Rae

by E. R. Wade

  I pick it up, and press the power button. It’s not locked. He should have a code if he’s in the habit of forgetting his tablet when he goes out. Or maybe he isn’t . . . It’s a bit suspicious. What if he deliberately left it behind so he’ll have an excuse to stop by? Would he do that? I have no idea. What I’m certain of is that I’m not going to call him. I’d like to see how he’ll play this.

  The day passes but he doesn’t call. I’m confident that he will tomorrow. Tuesday, there’s still no word from him. By Thursday morning, the man has me worrying about him and his damned tablet. The most annoying thing about it is that I eagerly reach for my phone anytime it beeps or rings.

  It’s Friday night and I’ve come to the conclusion that I may have misread the situation. Cole hasn’t called or texted me once. It seems like he really did forget his tablet, and he could be looking for it. He may need it for work or something equally important. I didn’t look through it to see what’s in it. I should have gotten over myself and called him. I look at the time on my phone. It’s seventeen minutes past eight. He could be out on a date or at a bar picking up a woman for the night. The thought makes me feel a little sick. Why the hell am I feeling possessive? He can do whatever he wants, I don’t care. I want to call him but the thought of him being with a woman stops me. I’ll call him tomorrow morning, no not morning, maybe noon. By that time, I’ll have this irrational jealousy squashed. Hopefully.

  I spend the rest of the evening on my couch with a bottle of white wine, watching a rerun of Friends on TV and trying not to think of Cole.

  The next day, at exactly noon, I dial his number and he answers on the third ring.

  “Rae,” he says pleasantly. Shit! His voice does things to me. Wherever he is sounds quiet, which means that he’s alone and doesn’t have company. I feel my body relax a little.

  “Hey. I think you left your tablet at my place.”

  “My tablet? So that’s where it’s been. Thanks for holding on to it. When did you find it?”

  Should I admit it was the morning after he left? I hate to lie but if I tell him the truth, he’ll know I deliberately didn’t call him.

  “During the week,” I answer, deliberately sounding vague.

  “I see.”

  “I could mail it to you if you want,” I offer.

  “No, it’ll be easier and faster if I come and pick it up. Is seven okay?”

  I’m done fighting whatever this is. I want to see him, at least one more time.

  “Yeah,” I say, trying not to let on that I’m looking forward to seeing him.

  “Okay. I’ll see you later,” he responds, then ends the call.

  I have just the right dress to wear tonight, and under it, I’ll have on the sexiest Agent Provocateur underwear I own. Not that I’m expecting anything to happen between us but . . . you never know.

  ***

  Cole

  It’s about damn time she called.

  I was sick of waiting and was about to drag my ass over to her apartment. Rae is one stubborn woman. She held out longer than I thought she would. I was fairly certain that I’d hear from her within seventy-two hours but it took her double that time to call me. If I wasn’t feeling so frustrated, I’d be impressed. I know she wants me. I have absolutely no doubt about it. But I have no idea why she’s being so resistant. It may take longer than I’d hoped but I’m going to break down all the walls she has up. Every single one of them.

  The fact she called me speaks volumes. I would have been disappointed if she had chosen to send me a text to let me know that I forgot my tablet at her place and she could mail it to me. But she called . . . She called because, even though she won’t admit it, she wanted to hear my voice and she wants to see me. I’m not at all arrogant, just honest.

  It feels like I’ve done nothing but think about her all week. I’ve had my phone on me at all times and on the rare occasions that I couldn’t hold on to it, it was within touching distance. Luke, of course, noticed I was a little preoccupied at work but thankfully didn’t give me a hard time about it, although he did shake his head at me when he saw me staring at my phone on Wednesday as if willing it to ring. I don’t know what it is about Rae that’s got my blood buzzing. Sure, she’s a beautiful woman. Confident, too. She’s also independent and smart. And she’s got a sense of humor. Not to mention the fact that she’s got curves in all the right places. I don’t even want to think about how she feels in my arms or when I’m buried deep inside her, it’ll just make me hard. I’m really looking forward to tonight. I’m certain of two things happening – one, I’m going to ask her out and she’s going to turn me down, and two, we’re going to end up in her bed.

  I can’t fucking wait.

  SIX

  Rae

  Don’t ask me how it happened but somehow I’m lying snuggled in Cole’s arms. Spooning. All I know is about two minutes after he walked into my apartment – and not bothering to glance at his tablet – we were all over each other and we ended up on my bed. Now, three wonderful orgasms later, I’m lying in his arms. Do you know what the worst part is? I like it. I don’t want to be anywhere else but here.

  “We should get something to eat. I need the energy if I have any hope of keeping up with you,” he murmurs against my ear. His leg is curled on top of mine and our fingers are laced together.

  I let out a little laugh. “Seriously, Cole?” I try to turn to face him but his arm tightens around me. “You’re insatiable. I don’t know how I’m still breathing.”

  He chuckles, but doesn’t say anything.

  “Why don’t I make us something to eat?”

  “You cook?” He suddenly sounds more awake, and I hear the interest in his voice.

  “Yeah. What would you like?”

  I like cooking but it’s been such a long time since I cooked for anyone other than myself. I don’t know why I offered to make him dinner, it would have been simpler to order pizza. I blame his sexual prowess. What else could it be, right?

  “I’ll eat anything you put in front of me.”

  I make to get up but for a brief moment, he doesn’t let me, and then he disentangles his fingers and leg from mine. We’re both completely naked, and as I sit up on the edge of the bed, I feel self-conscious which is weird. I’m generally comfortable with nudity and I didn’t feel uncomfortable or nervous the other two times he was here.

  I push down the unfamiliar feeling and go to my wardrobe to get something to wear. I take the first two items that get my attention – yoga pants and a tank top – and throw it on. By the time I turn back to the bed, Cole is dressed in his jeans and he’s shirtless.

  “You don’t have to come with me. You can just stay here,” I tell him. I need the time preparing our meal alone. I feel there’s a shift in what we’re doing and I need to think about it without having to look at his perfect face and body.

  “I want to help. I promise I won’t get in the way.”

  We make dinner – pasta with turkey and broccoli – together and eat in front of the TV. It feels scarily normal and comfortable, like we’ve done this before.

  A couple of hours later, Cole has to leave.

  “I’d like to see you again. Soon,” he murmurs sexily, pulling me close to him. His arms circle my waist and my hands instinctively go to his upper arms.

  I should stay away from him. I can’t afford to get involved no matter how sexy and handsome he is. I’ll just tell him I’ve had a good time and it’s time to move on. Yeah, that makes sense. But when I open my mouth, the words that come out are completely different from what I planned to say.

  “I’m free Wednesday evening.”

  He looks at me like he wants to say something but changes his mind. He takes my lips in the softest of kisses. “I’ll be here.” He kisses me again. “Why don’t I take you out to dinner?”

  I stiffen, and then try to pull out of his arms. He doesn’t let me and his expression doesn’t change.

  “Cole –”

  “Jus
t to eat. Nothing fancy,” he says calmly. “We could go out for pizza.”

  It’s bad enough that this one-night stand is turning to an on-going affair and we’ve shared a meal together like two friends – or worse, a couple – but I absolutely draw the line at going out in public with him like it’s a date or that we’re doing anything more than enjoying each other’s bodies temporarily. I’m not even sure I want to be friends with him. I haven’t asked him where he lives or where his office is. I don’t want to know what his favorite color, band or food is. I just want sex. So if I have to eat with him to get what I want, then we’ll be eating in my apartment.

  “Or we could order a pizza when you get here,” I say.

  “Sure,” he says smoothly. For some strange reason, it bothers me that he agreed too easily.

  I’m turning out to be one huge bag of contradictions, and I don’t like it.

  He lets me go and picks up his tablet from the coffee table. “I better not forget it again,” he tells me, grinning cheerfully at me.

  I narrow my eyes at him. The feeling I had a few days ago that he deliberately left it here is back in full force. He didn’t spare the tablet a glance until now.

  He kisses me on the cheek, and walks out of the door. Seconds later, I realize I’m smiling.

  On Wednesday, Cole orders a large pizza and sides of chicken wings, potato wedges, garlic bread and a mixed salad. I have no idea how we’re going to eat all that. Not surprisingly, we don’t finish the food. I’m keeping the leftovers in the refrigerator when Cole comes up behind me and splays his fingers out across my hips.

  “I have two tickets for Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre in West End on Friday.”

  I raise an eyebrow, even though he can’t see me. He’s clearly been looking through my meager DVD collection.

  “So?” I’m not fooling anyone with my flippant question.

  “I’d like to take you to the theatre. I don’t know if you’ve had the chance to see it yet.”

  “Thanks, but I can’t make it. You should go,” I say.

  He turns me around to face him. “There are two tickets,” he points out.

  “So take someone.” Like your friend, Luke.

  “You want me to take someone else?”

  He thinks I was referring to a woman. I hate the idea of him with anyone else, but I’m not going to admit it.

  “You’re free to do anything you want. It has nothing to do with me,” I say.

  He studies me intently. “You don’t want me to go with anyone else,” he says matter-of-factly. “Why don’t you just admit it?”

  “I don’t know what you mean. You can take whoever you want,” I insist. “It’s not like we’re exclusive.”

  “Okay, I’ll ask Amber if she’ll go with me.”

  I don’t even think about it, the words just fly out of my mouth. “Who’s Amber?”

  “Why? It’s not like you care,” he points out calmly.

  “I don’t.” I move my gaze away, choosing to look out the window. Isn’t Amber the woman that was at the bar with him and his friend the night we met? She’s obviously interested in him.

  “Rae –”

  I cut off whatever he wants to say. “I don’t.” Yeah, I know I sound like a sullen child who’s had her favorite toy taken away. But you know what? I couldn’t care less. The thought of Cole going out with a woman, and possibly ending up in bed at the end of the date, pisses me off. I know I’m being unreasonable but honestly, right now, my emotions are a damn mess.

  He places a finger on my jaw and gently turns my face back to him. “Rae, look at me.”

  I reluctantly look up at him, and into his eyes.

  “I don’t want to go with anyone except you. If you don’t want to go, that’s fine. I won’t too. Okay?”

  I don’t answer him, but the tension has left my body and I don’t feel so upset any longer. I continue looking at his handsome face. It’s hard to believe I’ve known him for just two weeks because it feels like he can read me so well. It’s like he knows what I’m thinking and he sees deep into my soul. Like right now, I don’t have to say anything to him, he knows that I’m relieved with what he’s said.

  “I’ll see you on . . .” He kisses me as his words trail away.

  I don’t need to think about it. “Friday,” I murmur against his lips. “I’m free on Friday.”

  My answer makes him chuckle. Unfortunately, I can’t even be mad at him. This is all on me.

  “I’ll be here at six.” He has a huge smile on his face.

  SEVEN

  Rae

  Mia, Ana and I walk into the bar and minutes after we are seated, I feel like someone is watching me. I turn around, not really expecting to see anyone I know, and my gaze collides with familiar beautiful gray eyes.

  Cole.

  He’s here. At the bar. Smiling at me. I swallow hard. We’ve been together – no, not together – having sex for six weeks now and my attraction to him seems to be growing at an alarming rate. My eyes leave his and scan the people beside him. I recognize his friend, Luke, from the night we met. It appears he’s here with just Luke. Thank goodness. My gaze goes back to him. His smile is wider than before. He knows I was checking to see who he’s here with. I quickly turn back to my friends but not before they notice our little exchange.

  “Damn. Who is that gorgeous man?” Mia asks.

  “A friend,” I say, deliberately adopting a casual tone.

  “A man that looks like that should never be just a friend.”

  I don’t bother answering her. I’m busy trying not to make eye contact with her and Ana, and at the same time, forcing myself not to turn back to look at Cole, which means that my attention is divided between the apple martini in front of me and the other patrons in the bar.

  “So, is he single?” Mia asks.

  What? How the hell am I supposed to answer that question?

  “I’m not sure but I think he’s seeing someone.” When did I start hiding things from my friends?

  “Could you find out?” she asks, looking at me with her big brown eyes.

  Shit. Mia is never going to stop talking about him until I tell her he has a serious girlfriend. That’s the only way she’ll back off.

  “Yeah. Sure.”

  Why did he have to come to this bar out of all the bars in Covent Garden? Why?

  “His friend is gorgeous too,” Ana says, staring at where Cole and Luke are standing.

  Cole and Luke are both handsome men, similar in build and height, but that’s where the resemblance ends. Cole has light brown hair and gray eyes while Luke has black hair, cut much shorter than Cole’s, and green eyes. Luke’s features are sharper and more severe than the man who’s been giving me earth-shattering orgasms. He has an intense air about him that some women find appealing but does nothing for me. It’s in sharp contrast to Cole’s easy-going look.

  “Rae? Did you hear what I said?”

  “Sorry, my mind wandered for a second.”

  “I said maybe we should join them at the bar.”

  No way!

  “The bar’s too crowded so I doubt we’ll find a place to stand, and this is supposed to be a girls’ night out,” I point out to Ana.

  “I don’t mind,” Mia chips in.

  Fucking great. Two against one. How the hell am I going to get out of this? Ana and Mia will find out I wasn’t completely honest about Cole being just a friend, and I don’t want to spend any time with him outside the bedroom. I’m already feeling things I have no business feeling.

  Since Cole walked up to me in the bar weeks ago, I’ve been screwed. I hate to admit it but it’s true. I’m hoping that I can get him out of my system soon before he causes any serious damage. Just imagine if I fall for him. That can never happen. Not ever.

  “Oh, wait. They’re coming over.”

  Don’t turn around. Do not turn around. And act calm.

  Cole stops right next to me and puts an arm at the back of my chair. He intro
duces himself to my friends but I stay silent because I’m extremely aware of his fingers grazing my bare shoulder. Can he feel the goose bumps he’s causing on my skin?

  “Rae, Luke and I are going to AV to meet up with a friend. Would you ladies like to come?” He glances briefly at Ana and Mia before turning his sexy gaze back to me.

  Damn. He knows that I love the dessert and cocktails at AV. I mentioned it to him a couple of weeks ago and he’s invited me to have drinks with him there. Of course, I turned him down.

  My face is turned towards him but I’m avoiding looking at his eyes so my gaze is fixed on his chin – and I’m also avoiding looking at the lips that kissed every inch of my body the last time we were in my bed.

  Mia and Ana are listening intently and I know they’re interested in going so I quickly turn him down.

  “Thanks, but we’re having a girls’ night out.”

  “Maybe some other time.”

  “Yeah,” I say, knowing that there’ll be disappointed looks on my friends’ faces.

  Cole puts a finger under my chin and gently lifts my face to his. My gaze collides with his, and I immediately feel myself drowning in their molten gray depths. No one and nothing exists except him. Everyone fades to the background. There is only him.

  “I’ll get you your favorite desserts and I’ll see you later,” he murmurs, then brushes my lips with his. My lips tingle and butterflies are fluttering wildly in my stomach. Overcome with need for him, I don’t say a word. He drops his hand and turns to my friends.

  “Bye, ladies.”

  I stare after him as he and Luke, who nods at me, leave the bar. From a distance, I hear someone loudly clearing a throat. Shit. Ana and Mia are here. Shit. They saw Cole kiss me and now I’m staring after him like a lovesick fool.

  Slowly, I turn my face back to my friends. Ana is smiling at me and Mia raises a brow but isn’t smiling. It’s clear that she’s not thrilled about my deliberately not telling them that Cole and I are more than friends.

  “So, Rae, it seems you have some explaining to do. To start, why don’t you tell us why your friend just kissed you?”