by L. A. Fiore
Tenderness swept his features, his thumb brushing softly along my lower lip. “I'll pick you up at seven.”
In the morning, I felt like I floated rather than walked because Cole and I were going out to dinner. Nervousness battled excitement because I feared something happening to keep this particular wish from coming true.
Work dragged on, the clock didn’t seem to move at all, but at five I flew from the building and caught the bus home. I had a date with Cole Campbell. It seemed so unreal even being a forgone conclusion, one that just happened to take a really long time to come to fruition.
After my shower, I pulled my hair up into a messy bun, applied makeup, darkening my eyes and extending my lashes before slipping on a pair of hip-hugging jeans, boots and an off the shoulder white sweater. I was just applying my lip-gloss when the doorbell sounded. Nerves had my hands going damp and even though I tried to rationalize that this was Cole, the same kid who had played Prince Charming to my Cinderella countless times as kids, the butterflies in my stomach couldn’t be stopped.
Reaching the door, I took a deep—and not so calming—breath before pulling it open only to have all the breath leaving my lungs at the sight of Cole standing there in his faded jeans, white tee and leather jacket. I loved that he had shaved his head because with a face like his, hair only got in the way.
It took me a minute, since I was ogling, to realize that he studied me in much the same way that I studied him. Well, he looked more to be undressing me with his eyes, which immediately had pleasant aches stirring to life in various places on my body.
His voice pitched low, with an edge, and his words nearly brought me to happy tears. “You’re the prettiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.”
“You’ve said that to me before. I like it as much now as I did then.”
“Meant it then, mean it now.”
With each passing minute, the odds of us actually making it to dinner were growing less and less in our favor, or more in our favor if you considered the alternative, ripping his clothes from his body and worshipping him, repeatedly. “It’s kind of warm in here.”
The moment the words left my mouth, Cole’s expression changed and this time there was definitely possession in his stare. “You’ve said that to me before.”
“I did.”
He moved into my space, not touching, but so damn close. “I made you hot back then?”
“Oh yeah. Started at sixteen and that slow burn has been simmering since.”
Rubbing a hand over his shaved head, he studied me from the corner of his eye, a grin curving his lips. “Jesus.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No, since it started for me when you were sixteen too.”
I had known he liked me, I hadn’t known he liked me. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, fought it though because you were too young. It felt wrong even feeling very right.”
Knowing he’d been as strung out on me for as long as I had been for him, kind of put us on equal footing. I didn’t feel so weak, wanting him and working at him, since he’d been battling the same war just doing so differently. “Under the circumstances, I don’t think it was wrong at all.”
“Did your dad know?”
“Right, like I was going to tell him I’d been having sex dreams about you.”
His eyes went from blue to navy in a heartbeat. “Sex dreams?”
“Yup.”
He sounded funny when he spoke again. “Are you ready?”
Poking the tiger, that’s what I was doing, but it felt so nice to be back on solid ground with him. “In a hurry, Cole?”
“We leave now or I’m bending you over that sofa. Not, I’m guessing, the way you want to take my cock the first time.”
And yet the idea was extremely appealing. “You’re right. I’ll get my purse.”
He looked smug when I returned from my room but then he had effectively turned the tables and had thrown me off balance, so I guess he had a right to be smug. His Challenger was parked down the street from my house. Cole held the passenger side door for me, before folding himself behind the steering wheel.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
“I like your car, it’s very pretty.”
“Pretty?”
“Sorry, it’s like totally badass, would spank a pretty car’s ass.” Our gazes collided; he chuckled. “Is that better?”
“Better than pretty.”
We drove through the familiar neighborhood that surrounded Vincent’s.
“You’re finally going to break bread with me at Vincent’s. It’s been, what, twelve years since the last time?”
I wasn’t expecting an answer so felt no disappointment when I didn’t get one. Cole parked and came around to help me from the car. He didn’t let go of my hand though, held it firmly in his large, strong one as he led us into Vincent’s, the familiar scents kicking off countless memories that were both welcomed and bittersweet. After settling at our table, the waiter appeared.
“You want your standard?” Cole asked.
“Please.”
The grin was so slight that had my focus not been glued to his magnificent face, I’d have missed it. “Chicken parmigiana for the lady, a glass of house Chianti and a Shirley Temple, made with ginger ale, not Sprite, and extra cherries.”
It took a moment for me to realize the steady thumping was my heart. Cole not only remembered my preference for how I liked my Shirley Temples made, but also knew I preferred the house Chianti with my chicken parmigiana and not Cabernet: my wine of choice. He ordered himself the steak, just like Dad always had. Once the waiter left, Cole’s focus turned to me.
“You okay being here?”
“Because of Dad?”
“Yeah.”
“I feel him here but it doesn’t make me sad, too many happy memories.”
The waiter returned with our drinks. Lifting my glass, I held Cole’s even stare. “Where do you live now?”
“Not far from your house.”
“You're back in the old neighborhood, I'm happy to hear that.” My throat was suddenly dry, so I took a sip of wine. There were so many questions I had about the night Dad died. Now wasn’t the time though and even knowing that I still said, “I’ve questions about the night Dad died. I’m not going to ask them now because I finally have Cole Campbell sitting across from me at Vincent’s, but we eventually need to have that conversation.”
“That’s fair.”
“So tell me about the club. I love it, by the way. Love the bands that play during the week.”
He took a pull from his beer before he said, “The only reason I have it is because of your dad.”
Reaching for my glass again, I settled back in my chair. The news didn’t come as a surprise to me; it was so totally something Dad would do. “How’d that happen?”
An odd expression passed over his face, maybe nervousness, which was strange to see on someone so good at concealing his feelings. “He was looking to diversify, I was looking to try something different, it just kind of fell in place.”
“Did you think I’d be upset?”
“Not sure. You think I had more of him at the end, just didn’t want to add to your already erroneous belief.”
“Erroneous.”
He grabbed his beer. “Yep.”
“I don’t begrudge you what you had with my dad. You know that, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m glad you had him and he had you and I’m happy he was there for you, that you let him be there for you.”
His attention didn’t waver, his focus completely on me, but he said nothing.
“It all came full circle, Dad was there for you when you needed him, and you’ve been here for me when I needed you, so maybe one day you’ll let me be there for you when you need me.”
I was completely unprepared for what he did next. He curled his fingers around my neck, roughly pulling me closer as he stood and hunched over the table to
seal his lips over mine for a kiss that was both possessive and tender. And like he had done that night in my dorm, he stirred so many feelings in me with that one fantastic kiss. When he pulled his lips from mine, he only eased the pressure on my neck marginally, enough for me to focus on his face.
“I shouldn’t have stayed away.”
He really shouldn’t have and though I should have admonished him for doing so, what was the point? We were here now so instead I said, “I can’t believe that all this time you felt it too.”
“I didn't appreciate the depth of what I felt until that night in your dorm. It wasn't just about sex and I knew if you felt as I did, we wouldn't have been able to walk away. You were just starting out in the world, it wasn't right to tie you down.”
“I wanted to be tied down.”
“I thought you weren't old enough to know better.”
“And now?”
“I was wrong.”
“That’s a point we absolutely agree on.”
The smile took my breath away, his hand moved from my neck, trailing lightly along my jaw before he settled back in his chair. “I’ve a lot of time to make up for.”
I still wasn’t entirely sure any of this with Cole was actually happening. I mean I knew it was happening, but since it was something I had wanted and been denied for so long, it didn’t feel real. That didn’t mean I wasn’t going to bask in it. “I’m all for that.”
He had a thought on that, the mischievous look he threw me was proof of that, but instead he said, “Tomorrow night I have a business meeting, but I want the night after.”
He could have that night and every one after it, but to him I said, “I’ll check my calendar.”
Jealousy was the expression now and damn but I liked that look on him. “Whatever it is, cancel it.”
Overbearing, absolutely, high-handed, yup, and still I loved it because this was Cole and he was staking his claim, finally. Reaching across the table, I brushed my fingertips over his hand. “I’m teasing. My calendar is wide open, has been for a long time.”
His fingers linked with mine, some of the tension easing from him. “Good.”
Our dinners arrived. The chicken parmigiana never tasted as good as it did sitting across from Cole.
Returning home, Cole didn’t come in, but he walked me to my door and kissed me, long and hard. I wanted him in my bed, wanted to finish what we’d started that night in my dorm even with wanting to do as he suggested by taking things slowly. Wanted it so badly that the words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. “Are you sure you won’t come inside?”
“Not tonight.” He touched my chin to keep my gaze on him. “But soon.”
My body ached; I wanted him to ease it, but since he wouldn't I’d have to take matters into my own hands or I’d go mad. To my embarrassment, he knew what I was thinking.
“Don’t touch yourself, Mia.”
My eyes went wide. “How do you know what I’m thinking?”
He brushed his thumb over my breast, to the nipple that was so hard it hurt. “Your body is giving off all the signs, but let it build, let it simmer.”
“If I do, you have to as well.”
“Promise.”
“You know once you promise you can’t take it back, not ever.”
“I know”
“Fine, I promise too. Is it possible to die from pent-up lust?”
“We’ll both find out.”
“You feel it too?”
“That day you came into my office and told me you ached for me and implied you eased that ache while pretending it was my cock, I’ve been hard since.”
I paled. I had said that, hadn’t I? That was, wow, that was really bold.
He seemed to pick up on my embarrassment when he said, “Sexiest damn thing I've ever heard.”
“It’s true.” As embarrassing as that confession was to make, it was true.
“Shit, you’re not making this easy.”
As much as I wanted to pull him into my house and have my way with him, he was right. We had all the time in the world; jumping into sex was stupid, especially if we wanted something more and I did, I wanted all of Cole, not just his body. “You’re right, we should wait.”
“You deserve it all, Mia, to be dated, dined, cherished and then I’ll keep you in bed for a week.”
I wanted to weep; this was hard. “Promise.”
His expression turned wicked. “Promise to keep you naked and in bed with me for a week? Yeah, I promise.”
“I guess it’s a cold shower for me.”
“You and me both.” And then he kissed me, his tongue sweeping my mouth, pulling a moan from deep in my throat. My legs weren’t steady when he stepped back. “Lock your door.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll bring dinner and a movie on Saturday.”
“Okay.”
“Inside sweetheart.”
Oh God, now he was calling me sweetheart. The fact that I didn’t melt into a puddle at his feet was amazing. “Sweetheart?”
Tenderness filled his expression, the sight so beautiful because of how rare it was. “Inside. Lock the door.”
On overload, I did as instructed and moved inside and locked the door and then I took the coldest shower of my life.
Janie wanted to go out tonight and since we hadn’t seen each other in a while, I jumped at the opportunity. We were meeting at Silver City and as I finished dressing, my phone rang.
I didn’t check the screen, thought it was Janie, so hearing Kevin’s voice over the line alarmed me. “Kevin. You sound funny, you okay?”
“I’ve got some information about your dad.”
Apprehension moved down my spine since it seemed with every new bit of information, the worse the picture became. “Didn’t you get my message that I wanted you to stop looking into it?”
“Yeah, but it’s too juicy to step back from.”
Shit. The expression a dog with a bone popped into my head. And despite the fear that I felt because we were out of our depths with the players involved, I couldn’t deny my interest piqued. “What did you learn?”
“Come to my house. It’ll be easier to show you.”
“I’m going out with Janie tonight.”
“Text her, tell her you’ll be a little late. Come on, this is big Mia.”
It was rude, absolutely. I had already made plans, but I wanted to know what he did and Janie was notorious for running late; we’d probably end up getting to the club at the same time anyway. “Okay.”
Texting Janie, I didn’t get a response so she was likely still in the shower. I thought to text Cole, but I had earlier letting him know about my plans for the night. Besides if I texted him about this, I could already hear his bellow that I shouldn’t be sticking my nose into it, and since I had technically backed off and had told Kevin to do so as well, none of which would be easily explained in a text message, I didn’t reach out to him. Tomorrow I’d tell him about Kevin, especially since now it seemed I would have something to share. If he showed up at the club before me, Janie could tell him where I was.
Locking up, I headed for my car. Kevin lived on Green Street, a posh street located near the Philadelphia Art Museum with elegant homes significantly bigger than the home I grew up in. Kevin’s house was exquisite, not surprising since the man enjoyed the finer things. He had walnut hardwood floors installed throughout, a new kitchen complete with soapstone countertops, a Wolf range and custom cabinets. Everything in his home spoke of money and again I found myself wondering how he could afford it on a PI income unless he came from money, which was likely. I knew very little about him. He might have shared about his background and I just hadn’t heard because I tended to tune him out whenever he spoke. I didn’t want to tune him out, but I could only take so much of him patting himself on the back.
Unlike where I lived, parking here wasn’t so bad and I lucked out finding a spot only a few houses down from his. It was like he had been staring out the window waiti
ng for me because he pulled open the door before I even knocked. Crazy was the word that came to mind at the sight of him.
“Are you okay?”
Crazy and nervous, his eyes darting up and down the street before settling on me. “Yeah, come in.”
He closed the door and then just stood there, like he wasn’t sure what to do next. “So are you going to share with me what you learned?”
Without a word, he moved through his house and it wasn’t until we reached the kitchen, where he pulled out a bottle of Maker’s Mark and poured himself a double shot, also unusual, that he shared. “Did you know your dad was feeding information to the PPD?”
“What?”
“Yeah, neighborhood business and dealings involving Stein, he shared that with the PPD.”
The late night trips before he died, so that was what he had been doing. “No, I didn’t know that.”
“I’ve been doing a bit of investigating and one guy keeps popping up in connection to Stein. A creepy looking guy with pale hair, you know anything about him?”
A shiver worked through me thinking about him coming to my office the other day. “Yeah, why?”
“What do you know?”
“I suspect he works for Stein, his hired muscle.”
“Did your dad ever mention him?”
“Only that I needed to stay away from him. Kevin what do you know about him?”
“What about Cole, he ever mention him?”
“Cole?”
“Yeah, did he ever say anything about him?”
Something told me revealing that Cole mentioned working for the man wasn’t a good idea, especially not with Cole owning a popular nightclub and this man clearly being bad news, so I lied, sort of. “No.”
“Where are all of your dad’s things? Are they still at the house?”
Unease moved through me because this felt like an interrogation. “Kevin you said you have information on my dad. Stop with the damn twenty questions and get on with it.”
“I will, but his records, are they still in his house? Didn’t you sell that?”