Yearning Absolution (Yearning Series)

by Rachael Orman

  “Are you sure?” Gwen lifted an eye brow at him in confusion. She didn’t want him thinking he had to ask her just because she would be alone. “I’m really okay with not going. It’ll be nice to have the place to myself for once.”

  “I would be honored to have you on my arm and be able to introduce you as my girlfriend.” His brilliant green eyes were locked on hers. “I want to show off this sexy, smart, beautiful woman that is mine. Plus, I want every woman out there to know that I am officially taken.”

  “You know this will change things at work, right? People are bound to find out you took me.” Gwen spoke carefully. He’d said they should keep things hidden at work and she didn’t want that to get messed up just so she could go out to an event with him.

  “Yes. I don’t really care what they have to say anyway. I’m tired of hiding it.” Cole laughed and leaned forward to give her hard kiss. “Plus, you know what this will be?”

  “Our third date.” Gwen had to think for a moment. At first, it had been hard to not push him on his ridiculous desire to wait, but she found that it was actually nice spending time with him without that sexual pressure.

  “Yes. You will be in my bed again.” A mischievous smile tugged at his lips. “I’ve been a very good boy for plenty long enough. It’s been six weeks since I last had you and I don’t think I can wait any longer.”

  “You still have to wait the rest of the week.” Gwen slowly licked her lips. “It’s gonna be a long couple days.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll make it worth it the wait.” Cole traced soft circles on her inner thigh. The car slowed as it pulled up at the office.

  “Tease.” Gwen moaned before they exited the car and went to work.

  Chapter 11

  The next couple days passed slowly for both Gwen and Cole. Gwen got multiple texts and calls from McKayla every day, more than double what she normally did. While she loved talking to her, they were both supposed to be working and it was distracting. Eventually, Friday rolled around and Gwen was happy to get a relaxing night away from work.

  “Are you ready?” Cole asked from behind Gwen. She turned to see his sexy muscular frame leaning against the entrance into the closet. He had on a very finely tailored tuxedo.

  “Almost.” Gwen couldn’t help but smile at him. She had decided to wear one of her own designs to the party. The strapless dress fell to the floor with a slit up one leg. The fuchsia colored material hugged her torso but flowered out around her hips and legs. Her hair fell in loose spiral curls half way down her back. She’d liberally applied eye liner and mascara to make her big brown eyes stand out with pale pink lipstick and blush. Gwen turned back to stare into her jewelry box where she had been trying to decide on what she wanted to wear.

  “Why don’t you wear this?” Cole asked as he stepped close to her back and held out a box in front of her. She carefully took the long slender box from his hand.

  “What’s this?” Gwen turned to look up at him again.

  “Something I saw and knew would look lovely on you.” Cole shrugged a shoulder. “Open it.”

  “Wow.” Gwen whispered slowly opening the box. She gawked at the bracelet in the velvet box. There were three hearts made of diamonds that were interlinked together, a slim row of diamonds that extend out either side to make the band. It glittered brilliantly even in the dim lights of the closet. She could only imagine how bright it would sparkle in the sunlight. She could only stare at it for a few moments as words had completely escaped her. “Cole, I can’t accept this.”

  “Sure you can.” Cole lifted the bracelet from the box and had it fastened around her right wrist before she could say anything more. “It was too perfect to not get for you. It reminded me of how delicate and beautiful you are. How precious you are to me. And of course, the third heart is for McKayla, her love for you and you for her.”

  “Thank you. I absolutely love it.” Gwen wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and kissed him hard. She didn’t need to ask how much it cost, she knew it was easily the most expensive present she had ever been given. Cole pulled back from her kiss and cupped his hands around either side of her head.

  “And I love you.” Cole spoke softly as he looked deep into her eyes. It was the first time he had spoken the words out loud to her although he’d thought about it many times over the past few weeks.

  “I love you too.” Gwen’s voice matched his. A tear ran down her cheek as the words left her lips. Cole’s thumb brushed across her cheek, catching the tear before he leaned down and tenderly kissed her.

  “We better get going.” Cole said as he released her. Gwen quickly slipped on a pair of four inch peep toe stilettos that went with her dress and grabbed her little clutch purse. They made their way to the elevator and down to the car.

  After a short car ride, they got out at a big fancy house. Gwen tried to keep her calm. She’d been to many of these parties when she worked for Finest Companions. That was different, she had been a paid escort then. Now she was here as an actual girlfriend. She hoped she could keep from embarrassing herself and Cole.

  “It’ll be okay.” Cole said squeezing her elbow reassuringly as they walked up the short path to the front door. Gwen looked over her shoulder when she heard a noise. She spotted a man with a camera in the bushes just on the other side of the drive.

  “There is someone taking pictures in the bushes.” Gwen spoke softly to Cole. He glanced in the direction Gwen had indicated with her head.

  “It’s probably the paparazzi, not a big deal as long as they keep their distance.” Cole brushed it off as they entered the house. They were instantly greeted by a tall, trim woman that had curly blonde hair that bounced around her shoulders as she walked up to them.

  “Cole! How nice to see you. I was afraid you weren’t going to show.” The blonde woman had a deep raspy voice that didn’t match her youthful face and body.

  “Cleo, let me introduce my girlfriend. This is Gwen Black. Gwen, the hostess of the party, Cleo Woolf.” Cole introduced them. The two women shook hands.

  “Girlfriend? Well, now. Very nice to meet the woman who finally captured the elusive Cole.” Cleo ran her eyes up and down Gwen in appraisal. Seeming to give her approval with a little nod of her head. Gwen kept her forced smile in place as she didn’t know what to say. “Go enjoy yourselves. I was just sneaking out for a smoke.”

  “She’s had more plastic surgery than any reasonable person would just to keep the signs of smoking from showing yet she continues to do it.” Cole spoke softly once Cleo had disappeared out the door they had entered through. Cole guided Gwen down the hall with an arm around her waist until they entered a large open room. There were around 40 people in the one room. All were socializing around the few couches and chairs placed in the room, or standing along the edges of the room. Cole pulled her to him and planted a kiss on her lips before disappearing to get them both a drink. Gwen stood to the side and watched the crowd. She knew a few of the faces, but none that she wanted to speak with now that she was no longer in the escort business.

  Gwen’s eyes locked on a short brunette with bright blue eyes and perfect high cheekbones. The little brunette was making her way through the crowd towards the bar, where Cole was waiting for their drinks. Gwen clinched her hands together in front of her around her clutch purse. Before the brunette could reach Cole, he picked up two glasses and made his way back to Gwen.

  “I think someone is looking for you.” Gwen raised her chin in the direction of the brunette, who was headed right towards them.

  “Shit.” Cole said under his breath. “I didn’t know she’d be here.”

  “Cole. How lovely to see you here.” The brunette had made it to them. She ran her hand from Cole’s shoulder down to his hand, which still held a glass from the bar.

  “Cassie.” Cole said tersely.

  “Is this for me?” Cassie asked tapping her nail on the glass in his hand. Cole pulled it back from her hand.

  “No, actually it is for my
girlfriend.” Cole said turning to hand it to Gwen, who Cassie hadn’t even noticed. Her head whipped to look at Gwen, anger apparent in her face.

  “Girlfriend? You brought a date here? You wouldn’t even bring me to events when we were married.” Cassie hissed at him.

  “Cassie, I don’t want to do this here. Just go back to where ever you came from.” Cole said coolly. He looked over her head at the crowd, obviously dismissing her. Cassie growled but stomped off.

  “I still can’t believe you were married to her.” Gwen said. It had been her first time seeing Cassie up close and she hoped she didn’t have to again. She carefully sipped the drink Cole handed her.

  “Me either.” Cole shook his head.

  Chapter 12

  They walked around the party and Cole introduced Gwen to everyone as his girlfriend. Most of the night he kept his hand on her lower back or wrapped around her waist. After a few hours, Cole brought her to a large comfy looking chair.

  “I have to use the rest room. Plus, I figure you would like to sit for a bit.” He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “As much as I want to fuck you in those heels, I know they can’t be all that comfortable. I’ll be right back. Don’t let one of these old men steal you away.”

  Gwen sunk into one of the chairs as she watched Cole walk away. It was hard not to appreciate a fine ass like his even when it was covered with jacket. She was grateful to sit for a while. Although she was used to standing for long periods of time, the shoes she had worn tonight weren’t the most comfortable pair. They looked fabulous with this dress and that was more important than comfortable. She wanted to make sure she looked as good as possible for their first outing as a couple.

  “Well, now isn’t this interesting.” A familiar voice said from behind Gwen. Gwen looked over her shoulder to see Leanne, a former coworker at Finest Companions.

  “Leanne. Long time no see. How are you?” Gwen asked as the woman leaned her hip against the arm of a couch that was next to the chair Gwen was sitting in. Leanne was wearing a short black dress that showed a lot of leg.

  “I thought you were no longer working as an escort.” Leanne used a louder than normal tone of voice. Gwen flinched and looked around to see if she had caught anyone’s attention.

  “I’m not. I’m here with my boyfriend.” Gwen said using a much quieter tone once she saw no one appeared to be paying them any attention.

  “Lucky you. Got what all of us want. Bagged one of the big boys.” Leanne sneered at her.

  “I didn’t know him when I was living that lifestyle.” Gwen technically had, but she didn’t think it was really any of Leanne’s business. They’d never been close, but Gwen knew that many of the girls who escorted hoped to have one of the filthy rich men fall in love with them. Or at least be their sugar daddy who bought them expensive things. “I met him outside of escorting.”

  “Mmm Hmm. Sure.” Leanne pressed her lips together and rolled her eyes before stalking off just as Cole approached.

  “Someone you know?” Cole asked holding his hand out to help Gwen from the chair. He pulled her up when she placed her hand in his. His beautiful green eyes locked with hers as his hands slid around her hips and pulled her even closer to him.

  “No one important.” Gwen smiled as her hands smoothed over his broad shoulders to link behind his neck. She wanted to change the subject to anything else. “My stomach is bothering me. I think I might need to eat something to help settle it. Is there any food here?”

  “Sure. Let’s go see what there is in the kitchen.” Cole linked his hand with hers and walked with her to an open archway. They entered a very large, open kitchen. There were little finger foods on trays covering nearly every surface.

  “Help yourself.” A young lady in a black skirt and white button down top told them as she continued to scrape plates into the trash before stacking them in the sink.

  Cole handed Gwen a small glass plate so she could pick out what she wanted. Gwen quickly put a few items on the plate. Truth was that her stomach was bothering her, but she figured it was more from the nerves of being at a party with him while there were also men here that had paid companions with them. While Cole knew about her past, it wasn’t something she wanted his friends to know about her. She hadn’t eaten in a few hours too though so maybe a few bites would help.

  They escaped out a door that led to a back patio area. There was plenty of seating out here as well, but not half as many people. Cole hadn’t gotten any food but had grabbed a napkin and a bottle of water for her. They sat down on a bench and Gwen popped one of the little snacks in her mouth as she looked out over the large green yard. There were a few space heaters placed around the patio keeping it warm in the early May chill.

  “I’ll be right back. I see someone I’ve been trying to track down all night. Stay here I’ll be only a moment.” Cole kissed her forehead before quickly walking off towards a table on the far side of the patio that a few couples were chatting around.

  Gwen ate a couple more of the treats she picked up from the kitchen. She wasn’t entirely sure what they were. She’d guess it was chicken, cheese and a pastry of some sort but she hadn’t eaten anything like it before. It was pretty good and her stomach did feel like it was settling a bit. She put the empty plate on the table and picked up the bottle of water Cole had brought for her. She slowly drank the water and looked out over the yard.

  She didn’t know how long she sat there as she got lost in her thoughts, but she was brought back to the present when ice cold liquid poured down over her hair. She jumped to her feet and her eyes focused on a little brunette standing just to her side with an empty glass in her hand. Cassie. Gwen gasped loudly as the cold liquid soaked her hair and dress, “What the…”

  “Oh sorry. I didn’t see you there.” Cassie pursed her lips at Gwen. She had poured her drink over Gwen’s head.

  “Why did you do that?” Gwen couldn’t keep the shock from her face. She had never had someone toss a drink at her before. Cassie stepped close to her, wrapping a hand around her neck and pressing her lips to Gwen’s ear.

  “He is mine. He will always be mine. Don’t fool yourself into thinking he’ll stay with you.” Cassie’s fingernails dug into Gwen’s neck as she spoke. Gwen shoved her elbow into Cassie’s stomach, pushing her back. She felt Cassie’s nails leave marks around the side of her neck before finally releasing her. “Your cheap ass is just a momentary distraction for him. He would never settle down with some whore like you. Oh, Leanne told me all about you and what you used to do. Classy. Does Cole know about your past? Does he know you spread your legs for anyone…”

  “Enough.” Cole’s terse voice stopped Cassie immediately. He voice was cold, but his eyes were raging as he looked at Cassie. “I don’t know what I have to do to make you understand that we are over, Cassie. Gwen is my future, not you. If you ever bother her again, I will be talking with your father.”

  “I’m not afraid of you or my father.” Cassie snapped. She threw her glass at the side of the house, where it shattered, and sprayed glass all over the bench Gwen had been sitting on. Cole spun Gwen around so his back was to the flying glass, instead of hers. Cassie threw her hands in the air and growled as she stomped off.

  “I’m really sorry about her. You ready to go?” Cole held Gwen’s hips firmly in his hands as he looked down into her eyes.

  “No, you finish what you need to. I can wait. This isn’t a big deal.” Gwen forced a smile on her face. Cole was here for business and she didn’t want to hinder that.

  “I was finished anyway. Let’s go.” Cole quickly led her back through the house and out the front door. He put her in the back of the car and settled next to her before the car pulled away. He pulled a napkin from his pocket and started carefully patting away the little droplets of liquid from Gwen’s neck and chest.

  “Stop. It’s ok. I’ll just take a shower when we get back to your place.” Gwen said but made no attempt to stop his hands as they patted her skin. She laughed and
pulled the napkin from his hand when he moved to her hair. “Seriously. It’s ok. I can’t say that I’ve ever had someone throw a drink on me, but it isn’t really as exciting as it sounds. I’m more upset that we have to leave over a tossed drink and that your ex got to ruin our nice date night as I am sure was her plan.”

  “Then don’t let it.” Cole smiled brightly at her and pulled his phone from his pocket. He punched out something on his smart phone before grinning at Gwen. “Let’s go, Doug.” Cole spoke to the driver.

  “Where are we going?” Gwen smiled at the incredibly handsome man next to her.

  “I’m whisking you off for the rest of our night together. You just sit back we will be there before long.” Cole winked at her but couldn’t get the smile off his face.

  “You are so crazy.” Gwen laughed which made him only smile broader and as he brought her hand to his lips for a soft kiss.

  “Only for you.”

  Chapter 13

  The car pulled up in front of an expensive lush looking hotel. Cole helped Gwen step from the car, offering his arm with a sexy smile. She slipped her arm through his before he escorted her into the hotel. Cole whisked her into the elevator then pressed the button for the top floor. He stood stoic the whole ride to the top floor, not looking at her, moving or saying anything. Gwen tapped her hand against her thigh as she tried to stay as calm as he appeared, but she couldn’t stop the excitement and nerves from making her hand move just that little bit.

  “Here we are.” Cole spoke softly as the elevator doors slid open. After walking swiftly to the first door on the right, he pulled a key card from his pocket and held open the door for her after unlocking it. Gwen entered the hotel room and stopped right in her tracks. The entire room had the lights off with candles covering nearly every surface giving off a dim glow. Across the room were large windows that showed off the night sky filled with a very bright full moon with a few stars twinkling in the dark sky. There was a romantic song playing softly in the background, adding to the sensual feeling of the room. After taking a few moments to admire the breath taking room, Gwen turned back to look at Cole. He was turning to face her again after flipping the deadbolt on the door.