We were inside my little apartment, which, thank goodness, was somewhat decorated when I moved in. I had been so busy since I got here that it was still exactly the way it had been. I’d unpacked my few bags and left it as is. I hadn’t even gotten food from the store yet because Maggie kept insisting I eat over at the resort. The food was amazing, so it was hard to turn that down.
Somehow, we got through taking our shoes and jackets off. Now, I was just standing in the middle of the living room, looking at Cole and starting to thinkwaytoo much about this.
One of his dark brows rose high. “Have you changed your mind?” he asked.
Although there was a teasing hint in his tone, I could feel the seriousness behind it. Even though I wasn’t ready to admit it, that meant the world. I had never been with a man so solicitous of me, my feelings, my wants.
I held his gaze and shook my head sharply. “Where should we start?” I asked, my voice miraculously steady despite the churning in my stomach.
Cole tipped his head to the side, a slight smile curling at the corners of his lips. “Well, I’m going to let you take the lead, Adele.”
My cheeks flushed hot. “Cole!” I protested.
He chuckled, and I couldn’t help the warmth that spread through me. He couldn’t have known how much I needed that. I needed his teasing to lighten the moment because this whole thing was a lot for me.
“We have options,” he said. “We’re here in the living room.” He gestured to the side at the couch.
I swallowed, trying to steady my nerves. This was happening. The question wasn’t whether I was ready for this, but if I could let myself relax.
“There’s always the kitchen counter,” he teased, “but maybe we save that for later.”
My mouth dropped open and heat flashed through me in a blast.
“And last, there’s your bedroom. Actually, there’s also the bathroom where we could test out the shower or counter.” His tone was practical and low, the sound of his voice strumming every chord of need in my body.
I wanted all of it now, at once, but I figured maybe we keep it the most simple.
“Bedroom,” I whispered.
“Lead the way, sweetheart.” He gestured toward the door.
I turned and promptly walked into the bedroom. Cole followed me and closed the door behind him. For a second, I wanted to ask why, but as if reading my thoughts, he commented, “You never know.”
A giggle slipped out. “Oh, God, does everyone know you’re over here with me?”
Cole shrugged. “Somebody probably noticed I walked you over here. Don’t worry,” he assured me. “Haven and Elsa are busy minding their own business, Kendall and Jude same, and well…” He rolled his eyes. “My mom pays attention to everything we all do, but she’ll be cheering for us.”
“Is this going to change her opinion of me?”
“Is what going to change her opinion of you?”
“Me being with you like this?” I wanted Maggie to respect me.
“Well, it’s not like we’re going to give her the details,” he sputtered, looking aghast.
The horror in his eyes made me giggle again. “Okay.” Before I could overthink it, I got right down to business and promptly began stripping out of my clothes. I was kind of in a hurry.
“Hey, hey, Adele, slow down.”
I turned back to face him. I was down to nothing but my panties, a pair of socks, and a tank top. I should have felt ridiculous, but I didn’t. I felt startlingly comfortable. “I don’t want to slow down, Cole. I guess I am in a rush, but it’s more that…” I took a quick breath, closing my eyes and gathering up my courage. Opening them again, I circled my hand in the air between us. “I really want this. I don’t know if I can take it slow,not this time. So if you didn’t notice yet, you’re wearing too many clothes.”
I wasn’t sure what it was about my little speech, but Cole moved with alacrity after that. In a matter of seconds, he was down to a pair of fitted boxer briefs. My mouth watered as I took him in. I already knew he was handsome. Sweet hell, that dark hair, those blue eyes, his muscled, lanky frame. He was strong, but in the way of a man who worked his body hard as a firefighter, as a wilderness guide, and then some.
As I let my gaze trail over him, my eyes greedily taking in every detail, I noticed a few scars. As if he could read my thoughts, he gestured to one, a jagged line along his ribs. “Worst rope burn I ever had.”
I sucked my breath in through my teeth. “Ouch.”
“Yeah, that’s one way to put it. It hurt like hell,” he said flatly.
