Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
C ole Carter’s Review
Sarah Sloan’s Kisses: 1 billion stars
Something is wrong. Very, very wrong. Because when I kiss Sarah Sloan, it feels like I’ve come home. Not just to the town I grew up in, but something far deeper, an eternity more substantial. Kissing her is intoxicatingly potent, in a billion ways. I want a billion more, and beyond.
I want her.
Cole stood silently as Sarah tightened, still save for the pulsing heartbeat under her neck. She swept her gaze across the stands, as if searching for escape, yet there would be none. Even if she could technically refuse, the stubborn woman would never back down from a challenge. However…
No way in hell was she kissing another man.
He grasped her hand. “Don’t bother.” His voice was firm, challenging and possessive . “You’re not kissing a random guy.”
Her eyes widened with defiance. She lifted her chin. “I’ll kiss whoever I want. I’m deciding who to choose.”
“Would you like to see what happens if you kiss another man?” He kept his voice deceptively calm, yet the thought made him want to use those military-honed skills. “I’ll pick you up and carry you off the stage.”
Her eyes narrowed to slivers. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He shrugged. “Who would stop me? The announcer? The crowd? They’d eat it up. In fact, they’d probably help me.”
She didn’t deny the obvious. “I’d arrest you for kidnapping!”
“No, you wouldn’t. Half of Harmony Creek has probably already heard about this performance. You wouldn’t want something to add to it.”
True, true and true, and she knew it. “Then what am I supposed to do?” she snapped. “Kiss you?”
His smile was just on the wrong side of wicked.
“Well, folks, there seems to be a little problem.” The announcer came up from behind them. “Our uncouple, who may or may not have technically kissed, one of whom is a one-eyed one-horned flying purple people eater, are having a little disagreement over who to kiss. Do we have any volunteers?”
The reaction was strong, vivacious and immediate . Several dozen men raised their hands, giving shouts of “Pick me!” and more colorful offers that made Cole want to do a mass arrest. Calling the National Guard would not be inappropriate.
The announcer only laughed. “Remember, we’re a family friendly show, so no need for a passionate embrace. A peck on the cheek is just fine.”
Sarah’s eyes flashed in anger. Weren’t there enough men for her? Only when she spoke, she was not interested in her prospects, but in his. “Clearly there are lots of ladies ready for action.”
He followed her gaze to a group of women dressed in rather scandalous costumes trying to entice him with sultry poses. If they flashed any more cleavage, they were going to scandalize the family-friendly show.
“I have a solution to this problem,” the pirate boomed. “Who thinks they should kiss each other?”
Amidst a few groans of disappointment, the crowd applauded, giving Cole a smile as broad as a pirate’s sword. Sarah probably thought he’d bribed the announcer, but it was just a lucky coincidence. “That sounds reasonable.”
“Reasonable?” Sarah put her hands on her hips. “You want reasonable, I’ll give you–”
“She’s just a little shy.” Cole moved closer to his prize. “Or maybe a little scared. Which is it?”
She glared yet didn’t back down. Her stubbornness gave him the undeniable advantage.
“As an added bonus, this will solve the confusion over whether they’ve technically kissed,” the announcer quipped. “Although not whether he’s a one-eyed one-horned flying purple people eater.”
Sarah’s thunderous look made her opinion quite clear. Yet she hesitated only a moment before grumbling, “Fine!” She marched to him and grabbed his shirt. A surge of desire electrified taut muscles, but somehow he stopped himself from stealing control too soon. Then she lifted herself up and matched her lips to his in a fantastic display of feminine power.
The announcer disappeared. The audience disappeared. The world disappeared.
Cole grasped his beautiful queen, bringing her closer with a kiss that was no performance. Desire, attraction and possession tangled, as they parried back and forth in a test of will and strength. He fought for control, for the sweet little moans indicated Sarah no longer was.
“Hey guys, I think that’s good.”
Cole ignored the pirate in the background.
“You clearly fulfilled the dare.”
Just a little longer.
“Guys, should we get you a tent?”
It took all his strength to finally pull back, and yet what they started was not finished, not even close. The crowd and game no longer mattered, not compared to the passion burning in Sarah’s eyes.
“I don’t know about you guys, but that was definitely a kiss, technically and otherwise,” the pirate boomed. “Let’s hear it for our brave contestants. Now as a prize, you guys win a–”
“No!”
Cole hid a smile at Sarah’s outburst. No doubt she was still scarred from their prizes of the massage and trip to the fair. However, in this case, there was little to fear. “It’s just a flower.” The beaming pirate produced a shiny, gleaming rose bud made of brass.
As Sarah’s cheeks pinkened, Cole took the offering. “It’s a phobia.” He winked. “Some people hate snakes, others spiders, but for her, it’s prizes.”
Before she could say another word, he took her arm. He waved to the approving crowd as he led her off the stage, and they walked together down the aisle. She stared blankly ahead through the applause that followed them, not stopping until they left the parameters of the show. She wrenched her arm from his. “A phobia to prizes?” she demanded. “You made me sound unhinged.”
“Did you want to explain the whole story?”
She hesitated, breathed out. Glanced at the people still watching them.
“It’s okay, you know.”
“Having a phobia to prizes? It’s kind of weird.”
He chuckled and moved closer as a flock of fairies passed them. “No, that would be strange. I meant it’s okay that we kissed.”
“It’s not okay.” She started walking down the path, ignoring the peddler who offered insults for a dollar. She didn’t even flinch when a marshmallow sailed by her, shot by a handheld catapult. “It’s not even a little okay.”
“Why not?” He jogged ahead and blocked her. “We’re two consenting adults. Neither of us is involved with anyone. What’s the problem with considering a relationship?”
She paled. Yet she showed no distaste, disinterest or disgust. No, fear burned. “It’s impossible.”
She backed away, but he followed. She would not get away that easily. “Why?”
She looked upward, as if searching for answers. “For one thing, I’m your boss.”
“True,” he admitted, “but there’s no rule against it. You don’t even decide my salary – the town council does. There aren’t any promotions at this level, and pretty much all the deputies do the same job since we’re so small. Since I spent my first day cleaning the bathrooms, it would be pretty hard for anyone to accuse you of favoritism.”
“Your job is only one of the problems.” She crossed her arms. “What about our history?”
“What about it?” Cole held out his hands. “History is exactly that – the past. Maybe if you’d tell me the truth, you wouldn’t be so scared.”
She gave him a hard stare. “There is no hidden truth. This has nothing to do with fear.”
“This has everything to do with fear,” he countered. “As well as the truth about your childhood. Nothing makes sense – like when you said you’d never broken the law. I know you’ve straightened yourself out, but you had a rough patch. Why didn’t you say no comment? No one would have judged you.”
“People have been judging me my entire life!” She stopped, took a shuddering breath. When she spoke again, her voice was emotionless, controlled. “It doesn’t matter. As you said, it was a long time ago. You didn’t want me asking about the illegal things you’ve done.”
“I didn’t want to share with the crowd, but I’m not afraid to tell you.” Cole lowered his voice. “I caught one of the guys on the football team puncturing the tires of the opposing team’s cars. I was going to turn him in, but he begged me not to. Said it would ruin his future. He’d been a friend for years, so I finally gave in after making him promise to never do it again.”
“Wow.” Sarah blinked. “You were part of a cover up. Who was it?”
“I can’t say.” He hadn’t thought about the incident for years, although if he could go back, he would’ve made a different decision. It still made him uncomfortable after all this time. “I promised to keep it a secret, and I won’t betray that.”
A ghost of a smile lit luscious lips. “Honorable even to the criminals.”
Apparently. “It’s your turn. What did you mean you hadn’t broken the law? How is that possible? If I’ve been wrong this entire time – if you didn’t commit those crimes – tell me. I’m ready to listen.”
Sarah didn’t respond. Her gaze was focused on something past him. Had she even listened? “What is that guy doing?” she murmured.
He tightened. “You can ignore this, but it’s not going away. You need to be honest with me.”
“No, really.” Sarah gripped his wrist. “He’s throwing flames.”
Cole followed her gaze to a man with a flaming torch. He was dressed in all black, including a hood and mask that concealed his face. “He’s a flame thrower – carrying a torch is part of the job. I saw them in the program.”
“If he’s a flame thrower, why is he trying to light those bushes?”
Cole pivoted. Sarah was right –the man was sweeping the torch across the bushes in a clear attempt to light them. Suddenly he looked up, and for a second’s sliver their gazes met. Something sparked in black eyes – fear and surprise – and an unmistakable familiarity . Somewhere, somehow, he had seen this man before.
“Let’s go,” he yelled, but Sarah had already taken off. The man turned and fled.
“Stop!” Cole called, but it was too late. The flame thrower had already disappeared into a throng of revelers. They raced passed tents, people and booths, searched behind trees and in shows, but it was hopeless. In the dense crowd, they could barely take a step without facing a wall of people.
“Did you see where he went?” Sarah’s eyes were bright with frustration. “Any direction at all?”
“No.” Cole made another three-sixty. “There are a dozen paths he could’ve taken. Let’s separate and see if we get lucky.”
For once Sarah didn’t argue with his direction. She nodded and dashed down one path while he took another. Only no matter how long he looked, there was no sign of the flame thrower, at least not their flame thrower. He did pass a troupe of them, but their costumes were bright with color and fanfare. He took a moment to ask if they were the only flame throwers at the fair. Their confirmation didn’t reveal the flame thrower’s identity, but at least it proved who he wasn’t.
For the next half an hour, they searched, connected via cell phones, yet they found no leads and no trace of the culprit. They canvased the entire fair, and sent the security team to do the same, but the masked man had vanished. He had probably hidden behind some bushes and removed the outfit, which would’ve made him impossible to identify. No doubt he was long gone.
When Cole reunited with Sarah, she was pink with exertion and anger. “Do you think–”
“Yes,” he said tersely. He didn’t need to hear the question to confirm what they both suspected. “That’s Harmony Creek’s hometown arsonist, and, no, I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”
Sarah’s expression tightened. “Someone is actually trying to frame me. Was he planning to torch the trees and hope authorities would follow the trail of ashes to me?”
It definitely appeared that way. There was no misinterpreting the man attempting to light the branches. Now more than ever, he was convinced his instincts had been correct. Someone was trying to incriminate Sarah.
It made what he had to do all the more difficult.
He started casually, “Although to be honest, I didn’t really get a good look at the guy. I’m not sure he was doing anything.”
Sarah gaped at him. “You can’t be serious. You just spent the last half an hour chasing him.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t want to take any chances. Now that I think about it, it seems a little far-fetched that the arsonist followed you here. Maybe the guy was a freelance flame thrower.”
“Freelance flame throwing?” Sarah gritted her teeth. “That isn’t a thing. People are freelance writers or photographers, not flame throwers.”
He plucked a leaf from his costume. “You never know. I’m really not familiar with the career path.”
“Career path?” Flames blazed in her eyes. “What about freelance arson? Ever consider that?”
His response: another shrug. He didn’t need to prove he didn’t believe her, just not that he did. It would be important if the arsonist succeeded in framing her. “There’s nothing we can do now. The culprit – if there was one – is gone. We should enjoy the last few hours of the fair.”
“You want to stay?” Sarah’s tone was incredulous. “After this?”
He kept his own voice casual. “Why not? They spent a lot of money to bring us here. We should take advantage of it.” True, and yet not the only reason he wanted to stay. He needed to protect her, to keep her safe.
Simply to be with her.
Sarah looked ready to argue further but surprised him by sighing instead. “I suppose there will be more talk if we leave. Since he didn’t manage to light anything on fire or reveal himself, there wouldn’t be anything to put in a police report.”
“Exactly. And you never know,” Cole said seriously. “You might actually have fun.”
A half smile tilted her lips. “Let’s not get ridiculous.”
He took her hand as the good humor between them returned. But as they walked through the fairy tale world, danger brewed anew. If the arsonist followed them here, he was growing braver, brasher and more dangerous. Who knew when one of the fires would take a tragic turn?
Or who it would burn.
Several truths were obvious:
1. The arsonist had followed her to the fair.
2. He was definitely framing her. For whatever reason, he wanted her to go down for the fires. He may have already made a believer in Cole.
3. Cole was still the most attractive man who ever tried to arrest her.
Somehow the growing peril didn’t stop her from enjoying their time together. She laughed heartedly at his jokes, smiled as he recounted stories from their childhood and didn’t protest when he scooted a little too close during the cello concert.
Okay, fine, she scooted too close.
She just couldn’t help it. The fair had a magical effect on the usually stalwart man, tuning him relaxed, considerate and charming. They chatted about anything and everything, and not once did he try to arrest her. Oh, he was still powerful and commanding, stepping between her and an over-eager male who’d had one too many tankards when she could’ve defended herself, but even that didn’t bother her. She’d never admit it, but it was nice to have support.
And when he’d reached out and taken her hand (at least three hundred and fifty-two times) she let him.
Soon it was time for the feast, an extravagant dinner held in a lavish banquet hall. They waited in line behind the other guests, but when they reached the entrance, the usher didn’t gesture them through as he had the rest of the guests. Instead, he pointed to a door to the side. “Right this way.”
Sarah straightened her crown of roses. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. You’re the guests of honor.” The host smiled brightly. “If you’re ready, come with me.”
Sarah and Cole followed the host through a winding path decorated to look like the halls of a grand castle, complete with flaming torches and silver suits of armor. Spice and smoke scented the air, mixed with incense and oil. “Hopefully we’re not headed to the dungeon,” she whispered as they padded down the narrow corridors. “I didn’t bring my regulation sword.”
“Don’t worry. As your resident knight, I’ll slay any dragons.”
“As long as you read them their Miranda Rights first.”
“Of course. We wouldn’t want their case dismissed on a triviality and have them set everything ablaze. Fire breathing is definitely a felony.”
They both laughed.
The host opened a large wooden door to reveal a world that was anything but a dungeon. Ladies, knights and horses roamed a center area that was decorated like a throne room, bejeweled and bedazzled under hundreds of flickering candles. Billowing curtains waterfalled from the ceiling, adorned with magenta roses and golden and silver ribbons. Long, wide tables provided stadium seating, surrounding the stage on three sides. Sarah and Cole followed the host to the first row.
“Wow.” Sarah sank into the plush velvet folds of a throne chair. It sounded her on all sides, like one of those plush mattresses made of twelve layers of cushioning. True royalty had never been so spoiled.
“Impressive.” Cole took his own seat, identical to hers. “Are you happy we stayed?”
“Not even a little.” She endeavored a straight face, managed only a smile. Not only was she pleased, but she was very much looking forward to the show. And the company.
The meal commenced, heralded by hot crusty bread slathered in rich honey butter and huge wheels of fresh cheeses. A hearty tomato bisque soup warmed her stomach as delicious goblets of wine appeared and then reappeared before her. A pleasant lightness entered her mind as the courses came – fresh, crisp salads with colorful greens and plump tomatoes, thick stews with hearty vegetables and beans, homestyle mashed potatoes covered in gravy. During the meal, knights stormed the center stage, slaying rogues and saving damsels in distress. Between takes, they conversed and joked and laughed.
After the main course, the players emerged onto the stage. “Welcome to a land ruled by royalty and decided by the sword. Are you having a good time?” Sir Lancelot asked to wild applause. “Now it’s your turn. Who would like to be a knight or lady of the realm?”
Multiple hands shot up. Cole raised his, and since they were currently holding hands, he lifted hers as well. Sarah pushed down to no avail. “You do it, and I’ll arrest you.”
He laughed but finally lowered his hand . “What crime could you possibly accuse me of now?”
“Cruel and unusual punishment.”
He laughed again. Of course, she should steal her hand back. Of course, she grasped his tighter instead.
The announcer called up several dozen willing participants. “These lovely ladies and brave gentlemen will be our citizens, but we still need our villain. He has to be dastardly, devious and dashing.”
Sarah blinked at Cole. “Come to think of it, they found the perfect role for you.”
“If I’m the villain, does it mean I get to do whatever I want?” He squeezed her hand. “Because I have some thoughts.”
Oh my. Thoughts of his thoughts turned into her thoughts, none of them suitable for a family show. She cleared her throat. “You’re planning on arresting me again, aren’t you?”
“Not even close,” he murmured. “What I have in mind has nothing to do with law and order.”
Her mouth turned to sandpaper. Thoughts turned to desires, at all the things Cole could do to her, all the things she wanted him to do to her. She took another sip – gulp – of wine.
“And here we have our villain.” The host selected a man from the crowd, fittingly large and good-looking in a devious sort of way. “That only leaves our hero and heroine, the ultimate damsel in distress and the knight pledged to rescue her.” Hands shot up, but he waved them away. “Actually, these two characters are already chosen. Everyone please welcome our two special guests for the evening, Lady Sarah and Sir Cole.”
It was happening again.
Sarah rubbed her forehead, at the headache that suddenly bloomed. Cole stood and waved to the crowd, but when he turned to her, his smile faded, and he whispered something to the host. The showrunner nodded, then motioned for her to remain sitting while Cole joined the participants on stage.
Sarah sank back down. What just happened? Had the man who never listened actually gone out of his way to appease her? The reprieve was as unexpected as the man who gifted it, in a thousand ways.
Who was he?
Different than she remembered. Far more than she realized. Beyond the hero he played.
The announcer chose another woman for the heroine – a gorgeous willowy blonde that was the antithesis of her, at least physically. Then the show started, a timeless tale of a hero saving his lady from the clutches of an evil villain. Cole looked every bit the hero as he commanded the stage, daring any who challenged him. As he acted the part of champion, epiphanies sliced through Sarah like the edge of a sword:
1. She did not like the heroine. Not at all. She was standing way to close to Cole. And why did she keep touching him?
2. There was actually nothing wrong with the heroine. Which meant she was in trouble.
3. She liked Cole. Too much. Way, way too much. As he swept onto the stage, playing the part of gallant knight, the similarities to real life blazed. Saving people was what he did, first in the military and now in Harmony Creek. When the final scene came and he declared his undying devotion to the heroine, he wasn’t looking at the willowy blond.
He was looking at her.
She stood as applause shook the rafters, as everyone lauded the hero they didn’t realize was one in truth. He strode to her, holding her gaze as if she were the only lady in the world. All thoughts of the world disappeared as she became the damsel to his knight, as he gathered her in his arms.
The show ended, but the romance didn’t. They didn’t speak as they walked through the fair, quieter as twilight approached, or on the car drive home. Yet despite tumultuous thoughts, she remained comfortable next to Cole, confident, safe and secure. Desire, attraction and need – feelings she’d repressed for so long – rose to the surface, almost crushing in their intensity. She fought the urge to share her emotions, the truth about her life, the secrets she could no longer hide. To share herself physically, to satiate the desire that had been building like slow burning embers, only to suddenly burst into flames.
It seemed like only seconds had passed when they reached her home. He parked in front, walked around to let her out. Then he followed her.
She didn’t protest. Didn’t stop when he took her hand. Didn’t move away when they reached the door an eternity too soon.
Another eternity passed in his fervent gaze. He flexed taut muscles. “Well, that was–”
“Would you like to come in?”
He froze, and so did she, but she didn’t take it back. The consequences didn’t matter as the past melted away, the future left undefined. The present beckoned.
He gazed at her for a thousand moments. “Are you sure?” Untold meaning hid behind the words. He knew exactly what she wanted. By the hunger in his eyes, he desired it, too.
It was time to stop denying the obvious. “If it’s what you want.”
He reached out, traced her cheek. “It’s what I’ve wanted for a long time.”
Satisfaction ignited a firestorm. Had he been fighting his feelings for as long as she? She removed her keys with surprisingly steady hands and unlocked the door. He played shadow as she crossed the entrance, looming behind her, towering in strength. He closed the door.
Then, he locked it.
It was like being hunted by a powerful predator, a warrior’s sole focus. Cole slowly encircled her, challenging, commanding, demanding. She wouldn’t relinquish control, at least not yet. She met him a fraction before he came to her, lunging into his open arms.
He captured her lips.
The kiss was richer than any fine wine, sweeter than the nectar of the ripest fruit. His woodsy scent came with scorching heat, formidable, protective, possessive . She fought to move closer, wanting more, needing more.
She pulled at his shirt. He seemed to understand as he moved back for one brief second and lifted it over his head, revealing ripped muscles corded with strength. Attraction flared as she pushed closer, but he stopped her. “Not so fast.” He put a possessive hand just above her breasts, burning through the regal fabric. “It’s your turn.”
Yes, it was, and she wanted nothing more than to be as close to this man as possible. “I’m going to need some help.”
Cole’s eyes blazed. Was she really asking him to help her undress?
Yes, she was, and she couldn’t wait. He grasped her shoulders, gently turning her. She inhaled his intoxicating spice as the corset was loosened, freeing her from its tight constraint. Seconds later it dripped to a pool on the floor, and he shifted her once more. His eyes darkened as he took in her thin chemise and lacy pink undergarments. “Those are going to have to go, too.”
“Yes,” she whispered. She raised her hands, allowing him to lift the slip. She pressed against his chest as he unhooked her bra in one swift movement. Her breasts felt heavy and tender as he released them from their confinement.
He wasn’t done.
Cole fingered the edges of her panties, looping his finger around the delicate lace. Slowly he lowered them, trailing a path down sensitive skin as he divested her of the last remaining barrier. He lifted her feet so she could step out of the wispy fabric, and then it was done.
She stood fully naked under his perusal.
“So beautiful.” He breathed in a ragged breath. When she dared look away, he placed a hand gently under her chin, forcing her gaze to his. “You can’t hide from me,” he whispered. “You never could.”
So. Very. True. She peered down at his pants, wielding boldness. “Now it’s your turn.”
He flashed a dark and wicked smile. “As the lady wishes.”
Oh, the lady did wish. And then she watched…
As he unbuckled his pants.
As he lowered them.
As he revealed everything .
Her breathing quickened, her pulse raced, at the epitome of masculinity. He wielded his power like a sword, the ruler of his world. Yet as she took in all of him, her breath hitched. The proof of his masculinity was as large and powerful as the rest of him.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Even now, with his desire so clear, he proved his character as strong as a true knight. “I want you to be sure.”
“I can’t imagine anything else,” she answered honestly. She could no more deny him than she could herself.
He didn’t ask again. When he reached for her, there was no turning back, no second thoughts. She pushed into him, reveling in his hold and possession. At least for this moment, she belonged to him, and he, her.
The kisses came frantically now, desperately, yet they still weren’t enough. He explored with his hands, his body, his mouth, touching and testing and tasting. The world became a haze as Cole became her world, and she could think of nothing except getting closer to him.
Then suddenly she was lifted up, up, up into arms that carried her as if she were weightless. Seconds later, she descended onto the cloudlike softness of her plush mattress. His hands were everywhere – soothing her stomach, encircling her back, touching her breasts. She gasped at every sensation, then arched her back as he kissed a nipple. Boldly, she touched him, massaging muscles harder than steel, kneading smooth skin corded with strength.
He pulled back, momentarily leaving her to grasp something from his discarded clothing, yet he was soon back with the protection that would safeguard them both. His eyes darkened to the color of the midnight sea. “You are mine.”
It was a statement of possession, a hunter informing his prey she’d been caught. It made her even more frenzied, brought new sensation to tender areas. He entered her in one swift motion, stretching her gloriously, fitting to perfection. The world tilted as he brought her to greater and greater heights, and just when she could take no more, she shattered, screaming as he roared her name. Together they soared, waves of ecstasy thundering through her, forming a connection she’d never before had, an incredible joining of two becoming one. She clung to him as he grasped her, in a place she truly belonged.
Seconds passed. A minute and then more, and yet she just lay there, spent and content in Cole’s arms. There was nowhere she’d rather be, nowhere that was truly home as much as this man. And at that moment, utter clarity came to her. A truth she had known for so very long:
She was in love with Cole Carter.
She hadn’t fallen in love with him because she’d made love to him. No, she’d made love to him because she was in love with him. It had been true for a long time, forever perhaps, from their playful childhood, through their turbulent teens, during the decade-long absence. In some ways they were mirrors of each other, in others, sheer opposites, and yet they were the perfect match. She was in love with this man, this hero, who now claimed her. Now…
What was she going to do about it?