Page 24 of Love Me Again

"Thanks, that's what we were going for. Kind of like a home away from home feel. A place where people can come and unwind for a little while, whether it be for a date or to work or just read a good book in peace." Cole nods, his green eyes darting around as he takes in his surroundings. "Usual for you, Shay?" Chloe questions, and I nod.

"Yes, please. Cole, would you like something different? They have great coffee here, too, if you're not in the mood for hot chocolate?"

Cole shakes his head and smiles, "No, I'll have the same as Shayla, thank you." Chloe nods and walks off, leaving us alone. "So, you come here quite often, then?"

I nod and smile when Cole reaches over and takes my hand in his. "I did. I haven't been in a while. The girls and I come here all the time in winter. Weordersome waffles and hot chocolates and sit by the fireplace over there and 'chillax' as Jo likes to say."

"I like it here," Cole utters, looking around with a little smile. "It feels like..."

"Home." I finish for him, and he looks at me for a drawn-out moment and finally nods.

"Home," Cole repeats, staring into my eyes. "I'm starting to see why I was so fascinated with you." He declares as I rest my head in my hand and observe him.

"You are?"

Cole nods, mimicking my action, and rests his head in his right hand while his left plays with my fingers. "I've never met anyone like you." I smile, holding his gaze. "I've said that to you before, haven't I?" Headds, his eyes narrowed, and I laugh a little, my cheeks aflame.

"Yes, many times. You said that the very first night we met." I answer, chewing on my lip. I drop my gaze from him to our hands, resting on top of the table.

"You're unquestionably different from the girls I'm used to being around. You're very kind, and you have this warmth about you." He explains, reaching up and brushing his fingers along my jaw. "I can't put into words what it does to me."

I close my eyes, "Like the first sip of a steaming cup of hot chocolate when you're freezing." I whisper with a smile and open my eyes to look at him again.

"Exactly," Cole whispers back, gazing into my eyes. "You fill my insides with a warmth I'm not really familiar with."

I couldn't contain the smile. Cole smiles back, and for a fleeting moment, we felt like us again, how we used to be.

"Sorry to disturb you guys," Chloe sheepishly utters while holding our drinks and waffle in a tray. "You were looking at one another so wonderfully I felt awful coming over here, but your order is getting cold." She apologizes, and I laugh, blushing profusely as we pull apart. Cole chuckles, observing me flush like a teenager.

"Thank you, Chloe. God, it smells so good." I moan, looking down at my white chocolate and Raffaello waffle with coconut whipped cream. Cole looks down at the waffle with wide eyes.

"Enjoy guys, if you need anything, give me a shout," Chloe states and walks off once we thank her.

"You're about to taste heaven, Lord Hoult." I tease, grinning while cutting into the waffle. I hold out a piece to his mouth, and he eats it. He chews slowly, his eyes closing with an audible moan.

"Oh, my God." I watch him as he tilts his head back, moaning, and I grin, eating a forkful myself.

"Mm, I forgot how good it tastes." I moan, licking the cream. Cole lifts his eyes to me, watching me as I suck the fork clean. He clears his throat, blinking a couple of times before he picks up his fork, and we eat the waffle while sniggering uncontrollably.

"Hey, hey, stay on your side," Cole grumbles, laughing and pushing my fork away with his when I reach over to steal a piece of chocolate off his side.

"But you've got the good chocolate." I giggle, pushing his fork away. Cole picks up the last chocolate with his fingers and holds it between his lips.

"Come and get it. I dare you." He snickers, teasingly goading while wagging his brows at me.

I laugh, "You think I won't." I retort when he leans in close, his eyes challenging. I lean closer, my eyes on his as I tilt my head to the side and take the chocolate from his lips. Cole seizes the opportunity and kisses me softly, sucking my bottom lip.

"Mhm, now that's heaven indeed." Moaning, Cole pulls back a little to look into my eyes.

"You're a bad man, Cole Hoult," I whisper against his lips, and he grins, cupping my face with his large hands and kisses me slow and deeply.

"And you love it." He groans gruffly, sucking my tongue sensually, making me quiver inwardly. We pull back from the kiss a couple of minutes later, minds hazy and breathless.

After we finish our waffle, we drink our hot chocolates with tiny marshmallows and whipped cream while we sit by the fire and talk for over an hour.

* * *

By the timewe got back home, it was four in the morning.

---