I looked away from her and my eyes caught the key Cole left sitting on top of the table by the door.
“Wait…wait…he couldn’t have been here. There’s his key,” I said pointing in the direction of the table. “He left it here the night before.” My eyes gestured to the table in the hallway. “He couldn’t have been here last night. I locked the door when I came home and his key…is still there... look.”
Dean walked over to the table and grabbed the key, then shoved it into the lock and turned it. When the lock cylinder popped out and back in he nodded, almost to himself, then turned towards me not meeting my eyes. Instead he glanced over at Michelle. I felt like an idiot. Like I was purposefully being disregarded and left out of their conversation.
“Maybe he made a copy,” Dean offered.
“Why would he do that?” I replied. “That doesn’t make sense, he had no way of knowing that I would ask him to leave. He didn’t have a clue…” My chest hurt with the stabbing pain shooting through my heart.
“I don’t know Grace, just call him and ask,” Michelle interrupted.
“Not now, I have to think first. My major concern right now is if it wasn’t Cole who was here…” I trailed off. I was adamant someone was here.
“Maybe your imagination got away with you.” Dean interjected. “It happens.”
My eyes shot to his, he stared at me incredulously. He was really beginning to get on my last nerve right about now. Michelle walked over and stood next to me. Her hip bumped mine and her arm wrapped around my waist.
It was Dean’s turn to have two sets of eyes looking at him, one hostile…
“Alright…alright. Say there was someone here, how did he get in if you locked the door?” he asked.
“That is for you to find out…detective.” My satisfactory grin told him my stance.
“She’s got you there, Dean,” Michelle confirmed as she moved closer squeezing me to her.
I loved this girl with all my heart… men… shit…Michelle…I could always count on.
Seeing his attitude towards me was not endearing him to his new ladylove, he took a deep breath and let out a sigh, his shoulders slumped and he settled into the new norm, the position directly behind me.
“Okay… I’ll pull the tapes from the security cameras...again.” He shrugged, and walked towards the door. Suddenly he stopped and looked down at his feet, “I’ve got to…um…I’ve got to go to Michelle’s first.”
I do believe I saw him blush.
“You, my friend, have some explaining to do.” I looked at Michelle.
“Yeah, I know. Not now though, okay?” she asked. “Besides, I’m going to call Cole since you are so reluctant to.”
“Why? Why would you do that?”
“Because, I want to know if he was here tonight, that’s why.”
“Whatever, I don’t want to see him so don’t ask him to come here,” I said as I got up, my voice lacking conviction. “I’ve had it up to here with him…fuck him Shelle. I’m not a fucking asshole and, you know what? Fuck him!”
“Okay, Grace. You have just gone over on your allotted use of the word ‘fuck’.”
“Not funny, Shelle.” I turned and said over my shoulder, “Please stay here until I get out of the shower.” I was nervous at being left alone. The nagging feeling that someone had been here, had been watching me was overwhelming.
“Sure.”
As I walked through my bedroom door, I felt the blood and my good sense return to my head. I shook my head as I heard Michelle talking on her cell phone. Cole must have picked up right quick. The thought of him with Lauren caused the tear in my heart to rip open a little more and I nearly doubled over.
Fuck him Grace, remember?
I walked into the shower and let the hot water slowly ease the tension away. I couldn’t help but think about my visitor. Someone was here tonight but who…and how…and why?
After I dried off, I slipped into a pair of comfortable old jeans and a black tank top, then pulled my hair above my head in a band and let the mess on the top of my head flop down. I slipped my feet into a pair of thong sandals that were lying on the floor of my closet, and opening the door, started walking into the living room. I stopped in my tracks when I heard Cole’s voice. The physical repercussion that ripped through my body rocked me to the core; my chest constricted, my stomach ached.
I’ll make you pay for this one Shelle.
From what I could tell it sounded like he and Michelle were arguing, trying to keep their voices low. Anger ran through me like a bolt of electricity, quickly replaced with heartbreaking sadness. I felt an all too familiar ache. The memory of Lauren walking out of that elevator took me back; I was angry and hurt...and pissed off.
I stepped into the living room area where my eyes found and settled on Cole. He stood with his back to me. His clothing was disheveled, his hair messy. I stood there for a cool minute before Michelle saw me. As soon as her eyes darted to where I stood, Cole turned around.
The sight of him stole the air from my lungs. Even after knowing he was with her, even after all the secrecy, the lies…he looked so beautiful to me. I hated my weakness. I hated how needy I felt. My focus on him rapidly deteriorated, as the tears I couldn’t hold back any longer, streamed unchecked down my cheeks.
“Grace,” he said as he quickly walked over to where I stood, looking frantic and confused.
I straightened my back as the anger resurfaced. I lifted my head with the modicum of self-respect I had left inside me. I may look like shit, but I’ll be damned if I let him see just how tormented I was inside.
“Cole,” I said glumly. I looked up into his face and our eyes met. I caught a glimpse of what looked like anguish…and I had to tell myself he was the one who did this to us, not me.
“I called and he came right over…umm…well, obviously,” Michelle said although neither Cole nor I paid her any attention. We both stood there like imbeciles staring at each other. Me stony reserve, Cole broken angst.
“Well, great… you two have some things…well…okay…I’m gonna give you two some time alone…” she said her voice dropping. “I’ll be home if you need me Grace.”
She turned and basically sprinted out of my apartment. She will pay for this!
“Grace…I’m so…” his arms reached for me and I instinctively took a step back. He stopped just short of taking hold of me. The pain in his eyes had me feeling sorry for him again.
Damn, damn, damn.
“Cole, you weren’t here last night were you?” I asked looking past him, trying to avoid his eyes.
“Of course not. I would never come here after…” he stopped and looked down at the floor. “I wanted to give you space, time to think,” he stammered.
I immediately thought of Lauren, and the memory of her exiting his elevator made my stomach turn.
“Give me time…funny…” I shook my head and turned my eyes away, the pain too intense. “You didn’t waste any time, did you?” My voice cracked.
He bent his knees and lowered himself, attempting to make eye contact with me, a bewildered expression on his face.
“I don’t have a clue what you are talking about.” He looked totally lost. It was obvious he was hurt…tortured.
I didn’t care. Could he really think I wouldn’t find out? Anyway, I’m sure James gave him my message. I pressed on.
“I saw her Cole.” I staunchly stood my ground.
“Saw who?” he asked continuing to look directly at me, his eyes level, steady.
“Jesus Christ, Cole, you’re going to make me say it?”
He stepped back his arms offered up in defeat, his mouth hung open.
“I am totally lost Grace. I don’t know who or what you saw…but I know I was wrong. I’m so sorry for coming home late, so sorry for not calling you.” he stared down at his feet, trying to prevent me from seeing his eyes, but I caught a quick glimpse as he lowered his gaze.
“I saw Lauren, Cole…at the Asbury. Gettin
g off your private elevator.” The tears started to flood my eyes again. Fuck him; I was so angry with myself for looking so needy in front of him. I wanted him to suffer, to feel my pain.
His head snapped up and he stared at me as if I were insane.
I saw what I saw, didn’t I?
“She stepped out of the elevator, hair all messy, clothes wrinkled. Looking like…like she just got fucked.” I swiped angrily at my tears. “I felt like such a fool. To think I was coming to apologize to you. What an ass I am.”
“Grace,” he grabbed my shoulders and shook me gently, “Lauren was most definitely not in my apartment and we did NOT at any time ‘fuck’.” He spoke the word with such distaste, shaking his head, looking like he was trying to dispel the thought from his mind. He lifted my chin up to meet his eyes. “Grace, I did not have sex with Lauren. I love you. Don’t you know that?”
I shook my head in an attempt to clear the cobwebs clogging my reasoning.
“Cole I saw her with my own eyes.”
Did he honestly think I was making this shit up? I could feel my anger building again.
“I don’t know how you saw anything of the kind, but I would be happy to watch any security footage with you if it would prove to you she wasn’t anywhere near my door; that night or any other night,” he stated. “I’ve never lied to you Grace, and I’m not lying now.”
When he said that, it caught me off guard. Of course I expected him to deny everything, but the tone in his voice gave me pause. His declaration rang a bell. He staunchly believed in the truth…what was it he always said…?
‘The truth will release you, when others seek to hold you down.’
The tension inside me vanished as my whole body leaned into him. My legs shook weakly and I was sure I wasn’t able to stand on my own. I broke down like a baby and instantly started bawling.
“But why was she there?” I asked through my sobs, my voice barely audible.
“I don’t know, but I can assure you I’m going to find out.” He wrapped his arms around me pulling me tight to his chest. It almost hurt how tightly he held me, but I was willing to undergo any pain if it meant he’d continue holding me close to him.
I was emotionally spent; I cried loud racking sobs into his shoulder.
“Let’s sit you down,” he said as he guided me to the couch.
The feel of his arms around me felt so right—warm, strong and wonderful. I was whole again. I was complete.
“Don’t go…” I begged as I clasped my arms around his neck, holding onto him, swiping at my tears.
“I have absolutely no intention of leaving, that is a promise,” he proclaimed resolutely.
Relief washed over me and I sat down, still reeling.
He stood over me for a minute then turned to walk to the kitchen to make us both coffee.
“I missed you,” I mumbled, almost to myself. “It hurt so bad.”
Cole spun around and at once, without hesitation, crossed back over to where I was sitting on the couch and knelt down before me.
He cupped my face as he tilted my head up towards his, then his lips crushed down over mine. His tongue parted my lips pushing into my mouth, tasting me. Before I knew it my greedy tongue began probing, licking, tasting. My pulse quickened and my internal temperature began to rise at an alarming rate. Heat spread vigorously through my belly, radiating out to my limbs. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him tighter to me, pushing my breasts against his chest, feeling the heat of his skin through the material of his shirt.
His arms encircled my waist holding tightly. A little too tight, but I didn’t care. His hand lunged under my shirt and quickly pushed my bra up, releasing my breasts like he was desperate to touch me. The surface of my skin tingled under path of his roaming hands. His long fingers encircled my breasts and he began kneading them, his touch urgent, demanding. His thumb and forefinger rubbed my hardening nipples, rolling them. His caresses turned passionate, and I knew he was as desperate for me as I was for him.
He deftly lifted me and carried me to the bedroom, the coffee forgotten.
Chapter 14
He set me on the bed and pulled my shirt over my head. His hands were moving so quickly over my body, I hardly had time to catch my breath, and I loved every second of it.
I loved every touch, every kiss, every flick of his tongue. He opened my zipper and tugged my jeans off. I laughed out loud when his eagerness nearly had me sprawled on the floor.
He hooked my thong with his thumbs and quickly pulled it down my legs… where it landed I didn’t care. He swiftly wrenched his clothes off, stepping out of his pants, and stood looking down at me lying across the mattress. The burning intensity in his eyes reflected, and mirrored, my own.
My eyes traveled slowly down his perfect body, drinking everything in, thirsty for the sight of him. His muscular biceps flexed as he opened and closed both fists rhythmically, almost like he was holding back, restraining himself. From his chiseled chin, down to his chest, with its neat matting of crisp hair, leading to the slim trail that lured my eyes further down. Down the perfect V, dipping lower.
My eyes charted the thin black trail over his rippling abs, down over his slim hips to the path that led to the most beautiful erection I’ve ever seen. The sight of his naked body was food for my starving soul. My lips were so parched; I dragged my tongue slowly across them.
He growled deep in his chest and lowered himself to the floor, kneeling between my legs. I unhooked my bra and tossed it to the floor freeing my breasts as he spread my thighs wide. There was a desperation, a need, that flowed through my body into his. He lowered his head and began eating me with an intensity that set my soul aflame.
As he licked me, he tenderly spread apart my moist folds with his fingers. Flicking his tongue so exquisitely over my tightened clit, plunging it deep inside me. I rolled my head back and let out a guttural groan opening my legs wider for him, my movements beckoning him.
His hands swiftly roamed over my belly, causing the muscles in my thighs and haunches to clench. He grabbed my ass and dug his fingers into my tender flesh holding on tightly as he pulled me towards his mouth.
I was gasping as his tongue alternated from flicking lightly over my clit to delving deep into my cleft. My stomach contracted with longing.
My climax built at an alarming rate, and I could feel my body began to shake violently. I grabbed the comforter, feeling the soft down crush between my fingers as I squeezed, my head rolled from side to side as I lost control. I lifted my hips up and down in a pulsing beat with his tongue. I was so turned on, so frenzied I wasn’t able to stop my body from pushing the limit.
He held on, his strong fingers gripped me tightly, holding me in place as he tormented me with anticipation.
I screamed as my climax washed over me, flooding me. The overwhelming tingling sensation traveled the length of my body, my legs clenched around his midsection in spasms. My toes curled painfully, and I moaned my pleasure over and over again spastically jutted my hips up and down, one orgasm leading into the next…he worked tirelessly.
I felt, more than saw, Cole climb up me. His hot smooth lips glided across the tightened skin of my belly on his way up, sending hot flashes rippling over the surface. The heat within me built as he lifted my body, along with his pulling me up along side him, until my legs were solidly on the bed. Then he gingerly knelt between my thighs.
I looked up to see his back straighten and nearly lost my breath as he flexed his shoulders back. His body loomed above me. His torso—straight, muscular, powerful—quivered as he looked down at me, my naked body as exposed as my soul. His hooded eyes scoured the length of me. His emotions, bared for only a few seconds broke me…sending me spinning into the abyss. I saw the love and desperation reflected in those deep green pools. Not unlike the desolation and anguish, I was feeling.
His erection rubbed along my inner thigh leaving a trail of heated wetness. At that moment, the only thing I wanted was to feel him i
nside me. I didn’t care what happened. I didn’t care what he might have done. I only know I needed to feel him inside me one more time. I reached for his cock, lining it directly over my opening as I raised my hips up to meet his, connecting us.
Our eyes locked, and he smiled his wickedly beautiful smile and my blood immediately melted into swimming pools of sensation that rippled through my veins, setting my soul on fire. The tip of his cock grazed my clit as he lowered his body onto mine…and with a loud moan, plunged his length deep within me.
I gasped and closed my eyes feeling him fill me, complete me.
Heady with the sensations his skilled moves elicited I closed my eyes and instinctively wrapped my legs around him, pulling him closer to me, raising my hips. The new angle of our bodies enabled him to sink deeper, and he pushed himself further into me. I moaned as I felt the tip of him press against my insides, filling me completely. The sensation of his heavy sac rubbing against me, with each drive, pushed me unto a plateau I’ve only experienced with one lover…him.
His hips rocked to a rhythm of their own sending me spiraling into an orgasm that left me shattered into tiny slivers. When my panting slowed and my cries quieted he rolled slightly to the side, and leaning on one elbow he slowed the thrusts, slowed the driving of his hips.
I opened my eyes to find his eyes focused on mine, conveying a need we both shared. This intense desperation we both communicated, the need to fill the void when we’d been separated, was overpowering.
I began to come just looking at him, all the raw emotion conveyed in those green orbs exposed. He leaned into me, and his lips closed over mine.
Our hips moved as one, imparting a primal need. The intensity we felt for one another, at that moment, transected invisible lines, tethering my body and soul to his in a way I’ve never experienced before. Another orgasm exploded, splintering throughout my entire body, and like shards of glass I came apart. Ripple after ripple, wave after wave, I climaxed again, and again.
It's A Shame Page 12
