Chapter Seven
I woke up abruptly to pounding at the front door.
“What the fuck?” I heard Cole rumble in the darkness as he got up and pulled on his jeans.
I sat up in bed and pulled the covers across my chest. Somewhere in the night I’d gotten hot and taken off his T-shirt.
“Stay there,” he ordered before stalking out of my room.
I soon heard heated voices, but I didn’t sense any real danger so I threw his T-shirt back on and crept into the living room, curious who was out there.
I was shocked to find Henry, my father’s former right hand man in a standoff with Cole.
“Henry?” I asked incredulously.
“Dammit babe, I told you to stay in there,” Cole growled.
“What are you doing here?” I asked Henry, ignoring Cole.
“If this asshole would let me in I’d tell you,” Henry replied irritably.
“Cole, let him in, it’s okay,” I said softly. Henry had always been good to me and I believed he’d been loyal to my father. Despite everything that had happened, I trusted him.
He’d always been a large man. He was as tall as Cole but much heavier around the middle than I remembered. Years of beer drinking had finally caught up with him from the looks of it. I was surprised to see that his brown beard now had flecks of gray. They were sprinkled in his long hair as well, which was tied back in his ever-present ponytail. He definitely looked older and a bit tired, and I wondered if the stress of losing my dad accounted for most of that.
Cole swore under his breath and pulled the door open to let Henry in. I went over and gave Henry a hug, feeling nostalgic for one of the few comforts I’d had of home. He embraced me tightly.
“Hi, Rosie,” he said, tenderly using the nickname he and my father had always called me.
“Hi Henry,” I smiled, feeling tears fill my eyes. “Good to see you,” I whispered thickly.
“Wish it was under better circumstances,” he muttered as we broke apart.
“And what would those circumstances be?” Cole interrupted, standing behind me, a formidable presence with his arms crossed over his bare chest.
“I came to talk to Rosie. Do us a favor son and give us some privacy,” Henry requested.
I winced, knowing Cole wouldn’t take too kindly to being called “son.” But that was just Henry. He didn’t mean anything by it.
“Henry, Cole’s my man,” I explained. “He takes good care of me. Anything you have to say to me you can say in front of him,” I assured him as I sat on the couch and encouraged Henry to do the same. “I trust him Henry,” I emphasized when he still seemed unsure.
He blew out a frustrated breath. “Fine. Didn’t think I’d be divulging anything of consequence in front of no Knight, but it’s crazy days,” he muttered.
I looked at him expectantly ready for him to begin, feeling assured by Cole’s presence at my back.
“I know things with the Sinners went to shit a while ago, you had a good sense for that and didn’t delay in getting outta there,” he began. “I hope you know I was always loyal to your father and to you.”
“I do,” I said.
“I never knew for sure who killed Ray, but I suspected the same thing we all did. Jake was always a bad apple. Him and that fucking Victor Cross,” he swore. “I know you’ve always watched your back honey, but Jake is on a fucking tear. We voted him out as Prez a while back. He was a fucked up leader, never did the job right. He’s somehow convinced that if he can get you back that he’ll improve his position. I think that mother fucker has lost his god damned mind.”
I sucked in my breath at this news.
“And I know that he’s gotten wind that you’ve set up with the Knights. He’s already made moves against the club,” Henry stated, his eyes shifting to Cole’s. “The combination honey, it’s not good,” he said, blowing out a breath.
Cole grasped the back of my neck and squeezed. “He’s not going to touch a single fucking hair on your head,” he swore.
Henry sighed, looking tired. “Honestly I don’t know what he’ll do. But I came to warn you. I was worried,” he admitted. “All I know is that you need to be careful--as in way fucking careful.” Then he turned his eyes to Cole. “The moves being made against the Knights don’t speak for my club. I need you to know that. I’d like a meet with your pop,” he requested. “Clearly, we’ve got a few outliers that need to be dealt with,” he bit out angrily. The club as a whole still wants to maintain the partnership we’ve had for the past twenty years.”
“I’ll set it up,” Cole agreed, his hand on my shoulder.
“I appreciate you looking out for our girl. Something we should have been doing, things just got fucked up,” he said, his tone laced with guilt.
Cole simply nodded. “Appreciate the heads up.”
Henry rose to stand and I stood with him. “I’ll be in town for a few more days, you call me if you need me okay?” he asked me.
I nodded.
“You’re a good girl Rosie, you always were,” he said quietly, his expression tender and fatherly. “I want you safe.”
“I will be,” I assured him, though I wasn’t at all sure if that was true.
“It’s taken care of,” Cole assured him. “I’ll be in touch,” he added.
Henry nodded and headed for the door with a parting flick of the wrist. A gesture I hadn’t seen in eight years. It was so simple, and yet, it made my heart clench.
I stood silently for a few moments after he shut the door behind him, a bit shocked and overwhelmed.
“Babe,” Cole said gently after a few minutes.
“Hmm?” I asked absently.
“Come on, let’s go to bed,” he coaxed, holding a hand out to me. I took it without thought and followed him to my room. He tucked me in and soon joined me, pulling me into his side “It’s gonna be okay,” he said softly.
I didn’t reply. I had nothing to say. He didn’t know that, he couldn’t.
I woke up earlier than I would have liked and heard Cole’s deep voice on the phone out in the living room. I looked at my phone to make sure Kat had texted me back. She’d never come home and I had reached out to make sure she was okay. Sure enough, there was a text saying she’d stayed with Sal. There was definitely a story to be told there and I was looking forward to the distraction.
I lay in bed trying to collect myself for a few minutes when Cole returned, already showered and dressed. He leaned over me with a hand on either side of me, kissing me soundly. He smelled like soap and Cole. I breathed him in.
“I gotta go babe, shit to do,” he explained.
“Okay, I’ll call you after work,” I said sleepily.
His brow wrinkled for a moment and something flashed in his eyes before he sighed. “Call your boss, take some time off,” he directed in that bossy way of his that drove me crazy.
“What? No,” I said as I shook my head, suddenly more awake.
“Were you not here last night?” he demanded. “Until this fucker is dealt with you’re not going to give him an invitation to get near you,” he said, his voice low and intense.
“Well I couldn’t be around many more people than when I’m at work,” I retorted. We stared at each other for a few minutes and I softened when I saw how worried he was. “I have bills to pay, honey,” I explained. “I’m not going to hide away for God knows how long. I promise to be careful, but I still have to live my life,” I said, putting a hand on his cheek and grazing it gently down to his neck where I could feel his pulse. “I’m going to go to the gym, too. I’ll go stir crazy otherwise,” I explained.
“If I can’t take you home, promise me you’ll wait until somebody from the club collects you,” he ordered. “From anywhere you go,” he added.
I was tempted to quip that I really couldn’t picture Wes or Sal jogging next to me on a treadmill, but I decided to bite my tongue.
“Cole!” I protested.
“No, darlin’.” He shook his head. “Even that’s less than I’m comfortable with. You agree to that or you get chained to the bed.”
Something about those words sent an unexpected thrill through me. “Chained to the bed?” I smiled seductively. “That sounds fun,” I said, biting my lower lip.
His eyes dilated in response and he groaned. “Shit, I really have to go. Otherwise I’d stay and play, baby.”
“Damn,” I muttered.
He leaned in and kissed me, closed mouth. If he let it become more we both knew he’d never leave. And with that, he shoved off the bed and stalked from the room. I heard him set the alarm and soon after his bike roared off.
Kat came home as I was finishing up in the shower.
“Spill!” I exclaimed after I’d thrown some clothes on and she was flopped on my bed.
“Oh God, Scar, I am in trouble,” she groaned.
I laughed knowing the feeling all too well.
“I take it you had fun?” I asked and cocked a brow at her.
“He’s so fucking hot,” she sighed. “I didn’t plan on spending the night at his place, but Cole called and said it probably wasn’t a good idea for me to come home. Which I want to hear about, by the way,” she noted.
“Later,” I said dismissively. I was so tired of my shit. I wanted to talk about someone else. “So what happened?”
“We stayed at the bar for another drink and we just hit it off,” she sighed dreamily. “Then after he talked to Cole he took me to his place and we watched movies and made out,” she said as she giggled.
I smiled, happy for her.
“He was a perfect gentleman, until I forced him not to be,” she said.
“Good for you,” I said.
“He is amazing in bed, Scar. Like AMA-zing,” she emphasized.
I nodded knowing all too well what she meant.
“He’s having a thing at his house tonight, you’re coming,” she said, pointing a finger at me.
“I’ll see if the warden will allow it,” I muttered.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
I sighed and gave her a brief recap of Henry’s visit.
“God, Cole must want to kill that bastard,” she said when I was done.
“He’s not pleased,” I agreed.
“What about you, how are you?” she asked, concerned.
“I’ve been better,” I admitted. “All the more reason for you to distract me with Sal stories and for us to go have some fun tonight,” I said as I grinned, lightening the mood.
“Sounds good to me,” she said as she smiled. Then she reached over and grasped my hand. “I like this new Scarlet.”
I had to admit despite all the rest of the bullshit, I did too.
Kat joined me at the gym and we had a good workout. Wes picked us up without muttering a word of complaint, despite both Kat and I feeling a bit awkward about it. I’d been getting to know Connie even better over the last few weeks and I had begun to consider her a good friend. It felt odd to have my friend’s boyfriend playing bodyguard. He basically told us to can it after we thanked him for the ride the third time.
I fired off a text to Cole before I headed to work. He said he’d pick me up after work and we’d head to Sal’s together. I was looking forward to it.
Connie and I got ready in the bathroom together after work, laughing and gossiping. I decided to walk on the wild side a bit and wear fairly short black shorts, a very tight fitting and low cut tank top, and my kick ass ankle boots. I dressed it up a bit with a chunky necklace and tamed my hair into a French braid of sorts that I was wearing over my shoulder. Wes was picking Connie up and we were all meeting Kat there. When we emerged, Cole and Wes were posted at the bar with beers.
“We thought you might be a while,” Cole surmised correctly as I ducked under his arm and kissed his neck.
“Good thinking,” I said as I smiled against his neck.
“You look hot,” he whispered in my ear.
I grinned, pleased.
“You about ready?” he wanted to know.
I nodded and we headed out. There was something so thrilling about roaring off on the back of Cole’s bike with Wes and Connie behind us. In that moment I felt so strongly that I belonged right where I was, something I hadn’t felt in my entire life. I squeezed Cole’s torso in a silent thank you for being such a large part of creating that feeling for me.
Sal lived in a little bungalow not far from Cole’s. I saw quite a few bikes parked out front as we pulled up behind Kat’s Corolla. Cole grasped my hand and led me inside, lifting his chin to almost everyone we passed through the crowded house filled with music. The house was so full I could barely take in what the place was like, aside from the fact that it was sparse. He grabbed us beers from the fridge and led us outside to a folding chair where he promptly pulled me into his lap.
I laughed at his possessive hold. “Well ok then,” I said and grinned, looking down and kissing him.
He gave me a crooked grin in return and squeezed my neck in that gesture I had come to love.
The backyard was plain. It had a large concrete patio and some simple landscaping bordering it. The whole yard was enclosed by a high fence that provided a sense of privacy, but it obviously did nothing for the noise of the rowdy crowd. I assumed that if he had these get-togethers often, either his neighbors hated him or they had some sort of understanding.
A cute brunette with curly hair approached almost immediately. If it weren’t for her welcoming smile I’d worry that she was one of Cole’s past flings.
“Hi, Scarlet, I’m Ettie,” she said and grinned.
I gasped and smiled back. “So you do exist,” I said as I laughed.
“So how much credit should I take for you two getting together?” she teased Cole. I liked her immediately.
Cole chuckled as a tall, heavy set guy with a buzz cut came out to join us.
“I’m Mack, Ettie’s man,” he introduced, holding out a hand.
“Nice to meet you,” I said and shook his hand as I marveled that such a petite woman seemed to fit so well with this huge man. But they clearly adored each other. It was apparent within two minutes of seeing them together. Mack promptly put an arm around his girl and kissed her temple sweetly.
“Need a beer darlin’?” he asked.
“I’m good for now,” she said as she smiled, her eyes alight.
“How long have you two been together?” I asked as the guys started talking shop.
“Five years,” she told me.
“Wow with how smitten you two seem I would think it would have been mere months,” I said with a laugh.
“We’re lucky,” she said. “Though I’ll tell you, all these guys, they get a girl and that’s it, or so it would seem,” she added.
I tilted my head, beyond interested in what she was saying.
“They play the field and fuck anything that walks, but once they settle, they settle,” she said with a wink.
“Has Cole, um settled before to your knowledge?” I asked.
She shook her head. “You’re the talk of the town,” she replied.
I wasn’t quite sure how to feel about that. Cole pulled me back down on his lap and I focused on finishing my beer instead.
“Scar, there you are!” Kat exclaimed, finding us outside. “Can I steal her for a bit Cole?” she asked.
He nodded, “I suppose. Don’t get into any trouble,” he said, kissing me solidly.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I said, winking at him.
Kat took my hand and led me back into the house where we got another beer.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Sal is being weird,” she muttered.
“Weird?” I asked as she pulled me to the relatively empty living room and onto the couch.
“Standoffish,” she sighed.
I’d been afraid of that and knew she had been too.
“Oh sweetie, I’m sorry,” I said sympathetically.
“Ugh, I shouldn’t have slept with him so soon,” she groaned. “I never do that, but I couldn’t seem to help it!” she lamented.
“You went with your instincts and you had fun right?”
She nodded.
“He might come around. For now I’d just give him his space, make him come to you. If he knows what’s good for him, he will,” I said firmly.
“What’s going on ladies?” Connie asked, plopping on the couch next to us.
Kat took a moment to fill her in.
Connie waved her hand dismissively. “Sal’s just weird like that. I wouldn’t read much into it.”
“Yeah well I’m not into being treated like a pariah after I sleep with a guy,” Kat muttered.
“I hear you,” Connie agreed. “Wes was a bit like that at first,” she confided. I found that hard to believe with how much he clearly doted on her now. “I think some of these tough guys are just like that at first when they meet a woman they actually like. They don’t know what to do with it after all the skanks they’re used to,” she said dryly. “But Sal is a mystery to all of us to begin with. He’s so guarded it’s hard to get to know him even a little bit. Just play a little hard to get, see what happens,” she advised.
“Done and done. I don’t even have to play,” Kat muttered.
I squeezed her thigh for a moment in reassurance, hoping like hell that Sal pulled his head out of his ass. Kat was gorgeous and funny and just amazing all around. She deserved the best. She also had a temper that you did not want to fuck around with.
I went to find the bathroom and then planned to look for Cole. The house was small, but I meandered a bit trying to find it. I was slightly tipsy and the house was packed.
“Looking for something sweet cheeks?” a deep voice inquired. I turned to find a very handsome dark haired man looking hungrily at my ass.
“Did you seriously just call me ‘sweet cheeks?’” I asked, dumbfounded that he had the nerve.
“Well, it’s a seriously sweet ass,” he said, moving toward me.
“You don’t back up immediately, we have a serious fucking problem Parker,” Cole’s voice boomed from behind me.
“Oh sorry man, this yours?” my asshole admirer said as he nodded toward me, immediately backing up.
“Is this yours?” I repeated back his words with supreme irritation. “Seriously? Are you fucking kidding me?” I demanded incredulously.
“Baby, cool it,” Cole commanded, putting a hand on my waist.
Oh no, I did not think so. I would not be told to “cool it” but I knew enough to have those words later, not in front of an audience.
I turned back to jerk face. “A word of advice, you ever want to raise your standards a bit and try getting a decent piece of tail, I wouldn’t start off by calling a woman ‘sweet cheeks,’” I advised.
I felt Cole stiffen behind me. Clearly he hadn’t heard that part.
“I also wouldn’t refer to a woman akin to an inanimate object,” I added helpfully.
The guy chuckled and turned amused eyes to Cole. “Got your hands full, huh Jackson?” he taunted. His quip clearly had a double meaning as he took a good long look at my breasts and backside.
I narrowed my eyes.
“You want to make this an issue you keep talkin’,” Cole goaded, his voice full of menace.
Oh dear, perhaps it was time to try to diffuse the situation.
“Forget it babe, let’s go get a beer,” I prompted, even though my bladder was now seriously protesting.
But Cole didn’t even spare me a glance. He was too busy glaring at Parker.
“Babe,” I prompted, quietly putting a hand on his chest.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Sal demanded of Parker, coming to join our tense little huddle. “You weren’t invited, get the fuck out.”
“Just came to see how the other half lives,” Parker replied as he chuckled. “Clearly, the other half is pussy whipped,” he said with a grin. “Though, I admit, I can’t say I blame you man.” He winked at Cole.
“One more word and you won’t be able to fucking walk tomorrow,” Cole threatened.
Parker held up his hands in surrender, though he was still visibly amused as he walked away.
“Who was that?” I demanded.
“One of the reasons to remain vigilant,” Cole muttered unhelpfully. “Let’s go get that beer.”
“Actually, you go. The whole reason I came in here was to pee, where’s the bathroom?” I asked him.
He pointed me in the right direction, still seeming aggravated. Perhaps leaving him alone for a few minutes wasn’t a bad idea anyway. It was clear that he and that Parker guy had some sort of history and it wasn’t a good one.
When I found the bathroom it was locked, so I leaned against the wall patiently waiting for it to become unoccupied.
I groaned inwardly when I heard obvious retching from the bathroom. I debated for a moment on what to do before I knocked quietly.
“Hey, can I get you something?” I offered. “Water?”
“Water, please,” a female voice croaked a response.
Moments later I returned with a huge plastic cup filled with water and knocked again. I was taken aback slightly when my not so favorite person, Daisy opened the door. But she looked so sick I couldn’t hold a grudge.
“Here you go,” I offered.
“Thanks,” she muttered, mascara running down her face.
“Here, I’ve got some makeup remover wipes in my purse,” I offered, entering the decent sized bathroom and closing the door behind me. The smell of vomit was strong, and I cracked the window after handing her a wipe.
“Should have had dinner,” she muttered.
“Been there,” I replied sympathetically.
“Your Cole’s new woman, huh?” she asked.
I nodded a bit wearily.
“I would have really preferred to dislike you,” she muttered.
I laughed despite myself as she wiped up her makeup into some semblance of normalcy.
“Us girls gotta stick together don’t you think?” I said and smiled, cocking my head at her in the mirror.
“Not a stance I’m used to, but I like it,” she muttered.
“Mind if I pee since I’m already in here?” I asked, thankful the toilet had a separate door.
“Go ahead,” she replied, looking herself over in the mirror.
I peed, washed my hands, and regarded her for a moment in the mirror. “Much better,” I said. “I’ll let you finish up.” I opened the door to leave and give her some privacy.
“Hey, um thanks,” she called to me.
“Sure thing,” I replied and almost ran into Cole on the way out.
“I was looking for you,” he said, looking quizzically at me. “Who was in the bathroom?”
“Oh, Daisy had a little too much to drink. I just got her some water and some makeup remover,” I said as I shrugged nonchalantly. “I could use that beer now,” I added as he followed me out to the kitchen.
“You were in there helpin’ Daisy?” he asked clearly confused.
I sighed exasperated. “Yeah babe, of course. It’s not like I hate her or anything. She wasn’t being vindictive the other night. She was just playing the role she knows” I said. “I doubt she knew you were spoken for. From what I gather the knowledge is slightly surprising to folks,” I said dryly. “If she had her hands all over you now that we’re clear, that’d be a different story,” I clarified.
“Uh huh,” he replied, still regarding me as though I’d grown two heads.
I rolled my eyes at him as he took my hand and led me back outside. It was clear that he didn’t intend to let me out of his sight for the rest of the night, which was fine by me. I sat perched on his lap and laughed with Connie, Ettie, and some of the guys. It felt very natural spending time with all of them and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had such a fun, carefree night despite our earlier run in with Parker.
When Kat emerged from the house awhile later, I locked eyes with her to carefully assess her mood. She met my gaze and I knew I needed to take care of my friend.
“Babe, I’m gonna go home with Kat,” I told Cole quietly in his ear, still perched on his knee.
“What?” he asked.
“She’s not having a good night,” I explained, not wanting to go into the details. “We look out for each other. As much fun as I’m having and as much as I’d love to stay, I gotta take care of my girl,” I said, kissing him when he turned his face to look up into mine.
“Take her to my place,” he instructed. “I’ll stay here a while longer, give you time to talk with your girl. But then I end the day with you in my bed,” his deep voice rumbled in my ear. “Put her up in the guest room.”
“You sure?” I asked surprised and pleased by the suggestion.
He nodded. “Hank is trailing you to my place,” he added, referring to one of the many new Knights I’d met that evening.
“It’s a few blocks,” I protested.
He leveled me with a look and I sighed. “Okay, fine,” I relented before I kissed him again and arose from his lap. I did need to be careful these days.
I headed straight for Kat, took her hand, and led her out of the house without a word. Once we were on the street, I put an arm around her and started walking. I knew Hank was behind us, but he kept his distance and it almost felt like we were alone.
“We’re going to Cole’s,” I explained. “He has a guest room and he’ll give us some time.”
“Okay,” she mumbled, and my heart broke for how crestfallen she seemed.
We walked silently for a while as I let her collect her thoughts. “What happened?” I asked finally.
“Nothing new since I talked to you earlier--he basically didn’t acknowledge me all night,” she sighed, and I could hear the quaver in her voice. “It was so embarrassing,” she groaned. “I feel like such an idiot! I thought with how great the other night was and with him inviting me tonight that something was happening between us. God, I sound like such a cliché,” she groaned again.
“You’re not an idiot or a cliché, sweetie,” I assured her as we neared Cole’s place. “I would have thought the same thing. It sounds like maybe he’s just a bit clueless and closed off,” I added.
“I just felt so exposed all night, vulnerable. And you know how I hate that.”
“I do,” I agreed, using the key Cole had given me to let us into his place. I waved briefly to Hank to let him know we were okay.
“Nice place,” she said distractedly as we put our purses down.
I grabbed us two beers from the fridge and we sat on the couch. “Yeah,” I agreed, looking around in appreciation. He clearly took care of his home, kept it neat for a bachelor.
“So what are you going to do?” I asked her quietly as she slouched on the couch and put her feet up on the coffee table.
“Nothing to be done except to assume that I was just another one-night stand and that I won’t hear from him again. I’ll be damned if I’m gonna reach out to him,” she said with a grimace.
“Good for you.”
“I just really liked him, you know?” she practically whispered. “I know you warned me, but I haven’t felt that excited about a guy in a long time. He was different than what I usually go for, but I liked it. I liked him.”
“I know,” I replied sympathetically as her phone dinged.
“What the fuck?” she asked, her brows knitted when she looked at the text and then showed it to me.
“Where’d you go?” It read from Sal.
I couldn’t help but laugh, but I bit my lip when she glared at me. “Clearly clueless sweetie,” I laughed again.
“God, is he serious?” she exclaimed. “I was at his house for four hours. He barely talked to me, but then twenty minutes after I leave he wants to know where I went! He’s probably just bummed he’s not getting any tonight,” she glowered.
“Maybe, maybe not.” I shrugged. “How are you going to play it?” I wondered, genuinely curious.
She bit her lip thinking for a minute before typing out a response and showing it to me.
“A four hour brush off was more than enough for me. Have a good one.”
I smiled. Kat and I certainly didn’t lack in the feisty department.
“Well at least you know he noticed where you were even if he wasn’t talking to you,” I offered, trying not to laugh.
She snorted. “Well he’ll have to do a hell of a lot better than that.”
“For sure,” I agreed readily.
We sat drinking our beers and chatting for a while. Kat’s mood had lightened some with the knowledge that he at least cared that she’d left, and we giggled and talked as we always did.
We heard the rumble of bikes not an hour later. “Hmm, that’s more than one bike,” I mused.
Kat’s eyes widened in shock and we looked at each other, listening.
“Maybe he pulled his head out of his ass,” I said as I laughed.
Sure enough, Cole and Sal walked through the door seconds later. I took a moment to study Sal. I wondered what in his history made him so aloof with women. I couldn’t help but notice again how handsome he was. I was glad to see that he only had eyes for my girl as he walked into the room.
“Let’s talk outside,” he rumbled at Kat. Obviously bossiness ran rampant in this club.
“Fine,” she huffed with irritation. She was gonna make him work for it for sure. She followed him out front and I bit my lip to stop from smiling.
“What’s goin’ on there?” Cole asked gruffly, sitting down next to me and hauling me into his lap to kiss my neck.
“He’s gonna have to step it up if he likes her,” I replied with a shrug.
“Sal’s not used to havin’ to work for it,” he replied immediately.
“Well neither are you,” I pointed out with a small smile.
“Point taken,” he muttered, making me laugh outright.
“Seen you laugh so much tonight,” he observed, his expression soft as he regarded me.
“I’m happy.” I shrugged.
“Glad to hear it,” he replied quietly.
“I feel like, when I’m with you that I have a place in any given moment – wherever we are,” I admitted softly, hoping I wouldn’t freak him out. “Thank you for that,” I said.
His eyes flared as his grip around my waist tightened and I saw raw emotion flash across his face.
I leaned in and kissed him passionately, unable to contain myself despite the risk that Sal and Kat could walk back in at any moment.
“Bed,” Cole said gruffly, standing with me still in his lap and beginning to carry me out of the room.
“But Sal and Kat…” I protested.
“They’ll figure it out,” he cut me off.
I giggled helplessly at his exuberance as he threw me on the bed and kicked the door shut.
“Oh God, Cole,” I breathed sometime later as he pounded into me, his mouth at my neck. I could barely feel my limbs as I clung to him. He bit my shoulder gently and it was enough to hurl me over the edge, with him following shortly thereafter.
“Fuck,” he groaned, his voice deep and strained as he put some of his weight on me. I loved the feeling of his strong body over mine and I squeezed him tighter still. I was so tempted to let the words slip that I knew to be true, but I held them in.
“They’re gone right?” I asked quietly after a few moments.
Cole burst out laughing and rolled off of me. “Yeah babe, you didn’t hear Sal’s bike?”
“I don’t think I would have heard a marching band,” I muttered. He continued to chuckle and pulled me to his chest as he lay on his back, still breathing hard.
“My pop agreed to meet with Henry tomorrow,” he informed me after we’d been quiet for a while. His fingers stroked through my long hair leisurely.
“Good,” I replied simply. “Despite everything, I still trust Henry and it would seem that I have a good sense for these things,” I added.
“So it would seem,” he agreed, kissing my head briefly.
“What was that situation with that Parker guy tonight?” I asked curiously.
He sighed. “Allen Parker. The guy is a worm. He used to hang around more, we even thought at one point that he’d become a prospect. But he screwed Axel’s girl at the time… big mistake. Then he tried to skim off the top of one of the projects we gave him. He hasn’t been welcome since then,” he stated.
“Yeah but why do you have such an issue with him?” I pressed, knowing that wasn’t the whole story.
“I’m just pissed that I was a poor judge of character. I liked the guy, trusted him even. My pop had my balls for vouching for him,” he grumbled.
“Ah,” I nodded, finally understanding. All of the Sinners had always prided themselves on being able to judge character. Trust was a huge variable. If you were wrong about it, or about someone, you could be seriously fucked. “It’s happened to all of us,” I said and shrugged, hoping he’d brush it off.
“Yeah,” he agreed. I could tell he was deep in thought.
I left him to it and got up to get ready for bed, padding over to the bathroom. I’d packed a few overnight essentials just in case, and I was grateful to be able to wash my face and brush my teeth.
After I crawled back in bed with Cole, he pulled my back to his front, he wrapped his arm around my waist, and we both fell asleep.