Page 145 of Tortured Tones

“But it’s not just about sleeping with you, Ava.” He snaked his hands around my waist and held me with his hypnotic gaze. “I want to be with someone who gets me. I want our lives to be better together rather than apart. My priorities have changed since Charlotte came into my life. I want to be a good dad. You make me want to do that. You love my kid almost as much as I do. You understand this crazy life I live that has no routines and crazy schedules. Music is a big part of who I am—that’s not gonna change anytime soon.” But as he shook his head, warm contentment flooded his eyes. “But now, rather than hooking up with girls, I like coming home after a show and having Charlotte up, running around, excited to see me when she should be in bed. I go to a lot of events but also love being at home having a tea party on the floor with my daughter. She is my life, too, just like Josh is yours. You know who I am. You’ve seen my world; I’d like you and Josh to be a part of it. I’d like to be yours if and when you’re ready.”

“Tea parties, huh?” I combed my fingernails through the back of his hair.

“Yeah.” Humbleness rippled through his voice. “Yesterday, she stuck all these glittery clips in my hair and fake-painted my fingernails. I freaking loved it.”

I giggled softly. “I wish I’d seen that.”

He sucked in a deep breath. “Yeah. I wish you were there too.”

“Did you mean what you said before and in Wilson’s office?”

He slid his hands onto my ass. “That I love you? Yeah. That okay?”

Butterflies danced through my stomach. Cole Tanner loved me! I could get used to him saying that. “Yes.” I glided my hands onto his shoulders and fidgeted with the collar of his T-shirt. “I love you too. You’ve taken me by surprise, Mr. Tanner. So is it okay if we take this slow?”

“We can do that.”

I brushed my thumb over his gorgeous lips. “That damn charming smile of yours works.”

“It hasn’t failed me yet.” He caught my hand and kissed my fingertips. “But you were the most challenging.”

Heat crept up my neck and settled in my cheeks. “I didn’t want to make it easy on you.”

“I pray you never do.”

“So, drummer boy?” I skimmed my fingertips down the front of his T-shirt, then slid them around his waist. “Want to get out of here?”

“Yes. But can you confirm...how slow is slow?” A sexy, heated smile crossed his lips. “I’ve come up with several ways you can thank me. Are you open to some ideas?”

Oh boy, I was in trouble. I was no longer bound by the rules of my job. No longer in denial. I wanted him. With every inch of my soul. He’d gone out of his way to help me. He wanted a life with me and my son. He’d threaded his way into my life and my heart. Fuck slow. “Yes. I have a few suggestions too. But none of them are appropriate to do here in my lawyer’s office. My place is closest. Can we go there and discuss them? Preferably while naked.”

A raspy moan rumbled deep in his throat. “Not sure I can wait that long.”

“If you want me, you will.”

He slipped his hand into my hair and crushed his lips against mine. Sweet sweeps of his tongue combined with the emotional day sent a wave of heat rushing through my system. God, this man could kiss. I eased back from his onslaught and licked my lips. “Not here. We might break the furniture.”

“Damn, you drive a hard bargain.”

Breathing Cole into every cell of my body, I let the hum, the spark, this crazy connection I had for him claim my heart. Hovering my lips against his mouth, I panted. “Let’s go. Now.”

Clutching my hand, he lurched forward from the counter and led me out the door.

Chapter 33

AVA

The drive back to my house in separate cars was a crazy blur. Was being with Cole insane? Was this too fast? No. I hadn’t felt like this about anyone in a long time, if ever. I craved being with him without my job looming over me. In the parking lot before we’d taken off, Beckett had given me a big hug and said a prayer for me, hoping that my case went well, and he’d hollered a huge hell yeah to Cole and I being together.

I’d stipulated one more condition to Cole on the way out of the office...no sex around my friends. I wasn’t shy—I just didn’t want Beckett or any other member of my team listening in or witnessing us going at it. That’d be too weird. Cole had laughed and vowed to change my mind on that rule.

But not today.

Once we reached my place, Beckett took off. He’d return when Cole called him. In a flurry of hot kisses. Cole and I fell through my front door. As we tore off each other’s clothes—jackets, shirts, pants, shoes—we veered toward the kitchen. My butt connected with the kitchen table.

“Shit.” Cole dragged his lips from mine and rested his forehead against my brow. “Is your dad home?”

“No. He’s at work.”

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