Chapter 11 #2
He tilts his head to the side, pushing the card in the slot. “I know you don't need me to, El. Can you stop fightin’ me on doin’ the things I wanna do? You're allowed to accept people's kindness. It won’t kill you.”
Emotion washes over me but I quickly push it away. I know he’s right, it’s just hard for me to do when I thrive on my independence. It’s something I’ve worked so damn hard for, it’s difficult to put it to the side.
“Can I at least pay you back?”
A ghost of a smile dances across his lips and he shakes his head. “I don't want your money.”
“And you call me stubborn,” I mumble under my breath which earns a soft laugh from him. “I owe you.”
“I'll be sure to remember that when I'm ready to collect,” he replies with a look of mischief in his eyes.
I stand with him, the comfortable silence settling between us as he finishes filling the can and loading it into the back of his truck.
We both head to our opposite sides and climb back into the cab.
I pull my seatbelt back across my body when I notice Cole glancing at Chloe in the backseat.
His gaze shifts from her to the pink truck in her hands and his expression softens.
“She refuses to go anywhere without it,” I say quietly.
His gaze flashes to mine and my chest warms. “I like that.”
So do I.
“Thank you for everything, Cole.”
He shakes his head and a wave of emotion washes over his irises. “You don't have to thank me, El. I don't do things I don't wanna do.”
I can’t argue with that.
“Okay,” I whisper, not fully trusting my own voice.
His lips part slightly and a soft breath escapes him before he directs his attention to the dashboard.
He starts the engine, putting it in drive, and begins to head back to where my car is.
The silence encapsulates us, but it isn’t awkward.
It is warm and comfortable. Familiar, even.
I feel at ease around him, even if it does feel like he throws me off balance.
Cole parks behind my car and gets the gas tank from the bed of his truck while I get Chloe out. I let him go ahead and fill my tank and I settle her back into her car seat. She’s quiet and her lips part as she lets out a yawn.
She nestles in her seat and I watch as her eyelids fall shut. It’s a bit earlier than when she normally naps, but after all the walking we did, I’m not surprised she’s falling asleep.
“You're all set,” Cole says from behind me. I turn around to face him as he peers through the door, a smile dancing across his face as he sees Chloe drifting asleep. “Looks like someone's tuckered out.”
“I'm hopeful that a quick little nap isn't going to leave her grumpy when I wake her up to see the animals,” I laugh softly and shake my head.
Cole chuckles, the sound vibrating against my eardrums. “Well, I guess you won’t know ‘til you wake her up.”
I gently close the door and Cole walks over to the driver's side with me. I pull open my door, turning to face him, immediately meeting his gaze. His expression is unreadable and a nervousness washes over me under his watchful eyes. “Thank you again for coming to our rescue.”
“Anytime.” His eyes shimmer. “Can I give you my number? I'm sure you won't use it, but I'd like you to have it just in case.” He pauses his half rambling sentence and the corners of his lips twitch. “You don't have to give me yours. I just want you to have mine.”
I can’t tell him no with the hopeful look in his eyes. I pull my phone from the back pocket of my jean shorts and open up a new contact before handing it to him. His fingertips brush mine and the touch burns against my skin as he takes the device from me.
I suck in a sharp breath, heat creeping across my cheeks as his mouth twitches but he doesn’t look up at me as he types his number.
His eyes flash to mine as he lifts his head and hands me back my phone.
“There you go,” he says, his voice husky.
“Have fun at the miniature farm. You should bring her to the ranch sometime.”
“I’m sure she would love that.”
His gaze is fixed on mine. “We’ll talk about it. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”
“You know where to find me.”
I feel the heat creeping up my neck and instantly want to take the words back. Cole raises an eyebrow at me, a smirk lifting his lips as he begins to back away. “Bye El.”
“Bye, cowboy,” I murmur as he turns around on the heel of his boot and heads back to his truck.
I quickly tear my gaze from him and the way those jeans hug his ass.
I force myself into my car, pulling the door shut in a rush before turning on the engine.
My phone is still in my hand with his contact information shining back at me.
I swallow roughly, tapping on the message button. I shouldn’t text him this soon, but I want him to have my number. You know, just in case.
My heart pounds erratically in my chest as I type out my message, acting purely on impulse and press send.
Ella
I owe you…
Cole
You do owe me.
But don't worry. I won't be collectin’ that debt ‘til you're ready.
I stare at my phone, the unfamiliar feeling of butterfly wings wildly flapping in the pit of my stomach. I want to hold on to the sensation, even if it seems too good to be true.
Ella
I hope you do.
Cole
I'm a man of my word, El. I always follow through.
A giggle escapes me and I can’t help myself as I cover my mouth.
A smile breaks out across my lips and I’m grinning like a damned fool as I glance in my side mirror.
Cole is still sitting in his truck behind me and I don’t miss the smirk on his face as he stares back at me.
He waits until I pull my car onto the road before he whips his truck around and disappears in the opposite direction.
Deciding against going to visit the animals, I head back home with Chloe sleeping in the back.
My thoughts keep swirling around Cole Wild and the way he looked at me with those bright blue eyes of his.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt any of these feelings.
And I’m not sure whether I should embrace them or run in the opposite direction.