April didn’t move when she finished reading. She sensed that Cole was either reading it slowly or started over to read it again. Or maybe he was in a daze and unable to react.
When he finally turned his head toward her, there were tears in his eyes. He set the letter on the coffee table, closed his eyes, and pulled April into his arms. He held her so tightly it almost hurt, but she didn’t say a word. He was grieving. He needed comfort. This was something she could provide.
He held her like that for a long time, luckily easing up enough for her to breathe. He didn’t say anything, and she let him have his silence. There wasn’t anything to say. It was a very sad story, but at least Marcus did the right thing in the end. He’d left his son a letter and the business. Both were unexpected and beyond what Cole could have hoped for.
After a while, Cole eased back, tipped April’s head, and found her mouth. His kiss was powerful and filled with raw need.
Her heart started racing as he consumed her. She needed this as much as he did. She needed to feel alive. In a way, she’d been a walking zombie for ten years. Going through the motions of life. Doing the things people do to stay afloat and exist. But she hadn’t ever found happiness. She’d been stuck in the past.
Cole breathed life into her with his touch and his lips. His hands roamed down her body with a sense of urgency. He reached under her suit jacket and grasped her blouse, tugging it out of her pants.
He moaned into her mouth as he turned his body and yanked the jacket off her. He fumbled with the buttons on the front of her blouse for several moments before releasing her lips and glaring at the offensive disks. “Please take that off,” he murmured.
His own hands went to his dress shirt and worked the buttons free at the same time. When he finally shrugged out of the shirt, he stood and removed his pants while kicking off his shoes. “I need you, ladybug.”
She stood next to him, dropping her blouse and working on the zipper of her pants. While she stepped out of them, Cole found the clasp of her bra and popped it loose. Her panties and his underwear followed.
For a moment, they both stood there, naked, panting, staring at each other. His gaze roamed up and down her body several times while she did the same to him. It was surreal. He was really here. She was still struggling to believe it was true.
Cole Landry was in her apartment, naked, sexy, muscular, licking his lips, looking at her like she was his most prized possession.
Finally, he reached out with both hands and hauled her into his arms. He flattened their chests together and cupped her face. “I can’t believe I let you go,” he whispered.
“I’m here now,” she returned, choking on emotion.
“I should have fought for you. I should have begged and pleaded and insisted you go with me.” His lips descended and he kissed her like their lives depended on it.
Fought for me? Her brain struggled to process his words, but they got scrambled and confused as he devoured her. She didn’t understand what he’d been talking about. Letting her go? Begging her to go with him? It made no sense. She must have misunderstood.
It didn’t matter now. All that mattered was his body against hers, burning into her. She wanted him inside her. She needed to feel closer. She needed to feel alive. She’d deal with his confusing words later.
His hands roamed down to her butt and he gripped it tightly before lifting her off the ground.
She broke the kiss and squealed as she wrapped her legs around his waist and held on tight.
Cole kicked their clothes out of the way and carried her to the bedroom. He dropped her onto the bed with a bounce, making her giggle as he descended over her.
She locked her ankles around his waist again as his potent kissing resumed. It was impossible to get enough of him. Her hands roamed up and down his back and grabbed his ass and then back up to cup the back of his head and neck.
He released her lips on a groan and flipped them over so that he was on his back, her straddling his waist. His expression was full of lust and heat and passion.
She set her palms on his chest and explored his contours while his fingers trailed up and down her spine and then roamed around to cup her breasts. When his thumbs grazed her nipples, she arched her chest, her mouth falling open. “Cole…”
“God, I love that sound, ladybug.”
She slid farther down his thighs so that his cock bobbed in front of her. It was impossible to resist the sly grin she gave him before moving even lower down his body so she could lean over and take him into her mouth.
He moaned the moment her lips surrounded the head of his erection, and he gripped her shoulders when she wrapped her hand around his length and lowered her face.
“April…” His voice was filled with both pleasure and warning.
“Mmm,” she responded, sucking him hard as she hollowed her cheeks and lifted almost off his cock.
God, she loved the sound he made deep in his throat. It propelled her to continue. Sucking him off had always made her feel powerful and sexy. It was even better now. She groaned around his length as she sucked him deeper, her grip on the base moving up and down with her lips. When she let her teeth lightly graze up his length, he arched his hips up and reached for her.
“Jesus… April…”
She grinned as she released him and crawled back up his body. “You liked that?”
“Understatement.” He lifted her hips and held her over his cock. “Ride me.”
She watched his expression as she slowly lowered onto his erection. It was torture for her, but judging by his face, it was worse for him. His grip on her hips told her he wanted to yank her down until she was fully seated.
Just to make him mad with lust, she lifted back off before letting him fill her completely. He made an indecipherable sound. Frustration. Desire. Desperation.
Most of the times they’d had sex when they were eighteen, they’d needed to be discreet, quiet, careful. Now, they could let loose, enjoy every moment. If her neighbors heard them, tough.
“Ladybug, please.” The sound of him begging made her pussy clench. She finally dropped all the way down on top of his length, but only because she couldn’t stand the torture any longer either. She ground her clit against the base of his erection, moaning as she rubbed herself.
Cole’s hands moved from her hips to her breasts, molding to them, squeezing and pinching her nipples until she gasped. “You just gonna sit there, or are you going to ride me, ladybug? If you don’t start moving, I’m going to flip you over and take over.”
She smiled, planting her hands on his chest. “Patience, big guy. I’m memorizing the moment.”
He stopped moving, his hands softening on her breasts, his gaze meeting hers, his brow furrowed, expression serious. One hand slid up to cup her face, his thumb stroking her bottom lip. His gaze roamed all over her face, taking a cue from her and obviously committing this to memory himself.
His other hand slid down to her clit, and when he started rubbing her sensitive nub, she gasped and tightened her thighs around his hips. Eventually, she needed the friction at least as much as he did, and she lifted almost off him and then thrust back down.
He moaned, his hand still cupping her face, but no longer moving. His other hand worked her clit though, lifting and lowering with her.
Her eyes slid closed, and she went inside her head, basking in the feelings. Images flitted through her mind. The first time they’d had sex; how her eyes had popped open when he’d fully entered her. The time they fucked in the back of his truck on a warm spring night before finals. The time he’d snuck in her bedroom window and spent the entire night holding her. They’d fallen asleep and almost gotten caught in the morning before he could scramble out.
“April…” His voice dragged her back to the present and she blinked at him as she picked up the pace, every thrust bringing her closer to orgasm.
“I’m gonna come,” she whispered.
“I hope so,” he teased through gritted teeth.<
br />
She moved faster, biting her bottom lip, trying to hold back the rising need. It was impossible though. She lost the battle, her pussy clutching at his cock rhythmically as she came. She kept bouncing up and down on him, needing more, needing everything.
When he grabbed her hips again and moaned, she knew he was close. A moment later, he stiffened, jacking his hips up into her and holding her down tight against him. His body shook with the pulses of his release, and she’d never seen anything sexier in her life.
Yeah, she was in so much trouble. Even if he never told her what happened that day ten years ago, she was lost to him. Even if he hurt her again, she could not deny him or herself this connection. She wouldn’t tell him now, but she would start making some calls. No way was he going back to San Diego without her.
She’d lost ten years. She wouldn’t lose another day.
Chapter 11
On Friday morning, Cole contacted Richard Chamberlain and asked him to meet him at the shop. It was time to figure out what would get Chamberlain off Cole’s back and allow him to keep the garage.
Chamberlain laughed at Cole through the phone. “Boy, I don’t have time to waste hanging around some mechanic’s shop. I’ll send one of my men to meet you there. They’ll have paperwork with them for you to sign.”
Cole gritted his teeth. “What paperwork?”
“To sign the shop over to me, of course. You and I both know you can’t pay off your father’s debts. That shop is mine.”
“Not a chance in hell.”
Chamberlain laughed again, the sound grating on Cole’s last nerve. “You don’t have a choice, do you? My man’s name is Dewey. He’ll meet you there in at noon.” The mayor hung up before Cole could respond.
“Fuck,” he muttered as he set the phone down and ran a hand through his hair.
“What’d he say?” April asked from the kitchen counter.
“Asshole seems to think there’s nothing to discuss and he plans to just take the shop.”
April visibly flinched. “Shit. What are you gonna do?”
Cole shoved away from the table. “Don’t know yet, but I’ll figure something out.” He came to her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her soundly. He’d done that a lot in the last few days, but after she’d ridden him to oblivion yesterday, he’d started kissing her every few minutes. Sometimes, he would go out of his way to grab her and haul her into his arms.
He needed to be touching her, and when his lips were on hers, it numbed the pain, blocked out his problems, made the world stop spinning out of control.
He felt a sense of desperation. Too many things were on his plate, and he was keeping as secret from the woman he loved most in the world. A secret that might end up meaning the end of them.
His phone rang again, vibrating against the table at the same time, and he groaned as he released April to go retrieve it. The last thing he wanted to do was argue further with Chamberlain over the phone, but hopefully, the man had had a change of heart and decided to meet Cole himself.
Cole smiled when he saw the caller ID. Not Chamberlain. It was Zig. “Hey, Zig. What’s up?” He stiffened, worried they might need him back at base.
“Joker, you haven’t checked in for several days. The guys and I drew straws and I was elected to contact you. How’s it going there?”
Cole covered the phone and mouthed toward April. “Navy buddy.”
She nodded.
“It’s pretty messy here, actually. Turns out my dad was in some financial trouble, and the fucking town mayor is breathing down my throat to settle up.”
“Fuck. Seriously?”
“Yep.”
“You’re not going to pay, are you? I’ve never once heard you even mention your dad.”
Cole sighed. “Fuck no, I’m not paying this guy off. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. It’s too much money. I don’t think the asshole even cares about the money. He wants my dad’s garage so he can tear it down and build on the land.”
“What an asshole. Anything any of us can do to help? We could toss a bit of weight around. You’re a big guy, but if three more of us showed up…”
Cole swiped a hand down his face, chuckling at the visual. “Nah. It’s okay. I’ll let you know if things get out of hand. I’m still trying to reason with the prick.”
“Sounds like your mayor is a mob boss.”
“Apparently, and the chief of police is corrupt too. It’s like a low-budget movie here.”
“So, I guess contacting the police is out.”
“Basically. Got a buddy from high school on the force though. He’s not sure how many of the guys are clean, but he’s working on things from the inside at least.”
“Shit. What a mess. Please call one of us if you need backup or some muscle.”
“Will, do, Zig. Thanks for checking in.”
“Later, Joker.” Zig ended the call, but Cole stared at the phone for several moments, realizing he’d never mentioned April or the fact that he hoped to return to base with a woman. If she’d have him. She hadn’t answered him definitively yet. Not that he could blame her.
He may be a big guy, but he needed to grow some balls super quick if he hoped to win April over permanently. Telling her about that day and Violet’s lies was risky but imperative. He might lose her for good, but the longer he kept the details from her, the worse the fallout was going to be.
Perhaps she could forgive him. Perhaps not. But waiting until he had her moved to San Diego was too late to spring things on her. And she undoubtedly agreed, which was why she wasn’t giving him an answer.
In the meantime, Cole needed to get to the shop, spend some more time making sure he was fully aware of all the financial details, and face his next hurdle.
April stood in the kitchen for a long time after Cole had kissed her once more and then left. She couldn’t shake the feelings he elicited from her mind. She loved when he kissed her. But she could sense the desperation behind every touch of his lips too. Not just for her but for everything. Cole was stressed, and the only moments when he could ignore that tension were the moments when his lips were on hers.
She thought about everything that was going on and what he’d said to his teammate. Or more specifically what he had not said. He hadn’t mentioned her once. Maybe he just had so much on his mind that he hadn’t thought to include that detail.
Before walking out of the apartment, he’d scrambled her brain once more by kissing her senseless without breaking free of her mouth for several minutes. He’d left her panting and wet when he finally set his forehead against hers. “Tell me you’ll come back to California with me, ladybug.”
She’d smoothed her hands up his back. “That’s such a huge step, Cole. I’m not sure.” She was sure, but she wasn’t telling him yet. She wasn’t even certain why she felt like keeping him waiting.
Her motives for not telling him concerned her. Was she punishing him for leaving her? Was she not as certain about her decision to move with him as she told herself? Or—and this was the most likely explanation—she was hoping he would eventually explain his disappearance if she held out.
Hell, a combination of all of those was probably true, but she wasn’t playing fair by not forcing the issue. She kept waiting, hoping he would come clean on his own. Dragging the details out of him wasn’t something she relished. She wanted him to care enough to tell her on his own. If he’d simply gotten cold feet and couldn’t face her back then, she wanted to know. They were kids then, and they could certainly move past that now.
April finally shoved off the counter with a sigh and headed for her bedroom. She wanted to keep busy this morning, and laundry was just the ticket.
She had just stuffed the sheets and towels in the washer when her phone buzzed. An unknown number, but considering how crazy things had been this week, she didn’t chance not answering. It could be a client wanting a showing, but it could be Cole calling from a strange phone. “Hello?”
“Is this April McKay?”
A man said.
“Yes. Who is this?” She stiffened.
“Oh good. Ms. McKay, this is Richard Chamberlain.”
What the fuck?
“My daughter, Violet, mentioned you’re a realtor and classmate of hers from high school. I’m looking for some help finalizing a large deal and my current realtor just quit. Any chance you could take me on as a client?”
April sucked in a breath. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him to go fuck himself. Was there any way in hell he didn’t know who she was or that she was Cole’s girlfriend?
She was about to hang up when she had another idea. Maybe she could help Cole out in some way if she spent some time with Chamberlain. Pull some information out of him. Get an idea what he was up to. A chill crawled up her spine, but she ignored the unnerving sensation. “When did you have in mind, sir?”
“Right now would be great if you have the time. I’m in a bind. I could sure use the help.”
April’s brow furrowed. Now? Less than an hour ago, he’d told Cole he couldn’t be bothered to meet with him because he was too busy. Now, he wanted April to see him immediately?
She didn’t like it, but she needed to find her spine and figure out what he intended to accomplish. Cole’s future depended on it. “Okay. I can be there in about half an hour.” At least she’d already showered. She just needed to get dressed. “Where would you like me to meet you?”
“My house would be great. I’ll have the cook prepare us lunch. It might take me a while to tell you what I’m looking for and discuss some options.”
She swallowed. His house. Bad idea? “Okay, sir. See you soon.” She ended the call and stood rooted to her spot for several moments, shaking, uncertain.
Finally, she took a deep breath and rushed into her bedroom. She needed to look professional, no matter what. She couldn’t imagine what to expect from Richard Chamberlain, but whatever it was, she needed her power outfit on.
Fifteen minutes later, she was out the door. At least she didn’t have to worry about her car starting. The guys at the shop had it running better than it had since she’d acquired it.
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