CHAPTER 14

Dusk had settled just as Rose sat down with her kindle; she needed a love story with a happy ending right now. Even though she had no regrets about her evening with Cole, it only made her realize how much she liked him. She didn’t want him to feel awkward about being there this morning, but walking out had been one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do.

She had barely turned the first page when there was a brisk knock on her door. Who would be bothering her this time on a Sunday evening?

“Hello Rose.” Cole said as she opened the door.

Butterflies started flitting in her tummy; did he also regret that she’d left that morning? “Hi Cole. What are you doing here?”

He dragged a hand over his short cropped hair. “I need to talk to you, can I come in?”

“Sure.” Rose said.

As she led him into the living room anxious tingles flooded her body. Maybe tonight would be just as magical as the night before. “Sit down.”

Cole sat and then stood up again. “Listen you need to move.”

Surprise and disappointment washed over Rose. “What? Why?” So he didn’t regret her leaving and he wasn’t here to spend the night.

“You can’t stay here. If this guy has just started his killing spree, there’s no saying what he’d do next.” He shuffled on his feet before meeting her eyes. “All these murders are bad for the neighborhood, house prices are going to hit rock bottom.”

Rose felt her temper lick at the edges of control. “Let me get this straight?” She cocked a brow before moving toward him. “You want me to move because I’m an easy target, and you can’t let the value of your house drop?”

“Yes.” Cole nodded before he rapidly shook his head. “No! I mean it’s not safe for you, I don’t want you to be next.”

Rose placed her hands on her hips. Her temper was no longer licking the edges but jumping over. “No. You listen to me Cole Matthewson! I’m not moving just because some lunatic decided to make this his killing grounds firstly. Secondly I’ve got nowhere to go until this house sells, and it sure as hell isn’t going to sell while a murderer is on the loose. Thirdly, you don’t spend one night with me and then decide you’ve got a right to tell me what to do. You don’t, and even if you do sleep with me again, you still won’t have that privilege.”

Rose watched Cole’s eyes widen. “I didn’t mean it like that. Shit Rose I’m not good at this. Give me a break. I’m just trying to look out for you that’s all.”

“Well don’t!” Rose stuck out her chin defiantly. “I think it would be best if you leave.”

Cole sighed and tried to move towards her but her temper was still flashing, reading the warning in her eyes he stepped back. “Fine, I’ll try talk to you again in the morning when you’ve cooled down.”

“Don’t bet on it.” Rose called after him as he closed the front door behind him.

Rose threw her handbag in the passenger seat the following morning trying her best to ignore the car still standing in Cole’s driveway. Clearly he didn’t get the message or he was sticking around to make sure his property’s value didn’t drop. Asshole, she thought as she slammed the driver’s door shut.

She had just put the car in reverse when there was a knock on the passenger side window.

Cole.

Rose hit the button to wind down the window letting it go when it had dropped a few inches. “What?” She knew she was testy this morning which tended to happen when a man demanded you move after you sleep with him. The more Rose thought about it, the more it made sense. They were neighbors; he couldn’t just ignore her and never phone her. They would see each other from time to time whether they liked it or not.

“I’m sorry.” He said with a goofy smile. “I know I said all the wrong things last night. Can I make it up to you?”

Rose guffawed. “How? By telling where to move?”

“No, I promise. Where are you headed?” Cole asked leaning into the window.

“I’m going to pay Detective Vanguard a visit. Since he’s not eager on keeping me up to date, I’m going to sit there until he does.” And unleash some of her harbored anger on him, Rose thought.

“Can I come?” Cole asked without a beat.

Rose wanted to say no, she wanted to tell him to find someone else to order around or to head back to the city but she knew it would be better if he came. Detective Vanguard would take her more seriously if she had a neighbor with her, especially one as wealthy and influential as Cole.

“Fine, but I do the talking.” Rose said as she unlocked the door.

After Cole had slipped on his seatbelt he turned to Rose with a dashing smile.

Her heart jumped into her throat. How can he be this attractive? Sometimes life just wasn’t fair. She swallowed her heart back into place before asking him. “What?”

“Can we go for breakfast first, I’m starving.”

“Breakfast? How can you think of food at a time like this?” Rose asked shaking her head.

“Easy.” On queue his stomach growled. “A man’s gotta eat.”

“Fine, but make it quick.” Rose said.

The waitress poured them each coffee as they sat down at the little coffee shop across from the police station. “What’ll be?”

Cole rattled off an intricate off-the-menu breakfast, Rose only caught the no bread, four eggs, easy over, two slices of orange and crispy bacon before she zoned out.

She ordered a BLT on toast, and then turned to Cole. “What was that?”

“What?” He asked holding up his hands.

“Your order. Ever heard of looking at the menu?” Rose asked before taking a sip of hot coffee.

“Yes, but I know what I like. So why should I order something I’d probably not like, or only eat half of when I can order something I’d enjoy and eat all of it?”

Rose couldn’t help but smile as he rattled off his explanation in the same tone he placed his order. “You’re strange.”

“No I’m not. But listen I’d really like to apologize for last night. I was talking to a few friends and we realized this guy’s got no specific time of day or type of victim. It’s like he’s on an opportunistic killing spree. That not only worries me but makes it harder for the police to catch him. They never know when or who he's going to go for next. That’s why I came over. All I could think about was you and that you live alone, the same as Emmaline and the other victim.”

Rose’s heart warmed at the idea that Cole was concerned for her safety. “Thanks Cole, I appreciate it. But I meant what I said; I can’t just move I have my job to think of. Besides I don’t have the money to get another place until I sell this one.”

Cole nodded in understanding. “I know and I understand. But at least leave the police alone for a little while. If they still haven’t gotten anything by the end of the week, I’ll start putting pressure on them. My family is good friends with the mayor.” Cole winked at her as the waitress set down their plates.

Rose thought about Cole’s suggestion as they ate in silence. The mayor could do a lot more than a single woman ranting in the police station. She wouldn’t go in today; she’d do what he asked and give it a week. “Fine, I won’t go to the police today. I’ll wait a week, which means next Monday I want answers or I’m going to burst in there raving like a lunatic.”

Cole laughed at the idea before his eyes lighted up with an idea. “Listen I could buy you a condo until this guy is out of the picture or you can move into my place. I really won’t mind either way.”

Her temper which had slightly subsided until that moment jumped back with fury. “I don’t want you to buy me anything! Get it?” She leaned over the table before whispering furiously. “I thought you only did one night stands and I was new at this. But after one night together you’re ordering me around and now you want to buy me a condo?” Her knife and fork clattered against the plate as she stood up.

“You can walk home, before you start offering to buy me a new car as well!”

Rose stalked out of the coffee shop furious. She had thought for a moment last night that he had come back to spend the night, she had been willing to welcome him with open arms; instead he’d turned into a control freak with her as his only focus.