CHAPTER 19

Cole had never felt happier in his entire life. It almost seemed too good to be true. Rose might’ve thought he came to the city with the whole thing planned out but in fact he only thought of it while the knots were being prodded from his shoulders.

He didn’t know how the logistics were going to work; he’d worry about that later. All that mattered now was that Rose was his.

He pulled her against him, before searching her eyes. Her beautiful brown eyes smiled at him before he found her mouth.

In front of Pier 54 Cole kissed her, deeply. Their tongues dueled, mating in celebration of the commitment they had just made.

What felt like an infinity later Cole drew back breathless. “I’d thought we’d stay at my apartment tonight and head back tomorrow?”

Rose smiled. “I’d like that, to see where you live when you’re not in the Hamptons.”

“Then let’s go,” he said taking her hand and leading her back to the car. “It’s fucking freezing out here.”

Rose laughed and hurried alongside him.

As he closed the apartment door behind Rose for the first time, he looked at his bachelor apartment in a different light.

The space which he had set up to be more functional than attractive now seemed cold and harsh with Rose standing next to him. The walls were a light dove grey set off against chrome fixtures and charcoal furniture.

There were no touches that would make a house a home. No books, candles or even art or pictures against the walls. The simplicity had always appealed to Cole but after having spent time in the Hamptons with Rose in her house, his apartment in the city seemed lacking.

Sure there were all the comforts money could buy from the universal control that controlled everything from the lights right down to the temperature and the brand new state of the art appliances and the waterfall shower. But some things money couldn’t buy.

“It’s not much…” Cole said shrugging his shoulders as he set down his keys on the marble counter in the vast empty kitchen.

“Have you just moved in?” Rose asked as she looked around her.

“No,” Cole said furrowing his brow. “Actually this has been home for about three years.”

“Oh!” Rose said surprised. “It just seems so new and... empty.”

Cole laughed uncomfortably. “I know it seems that way, even to me after spending time in the Hamptons with you. But this has always just been a place to crash. When I’m in the city most of my time is spent in the office and I mostly get take-out for dinner so the kitchen’s barely been used as well.

“So women don’t…” Rose’s voice trailed off even as a blush crept over her face.

Cole laughed pulling her close. “You’re the first woman I’ve brought here. I never bring a woman to my apartment.”

Her eyebrows Rose as a sexy smile played on her lips. “Really? Then I think it’s time we christen it.”

Her warm soft hands reached for him, finding him already hard. Desire pumped through his body, when would he ever have enough of her. “I’d like that.” Cole said his own voice rough with desire.

He took her hand and led her to the main bedroom where his King-size bed awaited.

Rose’s face flushed. Every now and then that innocence, well it couldn’t be innocence could it, Cole thought. He’d call her reserved, that reservations made her blush. Cole found it unbearably sexy and spent the rest of the night making her blush.

“Mr. Matthewson you need to sign these, and phone those and you need to check in with HR for this month’s bonuses.” Cole’s assistant who was as efficient as she was Goth stood in front of his desk, disapproval clear on her face as she handed him stacks of documents

“I know you’re mad I’ve been away, but I haven’t taken a holiday in years.” Cole tried to defend himself. He knew it wasn’t necessary but with her dark eyes and pitch black hair staring down at him, he felt obliged.

“I didn’t say anything sir.” She said even as her lips pursed smudging her black lipstick. Cole had wondered over the years if there was a special Goth store for black lipstick. “Besides it’s your company, you can do what you want.”

“Exactly,” Cole handed her the stack of papers he’d just signed. “In fact I just came in this morning to catch up quickly. I’m heading back to the Hamptons later today. You can reach me on my phone for anything urgent, otherwise you can mail me and I’ll reply within twenty four hours.”

Long black nails grabbed the stack of papers. “And in the meantime what am I to tell everyone that wants to know where you are, staff included?”

“You can tell them I’m scaling down and giving them all the responsibility they have asked for. Tell them it’s an opportunity to prove their worth.”

She grumbled a bit more before leaving Cole to make his phone calls. He had just finished on the second one when he received a text from Rose.

Take your time, heading back to the Hamptons with the shuttle now.

Need to do a few things.

See you this afternoon.

Xoxo

Your Rose

Cole felt stupid as a smile a mile wide settled on his face. His Rose. He could get used to that. He would’ve loved to ditch work and go with her but he still had a few calls to make and the bonuses to sign off on. Instead he pressed the dial button and turned his chair so he could look out on Central Park.

It rang a couple of times before her voice mail came on.

“This is Rose. I’m indisposed at the moment, feel free to leave a message and I’ll return your call.”

Grinning Cole spoke after the recording beep. “This is Cole; I hope you’re not indisposed with another man at the moment, as I’m your man. See you soon.”

Knowing he’d get back to the Hamptons faster if he focused on work, he pushed Rose aside and dug in.