Page 109 of Love Me Again

“Christ, baby, you have no idea how desperately I’ve been wanting to kiss you again,” Cole admits gruffly, his thumb stroking my bottom lip.

“So was I,” I whisper, biting my lip, trying my best not to blush under his intense stare. “But I was scared you wouldn’t want to.” I finally admit, and he pulls his head back and frowns, his green eyes looking over my face.

“How could I ever not want to kiss you, sweetheart?” Cole questions, taking my face into his large hands. “Your lips are my holy grail.” He adds, dragging his nose over mine, and I sigh, fighting back the tears I feel coming.

“Do you still want me?” I question hesitantly, dropping my gaze from his, terrified to see the look on his face, but he lifts my head and lowers his so he could catch my eyes.

“I’ve never stopped wanting you, baby. I want you just as badly as I did when we first met. That will never change.” Cole affirms, caressing my face devotedly. “I’m just patiently waiting for you to be ready so I can make love to you like I've been longing to.”

“Cole, I'm scared.” I breathe, closing my eyes.

“I know you are, baby, but it’s okay. I’ll continue to wait for as long as it takes for you to be ready.”

“What if...” I bite my lip, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. “I feel different.”

Cole looks at me, his brows fused together. “It’s not possible.” He assures me and draws me close for a gentle kiss. “You pushed out a six-pound baby and still make my head spin when I slide inside you. I promise you…you’ll feel perfect like you always do.”

God, I love him so much. How did he get to be so damn wonderful?

“And you're sure you can wait? I completely understand if you—” I question warily, and he smiles.

“Shayla.”

I stop rambling and look at him. “What?”

“Shut up and kiss me.” I laugh a little, and he grins, watching me as I lean in and kiss him. Cole moans and wraps his arms around me tight, pulling my body against his. Oh God, I wish I could find some way to rip this anxiety out of me and just give into him, but I don’t know how to.

After we make out for a little while longer, we go home and shower together, where we kissed some more. I had a mini panic attack when things got too heated, and Cole’s hands grabbed my breasts a little too roughly, and I backed away from him. He apologised repeatedly, and I could see the anguish in his gaze when I backed up against the wall and shielded myself away from him. As strong as I was feeling, I still had bouts of sheer panic from time to time. I’ll learn to control it better eventually.

A couple of days later, Cole and Josh told me they had arranged what I had asked for, and here I was, sitting in the passenger seat while Cole drove us to the prison where they were keeping Harvey and Quinton Smith. Just hearing their names gave me chills. It’s incredible what money can buy you. Cole wouldn’t tell me what it cost him, but I could imagine it would have been quite a bit to get me in a room with the bastards that stole everything from me. I stare out of the window silently, mentally preparing myself to face them again and going through everything I wanted to say to them.

Cole looks at me, “Shayla. We can turn—”

“No.” I cut him off firmly and turn my gaze to him. Cole holds my gaze and frowns a little before he nods and looks at the road again. I look at the prison up ahead, and my hands fist tightly in my lap.

“Hey,” I look back at Josh when he leans closer to speak to me from the backseat. “We’ll be right there, and guards will be in the room too, so don’t be scared, okay.” Josh clarifies, and I shake my head.

“I’m not scared,” I stare up at the prison as we drive through the gates. “I’m anxious.”

“Remember what I taught you about your fear. You control what you feel, not the other way around.” I nod slowly, and we get out of the car once we park up. Cole goes and speaks to the guard at the main gate before he waves us over, and we follow a guard through the prison. It was eerily quiet as we walk through the courtyard. I could feel my anxiety spiking, but I force it away. A guard comes out and greets us, shaking Cole's hand before he looks at me, and I stare at him.

“You’re one brave woman.” He states, and I look at him wordlessly. “There are guards in the room with you. They’ll be chained so they can’t hurt you.”

I lick my lips, shaking my head while we stop outside a door. “There isn’t anything left for them to hurt anymore,” I say, and the guard narrows his blue eyes at me for a moment but nods, gesturing to the door. I turn and look through the glass and see them sitting in the room, chained to chairs.

“Whenever you’re ready.” The guard says, and I lift my eyes to Cole, who was looking at them through the glass, his chest rising and falling, his gaze stern and menacing.

“Stay here,” I tell him, and he looks down at me and frowns deeply.

“Fuck no, you’re not going in there alone.” He argues firmly, and I glare at him.

“I am. I spent four days alone with these bastards. I need you to stay here. I have to do this on my own.” Cole tries to argue but whatever he saw in my eyes made him relent. I turn and slowly exhale as I reach for the door. My fingers tremble as I slide the handle down and push the door open. Their heads lift when they hear the door open, and I walk into the room. Quinton’s steely eyes find mine, and we stare at one another. That slow smirk appears on his face, makes my stomach clench painfully, making me want to turn and run, but I shove it away as I turn and close the door. Cole and Josh come closer to the glass, watching me like a hawk. I lock eyes with Cole, and he nods slowly, silently encouraging me.

“Hi Cupcake,” Quinton drawls when I turn and face him. “Did you miss me?” I take a step forward. Inside I was screaming, but they won’t ever know that. They leer at me darkly and bite their lip. I look over at Harvey, and he winks at me. I felt sick to my stomach at the sight of both of them. Moments they were holding me down, and my screaming flashes through my mind.

“No.” I hiss, taking a step closer to Quinton, who watches me closely. “I came to wipe that smug smirk off your face, you sick fuck.”

“Is that right?” He sneers, biting his lip as he leans forward in his chair, his chains rattling as he does so. “Are you going to hurt me, Cupcake?”

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