Page 41 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
My heart aches in my chest as Cole moves closer until his chest is nearly touching mine.
His eyes hold the same intensity, still searching for an answer. He makes his decision. His lips find mine again, gentle yet demanding all at once.Thisis the kiss I was expecting. At first, I am frozen, all thoughts stopping entirely as his lips move over mine. I begin to relax into him. His hands move from my wrists and grab my waist, pulling me closer to him. I take advantage of the newfound freedom of my hands with feralurgency. The pads of my fingers skim along his strong arms, leaving a trail of goosebumps across his smooth skin. The kiss seems to last forever until Cole finally pulls away.
My head spins as Cole remains still, both of us gasping for air. Finally, he looks up, our eyes meeting. His green eyes then flash with a new emotion, something I don't recognize in him.
Suddenly, he releases me, the charged atmosphere evaporating. I sag breathless as he straightens nonchalantly. My cheeks flush. I feel inexplicably exposed, standing with my back still against the wall, as if I have been undressed from head to toe.
Cole steps further away abruptly. It feels as if a wash of ice water has come between us. His face hardens, wrestling internally with thoughts that I cannot understand. That he won'tallowme to understand.
I study him silently, a whirlpool of emotions surging within me, intensifying my desperation for him to voice out anything.
“Cole, I—” I attempt to continue, but words betray me.
“See? Utterly professional.” The glint in his eyes contradicts that claim, and he walks away. He doesn’t look back.
Nibbling my lower lip, I remain cemented to the spot, waiting for the last traces of his receding steps up the stairs to vanish completely.
A hollow pit gnaws at my stomach. Gradually, the initial shock and puzzlement subside, replaced by a surge of anger. My fists instinctively tighten by my sides.
How dare he kiss me like that and then walk away as ifnothing has happened?Ineedanswers. Does this mean that the Bahamas meant something to him too? My heart pounds furiously in my chest. My mind whirrs as I try to make sense of the last ten minutes.
How can this man make me feel aroused then angry so damn quickly.
Well, Cole Silver, you have certainly captured my attention now.I want you. I want you more than I have ever wanted anything in my entire life. And that is thelasttime you kiss me and walk away.
COLE
Ipace the plush carpet in Everly’s spare room, working up the nerve to make the call I've been dreading. Finally, I force myself to take a deep breath and dial Mr. Park.
He answers swiftly, a smooth voice coming through the line.
“Cole, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
I hesitate, mouth dry.No backing out now.
“Sir, I'm requesting to be removed from Everly's security detail,” I say, clenching the phone tightly.
Weighted silence follows. When Mr. Park responds, his tone has sharpened. “And why, may I ask, do you want off the assignment?”
My thoughts race, searching for a reasonable justification to conceal the truth — that Everly has slipped past my defenses in a way no one ever has.
“I think...perhaps someone younger would suit her lifestyle better,” I explain. “Connect with her fanbase more.”
Mr. Park makes a skeptical humming sound. “From what I observed at brunch, you two seem to get along perfectly fine. And now that she has that new hooligan boyfriend, she may need your protection even more.”
I stay silent, unable to reveal the real reason without destroying my pristine reputation.
Mr. Park sighs dramatically.
“Let me be frank. You're the only one I trust to keep her safe, Cole. You are…one of best in the business. She is like a daughter to me.” Mr. Park's voice cracks a little before he regains composure. “I expect you to continue performing your duties, personal feelings aside. Understood?” he adds sternly.
My shoulders slump.
“Understood, sir.” By protecting my secret, I've sealed my own fate.
“Good man. Knew I could count on you.” Mr. Park's voice returns to easy confidence, oblivious to my inner turmoil. I mutter a polite goodbye before hanging up, the weight of his expectations settling heavily on my shoulders.
I was a fool to let my guard down with Everly, but the damage is done now. I have no choice but to recommit to professionalism, no matter how it might hurt us both. I saw the look in her eye yesterday after I kissed her. I think she might be falling for me too.
