Chapter 13
I dropped her off at home last night, her dress tucked underneath of her, on the back of my bike. I loved the way she felt clinging against me, and it took everything I had not to spend the night with her. I'd already fucked up by taking her to bed, and I needed to make things right. She was worth it. My cock didn't necessarily agree with my tactics, but I knew I was doing the right thing. If Jake was ever going to be okay with my seeing Zoe, it would have to be more than just sex. So, until I knew that's what I really wanted, my balls were going to be paying the price.
After showering, I sent her a quick text to see what her plans were for the day. She said she didn't have any, so I invited her over for breakfast. When she agreed, I fished my pans from the cupboard, and began slicing some potatoes. I may not have had a kitchen table to sit at, but I did have a well stocked fridge. I gathered the ingredients for omelettes, and began whisking the eggs together, breaking their yolks. When that was done, I pulled a package of bacon from the fridge, and placed it into a frying pan.
The bacon had just about finished frying, when the doorbell rang. Wiping my hands on a nearby dish towel, I sprinted towards the front door to answer it. I was expecting Zoe, but found Cole instead. He looked tired as hell, with large dark circles under his eyes, and if I remembered correctly, he was wearing the same clothes that he had on last night. “You alright man?” I asked, ushering him inside, as I made my way back to the stove.
“I uh, got in some trouble last night.” He said, leaning on the kitchen counter, and watching me flip bacon with a pair of tongs.
“What kind of trouble?” I asked, turning the burner on for the omelettes, and adding salt and pepper to the pan.
“I need to borrow some cash.”
“Cole-” I started, but the sound of the doorbell ringing stopped me.
“I'll get it man.” Cole said, successfully evading my scolding tone, and running towards the front door.
“Well helllooo.” I heard him say, making a low growling sound from the back of his throat.
“Back off!” I yelled from the kitchen, as I successfully flipped the first omelette. “Come on in Babydoll, and don't mind the riff raff!”
I heard her laugh, as she introduced herself, her heels click clacking on the hardwood floors on her way to find me. Cole was directly behind her, checking out her perfect ass, my ass. I cleared my throat loudly, bringing his eyes back to mine, and he flipped me off. Zoe, rolled her eyes, and gave me a swift kiss on the cheek, before taking a look around.
“What you haven't heard of furniture?” She asked, her tone light, and teasing.
“That's what I said!” Cole chimed in, swiping a piece of bacon from the pan.
“Zoe, this is my brother Cole. He was just leaving. Weren't you Cole?” I said, behind a fake smile, as I placed the second omelette on a plate.
“He doesn't have to leave on my account.” She said with a smile.
“Oh yes he does.” I insisted, handing him the plate I'd made for myself. “After breakfast.” I said, giving him a look that he understood all too well.
“You're the best bro.” He smiled, snatching the plate up, and digging in.
“So,” I said ignoring Cole's scarfing noises, as he munched on bacon. “About last night, I want you to know that I meant what I said. We can take things slow, get to know each other better, no pressure.”
“Wes, we've already slept together.. more than once. Also, I'm fine with learning as we go. Sex doesn't complicate things unless you let it.”
“I'm with her.” Cole chimed in around a mouth full of food. “Sex is awesome. I mean it would be better with me.” He said raising his eyebrows up and down suggestively.
“You know what would be better without you?” I asked sarcastically. “My breakfast!”
“Alright, alright, I'm going.” He said, putting his hands up in mock surrender. “I still need to talk to you though.” He added, more seriously.
“Can you give us a minute?” I asked Zoe, before taking Cole by the arm and dragging him outside.
“What's with the manhandling?” He asked, pretending to be offended.
“How much do you need?” I asked, not wanting to beat around the bush.
“Five thousand.”
“Five grand? What the hell did you get yourself into?”
“Look, I'll pay you back. With interest in two weeks. Please bro, I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important.
“Two weeks!” I said, looking him dead in the eye. “Can you cash a check?”
“Yea, yea, of course. I owe you man, big time.”
I ran back into the house, pulling my check book from the kitchen drawer with Zoe eyeing me curiously. I wrote the check out to Cole and ran it back outside before sending him on his way. He was right, we still needed to talk. He was going to tell me what the cash was for whether he liked it or not. If it weren't for Zoe being here, I would have laid into him this very minute. He got lucky, and I told him so.
“Everything okay?” She asked, coming towards me and putting her arms around my neck.
I smiled, putting my hands on her waist and pulling her into me. “It is now.”
“First cheesy thing you've said to me since we started dating, and it's only been what? Eighteen hours?” She teased, standing on her tip toes to press her lips to mine.
“Dating huh?”
“Yep. You were already my fake boyfriend, time to man up soldier.”
“Just like that?” I asked, with disbelief. “I left you on the beach pissed as hell, and you're just forgiving me?”
“First rule of dating. Never remind the woman why you pissed her off.”
I laughed, looking down into her big brown eyes. In that moment I knew that I wanted more than just to sleep with her. I wanted to be with her. To spend time with her, and I wanted it more than I wanted anything else. I think I knew before then, but I wasn't admitting it to myself until now. I bent down, my forehead pressing against hers. “I broke my promise.” I breathed out, kissing the tip of her nose.
“Yeah, and what was that?” She whispered against my lips.
“I promised Jake I'd take care of you.”
“Aside from that week where you left me all alone with my thoughts, you took care of me very well.” She smiled, nipping at my bottom lip.
“I also promised, I wouldn't sleep with his baby sister.” I said on a laugh.
“We only slept for a little while.” She reasoned, pulling me with her as she backed herself up against the counter.
“I want you to be sure Babydoll, because the minute you say so, I'm taking you out of that dress, and up those stairs. I'll touch you whenever, and wherever I want. You won't remember what it was like before you felt me inside of you. Is that what you want? Because if it is, you're in for one hell of a ride.”
Without missing a beat, she pulled herself up onto the counter, and lifted her dress over her head giving it a toss. “I'm always up for a good ride.” She said biting her lip.