“I respect your drive, sunshine, but your health is more important than any job.” He raked a hand through his hair and looked around the room. “I think that’s everything.”
The ache was bone deep. I hated goodbyes. “Truth?”
His gaze sliced to mine. “Always.”
I picked at a thread on my bedspread. “I’d rather go to work than be here alone.”
His chest sagged. He slammed the suitcase shut. “Natalie.”
Shit. My lashes were wet.
“Look at me.”
I did.
“We’re gonna figure this out. I promise. There isn’t another option right now. If I could stay, I’d stay. But I have a company to run. Soon, I’ll have two companies to run. And I would never ask you to leave your job.”
He didn’t need to ask. I’d already chosen. I just had to get my ducks in a row before telling him so.
“I know,” came out on a sob. “I love that about you.”
“We’ll work hard during the week. Fuck hard on the weekends. We’ll have to get creative with the phone sex, but I love a challenge.”
Oh, God. The dimples. “Me, too.”
“Do me a favor?”
“Of course.”
He smirked. “Take off your shirt.”
I obeyed.
“Your pants, too.”
Again, I obliged.
“Now sit there, just like that, and don’t move.”
“What are you up to?”
He pulled his suitcase to the door and stood, leaning against the jamb, arms crossed, taking me in, head to toe.
My room was warm, but I shivered, his assessment stripping me raw, and I wasn’t even wearing my best underwear. “What are you doing, Cole Adams?”
“Committing you to memory. It’s gonna be a long fucking week.” He scratched at his chin, dropped his gaze to the floor, then broke my heart in all the right ways. “I was so fucking scared of losing you. When you were lying on the ground, bleeding, all I could think was, please, God, if you take her, take me, too. I’ve survived burying three loved ones, but you? My heart would’ve stopped on its own. I would’ve joined you in a matter of seconds.”
His admission gutted me then filled me to overflowing with all the good things, those words better than a thousand I love yous. My eyes filled with liquid again. “Are you gonna kiss me goodbye?”
He shook his head, a slow no. “I won’t have the strength to stop.”
I watched him retreat. Waited for the ominous click of the door.
When it didn’t come, I hobbled down the hallway.
Cole stood, hand on the knob, head down. He caught me in his arms. Kissed me hard and deep. And when he’d taken his fill, he cupped my cheeks and whispered, “For the record, when we get this figured out, I want to make a thousand babies with you.”
“How about three?” I said, breath hitched.
“Deal.”
He slipped out the door.
“You’re okay?” Caleb slurred, his lips cut and bruised.
I limped his way, held his good hand, and studied his beaten face. “I’m sorry. So damn sorry. I had no idea he would…” The words caught in my throat, bitter and falling flat. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“Natalie. It wasn’t your fault.” He swallowed, coughed, then clutched his ribs, wincing. “Your boyfriend more than made up for it.”
“What do you mean?”
“He took care of the hospital bill, the damage to my apartment, replaced my car. He didn’t come to ask permission. Just to tell me he took care of everything.”
“Why would he do that?”
His working eye blinked up at me. “Said you shouldn’t have to worry. Said you’d feel like you owed me, and he wanted to carry that burden for you.”
My knees could no longer hold my weight, so I perched my hip on Caleb’s hospital bed.
“He’s a good man.” He coughed, winced. Breathed through the pain. “He’s got it bad for you.”
“I’m a little ruined for him, too.”
Caleb shifted, adjusting his broken arm. “Can I ask you something?”
I reached across the bed to help him tuck a pillow under his cast. “Anything.”
“Why are you here?”
“I don’t understand that question.”
“Why are you here and not with the man who clearly thinks you’re the sun and stars and moon.”
“Because my job. I’m a professional. I can’t just up and leave.” I was going to continue by giving him my two weeks’ notice, but he was clearly on a mission and held up his good hand to keep me from speaking.
“Love is rare, Natalie. Bank jobs are plentiful.”
A nervous laugh escaped. “Is this your polite way of asking me to leave after what happened? Oh, shit.” I sat back, faking a gasp and clasping my chest. “Am I being fired?”
“God, no. You’re an asset.” He reached for my hand, squeezing gently. “Best job decision I ever made.”
He was too easy. Clearly the guy was a romantic, and I couldn’t wait to see how this played out. “Then why this conversation? I just got this promotion. This is a huge opportunity.”
After a long pause and a deep breath, Caleb asked, “Do you love Cole?”
“Yes.”
“Do you love him more than you love Whisper Springs?”
Silly question, but I’d humor my boss. I was the reason he’d been beaten half to death, after all. “Yes.”
“Do you love him more than your apartment?”
“Of course.” I refrained from rolling my eyes.
“Do you love him more than the thrill you get landing a client, surpassing your monthly goals, or being top dog at your job?”
“Yes.” I bit my lip to contain a giggle.
Caleb’s voice lowered to a scolding father level. “Would you love him if he lived in a cardboard box under a bridge?”
“I would.” I crossed my arms, pinched my brows, and teased, “What’s your point?”
With a huff, he growled, “Do you love him more than your pride, Natalie?”
“I can’t imagine loving anyone or anything more than I love Cole.” As the words left my lips, my pulse quickened. Saying those words out loud empowered me somehow. “I love him even more than I love Barolo.”
“What?” He laughed, then winced.
Time to let him off the hook. “I appreciate your concern, Caleb. But honestly? I came here to ask a favor. Oh, and to give my notice.”
Natalie
March 1st.
My birthday.
Our birthday.
Palms sweaty, gut churning, I re-read the string of texts.
Me: I’m so sorry. I can’t get out of this business trip. They threw it at me last minute.
Cole: Fuck, sunshine. It’s our first birthday together.
Me: I tried to get out of it. You’re mad. Please don’t be mad. I’ll make it up to you next weekend.
Cole: Where’s the meeting? I’ll come to you.
Me: I’d love that, but Caleb says it’s a quick trip. We’ll be in the air most of the time.
Cole: Caleb? You’re traveling alone with Caleb?
Me: No. Mr. Sanchez, Caleb’s boss, will be there, too.
Cole: Seriously? Traveling alone with two men?
Me: Hello…business trip!
Cole: …
Me: You’re mad.
Cole: …
Lying was not my forte. Nope. And I’d suffered for my deception—four weeks of no sleep. An ulcer-like pain in my gut. Zits. Found a gray hair two days ago.
But my dark days were over. In a few short minutes, I would be free of the fib.
I stood behind the heavy red curtain, the drone of conversations filtering through and adding to my racing pulse.
“You ready, doll?” Mona asked, squeezing my sweaty hand.
“Not even a little bit,” I whispered. “Is he here? I’m too scared to look.”
“Finn promised to have him h
ere on time. Has to bring him in through the side door when the lights are down so he won’t notice all the familiar faces. You won’t be able to see him from the stage. But he’ll be in the left corner if you want to look that direction.”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“You’ll be great.” Mona kissed my cheek and then slipped away.
The spotlight fell on the stage, blinding me through the crack in the curtains. The dining room fell silent.
The bodice of my dress tightened, and I closed my eyes, drew in a slow, deep breath, then blew it out, releasing my nerves. The tiny box in my hand weighed a thousand pounds.
“Good evening,” Mona rasped. “Tonight I have a very special guest. She’s going to help me out with the first song. This is her first time on stage, so please make her feel welcome.”
The piano started. My cue. One more deep inhale, exhale. As practiced, I slipped between the heavy fabric and into the spotlight next to Mona.
She sang the first line of “Someone To Watch Over Me”, the part about love being blind.
I stood at her side, shaking harder than a chihuahua, fighting nervous tears. When it was my turn, I searched the dark to the left of the stage, hoping Cole would see on my face all that I was trying to tell him. When I sang about him being my big affair, my voice broke but, thank God, Mona stepped in until I gained my composure. She lowered her mic, and I struggled through the last verse, my chin quivering, but I managed to sing on key.
We finished the song to furious applause and whistles.
Mona stepped back into the dark, and I stood to the mic, trembling, squeezing the life out of that little box.
When the room fell silent once again, I cleared my throat and looked again to the left. “Cole Adams. According to our parents, you were the first man to ever make me smile. Apparently, I’ve loved you since the day we were born. We had a shaky start, to say the least, but…” I shook so hard my words faltered. “Oh, God.” I scratched my head. Laughed. “I had a really good speech, but I can’t remember a word. So bear with me.”
Someone whistled. Someone shouted, “You got this, girl.” More applause.
Clutching the box to my sternum, I drew a deep breath, then released my nerves in a long exhale. “Cole. You’re my one. You’ve always been my one. I want you to watch over me every day until the day we die. And I want to be the one to watch over you, too. Happy Birthday, Cole.” I held the box up in the direction where he was supposed to be seated and popped the lid. “Will you marry me?”
The audience erupted. Whoops and hollers, whistles, thunderous applause.
No Cole.
Oh, God.
No Cole.
Cole
Jesus Christ, she was beautiful. A clingy black dress hugged her curves from breasts to wobbly ankles. Her hair was pinned up at the top, long loose waves falling over her bare back, and she wore a new pair of black glasses, glamorous cat-eye frames with touches of gold. I wanted nothing more than to get her alone and help her out of that gown.
It’d be a long time before that happened.
I slipped out of the shadows and took my seat. I hated leaving her there, alone on that stage, heart on her sleeve, vulnerable, waiting for me to come to her rescue. With everything in me, I hated leaving her there.
“Fuck, I’m a jackass,” I whispered.
Finn gave my shoulder a squeeze. “You’re doing the right thing.”
Fate didn’t play fair. She’d been downright nasty in my opinion. But there was no denying, my future with Natalie was well earned. The woman on that stage had been through hell and back to be with me. She deserved the world on a silver fucking platter. She deserved a proper fucking proposal.
I had no doubt I was doing the right thing.
But shit, I hated watching her shoulders slump when she realized I wasn’t joining her.
The spotlight shut off with an audible click, leaving Natalie in total darkness. The entire house fell quiet, each and every one of our guests privy to the turn of events. All but Natalie.
When the blue light shone again on Mona, Natalie gasped.
I spread my fingers on the ivory and started to play.
Mona started the first line of “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole.
The crowd applauded.
Mona continued to croon while sauntering my way, until we were both encased by the only source of light in the room.
Natalie sobbed. Mona sat next to me and took over the keys.
Fuck, I was about to make a fool of myself, ruin a beloved song, in front of all our friends and family, and Ellis would undoubtedly record every second and use the footage to humiliate me for the rest of our lives. But goddamn, Natalie King was worth the sacrifice. My pride. My balls. Everything. Anything. Amen and thank you, Jesus.
I leaned into the mic and sang about the letter V, those five words spot-on because goddamn, our love affair was very fucking extraordinary.
My voice cracked. Singing was not my strong suit, but the evening wasn’t about talent. The performance was about Natalie and doing right by my girl.
She hadn’t moved from her spot center stage, so I joined her there, circling, throwing in a shuffle here and a sashay there, butchering the song. She laughed, though tears poured down her face.
On the last line I dropped to my knees, laid down the mic, and pulled the little blue box from my pocket.
I couldn’t hear myself talk over the roar of the audience, all of them friends and family. Natalie joined me on the floor, her steepled hands pressed to her lips, those ridiculously adorable frames sliding down her nose.
Fuck, she was gorgeous. She was everything. I gripped the side of her glasses and slid them back into place.
The audience chanted, “Nat King Cole, Nat King Cole.”
I’d practiced a speech as well.
Staring at my girl, my future, I couldn’t remember a word.
I removed the ring from the box. Pulled her hand away from her face, then slid the gold band onto her finger. I leaned close, kissed her wet lips, then whispered, “Yes, I’ll marry you. My heart is yours. Always has been. Please, please don’t break it, baby.”
Natalie
We celebrated into the early morning hours. Until I couldn’t dance anymore, cry anymore, or hug, laugh, or see straight.
Cole drove me to his home above the gym. His one-bedroom apartment where a prince of the city lived like a commoner.
We made our way up the stairs. Cole carried my shoes and held me close. Inside the apartment, he helped me out of his suit jacket and then toed of his shoes.
“Still living above the gym,” I teased, looking around the dark space.
“Got a problem with that, sunshine?” He pinned me to the door, his gaze fixed on my lips.
“I don’t.” I grazed his mouth, savoring the taste of tobacco, the Cuban he’d shared with my father. “In fact, I like it here.”
“Yeah?” He dropped his head and nibbled the top of my breast.
“I do. I love the view.”
He chuckled. “There is no view.”
I wiggled free and escaped to the window, where he pinned me once again, my back to his front, my breasts smashed against the glass. Soft kisses dotted my shoulder, eliciting a shiver.
“The view is extraordinary.” I tapped a finger on the window and pointed. “See that building?”
He lifted his head. “There’s nothing out there but buildings.”
“The silver one that’s shorter than the others.”
He slid his hands to my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. “That’s your old bank building.”
Cole thought he’d had the last laugh, hijacking my proposal party. But that soiree wasn’t my only birthday surprise. Swaying my hips against his erection, I whispered, “That’s where I work.”
His arms snaked around my waist. “Are you fucking with me right now?”
“I start next week.”
With a grunt, he flipped me around to face him
, then kissed me with all the grace of a drunk baboon. “You did that for me?”
“No. I did that because I love this apartment.” I shoved him away and made for the bedroom, trusting he’d follow. “It’s walking distance. And my favorite coffee shop is just around the corner.”
I stopped at the foot of the bed, then peeled the black, stretchy gown down, over my breasts, past my waist, my thighs, then let it fall to the floor. “I did it because there’s this gym downstairs with a really hot owner. Nothing turns me on like sweaty men with muscles.”
“Fuck, Natalie.” He leaned against the dresser, drinking me in. “You were naked under that dress this whole time?”
I looked down at my naked body and shrugged. “No room for undergarments.”
He unbuttoned his shirt cuffs. Then yanked at his tie and dropped it at his feet. “Had I known that, I would’ve thrown you over my shoulder hours ago and skipped to the end.”
He removed his shirt while he stalked closer.
“But then I wouldn’t have been able to hear you sing.” I grabbed his belt and kissed his neck while I worked the buckle, my entire body tingling with need.
“So you’re back home. For good?”
“No more long distance love affair.” God, what a great feeling.
Impatient with my trembling fingers, Cole shoved his pants to the floor and kicked them out of the way. His boxers followed.
We stood toe to toe, skin to skin, my eyes level with the cross he wore around his neck.
His chest rose and fell twice before his lips landed on my forehead and he asked, “What did I do to deserve you?”
I lifted my chin to savor his golden gaze. “We didn’t have to do anything, because you’re my destiny, remember?”
“I’ll never forget.” Heat poured from his body. “Happy birthday, Natalie.”
“Happy birthday, Cole.”
He wrapped an arm around my waist, then took my left hand in his right, and we danced in the dark room, naked as the day we were born.
Free to laugh. Free to dance. Free to love.
The End
Thank you so much for reading L.O.V.E. Thank you for sticking through the ups and downs, the pretty parts and the frustrating situations. Like life, Cole and Natalie had tough decisions to make. They stuck to their guns, and chose the paths they believed right. And because this is romance, their integrity and faithfulness paid off in the end. My wish for you, my cherished readers, is your own personal happily ever after, no matter your journey.
L.O.V.E. Page 25