6. IVY
six
ivy
“I ’m sorry I lied to you.” I blink up at Cole, whose stoic expression remains undeterred. “It fell out of my mouth, and then it was too late to tell you the truth. And I liked being…”
My sentence gets lost in the muggy air surrounding us. Long gone is the gentle heat from this morning, and we’re left with the humidity of a Georgia summer afternoon.
With a warm hand on my lower back, Cole guides me away from the dumpster behind the bar, which I appreciate. The stench of various old food and other garbage was worse than driving past a decaying skunk on the way from Atlanta.
We halt next to a large truck, where Cole studies me with dark eyes.
I smooth my dress down, contemplating how to explain. I thought about it during the short drive to The Tipsy Tap and while I ate my boring lunch. I considered explanations while I waited for him to take his break too, but now that I’m right in front of him, I’m lost. “It’s just that Gigi Gosling is a lot more interesting than Ivy Smith.”
He grips the back of his neck with one hand. “Was anything you said true?”
“I am visiting my aunt. And I have been to Sapphire Creek before, just not to this bar. I was too young the first few times here, and the last time, I was a little too busy purging my guts.” My face immediately heats. “Oh my, that was an overshare. I didn’t mean to be so brash.”
His lips curl at the corners, and he drops his hand back to his side. Then he takes a step closer and sweeps my wavy hair over my shoulder.
I sharply inhale at his close proximity. His cologne. Him .
“My confidence last night wasn’t real, though,” I whisper. “I never make out with sexy strangers I meet at bars. I don’t remember the last date I went on that I enjoyed. It’s always such a dreadful production. Ever since my divorce, I haven’t been interested in dating at all. I don’t know what came over me last night.”
I lose my train of thought again as Cole’s hand grazes the outside of my arm and shoulder until he cups my cheek.
“You were married before?” he asks.
I slowly nod as I trace the outline of his lips with my gaze. “Yesterday, I found out my ex is engaged again, and his new bride is over five years younger than me. She wasn’t even in high school when he and I were seniors.” I dip my head, and my sad laugh escapes into Cole’s chest. “I don’t care about her, and I’m not pining over him. I just feel like I’m old, damaged goods, and I’m only thirty. Last night, I guess I simply wanted to feel something other than painful insecurity.”
Cole’s hand slides from my cheek and locks onto the back of my neck. His firm hold on me snaps me out of my trance.
“Listen to me. I’m sorry for dumping my personal drama onto you. It’s improper.” I attempt to break this connection we have—the physical and emotional attachment we’ve somehow established in less than twenty-four hours—but he keeps me close.
“It sounds like we could both use a fling.”
A jolt of excitement zips through my body, but it’s premature. I didn’t hear him correctly, did I? “I beg your pardon?” I search his unreadable expression for any sign of a joke.
“A fling.” He threads his fingers through my hair and gently gives it a tug.
The soft gasp releasing from my parted lips is automatic, as is the heat flooding my core.
“Here are the facts. We are obviously attracted to each other,” he rasps against the column of my throat and deeply inhales. “You’re here to escape reality, and I’m an ex-lawyer who’s figuring out his shit. You’re leaving in two weeks, and we could both use a little… fun, don’t you agree?”
“Yes,” I say on an exhale.
Mischief floods his dark eyes, and the groove in his chin deepens as he seemingly fights a smile.
When Cole’s lips inch even closer, I hold my breath and my eyes flutter closed, ready to sign my soul over to him.
Just when I think he’ll kiss me, the back door to the bar swings open, and the sassy young server from earlier steps out, hands on her hips. “Break’s over.”
“ Scarlett ,” Cole mutters. “Thanks for keeping me so prompt.”
“Always.” Her knowing smile burns a harsh blush through my cheeks. She disappears back into the restaurant, leaving me alone with Cole again.
“I should go.” I shrug and pull my purse higher on my shoulder.
“I have to get back to work, but we’re not finished here.”
“I think we are.” I place my hand on his chest, then nudge him backward. “You make me so reckless, Cole. I can’t think straight when I’m around you, and I turn into this unladylike version of myself. It’s unbecoming.”
“If that’s how you feel…” To my dismay, he holds his hands up in surrender and puts even more distance between us.
My heart plummets into my stomach as he wraps his long fingers around the doorknob to the bar. Right when I believe he’ll tug it open, he snaps his body around and stalks toward me, instead. “But if you change your mind, I think you should have my number.”
Gulping, I reach into my purse for my phone as if I’m hypnotized. This is so, so dangerous, but the possible consequences don’t stop me from plopping the phone into his outstretched palm and biting my lip as his fingers work the screen.
My heart rate reaches new heights as he hands it back to me and says, “See you around, Ivy Smith.”
My name drips from his lips like honey, sweet and enticing.
Cole is a real man. He’s rugged and good-looking in a raw, mouthwatering way, with his thick hair, plain tee, and tattooed forearm.
On top of that, he kissed me last night like it was the final act he’d commit on God’s green earth.
I might’ve only met him less than a day ago, but I already know, deep in my core, that Cole Rivers has unspeakably filthy skills to make even women like me succumb to temptation.
* * *
I t’s been five hours since my conversation with Cole.
In that time, I’ve planted tulips with Aunt Carol at the Buchanan House, pulled weeds on my hands and knees, and dusted shelves inside the old mansion. It’s supposed to host the first annual Sapphire Creek high school reunion in a few months, and it’s not quite in proper shape yet.
I was happy to lend my assistance today and catch up with Addie, but it wasn’t solely out of the kindness of my heart. It was to distract me from a certain sexy bartender and his inappropriate offer to engage in a fling.
An offer I’m still considering even after the yard work, plus my short run and hot shower.
What would Gigi do?
She’d have the fling. She’d get flung into next month and openly rave about it, too. She wouldn’t consider it a crime against the debutantes, aka my mother’s world.
With a sigh, I wrap my pink robe tightly around my waist and call my best friend. I immediately launch into my current situation in Sapphire Creek, then recount every detail concerning Cole, including his offer.
“What did you say?” Elaine squeals on the other end.
I finally stop pacing and rest on the edge of the bed. “I said it’s inappropriate.”
“Maybe a little, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go for it.”
“This is a small town, Elaine. Everyone will hear about it. Our circle in Atlanta is bad enough with the gossip, but Sapphire Creek is a whole new Devil. The rumor mill is worse than a perm in summer. We were already caught making out once, so it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the town, plus Aunt Carol, hears of Cole and the city tramp.”
“So?”
“ So ?” I scoff. “News will get back to my mother, and it might actually be cause for her to disown me.”
“She would never, but even if she tries, you know your father wouldn’t allow it. You can do no wrong in his eyes.”
“Bless him.”
Elaine softens her voice when she says, “I know you’re worried about your image. I don’t blame you. I do the same. My mother’s approval means a lot to me too, which is why I have most of my fun while I’m out of town on assignments and self-care vacations.”
I hum, knowing exactly the kind of fun she’s referring to. I usually live vicariously through her adventures, but for once, I have the chance to live my own naughty experiences—with Cole.
“Ivy, this is your life,” she continues. “You shouldn’t live it based on what your mother or anyone else thinks. I know she believes she knows best, and I’m sure that’s the case at times, but her plans for you don’t have to be your only options. You’re still in charge here.”
I chew on my thumbnail, a nervous habit my mother frequently scolds me over, but no matter how many lectures I receive, I can’t seem to completely stop.
Just like I can’t stop being myself, who’s usually imperfect in my mother’s eyes, anyway. In truth, I’ve always strived to fit a mold my mother created for me. To be the prim and proper daughter she approves of. To suppress wild urges and never, ever be reckless.
But is that even who I am? Am I happy with forcing myself to be that person?
I like cursing. I like croissants and muffins and making out with hot bartenders. What’s the harm in adding a sexy fling to the mix?
“You deserve some fun,” Elaine presses. “You’ve had horrible dates this year, and you deserve to let loose with someone you are actually attracted to.”
I toss my hand in the air. “You’re totally right.”
Another squeal echoes from the speaker, and I can’t suppress my own excitement. My instant grin is so wide my cheeks are sore.
“You’re going for it?” she asks, anticipation lifting her tone.
I match her enthusiasm with a little bounce of my own. “I need to go, Elaine. I have a fling that requires my attention.”