I agree with Aiden, you go do whatever you need to stop talking about this
Mason
You two are hardly ones to talk. I had to change the settings on my phone so it automatically mutes you when you mention Jaimie or Alina so it doesn’t die AGAIN
Jace
You’re awfully sensitive about that
Three guys are still typing but I put the phone back in my pocket. I got all I needed to know.
The time for playing defense is over. I have a clear shot at her heart, and it’s time to pull the ultimate breakout.
And I only have one chance to get it right.
Chapter seven
Cole
BythetimeNoelle’sfootsteps sound from the stairs, I’ve got pots on the stove and a steaming cup of tea waiting for her on the island.
She’s stolen one of my pajama bottoms and put the Vultures hoodie from last night back on to keep warm. Messy hair, fresh faced, decked out in my clothes from head to toe…I’d let her do whatever the fuck she wants to me.
“Something smells good,” she says by way of greeting.
“Thank you, Honey,” I say, overly chipper. “Oh, you mean the food.”
“Ha-ha.” Noelle sticks out her tongue before drawing in closer, the heat rolling off her body comforting on my skin. “Is that beef stew?”
I shoot her a look. “Did you honestly think I would forget your favorite food? Give me some credit, will you?”
“I know you wouldn’t forget, I’m just surprised you have all the ingredients.” She walks over to my other side to take a closer look, her finger dragging along my back. Though I’d just come, ittakes a lot of disgusting mental images to keep from getting hard again.
I shrug, trying to play it off. “I keep them on hand in case you ever bless me by actually coming over for dinner.”
“But something always comes up, doesn’t it?” Noelle grimaces, guilt written all over her face.
“Yeah.” I stir the pot, trying not to think about her pressed against me. “Not this time, though. Not much to be done while the storm rages.”
There’s plenty to do. The main thing being each other.
Shut up, Cole.
“That’s true,” Noelle says, and I still when her hand goes up to rest on my bicep, curious brown eyes staring into the pot. Those delicate fingers touched her most sensitive spot mere minutes ago, perhaps even dipping inside her the way I long to.Fuck. If I took them into my mouth, would I still taste her?
I press my hips against the stove to hide the situation unfolding in my sweatpants. I am sick and tired of fucking my hand—it’s never satisfying in the way I need it to be. But I can’t keep turning to one-night-stands either; I give those girls a great night, but they deserve someone who isn’t thinking about someone else the whole time. Unless something happens between Noelle and I…I guess I’m celibate now.
“You can go read, if you want,” I say. “It’ll be a while before we can eat.”
Noelle shrugs, but doesn’t move an inch, her hand still resting on my arm. “I’m good. I like hanging out with you.”
Warmth spreads through my body at her words, and it takes effort to keep from smiling like an idiot.
“Maybe we should be friends, then.” I keep stirring while she rolls her eyes, a smirk pulling at my lips. “Thank you, though. For staying. I love…when you’re near me.”
Kai was right. If I’d had any balls at all, I would tell Noelle how I feel about her. But I always chicken out at the last second, my words left to be forgotten in the ever-growing stack of love letters I keep in my drawer.
Why is it always the things that mean most that make you terrified?
