32
COLE
I wake to see Thea facing away from me, but cuddled up close to my body. I’m curled around her and I can’t help that her ass is making my already hard dick even harder. Pushing into her, I love the feel as it rubs against her bare skin.
Last night was unbelievable.
My sweet Thea surprised me by taking charge. I didn’t think she had it in her. While it turned me on in the moment, I don’t want to make it a regular thing. I love that she’s a little shy. That blush that creeps up onto her pretty cheeks when she’s embarrassed or nervous drives me crazy. Or when those beautiful blue eyes shift away when she’s uncomfortable. I want her like that always.
I arch into her again, impatiently wanting her to wake so I can fuck her. She shifts and burrows in closer.
She might not be awake now, however, I can work her towards it—in my own way. Last night, she told me that she trusts me. Thea wants what I want. This is what I want right now.
Gently, I push her hair to the side to expose her neck. My fingers follow the lines of it over her shoulder and down her arm. She shivers beneath my touch. That’s it, love.
My hand skates over her hip, then I drop to the curve of her ass. Another shiver. Slipping between her legs, I find her perfect pussy. Momentarily, I hesitate, wondering how deep she sleeps. Only one way to find out.
I push my finger into my mouth, knowing she won’t be wet yet. Returning to her, I slide it over her until I find her entrance. Slowly, I slip inside—she squirms under my touch.
My cock is throbbing now, almost painfully. Something about her not being awake for this is doing it for me.
Gently, I move in and out of her. At the same time, I stroke myself, matching the rhythm. This will have me coming in minutes, but I’d much rather finish in her. Where it happens will all depend on if she wakes up or not.
Every few seconds, Thea shifts and adjusts. She might not realize what’s happening, however, her body sure does. My finger is dripping with her arousal. I risk it and add a second one. This time she gasps and I can tell that she’s finally up.
I kiss over her shoulder, helping her along.
Thea groggily turns to look at me, still confused and not realizing that I’m pumping two fingers into her while I get myself off. I watch her face, eager to see that moment of realization appear. Three seconds later, it does.
Her dark brows pop up as her eyes widen. But it’s her full lips parting that really does it for me.
“Cole,” she croaks out. “What—”
“I need you,” I interrupt.
I don’t wait for her to answer. Her body is ready for me. Pulling out my fingers, I slide my eager cock in.
THEA
I grab my phone from the nightstand, terrified I’ll find another text from Gavin, despite blocking him again. It’s dead. Probably for the best.
Rolling onto my back, I feel the aches spreading through my muscles and between my legs. Unsure if they’re from last night or this morning.
I don’t know how I feel about waking up to Cole with his fingers inside of me. Mostly because that text in the middle of the night has me on edge. When I first woke, I thought it was Gavin. That fear was unlike anything I’ve ever felt.
Of course, once I realized it was Cole, I relaxed. I guess I should be flattered that he couldn’t keep his hands off of me, but also didn’t want to wake me if I needed the sleep. I went back to bed afterwards and neither of us has mentioned it since I’ve gotten up.
Cole’s showering and I’m bored. I don’t even know what time it is. I’d look out the window, yet honestly, I’m terrified to open the curtains and see my ex. Logically, I know Gavin isn’t out there. But what if he is? A shiver runs down my back.
After sleeping on it, my decision not to tell Cole about the text is solidified. I don’t see any good coming from him knowing. This is my problem to deal with. And by deal with, I mean ignore.
Stretching across the bed, I reach for his phone to check the time.
I swear I don’t mean to see the multiple notifications on his lock screen. My eyes scan them before I can stop them. Some messages from our group chat. Emails. And a text that catches my attention.
Toby: Thx for recommending Cass…she did great!
The screen goes black and I hear the shower cut off. My mind swims with possibilities, although only one makes sense. Cassie is coming home from the festival in Atlanta today. That has to be what it’s about. Did Cole recommend her and not say anything? Why?
Cole opens the door, dressed in yesterday’s clothes, since that’s all we have.
I shower next and pull my dress on, foregoing my underwear—that’s where I draw the line. The entire time I’m in the bathroom, my mind tries to pull apart what reason Cole would have to not tell me that he recommended Cassie for the event. It seems like such an odd thing to not mention.
I wait until we are in the near empty dining room of the inn. The walls are painted sage and trimmed with wood accents. Sconces and chandeliers cast a warm glow that blends with the bright light coming from the windows.
We sit at a small table with two round seated chairs. I pick at the sad bowl of fruit in front of me. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize that everything would have gluten. I should have grabbed something for you when I went to get gas earlier.” My brows pop up at his words.
“You already went? How…Who took you?”
“I didn’t fall asleep after we… Anyway, the lady from last night had the maintenance guy take me. The car’s out front, so we won’t have to walk back to it. And it’s all in one piece, so Wesley will be pleased.” He grins at me.
I fish a snack bar from my bag. “I didn’t realize you left.”
“Sorry.” He places his hand on mine that’s sitting on the tabletop. “I thought you could use a bit more sleep.”
“Cole,” I broach tentatively, not sure how to bring up the subject. I don’t want him to think I was snooping, even though I kind of was. “My phone was dead when I woke up. I checked yours and I saw something…I didn’t mean to, but…”
I pause, waiting for a visceral reaction. Gavin kept his phone guarded at all times. The couple of times that I tried to go near it, he had a complete meltdown and we’d fight for days.
I don’t know why I expect that from Cole, but his face remains emotionless as he takes a bite of his blueberry muffin.
“I saw a text, someone thanking you for recommending Cassie.” My eyes dart away from his. “Did you recommend her for the festival?”
Cole puts his muffin down and finishes chewing the bite in his mouth, wiping away the crumbs with a napkin. “I didn’t want to say anything. I know I should have, but I didn’t want to take credit or steal the spotlight. You mentioned that she’s done event photography and my friend Toby needed someone good. I thought it would’ve been nice for her to think that she got it on her own.” I meet his gaze, shocked at the response he’s given me. “I should have told you, I feel horrible.”
“What? No. That is so kind of you.” I get up and come around the table, wrapping my arms around him. “Thank you, that was very sweet. Next time, you can tell me, though.” I kiss his cheek and sit back down.
The happiness I feel at his calm reaction and thoughtful gesture is dampened by my own secret. At least his was honorable. A wave of shame hits me, yet it’s not enough to make me tell him about the text. I’m protecting him by keeping this from him.
We finish up and go to check out.
Cole’s been all smiles since I thanked him for what he did for Cassie, but when we get to the front desk, I feel his energy shift—he’s antsy.
The woman from last night is there, looking tired.
“I hope your stay was wonderful,” she says expectantly, as if wanting me to confirm.
“It was lovely. We will be back soon, I hope.” I stare up at Cole as I say it. The inn will hold a special place in my heart. “And thank you for helping with the gas situation.” Her face scrunches.
Cole’s pulling my hand towards the front door. “Let’s get on the road. I’ll make you a proper meal when we get back home.” I don’t fight him, my stomach protests around the measly snack bar.
“Thank you!” I call out to the woman behind me.
Wesley’s red BMW, in perfect condition, sitting in the gravel parking lot, is a welcome sight. I let the worries about Gavin blow away with the wind that’s whipping through my hair as we head home.
I fill my head with better things. The last twenty-four hours have been packed with excitement, wonder, pleasure, and disbelief. It almost makes everything else I’m going through feel like a distant problem. My flooded apartment. The lack of clients I’m bringing in. Gavin. It’s all so far away, even more so when Cole’s hand reaches across the seat to rest on my thigh.
The simple touch sends a reminder of all the places his hands were last night and this morning. My teeth drag over my bottom lip. I’m wet at the idea of where his hand could be right now.
He’s looking over at me and I can tell that he’s thinking the same thing by the way the green in his eyes darkens. His fingers spread over my skin and squeeze.
I slide down in the seat a little and open my legs, giving him full access to me. He wets his lips, not hesitating. I’m still sore, however, this isn’t something I can pass up. I watch his hand disappear beneath the hem of my dress, then lean my head back.
Cole starts slowly, circling my clit—teasing me almost painfully. I push into his touch. He lets out a low laugh at my impatience. “So greedy, love.” If I could have his hands on me every day, I would.
I’m insatiable and can’t deny it.
His finger slides over me until he’s pushing inside of me, slicking himself with my wetness. He removes it and I let out a dissatisfied mewl. Then he’s rubbing my clit again, lubing me with my arousal before returning—sliding two fingers inside this time.
My eyes finally open and I glance at him. His are laser focused ahead—hugging the curves of the mountains that border the road. I glance at the odometer and read seventy, well above the limit. This is dangerous, going this fast on the two-lane highway. But I don’t stop him.
Something about it turns me on more.
“Fuck, you’re dripping. What’s got you so worked up?” I can’t answer. All I can focus on is the rhythm of his fingers and the feel of his palm as I rub against it. He speeds up, making me moan. The vibrations of the car adding to the already overwhelming sensations. “Oh, you like that, don’t you? You like when I drive fast?” I nod, focusing on the road ahead.
Cole pushes down on the gas a little more and I’m almost there. He’s curling his fingers and sweeping over that sensitive spot deep inside of me. He accelerates again and I’m clenching around him, digging my nails into the soft leather of the seat.
My cries and curses fight with the sound coming from the speakers. This time he doesn’t tell me to quiet down. My hips buck into his touch until I’m falling limp in the seat.
Little aftershocks hit me as Cole pulls away. My head rolls to the side to look at him. I find him bringing his fingers to lips, his tongue drags across them slowly as he savors the taste of me. It leaves me breathless. Cole Wolfe can’t get any hotter.
I see my phone blink to life on the nightstand of the guest room at Cole’s house. I’ve had a proper meal, showered again, and I’m finally getting around to checking my notifications.
The guys were home to greet us when we arrived. I have the nagging feeling that they could tell that Cole and I fucked last night. Maybe I’m being paranoid, however, the three of them had shit-eating grins on their faces when we walked through the door.
Pushing the thought from my mind, I unlock my phone. A few missed calls, possibly from clients, but then I see one from my landlord. My voicemail icon also shows up.
Then there’s the list of missed texts—the group chat, Cassie, ugh…my mom. I decide on the voicemail first.
When I hear Kenneth’s voice, I hope that he’s calling to tell me I can move back into my apartment. Although, with Gavin lurking around, that might not be a safe option.
“Ms. Griffin, I need you to call me when you get this. It’s Kenneth, by the way.” His tone is clipped.
I hit the call button. He answers on the second ring.
“Hi, Kenneth. It’s Thea. I got your voicemail.”
There’s silence on the other end. Probably piecing together who he’s talking to.
“Ah, yes, Ms. Griffin. We-uh…we found the source of the clog. There was a ton of stuff shoved down the overflow drain of your sink. Most of it’s random garbage, but towards the top, there was something strange.”
I have no clue what Kenneth is about to tell me, yet my blood runs cold. My intuition warning me what he has to say won’t be good.
“I’m sending you a picture.”
A moment later, I see the notification from Kenneth with an image attached.
I tap the message. A photo appears.
In Kenneth’s hand, there’s a Ziplock bag, although it’s what’s inside that makes nausea roll through my stomach. Inside is a piece of paper with black writing. Stop fucking around, Thea. The bold letters remind me of the paper that was stuck in my truck’s air vent. I can’t tell for sure if the handwriting is the same, but how could it not be?
“Did you get it?” Kenneth questions on the other end.
I clear the thickness that’s building in my throat. “I-I did. I don’t know where that came from.”
My landlord sighs. “Ms. Griffin, I believe you, however, clearly you’re mixed up with some bad people and I can’t have that becoming a problem for me. I’m terminating your lease, I’ll keep the balance of your rent and your security deposit to cover the damages. Call me when you want to grab your things.” He hangs up without letting me fight for a chance to stay.
I don’t feel distraught this time. I don’t feel like crying. The phone drops from my hand onto the bed. I’m numb. A hollow coldness settles over me.
All I can focus on is one breath after another. If I think too hard about the implications of this, I might break.
I need to make a list.