by SJ McCoy
Laura smiled, realizing that he'd kept testing her out too. Did she trust him not to push her around? Did she trust him to give herself to him in bed? And he had trusted her. In his own words, he was exposing his soul to her. He'd let her in to meet Cole, the guy who hid behind the ego. “I will do my best to never break it and I do try, all the time, to let him know that I trust him. That I love him.”
Madeleine nodded. “Thank you, Laura. I can already see you're good for him. I hope we will become friends. If you'd like to.”
“I would like to.” She had to say it though. Much as she liked Madeleine, Laura needed to make very clear where her loyalties lay. “It will be up to Cole how much we see of you, but I will look forward to it.” She took out one of her own cards and handed it over. “You can call me if ever you need to, though.”
The smile on Madeleine's face told her she understood exactly what Laura was saying. “I'll look forward to it too, darling.” She took Laura's arm and started leading her back. “His eyes haven't left you the whole time, you know. He's ready to come slay the old dragon, if you give you him the nod.”
Laura laughed. “He doesn't think you're a dragon at all. He just knows how I nervous I was to meet you.”
“I hope you can see there's nothing to be nervous about?”
“I can. Thank you.”
They were back at the plane now. Their two men smiling at them. As soon as she was close enough Smoke took hold of her hand and squeezed it. She squeezed right back.
“I hope next time you might at least stay for a drink,” said Mr. Hamilton.
“Cole! Leave them alone! Don't mind him, we're just glad you came at all.”
Smoke punched his dad's arm. “Yeah, this was only ever going to be a flying visit. We've got to get down to LA. I'll call you, figure out when we can stop by again.”
“You do that, son.”
Laura watched the exchange, knowing that she was seeing Smoke very carefully take down some more of the walls he'd been hiding behind. She was pleased for him. His parents obviously loved him.
“We'll hope to see you again soon.” Madeleine hugged her and pecked her cheek. She actually kissed it, not the air next to it, and there was genuine affection in that hug.
Laura hugged back and smiled at her. “I'll hope so too.”
***
As they watched the plane taxi to the end of the runway, Madeleine squeezed her husband's hand. He squeezed right back.
“I think he's found the one, Cole.”
“It looked like it, but remember all we can do is hope, nothing else.”
Madeleine leaned her head on his shoulder as they watched Papa Charlie thunder down the runway and lift off into the blue sky above the rolling green hills. “Did you see the way he held her hand?”
Cole nodded. “Yeah. I thought we'd never break him of that when he was kid—your hand, my hand...he was always holding on.”
Madeleine blinked away the tears. “What we did broke that part of him, Cole. It looks to me like Laura is helping him put it back together.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Smoke led Laura to the elevators, hoping they wouldn't bump into any of the others. He just needed to get her to the suite. She looked up at him, that sexy smile making him even harder, although he wouldn't have believed that was possible. He'd wanted her since the moment he laid eyes on her in San Francisco. The quick stop to see his folks, and then the flight down here had seemed to take forever. All he'd wanted to do was get to the Wilshire and get her out of that dress.
The elevator doors opened. He pulled her inside and stabbed at the button to make them close again before anyone could join them. As soon as they closed he backed her against the wall, needing to at least taste her lips and feel her against him, until he could get her underneath him. He raked his hands through her hair, thrusting his tongue between her lips. She opened up for him, her arms around his neck pulling him down to her. He ground his hips against hers, desperately needing to be inside her.
When the elevator stopped at the twelfth floor he reluctantly let her go. The pink stains appeared on her cheeks, but apparently they weren't only caused by desire. She was looking past him as she straightened her dress.
“Hi, Leanne!”
A blonde in killer white dress was standing waiting for the elevator. The look she gave Smoke made him wonder if he'd ever slept with her. She was sending him those kind of daggers.
She smiled as she looked at Laura. “Hey, girlfriend. I see you brought man candy?”
Jesus! What was that about? Checking her over, he was pretty sure he hadn't slept with her; he would have remembered that body. She was nothing next to Laura, but she was still a ten.
“Lee!” Laura looked decidedly uncomfortable and he got the sense it was about more than being caught kissing in the elevator. “You haven't met my boyfriend, Smoke. Smoke, this is Leanne Miller. A very good friend of mine. She's an IP lawyer, actually she's Dan's lawyer.”
Smoke extended a hand and she shook it coolly. This one was a ball-buster by the looks of her.
“Nice to meet you, Leanne.”
She gave him the once over, then apparently liking what she saw, she looked him in the eye. Right there, in front of Laura, who had just introduced him as her boyfriend, this woman, this so-called friend was giving him the brazen fuck-me-if you-dare stare. Jesus! Some friend!
“It's nice to meet you, too. I'll look forward to getting to know you.”
Was she for real? Smoke looked at Laura. Apparently she was oblivious! He had to get them both away from this one. He wanted nothing to do with her. More importantly, he wanted to get back to where they had been. His desire had shrunk a little in the face of this...this...whatever she was. She was a hard-faced bitch, was what she was! No doubt she was one of those stunning women who thought every man she met would gratefully crawl into her bed, given half the chance. Well, not Smoke. He was in love with an even more stunning woman and all he wanted to do was get her into his bed. He smiled as a thought occurred to him—into their bed!
He simply nodded at Leanne, then turned to Laura. “We need to get a move on, lady.”
Laura looked at Leanne. “We'll see you down there. Have you met up with Michael yet?”
“No. I'm meeting him in the lobby.”
Poor Michael. Smoke felt sorry for the guy, having that as his date for the night. He slipped his arm around Laura's waist and walked her away. Aware that the elevator hadn't moved, he looked back over his shoulder. Leanne was still standing there, holding the doors open with her foot, watching him. She smiled and gave him that come-fuck-me look again! He shuddered. He hoped she wasn't a very close friend of Laura's. If she was he'd have to make damned sure to stay out of her way. He wanted nothing to do with that, and Laura probably needed to know what her so-called friend was really like. Apparently she had no clue; she was smiling up at him, eyes full of lust and even better yet, love!
He swiped the key card and let her enter the suite ahead of him. All thoughts of Leanne, and everything else, left his head as he followed her into the sitting area. His cock was throbbing inside his pants again. He couldn't wait any longer.
“Look, we've got a balcony!”
Smoke shook his head and smiled at her through pursed lips. “That's really what you're interested in right now?”
She turned to him, eyes shining. “No. I'm interested in getting something quick to eat before we have to go down there.”
She couldn't be serious? They were about to sit through a seven course dinner—if they did make it down there. She put her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes. He closed his hands around her waist and pulled her against him. “Can you wait, lady? Cos I really need to feel you naked under me, right now.”
Her tongue came out to moisten bright red, juicy-looking lips, sending a tremor through him. She bit her lip, making him close his eyes and let out a sigh.
“No, I can't wait. Because, Mr. Cole Alexander Hamilton, I think yo
u know what I want to eat.” She led him through to the bedroom and stood facing him. She was biting her lip again. Her hands were on his zipper and he bit his own lip as she knelt down before him. She smiled up at him while she pushed his pants down and freed his aching cock. He drew in a sharp breath when her long slender fingers closed around him. Oh, Jesus! She ran her tongue over him, teasing, circling before she took him into her mouth. His hands tangled in her hair as she held his gaze. Her lips were moving up and down the length of him. He wasn't going to last more than a minute. She was totally and completely in charge this time and he willingly went where she took him. The blood was rushing in his veins. He couldn't believe how lucky he was as he looked down into bright blue eyes full of love and a bright red mouth full of his cock. She swirled her tongue over the tip of him then sucked him deep into her throat. She demanded his release and he let go, flying high on blinding waves of pleasure as her mouth demanded more and more. When he was finally spent he pulled her to her feet and collapsed back onto the bed, taking her with him. His legs were still trembling.
She slipped her hand inside his shirt and gave him a very satisfied smile. She looked so pleased with herself. “I've wanted to do that to you since I got to the airport and saw you in a tux.”
He couldn't help the chuckle that rumbled up. “In that case, I'll wear a tux every day, lady.”
She propped herself up on her elbow and smiled down at him. “No, cos I love you in your uniform, too.”
“You do?” The way she was smiling at him had the happy buzz in chest humming so loud she must be able to hear it.
She nodded. “I do, and I love you in your sexy-ass old jeans.”
He chuckled again. “Is that so?”
“Yes it is, Captain Hamilton. I also love you in cowboy getup, and I love you, well I just love you. I love you in everything and I love you in nothing.” She dropped her sweet lips to his and kissed him softly.
When she lifted her head, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “And I love you, lady.” He rolled off the bed and got rid of his clothes, then pulled her up to join him. “I love you in this dress. You look abso-fucking-lutely gorgeous in this dress.” He unzipped it and pushed it off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor around her feet. “But for now I need you out of it.” He unclasped her bra and stroked her nipples, loving how they responded to his touch. He took her hands and she stepped out of the dress. Seeing her in just those heels and her thong had him aching again, throbbing to be inside her. “I love you in heels. Do you know what all your sexy-as-hell heels do to me?”
She smiled that smile. “I didn't, but now that I do, you know I'll be wearing them all the time.”
“You can leave them on for now, then,” he said, pulling her back down onto the bed with him as his hand found its way inside her thong. She was so wet! He got rid of the thong and knelt back to look at her. Her gorgeous naked body was ready for him, and those god-damned heels were still on her feet. He propped himself on his elbow, looking down into her eyes as he pulled her towards him, underneath him.
“I love you in anything. I love you in everything. I love you in nothing.” He wrapped his arm under her and lifted her to kiss him. When he let her back down, he shifted his weight onto her. “I love you, Laura.”
He wasn't sure if it was her voice or her eyes that answered him. “And I love you, Smoke.”
He was spreading her thighs with his knees, desperate now to get back where he belonged. “I love you in everything, but do you know what I love me in most?”
She shook her head, her eyes begging him now.
He took her hands and laced his fingers through hers, pinning them on either side of her head. “I love me in you.” He thrust deep and hard, loving the gasp that escaped her lips as he filled her tight, wet, heat.
Their bodies molded together, moving as one. Smoke knew they were becoming one as he moved harder and faster inside her. Her hips moved with his, urging him on, taking him deeper. Her legs came up around his, the feel of those heels spurring him on. He let go of her hands and slid an arm underneath her, needing every inch of her pressed against him, as if they really could melt into one. Her hands came up around his back. His free hand tangled in her hair. He slowed his pace, moving in long deep thrusts as he looked into her eyes.
She whispered, “I love you, Cole.”
That took him to the edge. “I love you, Laura. I love you with all my heart and soul.” She was tensing around him, and he couldn't hold back. “You. Are. M-i-n-e!” The rush of white-hot pleasure coursed through him and exploded into her. She took him flying higher than he'd ever been, her body pulling him deeper, begging for more and more until they collapsed, exhausted, entwined, together.
***
Laura came out of the bathroom as he was adjusting his bow tie. He squeezed his eyes shut.
“What is it? Are you okay?”
He chuckled and peeked one eye open. “I'm trying not to look, cos much as I love that dress. As soon as I see you in it, I need to get you out of it.”
She laughed, her eyes shining. “I was about to ask if I look okay. You can't tell what we've just been up to, can you?”
He walked over to her, smiling through pursed lips. “The freshly-fucked look suits you!” He was laughing as he closed his hands around her waist and lifted her off the floor.
“Cole Alexander Hamilton! You big Neanderthal, put me down!” she laughed.
He let her slide down his front. “Well, you asked.”
She checked the mirror. “Do I really look freshly-fucked?”
He put a hand on her shoulder and met her eyes in the mirror. “You're safe, lady. No one will know what you've been up to. You've got fresh lipstick on.”
She gave him a mischievous grin and ran her tongue over the freshly applied bright red gloss.
Smoke bit his own lip and spoke through his teeth. “If you don't stop that teasing right now, we won't be going anywhere!”
She laughed. “Sorry. It's not a tease, it's a promise. But maybe I'll wait till we're all at the table before I do it again.”
“You wouldn't dare!”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Don't dare me, Smoke!”
He shook his head at her. “Be warned. If you do, this great big Neanderthal will pick you up, put your ass over my shoulder and carry you out of there, lady! I'll bring you straight back up here and demand you make good on your promises!” He pulled her to him and brushed his lips over hers.
She brought her arms up around his neck and looked deep into his eyes. “I love you, Smoke.”
“And I love you, lady. But I think we'd better get out of here and join the party while we still can.”
***
Smoke checked the name cards and was pleased to find that they were seated on the other side of the table from Laura's friend and Michael. He was even more pleased when he saw that they were sitting with Dan and Missy. He really liked the two of them, and he knew Laura did too. Everyone was still milling around. They'd missed most of the pre-dinner mingling, but they weren't late by any means. Though, if their time up in the suite was anything to go by, he could learn to not mind being late.
He looked around. He came to Jack and Pete's fundraiser most years, but other than that he stayed clear of events like this. They brought back the past. Fundraisers, fancy dinners, balls and galas had all been part of his life once. He admitted to himself that he had used to enjoy them. It wasn't the events that he'd hated, but having to attend them with Anabel. Now they could become a part of his life again. He spotted Laura—she was so gorgeous—chatting with Emma and Holly. They were all done up to the nines. They were some beautiful women, but none of them came anywhere near his lady. He loved that in the future he could look forward to attending these events with her—especially if they started off like this evening had. He pressed his lips together in an attempt to hide his smile at the memory.
“I'm not even going to ask what that look is about,” said Jack as
he grasped Smoke's shoulder. “But I will guess that it means you and Laura are doing okay?”
Smoke nodded, unable to hold back the huge grin he knew was spreading across his face. “We are.”
Jack laughed. “That good, huh?”
“Even better! In fact, shall I tell you how good?”
“As long as you remember you're talking about my little bitty cousin and keep it PG rated.”
“I don't mean that, asshole! I mean I took her to meet my folks on the way here!”
“Whoa!” Jack looked stunned. “Seriously?”
Smoke nodded vigorously. “Seriously. Like, major seriously!”
Jack was grinning now. “Congratulations, bro.”
“Congratulations on what?” asked Pete who had just appeared at Jack's side. “What's happening?”
“Smoke and Laura.”
Pete gave Smoke that weird little smile of his. “Excellent. Our little chat helped then, did it?”
Smoke nodded. “Yeah. It did. Thank you.”
“Tell him what you just told me,” said Jack.
Smoke laughed, “Nah, cos then he'll gloat!”
“Now you really have to tell me, what do I have to gloat about? I love it when I get to gloat!”
“Yeah. I know you do, that's why I'm not going to give you the satisfaction!”
“You tell him, or I'll have to,” said Jack with a laugh. “I know how irritating he can be, but this one needs telling.”
“For fuck's sake. Will someone just tell me?”
Smoke laughed. “I just took Laura to meet my folks.”
“Wow!” Pete slapped his back. “I'm so happy with that, I'm not even going gloat!”
Smoke and Jack looked at each other.
Pete laughed, “But you know that means I get a free pass on something else down the line.”
