Chapter 25
Cole’s confession has my heart galloping in my chest. I can't believe what he's saying.
He's had a crush on me all these years? I'm trying to hold on to my anger and resentment but I can only think, poor Cole!
To resort to lying and acting like a coward because of the age gap between us, and his friendship with my brother.
“During our affair, I realized I didn't want what we had to end. I became so scared. How would I explain to Dean? Or your parents? The trip to St Louis gave me perspective. I had to end things, but not immediately. I still wanted you in my bed for as long as I could keep you. But fate had other plans,” his tone grows sad, and my heart prickles in my chest because I know what's coming next.
Renee. He tightens his grip on my hands as if sensing that I'm about to pull away.
“I was sexting with you on the day I bumped into Renee.
While I gathered her scattered things, she was busy snooping through my phone.
I wasn't even aware of who I’d bumped into until I'd handed the bag to her. Renee knows you, and seeing those dirty texts we were exchanging, I had to protect myself somehow,” he says, scrubbing his face with his hands.
For the first time, I notice his hands are shaking.
“I flat-out denied it, but she wouldn't let it go.
She even invited herself back to New York to catch me out in my lies.
I couldn't say no. It would mean she was right. How was I supposed to know that the love of my life would take it upon herself to surprise me that same evening?” He smiles sadly, stroking my cheek.
“It breaks my heart that you heard those callous words I spoke all because of my cowardice …”
I scoot closer to him and place my finger over his lips to silence him. “No, don't say that.”
Cole grabs my finger and kisses it before returning it to my lap. “I was a coward, Dora. That's the truth. Taking the easy way out instead of fighting for the woman I love… Yes, I love you, Dora.”
I break into a sob as the words spill from his lips.
“And if I could turn back the hands of time, I would do things differently. Because Dean admits that he’d forgotten about the stupid pact we made all those years ago.
Just look at how much time I've wasted because of my cowardice.” Another cry escapes my lips and he mops my tears.
“I missed seeing you grow with our child,” he says, placing his hand on my stomach, his eyes shining with wonder. “I missed holding your hand as you brought our son into the world…” His voice breaks and I pull him into my embrace to comfort him.
“I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have kept something as important as your child away from you, no matter what. But I was scared you would want to take us up as an obligation. I knew you would resent me for stealing the freedom of choice from you. So, I took a chance with Merry and Gina. ”
I pull back to look into his damp eyes. I press a kiss to both eyelids before continuing. “Knowing now that you've loved me all along makes me feel like a monster. I should've told you.”
Cole shakes his head, “You couldn't, not after those hurtful things you heard.”
I cup his face in my hands. “But all that is the past. You love me, and I love you, with all my heart,” I confess, my voice ringing with unleashed joy.
Cole smiles, resting his forehead on mine. “I've missed you so much…your smell, your voice, your succulent body…everything!” He admits, drawing my lips into a kiss.
The kiss lasts for a few minutes before he pauses. “Dora, I want to marry you as soon as possible, but I'm willing to wait until you're ready. I want to date you for the whole world to see properly. No more secrets.”
I nod. “Yes,” I whisper, joy causing tears to spill from my eyes. He kisses my tears away and I suddenly realise, “I haven't introduced you to Dylan yet…”
Cole nods but is busily untucking my sweater from my pants, “I have all the time in the world to meet Dylan. But right now, I want to meet you again.”
His words come out hoarse, sending a shiver down my spine as he begins to undress me with fevered hands. I join him, unfastening his shirt buttons before diving for the fastenings of his trousers.
His next words set my body on fire. “I want to see all of you first,” I nod as every stitch of my clothing disappears.
For the first time in my life, I lie there completely confident that Cole likes what he sees.
He begins to kiss, nip, and suck, reminding me of all the pleasurable moments we shared.
I moan under his ministrations, purring like a content kitten as he fondles my heavy breasts.
The air is heady with the scent of arousal, and throwing my shyness out the window, I begin to touch him.
I slip my hands into his unbuttoned shirt, raking my hands all over his chest. He groans in approval, latching his lips onto my nipple.
Pleasure pulls in my lower belly as he caresses my other breast. After ample time spent feeding on my breasts, he trails soft kisses on a path down my stomach, murmuring praises about how luscious my body is.
He pauses once at the top of the thatch of curls that leads to my aching mound, “Do you remember the last text I sent you before…” He trails off at my nod, and true to his words, Cole eats me up.
His tongue licks and sucks on my inner lips, drawing out more juices from me. I scream his name, as his tongue swirls around my mound, pushing me closer and closer to oblivion. I shatter around his mouth and he sucks me dry.
When I come back to planet Earth, I find him smiling down at me, his face wet and sticky with my juices. “Ready for round two?”
My eyes widen in anticipation as his fingers slip into my fold, reminding me of the nights I’d spent in his house being ravished over every surface. The memories arouse me more as his fingers make quick work of me, and within minutes, I'm panting for my release.
Suddenly, Cole freezes, “I didn't even ask you! Shit!” I frown, confused about what he could be referring to.
“Cole?” I ask cautiously, and he examines me, with concern in his eyes. “Is it okay? Did the doctor…”
Suddenly, it hits me and I begin to giggle. He wants to know if it's okay to have sex. “Yes, my love,” I say in a reassuring tone. “The doctor gave his go-ahead last month.”
Cole sighs in relief, and before I can blink, he plunges into me in one swift stroke. The first stroke sends my breath flying out of me. Soon, I'm moaning and whimpering with pleasure as Cole grunts on top of me.
“I. Love. You,” he declares, punctuating each word with a slick thrust that has my toes curling.
“I love you, too,” I scream as my orgasm ripples through me. My ears ring as Cole yells my name, spilling his seeds into me. I'm so overwhelmed by joy. I can't believe this is happening. I secretly pinch myself, and my body responds with a hum of pleasure.
Yes, it is real. Cole is here. Cole is mine. I am his. And Dylan is ours. What a future awaits us!