Page 15 of Echoes of Us
Her eyes lifted to his, captivated by the determination she found in them.“You love the smell of rain but hate getting caught in it.You keep a book by your bed, even if you’re too tired to read it because you like knowing it’s there.And when you’re happy, really happy, you have this tiny crinkle at the corner of your eyes that no one else seems to notice.But I do.”
Her lips parted slightly as he continued.“You know where to touch me when I’m restless, what to say when I’m lost in my own head.And you know that I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone.More than I thought I could.”
Her breath hitched as his thumb traced the line of her jaw, his voice turning lower, rougher.“And I know you, Ashley.I know what you need, what you want, even when you don’t.I know where to kiss you to make you melt.How to touch you to make you forget everything but this–us.”
His lips found hers then, soft but insistent, pulling her into a kiss that stole the breath from her lungs.His hands slid down her sides, finding the hem of her dress and tugging it upward with practiced ease.The cool air hit her skin as he peeled the fabric away, his lips trailing from her mouth to her jaw, then lower, as though mapping every inch of her.
“You’re everything, Ashley,” he murmured against her collarbone, his voice thick with emotion.“You and this baby–you’re my everything.”
Her hands found his shirt, tugging it free from his waistband, her fingers brushing against the hard planes of his stomach.He groaned softly, his touch growing bolder as he lifted her onto the bed.
Cole’s kisses grew deeper, more fervent, his hands exploring her body with a reverence that made her feel worshipped.“I love you,” he whispered, his voice breaking slightly.“And I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”
Ashley gasped as his lips found the sensitive spot just below her ear, her fingers threading through his hair.Whatever anger or doubt she’d felt before melted away, replaced by the unshakable certainty ofhim.
* * *
Ashley woketo the faint hum of the air conditioner, the golden light of early morning spilling across the bedroom floor.For a moment, her mind felt soft, cushioned by the warmth of Cole’s presence from the night before–the way he had held her, kissed her, made her feel known in ways no one else ever could.
But when she turned over, the bed beside her was empty, the covers pulled taut as if he’d never been there.Her heart sank, the reassurance she’d gained evaporating like a wisp of smoke.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand.She reached for it, her stomach twisting as she read the message:
Went to my mother’s.Pancakes on the counter.Say hi to your parents from me.
Cole.Always trying to smooth over the cracks, pretending nothing had happened.She stared at the words, anger simmering beneath her skin.It wasn’t okay.Nothing about last night, about Ezra’s cutting words, about Dale, was okay.
Still, she forced herself out of bed, padding into the kitchen where the smell of pancakes lingered.A neatly folded napkin rested beside the plate, a small sign of his careful thoughtfulness that made her want to scream.She sat at the counter, tearing into the pancakes with more force than necessary.
Halfway through, she stopped, her fork hovering mid-air.Her gaze drifted to the keys sitting on the counter.
She wasn’t going to let this go.Not this time.
Ashley didn’t remember making the decision; she only remembered the rush of cool air as she opened the car door.She called Sarah on the way, the tears she’d held back all morning spilling freely now.
By the time she pulled up outside Sarah’s apartment, her face was blotchy, her nose red, and her chest heaving.Sarah opened the passenger door, her brow furrowing as she took in Ashley’s appearance.
“Poor baby,” Sarah cooed, sliding into the seat.“These pregnancy hormones are killing you.”
“It’s not the hormones,” Ashley snapped, though her voice wavered.
“Sure, it’s not.”
Ashley glared at her, but Sarah only shrugged, motioning for her to keep driving.
“Where are we going, anyway?”Sarah glanced at her through the rearview mirror, her green eyes glinting with curiosity.Her hair, still slightly damp from a quick shower, curled into uneven waves, brushing the edges of her collarbone.
“To Greenwich," Ashley replied, gripping the steering wheel tighter.
Sarah’s jaw dropped.“You’ve completely lost it.”
“Cole went to the cemetery.For Dale.”
Sarah blinked, her surprise softening into something quieter.“Oh.”
“I need to go,” Ashley said, her voice breaking.“I need to see him.”
“Okay,” Sarah said simply, settling back into her seat.“I don’t question the whims of a pregnant woman.”
