Only One (14 page)

“Just for safe measures, when we go home tomorrow, I think I should go alone. My daddy is not happy right now.”

I kissed her nose. “He’ll be fine, and I’m going with you. He needs to know that I don’t walk away from you when you need me and that he doesn’t scare the shit out of me anymore.”

“I just can’t wrap my head around who would do that.”

“Don’t worry that pretty little head of yours. Why don’t you go for a swim? It’s beautiful out.” I covered my nerves, trying to be nonchalant with her. In reality, I was just as confused as she was and wanted ten minutes to call Dane to ask questions.

She nodded and jumped off my bed and headed to her room. I waited until she was in the pool before I made the call.

“Uncle Dane, it’s me, Cole.”

“Maybe after those pictures you should stop calling me Uncle. It’s creeping me out.”

I laughed. “I guess you’re right. I love her, Dane. Always have and always will. I promise you right now this is a good thing for her, for me and for the family. She wants to go off to California again and give it another shot. I think we should let her.”

“Are you crazy, boy?” he shouted so loudly I had to move the phone away from my ear for a second.

“Dane, I’ll explain it all when we get home. We can meet out for a beer. I just need to know one thing—do you know who sent the picture?”

“Nope. We checked for fingerprints. Nothing. It was slipped under the front door at my office. My name was typed on a label. I didn’t think anything of it. I thought it was someone looking to hire us.”

“This is weird, but I don’t think it’s much to worry about, do you?”

“Probably some chick getting revenge on you,” he teased, but I heard the concern in his voice.

“Maybe,” I paused, considering if Hannah had it in her. “Anyway, we’ll be home tomorrow.”

It was our last night and I could tell Annabelle was a little shaken up. We ordered in for just the three of us, since AJ’s friends all took off this morning. AJ was carrying on as any sixteen-year old kid would about a girl he’d met and how she’d head back to Maryland the next day.

Annabelle barely blinked an eye when he asked if he and the girl could have the Jacuzzi and pool to themselves for the night.

But I felt like something needed to be said. “Do me a favor, AJ, keep it in your pants, or you’re going to force me to do something I don’t want to do.”

He smirked, patting my back. “You can trust me, Cole.” He didn’t out right laugh, but I knew he thought I was just playing the big brother role. What he didn’t realize was that since Annabelle had apparently checked out in the mental sense for the night--he had me to answer to.

Annabelle sat curled up on the sofa with a blanket over her legs and she was reading a book. I bent down and kissed the top of her head. “You need anything, baby?”

She waved me off.

“I’m going to be right out on the deck, keeping an eye on AJ, okay?”

“Mmm, hmm.”

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck, wondering how to ease her worries. I’d known earlier she was just pretending for me, but now that night set in and she was on a second bottle of wine, I started to get a little concerned.

AJ and his girl apparently didn’t like the parental like supervision and walked off toward the ocean and out of sight after they realized I wasn’t moving. I laughed to myself, remembering all the times I’d taken a girl or taken Belly down that same path to avoid the eyes of the adults. I polished off the beer I’d been nursing and headed in.

Annabelle lay fast asleep on the couch. I placed the book she had sitting on her lap down, then scooped her up and carried her up to my bed. Our last night together before heading home was one I had been looking forward to all day, but now I realized I was just as content holding her and making her feel safe. Whoever did this was going to pay. I would make sure of that.

After brushing my teeth and doing my business, I slipped under the sheet, tucking her to me. The sweet smell of her apple shampoo assaulted my nose as I breathed her in. I swept her hair to the side, exposing her shoulder, kissing her softly. “Night, Belly,” I whispered, before throwing my leg over hers and nestled her in as close as I could get her.

Annabelle

Warmth enveloped me. When I attempted to throw the covers back, I discovered Cole’s big arms and legs were wrapped around me so tightly, so protectively, that I couldn’t move. I slipped my one hand out, placing it down on the mattress. I flipped over so our stomachs were pressed together and buried my head into Cole’s chest, letting myself listen to his heart thumping quietly as he slept. Never in my life had I ever felt so content, so blissfully happy, that I figured it was only a matter time before it all came crashing down around me.

I’d been hiding my phone from Cole. Somehow Aaron had got a hold of my new number and had been trying to reach me for the last twenty four hours with promises of helping me land the role of a lifetime, but I wasn’t buying it. While Cole watched over AJ last night, I sat and thought about dreams and goals and what I really wanted. And what I really wanted was Cole. Acting was a beautiful ambition, but if I had to be honest with myself, I lusted after the fame more than I loved it. And there was the self-doubt that came along with every line, every look, and every pound that I lost or gained.

It suddenly dawned on me that the reason I couldn’t find the real Annabelle Woods all those months ago was because I’d hidden her away in a box, not expecting it to be ever opened again.

Until Cole.

The one thing that I knew in my heart of hearts was that I loved him fiercely and that I had loved taking pictures. Cole wanted me to fight for my dream, like he had. It might have taken me longer to figure it all out, and three years of allowing myself to doubt everything my parents had taught me, but I was done fighting for something I didn’t really need or want anymore.

As I continued to watch Cole, I knew what I needed to do. After waking up with him acting like a big ol’ protective bear, I knew I was making the right choice. He’d be thrilled that I wanted to stay. At least I hoped he’d be excited to hear my news.

Cole moaned into my neck and I could hear him breathing my scent in. “I don’t ever want to leave this bed,” he murmured as he rained kisses all down my neck.

Running my fingers through his golden hair, I agreed. “Promise me we’ll come back every Friday, as soon as you’re off work?”

“That is most definitely a promise.” Cole propped himself up on his elbow and kissed my forehead. “As much as I want to stay right here, holding on to you forever, we need to get going. Your daddy is waiting for us.”

I frowned, running my foot up his leg, stopping when I reached his inner thigh. “Do we have to?”

Cole groaned and arched one eyebrow. “Have you ever showered with anyone?” He eyes pierced into mine, waiting for my answer.

“No.” That was something that I’d never had the opportunity to do or enough confidence at being so exposed to someone. But this was Cole, the man I trusted. He made me feel beautiful enough that I wanted to experience everything with him that he asked of me.

The corner of his mouth tugged up. “Another first.” He jumped up, and lifted me out of bed and stripped my clothes off before I could even get my train of thought together. I was getting naked, wet, and soapy with Cole Lucca.

When Cole’s eyes devoured my naked body like it was the best thing he’d ever laid his eyes on, I put my “big girl panties” on and slipped my hands under the waist of his boxers, pushing them down to his thighs. Lifting my leg, I glided them the rest of the way with my toes until they hit the floor.

Cole just watched me with a shit-eating grin on his face, waiting for my next move.

When I curled my hand around his erection, I tugged gently, watching his eyes turn as round as saucers. “I have another first I want to try.”

Cole stilled, his mouth agape. I felt his eyes on my ass as I swayed toward the bathroom.

“You coming or what?”

He cursed under his breath, bringing a smile to my face. It wasn’t a huge shower, by any means, but I was determined to make it work. The steam from the heat of the shower enveloped my body as I waited for him to join me. When Cole still hadn’t come after me after a few minutes I began to wonder if he’d changed his mind.

Turning and lifting my face to the ceiling, I let the water run down, trying to wash away any doubts that drifted inside my head.

Cole stepped in a minute later, tugging me until I was turned around in his arms.

“Where’ve you been?”

“You caught me off guard. I just needed a minute.”

“Why?”

“Baby, if I’d followed you in that second this would be the quickest fuck ever.” He pushed me back gently until I felt the cold tile on my back, trapping me between his arms.

I swallowed once, trying to be tough with my words and my actions. “Who said anything about fucking?”

He tipped his head to the side as he tried to understand the meaning of what I’d just said.

I chewed on my bottom lip and peered south, running my hand slowly down his hard stomach. Briefly I hesitated, but he just watched in awe, waiting for my next move. My hand continued down his treasure trail, letting my fingers glide over the hair that led down to the most perfect vee shaped abs I’d ever seen.

Cole tipped his head back as I sank lower until I was on my knees. “Another first,” I told him as I peered up.

His head whipped down. “What?”

“In the shower,” I confirmed. He looked stunned but also a little disappointed when he realized what I meant.

His hands clasped down on my hair the second I took his penis in my mouth. “Fuck…fuck…fuck, Annabelle,” he cried out. He yanked me up quicker than he undid my bra the other night. He hauled my legs around his waist and sank into me as his mouth covered my breast, making me cry out.

“Come for me, Belly,” he demanded. “I can’t make it much longer.”

Something inside of me loved his deep voice demanding me to fall apart, and as he pushed in deeper, I did just what he wanted. I fell apart at the same time he cried out my name.

He held me in his arms up against the tiled wall. I panted, listening to him trying to catch his breath. “Belly, shit! I’m sorry.”

I stared into his eyes, remaining silent, trying to understand why he was apologizing.

“I couldn’t help myself. When you were on your knees, I just…I don’t know, it was unfuckingbelievable and I just needed to be inside you.”

“It’s okay, Cole.”

He pulled out and let my feet hit the floor. “Belly, I wasn’t wearing a condom.”

“Oh,” I mumbled as I counted the days quickly in my head, not even realizing or caring when we were in the moment. “I think we’re okay. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t ovulating.”

“You’re positive?” he asked like his whole world was about to collapse if I second-guessed my math.

I nodded. “We’ll just have to more careful. When we get back, I’ll make an appointment to get on the pill.”

He smiled and exhaled. “Okay, yeah. That would be good.” Cole stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist. I could tell he was deep in thought.

“Hey, Cole. Would it be so bad?” I knew it was a loaded question when I asked, but his reaction had bothered me and without thought the question popped out.

He whipped around. “Annabelle, I’m twenty-one years old and have one year of school left, so no, I wouldn’t want a kid right now, and let’s not forget the fact that I’m not ready for one at all. It’s my fault and I’m sorry. I got carried away like I always do when it comes to you. It won’t happen again.” He strolled out, shaking his head like he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.

By the time I gained the strength to face him or maybe face his mood, he was downstairs, packed and ready to go. I leaned over the railing just as he looked up. “Look, I’m going to head home now. AJ is still out cold, so maybe you should hang for a bit and I’ll meet you at the farm around dinner.”

I sprinted down the steps, scared, confused, and more importantly hurt. “Cole,” I yelled out.

He stopped before opening the door that led to the garage, but didn’t turn around. I wrapped my arms around his waist and leaned my forehead on his back. “I’m sorry, Cole. If I’d known you’d be so upset with me I wouldn’t have done it.”

He sighed heavily. “Belly, I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at me. It’s just not good timing.” He unwrapped my arms and turned to face me, finally. He swept my hair back behind my ears. “I acted like a jackass and I’m sorry. It just freaked me out a little. It’s not your fault, okay? I loved what you did up there and what we did. There’s just a lot going on, and you’re going back west. It just wouldn’t work right now. I want to have an entire football team with you someday, but not yet.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Belly, don’t act like it’s nothing.”

“My lord, Cole, it was one time. I’m not pregnant for Christ sakes. Move on and stop sulking like a two-year old. Trust me, I don’t want a baby any more than you do.”

“I’m meeting your daddy for lunch. I need to get going.” He pressed his lips to the top of my head. “See you later, baby. I love you.”

Now I was the one standing there pouting like a baby. “Love you, too,” I yelled out to his retreating form.

I decided we were in no rush. AJ was still sleeping, and I wanted one more day lying on the beach to avoid grumpy Cole. He promised he’d bring me back every weekend, but by the squeal of his tires when he pulled out earlier, I was starting to think he was madder than he let on.

It was easy to notice the days were getting warmer and the evening’s hotter as summer was in full swing. Somewhat lost in thought with the music I was listening to from my IPod, I had a sinking feeling like someone was watching me. I propped myself up on my elbows and scanned all around, looking for anything, anyone. A few kids were skinboarding. A few bikes were leisurely riding along the waters edge. Nothing seemed out of a place or unusual.

I lay back down, trying to erase the creepiness of how I was feeling, when AJ yelled down to me.

Jumping up, I grabbed my stuff and scanned the beach one more time. The flash of a camera off in the distance caught my eye, but it was too far to figure out who it was or what they were taking pictures of. I swallowed hard, thinking of the photo sent to my daddy. I shook my head, erasing that image and pushed through the sand and up to our property.