CHAPTER 18

 

 

The sun winked through the open shades, warming Rose’s face. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and for a moment she felt disorientated by the muted blue walls and bedding. As she tried to move she felt the muscled arm holding her close, and the heavy leg that held both of hers.

Realizing she was with Cole, Rose closed her eyes and snuggled back against him causing him to stir a little. Feeling naughty, she pressed her rear against him.

“I’m awake.” Cole said pulling her close.

“Good, ‘cause I feel like playing.” Rose said immediately embarrassed by the words she had just spoken.

Cole let out a sleepy laugh. “I can feel that.”

Rose had never been bold or forward with any man before but for some reason she felt liberated enough to speak her mind with Cole.

The morning before, Rose had wanted nothing more to do with him, but last night…Rose smiled to herself. Although his words were all over the place and he barely made sense, his actions had spoken volumes. She had never felt more cherished or wanted than last night.

Even with Sam she had doubted his affection and his love for her most days.

Rose closed her eyes as her heart swelled at the realization.

She was in love with Cole Matthewson.

She glanced up towards the sky and mouthed the words, thank you Emmaline. Hopefully if her friend was watching she would see how happy Rose was.

Beside her, Rose felt Cole move. “Where are you going?” She asked, already missing him next to her.

“Bathroom and then I think we should go on a little trip.” He said winking at her before moving to the bathroom.

“Little trip?” Rose asked confused, even as butterflies flitted in her stomach. “You want to go somewhere? Now, with everything that’s going on?”

She heard his answer as she heard the shower being opened. “Yup, no better time for it, in fact I think that’s just what we need.”

Rose wanted to argue but Cole was right, they couldn’t do anything but interfere with the investigation. Maybe a trip would take her mind off everything. But before they took that little trip, a shower sounded pretty good, a shower with Cole.

 

“What are we doing here?” Rose asked as they pulled up outside nondescript building Korea Town with the Empire state building only a few blocks away.

After a long and eventful shower which would’ve lasted even longer if the hot water hadn’t gone cold, Cole had been very secretive about where they were taking their trip. As they drove past the offices where she worked, a small nick of guilt scratched at the back of her mind, but Rose ignored it furtively. She had just spent a beautiful night and morning with Cole and was about to take a trip with him, she’d catch up with her work when she was ready. Besides she had spent the most of yesterday answering work emails.

She opened the window and lay back against the seat, resting her hand on Cole’s thigh. A comfortable silence had settled over them as they drove to New York. They had barely spoken except for pointing out landmarks and familiar places the whole way.

“A surprise for you, besides I think you deserve it.” Cole smiled secretively as he opened the door.

They were met at the door by two Korean ladies that welcomed them with bare feet and a brisk bow.

“Cole?” Rose asked confused, realizing she didn’t know that well. He could be selling her to a Korean human trafficking ring for all she knew.

“Don’t worry I’ll be with you the whole time.” He said taking her hand and squeezing it.

They were shown into a quiet room with orchids and candles. The calming scent of essential oils hung in the air as they were shown to two beds covered with fluffy white towels.”

“Undress.” The one Korean said briskly as she clapped her hands.

Cole shrugged at Rose, smiling before starting to undress. When Rose didn’t move he pulled her against his naked body. “Trust me?”

Rose wanted to say no, she wanted to run but instead she found herself nodding slowly.

“Good, then undress.” He laughed as he jumped onto the fluffy white towels covering himself with a sheet.

Rose followed his example, her hands tightly fisted in anticipation of what was to come.

Softly nature sounds started filling the room through hidden speakers, birds chirping and water flowing. Rose closed her eyes and felt her body relax as the scents and sounds washed over her.

A short while later she heard movement beside her, before she could sit up strong hands weaved through her hair and started to massage her scalp. Rose felt the tension from the past couple of weeks being kneaded, prodded and rubbed away from her body.

She wanted to open her eyes and thank the lady for the miracles she was accomplishing with her hands, but she was too relaxed to move.

The strong hands slathered with warm oil worked over her head, neck, shoulders and arms before instructing Rose to turn over.

She sleepily did as she was told and nearly wept when those firm hands started working on her back. With the sound of the wind blowing over the water Rose felt her troubles being swept away.

Almost two hours later Rose and Cole walked out of the small building after Rose all but offered her first child to return for another massage.

“Enjoy it?” Cole asked easily as they got back into the car.

“Enjoy? Cole you must be kidding me. That massage was much more than simple enjoyment. It could become the next religion; in fact I’d be a devout follower. My body has never felt this relaxed ever since I was a baby.” Rose’s brows furrowed. “In fact not even then since I had colic.”

Cole laughed. “I thought you deserved some spoiling after the past few weeks. I heard of them through a colleague. At first I thought it was a dodgy massage parlor with happy endings, but I was proven wrong. Actually I was proven right. They provide much more than a happy ending, more lasting anyway.”

Rose lightly swatted him on the arm. “Hey!”

“Just kidding, but you know what I mean?” He asked as he turned the car towards the docks.

“Cole, I think now would be a good time to tell you I don’t do well with boats.”

Rose’s breath caught as that sexy mysterious smile played over his lips again, his topaz blue eyes shining with humor. “Wait and see.”

 

As they crossed the road heading for the docks, Rose was completely confused. There was nothing there; only an old dilapidated dock with a rusted arch. As they moved closer Rose could make out the words Cunard White Star.

“Okay, I’m done waiting and seeing Cole, why did you bring me to a dilapidated dock in the middle of nowhere? There are other ways of telling me this isn’t heading anywhere.”

Cole smiled as he took her hand. He was so sexy, Rose thought, wondering how long it would take her to get used to that full wattage smile. Heat pooled in her belly and she moved towards him kissing him lightly on the mouth.

“Whoa!” Cole said holding up his hands. “I brought you here for a reason and if you start kissing me I’m going to screw it up.”

Rose giggled and stepped away from him, eyes inviting him to continue.”

“This is Pier 54.” Cole said as if it explained everything.

Unless Rose had missed a very important history lesson she had no idea what he meant.

Noticing her confusion Cole took her hand and walked towards the arch before he continued.

“The original pier the Titanic was supposed to dock at was Pier 59, but after the tragedy a Cunard boat rescued the handful of survivors. They docked here instead. For days, loved ones gathered here trying to find out the fate of their friends and family aboard the cursed ship.”

Rose’s brow furrowed at the sad story of the dilapidated dock.

Cole huffed impatiently. “Rose I’m not good at words, you’ve gathered as much. I don’t know how to tell you this so I brought here.” He took her hands and squeezed lightly before his blue gaze met hers. “I guess what I’m saying is…I don’t want to miss the boat.”

It took Rose a moment before the enormity of his words registered. Her eyes widened.

“I’ve never been in a serious relationship, I’ve never been committed to anyone before but with you I’d like to try. I’ll screw up numerous times; I’ll trip over my own words probably every day since you seem to screw up my sentence forming abilities. But if you’re willing to look over all that, I’d like to try. I’d like to try having a serious committed relationship with you.”

Rose felt her heart swell with love, she had never imagined this beautiful man wanting to be with her in the first place, and now he was saying he wanted to have a relationship with her.

A month before, she didn’t even think she’d ever want to be in a relationship again, but with Cole’s eyes on hers and the cool breeze blowing out the cobwebs of her cheating ex, Rose knew a fresh start when she saw one.

She shyly kicked at a rock before answering him softly. “I’d like that too.”