She went into the bathroom and took a shower, using the vanilla-scented soap. Hannah shaved her legs and washed her hair. Stepping out, she pulled on her robe and dried her hair. Itfelt silky soft and fell in waves around her shoulders. Hannah carefully took out the gown, slipped it over her head, and tied the loose shoulder ribbon. She dabbed a bit of perfume on her wrists and behind her ears. The butterflies no longer fluttered in her stomach. They soared.
Taking a deep breath, she walked into the living room. Cole’s back faced her as he set the oven to warm and took out the dinner plates.
He turned, and his breath hitched at seeing her. “Hannah,” he whispered.
“I don’t know how this will go,” she blurted out. “But I love you, Cole, and I’ve trusted you since the day you found me in the hospital.”
He set down the silverware and slowly approached her. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “We’ll do this when you’re ready. Today has turned into an eye-opener and I’m sure you have lots of emotions.”
“I feel ready now,” she protested. “Do my scars turn you off?”
“You know better,” he chided her. “We’re not rushing this.” His hand touched the silky ribbon tied like a bow. “You’re all wrapped up for me, like a present.”
“Why don’t you unwrap me?” she asked, biting her lip.
Cole sighed. “I want to, believe me. What if it triggers you or you wake up regretting it tomorrow?” he asked, tracing the lace.
“If you trigger me, I’ll bust your nose like Patch’s, and if I regret it tomorrow, I’ll call Claire.”
He chuckled. “You’re as unpredictable as this blizzard.”
Tears shone in her eyes as she felt the sting of disappointment.
“Don’t cry,” he pleaded. “I want you so badly my cock’s killing me. You’ve only started talking and I don’t want you to relapse,” he explained gently.
Anger slowly built inside her. “Yes. I’ve spent the last two years talking to myself in my head, reliving all my mistakes and the attack. I’m done. When I decided to speak, I landed a job and moved into this cabin. I’m making all the small steps and now I want to take a big one. I’m aware it may trigger me, but there’s a chance it won’t. I don’t recall every detail, but enough to know what occurred. Since this happened to me, don’t I get to decide when I feel ready?”
Cole regarded her closely, still debating what to do, angering her further. She stomped into the kitchen, spying Ty’s fresh rosemary bread. She grabbed a knife and cut a slice, taking it to Cole, who seemed rooted in place.
She tore a piece off and popped it into her mouth. Hannah chewed and swallowed.
Cole stepped forward and kissed her. Unlike the other slow, chaste kisses, she felt desire ripple through her as he captured her mouth. Her hands went to the edges of his T-shirt and lifted it over his head.
She touched the ridged muscles of his shoulders and down his chest with her fingers. Cole moaned softly against her mouth.
“Hannah,” Cole whispered as his hands trailed down her back, pulling her closer.
She took his hand and led him to his bedroom. “I want to do this.” She cupped his cheek and held his gaze. “You gave me the moon when I couldn’t see the stars.”
Cole smiled. “You’ll never go without them again. What can I do?” he asked, appearing as nervous as she felt.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I guess what you usually do when you’re traumatized, girlfriend dresses in something sexy and confesses her love for you.”
“Hmmm, maybe we need a safe word in case you start to feel uneasy?” he suggested as his eyes roamed over her.
“How about pinecone? Will it make you feel better?” she asked as she raked her fingers through his hair.
“Yes, it’ll make me feel better,” he agreed. “Pinecone it is.”
Cole leaned in and gently kissed her, leaving a trail of heat along her neck. He tugged on one of the ribbons and the gown shifted, leaving a bare shoulder. Hannah moaned as he nibbled his way down.
She tugged his hair as his hands stroked down her back to her bottom. Cole kissed and licked around the lacey edges as he made his way to the second ribbon on her shoulder. He straightened and gazed into her eyes, searching for any signs of fear. When she smiled, assuring him she felt fine, he slowly loosened the ribbon.
The bodice lowered, teasing him with a hint of his present. “I want to kiss, lick and taste you,” he murmured against her skin. His hands slid inside the chiffon slits and stroked her legs, going slightly higher with each pass.
“Please,” she pleaded, trembling with his touch.
Cole rose and started at the top again. “May I kiss you here?” he asked, running his hands over her breasts and the lace.
