11. Chapter 11
Cole
What was this woman’s game? I tried to breathe normally as Sadie smirked at me. If this was her way of claiming a victory, I was willing to let her win every day. This didn’t mean anything. It was just a game. That smirk made something competitive break out inside me.
“You always win?” I asked, proud that I didn’t sound out of breath.
“Always.”
“That’s a thing of the past.” I pulled her back to me, pressing my lips to hers. She grabbed my arms, and I thought she might push back, but she didn’t. I put everything I knew into that kiss. If she wanted a challenge, she’d get one. I almost smiled when she melted into me.
Did this actually count as a prank? Not really. We were trying to out-kiss each other, pure and simple.
“You two are gross,” Alyssa said. “The food is ready.” She went back to the kitchen, and I forced myself to break away.
“What do you think now?” I asked.
Sadie’s eyes narrowed. “I think you’re way too skilled at that, and I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know why.”
She jumped up and went to the kitchen. I smiled as I followed. Point for me. I hoped that didn’t mean she was going to Crisco my toilet seat tonight.
“Seriously, Alyssa?” Sadie said. “We can’t feed this to anyone.”
I sat down and looked into the pot of macaroni. “Why not?” I asked, pretending my pulse wasn’t still racing.
“Yeah, why not?” Alyssa asked. “I added tuna. Now it’s gourmet.”
I laughed. I’d never had tuna in macaroni, but I wasn’t going to insult the chef.
I was surprised by the first bite. It was actually good. “You should be a chef, Alyssa.”
She laughed. “No way. I have big plans.”
“And those are?”
“I’m learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and when I get old enough, I want to be a bodyguard or something. Not just a boring bouncer, but like protecting the president or something.”
My eyebrows rose. “Wow. Good for you.” I said it, but worry crept in anyway. Alyssa was small, fearless, and convinced that skill mattered more than size. I just hoped the world agreed with her.
Sadie sighed, and I could see the stress in her eyes. “I hope you get past that. It sounds dangerous.”
She shrugged. “But someone has to do it.”
“And lucky for you, I’m a trainer,” I said. “Strength, awareness, control. We can start whenever you want.”
Sadie glared at me, and Alyssa’s smile sharpened.
“You’ll train me?”
“Sure.”
The look on Sadie’s face said that Crisco wasn’t the worst that was coming for me. I smiled at her and took a bite. I figured half of the battle was not letting her know I was nervous.
I turned to Alyssa. “Tell me about your sister’s pranks.”
“We don’t need to talk about that,” Sadie said.
I winked. “I want to know what to prepare myself for.”
Alyssa grinned. “One time she put all Grandma’s laundry out in the snow when it was wet and let it freeze.”
“I was twelve!” Sadie protested. “You can’t hold that against me.”
I laughed. “I’ll make sure I keep my laundry locked up.”
She rolled her eyes. “My goodness, I’m not going to touch your laundry. I’ve matured.”
I grinned. If the kissing was her mature version of a prank, then I could live with that. I could still feel the warmth of her lips.
Alyssa pulled out her phone and glanced at Sadie. “Can I go get ice cream with Kaycee?”
Sadie got a panicked look on her face. “Uh… it’s getting a little late, don’t you think?”
“It’s dinnertime. It will be less than an hour.”
Sadie moved her lips to the side, and I watched her eyes flicker to her purse on the counter and away. “Don’t you want to stay here? We could play a game with Cole.”
My guess? She didn’t have the money, or couldn’t spare it.
“Actually,” I said, “I’ll give you twenty bucks if you go and leave me alone with your sister.” I held up a bill.
Alyssa squealed and took it. She turned toward the doorway.
“Wait!” Sadie said. “Since when does Cole get to give you permission?”
Alyssa stopped and turned. “Come on, Sadie. Please?” She stuck her lip out in an exaggerated pout.
Sadie rolled her eyes. “Fine. One hour.”
“Thank you!” And before Sadie could change her mind, Alyssa was out the door.
Sadie frowned.
“She’ll be fine,” I said. “Let her have fun with her friends before she moves.”
Her glare turned to me, but she kept eating like she wasn’t sure whether to argue or agree. I didn’t want her to think I was taking over. I just wanted to ease the weight on her shoulders.
Sadie
I hated that Cole had just saved me. I wanted Alyssa to have fun, but I couldn’t spare the money right now. Not until I married Cole. And was that any better? I would still be taking his money. He knew I didn’t have ice cream money. I could tell from the way he watched me when Alyssa asked.
I thought Cole had been a mess, but I was even worse. I’d kissed him, and to prove what? That I could fake a relationship? And it had been… I couldn’t even think of the word. My stomach tickled every time I thought about it.
Being ridiculously attracted to someone and falling in love were two completely different things, and I told myself not to confuse one with the other.
I knew almost nothing about Cole. I knew he had a rich grandma, he had a ton of siblings, and he was incredibly hot.
I tried not to add that he was probably the best kisser this side of the Mississippi. That felt dangerously irrelevant.
I rolled my eyes. Convenience. That’s what our relationship could be summed up to. I needed to keep that in my head, or my heart might not survive. Right now, my heart had nothing to do with it, and that was the way it needed to stay.
“What are you thinking?” Cole asked.
I tapped my fingers on the table. “That what happened on the sofa shouldn’t have.”
He leaned back. “Really? Because I was thinking I could totally base a relationship on that alone.”
I glared at him.
He laughed and held up his hands. “I’m kidding. It was all for Alyssa, right? And you proving you could hold your own. I know you weren’t trying to change our relationship.”
“Great. So no kissing unless—”
“People are watching us?” His eyes sparkled.
I wrinkled my nose. “That sounds wrong. A wedding kiss should be enough, right? Maybe a couple of small ones during the reception. When people expect it.”
Why was I adding extra kisses? The wedding kiss should be enough.
He crossed his arms and looked up, a small grin at the corners of his mouth. “We might need a few more. To convince my family, you know.”
I rubbed my neck. “I suppose so.” I was glad no one was listening. This sounded like the most pathetic negotiation of all time. Why didn’t we decide to kiss now, just in case a neighbor glanced in the window? Honestly, if he suggested it, I might cave. Where was my self-control these days?
I stood and took my plate to the sink. Staring at the gorgeous problem in front of me wasn’t fixing anything.
He came over and put his in the sink, brushing my arm.
“What’s your middle name?” I asked, moving away.
“Lorenzo. Don’t tell anyone.”
I laughed. “I’ve heard worse.”
“And yours is?”
“Nicole.”
“I like it.”
“Favorite color?”
“Rainbow.”
I glared at him. “That’s not a color.”
“According to my two-year-old niece, it is. I don’t have a favorite, but I lean toward green. Forest green. You know the one from the crayon box?”
I let a smile slip. “I know the one.”
“Any other questions?”
I looked at him. What things were important to know about the person you were about to marry? “Do you have a criminal record?”
“No. Do you?”
“Hardly. Do you have any ex-wives I should know about? I don’t like surprises.”
His hands moved to my waist. “Nope. You’ll be the first.”
“The first ex-wife?” I asked.
He chuckled. “I guess that’s up to you.” He leaned toward me, and I moved back.
“What are you doing?” I asked. “Didn’t we just talk about not doing that?”
He sighed. “Yep. And I know you’re right. Sorry.”
“Speaking of marriage length, is this supposed to last forever?” It didn’t really matter if it did. I had to protect Alyssa’s future, and to be honest, my own.
He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “My grandma’s deal is that we get half the money when we get married, and half once we’ve been married for ten years. So, ten years minimum.”
I nodded. “What will we do when we get to Lansing Falls? Once you get the money?”
“I figure we should buy a house. Then you won’t get any annoying neighbors jumping above your apartment.”
I smiled. “That might be nice. I’ve never lived in a house.”
“My grandma said we can store our stuff at her house. I’ll bring you some moving boxes tomorrow.”
“Your family all know?”
“Yeah. I told my mom, so it should have gotten around.”
I nodded. “I can’t believe I’m moving. I feel like a criminal.”
“Why?”
“Lying to get what I want.”
His hand rested on my face. “You deserve a good life. The money would get to me eventually. We’re just rushing it.”
I stepped back. “How about you don’t touch me at all when we’re alone?”
“Sorry. Again. I’m that repulsive?”
“Actually, if you were, that would make this easier.” My eyes went wide. “That was not supposed to be out loud.”
A smile spread across his face. “Are you saying you’re actively trying to resist me?”
“Oh my heck, Cole. I’m done talking.” I left the room before anything else could slip out of my mouth.