by Melody Sweet
Ella was getting desperate, but it was too late. It wasn’t like she could just slap him on the chest and say, “Kidding!”
Everyone in the room would smell the lie.
“Please, David.” Ella bit her lip. “Don't do this.”
“I'm not the one doing anything wrong here.” He shrugged, snapping the ring box closed and throwing it onto the table. It clattered against the cutlery and Brad only just saved a wine glass from spilling over.
Ella flinched.
David turned to the room with a snigger, rubbing the back of his neck before turning back to Ella. “I propose to my girlfriend of three years, who I am in love with, expecting her to say yes and she's not, so where am I at fault here?”
She swallowed, rolling her shoulder and gripping her hands together.
“So it's no then?” David bent down to her level. “Which obviously means you want to break up with me.”
Her wide-eyed fear screamed a loud yes. Anyone watching her could see the answer clearly on her face.
David let out another bewildered laugh. “You're breaking up with me at my twenty-first birthday party. Nice.”
His sarcastic tone made me want to punch him. What the hell was he doing?
“I didn't know you were gonna propose,” Ella replied softly.
“Oh, so you were just stringing me along then?”
“David, come on, man. That's enough.” Luke touched his shoulder, but David flicked him off, kicking his chair out of the way and keeping his hard gaze on Ella.
“Don't hurt the boy on his birthday. That's what you were thinking, right? It's better to wait.” He shook his head with a sardonic laugh. “You know I have a huge test in a couple of days, maybe you could break up with me then. Or we could wait until Christmas, so my parents could be there too.”
Luke righted the fallen chair, ready to step in again.
Ella stepped toward him, raising her hand to try to calm him down. “David, please stop. I'm sorry, okay, but I can't say yes.” Her voice held more strength than I was expecting it to. “I didn't want to hurt you, and I'm sorry for...I'm sor—”
“Get out.” David sniffed.
Ella's head jerked back, confusion scoring her features.
“Can we talk about this, please? I really—”
“Get out!” David leaned forward, screaming the words in her face and pointing at the door.
Ella stumbled back, her butt hitting the table. Glasses trembled, two of them falling over and splashing red wine across the white tablecloth. Morgan stood from her seat, firing an angry glare at David while reaching for Ella. Her hand skimmed Ella's shoulder, but the petite girl flinched and flicked her off, grabbing her purse and racing from the room.
There was a pregnant minute of awkward silence before the whispers started. David paced the edge of the room like a raging bull while Luke tried to stand in his path and calm him. I should have probably headed over there and checked in, but instead, I followed Morgan as she chased after Ella.
I ran into the hotel lobby and pushed through the revolving door. Morgan stood at the curb, rain soaking into her dress as she yelled to the taxi that was driving away.
“She's gone?”
“Yeah.” Morgan pointed at the departing cab.
“Can I go after her?” The question came out of nowhere. I had no idea I was going to say it, but now that I had, it was all I wanted.
Morgan looked at me. “Are you sure that's the best idea?”
I lifted my shoulders, letting out a sigh. “I just need to make sure she's okay.”
Morgan's sharp gaze softened, a small smile cresting her lips. “You know what, you might be exactly what she needs tonight.”
Morgan pushed Ella's coat into my hands and stepped back. “Call me if she needs me.”
I nodded, my throat too clogged to speak.
Ella had said no. She'd looked me straight in the eye and then turned back to David and said no.
Raising my arm, I tried to hail a taxi. It took ten minutes and three attempts before one finally stopped for me. Saturated, I ran toward it, rattling off the address before I'd even closed the door.
Leaning back against the seat, I relived the scene, hating the way David spoke to her, but loving the way she stood her ground. Ella had said no.
I flicked the raindrops off my face and couldn't help a smile.
33
Ella
By the time I reached my dorm suite, I was a soaking-wet, quivering mess. Pulling at the pink straps of my dress, I wriggled out of the wet material and threw it on the floor. I slashed at the tears on my icy face, no doubt smudging mascara everywhere. I didn't care.
I'd never seen David so riled before. The way he screamed at me to get out...I sniffed, slipping into my room to find a Kleenex. My heart felt fractured and sore.
Yanking at my shoes, I flicked them off my toes and grabbed a handful of tissues, dabbing my puffy eyes.
In spite of the intense pain emanating from my chest, there was a whistle of freedom singing through the fracture lines. I felt bad for the glimmer of hope. I didn't really deserve it, but part of me wanted to let out a war cry.
Hurting David was a wound to myself, but when I saw Cole's aching gaze on me, I couldn't say yes. Morgan was right. I didn't want David's dreams anymore...I wanted my own. All I needed to do was figure out what they were.
Pulling off my wet underwear, I grabbed out a clean shirt and threw it over me, hugging the cotton fabric to my icy skin. David's eyes had been molten with rage. It seemed so out of character for him to humiliate me...and himself...in front of everyone like that.
I stopped, my arms dropping to my sides as a thought occurred to me.
Me not saying yes was the first time things hadn't gone to plan for him. When it came to me, he was used to getting his way. Everything was laid out for him, his vision was clear, and I'd just pooped all over it.
I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed my temples.
He'd never forgive me for this.
David was a strong man, and he was used to getting what he wanted.
I sniffed again, stretching my neck tall and reminding myself I'd done the right thing. He unintentionally forced me into a corner and for once, I’d been one hundred percent honest with him. Shaking my head, I couldn’t deny the guilt. I had strung him along and that was cruel. I’d been trying so hard not to hurt him, but I had.
With a little whimper, I snatched the remote off my desk and pointed it at the stereo. Music would help. It always did. I had no idea what playlist was currently on my iPad, but strains of jazz and blues filtered through the speakers, and I was soon listening to “Stormy Weather.”
I rolled my eyes and pressed fast forward.
“Cry Me a River” began. I was about to press fast forward again but then dropped the remote on my desk. All I felt like doing was crying a river; it was the perfect song for my mood.
I slumped onto my bed, resting my elbows on my knees and scraping my fingers through my knotty, wet hair.
In spite of the fact I'd done the right thing, fear still coursed through me. Could I handle the aftermath of my decision?
What were the implications?
No David.
Singledom—one of the things I was most afraid of.
Did I honestly think I could handle that?
A knock sounded at my door.
I sat up, breaths spurting out my nose as dread rippled down my spine. Was it David? Had he come to dish out more?
Closing my eyes, I drooped my head and knew I couldn't ignore it. If it was David, we'd just have to talk it out. He’d try to convince me to rethink my decision, but now that I'd rejected him once, I couldn't go back. This was the start of something new for me, and even though it was hella scary, I had to keep pressing forward.
Shuffling to the door, I touched the handle and drew in a breath of courage. The person rapped on the door one more time and I pulled it open, the air in my lungs evaporating as I looked into Cole's
blue eyes and felt my insides sizzle.
“Hey.” His smile was soft and gentle. His lips barely moved, but his gaze grew warm with compassion, making me want to cry again. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
He held out my jacket and I took it from him, throwing it onto the desk beside me.
I opened my mouth to say I was fine, but I wasn't. Not with him standing there, turning my legs to toothpaste and my brain to melted butter. He was so…everything I wanted; he had no idea. His wet shirt was plastered to his body, his dark hair glistening. Droplets ran down his face. I wanted to lick them off his smooth skin. The very idea made me dizzy.
I glanced to the floor, clutching the door for support and scolding my wicked mind.
“I can go if you want me to,” Cole whispered.
My gaze flew up from the floor and our eyes locked...like they had on the dance floor, and I knew it wasn't just my feverish body that made me want Cole.
I was in love with him.
I was in love with the way he made me feel. I was in love with the fact that he knew me. He'd seen the real me, something I hardly ever showed a soul.
He was my Prince Charming, the one who would dance me off into the sunset.
My inner revelation froze me still. I'd been holding it at bay, shoving it aside with thoughts of David, but there was no David anymore.
There was just me and Cole...and I really did love him.
He leaned his arm against the doorframe, staring down at me, waiting for me to invite him in or send him on his way.
And there was only one thing I could do.
My body took over before my brain even moved. Stretching to my tiptoes, I wrapped my fingers around the back of his neck and crushed my lips to his. He jerked with surprise then melted against me, his large hands fluttering over my ribs and running down to my waist. He felt divine, perfect, and I didn't care what consequences followed. All I wanted to do was make love to him and forget the rest of the world existed.
As if reading my mind, my shuffle switched to Etta James's “I Just Want To Make Love To You.” Giggles rippled through my stomach but didn't have time to form as Cole stepped further into the room and flicked the door closed with his foot. His hands slid over my hips, flicking my shirt out of the way so he could cup my butt. With one swift move, he lifted me into his arms. I rested my forearms on his shoulders, running my fingers into his hair and devouring him with hot kisses. Our lips hadn't parted since I first reached for him, my body turning into an inferno with each slip of his tongue.
A soft moan reverberated from his throat as I squeezed my legs around him, pressing my pulsing body into his wet torso. Pushing me against the wall, his lips moved from my mouth to my throat. Closing my eyes, I tipped my head back, savoring each nip and kiss.
This was like nothing I'd ever experienced before. Panting like I'd just run five miles, I grappled with my shirt, pulling it over my head and throwing it across the room. His deep chuckle made my skin prickle as he looked up at me. I touched his face, my insides swelling with affection. I wanted to whisper that I loved him, but I couldn't speak.
His gaze was an intense mix of passion and magic. It's like he knew what I was thinking and felt exactly the same way. I brushed my teeth over my bottom lip, running my fingers down his chiseled jawline. Michelangelo had carved him from marble. He was perfect.
My heart rate accelerated as he carried me to my room and sat us on the edge of the bed.
He brushed a lock of hair off my face and opened his mouth to whisper something, but his words were stolen by a new song floating into the room. Our bodies both quivered with laughter as Louis Armstrong began “Cheek to Cheek” in his gravelly voice.
I touched Cole’s face, my expression softening as we relived our first connection. This was the shower song that had changed my life forever.
Cole's smile was delicious as he cupped the back of my head and pulled me into another electrifying kiss.
This was heaven—a perfect moment that I would cling to forever.
34
Cole
When Ella first opened the door to me in nothing but a T-shirt, I thought my body might combust. Her tear-streaked face was smudged black with mascara, her hazel eyes bright from crying, but she was beautiful.
I never expected her to reach for me, but as soon as she did, I couldn't hold back.
I'd just had the most amazing sex of my life.
A smile spread over my lips as I relived the midnight hours. We'd explored each other's bodies thoroughly, catching short bursts of sleep in between the fire. I felt spent, yet euphoric.
Rolling over with a soft moan, I reached for her, wanting to wrap my arm around her. Her soft breast fit perfectly inside my hand last night, her butt resting against my torso and igniting new sparks of flame. My body responded just thinking about her.
My hand traveled over the bed, and I opened my eyes. She was gone.
Propping up on my elbow, I glanced around the room and found her resting against the doorframe, gazing at me with a look of longing and agony.
It unsettled me, but I put on a smile anyway. Damn she looked hot, standing there in nothing but a tank top and underwear.
“Come back to bed, birdy.”
She grinned at the nickname I'd given her sometime during the night. We'd laughed and kissed, which had then turned into a heated reconnection that was fast and slick. I felt like I'd made love to her in every way I could throughout the night, and I was looking forward to a slow, luxurious repeat this morning.
I patted the bed and arched my eyebrows, but she shook her head.
Her smile was sad as she looked down at her fidgeting fingers. “We can't do this, Cole.”
I tried not to let the statement terrify me, but it did. My lips stretched with a lopsided grin. “I think we already did.”
“But we shouldn't have.” She closed her eyes with a shaky laugh and leaned her head against the wood. The muscles on her face strained tight, and I knew the next time she looked at me, there'd be tears in her eyes.
Keeping my voice calm was an effort, but I slowly sat up, my gaze trained on her face. “You broke up with him, Ella.”
“And five minutes later, I was sleeping with you!” Her eyes flew open, shining with tears. “What we did last night was...”
“Amazing.”
Her breath hitched, her shoulders slumping as heat rose over her cheeks. Pressing her lips together, she crossed her arms and pulled her body straight. “It was wrong. What we did was wrong.”
Shit!
“I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that one.” I couldn't keep the clip from my voice. Throwing back the covers, I grabbed my pants off the floor and threw my legs into them. Zipping the fly, I walked toward her. I wanted my words to sound as sincere as I felt, so I kept my voice soft. “Last night was right in every way for me.”
I touched her face, running my thumb over her cheekbone and tucking my fingers behind her neck. I could feel her flimsy resolve crumbling and moved further into her space. Her breath whispered against my skin. I drew my lips to hers, brushing my tongue lightly over her soft mouth.
She responded immediately, her body melting against mine, our hot hungry tongues dancing together. I ran my hands down her body, ready to lift her into my arms again, but she pulled away with a sob.
Holding her mouth, she ducked under my arm and stumbled into the living room.
“He's your best friend, Cole!”
The words were like darts through my chest. I gripped the wooden frame in front of me and wanted to smash my head against it.
“You are more important to me than my friendship with him.”
“You can't just throw it all away. I won't let you do it.” She spun to face me, tears now streaming unchecked down her perfect cheeks.
I was in front of her in two steps, gently pinching her chin between my thumb and forefinger. Our eyes locked together, I made sure of that, following her darting gaze until she had to give
in and stare straight at me.
“I know it's complicated, and I'm not saying it's gonna be easy, but I love you.”
A soft smile brushed her lips.
“I've never said that to a girl before, so I know I mean it. Ella, I am seriously in love with you, and I know you feel the same way about me.”
Her smile faltered, a frown creasing her forehead.
“You have to do what's right for you. Don't think about David.”
She stepped out of my grasp, and I had to let her go. It killed me to just stand there, watching her dig a chasm between us. “We were together for three years. How can you ask me not to consider him in all of this?”
“So, what was last night then?” I put my hands on my hips, unable to hold back my spark of desperate anger. “Just a little fun before you dump me and run back to him?”
“No! Of course not! It was never just about fun for me.” Her eyes were wide with anguish and I had to believe her. “Last night will be a perfect moment in my life...one I'm never gonna forget.”
“Please don't talk like that.” My voice hitched. “We can make this work. David will come around eventually. It might take time, but if we're patient, we can—”
“I can't, Cole.” She raised her hand. “It's not just about David. I need...” Her mouth moved, but no words came forth.
I wanted to step in and fill the space with logic and argument, but my throat was clogged.
She dropped her chin to her chest and let out a shaky breath. “I'm sorry, but I can't be with you right now.”
My heart cracked as she looked up at me. Her tears were as soul-destroying as her words. I shook my head, gently moving toward her.
“Ella, please don't do this.” I reached for her hands and she let me take them. Closing my eyes, I pressed my lips against the top of her head. I knew she wanted me. I knew she was putting David before us, and I couldn't let that happen.
“Let me go and talk to him. We'll sort this out, it'll be okay.” I squeezed her fingers when she shook her head, but I couldn't listen. I was too fueled by the thought of talking David around. If we could convince him to be cool with this, it'd all be okay.
