Chapter 35
In the evening, they entered the cabin to find the tree lit, a fire going, and something baking in the oven. Brody and Brownie greeted them as Cole let them out of the kennels. Hannah opened it to find a big pan of mac and cheese. Cole went to the fridge to see all the sides.
“Scarlett must’ve done this,” Hannah guessed. “The timer says we have an hour.”
“Then, why don’t you change and we’ll watch a movie?” Cole suggested.
“I’ll be a few minutes. I want to take a shower,” Hannah said, going into her bedroom.
She went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of comfy pajamas.
Her gaze landed on the bag Samantha gave her.
She reached in and pulled out the delicate satin and lace gown.
She fingered the fragile material, thinking of how it hid her scars.
Now, she didn’t feel worried about them.
Today reminded her she won the battle. Maybe not the war, but she survived.
After two years, she felt ready to celebrate it with the man who made her feel safe.
She went into the bathroom and took a shower, using the vanilla-scented soap.
Hannah shaved her legs and washed her hair.
Stepping out, she pulled on her robe and dried her hair.
It felt silky soft and fell in waves around her shoulders.
Hannah carefully took out the gown, slipped it over her head, and tied the loose shoulder ribbon.
She dabbed a bit of perfume on her wrists and behind her ears.
The butterflies no longer fluttered in her stomach. They soared.
Taking a deep breath, she walked into the living room. Cole’s back faced her as he set the oven to warm and took out the dinner plates.
He turned, and his breath hitched at seeing her. “Hannah,” he whispered.
“I don’t know how this will go,” she blurted out. “But I love you, Cole, and I’ve trusted you since the day you found me in the hospital.”
He set down the silverware and slowly approached her. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “We’ll do this when you’re ready. Today has turned into an eye-opener and I’m sure you have lots of emotions.”
“I feel ready now,” she protested. “Do my scars turn you off?”
“You know better,” he chided her. “We’re not rushing this.” His hand touched the silky ribbon tied like a bow. “You’re all wrapped up for me, like a present.”
“Why don’t you unwrap me?” she asked, biting her lip.
Cole sighed. “I want to, believe me. What if it triggers you or you wake up regretting it tomorrow?” he asked, tracing the lace.
“If you trigger me, I’ll bust your nose like Patch’s, and if I regret it tomorrow, I’ll call Claire.”
He chuckled. “You’re as unpredictable as this blizzard.”
Tears shone in her eyes as she felt the sting of disappointment.
“Don’t cry,” he pleaded. “I want you so badly my cock’s killing me. You’ve only started talking and I don’t want you to relapse,” he explained gently.
Anger slowly built inside her. “Yes. I’ve spent the last two years talking to myself in my head, reliving all my mistakes and the attack.
I’m done. When I decided to speak, I landed a job and moved into this cabin.
I’m making all the small steps and now I want to take a big one.
I’m aware it may trigger me, but there’s a chance it won’t.
I don’t recall every detail, but enough to know what occurred.
Since this happened to me, don’t I get to decide when I feel ready? ”
Cole regarded her closely, still debating what to do, angering her further. She stomped into the kitchen, spying Ty’s fresh rosemary bread. She grabbed a knife and cut a slice, taking it to Cole, who seemed rooted in place.
She tore a piece off and popped it into her mouth. Hannah chewed and swallowed.
Cole stepped forward and kissed her. Unlike the other slow, chaste kisses, she felt desire ripple through her as he captured her mouth. Her hands went to the edges of his T-shirt and lifted it over his head.
She touched the ridged muscles of his shoulders and down his chest with her fingers. Cole moaned softly against her mouth.
“Hannah,” Cole whispered as his hands trailed down her back, pulling her closer.
She took his hand and led him to his bedroom. “I want to do this.” She cupped his cheek and held his gaze. “You gave me the moon when I couldn’t see the stars.”
Cole smiled. “You’ll never go without them again. What can I do?” he asked, appearing as nervous as she felt.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I guess what you usually do when you’re traumatized, girlfriend dresses in something sexy and confesses her love for you.”
“Hmmm, maybe we need a safe word in case you start to feel uneasy?” he suggested as his eyes roamed over her.
“How about pinecone? Will it make you feel better?” she asked as she raked her fingers through his hair.
“Yes, it’ll make me feel better,” he agreed. “Pinecone it is.”
Cole leaned in and gently kissed her, leaving a trail of heat along her neck. He tugged on one of the ribbons and the gown shifted, leaving a bare shoulder. Hannah moaned as he nibbled his way down.
She tugged his hair as his hands stroked down her back to her bottom.
Cole kissed and licked around the lacey edges as he made his way to the second ribbon on her shoulder.
He straightened and gazed into her eyes, searching for any signs of fear.
When she smiled, assuring him she felt fine, he slowly loosened the ribbon.
The bodice lowered, teasing him with a hint of his present. “I want to kiss, lick and taste you,” he murmured against her skin. His hands slid inside the chiffon slits and stroked her legs, going slightly higher with each pass.
“Please,” she pleaded, trembling with his touch.
Cole rose and started at the top again. “May I kiss you here?” he asked, running his hands over her breasts and the lace.
“Yes,” she moaned as he tugged the gown, letting it fall to the floor.
Cole cupped her breasts, his thumbs gently grazing her nipple before he bent down and sucked one nipple into his mouth.
“Ohhh,” she moaned, as he tugged the other. He switched sides and gave her second breast the same attention.
His hands roamed to her waist as he pulled away, noticing the tiny lines of scars on her breasts and burn marks on her stomach.
“I know they’re ugly,” she said, wincing.
He pulled her back and pointed to his left shoulder. “Do you find these detestable?” He showed her a bullet wound. “Or this?” he said as he took her hand and let her trace the left side of his stomach.
“No, it’s part of you,” she assured him.
“Just like these are part of you.” Cole lifted her onto the bed and gently kissed the burn marks, sealing each with his love.
She pulled on his arm, encouraging him to join her on the bed.
He looped his thumbs into his pajama pants and pulled them down. Hannah’s eyes roamed over his body, and she noticed a bite on his hip. Her fingers traced the wound.
“It’s my present from Brody when they brought him back to the facility. I accidentally startled him.” Cole lowered her against the pillows, and he kissed his way down her stomach. He paused at her mound. “I want to taste you, Hannah. I want to see you.”
“I’m a girl who loves sides as much as the main event,” she teased. “I’m sorry. I’m a little nervous.”
“There’s nothing to worry about,” he assured her. “We can laugh and play.”
He kissed the inside of her thighs and waited until she relaxed before nibbling his way to her core.
His tongue gently traced her lips and delved into her center.
Hannah jumped in surprise, and her eyes grew wide as he used his tongue to explore.
His warm tongue lapped at her juices as he lightly traced the tiny nub.
“Ahhh,” Hannah sighed, watching him. He glanced up at her, and his blue eyes burned with desire.
“Keep watching me, Hannah. Remember the feel of my tongue against your skin,” he suggested as he delved in, adding more pressure little by little.
She gazed at him as he feasted on her, making her hotter by the minute. The warmth grew in her belly until she squirmed under his touch.
“Pinecone,” she blurted, as her breath quickened.
“Think, Hannah. Does it feel good? Did I hurt you?” Pausing, he asked.
“No, it feels strange in a good way. I got overwhelmed for a minute. Can I touch you?”
Cole grinned. “I’m the guy who likes the sides.
” He moved beside her. Hannah straddled his waist. She grazed his nipples and bent to kiss and suck each of them.
Cole hummed and stroked her back, feeling the goosebumps on her skin.
She licked his tight abs and scooted down, gripping his cock in her hand.
She pumped slowly, watching the precum rise to the tip, and leaned down to lick it off.
Cole’s hand covered her as he taught her how to stroke him. Her mouth covered him, and her tongue slid against his base. He closed his eyes and moaned with pleasure.
Hannah stopped and crawled her way up his body. Cole grabbed her waist and positioned her so his cock slid against her silky skin.
“What about a condom?” she asked, suddenly remembering it.
“I have one in my drawer,” he said as he moved her body, sliding against his staff and kissed her deeply. “I want to feel you against me.”
“I want to feel you inside me,” she confessed. “I want you, Cole.”
She trembled against him, and he knew she neared the edge.
Cole reached inside the drawer and pulled out a box. Hannah opened it and took one out, then tossed the box onto the bedside table. He took it from her shaking hands and tore it open. Together, they rolled it over his cock. He held onto her as she positioned herself over him.
“Take your time,” he reminded her as she slid the tip inside of her and slowly slid down.
“You feel incredible,” Cole groaned. “You’re tight, and I can feel your muscles tightening around me.”
Hannah moved slowly, until she found her rhythm. Cole played with her breasts, tugging on the hardened peaks.
Hannah sighed as his hand reached down and he made tiny circles on her nub. Her breath hitched and her skin flushed as she increased her pace.
“I want you to come, Hannah. When you do, I’ll fill you,” he murmured as both got caught up in their passion.
Hannah moaned and closed her eyes. Her tongue swiped her bottom lip as she concentrated on the sounds around her. She heard Cole’s breathing and the slapping of their bodies. “Open your eyes, Hannah,” he coaxed.
Her eyes fluttered open as her lips parted. Cole’s hands encircled her waist, bringing her down harder against him. Hannah’s eyes grew wide and she panted as she went over the edge.
Cole watched her as she rode her way to pleasure, the sight becoming the most beautiful view he ever witnessed. Hannah’s walls tightened against him, and he called out her name as his orgasm hit.
Hannah lay against his chest, and he ran his hand down her hair, over her shoulders and down her back.
“You’re amazing, Hannah. I love you,” he whispered. “Are you all right?”
She raised her head and smiled at him as a single tear slid down her cheek. “I’m more than fine. You’re now mine.”
He kissed her lips. “I’ve always been yours, Hannah. I only waited for you to realize it, too.”
Hannah lifted herself off, and Cole took care of the condom as she went into the bathroom.
“Do you still feel like a movie?” she asked as she picked up her gown.
“I’m starved. Shall we eat first, then decide?”
He slipped the green material over her head. “Wear this for me. You’re stunning in it.”
She beamed with pleasure as she watched him slide into his pants. “Stay here,” he ordered as he went into the kitchen. When he returned, he held a tray with the pan of mac and cheese, two spoons, and the loaf of bread. He set it on the bed and returned with two drinks.
“Do you plan on eating in here?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes. Watching you seems like more fun than a movie. We can eat and then see what we feel like doing.”
“But you forgot the sides,” she pointed out.
Cole grinned as his hand went up her leg. “Oh, no, I have a different side in mind.”
Hannah giggled as she fed him a spoonful of the gooey pasta. Her day started in chaos, but it ended in peace and love. Brody and Brownie sat next to the bed and she gazed down at them. She’d swear Brody winked and smiled at her.