SECRETS Vol. 5
Page 8
I smile at him and sink back down onto the bench again. The rest of the night passes in a blur. Several paintings sell for astronomical amounts of money, including the angelic portrait of me. The critics will write up their reviews tomorrow, but I already know what they are going to say. I heard the words fall from their lips. The show was adequate, but the piece that defined it was the last work of an earthly angel. There are pieces that an artist is known for, a piece that defines him and that piece is Cole’s.
CHAPTER 13
Sottero makes good on her claim. The lawsuit ends as quickly as it started. Suddenly, there is nothing pulling at us, demanding our attention. We spend hours at the Long Island studio, sitting on the beach and watching the surf. Cole’s fingers weave together with mine.
The breeze blows his hair into his eyes and he pushes it back. The sky is gray, like it might rain and the air is nippy, like some artic air came this way early. We’re both wearing sweatshirts and jeans. The ocean roars, pounding waves into the sand. I wiggle my bare toes in the sand and look at his beautiful eyes.
“Have you given any thought to the wedding?” Cole asks me.
I grin at him and nod. “Maybe.”
“When did you become so allusive?” He smiles at me and bumps my shoulder with his.
“When I figured out that it drives you crazy.” I smirk at him in response and bump him back.
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking that I won’t pin you on the sand and tickle you until you scream. I will get a date out of you one way or another.”
I laugh, not believing him, which is stupid. “Yeah, right,” I mutter.
Cole launches himself on me and within seconds he has me pinned. I squirm, trying to pull my arms or legs, but I can’t move. When Cole goes to tickle me, I say, “Don’t you dare!”
Cole’s fingers find my sides under the thick sweatshirt and wiggle against my skin. I laugh hysterically and try to get away. I manage to get an arm free and tickle him back, but the bastard isn’t ticklish.
“Pick a date, Miss Lamore.” The sky opens up and it starts to rain. The drops fall to the ground in big globs. The water is freezing.
“It’s raining!” I manage to say, but Cole doesn’t stop.
“So, pick a date.” Cole tickles me more and I squirm in the sand. Rain pelts my face and feels like ice. I’m the worst tickle ninja ever. I can’t get away from Cole and he seems impervious to tickles. So, I curl into a ball to attempt a lame defense.
Cole rolls me around on the shore like a cat with a ball of yarn. “Next summer?” he asks.
“No!” I laugh hysterically, tears filling my eyes. My clothes are soaking wet, as are Cole’s. Water pours off his face and splatters on mine. “Winter.” I’m breathing hard, but he hears me.
Cole’s fingers stop. He climbs on top of me and tangles his fingers in my wet hair. “Winter?” he sounds surprised. It’s fall. Winter is really soon.
“Yeah. I don’t want to wait.” I feel uncertain. The expression on his face is hard to read. “Is that all right? Did you want daffodils or something?”
Cole laughs, “I just want you, Anna.” He presses his lips to mine and I melt into his arms.
SECRETS SERIES
H.M. Ward writes several different genres. Other titles similar to SECRETS fall under “new adult romance.” These books have the quick flow of the young adult genre, but with more mature subject matter.
H.M. Ward is busy working on Hot Mess a new “new adult romance” series. The first book will be released this winter.
Don’t miss Christmas Kisses (available now) or Valentine’s Day Kisses (Feb 2013).
To be notified of new releases
via email, please text
AWESOMEBOOKS to 22828.
MORE BOOKS BY H.M. WARD
CHRISTMAS KISSES
new adult romance
VALENTINE’S DAY KISSES
new adult romance
SCANDALOUS
Romance
DEMON KISSED
young adult paranormal romance
THE SECRET LIFE
OF TRYSTAN SCOTT
mature young adult romance
VAMPIRE APOCALYPSE
new adult paranormal romance
Table of Contents
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