It took them over an hour to piece the tree and open out the branches.
“I should have listened to Rosie and bought a real tree,” Cole sighed and he scratched him arms fiercely. “This damn thing is irritating my skin.”
“We’re nearly finished,” Ally said as she continued to work hard on the tree. “And this is better for the environment. You can use this year after year, instead of chopping down a perfectly good tree each time.”
“I hadn’t realised I had fallen in love with an eco-warrior,” Cole laughed to which Ally replied simple by sticking out her tongue and giggling.
Cole grabbed her and wrapped her in his arms before he crashed his lips into her and plunged his tongue onto her mouth, stroking her tongue with his.
“Don’t stick that tongue out,” he growled breathlessly when he released her mouth from his, and smiled. “Unless you are willing to share it.”
“I will remember that,” Ally laughed.
“It’s good to have my girl back,” Cole whispered, still holding Ally tightly in his arms. “You had me worried. Thought I was losing the girl I had fallen in love with.”
“She is still in here,” Ally reassured him with a smile. “Battered and bruised, but I am still here.”
“Good,” Cole kissed her once again, softly this time. “Now let’s get this tree finished and then we will get you something to eat.
An hour later Ally and Cole both stood back to admire the tree and the both agreed it was the most beautiful tree ever.
“Okay, don’t move,” Cole said as he suddenly rushed out of the living room, leaving a confused Ally standing alone in the middle of the living room. He return a couple of minutes later carrying a small little blue bag, Ally recognised it as a Newbridge Silver Bag, one of Ally’s favourite shops.
“I got this today,” Cole said holding it out to her. “I knew we would be putting up a tree at some point, just turned out it was tonight. But I wanted this to mark the occasion.”
Ally looked at the bag for a moment then looked back up to Cole.
“Open it,” he pushed eagerly and grinned like an excited little boy.
Ally opened the bag and pulled out a small red cardboard envelope. She opened the top and slid out the contents on to her hand. It was a Christmas tree ornament. A silver figure of Angel.
“This is gorgeous,” Ally said, holding it in the palm of her hand.
“Turn it over,” he smiled.
Ally turned it over and saw it was engraved.
‘Our first, love Cole’
“I thought as this is our first Christmas together…” he explained. Ally looked up and him and smiled. “Maybe it could be a tradition?”
“It’s perfect,” Ally replied as she wrapped her arms around his neck, then reaching up in her tippy toes, she kissed him lovingly on lips.
“You’re prefect,” he breathed against her mouth. He pulled her up into his arms and slowly navigated them to the sofa. Laying her down on in, he looked down at her and he was filled with so much love it scared him. He lowered himself down on top of her slowly.
Peppering her neck with light kisses he let his hand explore her beautiful body. He eased her pyjama bottoms off.
“Stay with me forever, Ally,” he whispered softly into her ear. “Promise me you will never leave me.”
His words took Ally breath away. What was he asking her? Before she had time to think he was sinking deep inside her. And all she could think about was how much she loved his man.
*******************************
Cole checked the clock on his office desk. It was 2 am. When Ally had drifted off to sleep, Cole had carefully slipped out of bed and quietly made his way down to his office. He needed to check his email but he also needed to talk to Nathan.
When he sat down at his desk he texted Nathan telling him to ring him as soon as he could and then he opened his emails.
His heart sank when he saw one of the emails that had been delivered into his inbox three hours earlier. He opened it and took a deep breath before he began to read it.
‘Cole
We need to talk. This is ridiculous, and ignoring me isn’t going to make this go away. We could make this work. Call me.
Steph x’
Cole slammed his lap top shut. He needed to talk to Ally. And he knew it had to happen soon.
But she was already so upset over the whole Jason thing. How could he drop this on her too?
YOU ARE AN IDIOT! He scream in his head as he buried his face in his hands. You should have been honest from the start.
Finally his phone started to ring. He picked it up and looked at the screen. It was Nathan.
“Nathan, it’s about time,” he growled in a low voice. “What happened?”
“It’s done,” Nathan confirmed what Cole had been longing to hear. “That asshole will be sore in the morning.”
“Do you think he got the message?” Cole asked.
“Oh I think a couple of cracked ribs will send the message good and clear,” Nathan laughed.
“I would have preferred to beat the crap out of that fucking psycho myself,” Cole grumbled, still angry he had let Nathan talk him out of taking care of Jason himself.
“Cole, you know Ally needs you,” Nathan replied. “You getting into trouble would do her no good. This way was better trust me.”
“Okay,” Cole sighed. “Thanks, Nate.”
“Anytime, buddy,” Nathan replied.
Cole made his way back to his bedroom and a sleeping Ally. As he slipped into the bed next to her she sighed deeply and instinctively she rolled to him, even in her sleep she wanted him.
He pulled her into his arms and held her close to him. He gentle kissed her forehead and whispered. “You have one less this to worry about my gorgeous girl,” he sighed before he added. “Just hope you love me enough to understand what I have to tell you.”
Chapter 19
Ally spent the next couple of days in Cole’s house and gradually she began to feel a little more at home. Cole dropped her to and from work but Ally didn’t mind at all.
Ally was relieved she hadn’t heard or seen Jason since the episode with the car but still she was nervous and unable to completely relax.
She felt a little uncomfortable at work. Almost like she was in a goldfish bowl. She knew everyone was watching. Especially Gus and Sid.
Gus asked her repeatedly if she was okay and if Jason had been in touch. She was begin to feel suffocated and smothered.
The only bright spot in her days were the text messages from Cole. Ally knew he was checking up on her too but for some reason it didn’t seem to bother her as it did with everyone else. In fact it made her feel good that he cared so much.
On Wednesday after work, Cole took her back to Dr. Dan's to have her stitches removed and he was please her wrist was healing well.
On the Thursday when Cole came to collect her from work he was in a playful mood. When she walked through the door of the garage, she spotted him was leaning up against the car, with both his legs and his arms cross.
Then she noticed he was alone. There was no Liam. When she reached him, he stood up straight and instantly pulled her into an embrace.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered as he gentle nibbled on her ear lobe. He rocked into her and she could feel just how much he missed her already. “I can’t wait to get you home.”
“Easy hot stuff,” Ally laughed. “What has gotten into you this evening?”
“Nothing has gotten into me,” he grinned. “Can’t a guy miss his girl?”
He kissed her on the mouth, hard and Ally’s heart began to race instantly. He turned them both around and pressed her against the car, pressing himself up against her, making she had no doubt just how much he wanted her.
“Cole! “ Ally said breathlessly, breaking free from his embrace. “We can’t do this here. Anyone could be watching.”
Cole sighed. He wondered if she meant Jason and he hated she was still so nervo
us about him. He wanted to tell her that Jason had been dealt with, but he thought it was better she didn’t know about Nathan’s little visit to Jason. He would just have to allow her time to relax again.
“Let’s get you home,” he said and kissed her once more before he opened the car door for her, closing it once she was inside. He hurried to the driver’s side and climbed in. He glanced over at Ally and smiled as he started the car. She returned his smile but it didn’t quite reach her eyes and Cole couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
He wanted her to feel happy and safe, but he knew she was struggling. He thought about the fact he was going to London the next day and he wondered if leaving her was the best thing to do.
Ally glanced over at Cole and she could see he was deep in thought. She wondered what was going through his mind. She hated the thought it might be the horrible situation with her and Jason. She cringed at the fact that this amazing, gorgeous guy, has been left to pick up the pieces of her disastrous love life. She released a deep sigh and slumped further down into the car seat.
“Hey,” Cole said, quickly glancing over at her. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” she lied. “It’s just been a long day.” She smiled at Cole reassuringly. She decided there and then she was not going to be the needy, whiny girlfriend anymore. That was never her before and she’d be damned if that was going to be her now. They drove the rest of the journey home in comfortable silence. Each lost in their own thoughts.
Rosie had their dinner ready for them when they got home, and for the first time in days Ally had her appetite back. She devoured every bit of the linguine Rosie had prepared.
“So I was thinking” Cole said as he took a sip of wine. He had suggested opening a bottle with dinner. “I would really like you to come to London with me.”
Ally put down her knife and fork, then look up at Cole. He was looking at her expectantly, a half smile on his lips.
“Cole, I already told you I can’t,” Ally replied calmly, she glanced over at Rosie who was cleaning around the kitchen. “I have work tomorrow. And I have the spa day on Saturday with Hannah and Caitlin.”
“I am sure Gus won’t mind you taking the day off.” Cole replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “And I am also sure the girls won’t mind you bailing, given everything that has gone on recently.”
“But I mind,” Ally answered honestly, trying to hide her frustrations but failing. “This has been planned for ages now. I am not blowing my friends off because of Jason or anything else for that matter.”
“Ally, I don’t want you here alone,” Cole stated, his eyes meeting hers. Ally knew he meant business but then, so did she.
“I’ll be fine,” Ally insisted.
“No, you won’t!” Cole replied a little more sharply. Ally once again quickly glanced over at Rosie who froze at Cole tone too. She glanced over at Ally and smiled at her reassuringly before she discreetly left the kitchen and left them alone. “Ally, you are a nervous wreck because of that lunatic”
“Yes, I am on edge,” Ally agreed trying hard to keep herself calm. “But I am not letting him rule my life. I will give no man that power over me. I’ve told you this before.”
“Is that what you think I am trying to do,” he asked, looking like she had slapped him in the face.
Ally sighed and rubbed her eyes hard. She felt exhausted.
“No,” she finally said. “I am just saying I will be fine. You really have to trust that I know what is best for me. I am not stupid.”
“Fine!” he snapped suddenly standing up. “I am only trying to keep you safe. But you are right. You know what’s best for you!”
Without another word he walked towards the kitchen door leaving Ally sitting at the table, speechless. Then he stopped suddenly at the door and turned back to Ally,
“I would never try to control you,” he said looking her straight in the eye. “Nor would I have hurt you. I am not Jason... Nor your Dad,” he added as he walked out of the room.
“Cole,” Ally called after him, but he didn’t stop or turned back. Ally knew her remark had hurt him but she had said it now and there was nothing she could do to take it back. She sighed and buried her face in her hands, her elbow supported by the kitchen table. What the hell had just happened?
“Are you okay, my dear?” Rosie asked, surprising Ally. She had no idea where she had come from.
“I’m okay,” Ally sighed looking up at Rosie and smiling.
“Oh dear,” Rosie said sitting down next to Ally, “That bad huh?”
“I know he’s worried,” Ally sighed, not really knowing why she felt compelled to share with the older woman. “But he needs to trust my judgement.”
“You know, I have known Cole since he was a little boy,” Rosie replied and smiled. “I used to work for his folks. I was all set to retire when he asked me to come to Ireland with him. It was only supposed to be for a few months. He was a very lonely man and I agreed because I knew he needed someone looking out for him.”
“He means a great deal to you,” Ally smiled, happy Cole had someone else who loved him as much as she did.
“He is the son I never had,” Rosie replied. “I know it isn’t my place. But he really does love you. I have never seen him so happy or content. I know he can be pushy but he means well.”
“I know he does.” Ally sighed and took a deep breath. “But I need him to trust I know what is best for me.”
“Then tell him that,” Rosie smiled and patted her softly on the hand before she stood up. “Tell him just how you feel.”
Ally stood up too and smiled at Rosie before she turned and went in search of Cole.
She got to his office, which was through a door just off the living room. It was slightly ajar but she knocked softly and waited for a response.
“Come in,” he growled from inside the room. Ally took a deep breath before she nervously opened the door.
“Hey,” she said softly, as she stepped through the door. Cole didn’t look up from his paper work and Ally’s heart sank. She took a couple of tentative steps towards him. He was angry and she knew she had to tread carefully because she had no idea what his reaction would be. “Cole, I’m sorry.”
“Are you?” he asked finally looking up from his paperwork. “Ally, I am not your father and I am not Jason. I know I sounded pushy about you coming to London, but it’s just I am terrified if I go I won’t be able to protect you.”
“I know that,” Ally replied slowly closing the distance between her and Cole. When she got to his side she knelt down next to him and locked her eyes with his. Her heart almost broke when she saw the sadness that was clearly etched in his eyes. She reached up and softly stroked his face. “I know you are only trying to take care of me. And it makes me love you all the more.”
He leaned into her hand and softly kissed her wrist.
“But if this is going to work,” she continued cautiously. “You need to trust that I know what I am doing.”
“Ally, I trust you completely,” he replied, dead pan. “It’s Jason I don’t trust.”
“I know” she said as she leaned up on her knees and kissed him softly.
“Will you stay here while I am gone?” he said, taking her hand in his and then pressing it to his mouth. “It will just be tomorrow night, I will be back on Saturday night just like I promised. I’ll meet you at the party.
“I’ll stay here,” Ally promised without hesitation. “It won’t be the same here without you, but at least I will feel safe.”
“Good,” he smiled and leaned forward to kiss her tenderly on the lips. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered against his mouth. “I am going up for a shower, don’t suppose you would like to come and scrub my back?”
“As tempting as that sounds,” Cole grinned. “I need to get this paper work finished.”
“Aw, that really is a shame,” Ally playfully pouted and Cole laughed.
“I will be about
another hour,” Cole replied. “How about I come find you then and I will give you the best back massage you have ever had.
“Deal.” Ally smiled as she stood up and kissed Cole one last time before she headed for the door smiling to herself. She had a plan of her own. And an hour was just enough time to get everything she needed ready. She went in search of Rosie. There was a couple of things she needed to gather together.
************************************
A little over an hour later, Cole climbed the stairs and approached his bedroom. He could hear soft music playing through the door. When he opened the door he stopped dead in his tracks.
The room was filled with flickering candles and there standing next to the wardrobe door, dressed in her black Louboutin, thigh high fish net stockings, and a black lace bra with matching thong, was possible the most perfect creature he had ever seen. She was truly breath-taking.
“Wow!” was all he could say as Ally slowly approached him, her eyes locked firmly with his. He could feel himself harden and strain against his trousers as his breath quickened, desire coursed through his veins like a steamroller.
“Wow, yourself,” she said confidently as she pressed her hand against his crotch. “I see you approve.”
“I do indeed,” he gave her a wicked grin and reached out to touch but she swatted his hand away.
“No, no,” she purred as she slowly walked around him gently running her hand from his erection to his back side and softly gave it a squeeze. “No, we are going to do this slowly. And you will behave.”
Cole smiled to himself. He loved just how confident she sounded. He remembered the first time they were together in her apartment and just how reserved and self-conscious she was. She had come a long way in such a short time.
He dropped his hands back to his side, although the temptation to grab her and throw her down on his bed was so powerful inside him, he resisted. This was her game and he was happy to play.
She stood in front of him once again and reached up and undid his tie, slipping it slowly from his neck and letting it drop to the floor. Then, as she met his stare, she reached up and began to unbutton his shirt. He fisted his hands at his side to keep from touching her; the desire to do so was so strong it was almost killing him.
No Second Chances Page 20