by Emma Tharp
Cora refills my glass of wine. “That’s terrible. I’m so sorry.”
“The worst part is that Marcus somehow continues to ruin my life. I wanted Cole in the worst way, and now I can’t have a relationship with him because of my ex,” I huff out.
Cora plays with the stem of her glass, her head tilts to the side. “Is that really a thing? I mean, is it in Cole’s contract? Because I doubt that the team has any say in whom Cole dates.”
Shaking my head, I say, “I’m not sure. I’d never ask him to jeopardize his career. I won’t put him in that position.”
Her small hand grabs mine. “You two were good together.”
A tear forms at the corner of my eye. I wipe at it with the back of my hand. I’ve cried enough over the last few days. “I thought so, too. It’ so hard.”
“It’s okay to cry.” Cora stands and pulls tissues from a box. She sits back down and hands them to me.
Screw it; I’m tired of being strong. I let the tears flow. “Cole is different than any man I’ve ever been with. He’s strong and steady, but when we’re alone together he’s gentle and he started opening up to me. It was easy for me to lean on him, especially after what Marcus did to me. I was a fool for getting excited to see where things could go between us.”
She pats my shoulder. “No, don’t say that. You can’t lose hope. Maybe there’s a way for the two of you to be together.”
“I don’t think so. You should’ve seen Cole’s face at the gym this weekend when he told me that we should just be friends.” I let out a harsh laugh. “It was his way of telling me that he’s choosing his career. And I get that.”
The front door of her house opens and I hear two familiar voices. I get a fluttering sensation deep in my belly. I wipe my eyes and nose and smooth my hair before they make it to the kitchen.
Cora gives me a sympathetic shrug.
Cole’s mouth falls open when he sees me. He’s clearly as shocked to see me as I am to see him. Recovering quickly, he says, “Hey, ladies.”
I give him a weak “Hello.”
Cora stands and puts her hands up. “Okay, guys. Before you go blaming Derek, this is all on me.” She turns to Cole. “I asked Derek to convince you to come over after practice and I invited Alex over.”
“Why did you do this?” I ask, my voice shaky. I’m not quite sure yet if I’m mad or happy. Sure, I want to see Cole, but on his terms, not because he was forced to.
“Because this is ridiculous.” She puts her hands on her hips. “And I’m sorry if I’m butting in, but my gut tells me that you both want to be together, and there has to be a way to make this work out.”
Derek crosses the room and goes to the refrigerator and grabs a beer. He hands it to Cole. “Sorry, man. If I didn’t bring you here, Cora would’ve killed me.”
Cora slips her arm through Derek’s and leads him toward the door. She calls out over her shoulder, “You guys take all the time you need. We’re leaving and not coming back until you text us to come back. Bye.”
Cole is standing there with his beer in hand and a dumbfounded expression on his face. I’m sure mine looks the same.
“Wow. I hope you know I didn’t ask Cora to do this,” I say, nerves flashing through me. He has to know I wouldn’t put him in this situation.
He shakes his head and comes to sit down next to me. His eyes study my face and my neck heats up under the scrutiny of his gaze. “I know.”
He’s close enough for me to smell a faint hint of his cologne and the mouthwatering scent of his skin. I want to touch him, even if it’s just to feel his warm hand cover mine. But I don’t. “I’ve missed you,” I say.
“I’ve missed you, too.” His eyes are full of sadness.
His words bring fresh tears to my eyes. Life can be so cruel when two people want each other and it’s just not possible.
Cole’s thumb comes up and tenderly wipes the tears off my cheeks. The gesture is so intimate and tender. It makes them fall faster. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cry.”
“I hate to see you this way. It kills me that I’m the one hurting you, Alex. You have to understand that this isn’t what I want.” He lightly strokes my forearm. The contact warms my entire body.
“I know this isn’t your fault.” I put my hand over his and rub my thumb over his knuckles. “It still sucks. That’s why Cora set this up. She thinks that you’re not in jeopardy of losing your job if we date. I wish she was right. Regardless, I won’t put you at risk.”
“And it means so much to me to hear you say that, but I called a lawyer on Monday morning.” He twines our fingers together. “He went through my contract. There’s nothing in there that says we can’t be together.”
My hand comes up to my chest. “Are you serious?”
He nods. “But I was afraid you’d think I was an asshole for quitting on us like I did. You have to believe me when I tell you I didn’t want to end things with you.” He takes my face in his hands. “I’ve never felt like this before.”
For the first time in too long, I feel hope, but there’s something still nagging at me. “What about Marcus? Do you think he’s still going to try and cause problems for us?”
Cole drags his chair as close to mine as he can get it and takes both of my hands into his. “I’m sure he’s going to try. But what do you say we take this slow, maybe keep things private? For now.”
“I think private is a good idea.”
He gives me a smile that warms me straight through to my heart. Leaning in he presses his lips to mine, a feather-light kiss. It’s not enough.
I stand and straddle Cole’s lap. “But I don’t think I can take it slow, Cole.”
He stares at me intently and wraps his arms around me.
I lick my lips and bring them down to his. Opening my mouth, I press my tongue to his and a pulse builds between my legs. He’s hard underneath me and I rock up and down, building sweet friction. I need more.
Pulling back, I look into his eyes. There's lust and desire in his gray pools. “What do you say we go upstairs and find a room?" I'm not sure what’s gotten into me, but missing Cole and wanting him has made me bold.
His eyes widen and he nods. "That sounds great. Are you sure that's what you want?"
"I want you and I don't want to wait anymore." My voice comes out throaty and full of longing.
Getting up off him, I reach out my hand and he takes it. I pull him up to lead him toward the stairs. There are three bedrooms on the second floor. One is the master; two are guest rooms. I lead him to the first room on the left and close and lock the door behind us.
He closes the distance between us and presses his body to mine. He grasps my arms and pulls me tight to him, crashing his lips down onto mine. The kiss is hot and deep and all-consuming.
My hands come up to pull his shirt off over his head. My greedy fingertips map the landscape of his strong muscled chest and abs.
He follows suit and tugs my shirt off then reaches around to undo my bra. It slides down my arms and lands on the floor.
“You’re beautiful." Cole’s eyes trail down my body. He reaches down to cup my breasts.
I moan when his mouth licks, nips, and then sucks my sensitive nipples. Shockwaves of desire shoot straight to my core.
Reaching down, I palm his length over his jeans. He’s long and rock hard. Unbuttoning his pants, I tug them down with his boxer briefs. My mouth waters staring at the gorgeous man standing in front of me.
"Do you like what you see?" Cole smirks at me. He knows how incredibly good-looking he is.
"I do." I bend down and pull my pants off. Once again Cole presses his hard body against mine. Now the sensation is stronger with his smooth skin and hard body pressed against mine, building a need so intense in me I feel like I might burst into flames.
“I’m glad. Now go lie down.” There’s authority in his tone that I’ve never heard and it somehow makes me crave him even more.
His gaze is locked on mine as I back my way
to the bed. My legs hit the edge and I sit down and lean back onto my elbows. “Is this where you want me?”
Stalking toward me, he kneels down and caresses my thighs. “Mmm hmm.”
Cole’s mouth comes down and licks my clit, sucking it into his mouth. I moan as intense sensations course through me. He works his tongue from my entrance to my clit, back and forth, in an expertly measured rhythm. I watch him give me pleasure like no one else has and it’s intensely erotic. Teetering on the edge, my belly tightens as I crest toward it. It’s hitting me fast. A few more strokes of his tongue send me over and wave after wave pulse through me. Cole’s mouth doesn’t leave me until he takes me all the way through my orgasm.
My body is limp thanks to Cole’s talented mouth, but I need more of him.
He kisses his way up my body until he’s at my lips once again. “Roll over,” I tell him, my voice breathless.
He raises his brows and shifts our positions so he’s on the bottom and now I have control.
Easing my way down his body, I palm his length and lick the tip. I wrap my lips all the way around him and breathe out to take him as deep as I can. My hand and mouth slide up and down covering the entire length of his shaft. Daring to look up, Cole’s head is tipped back and a moan rumbles out of his chest. I love giving him pleasure like he gave me.
“That feels so good, Alex, but you have to stop.” He sits up and pulls me up his body. His mouth is on mine and he ravages me with a kiss. “Wait a second.” He gets up off the bed and leaves the room. He’s gone less than a minute and he comes back with a condom in his hand. “Nice to see my buddy Derek practices safe sex.” He gives me a wink, rips it open, and slides it down his length. Lying down, he tugs me back onto him and says, “Where were we?”
I rock against him and smirk, teasing us both. “I think we were here.”
“Yeah. I remember,” he whispers and rubs against me.
Unable to take the torment, I bring him to my entrance and sink down on him inch by rock hard inch. “Oh,” I sigh and sit up, letting him fill me all the way.
“Alex. God. Yes.” Our eyes lock and I’m completely in the moment with him. There’s nothing else.
Moving up and down, my rhythm is slow at first as I adjust to his size. But before long our breathing speeds up and Cole is pushing up, matching my pace. He’s deep and hard inside me and I can’t recall a time when I’ve ever been this turned on.
I’m swept up in the heat of his stare full of adoration and connection. Not only are we joined physically, but now there’s a new bond here linking our souls. He’s mine and I’m his.
Cole’s hands are everywhere. They’re on my breasts, tugging my nipples; they’re sliding down my sides, and they grasp my hips. I shudder at his touch.
Running my fingers through my hair, I sit back further and spread my legs wider. Cole watches me and his eyes look possessed.
His thumb moves to my clit and rubs it in skilled circles. My back bows and my insides start coiling. “Yes,” I cry.
Cole’s breathing becomes harsh and erratic as he’s slamming inside me. His lips tense and I can tell he’s racing toward the edge, too.
Clenching around him, he spears me so deep he hits a sensitive spot of nerves and I’m literally seeing stars. Pleasure ripples through me at the same time Cole tenses and jerks inside me. I lean down and slant my lips over his and clasp our hands together until our bodies relax and our breathing becomes even.
Resting my cheek on Cole’s chest, I look up into his eyes. Passion and adoration play across his features. The cracks and bruises left on my heart from Marcus are healing and it’s Cole who’s the remedy.
“I’m so happy I have a bossy, domineering friend who took matters into her own hands.”
He strokes my hair with his fingertips. It feels amazing. “Remind me to tell Cora thank you.”
I giggle.
“Seriously, though. I don’t want to be without you anymore, Alex. Even though we weren’t together long, you brought out feelings in me I didn’t know existed.” He angles his head and his lips hover over mine. He gives me a promise-filled smile and lays his lips on mine.
Letting my fingertips skim his cheeks, I pull back and say, “Don’t worry. I don’t want to be without you either.”
Eleven
Alex
The truck is full and the movers are taking it to my house. Standing inside the house I once shared with Marcus I thought I’d be sad, shaken up, hurt, or something. Yet all I feel is empty, like the rooms and walls of the place I once called home.
“Looks like you got everything.” Marcus scans the living room with a crease in his forehead. He’s had a permanent frown painted on his face all day. He insisted that he be here while I moved my things.
“Yup. I think that’s all.” I make to move toward the door, not wanting to spend anymore of my time on Marcus.
“Wait.” Marcus comes up behind me.
Turning toward him, his eyes are damp. It softens me a little. No, I don’t feel sorry for him, but I haven’t ever seen him like this, vulnerable and real. “What is it?”
He blinks several times and rakes his hand through his hair. “I wanted to tell you how sorry I am. For everything.”
There’s something there that wasn’t before. Sincerity and regret. Not to the extent that I’ve seen with others, but for him, it was a lot. “Thank you, Marcus. I appreciate that.”
“When I saw you with Cole at the Lawless concert, you guys looked...” He blows out a long breath and shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “Happy. In my head, I used to think I could be that guy for you. But I can’t. I’m too fucking selfish.” He lets out a harsh laugh.
I’m speechless. First of all, I didn’t realize he saw me at the Lawless concert and second, I can’t believe what he’s saying. “I didn’t expect you to come to these realizations.”
He laughs again. “Right? It’s as much a surprise to me as it is to you. I think I expected you to stick it out with me no matter how much shit I threw at you. But that was stupid. You’re too smart with too much self-respect. I see that now.”
I sit on the edge of the couch. My legs suddenly are too weak. “Wow,” is all I get out.
Moving closer to me, he must sense that I don’t want him any nearer because he stops two feet from me. “I regret what I did to you and I know I’m way too late, but I wanted you to know that I accept responsibility for fucking up our relationship.”
My jaw goes slack. Never did I think I’d hear these words coming from Marcus. “I appreciate you saying that. I know it can’t be easy for you.”
Shaking his head, he says, “I just want you to be happy. And if Cole does it for you, then I support you.”
It’s as if I’m suddenly transported to an alternate universe. Never did I imagine that I’d hear any of this from Marcus, but this surprises me most of all. Maybe he has changed. “Thank you.”
“So are you together?” he asks. There’s no contempt in his tone, only curiosity.
This could be the chance that Cole and I need to not have to keep our relationship private. If Marcus isn’t going to create an issue for us, we’ll be fine. A smile tugs at the corner of my lips. “We’re going to try. He’s been good to me.”
Marcus turns and drags his fingers through his hair. Tension cords the muscles of his shoulders that contract under the fabric of his T-shirt. "You're fucking him?"
A cold chill runs down the back of my spine. "What?"
Turning back to face me, I'm shocked to see his lip curling and his eyes are stone cold full of hate. Gone is the caring and understanding man that was standing in front of me just a minute ago. "I asked you if you were fucking him."
"That's really none of your business." Clearly the act he was putting on was just that: an act. How could I have been so blind as to believe him? Once again, Marcus Reid has fooled me.
"He told Coach he’d be leaving you alone. How dare he go back on that?" His hands are in fists and his n
ostrils are flaring.
"How dare you? All of this is done. Don't reach out to me. I don't want to have any further contact with you. What I do with my private and personal life has nothing to do with you. I am doing nothing wrong and you have no say in it anymore." I stride to the door, open it with shaking hands, and slam it behind me.
My chest heaves as I walk to my car and get in the front seat. Hot, angry tears pour down my cheeks.
How could I be so stupid? Again.
If Cole gets kicked off the team, I’ll never forgive myself.
My tires screech as I leave the driveway. I give my car the command to dial Cole’s number. He picks up on the third ring.
“Hey,” he says. An ache forms in my chest hearing his voice.
“Cole, I’m so sorry. I think I screwed up,” I sniff and wipe at my nose with the back of my hand.
“Are you crying? What’s wrong?” His voice softens.
“I’m just leaving Marcus’s house now. Everything with the move went fine, but as I was leaving, he started to apologize for ruining everything between us.” I sob at my complete stupidity. “I believed he genuinely meant it, but he was just setting me up to see what information I’d give him about you and me.”
“Are you driving, Alex? You should pull over. It’s not safe for you to be so worked up behind the wheel.”
He’s right. There’s a gas station up the road. I pull into it and pull into a parking space. “Okay. I’m off the road now.”
“Now try to calm down and tell me what you told Marcus.” His voice is soothing, not even a hint of anger or frustration.
“He told me he wanted me to be happy, and if you were the one to be that for me, that he’d be okay with it. I thought it was our chance to not have to be private anymore.” I sniff and open my glove compartment. I pull out my travel pack of tissues as I dry my eyes.
“He was setting you up, wasn’t he?” Now he sounds upset.
“Yes. The second I admitted that we were going to try and have a relationship, he lost it. I think he’s going to try and get you in trouble. I’m so sorry, Cole.” The tears that I thought were gone begin again.
