Chapter 14
Forever
It had been a long time since Sienna had awakened with a man beside her.
She stared at the ceiling, debating whether to snuggle closer to Cole or get up and make the coffee already calling her name.
Almost two weeks had passed since Pit's wedding and her reunion with Cole.
They'd spent nearly every moment together since.
His presence had become a welcome change to the quiet life she'd created for herself.
For the first time in a long while, Sienna felt alive.
She carefully began to climb out of bed.
A strong arm wrapped around her waist.
Seconds later, she was pulled back against Cole.
"Don't leave. Stay with me."
His voice was deep and raspy from sleep, with a hint of sadness beneath it.
Sienna turned toward him.
"I didn't want to wake you."
She traced a finger along his cheek and kissed him softly.
Cole pulled her on top of him.
Sienna laughed as she straddled his waist, her satin nightgown slipping low enough to expose the top of one breast.
Cole stared.
"What?"
"Nothing."
His cock hardened beneath his boxers.
Sienna felt it.
Her smile widened.
"What are our plans for today?" he asked.
"Our plans?"
She emphasized the word.
"What makes you think I want to spend the day with you?"
Cole slid a hand along her thigh.
Sienna's teasing smile disappeared.
His fingers moved between her legs, finding her already wet beneath her panties.
Her eyes closed.
She lifted herself slightly, giving him easier access.
Cole smiled.
"I was going to say I'm completely open to staying in bed and being your sex slave."
Sienna laughed.
"Maybe I should rethink this sex-slave thing."
His fingers moved faster.
Her hips followed the rhythm instinctively.
Pleasure spread through her until coherent thought became nearly impossible.
Sienna's head fell back.
A moan escaped her.
Cole watched every expression cross her face.
There was something about her confidence in bed that he'd never experienced with another woman.
She didn't hide what she wanted.
Didn't apologize for enjoying it.
And watching her surrender to him made Cole feel like the luckiest man alive.
Sienna eventually collapsed against his chest, breathless.
Cole slowly stroked her back.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then a thought Sienna had tried desperately to ignore surfaced.
"Please don't hurt me."
Cole's hand stopped.
His eyes closed.
Her request was so quiet, so sincere, it nearly broke him.
"Come home with me."
Sienna lifted her head.
"What?"
"Come to Montana."
She stared at him.
"Great Falls is quiet. I think you'd like it."
Cole continued before he lost his nerve.
"There's plenty of privacy. Fall is coming. The leaves will be changing soon."
Sienna studied his face.
"Are you asking me to move in with you?"
"No."
The answer came much too quickly.
Sienna raised an eyebrow.
Cole sighed.
"Okay. Maybe eventually I'd like that."
At least he was honest.
"But that's not what I'm asking now."
He brushed her hair away from her face.
"Come for a weekend. See where I live. If you hate it, I'll bring you straight back here."
Sienna rested her chin against his chest.
"My life is here."
"I know."
"I'm not ready to give that up."
"I'm not asking you to."
She was quiet.
"Why the rush?"
Cole considered his answer.
Then decided she deserved the truth.
"I still have a lot to prove to you, SiSi."
Sienna's expression softened.
"I don't have anything to hide from you. I want you to see my life. My home. All of it."
He paused.
"But I know it's a big step, and I'll understand if you say no."
Sienna thought about everything she'd promised herself after Atlanta.
No more losing herself in someone else.
No more allowing another person to determine whether she felt whole.
The Maldives was her home.
But she'd also spent years wondering about Cole Bennett.
Who was he when he wasn't protecting someone?
What did his life look like when nobody needed him?
Maybe it was time to find out.
"One weekend."
Cole's eyes brightened.
"One weekend in Montana, and then I come home."
"Deal."
"My life is here."
"I know."
"And I'm not moving."
Cole smiled against her hair.
"I heard you the first three times."
Sienna slapped his chest.
He laughed and pulled her closer.
"Thank you."
Three days later, they landed in Montana.
Cole had been nervous for most of the flight.
Sienna noticed.
He hadn't eaten much and had been unusually quiet.
She spent part of the trip sleeping and the rest answering emails and letting several people she trusted know exactly where she'd be.
She trusted Cole.
But after everything she'd experienced, making sure people knew her whereabouts had become part of her life.
Cole understood.
He didn't take it personally.
Her manager had arranged transportation from the airport, which Cole accepted without complaint.
Once they were settled in the back seat, he finally spoke.
"There's somewhere I'd like to stop before we get home. They have good takeout."
"Sounds good."
"My refrigerator is basically empty."
Sienna smiled.
"Of course it is."
Cole looked offended.
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing."
"It definitely means something."
She touched his knee.
Cole immediately took her hand and intertwined their fingers.
Sienna studied him.
"Are you having second thoughts about inviting me?"
"No."
"You're awfully quiet."
Cole looked toward the window.
"I'm embarrassed."
"About what?"
"My house."
Sienna frowned.
"I have frozen dinners in the freezer and a cabinet stocked with alcohol."
She laughed.
"That's what you're worried about?"
"I wasn't exactly expecting company."
The word bothered him as soon as he said it.
Sienna was much more than company.
She rested her head against his shoulder.
"Takeout sounds perfect."
Cole kissed the top of her head.
The tension in his body finally eased.
The drive to Cole's house was beautiful.
Trees lined both sides of the road, becoming thicker as they traveled farther from town.
The more secluded the area became, the more Sienna understood why he'd chosen it.
It reminded her of the Maldives in an unexpected way.
Quiet.
Private.
Removed from everything.
Eventually, a modest cabin-style house appeared.
Large windows covered much of the first floor, and a wraparound porch stretched around the side.
Sienna smiled.
It was exactly what she'd imagined.
Maybe even better.
Once the driver unloaded their bags, he handed Sienna a card.
"I'm available all weekend, ma'am. Anything you need, just call."
"Thank you."
Sienna slipped it into her pocket.
Cole waited until the driver left.
"You really think you're going to need an escape vehicle?"
She glanced at him.
"I haven't seen the inside of your refrigerator yet."
Cole laughed.
"Fair."
Inside, the house was simple.
Very simple.
There wasn't much furniture downstairs, and only a few personal items decorated the walls.
Sienna slipped off her heels and wandered farther inside while Cole unpacked their food.
A few minutes later, he appeared carrying two plates.
"When the weather's nice, I eat outside."
Sienna followed him.
The moment she stepped onto the porch, she stopped.
A gorgeous lake stretched beyond the property, surrounded by trees.
The view was breathtaking.
"It's so quiet."
Cole returned with wine and two glasses.
"That's why I bought it."
They sat and began eating.
Sienna continued staring at the lake.
"I understand now."
"What?"
"Why you love it here."
She gestured toward the scenery.
"The lake. The trees. It's beautiful."
Cole stared directly at her.
"You're right. My view is absolutely stunning."
Sienna slowly turned.
He wasn't looking at the lake.
Heat rose into her cheeks.
"You're ridiculous."
Cole smiled.
"So what's on the agenda tomorrow?"
He thought for a moment.
"Fishing."
Sienna laughed.
"Fishing?"
"What's wrong with fishing?"
"Nothing. But I've never touched a fishing pole in my life."
"That doesn't mean you won't like it."
Cole leaned back.
"It'll be fun."
Sienna narrowed her eyes.
"We'll see."
After dinner, Sienna asked for a tour.
Cole showed her his study first.
A large bookshelf filled most of one wall. Papers were stacked beside his desk, and framed photographs filled several shelves.
Sienna moved closer.
"My God, Cole."
Pictures documented different stages of his life.
His military service.
His years with the Secret Service.
Important assignments.
Awards.
One photograph caught her attention.
Cole stood inside the Oval Office beside the President of the United States.
Sienna studied it.
The man in the photograph looked so much like the Cole she'd first met.
Controlled.
Commanding.
Certain.
The man standing behind her now was different.
Softer.
Quieter.
"Do you miss it?"
Cole leaned against the wall.
"Probably about as much as you miss performing."
Sienna turned.
That answer told her everything.
Cole sat in a nearby chair.
"It feels like another lifetime."
"Would you ever go back?"
"No."
His answer was immediate.
"I don't want that life anymore."
Sienna understood better than anyone.
The shooting had sent both of them running toward solitude.
Cole to Montana.
Sienna to the Maldives.
Two people who'd spent their lives surrounded by others had somehow ended up hiding alone on opposite sides of the world.
"When we first met, I really resented you," Sienna admitted.
Cole smiled faintly.
"I noticed."
"But it didn't take long for that to change."
Cole stood.
He took the wineglass from her hand and set it on his desk.
"My ex-wife begged me to change careers."
Sienna hadn't expected that.
"She did?"
"I refused. Eventually, it helped end our marriage."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I understand things differently now."
Cole's expression became serious.
"When Pit got shot, I blamed myself."
Sienna moved closer.
"It should've been me."
"Cole—"
"I should've gone to the arena."
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Pit survived."
"I know."
"And he doesn't blame you."
"I know that too."
Cole held her waist.
"But knowing something and believing it aren't always the same."
Sienna understood that better than he realized.
"Is that why you never contacted me?"
"Partly."
Cole looked down.