Chapter 4
Cole
Full confession: I wasn’t big on museums. My sisters were fans of the Guggenheim and other New York museums. I went along mostly because it gave me a chance to spend time with them, and because it made for good small talk in business meetings.
But I was enjoying this more than I thought.
Yesterday, I’d told Laney I wanted to join her on an impulse.
I’d just watched her eat that ice cream like it was her job, and thought, I want to spend tomorrow with her .
She stopped at each level, constantly snapping photos and sending them to her parents.
Damn, she was a woman after my own heart.
The sexy doc kept surprising me. Not only was she smart and funny but also sensitive and caring.
I’d liked how determined she was to make things smooth for Isabelle.
She was compassionate and warm, and I liked that a lot.
I’d always prided myself on being in shape, but these stairs were challenging.
“My glutes are burning,” Laney said when we reached the second level.
When we reached the third level, she gasped. “I need a break.”
Drawing in a deep breath, she glanced up to the top level, then back at me. I was panting too and didn’t try to hide it. These stairs were kicking my ass.
“Does your offer still stand?” she asked.
“Which one?”
“To carry me to the top.”
I laughed, even more so because her teasing smile made it clear she didn’t mean it. The next second, I lifted her up by her thighs, literally throwing her over my shoulder.
Her laughter echoed throughout the open space. I was sure that everyone was looking at us, but I really didn’t give a fuck. I pushed myself harder, because climbing these steps with Laney over one shoulder was borderline killing my muscles.
“You are insane,” she muttered through fits of laughter when I finally put her down once we’d reached the top.
“I know.”
I’d always been spontaneous and didn’t take myself seriously, but this was a bit too crazy even for me. I might not be able to walk back down… or at all today. My thighs were literally burning. I grabbed a railing for support, drawing my breath.
“What’s the matter, Mr. Hero? Muscles sore?” That teasing mouth. I wanted to claim it, kiss her hard.
“If I say yes, do you promise to take care of them later?”
Laney blushed furiously, averting her gaze. Then she frowned.
“Cole, a guard is coming toward us.”
“Nah, he’s probably just patrolling around.”
Five minutes later…
“Did you just bribe the guard?” Laney asked me, flummoxed. I’d gone with him a few feet away to talk. He hadn’t taken our stair adventure lightly, insisted we’d disturbed the other visitors.
“No, I’ve used other methods.”
She cocked a brow. “And what would these be?”
“Just told him the truth. I’m trying to win over this gorgeous woman, and him escorting us out would ensure I fail.”
Laney’s eyes widened. She licked her lower lip, and that urge to claim her mouth slammed back into me. “And he bought that?”
“Between you and me, I think he just took pity on me.”
“Pitiable, huh? Not how I’d describe you.”
“What would you say about me, Laney?”
“I think you’re very convincing, and you know it. As proof, you’re here today with me. I don’t even know how that happened.”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “Just my charm at work.”
Laney threw her head back, laughing. “Oh, Cole. Isabelle really didn’t do you justice.”
“Now I’m intrigued.”
“Well, I’m hungry. Let’s eat the snacks I brought.”
“What?”
She pointed to the backpack. We sat on the top row, on a section designed for tourists, where a wooden overlay covered the original stone bench. I watched in fascination as she took out two sandwiches and bottles of water.
“When did you buy these?”
“This morning. Thought we might need sustenance since the tour is so long.”
She laid out a napkin as a placemat between us and opened our sandwiches on it. It was windy, so she had to secure the napkin with a bottle of water.
“Thanks. Damn, the food in this country is just amazing,” I said after swallowing a mouthful of the mozzarella and tomato sandwich.
“I agree. I’ve felt on vacation since I arrived, even though I’m working.”
“I’m regretting not staying longer. Hunter has the travel bug. He likes to take trips abroad whenever possible. I’m starting to get why. It’s refreshing to experience something completely new.”
“So what do you do when you take time off?”
“At most I go to the Hamptons, but I honestly don’t take long vacations. I got used to this rhythm of life. It was necessary in the beginning when we were building the business.”
“Well, then… make the most out of this day, mister. It’s the perfect day, don’t you think?
The sun is so warm, and you’ve got the last ticket to the most kick-ass tour of the Colosseum.
And now we’re sitting in the best spot.” She took off her sneakers, resting her legs on the wooden seat.
I loved that she enjoyed this to the max.
It had a positive effect on me too. It wasn’t that I didn’t know how to have fun, because I did; but I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so relaxed.
“One of your sisters is pregnant, right?” she asked unexpectedly.
“Yes, Skye. Isabelle told you?”
“She asked for an ob-gyn recommendation a while ago, and I told her about Dr. Johnson at my hospital. She’s treating Skye. When is she due?”
“May.”
“Are you excited?”
“Damn right I am.”
"What’s his or her name?”
“Jonas.”
“Oh, that’s such a cute name.”
We spoke about Skye, and I also showed her a few pictures of the family. Then we ate our sandwiches in two minutes flat, washing them down with water. Afterward, she wanted a picture. Laney handed me the phone, but this time, instead of just snapping a pic of her, I made a selfie of us.
“Tell me what you’ve read about this place.”
She grinned. “You sure? Our guide signaled us that we only have ten minutes of break left.”
“Fire away.”
Usually I crunched numbers in my mind even when I was out and about.
Right now, Laney captivated all of my attention.
It was the first time it had happened to me.
My nickname wasn’t a coincidence—I didn’t date seriously, and I rarely spent time with a woman outside the bedroom or a dinner.
But right now, I was regretting that I was leaving so soon.
I wanted to spend more time with Laney. That smile, the passion in her voice—they demanded my full focus.
The more she spoke, the closer I wanted to lean in.
Fucking hell, I had to kiss her. “Are you listening?” she asked in a teasing tone.
“Not the past few minutes,” I admitted. “Too busy thinking about kissing you.”
“Cole!” Laney blushed instantly. Her gaze darted around, but she licked her lips. Then she pointed a finger at me. “I do not want that guard on our case again.”
“So you want me to kiss you, but only if the guard doesn’t see us?” The red in her cheeks intensified. I leaned in, just needing to be a tad closer. “I can make that happen. And if he does see us, I can talk our way out of it again.”
Laney played with her ponytail, just smiling. “You’re really something. I’m not as confident as you when it comes to sweet-talking the guard again. But I’m filing this overconfidence right here.” She tapped her temple. “I suspect it will weigh a lot in my assessment.”
“You still haven’t made up your mind about me?”
“Nope.”
“I know what might help expedite the process.”
“What?”
“Kissing.”
Before Laney had time to react, our guide walked up to us. “Break’s over, everyone. We’re moving downstairs, one level at a time. Come on.”
Laney immediately put on her sneakers. She was still blushing.
There was no chance to pick up the thread of the conversation after we joined the group.
I caught Laney looking at a couple with a strangely sad expression.
What was that about? Once the guide started talking, Laney’s attention was glued on her.
“Pay attention,” she whispered out of the corner of her mouth.
I leaned in, speaking directly in her ear. “Why, you gonna quiz me afterward? In between all the kissing?”
She elbowed me playfully, and I kept a few feet distance after that, just so I wouldn’t give in to temptation.
The tour ended in front of the Colosseum.
“I believe the tour is over now,” I told Laney.
“Oh? I hadn’t noticed.” Her tone was playful.
“I believe we had a deal.”
I leaned in closer until the tip of my nose nearly touched hers.
“Hmm… I remember. So what’s the plan, mister?”
I stroked her cheek with the back of my fingers. “First things first. Do you have a jacket in your backpack? You’re shivering.”
“No, I didn’t bring one, and it is pretty chilly.”
“Then let’s go to your place to get a jacket. You said it’s nearby, right? I’d give you my jacket if I had it with me.”
She smiled, rubbing her hands more vigorously. “Just saying, but that is a gentlemanly thing to do. And yes, it is just a few blocks away. We’ll need about ten minutes.”
“Then let’s go.”
She was all mine… for about an hour, and then I was leaving for the airport.
Laney
Cole was hands down the biggest flirt I’d ever met.
Before we left the Colosseum, he loaded up on extra gifts from a souvenir boutique, insisting that he needed backup in case his previous purchases sucked.
Cole Winchester might be the world’s best charmer, but he was also a genuinely thoughtful person who I’d love to get to know better.
By the time we reached my building and I was searching for my key in my backpack, I started shivering in earnest. A bit silly of me, not bringing any jacket. Cole put an arm around my shoulders, practically pressing my side into his.
“Just keeping you warm,” he said playfully.
“Aha, that’s what you call it.”
He brought his mouth to my ear. “Laney, when I want something, I don’t mince words.”
His tone of voice was low and raw, just delicious. Suddenly, the air between us grew thick and heavy with tension. I finally found the key and put it in the hole, hoping it wouldn’t jam this time, but of course that was exactly what happened.
“Want to try your hand at it?” I asked Cole. “Gets stuck half the time.”
“Sure.” Cole pushed himself against the door, then lifted it a bit, and jammed it some more. Finally, he pushed himself harder.
“Ah,” he exclaimed, wringing his right hand.
“Did you cut yourself?” I asked, taking his hand immediately and inspecting it. There were dents in his forefinger, but it was just a scratch.
“It’s very superficial. But I can disinfect it. I have everything I need upstairs.”
“You’re joking.”
“No, really. It’ll just take a few seconds.”
“Sure, doc.”
Cole looked around curiously once we were inside. It was a huge place, and since it had one bedroom, a living room, and a kitchen, each room was big.
“Come on, the first aid kit is in the bathroom.”
That was the only space that was actually tiny. We both squeezed between the sink and a wall as I applied antiseptic.
Cole groaned a bit.
“Stings?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“Would this be a bad time to make fun of you?”
“Very.”
“Okay, well, then you’re all done.”
Glancing up, I was thrown by the way he looked at me.
I suddenly became aware of how close we were.
Now that I wasn’t doctoring him anymore, I was intensely aware of the heat of his body.
He rested his good hand on the wall right next to my ear, as if he was barely refraining from touching me.
I didn’t want him to refrain anymore. I wanted him to kiss me.
It didn’t matter that I’d just met him yesterday, that I knew so little about him.
Isabelle knew him, and he had a soft spot for his family. It was enough for this.
He tilted even closer, and then his mouth was on mine, hot and relentless.
Pleasure shot right through me. The kiss was unexpectedly delicious and dirty.
I couldn’t get enough. Every lash of his tongue stoked the fire inside me.
My body was vibrating from the heat coursing through me.
My fingers tingled, and I went up on my toes, then back on my heels as I tried to get closer, tried to get more.
As if knowing my intent, his hands went to my waist, keeping me in place while he deepened his exploration.
This kiss, goodness. I felt lighter, suddenly, as if I was floating, as if he’d set free something deep inside me. I was aware of my body for the first time in years.
He pulled back for a fraction of an inch. Cole wasn’t saying anything, but he didn’t have to. The intensity just rolling off him did all the talking. The way he looked at me…
I smiled, touching his jaw. “I’ve made up my mind about you, Cole Winchester.”
“Told you kissing would tip the balance in my favor.”
“Who says it’s in your favor?”
“I should kiss you again, drive the point home.”
I swatted his shoulder playfully. “I can see now why you call yourself the leader of the bachelor pack.”
“Isabelle told you that?”
“No, heard it from Ian and Dylan.” They were Isabelle’s brothers. “You’re a confirmed bachelor, and my life in New York basically revolves around the hospital, so… what happens in Rome stays in Rome?”
I winced. Did that sound bad? I didn’t have confidence issues normally, but I was terrible at this.
I hadn’t even tried flirting after losing my husband, and I was making a fool of myself.
I cast my gaze down. Cole slipped two fingers under my chin, tilting it up.
He had a huge smile spread on his handsome face.
“I’m more than okay with that.”
I let out a breath of relief, but as soon as I calculated how much time we had left, all I wanted to do was to prolong it.
“Okay, so you said you have to be at the airport at six thirty, right? That means you have to get a cab in about an hour. Doesn’t leave us much time to go to a restaurant.
What do you say about buying pizza from the take-out restaurant next to this building?
It’s really good. We could eat it here… and chat.
Oh shit, did that sound like a booty call? It’s not what I meant.”
Cole stared at me for a few seconds before bursting out laughing. “You think this is a booty call? You don’t have experience with those, do you, doc?”
“Guilty. I mean, I didn’t want you to expect?—”
Cole silenced me by kissing the side of my neck. He interlaced his fingers with mine at the sides of my thighs before straightening up. “Laney, relax. I’m not expecting anything. Let’s talk, eat pizza, and see what happens.”
I grinned. “And maybe kiss some more.”
“At your service, doc. And what happens in Rome, stays in Rome. That’s a promise.”