“She’ll come around, dear. She’s been through a lot of pain, some at her own hand and some out of her control. Don’t give up on her.”
He snapped his back straight. “I don’t plan on it, ma’am. So it doesn’t bother you that I dance in a strip club?”
“Son, it’s not my place to judge. All I see is a man who was in a tough spot, got himself out, served his country and is now paying his way through college, with set goals and dreams. I see a man who dropped everything to drive my daughter to the hospital, stand by her side and care for her every need even though she keeps him at bay. In short, I see a man.”
Not having a mother of his own made the words even more powerful. His heart swelled in his chest and he swallowed to keep control of his emotions.
“Thank you, Mrs. Altman. No one has ever said anything like that to me before. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll call me Claire.” She gave him a warm, motherly smile.
“Yes, ma’am,” he responded, his chest full.
Chapter 10
Tori
“Dad! You’re awake!” Tori clicked the desk call button and within seconds, the room was full of nurses. They rushed her out of the way and began checking vitals and machines. She watched from the sidelines, bouncing on the balls of her feet, anxiously waiting. She jumped every time an alarm sounded. The incessant beeping had her nerves on end.
All of the blood drained from her face as she heard her dad’s baritone voice bark orders, something about wanting his Army PT clothes so his white, old man ass wasn’t hanging out for the entire world to see.
Her hand flew to her mouth and her knees buckled. She flopped into the chair outside of the door and began to sob. She had no idea how scared she really was until she knew her father would be ok. She didn’t allow herself to face the fear, preoccupying herself with playtime with Cole.
“Darling, what is it? Are you ok? Oh my God, is it your father?” Claire stormed into the hospital room, demanding to know what was going on. Her mother’s relieved cry made Tori sob harder.
Cole bent down in front of her, took her hands in his, and grazed her knuckles with his lips. He didn’t have to say anything. It was in his eyes. He was there for her, as long as she needed him, he was going to be there.
After a couple of hours of Ed Altman’s ranting, the staff finally got him settled and resting peacefully. Tori had eventually gotten her emotions under control and smiled, observing the way her mother doted on her father’s every whim. Everything was back to normal, at least for the moment, and she was grateful for her repressed and delusional family.
Once her husband was sleeping, Claire asked Cole to make a coffee run. It made Tori suspicious when she asked him to go to the cafeteria rather than using the vending machine down the hall. She said she needed extra creamer for the sludge.
Of course, Cole couldn’t see what she was up to and was more than happy to oblige, but Tori knew better. Her mother was sneaky, and it didn’t take long for her mother to prove her hunch was correct.
“Ok dear, we have very little time. What’s going on with you two?” Claire pointedly asked.
Tori’s eyes grew. “Mother, this isn’t the time to dig around in my non-existent love life.”
Claire gave a knowing smile. Her mischievous eyes made Tori nervous. “Victoria, I know better. And this is the perfect time. Your father is alive and on his way to a quick recovery, and better yet, I have you cornered.”
“There’s nothing going on, mother. Just let it go.”
“Would it make a difference if I told you I had a long chat with Cole about the same subject matter?”
Her mother’s words made Tori squirm in her chair. Her neck muscles tightened. “You’re not serious?”
“Oh, yes I am and so is he,” Claire responded with a sly grin.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Victoria, he’s a lovely boy. I can’t imagine why you won’t give him a chance.”
“I have my reasons. You don’t know everything about him, mother.”
“I’m fairly certain that I know more about him than you do.”
Tori eyed her mother. She decided the best way to put an end to the conversation was to shock the woman. “Oh really? Ok, what does he do for a living?” Tori leaned back in her seat with a victorious smirk on her face.
“He’s an exotic dancer.”
Tori shot upright. Her chin fell and her eyes grew wide. “What the hell? How do you know that?”
“Like I said, we had a long chat. So it’s my turn to ask you a question. What did Cole do before becoming a stripper?”
Tori rubbed the back of her neck. She tried to replay the few conversations they’d had over in her head. Maybe she had heard something in passing from a mutual acquaintance. Nothing.
Claire leaned forward and took her hand. “You don’t know do you?”
Confused, Tori shook her head.
Her mother filled her in on the conversation she had had with Cole. She told her about his time in the military. The way he wants to work with wounded soldiers. How dancing pays for college, a doctorate no less.
Tears pooled in Tori’s eyes. She had been so hateful to him. She took every mistake she had ever made and pinned them on him. It was easier to blame someone else than have to face the truth about yourself.
“If you had bothered to give him the time of day, you might have found out that he is absolutely crazy about you. He’s here without ever having met your family. He’s given you your space. He indulged your poor old mother and sat by silently while your hardheaded father acted like a fool. He uprooted everything he had going on to help take care of you, even though you treat him as if he were expendable. My dear, that kind of crazy doesn’t come along often. You might want to catch a ride on that train before it leaves the station.”
Tori looked at her mother, allowing her words to sink in. She had never heard her talk so positively about anyone before. They must have had one hell of a talk.
With perfect timing, Cole rounded the corner with a tray of coffee cups.
Tori blinked, and quickly wiped the tears from her face.
Cole scanned the room. His eyes darted from the women to the hospital bed. “Is the Colonel ok?”
Claire stood and took the coffee. “Yes, son. He’s resting nicely. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.” She kissed him on the cheek and crossed the room to sit next to her husband. She held his hand as he slept.
The sight was too much. Tori teared up and placed her hand to her chest, her heart was full. Warmth stirred in her abdomen.
She thought she knew everything about her parents’ marriage. She questioned why her mother stayed with a tyrant for all of these years. Why she never found her voice or her place in life. Now, Tori realized she might have missed the mark all along.
Maybe her mother was exactly where she had always wanted to be. Riding in the passenger seat, right next to her very own crazy train.
Cole
Tori slept in the passenger seat as Cole headed back to Los Angeles. He stole glances while trying to keep his eyes on the road. Tiny strands of hair had fallen across her face. He drank in the way her glossy lips were parted and the way her chest lifted with every breath.
They stayed at the hospital for a few more hours to make sure her father was in the clear. When he came to, Mrs. Altman had insisted that her husband meet the man who had spent the last two days chauffeuring their daughter around.
It was awkward, and even though the man had been unconscious for the majority of the trip, it was almost as if he already knew how Cole felt about Tori. He put on his best military face and barked, but couldn’t seem to do it without a smile as he watched his clearly uncomfortable daughter.
Ed Altman finally relented. He and Cole ended up having an insightful conversation about today’s service men and women, the best beer joints overseas and the pros and cons of retiring from the military. Although, they agreed to disagree
on the latter.
In spite of the circumstances, it turned out to be a pretty good visit. One minute, Tori wouldn’t have anything to do with him, and the next he was meeting her parents. Not to mention he now knew every single inch of her body.
Images of her naked body made him aroused. Shit! This wasn’t the time to be thinking with his dick. He had feelings for Tori, and it was now or never. He had to tell her tonight. Even her mother knew how he felt.
He resolved that he was going to make her listen to him one way or another.
“Hey, sleepyhead. We’re home.” Cole used his fingertips to move the hair from her face.
After blinking a few times, Tori finally opened her groggy eyes and yawned. “I can’t believe I slept the whole way. I guess I’m not much of a travel companion.”
“You needed to catch up on some sleep. It’s all good. How’s the foot?” He tried to play it cool, not letting Tori know that just being in the same car with her had him all worked up.
“It’s throbbing and still a little swollen, but not too bad. Should be good as new in a day or two.”
Cole watched the way her body moved as she climbed the steps to her apartment. Even with a slight limp, it blew his mind, the way he could just watch her move all fucking day.
“Dude, where the fuck have you been?” Jellybean stepped out of the apartment and slammed the door closed behind him.
Puzzled, he looked at his roommate. “What the hell are you talking about? I left a note on the counter and a message at the club. I went out of town for a couple of days.”
Jellybean’s eyes darted back and forth from Cole to Tori, trying to piece together what the hell was going on.
His gaze landed on Cole. “Dude, you have some shit to take care of, and I mean like now.”
“I’m taking Tori home. She’s had a rough couple of days. I’m gonna help get her settled in and then I’ll come figure out what the fuck you’re talking about.”
Jellybean nodded towards Tori, placing both his palms together in front of his face. “I’m really sorry you’re having a hard time.” She nodded back before he turned back to Cole. “But seriously, now, dude.”
Cole’s eyes widened. “Man, what the fuck?”
Just as the words left his mouth, the front door opened again and this time Kendra stepped out. The mere sight of her made him want to puke.
“There you are, baby,” she said as she slithered one of her leathered hands up his chest. Cole stumbled backwards. He froze, his eyes landing on Tori. Her face twisted with betrayal.
“What the fuck are you doing here? And I am NOT your baby!” Cole spat at Kendra.
Instead of giving the impression that she was shocked or surprised, she giggled snidely and kept her back to Tori.
“I missed you. Didn’t you miss me?” She asked, jutting out her bottom lip.
“You need to take your sorry ass home.” He was pissed that she put him in a situation where he had to sound like such a dickhead, but he had been too nice to her already. And by the look on Tori’s face, she had completely withdrawn, again. Fuck!
Cole pulled in a deep breath. He made eye contact with Kendra. “Listen, we are not together. We have never been together. We are never going to be together. Get your shit and go. Seriously.”
She batted her black, clumped eyelashes. “Come on, baby. You don’t mean that.”
“Do not call me baby! Shit! Get it through your fucking head. I wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole, much less my dick.”
Kendra’s demeanor changed. She squared her shoulders and placed her hands on her hips. She rolled her neck and raised an eyebrow. “It’s because of that uptight, little bitch next door, isn’t it? If it weren’t for Miss Priss, you would want me and you know it.”
Cole snapped. He closed in on Kendra and pointed his finger squarely in the face. “Don’t you talk about her like that.”
She recoiled. The blood drained from her face. “You’re crazy.”
She tried to enter the apartment, but Jellybean blocked the entrance and tossed her purse on the ground.
Kendra picked it up and moved towards the stairs. “You’re both crazy.”
Cole followed her to make sure she actually left. When he turned, his heart fell when he spotted the vacant space where Tori had once stood. Empty.
“Shit!”
Jellybean leaned against the doorframe. “Sorry, dude.”
Chapter 11
Tori
Slamming the door closed, Tori hurled herself onto the bed. She buried her face in her pillow and sobbed. Her gut twisted and she smashed her balled fists into the mattress until she could no longer lift her arms.
She cried big, ugly tears, causing hitching in her heavy chest. Her breathing was fast, too fast, leaving her lightheaded. She was so angry with herself for falling for another man’s long line of bullshit.
Nothing but lies.
How did her mother not see through Cole’s fake façade? It pissed her off to think she had been so close to falling for him; hook, line and sinker.
Tori froze when she heard a light knock on the door.
“I know you’re in there. Please let me in.”
The sound of Cole’s tortured voice made her weak in the knees. Pain pierced her heart. She stepped towards the front door, placing her hand on the lock.
“Tori, dammit. Please let me. I can explain. I know what it looks like, but I swear it’s not what you think.”
She pressed her wet cheek to the door and slid to the floor. Her body faint and tired. She fought the urge to unlock the door and throw herself into his massive arms.
“I’m not going to leave. I’ll stay out here all night. And I have your bags. You’re going to have to talk to me, Tori.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. Hot tears stinging to get out. She stifled her cries and tried to swallow back the weighty sobs in her throat.
His pitiful voice made her heart jump. “I love you,” he whispered.
Her puffy eyes widened, struggling to register the weight of his confession.
She pulled herself upright. Her quivering hand unlocked and opened the door. Cole stood before her. His typically striking face, now downturned, tortured with pain filling his round eyes.
“Tori, please hear me out.”
She left the door open and plopped down onto the couch, cradling a pillow to her chest.
Cole sat close, but gave her space. “I want you to know the truth. I have never slept with Kendra.”
She threw her head back and scoffed. “I saw her leave your apartment. Remember that? You were in your boxers. Do you think I’m in idiot?”
“No, of course not. She let herself into my apartment. I was getting ready for a shower and I found her in my bed. I threw on some boxers and kicked her out. That’s what you saw. Me kicking her out. And I don’t know what the hell she was up to tonight. I’m still confused about that shit, but I kicked her out again. She’s slept with everyone I know. I guess she thought I was next on her list. I’ve never wanted anything to do with her. It’s always been you.”
He inched closer. She blinked back the fresh tears.
“Always,” he repeated.
She lowered her head. “Did you mean what you said?”
“Absolutely. I’ve never touched her.”
She shook her head. “No, not that, what you said outside. Do you really love me?”
Cole moved to her side, sliding one arm around her shoulders. He hooked her chin with his thumb and tilted her face towards his, staring into her eyes.
“I have loved you since the first day you turned your back on me and jogged away. I fell in love with every part of you. Your passion. Your heart and your gorgeous smile that melts me to the core. You have no idea how perfect you are. I’m so in love with you.”
The warmth of his words filled her insides, making her heart swell. Tori examined Cole’s face, memorizing the way his smoldering eyes sparkled as he watched her. The way he licked his silky bottom lip.
The way the thick vein in his neck swelled every time he clenched his firm jaw.
Her stomach fluttered and her pulse raced, her heart hammering against her chest. She pressed herself into his chest and her mouth smothered his, her tongue dipping between the seams of his lips.
His arms snaked around her hips and within seconds, he had scooped her up and onto his lap. A raspy groan escaped his throat, making her hungry for him. She wanted to devour him, and more importantly, to be devoured. She ran her hands underneath his shirt, raking her nails along his rock hard chest.
He tossed his head back and bit his lip. His hungry eyes penetrated her, causing the juices to flow between her legs. She gyrated her hips against his. His swollen cock pressing into her sex.
Tori stood and slipped out of her clothing as Cole wiggled out of his. His body was magnificent. She drank him in. The lines on his abs and his perfectly cut chest. The chiseled lines from his hips leading to his groin. His bulging cock, full, exposing thick, throbbing veins. For the first time ever, she was completely at ease. She lowered herself onto his shaft, allowing him to fill her. They locked eyes. There were no walls. No barriers. Just the two of them, skin on skin.
Cole placed his hands on her ass, rocking her hips onto him. Her aching, swollen breasts slapped back and forth and his mouth engulfed one creamy mound. He nipped at her stiff, pink nipple with his teeth.
She rode him harder, begging him.
“Oh God, please. Fuck me, Cole! Harder! Harder!”
His carnal groan made her tremble. He stood, setting her on the couch. He buried his head between her legs, consuming her flesh with his hot mouth, dragging his tongue across her skin, licking at her juices. He sunk in a finger, plunging it in and out. The tip of his ruthless tongue assaulting her clit until she thrashed under his grip. An orgasm jolting throughout her body.
Before she had a chance to catch her breath, Cole picked her up and turned her over. With her knees on the floor, he bent her body over the couch and used his hips to spread her legs wide.
He quickly buried his aching cock inside of her, causing her to gasp. He hammered her from behind so hard her knees lifted from the ground. Without giving her a chance to breathe, Cole pummeled her over and over again.
Spring Into Love Page 26
