Page 18 of Into the Fire

I placed the water and medicine on her nightstand, then got in on her other side and stared at her sleeping form.

“Cole,” she murmured.

“Hey, Rosebud,” he answered softly.

“Am I home?”

“Yeah.” He kissed her hand. “Just got here.”

“Mm, good. I missed you.”

I could practically hear the smile in Cole’s voice as he answered her.

“I missed you too. I’m glad you’re here.”

She rolled over and faced him. “I’m dizzy and feel really drunk.”

“That’s because you are really drunk.”

“Am I?” She let out a soft, tired laugh, her words slurred. “I like it. This how you feel when you’re high?”

“No, the high is so much better than being drunk. No hangover, baby,” Cole answered.

“Maybe I should do it with you, so I won’t be so mad when you do it. So, I understand the candy.”

I breathed out, wanting to scream no, but I knew she was just drunk talking. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust the drugs. I just. . . I didn’t want our girl on them. Alcohol was bad enough. I guess that made me a hypocrite, but it was my Sunshine. I could be that way when it came to her safety.

“I think you should close your pretty eyes and sleep,” Cole said softly.

“I don’t want to sleep,” she slurred out again. “I want to fuck you. I came home to do that and stuff.”

Cole shifted, his hand moving to her waist. “You’re really wasted, baby. If we fuck and you pass out, I won’t stop. Neither of us will. Is that what you want? To be fucked while unconscious?”

“I want you,” she mumbled. “Please. Maybe we can make a baby tonight so you will love me forever.”

Her words made my heart hurt. I knew how much Cole wanted a baby, but I also knew how scared and nervous she was over the loss of Blossom.

“Fuck, Rosalie,” Cole rasped. “I’d love you forever without a baby.”

“But you’d love me more with one.”

“You have my entire heart,” he said, cradling her face. “Always.”

“Let’s try. Right now. Fuck me, Cole. Please. I’ve wanted it all night.”

I watched as Cole hesitated, a silent observer to the scene before me.

“Did Anson touch you tonight?” Cole finally asked.

“No,” she said, her words garbled. “Nothing like that. We sang.”

“Promise?” Cole pressed, a desperate note in his voice.

“Yes.” She pressed her lips to his, making him come to life.

“We aren’t alone, baby,” Cole said.

“Don’t tell me who is with us. Both of you can have me. I want to guess.”

---