Chapter 18
COLE
Iwas so pissed off as I raced back to the house that I almost ran a red light and ruined the fucking slice of cake I’d picked up from a bakery.
I made it back in one piece and went inside, locking the door behind me. I brought everything to the basement, where Rosalie was, and went into her room.
“Hey,” I said softly, walking in with my bags and placing them on the table.
She looked at me, her eyelids heavy with sleep.
“Did you just wake?” I asked.
“Mm.” She nodded.
God, I loved the way she sounded.
“I got us some dinner,” I said. “Sorry I’ve been out most of the day. I just wanted to get everything together for you.”
“It’s OK,” she said softly.
I went and sat on the edge of her bed.
“How do you feel?”
“Like I need the bathroom.”
“Fuck. I’m sorry, Rosalie. I-I didn’t think—”
“It’s OK. I-I’d like a shower, too, if I could.”
“Yes. Anything,” I said immediately. “How about a bath instead? I’ll fill it with bubbles and help you in. I-I won’t look. We can prop your leg on the edge of the tub.”
“Thank you,” she said, her voice so soft and sweet.
Oh, god, what she could do to me.
I got up, went into the bathroom, started a warm bath, complete with her favorite bubbles, and set out all the necessities for her.
I returned to her and reached out to lift her into my arms.
“You’re so light,” I murmured as I carried her.
I took her to the bathroom and sat her on the sink.
“What do I do?” I asked dumbly.
“I-I need to use the bathroom.” Her cheeks flushed pink.
“Right. Um, I-I’ll stay and wipe and all that stuff.”
“Cole,” she said, with a huff of laughter. “My foot hurts, not my arms.”
“Right. You’re right. I’ll wait outside for you.” I helped her down, and she leaned heavily against my chest.
I closed my eyes for a moment, taking in her nearness, before I left.
I closed the door behind me and waited for her. It didn’t take long before I heard the toilet flush.
“Do I come in?” I called through the closed door.
“Yeah.”
I opened the door and stepped back into the room.
“Come on.” I helped her over to the tub.
“Can you… close your eyes?” she asked, her voice shaking.
“I-yeah, of course,” I replied.
I closed my eyes and looked away for good measure, letting her hold onto me for balance as she removed the purple nightgown she was in.
I tried to steady my breathing and my desire, but I didn’t even need to look at her. My dick was hard as fuck just knowing she was naked, a fucking blink away from me.
She stumbled and fell against me, and I caught her, forcing myself not to look.
“Are you OK?” I asked.
“Yeah. I just hurt,” she said, letting out a soft whimper.
“Let’s get you clean,” I said. “I have some medicine you can take when you’re done.”
With my eyes closed, I helped her as best I could get into the tub. She was easy enough to handle since she was so small. The moment she was hidden beneath all the bubbles, I opened my eyes and adjusted her foot on the edge.
“Good?” I asked.
She nodded, looking satisfied.
“I’ll wash your hair,” I said, moving to kneel behind her.
“I can do it—”
“Please? I want to.”
She didn’t fight me, so I grabbed a cup and wet her curls.
“Your hair has gotten so long,” I murmured, feeling the tight curls. “I really like the blonde in the front.”
“It was Ryder’s idea,” she said.
I grunted. I hated that little fucking weasel. Seeing her kissing him five years ago made me sick for a week. Thankfully, it seemed to be just what Enzo said it was. A fling. Over before it started.
I didn’t want to know if they’d fucked. Or maybe I did so I could find him and kick his ass again.
“Well, it’s very pretty,” I said, not wanting to fight.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
I shampooed her hair and rinsed it before adding the conditioner.
“You remembered,” she said as I rubbed the ends of her hair.
“Remembered what?”
“My favorite shampoo and soaps.”
“I’d never forget anything to do with you,” I said gruffly as I massaged her scalp.
“Mm,” she said, breathing out.
God, I missed her soft moans.
I’d stay here all night massaging any part of her she needed massaged if she kept making noises like that.
“What have you been doing with yourself the last five years?” she asked.
I liked that she wasn’t calling me names and trying to escape. She was almost the girl I remembered.
Only she was older and more beautiful than my memory gave her credit for.
“I finished a lot of my studies,” I said. “I’m a resident at Mercy.”
“What’s your focus?” She breathed out again, shifting her bubbles. Her eyes were closed as I continued to massage her scalp. I could see the tops of her full breasts.
She looked damn good, too.
“Uh, I’m just doing rotation. I like everything.
I wasn’t a big fan of surgery or psych shit, though.
My mom does that, and I hate her ass. I like neurology, despite it being close to psychology.
Emergency medicine is a good time. I love pediatrics.
Figured someday I’ll have my own kids and be able to keep them safe and healthy. ”
Her hand reached out and captured mine. I stared in wonder as she twined her fingers with mine.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Remembering,” she murmured, sounding sad.
My throat tightened, and I brought her hand to my lips, where I gently kissed her knuckles.
“I never forgot,” I whispered.
“Cole—”
“No. We’re having a nice time.”
She went quiet on me, and I took the time to wash out the conditioner from her hair.
“I did some investing. I made a shit ton of money. I get paid by Enzo and E, too. Multiple revenue streams, so I’m not a deadbeat. I have an inheritance from my family. I made multiple seven figures last year. I-I could take care of you, Rosalie—”
“I don’t need your money, Cole.”
“I know,” I mumbled. “But in case it’s enticing, I do have that going for me. I’m not some deadbeat.”
“I never thought you were.”
“Enzo is a billionaire. E is a multi-millionaire and growing. I-I can survive too. I could take care of you. Give you a comfortable life if you wanted to get out of the spotlight—”
“I’m happy where I am, Cole. This is my dream.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I was just letting you know there is an offer on the table.”
“Noted.” She was quiet for a moment. “What about other women?”
I scoffed. “No. I haven’t fucked anyone since I fucked you.
” My voice trailed off. “I’m really sorry about that.
What I did that night. I-I didn’t want to hurt you, Rosalie.
That has never been my intention. I was afraid and stupid.
I was so fucking stupid. Please don’t judge me based on my bad moments. ”
“If I did that, I’d truly hate you,” she murmured. “You’ve always had more bad than good.”
I winced at her words.
“I-I don’t want to be that way,” I said. “I’m trying—”
“You’re a passionate person. I know that. You just need to learn to breathe through the frustration. Through all the anger. If you ever want to find someone—”
“I already found someone,” I cut in. “I found you.”
“Cole—”
“Just let me have this moment,” I said.
She went silent, and I moved to sit on the edge of the tub so I could look at her.
“What else do you want to know about me?” I asked.
She licked her lips. “Are you happy?”
“No. Are you?”
She blinked at the question and looked at me. “I-I’m not unhappy, I’m just…”
“Unfulfilled,” I said softly. “Missing something.”
“I don’t know,” she replied. “I have the most amazing husband. Family. Friends. Career.” Her voice went soft.
“You could have me, Rosalie. I’m right here,” I choked out.
“I-I didn’t… ever. With anyone.” I paused.
“Wait. I-I did. There was this girl a few weeks ago at Enzo’s strip club.
Enzo and I were arguing. I-I wanted to prove to him that I-I could move on from you.
So I grabbed this stripper and kissed her.
She-She started to suck my dick, but I-I couldn’t.
It was awful,” I whispered, looking from my hands on my lap to her.
Her face was expressionless as she stared back at me.
“I felt like I’d cheated on you,” I mumbled.
“You’re not my girl anymore. I’m not an idiot.
I know you’re not. But there’s something deep inside my chest, my soul, my head, that can’t let you go.
I-I want to let you go. I want to feel better.
I-I can’t, Rosebud. I fucking can’t. You’re everything to me.
I will spend the rest of my life trying to make things up to you if you just look in my direction.
I would be so good for you. I swear I would be.
I-I’d travel with you. I’d take care of you.
I’d write songs with you. I-I even learned to play drums and got better at the piano. I could be useful—”
She pressed her finger against my lips.
I quieted, my heart aching.
She let her finger fall away.
“Rosalie?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s a big ask, but will you sign those divorce papers with Anson?”
She sighed. “No.”
I knew she’d say that. I just had my work cut out for me.
She winced.
“What’s wrong?”
“My ankle. It’s aching again.”
“Let’s get you out and back to bed. I can put a movie on. Anything you want.”
She gave me a genuine smile at that, and it was all I needed to keep going.