Love, Again, page 11
“I missed the noises you used to make. So fucking hot,” he growled, pushing all the way inside of me…hard.
Not only did I gasp, but I cried out so loud I could barely recognize the sound of my own voice. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I rocked my hips along with his and held on tight, crying out with each thrust. The muscles in his back tightened and flexed as he worked his body in and out of mine. I raked my nails down his back, all the way down to his ass. Grabbing it, I loved the way it hardened with each thrust.
I was so close to losing it again, my body clenching tight around his cock. Breaths coming out as pants, the ache between my legs got stronger, and I got wilder. We were both so close, and the moment I tipped over the edge, I dug my nails into his back just as he plunged in as deep as he could, filling me with his release.
Breathing hard, he took my face in his hands. “I promise the next time won’t be so fast.”
I winked. “Don’t worry, I’m always down for round two.”
His fingers caressed my cheeks. “Will you stay with me tonight?”
I rubbed my face against his hand and kissed his palm. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“What about tomorrow, and the day after that? Where are you going to be?”
Tears fell down my cheeks. “With you, Cole. I know where I belong.”
His lips closed over mine, and he breathed me in. “You belong with me, Aubrey. I love you so much it fucking hurts.”
So many emotions ran through me, and all of them were incredible. Cole and I connected in more ways than one. I could even say things between us felt stronger. Cole kissed me again, and then lay beside me, pulling me in close to his body. I rested a hand over his, and smiled. “I love you too. Now rest up. We have a long, busy night ahead of us.”
His cock pulsed against my backside. “I’m ready when you are.”
Chapter 16
Cole
Sitting on my back deck, I watched as the sky began to lighten. After the night I had with Aubrey, I thought I’d fall right asleep, considering we spent most of it rolling around in the sheets, but it turned out I couldn’t sleep a wink. She was here…now. A part of me wondered how long that was going to last. She looked and talked like the same Aubrey who left all those years ago, but she’s also had the taste of fame. How could anyone give that up? I didn’t know what it was like to be famous, but I couldn’t imagine living the celebrity life, and then going back to a place like Dusty Valley, Oklahoma. It was home, but it wasn’t Hollywood.
I crept back inside and Aubrey was still asleep in bed, her chocolate hair fanned out across the pillow. My stomach growled so loud I was sure it’d wake her up, but it didn’t. I shut the door behind me, and quietly grabbed my keys off the kitchen counter. I hoped she wouldn’t wake up while I was gone.
Getting in my truck, I headed straight for Mathie’s café to get breakfast. Their blueberry pancakes were always Aubrey’s favorite. We used to eat there all the time together. It was still really early, so there weren’t many cars in the parking lot. When I walked in, Heather was behind the counter, setting out fresh pastries in the glass case.
She looked over at me and did a double take. “You’re in here a little early, aren’t you?”
Chuckling, I took a seat at the bar. “Couldn’t sleep. Plus, I’m starving. Figured I’d get something to go.”
She pulled out the notepad she kept in her apron pocket and had her pen ready. “What’ll it be?”
I stared at her for a few seconds, then smiled. Dusty Valley was a small town, and she used to be Aubrey’s best friend. Just a simple order of blueberry pancakes was going to get people talking.
“I want the usual,” I said. My usual consisted of French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon.
Heather wrote it down. “Got it. Anything else?” she asked in a singsong voice. She knew exactly what was going on by the look on her face. Aubrey had probably told her that we had a date.
Brows furrowed, I crossed my arms over my chest. “Now what else would I need?”
She rolled her eyes and giggled. “I know you, Cole. You haven’t smiled like that in years. There’s only one explanation.”
“Okay, fine,” I said, giving in. “I need an order of your blueberry pancakes.”
“Aha, I knew it.” She wrote down the order and passed it to her mother, who waved at me from the kitchen window. “Are you two back together?”
Before I could answer, the door opened and a familiar laugh rang out. “Good morning, brother.” I turned around, and there was Bennett with the biggest smile on his face. He slapped my back and sat next to me. “I see Aubrey didn’t come home last night.”
Heather snickered and turned her attention to making a new pot of coffee. I looked at Bennett and raised my brows. “Looks like you didn’t go home either. How’d it go with Emilia?”
His grin widened, and he waggled his eyebrows. “Great, actually. We had a good night.”
Shaking her head, Heather looked at him and laughed. “Be careful with that one, Ben. Don’t get me wrong, as far as famous people go, she’s pretty sweet, but girls like that don’t stay in places like this for long.”
“Heather’s right,” I agreed. “Emilia’s only here for a short time. I don’t want you falling for her and getting your heart broken.”
Bennett snorted. “Nobody said anything about falling for anyone. Emilia and I are just having a good time, that’s it. I know she’s not going to be around for long.”
“All right, brother. Just making sure.” I didn’t know Emilia very well, but it was easy to see that she a hold on my brother, even if he didn’t want to admit it.
Heather pulled out her notepad and pen. “I’m assuming you’re here for breakfast, and not stalking your brother, right?” she said to Bennett.
Bennett and I both chuckled. He ordered his food, then Heather disappeared to the back to help her mother with our orders. “Everything go okay with Aubrey last night? What did she say when she saw the house?” Bennett asked.
I blew out a sigh. “She took it okay, I guess. I could tell it hurt her to see it, but at least she knows I never really gave up on us. A part of me always hoped she’d come back.” She was my first and only love. No other woman was meant to live in our house but her.
Bennett nudged me with his arm. “If it makes you feel any better, Emilia said that Aubrey only dated that one guy since she’s known her. And even then, she said it was never serious.”
Aubrey and I had a nonexistent dating life in common. I don’t know how I would’ve taken it if she’d been with numerous men over the years. I didn’t want to imagine her with anyone but me.
“Things are looking up for us. I just don’t know how long she’s staying. That Hollywood producer wants her back, and…” The same fears I had all those years ago came barreling back.
Bennett’s smile faded. “And you’re afraid she’ll pass it up for you.”
I shrugged. “She seems not to mind turning them down, but we’re talking millions of dollars she’ll be giving up. Just the thought astounds me.”
It was Bennett’s turn to shrug like it wasn’t a big deal. “It’s her choice. The last thing you want is a repeat of ten years ago.”
That was for damn sure. “She still wants to finish doing the things on her bucket list though. I can’t stop her from doing that. I don’t want to.” Not many people could travel the world like she could.
Bennett eyes widened. “Why don’t you go with her? It’ll be the perfect way to start over.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “Seriously? I can’t just up and leave like that.”
Heather came out with our bags of food and set them on the counter. “Here you go, guys.”
We both paid for our orders, and Bennett waved at Heather. “Thanks, Heather. Tell your mom I said hello.”
Heather nodded. “Will do. Take care.”
Bennett winked at me before walking out the door. “Think about what I said, Cole. It might be what you need.” He disappeared out the door while I stood there, my mind going in so many directions. Could it really be possible?
“That poor boy is seriously going to get his heart broken. You need to talk some sense into him,” Heather said.
I shrugged. “He’s a big boy. You know how he is with the ladies.” He was always a flirt, and a smooth talker.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, I know. There were plenty of times I wanted him to look my way. Luckily, I found a man I’m happy with.”
I grabbed the bag of food and winked. “I’m glad you did too. You deserve a lot better than my brother.” I turned for the door, but she called out my name.
When I looked back at her, she smiled. “I know you’re worried about Aubrey and what everything means right now. Just so you know, she’s not going to make the same mistake twice.”
I smiled back. “Neither am I.” I knew exactly what I needed to do. Once in my truck, I headed straight for the fire station.
Chapter 17
Aubrey
The sheets felt amazing on my bare skin until I noticed the time on the alarm clock. It was eleven o’clock. I jerked up, and Cole’s side of the bed was empty. Not surprising at all. He had always been an early riser. Since he grew up on a farm, his chores started at daybreak.
I slid out of bed and slipped on my clothes from last night. As I walked down the stairs, I could hear the TV in the living room. Cole had his bare feet propped up on the coffee table, dressed in only a pair of jeans. It was strange how everything felt like home. I was comfortable in his bed, in his arms, and even in the house that was supposed to be ours.
Cole glanced over, clearly not expecting to see me by the surprised look on his face. “Oh wow, you’re up. I figured you’d be knocked out until at least twelve.”
He winked and I rolled my eyes. “Hey, I don’t sleep in like I used to. Last night was an exception. You wore me out.”
Chuckling, he walked over and joined me at the bottom of the stairs. “I enjoyed wearing you out.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me off the last step to the floor.
I held on and kissed him. “I see that. You’re in an exceptionally good mood.”
He winked. “That’s because I want to talk to you about something.” He let me go and nodded toward the kitchen. “Come on, I got your favorite.” There was a box from Mathie’s on the kitchen island counter, and I knew exactly what it was going to be. He opened the box and my stomach growled. I could smell the blueberry pancakes and maple syrup from where I stood. Cole put them in the microwave for a few seconds. “I’m sorry they’re cold, but I got them hours ago.”
“Hours?” I gasped, taking a seat at the kitchen bar. “We were still having fun just a few mere hours ago.”
He chuckled. “Yes, I know. Trust me, I needed it. Guess there was just too much on my mind for me to sleep.” The microwave beeped, and he pulled out my pancakes and set them in front of me.
I poured the syrup over the pancakes and dug in. “What kind of things were on your mind?”
He watched me gobble down a bite of the pancakes, trying his best not to laugh. I was so hungry my stomach had started to cramp. “We’ll talk after you eat,” he said.
That only made me want to hear what he had to say more. I quickly ate the rest of my pancakes, then pushed the takeout box to the side. “Done. You got me curious.” Taking my hand, he pulled me off the bar stool and out the back door onto the deck. He let me go and looked off into the distance, letting out a slow, relaxed breath. It was as if all the tension had left his body. “Cole, what is it?” I asked.
He focused on me again and moved closer, his expression serious. “I’m taking off the next two months from work. I want to go with you to finish your bucket list.”
That was not what I expected to hear. Mouth gaping, I stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “What about your job, and becoming fire chief? I can’t let you jeopardize that.” It was what he’d always wanted. He tried to reach for my hands, but I held them up to stop him. “Cole, you can’t. If you’re worried about me leaving, then don’t. I’m not going anywhere. We can finish my bucket list together later.”
He shook his head and grabbed my hands, pulling me into his body. “No, we need to do it now. We’ve spent too much time away from each other. I want us to pick up where we left off, but we need to do it away from here. No distractions.” He cupped my cheek and rested his forehead against mine. “Just you and me.”
I didn’t know what to say. It all sounded amazing, almost like a dream come true. Cole and I never got the chance to explore the world together, but now we did. I held on to his hands and leaned into his touch. “What’s going to happen after the two months are up?” I asked, whispering the words.
He stared right into my eyes. “I’ve already talked to Chief Brody. He’s retiring at the end of the year. The position will be here for me a month after we get back if I want it.”
“If you want it?” I repeated.
His lips tilted slightly, but I could see the sadness in it. “I told him I’ll make my decision when we get back.”
I shook my head. “I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t you take it?”
He brought his other hand to my face, his thumbs gently tracing over my lips. “I want to be where you are, Bree. If you decide to take the directing job, I’ll go with you.”
“Cole, no.”
He closed his lips over mine, silencing me. I gave in to him and melted in his arms. It was always hard to think straight with him so close. “I lost you once,” he murmured. “I’m not going to lose you again.”
My eyes tingled and burned, but it was a good feeling. “Okay,” I answered. My heart was so full it felt like it would burst. “If you really want to come with me, then let’s do it.”
Chuckling, he picked me up in his arms and swung me around. I held on to him and laughed the entire time. When he set me down, he had to steady me. “What do you say about leaving tomorrow?”
I gasped. “Really? Where do you want to go first?”
A sly grin spread across his face. “That’s what I want to talk to you about. Would you be okay if I added some of my own ideas to your bucket list?”
Excitement fluttered in my stomach. “I would love that. Tomorrow it is then. We need to figure out where we want to go first.”
Cole snaked his arms tighter around my waist. “We can write up the list tonight, and go from there. For now, why don’t I take you home to pack, and that way we can tell Emilia and Bennett.”
I hated leaving Emilia when she just got into town, but I couldn’t pass up this adventure with Cole. “Sounds good. Hopefully she won’t get mad at me for leaving her.”
Cole let me go and snorted. “She’ll be fine with Bennett. Apparently they had a wild night together.”
Screeching with delight, I walked with him back inside. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened between them. Emilia wasn’t the type to sleep around. If they did have sex, it had to have meant something. It was hard not to fall for the Haywood men.
Cole grabbed his keys and cleared his throat. “Before we leave town tomorrow, there’s something we need to do.”
“What?” I asked, feeling my stomach twitch. I could see the nervousness on his face.
He opened the front door and held it for me. “We need to tell my parents. Plus, my mother wanted to see you.”
My heart dropped, and I cringed as I walked past him to his truck. “Are you sure she doesn’t hate me?”
Cole opened my door and winked. “Only one way to find out.”
* * *
—
“I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow.” Emilia flopped down on the bed I hadn’t even slept on yet. I’d just gotten my house back, and now I was leaving it. Grinning happily, I placed my bucket list notebook on top of my clothes and zipped up my suitcase.
“I know, but it feels right.” I lay down beside her and propped up on my elbow. “At first I didn’t think it was a good idea for Cole to leave the station, not when he’s about to be chief.”
Emilia shrugged. “It’s his choice. You both screwed things up in the past. It’s best not to make that same mistake again. Besides,” she said with a wink, “you two have a lot of time to catch up on.”
“That we do. At least you don’t seem to be so upset that I’m leaving.”
She sat up, her cheeks flaming red. “Is it that obvious?”
Giggling, I couldn’t help but nod. “Sorry, Em. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so hung up on a guy before.” When Cole and I had gotten to the house, Emilia and Bennett were cuddled on the couch, watching a movie.
Emilia sighed and walked over to the balcony door to peer out. “It’s crazy, Aubrey. He’s exactly what I want.”
I sat up and slid my suitcase off the bed to the floor. “What happens when you leave to go back to work? With me leaving, I figured you would too.”
She glanced at me over her shoulder, her expression conflicted. “I don’t know. With the movie being put on hold, I have a couple of months to do whatever I want.” We could hear Bennett and Cole talking downstairs. She smiled and leaned against the balcony door. “I think I’m going to stay here while you’re gone. Someone has to keep an eye on this place.”
