Page 26 of Make Me Yours
I inspected myself in the mirror as I brushed my teeth. My hair was a hot mess. The steam from the hot tub last night had curled the strands around my face, and it looked like an entire family of rodents had taken up permanent residency somewhere around the back and sides. I shrugged, and flipped off the bathroom light. It was hopeless.
I pulled on a pair of panties and shorts, but left on Cohen’s soft T-shirt, and made my way down the stairs.
It was silent downstairs and I wondered where everyone was. Thankfully there was a pot of coffee already brewed and I poured myself a cup before investigating.
I took a sip of the hot, blissfully strong coffee, and headed out onto the deck. I found the three of them lounging in the cushy club chairs on the deck, mugs in hand.
When I got closer, they erupted in laughter, and Ashlyn was wiping tears from beneath her eyes. I felt like I was intruding, and not privy to their inside joke.
I felt Ashlyn’s eyes appraising me with curiosity and I looked down, surveying myself. I was still in Cohen’s shirt, which was so long it concealed the fact that I was indeed wearing shorts underneath it. I unconsciously tugged at the hem, urging it lower. I could tell Ashlyn was wondering what had happened between Cohen and I that left me exhausted, and dressed in his shirt. I didn’t feel the need to explain myself to her, especially after her and Aiden’s insanely loud fucking.
“Come here, Easy E.” Cohen patted the seat next to him and I slid into it, curling my knees up under me and quietly sipping my coffee.
“How long have you guys been up?” I asked to no one in particular. I couldn’t help but noticed they were all dressed.
“A couple hours,” Ashlyn said, absently trailing her hand along Aiden’s forearm.
Aiden planted a kiss on her palm and then stood. “Come on, Cohen. Let’s make these beautiful ladies some breakfast.” I grinned up at him. I could see how it’d been easy for Ashlyn to fall for him, amnesia or not.
Cohen gave me a smile, and then headed in behind Aiden.
The grin faded from my face the second I met Ashlyn’s eyes. “What the hell was that, Liz?”
“What was what?”
She cocked her head and continued to glare at me. “You wake up late dressed in Cohen’s clothes, and he’s in adamngood mood this morning. What happened between you two last night?”
I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to tame the craziness. “We didn’t have sex if that’s what you mean.”
“But something happened?”
“Yeah, something happened. After listening to your damn moans and bedpost knocking against the wall for thirty minutes straight, we were a little hot and bothered. Cohen got out of the hot tub sporting a giant erection and I followed him inside and… took care of it.”
Her jaw dropped.
I hadn’t meant to make it sound like I was performing an act of public service—trust me, I’d enjoyedtaking care of it, of him, way more than I should have. I wanted nothing more than to repeat that every day. And the thought of being his first, having him deep inside me, watching the joy and pleasure on his face was enough to get my mind to dive straight back into the gutter.
I held up my hand. “Don’t start, okay? We didn’t have sex. And I don’t think either of us regrets what happened last night.”
“Fine. But this can’t happen again, Liz. You’re temping him. And I know you don’t have much self-control.”
I set down my coffee mug roughly on the side table. “Enough. Did I counsel you on your relationship with Aiden?”
“Yes.”
I pressed my mouth closed. She was right. But that was different. Aiden was in a mental hospital—under arrest—and I’d been concerned that he was dangerous. It seemed her concern wasn’t for me, but for the innocent Cohen. “I’m going for a walk,” I blurted.
I set off down the deck stairs and stalked off toward the beach. I began walking with no particular destination in mind, just needing some space from Ashlyn and my growing feelings for Cohen. As much as I hated it, Ashlyn was right. I needed to walk away from Cohen before either of us got hurt. But somehow I knew I wouldn’t.
I winced as my pace demonstrated the need for a bra. But I hadn’t really planned on needing to get away this morning. I crossed my arms over my chest and continued my trek down the beach.
I was so lost in my thoughts that when I finally focused on my surroundings I didn’t recognize anything around me. I hadn’t kept track of time, and had no idea how far I’d gone. Feeling weary, I plopped down into the sand and lay back, looking up at the blue sky.
I hated that Ashlyn was probably right. I didn’t know what I was doing with Cohen. He was a good boy, I was a hot mess. I knew it was a very bad idea to use him or lead him on, because ultimately I wasn’t looking for the whole marriage and babies thing, and I was pretty sure he saw that in his future. I thought I was that kind of girl at one time, but not now, not after the accident and everything that followed. Sometimes I wished things had turned out differently, but I knew that was just a wasted effort. I wouldn’t dwell on the past. Doing so would never change how things had turned out for me. It was best to accept it and move on.
I took a deep breath and sat up. I spotted Cohen in the distance, jogging down the beach toward me. When he drew close, he lowered himself onto the sand next to me.
“Water?” He held a bottle out to me.
