Page 46 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
“Faster, Cole,” I cry, needing the speed of him to match the adrenaline coursing through my veins.This feels so good.I’m worried that no life experience will ever match up to the feeling of Cole Silver inside of me for the first time.
I can feel the tension building inside of my core again. He uses one hand to stroke my throbbing center while the other cups my breast. He’s still moving inside of me slowly, teasing me off the cliff. I tremor as I climax again, my hands now digging into his back. He continues kissing and sucking my nipple until my breath regains balance. Then, impatiently, he pushes himself into me, fast.
He roars my name as he finds his own release then drops beside me panting. Both of us are nude strewn over the sofa like a couple of teenagers who couldn’t wait to move to a bedroom.
I trace my fingers along Cole's strong jawline, in awe of how much passion,how much electricity, there could be between two people.
“You're beautiful, Little Rose,” he murmurs, only half coherent pressing his lips to my forehead.
Beside each other, our breathing slowly returns. There is a connection, a bond, between us that I couldn't ignore anymore. I have no idea what is going through Cole’s mind, but I know that I can’t go back now. I am falling hard. Heck, I have fallen. I think that I am in love with Cole Silver.
He is my safe place… Despite being in more danger than I’ve ever been before in my life, I feel as though I have somebody I can rely on.
We stay there in silence for a few moments, our fingers intertwined. But soon the desire between us stirs again. Cole's hands start to roam over my body once more and we’re feverish with need. Then for the second time that evening I am screaming his name.
COLE
Istare at my glowing phone screen as Everly sleeps soundly beside me, red hair fanned over the pillow. One email and I could request reassignment, I could,should,insist on it. Escape this situation. Lord knows after last night the lines are blurredbig time.
I should dial Park, inform him that mutual attraction now threatens my judgment. Sure, I’d get in some shit for a while, and Park would shout at me and maybe even fire me. He would have every right. Attachments cloud the focus required to protect a target, especially with dangers lurking. I knowbetterthan to let emotions override duty.
Yet my thumb hesitates. I can’t do it — because leaving Everly unprotected is nearly as unbearable as ignoring what we are. No replacement could defend her like I can, not even reliable Benny.I would burn down worlds for her.She has permeated my barricades like nobody else. Abandoning her right now goes against every instinct.
I scrub at the sandpaper stubble along my jaw, exhaustion and frustration mounting.
My thumb hovers over the phone, unsure still. I close my eyes for a moment, and memories resurface, memories I didn't know I still had.
“Gotcha again, little brother!” Lewis crows as he swiftly pins me to the mat with a grin. Though only a year separates us in age, Lewis never misses a chance to crow about his superiority.
I scowl up at his laughter-crinkled eyes and tanned face hovering over me. At sixteen, Lewis somehow moved through life lighter than me, more given to impulsive risks and acts of chaotic good in contrast to my ever-cautious nature. His risks always seem to pay off.
“Yeah, yeah, just catch your breath, old man. I'm coming for your next round,” I shoot back defiantly.
I've yet to beat my brother in grappling, but stubborn determination fuels me as we reset positions across from each other on the worn mat.
Lewis gives me an affectionate shove that I return in kind before we close the distance, hands questing for advantage. We flow through sweeps and submission attempts, equally matched in skill and drive.
Until I overcommit on a hip toss and suddenly find myself immobilized, my overeager momentum used against me. Lewis presses my shoulder victoriously for the three-count.
“Little brother, you gotta learn to take it easy every once in a while! Stop thinking so hard,” he teases, tousling my hair playfully.
I shrug off his hand in feigned annoyance but can’t help cracking a reluctant grin at his easygoing exuberance. Maybe Lewis has a point that being wound so tight causes me to overanalyze and lose ground sometimes. But impulsive risks have never come naturally — I prefer guided discipline directing my path. Still, as we spar late into the humid night under familiar stars, my brother's spirit of freedom holds undeniable appeal.
I smile a little remembering that time, and I’m hit with the realization that Everly haschanged me. She has brought out a part of me that reminds me of Lewis, a spontaneous reckless part. But it’s a part that feels so alive. Being near to her just feels fuckingright. She challenges my very worldview — forcing me to feel again.
Putting the phone down, I roll to face Everly again. She is breathing softly. I plant a gentle kiss on her forehead.
It would be smarter to run before this fierce woman finishes switching all my wiring permanently.You meanbefore you’re in a position to gethurt,a small voice corrects me.
But glancing her way, stroking her auburn hair while she is all curled up, something in me rebels hard, refusing to lose this.
I know I can’t trust anyone else to protect her. Not now that I care about her. So I'll break every rule in the damn playbook shielding her.
Screw protocol. I know that I will protect this beautiful, fiery woman with mylife.
EVERLY
Cole headed out quickly to grab us some food this morning, as his apartment lackedanythingnutritional, beside condiments and pasta.
