A willing and active participant, Alyssa squirmed with restless need, aware of the bulge straining his jeans and pressing against it with shameless abandon.
And then that annoying doorbell bellowed into their heated world, stilling them both.
The sound didn't go on and on as it had when Cole was at the door. No, this one ring was soon followed by a voice. “Al? Cole? Where are you guys?” And then a little louder, “Are you two up there in the attic?”
Alyssa jerked her head up, her eyes wide with horror. Oh no! Of all people, Trisha could not find them like this. She looked at Cole and their gazes clung, reluctance to part keeping them still. No matter the urgency of the situation, she just couldn't move. Not while he was looking at her like that.
Heaving a sigh of regret, Cole finally closed his eyes and let his hands fall away.
Alyssa forced herself to roll off him and rise to a stand.
"Alyssa? Cole?" The ladder creaked.
Panic erased the lethargy from her passion-drugged body. "Stay where you are, I’m coming down!”
Oh God. Oh God! Trisha could not see them like this and besides that, she'd see the rocking chair and it would ruin the surprise. Not that Trish would care about that once she realized what she and Cole were doing just now. How could this have happened? What did it mean?
With her body screaming in disappointment, Alyssa stumbled across the attic while scrambling at the same time to tug her clothes and hair into some semblance of order. Her mind was as busy as her hands for she was desperate to come up with something to tell Trisha. Surely her astute friend would guess what they'd been doing the moment she saw her?
With trepidation now replacing most of her other emotions, Alyssa looked down the ladder to see that her dear, annoying friend with the worst timing ever, was preparing to climb it. “I’m coming down. You stay right there.” Her voice sounded a little high but surely Trisha wouldn’t equate that to the remnants of aborted passion, would she? She felt as if it was written all over her, the signs unmistakable. Trisha wasn't stupid.
Just before her head went below the attic floor, she looked over to where Cole still lay on the mattress and a stab of desire shot through her. She wanted to tell Trisha to go away and scramble back up the ladder. She wanted to tear at her clothes and plaster herself against his amazing body and have her wicked way with him. Oh God. This was awful. Delightfully, wickedly awful.
"Is Cole up there too?”
Alyssa jumped off the ladder and motioned for Trisha to follow her into the kitchen. She needed a drink and she needed to get herself under control before she faced her friend. Her hands plucked at her hair and her cheeks flamed with embarrassment. It had to be quite an unruly sight for Cole’s hands had been roaming all through it.
Realizing she hadn't yet answered Trish's question, she managed to mumble out a reply. “Yes, he’s helping me organize a few things.”
“He’s helping you organize a few things?” Trisha sounded somewhat skeptical and it was small wonder that she would be so. After all, she and Cole hated each other. A truce didn't change that. And it certainly wouldn't send him running to her house to help organize her attic!
Deciding it was probably best to just ignore the question, Alyssa opened her fridge and pulled out a pitcher of iced tea. If only Trisha wasn't so astute when it came to her. She grabbed a couple glasses from the strainer and proceeded to fill them. “I'm parched. It's hot as Hades up there. Do you want a drink?” She gulped down half of hers before finally turning to offer Trisha the other glass.
Trisha accepted the drink without taking her eyes off her. Speculation was in that gaze and though it made Alyssa want to squirm, she somehow managed not to visibly do so. “You look weird." Her gaze narrowed with sudden, sharp suspicion. "Are you guys fighting?”
Alyssa dropped her eyes because she wasn’t very good at hiding things from Trisha and it would only be a matter of time before she figured it out. “No, we are not fighting. I told you, he’s helping me organize.”
As if on cue, thumping noises sounded above them and they both looked up. Alyssa lifted her brow in an "I told you so" look. “I’ve been wanting to do it for a while and when Cole came by to tell me about Friday’s engagement party, I asked if he’d help.” She smiled at her friend to prove the truthfulness of her words because they were, after all, quite true. Just because she and Cole took a time-out to roll around on the mattress didn't make it any less true. So, as long as Trisha bought the story at this point and didn't ask for the rest of it, she was in the clear. With Trisha anyway. As for Cole...where did she stand with him?
Trisha studied her for a moment then nodded with a satisfied grin. “This is great, you and Cole being friendly, helping each other, spending time together.” She took another sip of her tea and leaned against the center island. “So are you going to bring a date on Friday?”
Alyssa hesitated. First off, she'd just learned about the party and secondly, well, how to answer that? She was not dating anyone. Jerry was out of the picture thanks to Cole and she was not going to go there right now or she’d start getting mad again, so … how to answer?
“Cole is bringing his latest. I think you’ve met her before. You know, the blond bombshell with a chest out to here…” Trisha put her hands far out in front of her and rolled her eyes with disdain. Since she was not overly endowed in that area, she was always quite critical of those who were.
Alyssa's stomach knotted with cold dread. Cole had a girlfriend? Then what in the hell was he doing here kissing her like he had every freedom to be doing so? The nerve of the man. As fury erased all remnants of the desire thrumming through her body, Alyssa clenched her teeth before she managed to choke out an answer. “Yes, of course I’m bringing a date.”
Trisha’s eyes narrowed with a look that told Alyssa she was about to be interrogated. “Really? Who?”
“Hey, sis.” Cole strode into the kitchen and kissed his sister on the cheek.
Alyssa knew the moment he looked in her direction but she refused to meet his gaze. She was too angry and embarrassed. How dare he kiss her like that when he had a girlfriend?
“Hey yourself.” Trisha gave her brother an enthusiastic hug. “I’m so excited to see you and Al getting along. I was shocked when I pulled into the driveway and saw your truck here.”
Cole moved to stand beside Al, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms. He looked so casual, so unaffected. One would never believe that he had only moments ago been kissing her as if he couldn’t possibly get enough. “Any more of that tea?”
Aware that Trisha was watching them closely, Alyssa grabbed another glass and filled it. Although she wanted to chuck it into his face, she managed to hand it to him without meeting his eyes or making any sort of contact. She hated the prickle of heat that skimmed through her as she settled next to him, leaning against the counter for support and wishing he’d find somewhere else to stand. If only her wayward senses didn't go haywire every time he was in close proximity to her. Why couldn't she control these stupid, senseless responses? It didn't even seem to matter if she was annoyed or angry with him. One thing for sure, she wanted him gone. Now.
“So, thanks for your help with the attic, Cole. I think I can handle the rest of it from here.”
“Sure you don’t want me to stay and finish the job?”
Alyssa caught her breath. What exactly did he mean by that? Images of the pretty intense make-out session Trisha had interrupted filled her mind and heat rose up her neck. Annoyance with herself came to the rescue and she clenched her jaw. Though she wanted to grind her teeth as well, she managed not to give into the urge. It didn’t matter what he meant did it? He had a fricken girlfriend. “No, I think you’ve done enough.”
He didn’t reply to that and she couldn’t resist sneaking a peak at him. He was regarding her over the rim of his glass as he finished off the tea. Alyssa watched his Adam’s apple bob with each swallow and then he set the glass down and folded his arms. �
�I’m just glad I could be of service.”
Alyssa had to get away from him. This game of innuendos needed to stop. She walked across the kitchen and opened a set of French doors leading out to a brightly lit sunroom. Since it was her favorite place in the house and it usually had a calming effect on her, she figured it was the best place to go. Besides, the view would give her eyes something to focus on instead of constantly straying towards Cole. In her opinion there was no place better than her back yard. It sported a wide, lazy stream that often attracted all manner of wildlife. The tall birch and pine trees offered a majestic, cozy atmosphere and the landscaping so carefully plotted out by her grandparents was nothing short of a visual delight. In all her life, the view never failed to calm her when in a dither and she hoped it wouldn't fail her now.
“Why don’t we sit out here where it’s comfortable?” Alyssa waved a hand toward the brightly cushioned wicker furniture. "Make yourself comfortable." She looked at Trisha as she said it, pointedly ignoring Cole and hoping he got the message that she didn't particularly care about his comforts.
Trisha sank down on the rocker and waited until Alyssa settled in the chair next to her before she leaned forward to touch her arm. "You okay, Al?"
"Yes of course." Ignoring Cole who sat in the chair opposite them, Alyssa looked at her friend and managed to force her lips into a semblance of a smile. "This room just makes me think of my grandparents."
Worried that Trisha would continue to pry, Alyssa made a point of looking away. Maybe the mention of her grandparents was enough to keep the questions at bay. "Isn't it lovely?" Hoping to further distract her, Alyssa gestured with her hand. "The trees are budding and flowers are beginning to poke up everywhere. Some have even bloomed. Can you believe it? I'm hopeless with plants."
Trisha dutifully looked at the sights surrounding them. "It is lovely. I've always thought so."
Though she wanted to peek at Cole and see what he was doing, Alyssa forced herself to look anywhere but in his direction. She was almost certain he was watching her and that made her want to squirm in her seat.
When silence stretched between them, Alyssa felt compelled to break it. "Each season is cloaked in its own brand of splendor. I love the spring. If it wasn't for all the bugs, it would be my favorite time of the year."
Trisha laughed. "As each season occurs, you always claim it's your favorite."
Alyssa smiled. "Well, there's something to appreciate in all of them." She stared out at the surrounding yard and felt a moment of sorrow that her grandparents were gone. They'd loved it here and had taken great care in planning the presentation of their property "I feel closer to them when I sit out here. Nana loved this room the most, especially after Grampy died."
Nodding in sympathetic understanding, Trisha patted her hand. “They are angels in heaven and happy to be together again I am sure." She gave her hand a squeeze then gently changed the subject. "So tell me who you are bringing as a date on Friday.”
Alyssa tried really hard not to show her annoyance as she met her friend’s steady gaze and shrugged off the question. “You’ll find out on Friday.”
Surprised by that answer, Trisha’s eyes widened in question then narrowed with intent. Honestly, the girl was like a dog searching for a buried bone when it came to sniffing out information. “Someone special then?”
“What? Al couldn't possibly have a special friend and not tell you, Trisha.” Cole's eyes held steady on Alyssa and no matter how hard she tried not to do it, she found herself meeting his disturbing gaze. “You wouldn’t hide someone special from your best friend would you?”
Although his face was relaxed, she noticed his tension in the way he held himself and wondered what was going through his mind. Perhaps he didn’t like thinking that she had been kissing him only moments ago when her heart was already engaged with someone else. But then he was also probably wondering where the heck Jerry fit into the scheme of things. And while he was at it, did he give his own girlfriend any thought? “As I said, you’ll meet him on Friday and that is all I’m going to say on the matter.” Panic was beginning to course through her because she had no clue who the heck to invite and if they kept at her, they might guess as much. Damn it all anyway. Why did Cole have to be dating someone?
“Why so secretive, Al?” Trisha frowned in obvious annoyance, letting Alyssa know she wasn’t too keen on her tight-lipped determination to stay mum on the subject.
“Yeah, why so secretive?” Cole lifted a brow with exaggerated interest and once again their gazes collided, mutual accusation pinging between them.
“Plan on doing a background check on him, Cole? I assure you, it’s not necessary.” The reference to something he did when she had dated Marshall Kendell her senior year in college rekindled an old resentment and she welcomed the feelings. It would help combat her panic on being dateless for Friday’s party.
"I was right in that instance if you recall. He was out for information on that company you were working for at the time and nothing more." Cole folded his arms in a cocky "I'm always right" manner and waited for her response.
Perhaps she shouldn't have used that example. Though it pained her to admit it, she managed to avert a nasty situation thanks to his meddling. Still, it irked her to no end that he was the one to figure out what was going on. She probably should have been grateful to Cole for exposing the man but her shock, hurt and embarrassment had instead made her resent him more. It seemed logical to take out her disappointment on the very man who had brought it all to light.
“You thought he was an honest, upstanding citizen thoroughly smitten with you if I recall. So this new guy...what do you suppose he's after? Does he know you've been dating on the side?” Although his tone was quite mild, his eyes told a different story. He wanted to know where Jerry fit in with what was essentially a non-existent date. Not that he knew that and not that it was any of his damn business. Furious that he brought Jerry into the conversation, it was all she could do not to toss what was left of her tea into his smug face.
Knowing Trisha was watching her closely and needing something to do with her hands besides wrap them around Cole's neck, Alyssa pulled out her tangled ponytail and made an effort to put it back into some semblance of order. “He knows where he stands. I don't have to explain anything."
Cole’s eyes narrowed and his firm jaw hardened. He was as annoyed as she was and that flabbergasted her. What on earth did he have to be annoyed about anyway? He’s the one kissing other girls when he has a damned girlfriend waiting in the wings.
Giving a curt nod, he stood and moved around to his sister, bending to drop a quick kiss on her cheek before heading for the door. “Guess I best get going since you have no more need of me, Al. See you on Friday.” And then he was gone.
It happened so fast that Alyssa sat in stunned surprise. What on earth was his problem now? Was he feeling guilty for his behavior with her up in the attic? Something told her, though, that Cole was imagining himself the injured party and it puzzled her beyond measure. If anyone had a right to be angry, it was her.
“Something up, Al?” Trisha’s voice had gone cautious, as if she expected an explosion, and Alyssa turned to smile at her.
“No, nothing is up.”
Trisha nodded toward the door. “Do you want me to help you finish the attic organization?”
“I most certainly do not.” She waved away the suggestion with the swipe of her hand then leaned on folded arms and changed the subject. “So tell me about the wedding plans. What have you done so far?”
Trisha stayed for just over an hour and in that time, Alyssa managed to calm down. She wasn’t sure what Cole had been up to by coming here but she didn't think their kiss was planned on his part. Given the fact he had a girlfriend, though, he shouldn't have let things go on as long as it did or become as involved as it had. Honest guys, a trait for which Cole prided himself, did not date one girl and kiss another. It just wasn’t done.
The moment Trisha closed the
door behind her, Alyssa headed to her room with the intention of throwing herself on the bed to think. But she was halted at the door by the surprise waiting there. The rocking chair she'd been after all morning sat in the middle of the room. How Cole managed to get it down the ladder on his own without their hearing him, she had no clue. Her face colored at the thought of him being in her bedroom and her eyes flew about to insure nothing embarrassing like a pair of underwear or a bra was lying about. Although her bed wasn't made, her room was in relatively good order.
Pleased by this unexpected surprise, Alyssa examined the chair and made mental notes on what needed to be done while at the same time brainstorming candidates of possible dates for Friday. There was no way she was going to show up without a man by her side, especially if Cole was going to be there with his girlfriend. His blonde, busty bombshell. She could have done it if he hadn’t shown up today and kissed her. Thanks to that huge, passionate mistake, she couldn't possibly show up on her own now.
Letting out a groan of despair, she fought to erase the memory of their kisses. It was hard enough keeping the other one in the nether regions of her mind. Thoughts of it were always hovering at the edge of her consciousness, waiting to torture her with images that left her feeling … funny. Strange. Hot. So how was she going to deal with the memories of this second kiss? Her body was already squirming with unfulfilled need just thinking about it!
Tangled Up Hearts Page 5
