I’m too tired to argue with him. That look, it was like he was trying to tell me not to overthink this. I’m not going to. Instead, I will my body to relax against his. He’s hard, defined, yet soft. The minute his strong arms wrap around me, I sigh. This is a side of Cole I’ve never seen. I know he’s been with women since I’ve known him, but I’ve never once seen him show this type of . . . affection. I guess that’s not a part of the deal—you don’t have to cuddle to get off.
I chance a look around the room and no one is paying us a bit of attention, which has me relaxing further into his embrace. I miss this part of being in a relationship.
I clear my mind of the sexy beast who has his arms around me and focus on the movie. I don’t know how much time goes by before Cole shifts his weight, turning his body toward mine. His strong arms pull me closer, my head now resting against his chest. His heart is beating a steady rhythm, his hand is trailing gently up and down my back, and I find it hard to keep my eyes open.
“Stop,” I hear Cole say in a low but firm voice.
“Cole,” Kacen warns.
“Let her be,” Cole replies.
“Are you sure?” Logan asks.
“I got her. You all go on to bed.”
I know they’re talking about me. I also know I should wake up and put an end to the disagreement, but I just can’t. My body is warm and relaxed, so instead, I nuzzle closer to him before sleep claims me once again.
When I wake again, the house is dark and quiet. I open my eyes and let them adjust to the darkness. I’m lying on top of Cole, his arms clamped tight around me as he sleeps what I assume is peacefully, based on the gentle rise and fall of his chest. I wish I could see him, that I could commit this moment with him and what he looks like to memory. Damn the darkness.
I lie as still as I can, just soaking up his warmth. Pretending this is any other man. Pretending he’s not a famous musician and that we could be on our way to something real. I know it’s dangerous to even contemplate it for a second, but Cole is one of those magnetic personalities. He’s crude one minute and apparently cuddly the next. He’s a lethal combination that I cannot let myself long for. I want it all, and he wants one night.
Coming to my senses, I slowly start to pull away, but his arms tighten.
“I got you,” his deep, raspy, sleep-laced voice cuts into the night.
“We need to go to bed.”
“I’m good here.” He still has his arms gripped like a vice around me.
“Cole, come on,” I plead with him. I would love nothing more than to settle against his chest and fall back to my fantasy of him, or better yet take him up to the guest room and have him crawl in bed behind me. All fantasies that I can’t allow myself to indulge in.
“Cole, let me up.”
“Fine,” he grumbles, but releases me.
I crawl off him and stand beside the love seat. Cole follows suit, his hands resting on my hips. “I’ll guide you,” he says softly.
I nod, even though he can’t see me. Stepping in front of me, he laces his fingers through mine and we begin to slowly move toward the stairs. He knows his way around in the darkness. I could insist that we turn on a light, or hell, even use the light on my cell phone, but instead, I continue pretending that I need him just to feel his hand in mine. Pathetic, I know, but I’m just not ready to let go of the fantasy.
He slowly climbs the stairs, keeping a firm grip on my hand. We reach the top and he leads me down the hall. We finally stop in front of what I assume is my room.
“You want me to come with you?” he asks, his voice husky.
YES! “No, get some rest. Sorry about tonight.”
His hands find my cheeks in the dark. “Don’t apologize, sweets. I enjoyed every minute of it.” I know he’s close, but due to the dark of night, I have no warning that his lips are headed for mine until I feel them, firm yet soft. My brain is still caught up in the fantasy that I created when I woke up, foggy from wanting him. My hands find his long hair and my fingers bury deep, pulling him closer. He doesn’t disappoint as he deepens the kiss.
When he steps in to me, I back up and my back hits the door. Cole’s lips never leave mine. Slowly, softly, he devours me, if that’s even possible. He gently traces my lips with his tongue, and I don’t hesitate to open for him. He groans as his hands tilt my head just where he needs it. And we kiss, for I don’t know how long. He doesn’t take it further, and neither do I; instead, I enjoy the weight of his body pressed against mine, the feel and the taste of his lips. This is my one moment of weakness before the three-month adventure ahead of us. In the back of my mind, I know it’s a bad idea, but I can’t find the will to care at the moment.
Finally, he slows the kiss and rests his head on my shoulder. “Good night, sweet Stacy.” His voice is gruff and low. Reaching behind me, he grabs the handle and pushes open the door.
I turn on shaking legs and dip under his arm. “Night, Cole,” I say softly into the darkness. He doesn’t reply as he shuts the door.
Just like that, the fantasy is over.
Blindly, I find my way to the bed. Climbing in, I burrow under the covers and will sleep to claim me. I lie there in the darkness for what feels like hours before exhaustion finally takes over. However, sleep doesn’t stop the memories of his lips, his body pressed to mine, from appearing in my thoughts.
What was I thinking?