CHAPTER 11

 

 

 

As soon as Cole’s plane had landed in New York he had tried calling Rose’s home number numerous times. There was no answer.

He didn’t understand the fear that had taken hold of his heart ever since he had spoken to Garret. There was nothing concrete between him and Rose except for being neighbors; if she was the next victim it didn’t affect him. Or did one kiss affect him that much? He refused to believe it did.

And yet here he was driving into South Hampton a couple of hours later still calling her number every few minutes. As he pulled up to his house he briefly thanked the heavens that there weren’t coroners and ambulances parked in her driveway.

They wouldn’t be there anymore, he thought as he got out of his car. The murder happened late yesterday afternoon, they would be gone by now...

Leaving everything in his car he made his way across the road to her house. He knocked on her door and waited for her to open. Dread filled him inch by inch squeezing the air out of his lungs as he waited. He thought how sweet her lips had felt against his own and regret washed over him.

Nothing happened.

He knocked again and waited, clenching his teeth. He shouldn’t have brushed her off Saturday night. Refusing to acknowledge Rose had been the next victim, Cole slowly stepped back from the door. He didn’t want to face the fact that the first woman he wanted more from than just sex had been murdered before he could tell her about the affection he felt for her. He couldn’t even tell her that he wanted to call her. He couldn’t tell her anything.

Just as he stepped off her porch a car pulled into the driveway. Cole was so caught up in his own feelings of loss he didn’t even acknowledge the vehicle. It was probably her family coming to sort out her affairs.

“Cole?”

He heard the voice calling his name and slowly turned towards it.

He took her in, barely believing his eyes. She wore a black skirt and jacket with a white blouse and black high heels. She had just come from the funeral.

Her brown hair was meticulously taken up in a French twist as she walked towards him. Relief washed over him and before he could stop himself he moved towards her and pulled her into his arms.

She fit perfectly, her soft curves molded against his hard chest. He pressed a kiss against her hair, taking in her soft floral scent.

“Cole?” Rose murmured confused against his chest.

“Shhh. Just let me hold you, and then we can talk.” Cole said gruffly.

He wanted to be sure he had his emotions under control when he looked into her hazelnut eyes. If he spoke now he would probably blurt out something ridiculous and acknowledge the feelings she stirred within him.

He held her until his heartbeat quieted, until his mind was fully in control of his words before he let her go.

Her beautiful eyes met his gaze confused. “Cole?”

“I heard about this morning, and when you didn’t answer your phone…” He tried to sound casual but failed miserably. Even to his own ears he sounded devastated at the thought.

A soft smile played on her lips. “You thought it was me? It wasn’t obviously. I was at the funeral and then went out again; I probably left my phone on silent from the funeral. I’m surprised that you care?”

Cole cleared his throat. “I don’t care, I was just concerned.”

“Funny that you’d come all the way from Miami or New York just because you were concerned?” She looked at him for a beat before continuing. “Why don’t you come inside and I’ll make us some coffee.”

 

Rose set down the cup of coffee in front of Cole on the kitchen island. “I went to speak to the police the other day and I’ve just been at the security guards.”

Cole felt his concern rise at the thought of Rose getting involved with a murder investigation. “Rose I really don’t think you should get involved. It could be dangerous. Let the police handle it.”

Temper flashed in her eyes as she leaned over the counter. “The police? Really, the police? I was there on Monday and they confirmed they’d get to it. I’ve phoned every day and all I’ve been told is they’re on it. I buried a friend this morning without knowing the reason for her death, Cole. I’m done waiting. I can’t just sit around and look out the window at her empty house and think...Ah well I’m sure the police are doing all they can. Especially not after another woman was murdered yesterday.”

Cole wanted to argue but knew he couldn’t, she was right. Detective Vanguard had been brushing him off as well. “Look Rose I agree they weren’t taking it serious, but maybe now that there’s been another murder they’ll start working harder and faster.”

Rose shrugged. “Well I hope they do. I’ve just spoken to the security guards at the gate. Basically anyone can come in if they’ve got tags, so our little security estate isn’t that secure after all.”

Cole stepped around the kitchen island and placed his hands on her shoulders. “They will. I’ll make sure they do.”

Rose’s whiskey brown eyes drew him in. The attraction they had shoved aside a week before snapped and crackled between them. Cole’s eyes trailed down her face settling on her lips. They were slightly ajar, an invitation for him to kiss her.

Heaven’s knew he wanted to, he thought as he stepped away. “Let’s make a deal. I’ll take you dinner and that way we can both decide if we’re going to allow this steam ahead to where it’s headed.”

Rose swallowed and shyly padded her hair to ensure it was still in place. “All right, but one condition?”

Cole would agree to anything at that point, so nodded for her to go ahead.

“No talk about Emmaline or the other murder. Tonight it’s just you and me. One neighbor getting to know another.”

Cole smiled wolfishly. “I don’t think I’ll be taking all my neighbors out to dinner just yet. Meet you in an hour?”

“I’ll be ready.” Rose smiled as she walked him to the door.

 

They had just sat down in Rosi’s when the owner and a good friend of Cole brought them a bottle of wine. “Hey Cole. Didn’t expect to see you here? Here’s a bottle of wine for the table, on the house of course.” Cole and Cayden shook hands before he turned to Rose. “Cayden Lee, I don’t think we’ve met before?”

Rose smiled at Cayden. “No, I don’t think we have. I’m Rose Adler.”

“Cayden here is the owner of Rosi’s and most days I’ll even admit he’s my friend.” Cole said as he poured a dark red wine into their glasses.

“In that case, it’s a pleasure to meet you Cayden.” Rose smiled and extended her hand.

“Nope, pleasure is all mine.” Cayden said to Rose before turning to Cole with a wink. “Haven’t seen this guy in ages and suddenly twice in one month, don’t think my friendship’s got anything to do with it.”

Cole noticed a blush on Rose’s cheeks and felt strangely territorial at Cayden’s casual flirting. “Don’t you have a restaurant to run? Pasta to knead or dough to cook?”

Cayden and Rose burst out laughing, leaving Cole in the dark.

Once the laughter subsided Cayden slapped Cole on the back companionably. “Actually we knead the dough and cook the pasta.” He turned to Rose. “Don’t you confuse him too much now?”

Rose blushed again and laughed as Cayden walked away. “He’s so young; I didn’t think the owner of the restaurant would be so young. It’s well established and I’ve heard the food is amazing?”

“He took over from his parents and has since franchised it. So Rosetta’s isn’t only in the Hamptons anymore but in other states as well.”

“That’s impressive.” Rose said as she sipped the wine.

Cole couldn’t help but wish he was the glass she held so tenderly and firmly. He felt a stirring in his groin and wondered how long they could both avoid the attraction between them.

After they had ordered, Cole the linguini and Rose a pizza, Cole sat back in his chair watching her. She wore a dress tonight, tight enough to hint at all the curves underneath without revealing too much. The olive green color suited her, as did the blush color on her cheeks he hoped either he had given her, or the wine. “So you mentioned the day we met you work in an office? What do you do?”

“I’m a paralegal. Basically that means you do all the lawyers’ grunt work, but I enjoy it.”

“Never wanted to become a lawyer yourself?”

“No, in the beginning maybe. But after being a paralegal the past few years I’ve come to learn that with that title comes a lot of responsibility and even though there is justice, the system can sometimes fail. I wouldn’t be able to look at a client or bill them if that was the case. So not only would I end up poor, I doubt I’d enjoy it as much.”

“It’s good if you enjoy it. That’s all that matters.”

A waiter set down their plates in front of them and refilled their glasses before moving away.

“Do you enjoy investing?” Rose asked as she took a small bite of pizza with a knife and fork.

“I do. Can I just say what you’re doing now is committing the biggest sin known to man. You don’t eat pizza with a knife and fork.”

Rose laughed and put the knife and fork down. “I was trying to be civilized.”

“You can be civilized about many things but not pizza.”

As Rose took the slice in her hand Cole leaned over and pulled her hand towards his mouth. As their eyes met he slowly took a bite of pizza.

Rose watched him without saying a word.

“Tastes even better when you’re holding it.” Cole knew he was flirting out right, but couldn’t help himself. He wanted Rose; he could admit that much to himself. He’ll deal with the emotional part of it later; right now the physical part was driving him insane.

“I bet you say that to all to all your neighbors.” Rose said as she took a bite herself.

Cole couldn’t help but laugh. This was why she intrigued him, her witty words always came when he least expected it. “No, actually you’re the first.”

 

As Cole stopped in his driveway later that night he felt anticipation course through him. Usually when he took a woman to dinner they both knew before hand where it would lead. There had been casual flirting most of the evening, but every now and then Rose seemed out of her depth. He knew she had been in a relationship, but that didn’t mean she had dated frequently before that. He didn’t feel comfortable enough yet to ask. She intrigued and confused him at the same time. It was a novelty for him not to know what was going to happen. He climbed out and walked around the car and opened Rose’s door. “Thank you for a lovely evening.”

He didn’t want to push her by inviting her in, the decision was hers.

Rose climbed out of the car and leaned against the door. “Really, that’s the line that gets you all the girls, they must be easy.” She laughed, a sultry sound travelling on the cool sea breeze.

Cole could tell she was happy after an evening of wine and conversation, getting away from the horror of the past week. He placed his hands on both sides of her against the car, crowding her in. “That’s not the line I use, but I thought I’d give you a fair chance to walk away.”

Rose bit her bottom lip before she lifted her chin and met his gaze. “Then give me the line…and I’ll decide.”

He clenched his teeth, knowing this woman was going to drive him insane but gave her what she wanted. “I don’t want the evening to end.” He held her gaze. “In fact I want it to carry on until morning. I’d like to feel you move under me, hear you call my name as you fall apart and then I want to watch you fall asleep in my arms.” He waited a beat before moving even closer. “The first part I’ve used before, the rest of its new…like how I feel about you.”