Page 11 of Forbidden Flame

“I’m sorry. That was shitty.”

“As much as my brothers drove me crazy growing up, they were there for me when I got pregnant and needed their support. They may not always know how to be there for me, but they try. That’s what matters.”

I could tell that Cole had more questions about Izzy’s dad, but I was grateful when he kept them to himself. I didn’t want to talk about the bad in our lives. I wanted tonight to be light and fun. I didn’t want reality creeping in even if it was nice to have someone to talk to about our past.

“No more talk of our history. Tonight is for us to have fun and let go.”

I grinned. “I agree.”

We ate, sharing funny stories of growing up with my siblings and the antics with his cousins. I could hear the affection in his voice. He loved his cousins. I was glad he had the Monroe family but wished he hadn’t needed the escape. I wouldn’t forget what he’d shared with me. It made me understand him so much better. I’d remember this man long after tonight.

Chapter 3

Cole

We finished eating and cleaned up the trash.

“Do you want to eat dessert or go swimming?”

“I want to go swimming again.”

I pretended to pout. “I want to eat your pie.”

She flashed me a naughty smile. “I think you already did.”

My heart raced with anticipation as I took off my shirt and jumped feet first into the hot tub. The warm water felt good compared to the cool air.

This time, Daphne drew her dress over her head, revealing black lace panties and a bra. She unhooked them, and when she was naked, she stepped into the hot tub. Her skin was illuminated by the lights surrounding us.

“You’re gorgeous.”

She moved toward me, stopping without touching me. “You’re not so shabby yourself.”

I drew her toward me with a hand on her hip. I loved that she felt confident enough to be naked in front of me. We’d only just gotten to know each other. We shouldn’t feel this comfortable around each other, but we did.

Maybe it was meeting when we were teens, or the family history we shared over dinner, but I felt close to her in a way I didn’t on other first dates. We’d covered a lot of ground, and we’d already been intimate.

This was different than anything else I’d ever experienced. It felt bigger, more complicated, but at the same time I could push all the worries away and just focus on her.

Her nipples were pebbled, probably from the cool air. My fingers flexed on the flesh of her ass. I wanted more.

“Are you sure you want this with me? I can’t promise you anything.” I wanted her to be sure. Her brother’s warnings rang in my head.

“I want you for tonight.”

A pang went through my heart even though I should have been relieved. I didn’t want anything from her. One night would have to be enough. I’d worry about the repercussions later.

Everything I wanted was usually out of reach. It was meant for someone else. Daphne was no different. She was a gorgeous woman who I was positive was an amazing mother. She put her child first in a way my parents never had. She was already better than me. She deserved a man who came from a good family, who’d protect her, care for her in a way I couldn’t.

I brushed a strand of hair out of her face, tenderness overcoming me. I shouldn’t feel this way about someone I’d only just met and become intimate with. We shouldn’t have a deep connection. But I wouldn’t question it anymore.

She was perfect. Unable to resist her pull, I lowered my lips to hers, content to kiss her before pulling her gently closer so that her breasts were pressed against my chest. I slid my fingers between her folds, and she gasped into my mouth.

I loved making her come undone. I wanted her to forget about all her responsibilities, her family, and lose herself to me. It was selfish and shortsighted, but it was all we had.

She gripped my shoulders as my fingers slid inside her, pumping like I wanted to do with my cock. When it became too much, she pulled her mouth from mine. I’d meant to hold off, to see her come for me again before wanting more, but I felt a surge of desire to be inside her. To make her mine. If only for tonight.

“Daphne, I want to be inside you.” I rested my forehead against her, my fingers still inside her.

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