Chapter 11 #3
The frayed end of the paper catches my thumb, reminding me of its place in my hands. “May I?”
An intrigued nod answers me. “I’m ready.”
I unfold it carefully. “One thing you’ll hopefully come to learn about me is that I’m shit at communicating. I can hold a conversation easily, but when it comes to sharing how I feel or pieces of my life, I struggle with that. At least, I’ve always thought so.”
“I never would have guessed. You’ve always been so open with me.”
I ponder her observation. “I’m trying. I think that’s what I meant to say.
It seems childish, but writing things down helps me.
I process better by putting my thoughts and feelings on paper.
I have ever since I was a kid. And seeing as how I’m not very experienced in the dating scene as of late, I thought maybe I’d try this with you.
I don’t want the reason we don’t work out to ever be that I never shared enough. So, figured I’d start now.”
“Stetson, just the fact that you see me as someone to try with means everything. Even if we don’t know exactly what this is.” She points between us, and I hand her the note.
My heart beats rapidly in my chest, hoping my sentiment translates to her even while sharing the smallest of truths. “This is a piece of me,” I tell her as sincerely as my heart can express.
Today is the first day I found myself thankful for my wealth rather than ashamed. Money is the tool that brought me here…to you. I can’t be mad about that. I know I’m nothing like the men you serve in the air, but the stereotype is still there.
Everything I have is because my pops believed in me. That matters more to me than the money ever has. I’m his legacy. I just need someone to share it with.
I watch transfixed as Cove runs her thumb along the scribbling of my hand, freshly painted pink nails appearing almost neon against the black ink.
“I think I’m gonna need notes and only notes like this from you moving forward.
” She smiles softly, eyes still melting at my words. “It’s your legacy now,” she whispers.
I nod, unable to look away. “I’m not like them.
It’s never been about the money and never will be.
My pops came from nothing and raised me on the values of less is more.
It took living without him for so long to learn for myself that he meant less things, more love.
More of the people who benefit my life in an eternal way. ”
I know Cove understands what I mean. I make it my life goal to not be like the douche bags of my same pay scale. I’m fortunate that living in Waterstone secludes me from high society. Ain’t a fat chance of seeing shit like that on my side of Texas.
Because on my ranch, I get to control the trajectory of my steps, and that’s a liberating feeling.
It’s when Cove’s eyes lift to mine that the goddamn somersaults erupt in my stomach. Never experienced them before. I’ve seen and heard butterflies described in movies or literature but never had the pleasure of letting them consume me.
Frankly, never knew I’d be so lucky.
“It’s hard for me to let men into my life. I think the more I push them away, the less appealing I become. Daddy issues, I suppose. So, thank you for sharing this piece of you, Stetson. You are a breath of fresh air.”
For someone who claims to be unable to give much right now, Cove has offered plenty to hold me over.
“I’ll give you enough for you to stay.”
Leaning forward and surprising me, Cove brushes her lips across my forehead, slow and steady. There’s something happening inside of me. I can’t think clearly enough right now to identify it, but a shift is on its way.
I want Cove Davenport.
Possibly more than I’ve ever wanted anything. And as unfamiliar and terrifying as that may sound, it’s about damn time I get it.
Time for this old buck to have the happy ending.
“How about we change out of these clothes, then go eat our body weight in deep-dish pizza? My treat.”
“Sounds glorious,” she moans, already standing to leave.
I place a wad of cash on the bar top and pop her tush, signaling for her to get a move on, but she stops short. “What is it?” I ask curiously.
“I think you should carry me. I mean, it would only make sense, seeing as how you’ve been nothing but a gentleman since I arrived. What do you say, Mr. Cole? Care to hold me?”
This woman. Do I ever.
I lift Cove gracefully with full intent to carry her as far as she’ll let me.
Her ask but my honor. “I can show you my other side if you’d like?
The side I’m not so sure you could handle, my love.
” I stand, carrying her bridal style, and turn toward the bellhop, waiting idly to the side with her bags.
Shit. Forgot about him.
“Jesus Christ,” she exhales, flustered by my words despite our audience. Cove peers at him with unmatched kindness. “Victor,” she calls. “Be a doll and see us to our rooms, pretty please.” My feet don’t stop, knowing the only room I’m taking her to is mine.
After I feed her, of course.
“But, Ms. Davenport, you’re needed for check-in,” Victor stammers.
Cove waves him off. “And I’ve stayed here how many times?”
“Enough to know my birthday, ma’am.”
“That’s exactly right. June eighth is a beautiful day to be celebrated. Plus, Seascape has a permanent room with my name on it. Please have it ready for me, Vic. And tip yourself on the company card while you’re at it.”
“That’s very generous of you, Ms. Davenport,” Victor stutters, following behind us to the elevators. As soon as the doors open, we step inside, Victor still lingering in the hall with Cove’s bag.
I reach out, and he hands it over. “I’ll take this from here, Victor.” I nod, dismissing him kindly.
“Yes. Of course,” he replies.
The elevator doors begin to close as Cove yells out, “You’re my favorite, Victor! Don’t you forget it!”
“I’m not sure he could if he tried. You’re not easily forgotten.”
Cove squeezes me tighter as the elevator ascends. “You’re not wrong about that. Give me five minutes, and I’m yours for the night.”
“Best pizza of my entire life.”
“Bold statement there. Let me guess, you’re Italian?”
Cove’s head rears back in disbelief. “Holy shit. You’re good.”
I chuckle. “Nah. I’m not. Your feistiness gave it away.”
She shoves my shoulder, body shifting back and forth as we walk back to the hotel. Thankfully, the ‘best pizza in town’ was less than a five-minute walk from The Beverly.
More time to be alone.
“Oh, I’m feisty, am I?” I’ve come to love it when Cove is surprised by something. Her whole body works through the emotion—face turning red, eyes bulging wide, and lips turned up in the cutest little smirk. It almost looks like a pout. A happy pout, if that’s even a thing.
I want to hold her hand.
“Very much so,” I tell her, ushering her to the side of the sidewalk farthest from the street. “Stay over here, woman.”
Cove’s energy is contagious right now. It seems she got a second wind the moment the greasy carbs hit her system, now twirling and all but dancing down the busy Chicago street.
“Always the gentleman.”
I reach for her hand because I can’t help it. It’s just there. Dangling beside me like it wants to be held. I’m only listening to fate. Cove’s eyes fall to the motion of our fingers laced, an unsure smile crossing her face. She tries to hide it, but I see it.
“Just looking out for you while you’re in my care, Cove. Don’t overthink it, remember?” I wink, reiterating our words from earlier to her.
“Do you date a lot?” Random question, but I expected it to come up at some point.
“Hardly ever.” Her expression draws a blank. “I know what you’re thinking. Not exactly a good sign for the elderly.”
A loud laugh vibrates between us. “If you are what the world considers elderly, then I’ve been dating in the wrong pool for years.
You’re hot as hell, Stetson. And to go off what you said, I disagree.
There was a time when I would have thought that, but not now.
The older I get, the more difficult it is to find men who aren’t sleeping with six other women at the same time.
When I settle down with someone, I want to be their everything.
I won’t share the love of my life with another woman. ”
I won’t admit how fucking feral her calling me hot makes me feel.
“Probably means they aren’t the love of your life if you have to share them.”
Cove nods, falling silent.
“There was this woman I was seeing for a while,” I tell her honestly. “Nothing more than fooling around, mostly from my lack of interest. Sounds fucked to say out loud, but it’s true.”
“You never wanted more?”
“She did. I didn’t. I started shutting down the more attached she got. Pretty sure she understands where I stand now. I’m also pretty sure my heart was never what she wanted.”
A quiet pause transpires before Cove speaks. “I’m surprised by that. Not the stupidity on her end, but the part about you shutting down. You’ve been the opposite with me. Not sure if I should be worried about that or not.” Her bashful laugh causes my stomach to sink.
“I’m gonna be vulnerable for a second. Bear with me, okay? I’m shit out of luck for paper and my sparkle pen, so words will have to do.”
“Yeah. Okay. I’m listening, Stet.”
When she calls me that…God, I want to beat my chest and sing her praises. I feel young again. Alive for the first time in what feels like ages.
I halt our steps and reach for her other hand, putting us directly in front of each other.
The sun has since set, and the night sky and city skyline are the only lights around us.
Travelers surround us on a rushed course to their next destination.
It reminds me a lot of Miami—the same city aura but less coastal.
There’s a level of trust I feel around Cove. I sense the trust she has in me without the need to voice it.
She’s relaxed. Closer to leaning in instead of falling back.
It only makes me more certain this thing between us will work.
It has to.
I let my eyes trace her face full of perfectly placed freckles so I don’t choke.
I can say this without getting in my head.
“It’s easy to go about life alone. I can work, sleep, and eat without anyone telling me differently.
There’s a freedom that comes with being single.
It sounds selfish, but it’s a liberty I’ve always clung to.
Being a cowboy and my own boss has allowed me to work hard at what’s important to me.
That’s always been Coleson Ranch. Even more so since my folks passed.
I knew there was a chance that could change when I met the right woman.
I’ve prepared for it. It’s why saving my money and building Coleson Ranch to what it is today was so important.
I knew once the right woman came along, I’d be all in.
Ready to give her my world. Make her my everything.
There’d be no chance at doing that if everything else was in shambles. ”
Not once has she looked away and paid attention to something other than the words that leave my mouth. She’s laser-focused. “You know what I call someone like you?”
“What’s that?”
Her thumb coasts the web on mine. “A real man. Never perfect, but always honest. Loyal. There’s nothing sexier than a man who’s loyal.”
“I just hope all these years of waiting come to pay off someday. I’d hate for it to all be for nothing.”
“It will. Is that why you’ve been persistent with me, Stetson? Is it because you see something different in me?”
I nod. “I did the moment you told me off that day at the bar. If I recall correctly, you said ‘I mean that as disrespectfully as possible, Mr. Cole.’”
“I did say that, didn’t I?” Cove grins.
“Sure did. I knew then you were special. Not that you’ve made my interest in you easy. Your beauty was just an added bonus.”
The moment Cove’s arms wrap around me in the tightest embrace, I feel the air between us falter. Because there are no longer recurring questions, contemplating whether these feelings are worth exploring. The wall of hesitation has crumbled, leaving nothing but desire and urgency.
She slides her hand up the back of my neck, the drag of her nails lighting a fire inside me. It’s when her lips coast my ear, whispering words I’d die to hear like a lullaby on repeat, that I choose risk.
A savage want.
“Take me to your suite.”