Page 58 of Sins of the Flesh
I park my car and walk through the picket fence up to the small porch with a weathered porch swing on the left.It’s swaying slightly in the breeze, as if a ghost is sitting in it mocking me.
I shake my head turning from the swing.I know there is a very real chance I can lose him.Everything about that thought causes my knock to be a bit more frantic than it should.I take a deep calming breath.The last thing I want to do is alert or alarm Cole’s mother.
I knock a couple more times rocking on my feet to dissipate my shattered nerves.I hope he doesn't immediately kick me out.For a long moment, there's silence.Then I hear footsteps, and the door swings open.
Mrs.Abbot, Cole’s mother, stands in front of me.“Father Nichols?Please come in,” Mrs.Abbot says, concern lacing her tone.
“I'm so sorry to disturb you.I came to speak with Cole regarding a work matter.He left early today so I didn’t get the chance.”I say with a small smile.
I feel bad lying to her, but I desperately need to speak with Cole, and with him not answering texts or calls, this is my last hope.Mrs.Abbot nods, her eyes narrowing slightly."He's in his room.Seemed upset when he came home.I hope everything's alright?"I force a reassuring smile and a slight nod.
"I'm sure it's nothing we can't sort out.Thank you, Mrs.Abbot."
“His room is the first door on the left, up the stairs.”She gestures towards the stairway, I step past her and head up the stairs to Cole's room.My heart pounds as I knock softly on his door.
"Cole?It's me.Can we talk?"There's a long pause before I hear his muffled voice.
"Go away, Caleb."
"Please, Cole.I need to apologize.You were right."Another pause, then the sound of footsteps.The door opens and I step back, I’m confronted with Cole's tear-stained face and red rimmed eyes.My heart squeezes in my chest.I did this to him.
"What do you want?"He asks, his voice hoarse, I nod to indicate I would like to enter.Cole walks away from the door to stand by his bedroom window with his back turned to me.
I step inside, closing the door behind me.The space is small but tidy, with a full sized bed pushed against one wall and a desk cluttered with tools and sketches beneath the window.Cole stands, arms crossed defensively over his chest not looking at me.
"I'm so sorry," I say softly, standing next to his desk facing him."You were right about Charlotte.I should have listened to you."Cole's jaw clenches but he doesn’t face me.
"What happened?"He asks.I take a deep breath.
"She tried to kiss me in my office and when I rejected her, she...she said some awful things."I swallow hard, remembering her hateful words."I saw her true colors, Cole."He turns to face me, his arms still crossed over his chest, his eyes widen with a mix of vindication and hurt flashing across his face.
"So you believe me now?"He remarks curtly.I nod, taking a cautious step closer to him.
"I do.I was blind, and I'm so sorry for doubting you.Can you forgive me?"I ask, rubbing his upper arms as I stand in front of him.Cole's shoulders slump, the anger draining out of him.
"I wanted to be wrong," he whispers, bowing his head."I didn't want her to hurt you."
My heart aches at his words.Even when I doubted him, he was still trying to protect me.I close the distance between us, cupping his face in my hands to make him look at me."I'm okay," I assure him.Cole leans into my touch, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment.
Cole opens his eyes again, meeting mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch."I was so scared," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion."I thought I was gonna lose you."
I pull him close, wrapping my arms around him tightly, looking into his sweet face.“Cole, you are the one thing in my life that I chose for myself.”I murmur."And I’m not ready to give up on that."He clings to me, his body shaking slightly.I stroke his back, feeling the tension slowly leave his muscles.
Today was a lesson and I'm going in with my eyes wide open from now on.Losing Cole just isn't an option.
Thirty-Two
Cole
Do It For Me - Rosenfeld
I
t's been a week since my fight with Caleb, and Charlotte much to my delight has been much more physically distant.My heart swells knowing it's because Caleb put her in her place.He didn't tell me about what they talked about in her office but the change in her tells me it made an impact.
Caleb putting his foot down has suddenly become the hottest thing I can imagine.And my dick completely agrees causing my mind to wander into that sexy place where his hands are exploring my body.As my dick starts to fill I groan audibly, not again!I really need to keep my daydreaming to a minimum or sneak into Caleb's office for a quickie because my dick is out of control all of a sudden.
Just as the delightful thought of sneaking into Caleb's office crosses my mind, I hear the distinct clicking of sharp heels and chuckling from the hall.Charlotte and Caleb enter the kitchen.
