by Stella James
I waited until the door closed behind her before I looked pointedly to the pot on the stove. “We’re not actually going to eat that, are we?”
Cole laughed. “No babe, we are not going to eat that. Kate means well but a cook she is not. Why don’t you go grab a shower and we can have breakfast in town.”
I nodded and was about to turn back towards the bedroom when I realized that I still didn’t know where my clothes were. “Um, we didn’t, ya know, do anything last night did we? I mean, not that I would be upset if we did, it’s just that I woke up without my underwear on and I didn’t see any of my clothes in your bedroom.”
Cole came towards me and wrapped his strong arms around my waist. “No Lily, we didn’t do anything last night.” He smiled broadly and drove one more nail into the coffin that held my already heavily bruised dignity. “You took your clothes off before we went to bed and insisted that my wool socks would make you sleep better. You also insisted that underwear should be banned from the bedroom and you threw them out the window. I washed your clothes this morning, I’ll leave them on the bed for you.”
Seriously. No more wine. Ever.
*
A quick shower and a pit stop at Olive’s café for breakfast had me feeling like a fully functioning member of society. We went ahead with our plans for the day. I wanted to get out and explore the town. We spent the better part of the morning hiking the trails that looped around the nearest lake just off the main highway. The weather was warm and refreshing. It felt good to get out and spend some time outside. I remembered Cole telling me that this was a frequent way in which he spent his weekends, I was happy to tag along. We grabbed lunch at Mac’s and spent the afternoon at the local hot springs. Time passed too quickly and before we knew it, evening approached. I found myself wishing the day could last just a few more hours. We didn’t have plans beyond the afternoon so I assumed Cole would be dropping me off at home. To my surprise, he passed through town and headed towards his place.
“I know we didn’t have plans for tonight, but I’m not ready for this day to end.” He flashed me a grin that had me ready and willing to agree to pretty much anything. I smiled back as he took my hand in his and held it the rest of the way.
Chapter 10
Cole
Spending the entire day with Lily wasn’t nearly enough. The more time we spent together, the harder it was to be away from her. When she texted me last night I was at Mac’s having a beer with Trace. I filled him in on her ex and the fact that he was a cop. I knew she didn’t want too many people to know about her past but I trusted Trace and I wanted him to do some digging to find out if the prick was actually looking for her. Trace hated the idea of someone hiding behind their badge and I knew he’d be discreet and protect Lily’s new identity.
We pulled up to my place just as the sun was setting. We decided on a quick and easy supper of sandwiches and chips and settled in the den for a movie on Netflix. I left the decision up to Lily and was bracing myself for two hours of romantic comedy. She chose Rocky IV instead. My girl was full of surprises. She curled up next to me on the couch and I pulled her close. The light vanilla scent she wore was quickly becoming my favourite smell. There was nothing about this woman that I wasn’t completely addicted to. I meant it when I told her that my feelings for her were a surprise. I hadn’t planned on falling this hard but I was falling nonetheless. I couldn’t explain it, even to myself. Every part of me wanted to keep her. An hour into the movie and I could feel her sink closer to me as her breath evened out. I gently picked her up, carried her to my bedroom and laid her on the bed. I locked up for the night and came back to find her awake.
“Sorry, I guess all that fresh air today caught up to me.” She said with a soft smile. “You can take me home if you’ve got an early morning.”
“Do you want to go home Lily?”
She looked at me thoughtfully before quietly replying. “No, I don’t want to go home tonight.”
“I don’t have to be anywhere tomorrow morning and this is exactly where I want you baby.”
She sat up and shimmied to the edge of the bed. She took the tie from her hair and let it fall in thick waves down her back. She sat directly in front of me, her beautiful face in line with my chest. I tilted her chin up and watched her brown eyes darken with need.
“Tell me what you want sweetheart.”
“I want you. I want to taste you.” she replied.
I swallowed hard and thanked whatever God was responsible for bringing this woman into my life. She carefully undid the button on my jeans and pulled the zipper, sliding them down my legs along with my boxers. My cock was hard as hell as she put her small hand around the base, her eyes never leaving mine. She motioned for me to back up as she slid down to her knees in front of me. In my entire life, I’ll never forget the image of Lily using her tongue to capture the bead of cum that was dripping from my dick in anticipation. She swallowed that small drop like she couldn’t live without it. I nearly came when she took my length into her hot, wet mouth. Her eyes found mine and I groaned with satisfaction as she slid her mouth back and forth, licking every inch of me. She moved her hand in sync with her mouth as I shoved my hands in her soft hair and encouraged her to move faster. She moaned when I gave her hair a gentle tug. The fact that she was getting turned on had my balls tightening. I tried to pull her up but she resisted and sucked me even harder.
“Fuck Lily, I’m gonna cum if you don’t stop.”
She looked up at me and smiled around my cock before sucking me so deep that I could feel the back of her throat. That’s all it took to send me over the edge. I shot into her eager mouth and she swallowed every drop. I let go of her hair and pulled her up to stand. I took her mouth with desperation while we tore at each other’s clothes. Tasting myself on her lips was hot as fuck and I knew my control was slipping. I spun her around and brought my hand down to her ass with a hard smack. Her gasp quickly turned to a moan as I guided her up onto the bed on all fours.
“Ass in the air baby, I need to fuck you hard.”
“God yes Cole, I want you so bad.” I slipped my hand between her legs and swiped my fingers through her wet folds. She pushed back on my hand as I slid one finger into her tight pussy. “More, please, I need more!” She squirmed beneath me, grinding her hips back.
“You’re always so wet for me Lily, I can’t get enough of you. Who do you belong to baby? Who’s name are you gonna scream when you cum?”
“Yours Cole! I’m all yours!” I removed my hand and slammed my cock inside of her, pausing for only a second before I pulled all the way out and slammed back in. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the bedsheets and pushed her hips back to meet my every thrust. There was nothing sweet about the way our bodies met in a frantic rhythm, desperately chasing a release that wouldn’t be enough for either of us. I pumped into her hard and fast, I could feel her tighten around me as I massaged her clit with the same furious pace. She screamed my name and came hard, squeezing my cock. I came just as hard as she rode the last wave of her orgasm. My entire body tensed as I pumped hard into her one final time. I leaned over her and swept the hair from her neck, kissing and gently grazing my teeth from her neck all the way down her spine to the two dimples above her perfect ass. I reluctantly pulled myself from her heat and brought her pliant body with me onto the bed, her arm draped across me and her hand placed firmly over my heart. We lay there in silence as we both caught our breath. She traced her finger tips softly over my skin.
“What made you choose the name Lily?” I asked.
Her fingers continued to brush over my skin. “When I was a kid my mom used to buy me a bouquet of lilies every year on Valentine’s Day. I’d wake up in the morning and she’d have them placed in a green vase beside my bed.” She laughed softly. “She used to tell me they were from my secret admirer. Even after I got older and figured out it was her, she kept doing it.”
I laced my fingers with hers and pulled her closer. She was asleep w
ithin minutes, my own eyes feeling heavy not long after. My final thought before sleep claimed me was that I wasn’t falling in love with Lily. I already loved her.
Chapter 11
Lily
I stumbled through the living room. He’d hit me hard across the face and everything was beginning to blur. I made it to the door of the apartment thinking that if I could just get it open and call for help, the neighbours would come. I fumbled with the deadbolt and almost had it unlocked when he grabbed my shoulders and spun me around. I saw the vase in his hand but I was so dizzy I couldn’t move out of the way. He brought it up and in one swift blow, smashed it into the side of my head. Everything started to darken, the pain unbearable. I could feel his hands on my body, even now, shaking me. But he was calling me Lily, how did he know my new name?
“Lily? Lily, wake up baby. It’s okay, I’m here.”
My eyes snapped open, my breath coming in gasps. I felt strong arms around me and pushed back with all my strength. The arms released me and I skidded back on the bed until I was pressed against the frame. I chanted the words in my head. I am Lily Jensen, I am safe.
When I could focus again, I realized it was Cole’s voice that pulled me from my nightmare and his strong arms that held me. I swallowed the lump in my throat, my voice shaking as I spoke.
“Cole?”
He was beside me immediately, his arms taking their rightful place wrapped around me. “I’m here, you’re safe.” His deep voice soothed me as he held me and rocked me in his arms. “Nothing is going to happen to you Lily, I promise.” We stayed like that until my breath evened out and the racing of my heart subsided.
“I’m sorry, it’s been weeks since I had a dream like that.” He placed his hands on either side of my face and spoke firmly. “Hey, it’s not your fault. I hate what that son of a bitch did to you and that he still has the power to cause you pain. You don’t ever have to apologize for any of this, you’re not to blame.”
His anger on my behalf and the certainty in his voice made it easier to accept his words as truth. Parts of my previous life were still intertwining themselves into who I was trying to be now. I hoped that one day those parts would be buried deep enough that I could no longer hear their voices.
*
The next day after Cole dropped me off I made some phone calls and got an appointment with a couselor in town. I didn’t want the pain of my past to reign over my new relationship with Cole. As much as I appreciated his comfort last night, I didn’t want to put the burden of my healing solely on his shoulders. I wanted to be better for him and for myself. I wanted to believe that I deserved to find happiness. I wanted to be able to trust myself again. The pull I felt in my heart when I was with Cole was strong, but I feared I would always second guess my choices if I didn’t get help.
I spent my day unpacking boxes and organizing the new books and toys I’d ordered. Cole had some of his guys come in over the weekend to finish things up and I was pumped to get everything ready and have my first official story time. I’d gotten a lot of positive responses when I mentioned it to some of the moms that I knew. I decided to hold a community BBQ to bring attention to the new program and so I could get to know some more families in the area. I mentioned the idea to Kate, who quickly jumped at the opportunity to help organize everything. I hoped we’d be able to get to know each other better and become friends. We decided that we’d plan for next weekend, which meant this week would be busy making the necessary arrangements. Mona offered to help out during her lunchbreaks and Cole wasn’t expected to start a new job until the middle of the week so he offered his services as well. It felt good to be bringing my ideas to life and it felt even better to know that I didn’t have to do it alone. I was making a mental note of where I would set up the children’s costumes when the front door jingled open and a familiar looking woman stepped inside. She looked me up and down and smiled broadly.
“Well, aren’t you just beautiful sweetheart.” The compliment brought a smile to my face but I couldn’t place the woman giving it. I was about to thank her and ask if we knew each other when Kate came barrelling through the door behind her.
“Geez woman, for someone half past fifty you’re pretty damn fast. I can’t believe you tricked me with Olive’s cupcakes. Not cool birth giver, not cool at all.” Kate gave me a pointed look. “She’s here to spy on you. Don’t fall for the little sweet lady routine, she’s a sneaky asshole.”
“Kathryn Margaret Stone, just who do you think you are calling your own mother an asshole? We both know you’re the asshole.”
“And just who do you think I got it from?”
The older woman looked affectionately at Kate. “You’re my favourite asshole Katie, and you always will be.”
“Ya, ya, I love you too. Lily, this well-meaning, although sneaky asshole, is our mother.”
I smiled and offered the woman my hand. “Mrs. Stone, it’s nice to meet you.”
She ignored my hand and wrapped me up in a tight hug. “Please call me Judy, Mrs. Stone was my husband’s God forsaken mother.”
“Well it’s nice to meet you Judy.” It was clear now why she seemed so familiar. She and Kate shared the same wavy blonde hair and light green eyes. Kate was tall whereas Judy was petite but the resemblance was strong between the two women. I also realized that I’d seen her around town before. I was still placed firmly in her grasp when Kate’s voice interrupted.
“Okay Judy, enough of this hugging crap. Lily and I have work to do, so just get it over with.”
I looked between the two women as Judy released me and shot a look of annoyance towards her daughter. “Lily, we’d like you to come over this Sunday for a family dinner. Cole mentioned that the two of you have been seeing each other and we would love to get to know you. I promised him I’d let him ask you but I wanted to invite you myself.”
“I’d love to, thank you. Can I bring anything?”
“Just yourself dear, I suspect Cole will be calling to make the plans himself but you can just tell him we’re set and supper will be at seven.” She gave me another quick hug and whispered in my ear. “He didn’t tell us everything Lily, but he told me enough. I want you to know that you’ve got people here sweetheart.”
I blinked back the tears in my eyes and hugged her back. “Thank you.”
She left in the same whirlwind fashion as her daughter, the similarities between them clearly extended beyond physical. I sent Cole a quick text letting him know that plans for Sunday had been made. He apologized for the ambush and though he feigned annoyance with his mother, I had a feeling he knew all along that she would take it upon herself to track me down. Judy Stone was clearly a woman who took matters into her own hands. He was worried I would be upset that he shared some of my past with his parents but I wasn’t. I didn’t want to hide for the rest of my life and if I was going to be serious about forming real friendships and having a real relationship with Cole, I didn’t want to be living under a cloud of secrecy. I needed to trust people again. My past was far enough away that there was no reason I couldn’t be honest with the people in my new life.
Kate and I got to work organizing shelves and making lists of everything we would need for the weekend. We chatted as we worked about nothing and everything. Mona came by on her break armed with coffee and pastries and we continued on. Mona talked about the last date she’d gone on with a “boring as hell accountant who probably had a doll collection in his basement.” I told them a bit about my marriage and how I ended up in Blue Falls. I didn’t get into specifics like I did when I told Cole, I kept it simple. I was in an abusive relationship and I left when I had the chance to start a new life for myself. In typical Mona fashion, she vowed to cut his dick off with her thinning shears if he ever came looking for me while Kate surprised me with a hand on my shoulder and the reassurance that I was safe now. For the first time in two years, I allowed myself to believe those words whole heartedly.
Chapter 12
Cole
&nb
sp; If you would have told me a month ago that I would be walking into my kitchen to see a beautiful brunette baking cupcakes, I would have thought you were fucking crazy. Yet that’s the sight I had before me. Lily wanted to make treats for the kids that would be coming to the community BBQ and since her kitchen was too small, I gave her a key and told her to use my place for whatever she needed. She had music playing and didn’t hear me come in. I leaned against the doorway and watched while she pulled a tray out of the oven. She wore denim cut offs and a white t shirt. Rather than her usual sneakers, she was barefoot. The red on her toes matched the bright apron she wore. Nothing had ever looked so sexy. Her long hair was tied back into a messy ponytail that was begging to be pulled. I cleared my throat just as the song ended and new one began. She spun around and gave me a wide smile. This was definitely a sight I could get used to.
“Hey you, how was your meeting?” She put her tray down and gave me a quick kiss. She smelled like chocolate.
“It was good, we got the go ahead to get started on the road repairs off the main highway.”
“That’s great!” She gave me a triumphant grin and began frosting a chocolate cupcake. She had flour on her cheek and blue icing smeared on her apron. I plucked a cupcake off the counter and ate it in two bites. “Have you been at this all day?”
“Since noon, Kate brought me out on her lunch break.” She finished the last cupcake on the counter and licked the icing off the spatula before tossing it in the sink. “Mm so good.”
The act was innocent but it made me instantly hard. She turned from the sink just as I was adjusting myself. She tipped her head to the side and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Really Cole? Cupcakes?” She said the words with a teasing smirk.
