4
THEA
I’m leaving the studio, eyeing the post-it note taped to the window. Lock Up! Ugh. It was only once. I forgot to lock the doors one time during renovations. Cassie writes these notes whenever she leaves before me. I’m not that forgetful. Yes, you are.
Despite the mild annoyance, mostly at myself, I’m thankful for Cassie’s effort to remind me. A sleek, dark gray SUV pulls up to the curb as I turn around.
I don’t know much about cars, yet the Range Rover’s distinct design is a dead giveaway. I hate that I’m impressed. I’m not a materialistic person, still it’s undeniably gorgeous.
Cole comes around to the passenger side, his eyes doing a quick once over that makes my breath hitch. My gaze sweeps over him in return. Tattoos cover one arm. I realize that I’ve never seen him in a short-sleeve shirt until now, even though it’s summer.
His forearm has been transformed into a wing, shaded feathers in beautiful detail stretch over his skin. Farther up, it’s harder to tell what the ink is depicting, but it almost looks like clouds and lightning. It disappears beneath the hem of his shirt.
Cole opens my door, giving me his hand to help me in. Slow, sultry music reverberates all around me, making my stomach tighten. Maybe this was a bad idea.
I can text Cassie right now to call with a fake emergency.
I don’t know how to date. I barely dated Gavin—we just kind of happened. Is the third date thing still a rule? What if it didn’t go well? Could I show my face in his bakery? What would I do without his amazing coffee?
Cole slides into the driver’s seat and gives me a reassuring look, as if he can sense my second guessing. I force myself to push the doubts from my head, knowing that I’m not used to this—not proper dates, anyway. I’m used to flirting and ditching. Dating takes practice.
“You look…” His hazel eyes take me in me again. “Incredible.” My cheeks redden, making him chuckle roughly.
The white dress with pink florals I’m wearing was an impulse buy that hadn’t yet made it off the hanger. Every time I thought I might have a place to wear it, I felt overdressed or indecent. Probably because of the high side slit and cleavage baring gathered bust.
In Atlanta, I could have worn it without a second thought. Here, in Willow Hill, modesty is expected. This dress is anything but that.
Tonight, it felt right, somehow.
“Thank you,” I finally answer. “You look great too.”
Cole is wearing jeans and a deep maroon V-neck shirt, fitted in all the right places. His athletic form fills it out nicely, tightening just so around his biceps and chest. My eyes shift from his arms to his face and while he’s staring at the road ahead, I have the feeling that he’s noticed my appreciation by the smirk pulling at his mouth.
“You seem nervous.” The statement hangs between us. I’m not sure if I should go into why he’s right. The silence is bothering me, so I vaguely explain.
“I am…a little. It’s been a while since I’ve gone on a date,” I share, cringing at the admission.
Cole’s eyes meet mine for a moment. He shakes his head, his tousled curls bouncing with the movement. “That’s hard to believe. Are you being humble or trying to spare my ego?” he teases. His lighthearted joking eases me a bit.
“No, really. It’s been…” I don’t want to admit to him how long it’s been so I don’t finish, instead I shift the conversation. “What do you have planned for tonight?”
Cole parks along the curb of a side street that borders the back of an extensive building with doors as far down as I can see. We’re in an area that I’m not familiar with, on the other side of town.
Although I asked, he wouldn’t tell me anything about our date.
He comes around my side, opening the door. I can’t remember the last time a guy’s done that for me. Giving me his hand, Cole helps me out.
This doesn’t look like somewhere you bring someone for a first date. He leads me to a door that reads 815 and unlocks it. Nervousness twists in my stomach and my pulse speeds up. I’m hesitant to enter, but Cole grabs my hand and pulls me inside.
Cassie’s comment about being murdered isn’t helping.
“This way.” He guides me into the darkened space. I should leave This doesn’t feel right.
A light flicks on. We’re in a kitchen. Metal prep areas are arranged in the center of the room with ingredients laid out. Heaps of carrots, celery, onions, peppers, and potatoes sit to one side while packages of chicken, steak, and fish are on the other.
“It’s nothing fancy. The lack of places with gluten-free options is atrocious. I didn’t want you getting sick if we went to a restaurant. So...” He runs his hand through his curls, looking like he made a huge mistake. “I wanted to cook a meal for you, but now it sounds lame, saying it out loud.”
My heartbeat picks up, not out of fear this time. This is probably one of the nicest things anyone’s ever done for me.
I put a hand on his arm. “Not at all. This is actually really sweet. Although I have one request.”
Cole stares at me expectantly. “Of course. Anything.”
“Can we cook together?” His face lights up, as he nods excitedly.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I got a bit of everything. Any preferences?” He grabs a couple of aprons hanging on the wall near the door. Cole slips one over his head before putting one on me. Wrapping the ties around my waist, he leans in close and I breathe him in. The scent of cinnamon and amber warms me, yet not as much as his breath on my neck does as he pulls away to secure the ties at the front of the apron. “Perfect.”
My head is swimming. I need to bring myself back to reality. A lifetime of very little attention and affection has given me one critical weakness—when I’m truly interested in someone, a bit of either can make me delusional. This is a first date. He’s being polite.
I let Cole take the lead because I haven’t spent much time in a kitchen. The basics I’ve got down. Chopping, boiling water, and seasoning are my wheelhouse. I leave everything else to him. I listen while he tells me about his years in culinary school, his favorite dishes to make, and about living his dream at the bakery.
We decide on a roasted chicken with glazed carrots and wild rice.
“Who’s kitchen is this? I assume you don’t need a second one. The one at the bakery looks large enough, from what I’ve seen.”
He smiles at my observation, his dimples deepening. “There’s no way I was going to cook for you at the bakery. There’s flour everywhere,” he laughs. “This is my friend Sierra’s kitchen. She rents it out and keeps it fully sanitized between uses. I called in a favor with her. Normally, I host a kid’s baking class once a month, so this request was a little different, but she was happy to oblige.”
A kid’s baking class? You’ve got to be kidding me. He’s too good to be true. I want to pinch myself so that I can wake up from this dream.
“You said it’s been a while since you’ve dated. How long?” He bites into a carrot, waiting for my answer. I know once I tell him, then I’ll have to explain why. Aside from Cassie and my parents, my breakup with Gavin has been a secret I’ve held onto for a year. Not that I have many people to tell. Cole notices my hesitation. “You don’t have to talk about it. It’s okay. I was only curious.” I can tell he means it.
Sighing, I tread carefully. “It’s been over a decade since I’ve gone on a first date.” Cole stops mid-chew. I can tell he’s trying not to react. “I was in a relationship, until a year ago, with someone for twelve years. So it’s nothing weird like I couldn’t get a date or that I was a hermit.”
He nods. “That makes sense. Can I ask why it ended? Twelve years is a long time.”
“Many reasons, but the nail in the coffin was him cheating on me.” He glances up from his plate confused and I joke, “Yes, imagine someone cheating on this.” I wave my hand from head to toe with a look of exaggerated disbelief.
“No. Well…I mean yes. You’re stunning and sweet. I’m sure you have a million other good qualities. Still, twelve years and he up and cheats on you? Why even stay in a relationship if you don’t value loyalty?”
I shrug. “I’m sure it wasn’t the first time, just the first time I caught him. And to be fair, loyalty was never Gavin’s strong suit.”
Cole holds my gaze. “I’m sorry. That’s really shitty.” It was shitty, but I’m over him. I hate thinking about my part in it all—playing the fool. That’s what angers me still, that I didn’t see the signs and there were plenty of them.
“Good riddance. It all worked out for the best.” I push a piece of chicken around on my plate. “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be living my dreams. I wouldn’t have my photography studio, I wouldn’t be living close to the one person who matters most to me, and I wouldn’t be here with you tonight.” Cole raises his glass of wine and I clink mine to his before taking a sip.
As he drinks, I notice the ring on his finger. Two red stones sit inside the face of a raised wolf’s head, giving the illusion of glowing eyes. Engravings encircle the animal’s head and continue down the sides of the silver piece.
“That’s…interesting,” I comment, pointing at his finger. Something about it feels familiar, although I can’t place why.
Cole sets his drink down and rubs his thumb over the ring. “A gift from my brother. We all have one.” I wonder if he comes from a big family like Cassie. A pang of jealousy hits me.
“How many brothers do you have?”
“There’s four of us. We aren’t blood related, though. We grew up together and took care of each other when nobody cared enough to claim us most days.”
My heart lurches a little, knowing that feeling to a degree. “That must have been tough.” He nods.
“It was, but we helped each other through those hard times. I don’t know where I’d be today without my brothers.” Cole’s hazel eyes shift away. “There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for each other.”
I don’t know what that’s like. Growing up alone and practically raising myself made me independent, possibly to a fault. At least I can count on myself to always have my back. I’d never have to worry about anyone letting me down.
Cole takes our plates and puts them in the sink. He does the dishes while I wipe down the counters and toss our aprons into the washer, despite his insistence that I didn’t need to help.
Cole is drying his hands on a dish towel with his back to the sink while I lean against the metal prep table across from him.
“Thank you for tonight. It was really kind of you to put all of this effort in because of my restrictions. It was…unexpected.” I smile and glance down, not sure how else to tell him how much I appreciate his gesture.
Looking up, I see he’s come closer to me. I can tell he’s wrestling with what to do, unsure if he should make a move or if it’s too soon. Biting my lip, I wait for him to decide—hoping he gives us what we both want.
Closing the distance between us, Cole’s palms land on the table behind me so that I’m captive between his arms.
The air between us feels electric, sparks pulse against my skin. My heart thuds so loudly I swear he can hear it. I memorize all the details of his face—his straight nose, full lips, and angular jaw. His lightly tanned skin has pink undertones. I randomly think he could pass for a surfer.
My eyes find his again. Standing this close, he’s taller than I realized. I’m at least five ten in my four-inch heels and he still has a few inches on me. His hazel eyes flicker as he holds my gaze.
I think I might lose my balance—the wine is making my head feel hazy.
Cole breaks our stare and rests his forehead on mine. For a moment I think he’s going to hold back and disappointment sits heavy in my chest. Then his lips are on mine.
I’d forgotten what it was like to be kissed. Really kissed. Not by some drunken guy in a bar that I was tricking. Or the obligatory ones from my ex. Cole steals my breath and my body is on fire.
Reminding myself to slow down, I know getting ahead of myself will leave me heartbroken. This is just a first date.
I really try to take my advice. My brain insists that I break the kiss and put some distance between us, but my body’s needs are stronger.
Our mouths move urgently. His tongue pushes past my lips, gently exploring me. My thoughts betray me and the image of it elsewhere makes warmth pool at my core.
Pulling away, I try to regain control. “Cole,” I pant. I mean to say something else, I swear I do. As he waits for what I have to say, I change course.
I kiss him this time, nipping at his bottom lip, making him groan. Cole’s firm chest presses against me and his hand encircles my waist, bringing me even closer. The power of him makes my head swim with ideas of all that he could do to me. He could lift me up easily and put me on this table. I could let him take me right here.
My arms wrap around his neck and I plunge my fingers into his curls, tugging gently—trying to anchor myself back to reality.
“Fuck,” he whispers against my mouth. His eyes slowly open, meeting mine. As amazing as this feels, I know it can’t go any further tonight. I’m not ready for that and I don’t want to ruin a good thing.
“We should call it a night,” I sigh heavily.
Cole nods in agreement, although takes his time backing away. I try to steady my breath and cool the heat inside of me. Running a hand over his jaw, I imagine he’s trying to do the same.
Peeking up from beneath his dark lashes, his voice comes out low, “Thea…You’d never have to worry about that with me.”
I know exactly what he means. He is promising that he wouldn’t cheat and I appreciate the sentiment, but I’ve learned that trust is earned. I nod my head in acceptance of his oath, hoping he can show me he means that.
Words are nothing without action. After twelve years of failure, I need follow through.
COLE
I pull into the driveway, parking between Damian’s Black Audi RS7 and Wesley’s Red BMW M4. Thea’s scent still clings to me, a sensual vanilla aroma that’s driving me crazy. Turning my car off, I let my head fall back against the seat.
Closing my eyes, I remember the feel of her body pressed against mine. I’d wanted to know how those perfect lips felt for too long. It was so much better than I imagined. The way she bit at my mouth and arched her tits into me.
God, I could have fucked her right there.
My hands fought to stay above her waist, eagerly wanting to run up the edge of the slit in that pretty dress. I could have easily pushed the fabric up her thick thighs and slid my fingers between her legs. There was no way I wouldn’t find her wet with need.
I want to shove the image out of my head. I don’t want to rush this and if I keep thinking about the things I want to do to her, I won’t be able to hold back. But it’s useless. I’ll be stroking myself to the idea of fucking her in that kitchen as soon as I’m in the shower.
Maybe it’ll ease the tension and give me some much needed self control.
Exiting the car, I make my way to the house and find the front door unlocked. Someone’s still up and I hope I can sneak past whoever it is.
“You’re out later than normal,” Damian’s voice cuts across the kitchen where he’s leaning against the stove. “What trouble were you getting into?”
He knows I don’t get into trouble. He’s being nosy.
“I was on a date, if you really need to know.” I shut and lock the door behind me, heading for the stairs.
“She must have done a number on you,” he comments, pointing the granola bar he’s snacking on at my pants, where I’m clearly sporting a sizable bulge. “Who is she? Anyone important?”
I sigh, not wanting to deal with his inquisition tonight.
I turn to fully face Damian, my oldest brother—well, sort of. We consider each other family in all ways aside from blood. From the outside, anyone looking at my brothers and me would clearly see we don’t resemble each other.
Damian’s dark auburn hair is parted and slicked perfectly. There’s a bit of stubble on his face. He never grows it out any longer than a day or two. He’s paler than me and his eyes are glacier blue, icy, and hard.
“Her name is Thea. She comes into the bakery and I don’t know… It was a first date.” I hate feeling like I have to report this to him. He might be older, but that doesn’t mean he needs to control every little thing in our lives. The minor act of defiance is my way of keeping some of the power.
Damian doesn’t need to know how I feel about Thea… yet. Some things I prefer to keep to myself, even if my brother doesn’t agree.
Straightening, he comes towards me. He’s only an inch taller, at six two, although he’s more muscular than me and wider, so that inch difference sometimes feels like five. “Keep me updated,” Damian orders before turning to walk away.
I want to argue that I don’t need to keep him in the loop, but I know that’s pointless. My oldest brother has given us everything. He’s provided for us, made us successful, and protected us. So as much as I want to keep some things close to my chest, at the very least, I owe him my honesty. Just maybe not tonight.
Strolling past the massive fireplace that separates the kitchen and the living room, Damian opens the door to his room and closes it without so much as a goodnight.
I head downstairs to my room before I run into my other brothers.