12. Cole
COLE
T he rain began softly, a gentle patter on the leaves as we wrapped up our picnic, but within minutes it was coming down in earnest.
A thick, misty veil blurred the trees around us, soaking everything in sight and turning the path into a slippery mess.
I grabbed Tori’s hand as we started back down, pulling her close to keep her from sliding in the mud.
“This isn’t exactly the romantic stroll I promised,” I said with a laugh, squeezing her fingers as the rain poured down on us.
Tori gave me a wry smile, blinking water from her lashes. “It’s memorable, at least.”
Our laughter echoed through the woods, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise cold, wet descent.
Every step we took felt treacherous, the dirt and rocks beneath our feet slick with rainwater.
I kept my arm around her waist, determined to steady her through the worst of it.
Just as we reached a particularly steep slope, Tori’s foot slipped on a patch of mud, and she let out a yelp.
I tightened my grip, pulling her against me with enough force that she nearly stumbled right into my chest.
Her hands pressed against my shoulders as she caught her breath, her eyes wide with surprise and a little spark of thrill.
“That was close,” she said, laughing, her cheeks flushed despite the rain. “I almost ate it.”
“I’ve got you,” I murmured, still holding her close.
Her laughter softened as her gaze lingered on mine, her damp hair clinging to her face.
Raindrops slid down her cheeks, and without thinking, I brushed one away with my thumb.
She didn’t pull back, didn’t look away.
Instead, she tilted her chin up, her lips parting slightly. I didn’t waste a second.
I leaned down and kissed her, the rain drumming around us as I pressed my mouth to hers, tasting the sweetness of her smile mixed with the freshness of the rain.
She responded with equal fervor, her fingers curling into my jacket, pulling me even closer.
When we finally broke apart, I let my hand linger at the nape of her neck, breathing her in.
“Let’s get back to the lake house,” I murmured, my voice thick with a possessive edge that even surprised me.
Tori nodded, her cheeks flushed, and I didn’t miss the way her eyes held that same glint of excitement.
With renewed energy, we navigated the rest of the slippery path down, my hand never leaving hers.
By the time we reached the lake house, the rain was still pouring down.
All I could think about was the fact that we finally had the place to ourselves.
The house was quiet, the air inside warm and still.
I could see Tori shivering, her clothes soaked through, and I took off my pack, grabbing a couple of towels we’d stashed away earlier.
Gently, I wrapped one around her shoulders, rubbing her arms to help chase away the chill.
“You should warm up,” I said softly, pulling another towel free and drying off her hair as best as I could.
“There’s a bathroom just down the hall if you want to take a hot shower. I can heat up the leftover soup from last night,” I added.
Tori smiled, looking up at me with gratitude in her eyes. She turned to head toward the bathroom.
But then, she paused, glancing over her shoulder at me with a look that sent my pulse racing.
“You can join me…if you’d like,” Tori said.
A surge of heat flooded through me at her invitation.
Her voice carried a hint of shyness but a clear invitation that made my blood surge.
I think I just might, I thought, my gaze catching hers as a blush colored her cheeks.
I followed her down the hall, unable to look away.
I knew the kind of trust she was placing in me, and I swore to myself I wouldn’t betray it.
We stepped into the small, warm bathroom.
As the shower hissed to life, a mist filling the space, I watched her reach for the hem of her shirt.
Her movements were a little hesitant but steady.
I moved to help, my hands gently brushing hers, lifting the fabric and sliding it off her shoulders.
We undressed slowly, almost reverently, as if we had all the time in the world.
The air was thick with anticipation and an unspoken promise that neither of us wanted to break.
When I finally stepped under the stream of warm water with her, the heat washing away the chill of the rain, I felt as if everything else had faded away—leaving just us in this moment.
Tori leaned into me, her hands resting on my chest.
I could see the vulnerability in her gaze mixed with a trust that hit me like a punch to the gut.
I wrapped my arms around her, pressing her against me.
I dipped my head to capture her lips again, this time slower, savoring every touch, every heartbeat.
The warmth of the water cascaded around us, mingling with the heat that built between us, the droplets trickling down our skin.
“Tori, tell me if I’m going too fast. Tell me if you’re not ready for this yet,” I murmured, tracing the curve of her breasts.
“I’m ready, Cole. I want this, want you,” she said.
That was all I needed to hear. I gently pushed Tori against the wall, turned the water off, then took my time, worshipping her body.
I kissed her breasts reverently, sucking on both her nipples until they peaked. Tori cried out, burying her fingers into my hair.
I left a trail of more kisses down the line of her body, her ribs and belly, finally reaching the valley between her legs.
Tori parted her legs without me needing to tell her.
Gripping her thighs, I kissed the soft lips of her pussy.
I paid close attention to the sensitive nub until Tori moaned and climaxed against my mouth.
I stood back up, surprised she tugged me close for a kiss, which I eagerly returned. When she pulled back, she gave me a shy look.
“My turn,” she whispered, reaching for my thickening cock.
I groaned against her touch.
“Not here. I want to take you in bed,” I told her.
We finished up in the bathroom, then moved to the bedroom.
Tori looked gorgeous and naked on the silk black sheets, a gorgeous offering.
I joined her, straddling her sweet body, crushing my lips against hers.
“Cole,” she murmured, eyes dilated with pleasure. “I’m yours.”
“Mine,” I said possessively.
Lifting her legs over my shoulders, I slid one finger inside her wet heat, then another. Tori let out an impatient moan.
“Wait,” I said, quickly getting off her.
After grabbing the condom from my wallet, I tore the packaging, slipped it on, then resumed what we were doing.
I entered her, slow and steady.
The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her. I didn’t break eye contact at least once and Tori didn’t tell me to stop or slow down.
Finally, I was deeply seated inside her.
Tori groaned, digging her nails into my shoulders. I rode her then, started with slow strokes before picking up the pace.
It was electric. Each time I entered her, it felt like a piece of her soul reached out to brush mine.
Sweat coated our bodies. She started meeting me for every push.
I shifted the angle of my thrusts and hearing her cry out, I knew I found her sweet spot.
I repeatedly aimed for the spot. My balls tightened against my body and I knew I wouldn’t last long.
The next time I entered her, Tori climaxed, calling out my name.
Several moments later, I came as well, my mind filling with a haze of pleasure as I pulled out of Tori.
After I disposed of the condom, I grabbed a towel to clean us both off.
I lay next to her, pulling her close until our bodies were entwined, her head resting against my chest.
I wrapped my arm around her, possessively, protectively, feeling like I never wanted to let her go.
I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, breathing in the faint scent of her hair mixed with the lingering warmth of our shared moments.
“That was amazing,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her fingers traced gentle lines along my jaw, her touch light and filled with a kind of tenderness that made my chest ache.
The warmth of her breath ghosted against my lips as she gazed up at me.
Her eyes were soft and full of something that made my heart pound.
“It was,” I agreed, my voice just as low, feeling the weight of the connection we’d shared.
I brushed her hair back from her face, letting my hand linger at her cheek.
Her skin was warm beneath my fingertips, and I couldn’t help but run my thumb along her cheekbone.
I silently memorised the curve of her face, the softness of her skin.
She smiled, her lips curving in a way that made me feel like the luckiest man alive.
“I’m glad you invited me here,” she whispered.
“I’m glad you agreed to come,” I murmured, pulling her even closer. “I wanted you to see this part of my life…to know the people who matter to me.”
I swallowed, suddenly vulnerable as I looked into her eyes.
“I wanted you to know that you matter, Tori,” I told her.
Her eyes softened, and she lifted a hand, letting her fingers trace the outline of my lips, her touch both delicate and intimate.
“I feel like I belong here,” she admitted softly.
Her words felt like a balm to all the times I’d doubted I’d ever find someone who could fit into my world so seamlessly.
I wrapped my hand around hers, bringing her fingers to my lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
“You do belong here,” I said, the words coming out rougher than I’d intended, but I meant every one of them.
“I don’t know how to explain it, but I’ve never felt this way before,” I added.
She sighed, her eyes filled with warmth as she pressed a kiss to my chest, right over my heart.
“Me neither,” she whispered.
And with that, she nestled closer.
Her body seemed to melt against mine as we lay together in the quiet, wrapped in each other and the softness of the moment.