Page 57 of Stay

I don’t think this onion thing is going to do much more than make my feet smell terrible, but this hot toddy is amazing.

And strong.

“Drink, Angel.” He grabs the other onion disk and places it on my other foot. After wrapping it slowly, he slips on a pair of thick socks.

Warmth spreads through my body as I drain the mug. “Happy?”

“Getting there,” he says, kicking off his shoes and crawling into bed with me. When I curl up in his arms and sigh, he kisses my head. “Now I’m happy.”

My eyelids grow heavy fast. Between the drink, Cole’s body heat, and just having him here with me, I can’t keep my eyes open. I crash immediately.

•••

Okay, hear me out. I don’t know if it was the onions, the whiskey in that hot toddy, or the extra sleep I got, but I feel amazing. It’s eight o’clock in the morning. Holy crap, I slept a long time. Cole’s still out like a light next to me.

How can a guy look hot even when he sleeps?

It’s just unfair.

I look like a deranged goblin in the morning while he’s sex on a stick.

Creeping out of the bed, I dash to the bathroom to unwrap my feet. Forget looking like a goblin. I fucking smell like one. These onions are so stinky. I can’t believe I let him do this. It also might have worked. My nose isn’t even stuffy anymore.

While brushing my teeth, I peek out at Cole. He’s still conked out with his arms folded under the pillow, his ass barely covered with my sheets. I’m glad he stayed the night. I’m also sad he had a great day yesterday, and even left work early to come to me, and I crapped out on him.

He rolls over with a moan.

Sweet jeebus, I need to look away before I pounce on him.

Hurrying into the shower, I exfoliate, shave, shampoo, condition and rinse, and by the time I step out, I’m a new woman. Whatever cold I might have been getting is definitely gone. Shit, maybe I wasn’t getting sick at all, and it was just exhaustion getting the better of me.

I’m not working longer days than normal, but the time I spend getting projects done has been intense. It feels like my successful career hinges on how well I can execute this party for Cole’s company. I did my homework on the client list he gave me for invitations. There are some big names on there. It would be nice to diversify my portfolio and really make a name for myself.

Speaking of which…

I’m so proud of Cole for getting that Marine Life building job. It's about time Cole’s inspiring concepts got recognition. I have a feeling, based on what he said yesterday, that Cole didn’t think he was going to get it, which makes me wonder if he gets rejected a lot.

My heart sinks.

Cole and I are opposites with tackling a project. He goes all in with his heart and soul. I keep those two things in a box, so if I fail, the pain is barely noticeable. I imagine Cole has faced rejection with his designs many times, and knowing him, he felt each one like a stab in the heart.

As creatives, it’s easy to take someone else’s vision and translate it to reality for them. It’s quite another experience to fashion something from scratch and present it to another, waiting for them to judge it. Accept or reject it.

Cole getting this account isn’t just a big break for him. It’s validation.

I know how important that is.

After drying off, I quietly crawl back into bed and pull the blankets away from him. Straddling his legs, I bend down and take his length into my mouth. Hooray for morning wood.

Cole inhales through his nose. “Mmm.” He cracks open his eyes while I lick the pre-cum off his dick. “Morning.” He grunts when I try to deep throat him. “Fuck, girl.” He presses his hand on my head. “You must be… fuck. You must be feeling better.”

“Mmm hmm.” I pump him with my free hand and suck harder.

“Shhhit.” Cole’s hips drive upwards so he can fuck my face. “I’m not gonna last long if you…” His breaths turn ragged. “That’s it, Angel.”

I swear his dick gets bigger in my mouth.

“Don’t stop.”

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