Chapter 30
COLE
Stepping onto the path behind the cabins, grass and gravel crunching beneath our feet, Juliette and I didn’t speak. But it was an easy, comfortable silence.
A charged silence.
“I think it’s that one.” said Jules.
The cottages were all different sizes. Some of the siblings actually lived on the property. The one we headed toward was small but private, surrounded by trees and closer to the lake than most of the others. On a weekend, there would have been no chance it was available.
As we climbed the few steps to the front porch, I texted him back and told Parker his services wouldn’t be needed tonight, knowing I would have to give the devil his due tomorrow.
He wouldn’t be happy.
But I agreed with Juliette. We were adults and could make our own decisions. Tomorrow would be soon enough to sort things through.
“It worked,” Juliette said as she punched in the code. The cottage door opened.
We stepped into our lakeside oasis. Warm light filled the space, reflecting off pale wood and linen textures, the windows framing the dark water beyond as if the lake itself had been invited inside.
She closed the door and turned to me. I didn’t waste another second.
Grasping the back of her head, my fingers threading through her hair, I pulled her toward me. This time, when our lips came together, there was no hesitation. She opened for me, and I took.
I couldn’t get enough of her. Tongues clashing, her hands gripping my shoulders. Kissing Juliette was everything I thought it would be.
And more.
I let my hand dip down and grab her ass, squeezing firmly and pulling her hips into mine.
Instead of being startled, she ground herself against me. Every part of us was flush together. Mouths. Chests. Hips. Our bodies already knowing the dance we were about to begin.
I wanted to go slow.
I wanted to devour her.
The latter won.
I grabbed the hem of her sundress, forced myself to pull back just long enough to lift it over her head in one fluid motion. I groaned at the sight of her, breasts spilling from a low-cut black lace bra, matching panties, her expression just as hungry as I felt.
“I want this,” she said.
“Good,” I said. “Because I’m going to give it to you.”
I started to unbutton my shirt, but she stepped forward.
“Let me.”
She slowed it down deliberately, unbuttoning one by one until I couldn’t take the torture anymore. I tore the shirt off, already imagining my face buried between her breasts.
“Juliette, this isn’t going to be gentle.”
She smiled, but said nothing.
As I kicked off my shoes and she did the same, I stopped her when her hands reached behind her back.
“Let me.”
Down to my underwear, I turned her slowly and unclasped her bra. As it slipped away, her back bare to me, I moved her hair over her shoulder and kissed the curve of her neck. Then lower. Down her spine. Finally, I reached around and covered her breasts with my hands.
“Do you have any idea how badly I’ve wanted to do this?”
I circled my thumbs around her nipples, hardening them, playing until she made a broken sound.
“Your body is perfection.”
She turned her head. “You’re one to talk.”
My hands slid down her waist, slipping under her panties. I hooked the lace with my thumbs, lowering them inch by inch until her underwear hit the floor.
“Turn around.”
She did, but I didn’t stand just yet.
“I want you to remember this position,” I said quietly. “Because soon we’ll be on the bed, and I’ll be down there between your legs, making you come.”
She swallowed hard as if doubting we would actually make it that far.
“Are you on the pill?”
“I am.”
Her hand slid across my chest, down my abs. I sucked in a breath.
“Juliette. I warned you.”
She didn’t stop. Her hand slipped lower, wrapping around me. I was already hard, and when she tightened her grip, I lost control for the moment.
She could have it.
“Do you like this?” she asked.
I closed my eyes. No imagination required anymore.
“Very much.”
I opened my eyes, grabbed her wrist, and pulled it away. Then I kissed her again, deep and desperate, only stopping long enough to scoop her into my arms.
“I’m too heavy,” she said.
“You’re perfect.”
My eyes never left hers as I carried her up the stairs to the loft bedroom and laid her onto the bed. I pushed my underwear down and positioned myself between her legs, just as I promised.
“When you come,” I said, spreading her open with my thumbs, “don’t push me away. Don’t beg me to stop. Because I won’t.”
She wasn’t bashful in the slightest, and I loved it.
“Awfully controlling in the bedroom, aren’t we?”
I leaned down and licked her slowly, deliberately. When I looked up again, her hands were gripping the comforter.
“Only if you want me to be.”
She blinked as the realization settled in. I could be any kind of lover she wanted. But here, taking control felt right.
“Do that again.”
Every nerve in my body screamed to obey. Instead, I held her gaze.
“In here,” I said softly, “I’m in charge.”
No hesitation. Only interest.
“Cole.”
The way she said my name told me everything. I buried myself in her, making it my mission to give her the greatest climax of her life. My thumb found her, my mouth followed, my focus absolute.
I didn’t relent. Not when she called my name. Not when she arched and circled her hips. Not when she demanded it. Just like I promised, I took everything she gave me, wanting her to feel a pleasure she’d never known before.
I was all in. For her.
“Oh my God, Cole,” she gasped. “What was that?”
A good start.
I wiped my mouth slowly with my thumb.
“Holy shit. That was definitely not what I was expecting.”
I kissed my way up her body, tasting every inch.
“What were you expecting?” I asked.
“Not that.”
I kissed her again, slid a pillow beneath her hips.
“What’s that for?”
“You’ll see. God, you’re gorgeous.”
A dangerous thought crossed my mind, how easily I could get used to that look on her face.
I prepared her carefully, deliberately.
“Tell me what you like, Juliette.”
Her lower lip trembled.
“Tell me.”
“I like this,” she said softly. “I like you taking control.”
That was all I needed.
When I finally slid into her, it felt like coming home.
“I’m going to make you come so hard tonight,” I told her, “you won’t forget it.”
She didn’t.
When it was over, I rolled us carefully, her draped over me, spent.
“That was the hottest sex I’ve ever had,” she said. “You’re unbelievable.”
I smiled.
“Monella, that was just the beginning. If we have this cottage all night, we’re going to make good use of it. If you want.”
“I want,” she said softly. “Very much.”