One Beautiful Promise

by Layla Hagen

  “I love you. You’re my everything, Laney. And I’m all yours. I want—” His voice wobbled before completely breaking.

  “Anything.” I nodded, feeling those emotions bubble again. My eyes were a little misty too. He pulled me even closer, until our hips were touching. I placed my hands on his shoulders. I was shaking slightly.

  “Let’s go to my place,” he murmured. “I want to do so many things to you.”

  The tremor in my body intensified. I pouted. “I can’t. There’s a meeting in—oh shit, five minutes. This was just a break.” I was still pouting. Cole drew his thumb over my lower lip, locking his eyes with mine.

  “I’m going to kiss you, Laney.” His voice was commanding and determined. My knees became a little weak.

  “Yes, please.”

  Laughing, I went on my tiptoes until my lips were almost against his. He tilted his head forward. When he captured my mouth, I braced my palms on his shoulders, needing support. My knees buckled.

  The way he explored me just whipped every thought away. He was holding me in that possessive way I loved—where one hand was at the back of my head, the other on my tail bone, pressing me into him. I hummed against his lips, exploring him just as fiercely.

  When we stopped to breathe, I stumbled backward. My eyes still closed, I basked in the afterglow of the kiss for a few more seconds before opening them.

  “Your kisses are dangerous, Mr. Winchester,” I teased. “They make me lose my direction, track of time. In fact, you’re dangerous altogether. You’re wearing this suit on purpose, huh? To be irresistible?”

  His lip curled upward. “Never come to a meeting unprepared. That’s my motto. And since when do I need a suit to be irresistible? I do my best work naked.”

  I burst out laughing, shaking my head, taking another step back as I saw that seductive glint in his eyes. That usually meant trouble.

  “I need to go back in. I finish in one hour,” I said in a shaky voice.

  “Good. After that, you’re all mine. I can’t wait to take you home, take care of you. Make the tension in your shoulders go away.” Oh, wow. I was completely melting. Stepping closer, he brought his mouth to my ear, feathering his fingers up the side of my body. “Sink inside you.”

  Heat shot through me. My toes curled; my stomach flipped. Licking my lips, I backtracked a few feet before turning around. I smiled at him over my shoulder before heading inside the building.

  Holy shit, it was a good thing that I didn’t have another surgery right now. Not because I couldn’t focus—pushing out the outside world was my specialty—but I didn’t want to. I wanted to bask in all of it, and bask I did while Mr. Blackwell droned on about a research program.

  I only piped in when they needed information from me; otherwise, I just daydreamed about the upcoming afternoon with Cole.

  I was so different from the person I used to be when I first joined the team here two years ago. If I was honest, I was different from who I was before I met Cole too. I just had this immense happiness inside me all the time, and this insatiable need to make him happy too.

  The shift inside me was so fundamental, I couldn’t describe it, not even to myself. I simply felt it. Before, I had this sadness that was part of me. I’d pushed it to the back of my mind, but it had still been there. Now, my past was just a fond memory.

  Cole was my life.

  After the session was over, I smiled at my colleagues, politely declining when one of them suggested that we go to the doctors’ lounge and discuss the latest clinical trials.

  “My shift is over,” I said, which was a bit unnecessary, because they all knew that.

  “That hasn’t stopped you before,” Dr. Blackwell commented. We’d both been the designated workaholics of the team.

  Anthony, a fellow surgeon, just laughed. “She’s got a guy to go to, doc. Give her a break.”

  My cheeks flushed. My jaw dropped.

  Dr. Blackwell did a mock salute. “Got it. I’ll just go be a workaholic by myself.”

  Grinning, I hurried to change.

  Cole had just seen me in my scrubs and wearing Eau de Disinfectant, and I was determined to replace that with Seductress Laney.

  I changed quickly, showering in the special unit, rubbing gel all over my body twice to make sure I smelled like strawberries.

  Hurrying out, I dried quickly, putting on my clothes: a summery dress and white sandals. Checking my phone, I gasped when I realized how late it was.

  Cole: It’s twenty past two.

  Laney: I’m coming.

  Cole: Yes, you will. All afternoon. Now, hurry up.

  Holy shit, my cheeks were on fire. This man. Just to tease him, I typed back quickly.

  Laney: I’m stopping by the cafeteria first. I need to eat.

  Cole: I’ve got you covered. Already bought two croissants: one with chocolate, one with strawberry jam.

  Oh!

  I pressed a palm to my chest, just smiling from ear to ear. Yup, my heart was fluttering. I decided I just wouldn’t care that it was a medical impossibility. His care for me just overwhelmed me every time.

  He was still under the oak tree, smiling brilliantly as I approached. The snack was on a paper plate on the bench.

  “That suit,” I said on a sigh. “Those croissants.”

  Cole laughed, but his eyes were snapping fire. “I like your priorities.”

  Grinning, I took the paper plate from him, sitting on the bench.

  “Well, I’m going to need lots of energy to put all my... priorities in action.”

  He smiled but said nothing. Ah, but he didn’t even need words. His body language was enough to make me squirm. His shoulders were slightly hunched, his gaze hot and determined. How could he be so potent?

  I toed off my shoes, leaning against the backrest. Next thing I knew, Cole lifted my feet, pressing his fingers in my soles.

  Oh, heavens. Was there anything more perfect than this? Eating croissants while this fabulous man gave me a foot massage?

  Half an hour later, I had my answer. There definitely was something better: being alone with Cole in his loft.

  I made a big show of doing away with his jacket, pulling it past his shoulders slowly and then down his arms even more slowly. Then I draped it around one of the chairs around his dining room table before returning to him.

  His eyes were fiery and determined, and that combination just made me hot all over.

  He kissed each of my hands before looking up, tilting closer.

  “I love you.” He spoke against my lips before drawing his mouth down my neck and my chest. “I promise to take care of you.” He descended even lower, to my navel, looking up. “To worship you. All my life.”

  My skin broke out in goose bumps. My breath hitched. I placed both my hands on his cheeks before lowering myself to his level, kneeling. I moved my hands down his strong shoulders, resting them on his exquisite arms.

  “I love you, Cole. And I always will. That’s my promise. My vow.” My voice wobbled a little. Leaning in, he brushed his lips against mine before veering down to the side of my neck. This man! I loved him so much. My skin turned sensitive where his mouth and hands touched it, and before long, I was a bundle of need. I made no secret of it, pushing my hips into his and opening the top button of his shirt. He grinned against my mouth, bringing his hands to the buttons. I swatted them away.

  “I want to do it.”

  He held his hands up in defense for a brief moment before reaching to fondle my ass under my dress. Hmm... feeling his fingertips move up and down each cheek was messing with my senses... and my focus.

  After getting rid of his shirt, I pushed him toward the couch. He sat on it, leaning back on his elbows, watching me with happy eyes. They were hooded with desire, and I knew he wasn’t going to let me explore him for too long.

  Pushing him slightly back, I kissed a straight line from his neck to his navel, and then back up. Yum... all those muscles. I skimmed my fingers up and down his arms, smil
ing when I felt them flex.

  “Laney,” he growled. I looked up and instinctively pressed my thighs together.

  That heat in his eyes... goodness.

  “Are you protesting, Mr. Winchester?” I teased.

  “Warning.”

  “Oh, really? What are you warning me about, exactly?”

  “This.”

  Before I realized what he was doing, he rose from the couch and lifted me with one arm, propping me against his shoulder in a fireman-style move like he had at the Colosseum.

  I laughed, throwing my head back. “I’ve missed this. Reminds me of Rome.”

  “We can go back any time you want, babe. The shopping center we’re building with Delimano is under construction already. I can use checking on it as an excuse for a trip to Italy.”

  “I’d love that. And where did you learn to carry people like this?”

  “I used to volunteer with the fire department in college.”

  “I learn new things about you all the time.”

  I was still laughing as he carried me to the bedroom.

  “Hey, were you on one of those firemen calendars?” I asked.

  “No.”

  “Damn. Would’ve loved seeing that.”

  Putting me back on my feet in front of the bed, he gazed at me with an amused smile.

  “You got me in the flesh. No need for a poster.”

  “Hmm... could’ve put it in my locker at the hospital. Give me something to feast my eyes on when I’m there.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “As I said, I’m always happy to pay you visits during your night shifts.”

  “Of course you are.”

  He kissed me hard, skimming his hands down my body, unzipping my dress. He’d never gotten me naked so fast. In the brief moments after we pulled apart to regain our breaths, I worked on his lower body until he had no clothes on either.

  I swallowed hard, taking him in. I couldn’t believe my luck and how much everything had changed. He’d seen every part of me and loved me fiercely.

  I’d given myself to him completely, and I was just bursting with affection for him.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  “Too many things at the same time.”

  “Good things, by the way you’re smiling.”

  “Definitely.”

  “Turn around.” His eyes flashed, and he gripped my hip possessively. I turned around slowly, all nerve endings firing up when I brushed my outer thigh against his erection. I thought I heard him say “mine” under his breath, and it just about made me swoon.

  It was hot and hard, and I really wanted him inside me. I was alight with anticipation.

  Placing a hand on the middle of my back, he pushed me lightly.

  I leaned forward, placing my hands on the mattress. When he brushed three fingers down one ass cheek before strumming them along my entrance, pleasure slammed into me.

  I went up on my tiptoes the next second, then rocked back on my heels.

  Looking sideways, I saw him lower himself on his haunches. And then I felt him placing wet kisses at the back of my thighs, inching toward my center. I climbed with both knees on the bed, exposing myself further. When he pushed his tongue inside me, my arms wobbled, and I nearly face-planted on the mattress. Then he teased me with his cock, sliding the length along my entrance, the tip nudging my clit. A guttural sound escaped my lips.

  I rolled on my back, hungry for him. Pulling back, he smiled devilishly, pressing my thighs wide open, burying his head between them. He teased my clit with his lips until I was so on edge that it was all I could do not to press myself against his face.

  “Cole.” I pushed myself up in a half-sitting position, taking one of his hands off my thighs, pulling him toward me. Devilish grin back in place, he climbed over me. His erection was trapped between us, the length pressing on my lower belly and clit. Cole intertwined our hands, touching the tip of his nose to my cheek, moving to my ear.

  He pulled back a few inches, rolling on a condom before positioning his erection at my entrance. He slid in slowly. I pulsed madly, reveling in the way every inch of him filled me. Licking my lips, I bent my knees, digging my heels in the bed, rolling my hips back and forth. My clit collided with his pelvis on every move, and the friction drove me crazy. Every thrust gave me little aftershocks that intensified and spread until my entire body was shuddering. I was so very close, but I wanted a different position so I could see him better.

  Bracing my hands on his shoulders, I pushed him sideways, rolling over until Cole was on his back. I roamed my hands all over his chest, moving my hips back and forth, wanting to bring him as much pleasure as possible. His brow was furrowed, and he kept eye contact right until he squeezed them closed, barely staving off the pleasure. A loud groan tore from him. Gritting his teeth, he threw his head back. The skin on his neck turned red; the veins bulged.

  His grunts of pleasure filled the room as he thickened inside me. My breath caught. My back arched as pleasure skittered all over my body. As if through a haze, I felt Cole’s hands gripping my hips, moving me up and down his length until we both rode out our climax.

  I felt boneless as I lay down on top of him, stretching out my legs on his outer thighs.

  “I love you, babe,” he said. I looked up, placing a hand on his chest, and my chin on top of it.

  “I’m spoiling you today,” I declared.

  “How?”

  “Going to try giving you a whole-body massage again. And celebrate the lawsuit. We didn’t get to do that.”

  “True. Or your surgery. How did it go?”

  “It was successful, but absolutely exhausting. I can give you all the gory details during the massage.”

  “Is that all you have planned?”

  I wiggled my eyebrows. “I have something more in mind. I’m a Cole expert, after all.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “Then get ready to be blown away, Mr. Winchester.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Laney

  On the Fourth of July, we all gathered at Skye and Rob’s house to celebrate. And by everyone, I meant all Winchester siblings and their better halves plus kids, Hunter and Josie, and Amelia and her husband. God, I loved this huge family. Just watching them bicker and tease each other brought a huge smile on my face. It was an amazing day, sunny and hot, and everyone was in a celebratory mood. The air was thick with joy.

  I’d just come off a shift this morning and had only slept five hours before we headed here. I’d drunk so many coffees on the way that I had a light caffeine buzz.

  I was supremely happy that I didn’t have to work on the Fourth and got to enjoy the day with these amazing people. Cole and I had FaceTimed with my parents on our way here, and they too were celebrating in style back home.

  We were in Skye’s backyard, and I sat on the comfy swing they had, just watching the Winchester clan doing what they did best: laugh and have a good time, while also sneakily checking if everyone was okay. Some were better at being sneaky, such as Tess, who did the job merely by observing her family. She caught me watching her, and we exchanged a conspiratorial smile. I patted the empty spot next to me, and Tess joined me on the swing. She was holding a plate with cheesecake. Rob had had the party catered by Dumont Foods.

  “Enlighten me,” I whispered.

  “About what?”

  “When do you just observe everyone quietly, and when do you go in detective mode?”

  “Cole told you about that?”

  “Yes. In vivid detail.”

  She frowned, tapping her chin. “I can’t tell, actually. I guess I just adapt to whatever the situation requires.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “It’s a family trade, you know.”

  “I sort of put that together. But between you and me, your skill range is by far the most impressive.”

  “Why, thanks!”

  Ryker and Cole also tried to be subtle, it just didn’t always w
ork out. Balls to the wall was the way to go as far as they were concerned. I felt so damn lucky to have met them and be part of their lives.

  I was delighted that Skye was doing so well. She was full of energy as she moved around the yard to chat with everyone. From time to time she paused to look around for baby Jonas. He was by far the happiest today, as everyone was practically lining up to cuddle him. I was still waiting for my turn.

  “I can’t even tell you how amazing it is to see my toes again,” Skye exclaimed, standing in front of the swing. “And also be able to apply nail polish on them myself.”

  “I’m always happy to spoil you by doing that,” Rob said, affectionately mussing his wife’s hair.

  When Cole took baby Jonas from Rob, I couldn’t help but sigh loudly. Next to me, Tess chuckled.

  “Uh, he looks mighty hot with his nephew,” I declared, watching Cole until Amelia took Jonas from him, and my sexy man went inside the house.

  “Oh, yeah. I’ve seen the way you look at him. Just saying, the more, the merrier, so if you get down to business, I volunteer to babysit.”

  I threw my head back, laughing. “Oh, Tess.”

  The truth was, I hadn’t felt this longing to be a family in years, but now, things had changed. And it was all the doing of this wonderful man.

  “I don’t want to sing my own praises, but I think I’m an excellent aunt. Right?” she asked Avery. She was playing next to the swing.

  “You’re the best, Tess,” Avery exclaimed.

  “Ha!” Tess exclaimed cheerfully. “See? The best. Not that we’re in a competition,” Tess said cheerfully. In a lower voice, she whispered to me, “But if we were, I’m sure baby Jonas would back that up.”

  Truth be told, Jonas had seemed exceptionally happy when Tess held him a while ago.

  “How are you doing?” I asked her. “Cole told me that it’s a super busy time for you with the business.”

  “That’s an understatement. Things are really taking off in a way that I hadn’t imagined, and we’re looking for the best way to sustain this expansion. It’s crazy busy, but in a good way.”

  My stomach began to rumble as I watched Tess devour her cheesecake.

  “Okay, time to dig into the buffet,” I said, rubbing my stomach.