whatever I have to do.
Brooke sucks in her top lip. I want to kiss her so badly it hurts. She’s right there and untouchable.
“Well, good night,” I say.
She pauses. “Are you going to kiss me good night?”
“Sure.” I lean in and peck her on the cheek.
“I was thinking a bit more than that.” Her hot breath is near my ear, and my cock stirs.
“You want me to kiss you kiss you?”
She nods. “Maybe it’ll help trigger a memory. I don’t know. I’m desperate.”
I lick my lips, cupping her face in my hands.
“It’s not just about my memory. I want you to kiss me,” she whispers.
There’s need in her eyes. I’m not sure if it’s for me or part of her search for the past.
I start the kiss gently, sweeping my tongue across the seam of her lips. They part, and I probe her mouth. I’m slow at first. She moans. Unsure of how much she wants, I pull away.
“Keep going.” She’s breathless. I don’t know if this is helping her memory, but it feels so good. It feels like I’m home again.
This time, I plunder her mouth. Placing my palm in the middle of her spine, I pull her hard into me. If she wants to be kissed, I can at least make it one to remember.
I’ve missed her so much.
When the kiss comes to an end, she looks at me with wide eyes. Without asking, I drop my focus to her jaw, peppering it with kisses before gently sucking on her neck.
She gasps. “Cole. Stop.”
I pull away. “Do you really want me to stop?”
She shakes her head. “No. But you should. This is a little too much.”
“Did kissing me help?”
Brooke shrugs. “It was nice. Really nice.” Tears form in her eyes. “It just made me want to remember even more.”
“You were hesitant about us to start with last time. I don’t blame you for that. And I’m sorry if I got a little carried away, but I miss you so much.”
She nods. “I know. I liked it. I told you to stop because this is still all confusing. It’s like living in a fog sometimes.” Brooke places her hands in mine. “I do want us to be together, and I want us to be a family. But I need to take it slow.”
My heart swells. We’re so close, and as frustrating as it is, I’ll do whatever she wants. “I understand. You get inside and give Kaia a hug and kiss for me. I’ll pick you up from work tomorrow night.”
She smiles. “I’d like that.”
After a peck on the cheek, I go.
I hate this.
When I get home, I take out the large plastic sheets I bought and cover the floor, moving the bed to the feature wall side of the room.
Setting up the roller, I crack open the can of pale pink paint. Kaia’s going to love it. She can have her feature wall on one side, and I’ll paint the other three walls.
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I paint until the sun peeps through the curtains, then stand in the center of the room, looking around. I’ve still got more to do, and once it’s dry it’ll need another coat.
I drop the roller into the tray and sigh. It’s time to have a shower and a coffee, and get to work. Today will be long, but the thought of my little girl’s smile makes it all worth it. This has to be perfect.
By midday, I’m yawning.
“Another late night?” Mike asks.
I nod. “I’m having trouble sleeping. I took Brooke out to dinner last night and we talked, but I still have to say good night at the end of the evening and go home alone.”
“Painting out your sexual frustration?”
“How did you know I was painting?”
“There’s a blob of pink paint on the back of your hand.”
I look and laugh. “Guess I missed that. I’m still decorating Kaia’s room.”
“That little girl is gonna live in a palace by the time you’ve finished.”
“She deserves one. The past few years have been hard on her and her mother.”
“I hope you’re still up for tonight.”
“What’s tonight?”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Company function.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. With everything that’s been going on, I completely forgot about our work drinks. Some of my biggest clients will be there, and I can’t afford to miss it. Not when my mind hasn’t exactly been on work lately. “Shit.”
“Got your suit?”
I nod. “I’ll just have to go home and get changed.”
Mike sits on the couch. “How are things going with Brooke?”
“Better. How are things going with Liz?”
“She’s coming as my date tonight.”
I grin. “I’m impressed.”
Mike sighs. “Seeing you with all you’re dealing with … maybe it’s time I tried something serious again.”
“That’s a big step for you.”
“I’m just following your lead.” He grins.
“Brooke wants us to be family, but she doesn’t want to rush.”
Mike leans forward. “That’s a good start.”
“Kaia started playing up when I’m not around. She got so wound up crying for me after I dropped them home the other night.”
He frowns. “Is she okay?”
I shake my head. “It’s forced us both to look at what we’re doing to her. I mean, we’re dealing with all this grown-up stuff that Kaia can’t comprehend. All she knows is that she had her father back in her life, and then she didn’t see him for weeks. No wonder she’s clingy.”
“Hopefully things will settle down a bit now if you and Brooke are seeing each other more often.”
“I hope so.”
Work finishes at five, but I’ve got paperwork to catch up on and don’t get out until six thirty. The function isn’t until eight thirty, so I’ve got time to swing past the bar first. Brooke will already be at work, and I want her to know I’m not just skipping out on her for the night.
She smiles as I walk in the door.
“You’re here early.” She pecks me on the cheek.
“I’m here to tell you that I forgot I have a work thing tonight. I wish I’d remembered earlier because you could have come with me.”
“Next time.”
I look over at Craig. “Can you please walk Brooke home tonight? I’ve got this business function I have to go to, and I don’t know if I’ll be finished in time. They tend to go really late.”
He nods. “Sure.”
Brooke rolls her eyes. “I’ll be fine, guys. I appreciate your concern, but …”
“I’m not putting you at risk again. And I’m not apologizing for being overprotective.”
She stabs at my chest with her index finger. “That’s fine, because I kind of like it.”
I press a kiss to her lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Give Kaia a hug for me.”
“I will. She’s with Rosalyn for the night having a sleepover with Ros’s grandchildren.”
“So you have the night to yourself? Nice.” I grin. “I could swing by later?”
“I’ll be asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. It’s been a long week.”
I chuckle. “Fair enough. Love you.”
She gives me a small wave. I hate leaving. Things have shifted between us, and I want so desperately to build on that.
I drive home to change, smiling as I pass Kaia’s room. Maybe I can convince Brooke to come and spend the weekend with me. I want her to start seeing the house as our home, and I can’t wait to show Kaia the changes to her room.
Checking the time, I go straight to the bedroom. It’s been a while since I dressed up this much. I usually wear a suit to work, but this is black-tie formal.
As I’m pulling everything I need out of the wardrobe, a small box falls from a shelf. I suck in a breath. It’s the box I put my wedding ring in. When I thought Brooke was gone and wanted nothing to do with me, I took my ring off and hid it away. Now, I push open the box and lift out the gold ring.
At nineteen, wearing it felt weird and awkward. Now it feels right. Like I should never have taken it off.
I smile, grab my shirt and jacket, and close the door.
Next event like this, I’ll have my wife on my arm. I can just see the joy she’d have dressing up for the night and then, of course, I’d get to peel her dress off afterward.
It leaves me thinking of the night we conceived Kaia, and the dress Brooke’s mother paid for. It seemed to take forever to get her out of it, I was that careful not to tear it. She looked ethereal that night, and it was as if there was a spell cast over me.
I screw my face up at the thought of wrecking everything.
That’s in the past, and we’re moving forward again.
Things can only get better from here.
The room is crowded. It’s the richest of the rich in here, and there’s plenty of alcohol on tap. By the end of the night, this is going to be messy.
I’m going to stick to water. I’d rather have a clear head.
“Cole.” Barrett, my biggest client, walks toward me. He’s got a huge smile on his face, and a tall blonde on his arm. “Darling, this is the man who’s helped me go from being rich to being very rich this year. Cole, this is my wife, Alana.”
“Nice to meet you.”
She casts her gaze down to my hand where my wedding ring shines. “Is your wife here?”
I shake my head. “No, she couldn’t make it.”
“Pity.”
As they walk past me, she runs her index finger over my shoulder blade. I roll my eyes. I’ve heard there’s a bit of that sort of thing that goes on at these parties. But there’s no way I’m taking part.
I can’t wait until tonight is over.
13
Brooke
I love Cole. I can’t help it.
Memory or not, I’m falling for him again. He hasn’t missed a step, and he’s trying so hard to show me how much he wants me. Wants us.
It’s close to midnight, and the last patron just left. I’m helping Craig clean up and then I’m going home to sleep.
“Damn it.”
Two words.
That’s all it takes.
I freeze. Something breaks through the fog. Pinned to the table, fighting off hands on my waistband. The button on my shorts.
Turning, I stare at Craig wide-eyed. If he’s noticed, he’s not said anything, but he’s picking up broken glass from the floor.
“Lucky no one trod on this.” He looks up. “What’s wrong?”
I take a step back.
“Brooke?” His expression falls. “Shit.”
“I’m just tired. I’ll be glad to go home.” I force a smile.
“You know.”
“I know what?” My voice shakes, and I know he knows that I know.
He drops the piece of glass back onto the floor and lunges for me. There’s no time to get away. He g
rabs my arms and forces me up against the wall. His hot breath is on my neck, and I grimace as I feel his erection through his pants. He’s getting off on this.
“I thought you were dead at first. Then I found out you lost your memory, and I knew I had another chance. But once again, that ex of yours hangs around like a bad smell.”
Cole.
“We’ve been growing close, Brooke. I just need a little more time for us.”
I can’t push him off. He’s too strong. “There is no us.”
“But there could have been. And then when I tried to take what was mine, you freed yourself of him only to get tied up with him again.”
Tears pour down my cheeks. “Cole’s my husband.”
“You fucked that other guy. That boyfriend you had when I first met you. Cole meant nothing to you then.” His weight is pressed against me, and he slips his hand down between us.
“Let’s see if this button’s a bit more co-operative this time.”
My heart’s in my throat. I can’t move. He’s trapped me against the wall, and I can’t stop shaking in fear. I suck in air, but it feels like it’s going nowhere. My breathing accelerates. I’m going to hyperventilate.
I gasp as his weight disappears.
“What the fuck?” Cole’s fist slams into Craig’s cheek. Craig staggers, and Cole hits him again. There’s the longest moment in all of history as seconds pass, and Craig hits the floor hard.
I throw myself at Cole, flinging my arms around his neck as he holds me tight.
“It was Craig,” I whisper. “He attacked me here, but I got away.”
“Did you remember?”
“Kind of. There are bits. Enough for me to work it out.”
“I’m calling the police while he’s out and I’ve got an eye on him.” He gives me a kiss on the cheek and pulls his phone out of his pocket. I cling to him while he dials emergency services, my eyes never leaving Craig.
This whole time. All these weeks. He was right under my nose.
My head spins and my knees weaken, but Cole holds me up.
“I’ll call Marcus too. Where’s your phone?” Cole asks.
“In my bag out the back.”
“Go and get it.”
I walk around Craig, and run to the back room. Craig’s still down as I come back out, and in the distance, I hear sirens.