With all the commotion going on, this seems like the perfect time to slip away and take a bathroom break. Auggie points me in the right direction, far away from the fuss.
When we first reconnected, Cole had told me how all his friends were in a different station in life than he was, and now I can see for myself how right he was. They all seem to be married, engaged, or have babies on the way.
But aside from that, they’re all pretty freaking awesome. I could totally see myself becoming a part of their close-knit tribe. Assuming, of course, that they are accepting new members.
Standing in front of the sink, I reach inside my purse and pull out some lip-gloss. The door bursts open, catching me off guard. But what really surprises me is that the intruder is Cole. He walks right in and locks the door behind him.
“Are you having a good time?” He leans his tall, six foot four frame against the door and crosses his arms over his chest. His dark blonde hair is overlong and messy, and his blue eyes are running up and down my body before landing on mine.
“Hmm . . . I think it’s a little too soon to say,” I tease. “Time will tell.”
“I call bullshit,” he says calmly. “You love them.”
“Maybe just a little.” I shrug and turn to the sink to wash my hands and apply my lip-gloss, while Cole’s eyes never leave me.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”
I burst out laughing. “Wait – are you hitting on me in the bathroom?”
“I’m glad you finally noticed.” He’s dead serious, not finding this situation funny at all.
“You’re serious! Cole, I don’t want you to hit on me in the bathroom. Everybody is out there right now.”
Cole pushes himself off the door and crosses to me, pinning me against the bathroom counter, his hands resting on the granite on either side of my hip. He doesn’t touch me, but leans in so his nose is just inches from mine.
My heartbeat has just gone into overdrive and oh, God, he smells so good.
“Are you really going to say no to me?” He leans back, just a few inches, and his eyes travel down my body leisurely. I can feel the heat from his gaze and I feel my skin warm. His eyes travel back up to my face and he pins me with his hot blue gaze. “You look amazing in this little dress and your blonde hair all curly and messy around your sweet face.”
“Um...” What was the question?
“Tell me.” He insists.
“Tell you what?” I whisper.
He grins and whispers back, “I want you right now, Kenny.”
“Cole, please,” I plead and try to pull back so I can’t smell his woodsy scent. It’s doing things to me. I want to lick his neck.
Cole smiles softly and raises a hand to my face, tips my chin up with his forefinger, making me look him in the eye. His bright blue eyes watch me lick my lips and when I bite my lower lip he inhales sharply and pins my dark eyes in his gaze. His hand lightly cups my jaw and he raises his other hand to lightly brush my hair back off my shoulder, and I am just lost in his eyes.
I can’t move. I should push him away. I don’t do this. I don’t have sex in public restrooms while all Cole’s friends and family sit outside chatting and laughing and eating.
But I can’t look away.
He lowers his face to mine, brushes my lips ever so gently, smiles down at me and sinks into me, burying his hands in my hair, holding my face so he can move his mouth against mine.
I moan and wrap my arms around his waist, lean into him. Cole groans against me and suddenly this kiss has turned into not just want, but need. His tongue invades my mouth, twirling and dancing with my own. I reach up, wrap my arms around his neck and twist my fingers into his gloriously soft hair and practically climb up him, trying to get closer.
Finally, he cups my ass in his large hands and lifts me up. My legs wrap around his waist and before I know it, my back is braced against the wall and Cole is leaning on me, keeping me firmly in place, and is still kissing the shit out of me.
My phone rings. And just as if I’ve been doused with a bucket of cold water, I come to my senses. I’m about to get it on in a public restroom in the middle of a party. I pull away and shake my head.
“You don’t really want me to stop, do you?” He pushes his pelvis against my center and I bite my lip to stop the moan that wants to come from my throat.
“I can’t, Cole.” He pulls back and looks me in the eye, panting, his eyes narrowed. He shakes his head as if he’s clearing it and gently lowers me to the floor. My knees almost buckle beneath me, and he steadies me, his hands on my shoulders.
“Why, what’s wrong?” he asks.
“Your friends don’t know me. They saw me disappear with you once already. I want them to like me.”
He steps back, runs those fantastic hands through his hair, takes a deep breath and clenches his eyes shut. “Okay.” He swallows hard.
“I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you later.”
“Oh, you can count on it.” His voice is steady now, his breathing under control and he shoves his hands into his pockets.
I lick my lips, still tasting him on me.
He unlocks the restroom door. Before he opens it, he looks back at me and offers me a half grin, adjusts his pants, and leaves me alone. My phone has stopped ringing. Guess it wasn’t important.
My eyes find my own in the mirror. They’re a bit glassy from alcohol and lust. My hair is just a bit messy, but I styled it that way to begin with, so no biggie. Aside from my lip-gloss having been kissed off, I look the same as I did when I walked in here.
Trying my best to act nonchalant, I casually walk out of the bathroom and make my way back to the girls’ table.
I glance over at Cole, who’s now in a deep conversation with his friends, and my thighs clench just at the sight of him. Geez. He’s all broad shoulders and muscles and blue eyes and his shaggy dark blonde hair is all messy from his fingers, and mine, and I want to give it a good tug.
I should have done him in the bathroom.
Reclaiming my seat beside Shea, I sit down and notice immediately that the conversation quiets the moment I return. I suddenly feel like I’ve interrupted a private discussion. Or worse, maybe they were just talking about me.
Emmy is the first to break the awkward silence, “So Kenny, did you find the bathroom okay?”
All eyes dart over to Emmy, shooting daggers in her direction.
“What? No one can get mad at the pregnant girl. I can just blame it on the hormones.”
This can’t be good. “Um, I’m not quite sure what’s going on here. Did I miss something?”
“You know pregnant women have to go to the bathroom like every ten minutes, right?”
Shit. I know where this is going. “Uh huh.”
“Well, I sort of overheard you and Cole making out in the ladies’ room.” She grins. “And then he comes out looking like . . . that. It’s not hard to figure out what just happened in there.”
“Oh, my God. You did not just say that,” Camilla reprimands her. “It’s bad enough she knows we call her Houdini.”
“It’s not what you think,” I quickly try to explain. “I didn’t . . . I mean we didn’t . . . you know. I would never do that, here, in your restaurant.”
They all burst out laughing. “Kenny, we’re not judging you,” Juliette quickly promises me.
“You know the whole thing about people in glass houses throwing stones?” Reese explains, “Well, on more than one occasion, I’ve walked in on Juliette and Evan doing things in her office right over there that cannot be repeated.” She shudders and grins.
“Oh, yeah? If we’re calling each other out, I can name one particular night when I thought Emmy and Adam were actually going to rip each other’s clothes off and hump like animals in heat right there in that very booth.” Juliette turns around and points to the booth in the corner along the back wall of the restaurant.
Emmy sighs. “That was a great night. I think that might have b
een exactly nine months ago. Hmm . . .” Her voice trails off and she looks beyond happy just recalling the details.
Shea smirks. “Well, you’ve never caught Derek and me doing anything like that in here.”
“Ha! Yeah, right,” Reese laughs wickedly. “Do you seriously think no one knows how you two used to screw like teenagers in Derek’s car when you first hooked up? Right outside my kitchen door where the delivery trucks drop the food off!”
Shea looks genuinely horrified.
Suddenly, all eyes are on Camilla. She’s the only one no one has heard from. “If you girls think I’m going to share my sexploits with you, you’re all out of your minds. All I will tell you is that Marky closes the bar and is the last one out of here all the time. Let’s just say that that bar is the perfect height for lots of things other than drinking.”
A chorus of, “Oh, my God,” falls from everyone’s lips.
Unable to stay out of our blue conversation, Auggie adds his ten cents. “What the girls are trying to tell you, Kenny, is that it doesn’t matter what happened in that bathroom. Just look at that man. He is obviously crazy about you. No one would blame you one bit if you ripped his clothes off and rode him like a dime store pony.”
Our raucous laughter rises to new heights, drawing far too much attention.
Suddenly, Emmy’s eyes grow wide and she lays a hand on her tummy. “Enough already, you’re making little Miss Bean here twist and turn. It’s her nap time and you loud mouths woke her up.”
“Oh, let me feel!” The girls all take turns putting their hands on her belly and sigh in amazement when a hand or foot or butt makes the slightest move.
“Food time,” Emmy announces. “Bean will relax if I get us something to eat. Someone go get me plate filled with some of those fried mac and cheese balls. And don’t forget the grilled Brussels sprouts.”
Juliette and Shea obediently jump up to feed the pregnant lady. A little hungry, myself, I decide to join them. As I look at all the food, I can’t help but wonder what Cole would reach for first. We’re still just getting to know each other and there’s so much about him I have yet to discover. I’m guessing he’d reach for the Kobe sliders and Cajun fish tacos. He’s in the middle of a grueling season and one thing I have learned is that he’s hungry all the time.
Shea hurries back with a plate for Emmy, leaving Juliette and me alone to chat.
“So, Kenny – how are things going with the two of you?” she asks. “Cole seems really happy.”
“I hope he is,” I admit. “All I know is that he makes me happier than I’ve been in a very long time.”
I hear the chime on the door ring, ushering in more guests. Juliette grabs my elbow. “Kenny, look – your brother’s here. And Megan, too.”
She’s right. “I didn’t realize you knew one another.”
“Oh, sure,” she says. “They come here for dinner all the time. I’ve been trying to get him to hang out with us, but he was never able to find the time. When Evan told him you and Cole were coming, he suddenly found the time.”
“I just spoke with him this morning. He didn’t say a word.”
“Don’t be upset,” she pleads. “He called Evan a few hours ago to find out what company we used to install our home security system. One thing led to another, and here he is. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, not at all. I know Megan hasn’t gone out much since she had the baby. Being out with adults will do her some good.”
Together, Juliette and I walk over to welcome them. Philip is chatting casually with Marcus as he locks the door behind them.
“Hey, big brother!” I announce, greeting first Philip and then Megan with a big hug. “Look what the cat dragged in.”
“Gee, thanks,” she teases. “It’s good to see you, too.”
I hook my arm through Megan’s and lead them through the empty tables and toward the party table.
“Is he here?” Megan whispers in my ear.
I nod over towards the bar where he is sitting with his back to us. Even from this angle, it’s abundantly clear how attractive he is. “I can’t wait for you guys to finally meet,” I tell her excitedly.
I wish I had time to prepare for this moment. The first time my brother and his wife meet my new boyfriend is critically important. You only have one chance to make a good first impression. And although they’ve spoken on the phone, they’ve never actually met.
As soon as we arrive at the group table, Philip and Megan are welcomed into the fold as old friends. They know everyone here quite well – much better than I do. I had no idea.
“How do you know everyone?” I ask Megan.
“Philip and I have been coming here since they opened. Emmy and Derek are great bartenders. And even when it’s not on the menu, Reese never refused to make me a Southern Fried Belgian, especially when I was craving chicken and waffles, which was a weekly event.”
“So, Kenny, how do you know the detective and his lovely wife?” Auggie asks.
“Well, the detective here is my big brother,” I explain.
“Get out of here!” Emmy exclaims. “No freaking way.”
“I will not get out of here,” I answer her, smiling.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Evan and Cole making their way over toward us. Evan reaches us first, giving Philip a hearty bro-hug and Megan a friendly kiss on the cheek.
I leave my sister-in-law’s side and join hands with Cole. “Guess who showed up,” I anxiously ask him.
He leans down and plants a chaste kiss on my lips. “Evan told me,” he answers softly.
“Ready?” I ask, squeezing his hand.
“Absolutely,” he answers. “Lead the way.”
“Cole, this is my sister-in-law, Megan.”
Her reaction is priceless. She doesn’t move and she doesn’t say a word. She just stands there staring at him.
“She’s very glad to meet you,” I add.
“Hi, Megan. I’m glad we finally get to meet. I’ve heard an awful lot about Connor. I’m surprised he’s not here with you today.”
Megan finally snaps out of it. “Yes, it’s nice to finally meet you, too. Connor is with my parents today. Phil and I don’t get out much.”
“Glad you could make it,” Cole offers. “And you must be Philip,” he holds out his hand and thankfully, my brother obliges. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Same here,” Philip answers.
The two men stand silently assessing one another.
Philip turns to me and asks, “Kenny, take Megan over to a booth where the four of us can sit and get to know one another better. Cole and I are going to get some fresh drinks.”
Juliette suggests a large booth in the corner, away from the prying ears of her not-so-discreet friends.
We scoot into the booth and sit across from one another. “So Megan, I know you just met him, but what do you think? What was your first impression?”
Megan grins widely and leans across the table. “He’s yummy. Even more yummy than Evan. And Evan’s pretty scrumdiddilyumptious.”
I can’t help but agree.
The boys approach the table, deep in conversation. “Elvis Andrus is absolutely not one of the worst hitters in league,” Philip argues forcefully.
Cole disagrees. “Willingham is having the worst year of his career. He’s one for his last fifteen, and was hitting just .163 last month.”
I have no idea what any of that means. And I couldn’t care less. They’re talking sports and I think that’s a very good sign.
Cole scooches in and takes a seat next to me. He stretches his long legs so that they rest beneath mine, tangling our limbs together. Why does he have to smell so damn good? I take a deep breath to clear out the haze he causes in my brain.
He starts a conversation with Megan by asking about teaching. He tells her about his favorite teacher of all times, Ms. Camburn. He recalls how she used to have Pirate Day and Super Bowl Super Day. He even remembers celebrating the Ides of
March in fourth grade!
She’s like putty in his hands. I watch as she smiles dreamily up into his big blue eyes and shares her proudest teaching moments.
Philip doesn’t say much. He’s watching how Cole is engaging and genuinely interested in what Megan has to say. I think my brother is impressed.
As soon as there’s a lull in the conversation, Philip puts forth an honest effort to get to know Cole better. We discover that they both like to play golf. And as soon as Philip discovers that he has a better handicap than Cole, he offers to take him to Eagle Oaks Country Club, his favorite golf course.
I can’t help but wonder if Philip would be as interested in taking Cole to the batting cages.
Philip and Megan slip away to get something to eat, leaving Cole and me alone.
I feel Cole’s smiling eyes on me. “Well, that went well.”
“Yes, it did.” He holds his arms open for me, “Come over here.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and allow him to hold me for the longest time. I give him a big kiss. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not running, despite my overbearing brother and his stupid rules. For being kind, patient, and charming.”
“I told you, you’re mine and I’m not going anywhere.”
“I know, but it’s nice to hear it from time to time.”
His hand that was resting on my thigh is now travelling up higher and higher, coming delightfully close to my panties. “Want to continue this conversation in private? I could show you Juliette’s office.”
“Keep it in your pants, Stretch. Not gonna happen.”
He shrugs. “Can’t blame a man for trying.”
Juliette and Evan come rushing past our table.
“What’s going on?” Cole asks, holding tightly to my hand.
“Emmy’s water just broke,” Evan explains.
“And she refuses to go to the hospital until someone gets her a change of clothes,” Juliette adds as she races past us and into her office.
Close call. If I got caught getting frisky with Cole twice in one night, I’d be mortified.
We go back to join the group and find Emmy sitting calmly at the bar drinking a cup of tea while Adam’s mopping the floor.
Another Chance at Love (Another Series Book 1) Page 26
