Inside, he slowly reached out and pulled her closer to him and position them both under the cascading water. She rested her head against his chest and listened to his heart beat as he gently ran his fingertips up and down her back.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered, as he softly pressed his lips to the top of her head. “I miss my girl, please tell me she is in there somewhere.”
Ally didn’t reply at first. Instead she titled her head up, her eyes searching for his. When she found them, she could feel the same familiar pull she always felt when she look him in the eyes. It was as if they could see into each other’s soul.
“I’m still here,” she whispered as she reached up and pressed her lips against his. For a moment his lips barely responded, almost like he was unsure of what he should do. But he could resist her no longer.
He pressed his lips against hers harder. She slowly deepened his kissed, opening her mouth, allowing him the access he so desperately longed for. His tongue slowly danced with hers.
She gentle pressed her body against his as the feeling of fear and uncertainty inside was replaced with desire and need. She knew he was struggling; trying hard to stop his body from reacting to hers the way it always did.
She hesitated for a moment, but being driven by a need to feel anything other than the hollow, emptiness she had felt for the last three days. She pressed her hips into him and wiggled them a little. She felt him instantly harden beneath her touch.
“Ally, sweetheart,” Cole said breathlessly. “You don’t have to do that. I just want to hold you.”
“I know,” she replied snaking her hand down and taking his now rock hard length in her hand, stroking it gently. “I need this. I need you. Please help me feel something more than this emptiness.”
He stared down at her for a moment, and considered want she’d just asked. He wanted her so much but he wanted her to do this for the right reasons.
“Please, Cole,” Ally said her eyes searching his for an answer. “Make love to me.”
“Do you trust me, Ally?” Cole whispered as he softly stroked her face with his fingertips.
“Of course I trust you,” she looked at him in confusion, “I love you.”
“Then trust me when I say, this isn’t the right way,” he said softly as he pressed his forehead to hers and looked deep into her eyes.
“You don’t want me anymore,” Ally was barely audible. “Because of Jason.”
“God, Ally how could even think that?” Cole said bending his legs so he was level with her eyes. “I want you right now more that you could possible know. But I want more than to just make love to you. I want to show there is more to love than just sex. Let me love you, Ally.”
Ally stared at Cole for a moment, tears dancing in her eyes. She blinked hard and forced them back but they broke free and slowly trickled down her face, getting lost among the droplets of water on her cheeks.
“Trust me,” he whispered as he softly press his lips to hers.
First he reached for the shampoo and instructed Ally to turn around. He squeezed some shampoo onto his hand and gently massaged it into her hair. Ensuring he gathered up every loose strand of hair, he softly message her head.
Once he rinsed out all the suds, he reached for the body wash. He squeezed some on his hands, pausing for a moment before he began to softly massaged her back, inching his hands lower, reaching her backside he softly message the body wash into her skin. Slowly he dropped to his knees, picked up the body wash and, squirting more on his hands, he washed each of her legs and then her feet.
He took a deep breath before he asked her to turn to face him. Still on his knees he looked up to her face when she turned to face him. He smiled up at her and she rewarded him with a heart melting smile, tears dancing in her eyes.
Slowly he worked his way up each of her legs, softly and lovingly rubbing each one, building up a soapy lather. His eyes fell to the fading scratch marks at the top of her thigh. His gently massaged them with his fingers, taking extra care to be careful not to hurt her. When he was done, he slowly leaned forward and pressed his lips against her thigh. Wishing he could simply kiss her pain away.
He stood back up before her, and once more squeezing body wash on his hands. He carefully placed his hands on her shoulders and began to massage her chest, softly he ran his hand over her breasts and down on onto her stomach.
Reaching back up, one by one, he worked his way down her arms running his hands down each one until he reached each of her bruised wrists. Softly he massaged each one then brought them to his mouth, and pressed his lips them.
“All done,” he said with a smile as he reached for the taps and switched off the water. He opened the shower door and reached for one of the white fluffy bath towels and wrapped it tightly around her, pulled her to him and wrapped her tightly in his arms.
“I love you, Ally, “Cole whispered as he kissed the top of her head. “I love you more than you could ever know.”
Once they stepped out of the shower he carefully dried every inch of her body, all the time his eyes never left hers.
When he was finished drying her, they stood before each other completely naked. Their eyes locked with each other’s, both their breathing slightly altered.
Ally gave Cole a smile, telling him everything he longed to hear. Taking her by the hand, he led her back to the bedroom and to his bed. Lowering her down onto his bed. He gently lowered himself over her, slipping in between her legs. He softly pressed his lips to her and he gently eased himself into her. Ally cried out and he filled her slowly.
“This is love, Ally,” he breathed against her mouth as he tenderly rocked in and out of her. Kissing her again as their bodies moved slowly in time with each other, until, almost as one, they both cried out in unison as they reached the edge of pleasure and finally tipped over the edge.
“I love you, Ally Brody,” he said breathlessly as he kissed her once again. “Promise me you will never forget that.”
“I promise,” she replied
********************
Cole had picked out some clothes for Ally and left them set out on the bed. She slipped on her jeans and the black, long sleeve he had chosen. Ally smiled because she knew he chose that top because it cover her wrists which were still bruised, and he knew Ally was self-conscious about it.
“Are you ready?” he asked when he emerged from the closet and looked at Ally expectantly.
“Ready for what?” Ally asked as the butterflies of nerves took flight in her stomach.
“Well, it’s six days till Christmas,” Cole explained. “And you still haven’t put up your grandmother’s tree.”
“I can’t go around there!” Ally exclaimed as the panic took hold of her. “They’ll start asking me questions.”
“You’ll be fine,” Cole reassured her as he walked to her and took her by the hands. “Your lips is fine. The bruises have faded enough to be hidden with make-up. And your sleeves will cover your wrists. Ally, you can’t hide out here for ever. I think your grandparents will notice if you don’t turn up. You can do this.”
“What if they notice the bump,” Ally asked, still not fully convinced.
“You’re a mechanic,” he smiled. “You spend the day with your beautiful head buried under the hood of a car. Haven’t you ever moved in the wrong direction and come off the worse of a collision with the hood?”
“I guess I have,” Ally nodded.
“If they noticed,” Cole continued. “Tell them that.” Ally stared at him for a moment as she consider what he said. Finally she smiled and nodded.
“Okay,” she smiled and kissed him.
“Besides,” he added and laughed. “I’ll be with you, which will give them something else to think about.”
“True,” Ally agreed and kissed Cole again. “Thank you.”
A little over an hour later, Cole and Ally pulled up outside Ally’s grandparents. Cole looked over at Ally and gave her a reassuring smile as she took a deep s
teadying breathe.
“It’s gonna be fine,” he reached over and squeezed her hand. “I will charm the pants off them.”
Ally laughed at what he said and leaned over and kissed him before she unbuckled her seat belt and climbed out of the car.
Cole followed her to the door and, although he wouldn’t admit it to Ally, he was a bundle of nerves. Ally’s grandparents were the most important people in her life. He really wanted them to like him.
Ally slipped her key into the locked and opened the door.
“Nan,” she called as she stepped through the door. Cole nervously stepped in behind her. Ally turned to him and it was her turn to give him a reassuring smile.
“Relax, they will love you,” she whispered, “Because I love you.”
“Ally, pet,” her Nan called from the kitchen. “Is that you sweetheart?”
Before Ally could reply the kitchen door opened and her grandmother appeared. She smiled lovingly at Ally, but then a look of surprise filled her face when she spotted Cole, then she smiled warmly at him.
“I take it you are Cole?” Nan said as she wiped her hands in her apron before she offered it to Cole. “Ally has told me a great deal about you.”
Ally had rang her grandmother the day after their night in The Four Seasons, telling her she was bringing someone with her for Christmas dinner. Nan was surprised but as always just replied “the more the merrier.”
“It’s lovely to finally meet you, Mrs Brody,” Cole said taking the old lady’s hand and shaking it carefully. She was so tiny and fragile looking, Cole was afraid he might hurt her.
“Oh, please,” Molly laughed. “Call me Molly. Mrs Brody was my mother-in-law and she was an old tyrant.”
Cole burst out laughing. He instantly loved this old woman and could see just why she meant so much to Ally.
Nan led them into the kitchen and put on the kettle for a cup of tea.
“So why aren’t you at work?” she asked Ally as she took in every inch of her granddaughters face. “There is something wrong. You look like you have lost weight. Has something happened?”
“No, Nan,” Ally lied. “I am fine. Gus owed me a day off, so Cole and I thought we would drop by and do the tree.”
“I see,” Nan replied not fully convinced. “What happened your head?”
“I banged it off the hood of a car the other day,” Ally said without missing a beat. “Looks worse than it is.”
Nan looked at her granddaughter for a moment but said nothing else.
She was just finished making tea when the front door opened and Pops came strolling down the hallway.
“Who owns the posh car outside?” he asked as he made his way to the kitchen. His face lit up when he saw Ally.
“Ah, Ally, love,” he said as he made his way to his granddaughter and kissed her on the cheek. “What has you here on a work day?”
“I was owed a day off,” Ally replied. “Pop, I would like you to meet Cole. Cole, this is my Pop.”
Pop finally registered the man sitting at his kitchen table and took in every bit of him as he looked him up and down as Cole stood to greet him.
“Good to meet you, sir” Cole said holding out his hand. Pop took Cole’s hand and shook it firmly.
“You too, son,” Pop replied and added. ”Please, call me Tom. Please take a seat.”
Cole and Pop seemed to hit it off straight away. Nan was very taken with Cole, too, but she watched Ally constantly. She knew her granddaughter well enough to know something had upset her. But she could see very clearly is wasn’t Cole.
In fact she was delighted to see just how much her granddaughter loved this young man and it was clear to her that Cole felt the same way about Ally.
Ally had finally met The One.
It was after eight when Ally and Cole said their goodbyes. Before they left, Nan told Ally the tree was beautiful and was even nicer than the year before and Cole couldn’t help but smile. She said it just like Ally told him she would.
When they climbed into the car Ally looked over at Cole and smiled. A really and truly happy smile.
“Thank you for today,” she said unable to wipe the silly grin from her face.
“You are welcome, my gorgeous girl,” Cole leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Good to have you back.”
Chapter 24
Over the next few days Ally returned more and more to her old self. Cole was actually pleased when she got up on the Friday and said she wanted to go back to work. He was still a little nervous about her being out if his sight but he knew he could not lock her away for ever.
He was also sure Jason had gotten the message loud and clear this time. He was relieved when he hadn’t heard a thing from him or the police. Nathan warned Cole that Jason could press charges, but Cole didn’t regret what he did and was prepared to take the consequence. All the same, not hearing from the police meant Ally would never have to hear about his visit to Jason.
On the Saturday night Cole invited Caitlin, Nathan, Hannah and her new boyfriend Rob to his home for dinner and a few drinks. Ally was so relaxed and happy, Cole couldn’t help but smile. She amazed him. A week earlier, her world had been pulled apart and for a couple of days Cole wasn’t sure she would ever get over what happened. But her fighting spirit seemed to pull her through and amazed him completely.
Still, sometimes he would watch her sleep and the tiniest cry would come from deep within her and with a look of panic on her beautiful face, Cole knew what had happened had left its mark.
When Ally woke up on Christmas Eve morning and looked over at a sleeping Cole, she felt happy. Four weeks ago she was trying to piece her life back together after catching Jason with Jane. Stopping to help Cole on the side of the road that night, she had no idea her life would change forever. True, it hadn’t been an easy road or a perfect start to their relationship. But they had made it through and now she was going to spend her first Christmas with the man she loved.
“You know it’s a little freaky to have someone watch you sleep,” Cole said without even opening his eyes. “You really need to get over this habit you seem to have developed.” His crystal blue eyes finally flicked open and met Ally’s.
“Good morning,” she said with a big smile.
“Good morning, yourself,” he grinned.
“Happy Christmas Eve,” Ally said sliding closer to Cole.
“Let see if we can make it happier,” Cole quickly rolled on top of Ally and pulled the covers over them both.
A couple of hours later, both Cole and Ally were in the kitchen with Rosie. Rosie and Ally were baking cookies and Cole was sitting watching them, dipping his finger into the icing bowl every chance he got. Ally and Rosie took turns swatting his hand away.
He was sitting on a kitchen stool in full pout when his phone rang. He couldn’t help but grin at Ally as he pulled his phone from his pocket. Ally could see his face fall when he saw the number.
“I gotta take this,” he said standing up and walking out of the kitchen.
It was the call Cole had been dreading. He knew he had been living on borrowed time. He still need to talk to Ally but he chickened out every time he tried to broach the subject. Now he was out of time.
When he was finished on the phone he took a deep breath and walked back into the kitchen.
“Everything okay?” Ally asked as she wiped her hands on a towel.
“Not really,” he replied honestly. “I need to go to London straight away.”
“But it’s Christmas Eve,” Ally said in disbelief.
“I know, and I am so sorry,” Cole said taking Ally by the hand. “But I really have to go. I will try and get back tonight. It could be late but I will be here to spend our first Christmas together. I will explain everything when I get back I promise.”
“Well if you have to go,” Ally said trying hard to keep the disappointment out of her voice. “You shouldn’t delay,”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her firmly on the li
ps.
“I love you, Ally,” he said, pressing his forehead against hers.
“I love you, too." She put on her best I'm-all-good-with-this smile. One more kiss, and he was gone.
Ally wasn’t really sure what happened. But something was wrong. It wasn’t what he said, more what he didn’t say. She looked over at Rosie who just gave her a smile and returned to the biscuits.
It was almost six o’clock and Ally still hadn’t heard a word from Cole. It had been gone almost six hours now. She sat in the living room and stared into the fire. Finally, her phone pinged but Ally’s heart sank when she saw the message was from Caitlin.
Ally didn’t even read the message, she just threw her phone down on the coffee table and curled into a ball and the sofa and stared into the fire until she drifted off to sleep.
“Ally,” Rosie’s soft voice call her gently, waking her from her sleep. “You should really go to bed, my dear.”
“Is Cole home?” she asked looking at Rosie expectantly.
“I am afraid not, dearie,” Rosie said sadly. Ally look at the clock on the mantel piece and sighed. It was already after ten.
She stood up and grabbed her phone and after saying goodnight to Rosie, she headed to bed.
She was just about to slip into bed when her phone pinged again. When she picked it up she noticed she had four missed texts from Caitlin. The one that just arrived was from Cole.
“Ally, I am sorry I haven’t been in touch. Looks like I won’t make it back to Dublin till morning. I am truly sorry. Go to your Nan’s as planned and I will meet you there. I love you gorgeous girl. Cole x”
Ally didn’t know what to think. After leaving her hanging all day. All she got was a text message. She held her fingers over the buttons trying to decide what she was going to say in her reply.
But she couldn’t think of anything. She was mad. He had vanished, once again, and she knew there was something he was not telling her.
Her mind went back to that Saturday night. He disappeared without an explanation. And she had been so angry with him. That’s how she had ended up at her apartment. But she never pushed for an explanation because he was the one that helped her pick up the pieces and nothing else seemed to matter. But it mattered now. Where was he?
No Second Chances Page 24